I Became an Evolving Lizard in a Martial Arts Novel

EP.64

Let’s talk about it.

It’s a fair point.

First off, I wish you would stop testing me and just get to the point.

Staring at that energy pouch of mine feels akin to torture.

“Hehe. You’re quite the strange one. If you truly are a snake with legs, you shouldn’t need to feel embarrassed by this appearance.”

I feel caught off guard.

There’s really no reason to hide that I was human.

However, I doubt it would do me any good if that were to be revealed.

Who knows what these snake sisters might do?

They could suddenly become curious about the taste of human flesh.

…Of course, Shik wouldn’t do that, but the Snake Queen might.

She could very well try to swallow me, no matter what that implies.

Face the reality.

The energy pouch right in front of me.

Yes.

This is unavoidable, just a glance to avoid suspicion.

“Now that we’re this far in, I suppose there’s no need for me to introduce myself, is there?”

That goes without saying.

The one before me is the Snake Queen.

A Basilisk of unknown level, no less.

“You must have met the King of Birds. And you survived.”

The Snake Queen smiled faintly.

“Since there are traces left behind, it’s clear you did not agree with his opinions. Yes, as you might have guessed, the relationship between me, the Snake Queen, and the King of Birds is not a good one.”

It certainly seems that way.

The King of Birds commands creatures from large ones like the Terror Bird to small ones like parrots.

I haven’t seen it yet, but the Snake Queen commands serpents like Anacondas and Titanoboas.

It’s something even a passing Microraptor would know: the King of Birds and the Snake Queen are dividing this immense jungle.

The King of Birds and the Snake Queen.

Could they possibly be married?

Is this a domestic dispute?

“…Legged snake. Your expression is rather unpleasant.”

You’re also a legged snake, after all.

“The King of Birds is the enemy of all snakes. Snakes were born to kill birds.”

Right. They don’t seem like a married couple after all.

Well, a beauty like this wouldn’t marry something as strange-looking as a Human-Faced Bird.

“Why? Do you wish to become my partner?”

Much better than a Human-Faced Bird… Wait a moment?

“What’s so surprising? Being this close, is it not common sense that I can read basic thoughts?”

What country’s common sense is that?

“Eek!”

Shik is doing its best to keep the situation under control.

…But aren’t you a snake?

Why do you keep acting like a cat?

Shik bit the Snake Queen’s finger repeatedly.

Good job, my lucky charm.

“Indeed, your teeth have become sharper. If you keep growing like this, you might succeed me soon.”

The Snake Queen gently petted Shik, which was biting her finger.

“Birds and snakes are each other’s enemies. Yet due to the balance of power, we’ve been unable to move easily.”

A Human-Faced Bird and a Basilisk.

If they were to fight, it would be tremendous.

Even if one of them were to win, the other wouldn’t come out unscathed.

Being attacked by a third party aiming to usurp the ruler of this jungle would be only natural.

“There is one who seeks to shatter this delicate balance.”

That would be me.

The legendary creature, Komodo.

The Snake Queen intended to use me, this wild card, to topple the Human-Faced Bird.

Is this the kind of plan one needs to truly deserve the title of queen?

I can’t help but admire this intricate scheme.

“Hehe…”

With Komodo’s strength, breaking the balance would be entirely possible.

Should I sweep them all away?

It might be good to butcher them so thoroughly they can’t even open their mouths.

“Hmm… I’m truly sorry, but I’m not referring to you.”

…Is there even a mouse hole to hide in?
EP.64

Can I fit into the hole that Shik entered earlier?

I think I could manage if I contort my body just right…

[The effect of cold-bloodedness is activated.]

My once hot face is gradually cooling down.

Well, it’s not unusual for a lizard to make a mistake once or twice.

Let’s be audacious.

“Gak…”

“Of course, it’s true that I need your help. But someone like you to break the balance…”

“Gek!”

Stop it.

I was wrong.

“Hehe. Yes, you’re quite adorable.”

“Dyororong…”

At some point, Shik had started to snore.

…Are you sleeping just because I’ve petted your head a few times?

“The one seeking to break the balance is a snake endowed with the Morning Star.”

A snake endowed with the Morning Star?

“How dare this body be betrayed by that hideous traitor.”

Morning Star (啓明星).

What a grand name.

The Morning Star.

Isn’t that another name for Lucifer?

After the gluttonous Beelzebub, now we have a Lucifer Snake?

Wait a moment.

Morning Star?

The Snake Queen is a Basilisk, after all.

If the snake endowed with the Morning Star betrayed her…

*

In a building of the Heavenly Demon Cult.

Tang So-young’s heart was troubled.

Why was she, a member of the Four Heavenly Temples, in the heart of the Demon Cult?

If she were to tell anyone, no one would believe her.

Moreover, it was not as if she were being treated as a hostage; she was being treated with utmost courtesy.

There was no lack of food, and warm water was provided for her every day.

Though her body felt comfortable, Tang So-young’s heart felt heavy.

There was another thing that only added to her distress.

“Keek!”

These spiders that have been causing a ruckus since earlier are demanding the spotlight.

The small venomous spider clicked its fangs ominously.

“Kiooo!”

The spider spitting out threads could not contain its anger and rubbed its body against the lizard form it had created from thread.

“Kyaaaaaah!”

The larger spider was roaring, clashing its two legs together as if heading somewhere.

What on earth is going on with these spiders?

Though Tang So-young had dealt with countless beasts and creatures in the Tang family, she had never witnessed a situation like this.

Moreover, her own feelings were gradually becoming strange as well.

She felt an unsettling anxiety, as if something precious might be snatched away by someone else.

“C-calm down! I feel strange, too, but there’s no need to act like this!”

The spiders glanced at Tang So-young.

Perhaps because they had spent time together, Tus and Pus seemed to quiet down a bit.

“Keng.”

Of course, that was just a figment of Tang So-young’s imagination.

Tus and Pus, making a rather annoying sound, resumed their previous actions.

“…Keng? What does that mean?”

“Keeng!”

It was impossible for a spider and a human to understand each other.

Even someone like Tang So-young, who had a remarkable ability to communicate with creatures, could not comprehend all their words.

However, she could guess what kind of expressions Tus and Pus were making and the meanings behind their sounds.

Perhaps indicating they were of a lower status.

That seemed to be what Tus and Pus were conveying.

Whether it was Tang So-young’s misunderstanding or the truth, no one could know.

“Alright, let’s determine the hierarchy today. The Tang family secret, the Magic of the Ten Thousand Sparrows… wait, why are you two trying to attack? Eek!”

Just as Tang So-young was about to get pummelled by the spider sisters,

Creak.

As soon as the door opened, Tus and Pus behaved as if nothing had happened.

“…Ouch. Ugh. These spiders!”
Tang So-young was about to punish the spiders without realizing the door had opened.

“Get along well.”

Upon hearing the monotonous voice, Tang So-young’s movements froze instantly.

No matter how many times she heard it, she could never become accustomed to that voice.

The leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult.

A woman who held a spot among the ten greatest masters, embodying the phrase ‘the world’s number one.’

Baek Yeon-young.

Barely managing to control her trembling body, Tang So-young managed a greeting.

“A-ah, hello…”

Her voice sounded as if an ant were crawling in.

It was not something a leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult should hear, nor was it the words of someone from one of the Five Great Families.

However, Baek Yeon-young did not mind.

“Good. Is there anything uncomfortable about your stay here?”

She was providing far more convenience than necessary.

Not only were basic needs met, but she also allowed Tang So-young to glimpse the everyday life of the Heavenly Demon Cult, which was never revealed to outsiders.

What surprised Tang So-young even more was that the place was teeming with mystical creatures.

Creatures that resembled demonic beasts scurried around, and the followers of the Heavenly Demon Cult struggled to communicate with them.

It was a sight that was distinctly different from any orthodox sect.

Except for a few moderate members like Tang So-young, the Four Heavenly Temples largely relied on violent and fear-based methods to dominate mystical creatures.

But the followers of the Heavenly Demon Cult were different. They aimed to communicate with patience.

Because of this, Tang So-young felt confused. The behavior of the demon cult seemed more just than that of the orthodox sect.

“Take a seat. I have refreshments, so let’s have a chat for a moment.”

The dreaded refreshment time began.

Of course, after a moment of trembling, as sweet food entered her mouth, her face began to melt with pleasure.

The refreshments brought by Baek Yeon-young were cherished items of Baek Seolhwa, the goddess of the Heavenly Demon Cult. However, Tang So-young had no way of knowing that and simply accepted and ate what was given to her.

“Uhehe…”

With a somewhat eerie sound, Tang So-young received the refreshments from Baek Yeon-young and began to converse with her in a more comfortable atmosphere.

The topic was nothing significant.

The progress of healing the large spider, and the training plan for the small spiders.

Additionally, her feelings since coming to the Heavenly Demon Cult were also shared.

Among them, she spoke at length about mystical creatures.

Baek Yeon-young had a keen interest in mystical creatures, so the conversation, which seemed impossible between the two, flowed smoothly.

“I didn’t expect there would be so many mystical creatures here.”

“They are beasts with the potential to become mystical creatures. Those with inner energy are rare. Creatures like Hee that can manipulate energy are even rarer.”

The topic gradually shifted to mystical creatures capable of wielding inner energy.

Tang So-young shared everything she knew about the Dalopo and Komodo, aside from the secret information managed by the Four Heavenly Temples. It was indeed impressive for a mystical creature to wield inner energy.

As the topic shifted, their discussion unexpectedly turned toward a significant being.

One referred to as Great Master Go, and the other as Hee, the now sizable lizard, became the subject of their conversation.

“Ah, right. I mentioned that Great M—uh, Hee has an opportunity. May I ask what kind of opportunity that is?”

Feeling both worried about Komodo and curious as a member of the martial world, she could not help but ask about the opportunity shared by the leader of the demon cult.

Baek Yeon-young elegantly sipped from her tea.

“If it’s an opportunity from Shiman Mountain, what could it be? Once again, it involves a mystical creature.”

She gazed at her fingers holding the teacup.

Those were the fingers that Hee had bitten.

“You’ve likely never heard of it. It’s such a rare mystical creature.”

Tang So-young waited eagerly for Baek Yeon-young’s words, her expression filled with anticipation.

“A snake with the Morning Call (鷄鳴聲).”

Listening to stories about mystical creatures she didn’t know was always a delightful experience.

“The Darkened Beast.”