EP.59
Snake Queen.
I have a vague memory of that name.
Wasn’t it something the Confucian dragon… no, the Human-Faced Bird mumbled about?
Moreover, the parrot mentioned that this Human-Faced Bird is the King of Birds.
So we have a snake with a title of a queen that the King of Birds is aware of. It is highly likely that it is at least as strong as the Human-Faced Bird.
Additionally, the fact that there are beings serving the Snake Queen suggests that there might be faith or even a religion surrounding her.
A true kingly presence.
There is a high probability that she is the ruler of this jungle.
【Status Effect: You have obtained the Snake Queen’s Mark.】
【Komodo LV9】
HP: 250/990
MP: 173/410
【Status】
“Snake Queen’s Mark”
The Snake Queen is keeping a watchful eye on you. Those who serve her can recognize her mark.
And I have been branded by this being.
“Gegegegek!”
This is serious.
Of course, that mark is not objectively harmful.
There are no detrimental effects like reduced health or imposed restrictions.
However, the issue lies in the fact that other snakes will be able to recognize me.
Even if those other snakes recognize me, I could simply dismiss it by thinking, “Aren’t they just snakes?”
But I have already seen beings that transcend the species of snakes.
The Titanoboa I encountered in Silver Dragon Cave.
And the being it evolved into, a multi-headed monster.
Just as I evolved into a Komodo, it seems that the creatures here can evolve into mythical beings from legends.
There’s no guarantee that there won’t be such monsters under the command of the Snake Queen.
In the first place, even a mature Titanoboa could be quite a challenge for me now.
And the Snake Queen, who oversees such beings, must be unimaginably powerful.
That snake from Silver Dragon Cave didn’t even earn the title of queen.
Let me consider the possibilities for my survival.
Should I rush over to Baek Yeon-young and ask for help right now?
Maybe I could wag my tail and flip over, and she’d scare the enemy with her Yeon-young Punch?
I can visualize Baek Yeon-young in my mind.
She strikes down the Snake Queen in one blow and walks towards me confidently.
Then she whispers,
“…Hiya. This time, I’ll need quite a few scales.”
Imagining that Baek Yeon-young is turning me into a roasted chicken.
“Gegeck!”
No way!
It would be a relief to just lose scales, but she might demand my essence as well.
In truth, I had no way of knowing where Baek Yeon-young was.
The Yeon-young chance is off the table.
Of course, it’s clear I must absolutely avoid a direct confrontation.
So what should I do now?
The Snake Queen.
And the King of Birds.
For now, it doesn’t seem like their relationship is very good.
Wait a minute, come to think of it, the King of Birds kept asking whether the dragon was a snake or a bird.
The King of Birds audaciously pushes the theory of dinosaur birds.
Then what about the Snake Queen?
Naturally, she would promote the theory of dinosaur reptiles.
I am a fervent supporter of the dinosaur reptiles theory.
Even when faced with the destructive beams of the Human-Faced Bird, I never wavered in my resolve.
If I play my cards right, I might just be able to turn the Snake Queen into roasted meat.
Though explaining that will likely lead to me becoming a lizard skewer myself.
Either way, the best course of action is to avoid encountering the Snake Queen.
My main objective for coming here is to obtain a fortuitous encounter and leave quickly.
Both the Snake Queen and the King of Birds are problems.
“Gegegegek…”
The Python slithered up and coiled around my leg.
Hurry up and tell me.
Is there still a chance to cancel this proposal?
Of course not.
But what exactly is the relationship between this snake and the Snake Queen?
Is it simply a regular follower?
It seems too overprotected for that.
If it were just an ordinary follower, there wouldn’t be any reason for the Snake Queen to be angry.
Of course, she could be upset about losing a follower, but I feel she wouldn’t go as far as marking me.
Perhaps this snake was a follower that the Snake Queen held in quite high regard.
Because it wouldn’t be due to sheer power, there must be another reason…
Could it be some kind of blood relation?
“Hiek!”
Maybe not.
It seems like she’s just fond of it because of its appearance.
With looks like that, it’s understandable to be cherished.
So round and cute.
“Hieeek…”
The Python winds its tail around itself.
Sigh, why do I keep seeing Tusk and Fuss when I look at it?
There’s no title for being loved by snakes, after all.
I need to acquire a fortuitous encounter and get out of here quickly.
Staying here too long will surely lead to an unpleasant ending.
Ugh, what a hassle finding a fortuitous encounter only to go through this torment.
I almost died at the hands of the King of Birds, and now I’ve been marked by the Snake Queen.
The only profit I have gained is a somewhat cute-faced snake.
Looks like I’m in for some more trouble again.
Is there no fortuitous encounter to be found anywhere?
As I pondered this, I glanced at Shweeshwi.
Is there anything like a magic potion just lying around?
I stared intently at Shweeshwi.
He definitely has a refined appearance for a snake.
Every time I see this guy, I can’t help but feel he resembles a young lady who has seen less of society’s harshness.
She set off for the jungle without knowing a thing, and things didn’t go as she thought.
Then she just happened to encounter a lizard.
I stared at him very, very intently.
Stories like this usually end with someone being tempted by the wicked tongue of a lizard.
All the fortuitous encounters hidden away in the family are squandered on a bad man.
“Gegegegek…”
The Python flinched as it felt my gaze upon it.
Right.
There definitely seems to be something there.
I swept my hand over a part of my body where the wounds had yet to heal.
Ah… if I had eaten the Oviraptor meat alone, I’d have recovered completely from my injuries…
“Shh, sheek!”
The Python deliberately turned its head away.
“Gegegegegegek…”
If I can’t acquire something like a magic potion, I’m bound to become lizard sashimi…
【【Ball Python LV14】 is troubled.】
Indeed.
I suspected you might know something.
Come on, spill it.
【【Ball Python LV14】 is deep in thought.】
From the expression on its face, it’s giving off the strong impression of, “I know a treasure hidden by the Snake Queen.”
It’s probably weighing its options in its mind.
The Snake Queen and this lizard I met today.
But usually, stories like this end with someone giving both body and heart to a bad man.
Tshhhh!
I transformed my tail again, making it take on a more appealing shape that Shweeshwi would like.
“Hieeeek!”
The startled Python seemed taken aback.
【【Ball Python LV14】 is seriously contemplating.】
Final words.
Shweeshwi.
If you tell me now, I’ll make you rank higher than Dosoyoung.
【【Ball Python LV14】 indicates there is a place only it will reveal to you.】
Indeed.
You’ll rank third from now on.
*
【Komodo LV9】
HP: 412/990
MP: 240/410
【Status】
“Snake Queen’s Mark”
On my way here, I managed to hunt a Protoceratops to fill my belly.
However, that was the end of my luck.
This jungle was far more treacherous than I had anticipated.
I could hardly understand why the Human-Faced Bird had been running around when the heads of gigantic sauropods occasionally came into view. They were so large that even the massive trees of the jungle couldn’t conceal their heads.
It seemed like the Human-Faced Bird would be finished with just one bite and a toss.
But fighting might be a different story.
If it fired destructive beams from a distance, there would be nothing I could do.
Leaving the sauropods aside, the other creatures were no easy opponents either.
Predators like the Dreadful Bird could be deemed as cute.
Though I hadn’t encountered any larger carnivorous dinosaurs, the specs of each herbivorous dinosaur were astounding.
Just like the creature in front of me.
【Stegosaurus LV35】
__________________________
Stegosaurus
Estimated to reach a maximum body length of 7.5 meters and a maximum weight of 5.3 tons, this enormous club-tailed dinosaur has a long and plump body, with a unique structure that significantly elevates its height from head to tail. Its tail features two pairs of sharp spikes made of bone, which it used to fend off predators. The spikes of the Stegosaurus are powerful enough to break bones.
__________________________
This creature is one of the most distinguished among the named ones.
Even someone unfamiliar with dinosaurs would recognize this famed reptile.
To the uninitiated, it might just seem like an ordinary herbivorous dinosaur, but…
Fundamentally, this beast exceeds an elephant in size.
As for me, I would literally turn into lizard skin if I was stomped by it just once.
Currently, I found myself locking eyes with the creature.
I gulped and kept a watchful eye on its movements.
I needed to be ready to respond immediately should it decide to charge.
“Hieeeek…”
Is it luck, or is it possible I hold some status now?
The Stegosaurus stared at me for a few seconds before continuing on its way.
Well, I suppose someone of Komodo’s caliber deserves this kind of treatment.
After the Stegosaurus retreated, I walked a bit further under Shweeshwi’s guidance.
Not far from where the giant reptile had been, there was a massive structure.
Yes, a building.
Caves like Silver Dragon Cave or others could still be thought of as naturally formed.
However, the structure before me was far from natural.
In other words, it was a temple. Or could be called a shrine.
It appeared to have been neglected for quite some time, with moss and vines scattered everywhere.
There were several statues of giant snakes, and the bird-shaped statues were in ruins.
Some herbivorous dinosaurs also inhabited this area.
They seemed cautious upon seeing me, but soon returned to their business, uninterested.
Good. Let’s leave each other alone.
Despite appearances, I am blessed by the Snake Queen.
If those creatures had turned hostile towards me, it would have been very problematic.
Honestly, even taking down one of those from the front would have been a significant challenge.
Why were there so many fearsome guardians standing around?
They all belonged to different species.
I couldn’t quite grasp it, but as long as I didn’t cause a conflict, we’d be fine.
This place must be the one where Baek Yeon-young mentioned a fortuitous encounter might occur.
Considering the numerous tall characters written in the surroundings, it was highly likely this place was created by the Heavenly Demon Cult.
Abundant snake statues littered the area.
And the location carefully indicated by Shweeshwi.
At first glance, it was undoubtedly a place deeply connected with the Snake Queen.
If I were to take anything from here, the Snake Queen might become extremely enraged.
But what does that matter?
I’ve already been marked.
If I just eat and run, everything will be fine.
Besides, a lizard that’s been eaten will still look good.
In a pinch, I could throw Shweeshwi and make my escape.
“Hieeeek!”
Just kidding, just kidding.
Now, shall we go in?
Into the temple of the Snake Queen.
I entered through the narrow entrance.
The interior was spacious but devoid of anything notable.
It’s cleaner in here than I expected.
Clack.
Clack?
A chilling sensation coursed through me, prompting me to hastily lower my head.
Fwoosh!
A rusty crossbow bolt whizzed past my head.
…Right.
This is the kind of place it is.
I activated my sprint.
I reverted my tail to a defensive position.
I grounded myself with both feet for the Little Dragon Ascending Step.
“Hieeeek…”
To think they would try to stop a righteous lizard with something like this.
Here, I’ll uproot everything, right down to the pillars.
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