EP.11
“Grrr!”
The loud alarm clock rang.
It was unnecessarily efficient.
I stretched out my limbs.
The third day had dawned.
“Grrr!”
It was at a volume that made me want to rip out the batteries.
Last night had been hell.
Just when I thought I could finally drift off to sleep, those creatures were at it again, stirring up noise.
Ugh, I really need to get a handle on that Toad and Turtle.
I scratched my claws against the lotus leaf.
Peeking my head out slightly, I alternated my gaze between the Toad’s skin and my claws.
With the Little Dragon Ascending Step, I could launch myself towards it.
And if I targeted its abdomen with my sharp claws?
… It wouldn’t even leave a scratch.
Just look at that strange golden oil.
For some reason, the moment I touched it, I had a foreboding thought that my claws would melt away with a hissing sound.
I left the Toad alone and turned my gaze to the grunting Turtle beside it.
After kicking off the ground and rising up onto the reeds, could I deal damage with a gravity-boosted headbutt attack?
…No, the moment my head made contact with that golden shell, I’d undoubtedly become a lizard shake.
I withdrew my head back into my hideaway.
Why are these thugs loitering next to my home?
Sigh.
I couldn’t help but let out a breath.
I tried practicing Breath Control all day yesterday, but ultimately, I failed.
It was all due to their incessant noise.
When things finally quieted down a little, I took the chance to catch a few winks.
Yawn.
I opened my mouth wide and yawned.
My stomach was starting to grumble.
Though I failed at Breath Control, it seemed reasonable to hope for breakfast.
I discreetly scanned the surroundings for the Turtle and Toad and then stealthily emerged from my hideaway.
[「Stealth LV2」 level has risen.]
I crept forward. It seemed they hadn’t noticed my movement.
Now that I was at a safe distance, it was time to unleash my full power.
With my two legs pressing against the earth,
“Whee!”
I sprinted at full speed and quickly arrived at my destination.
The spot I labeled as my hunting ground.
It had just the right amount of lotus leaves and reeds.
At a glance, one might think it was a lake, considering the size of the swamp.
It was the perfect place for me to operate.
I sat cross-legged on the leaves of an unknown plant.
The reason I came here wasn’t simply for food.
Since I had failed at Breath Control, I needed to find another way to accumulate my inner strength.
There were a few clues to consider.
「Little Dragon Ascending Step」
A movement technique akin to that of a little dragon. It allows one to climb walls as if flying and walk freely on water. It improves basic speed and makes it easier to learn other martial arts.
The first clue was, indeed, the movement technique.
Thanks to having a status window, whenever I repeat a specific action, I tend to gain corresponding skills.
When I engage in stealthy actions, I gain stealth.
When exposed to acid, I gain resistance to it.
“It makes it easier to learn other martial arts.”
I assumed this phrase loosens the conditions related to it.
If there’s a martial art one understands after punching a thousand times, wouldn’t it mean one could grasp it after just a hundred punches?
Training.
There was no choice but to train diligently.
Unless there’s a second clue.
「Gourmet LV1」
The more delicious food one consumes, the easier it is to gain inspiration.
This was the skill I obtained from eating Piranha sashimi.
It makes it easier to gain inspiration.
Now, could I replace the word inspiration with enlightenment?
Some might think it’s just wordplay.
But to me, that’s what the realm of martial arts is all about.
It’s a common theme — a martial artist who remains at their peak for decades without enlightenment. Just before dying, that martial artist achieves enlightenment and cleaves the heavens with their sword. It’s a trope, yet it remains beloved.
I had to gain enlightenment by any means necessary.
Only then could I move on to the next stage.
I had my tasks laid out before me.
It was to hunt on the water while practicing my movement technique.
“Gek-gak!”
I focused my eyes.
【Water Boatman LV1】
The skill known as Wild Eye seemed to be among the most utilitarian of those I possessed.
Not only could I gather information about my opponent, but I could also uncover things that weren’t immediately visible to my eyes.
It was a pity that the skill level was still 1.
I imagined that if the skill level increased, the performance for detailed observation would improve as well.
I fixed my gaze on the Water Boatman.
It didn’t require any cautionary checks; it was on par with the Acacia Aphids I had seen on the trees.
Of course, the hunting difficulty was significantly higher than that of the Aphids.
After all, it was a creature that swam through the water.
Though it may not mean much to me.
Splish-splash!
I charged towards it, cutting through the water.
My hind legs moved at a rapid pace, nearing 20 strokes per second.
My long tail helped maintain my balance.
Both hands extended towards the enemy.
A step that walked on water.
It was the Little Dragon Ascending Step.
Using my formidable speed, I drove my claws into the Water Boatman’s back.
Crack!
With a single blow, the Water Boatman’s movement was halted.
“Gak-gak!”
I looked at the Water Boatman with a satisfied smile, seeing the puncture in its back.
With such power, shouldn’t I really be awarded a martial technique of my own?
Perhaps something like the Little Dragon Ascending Strike or the Little Dragon Ascending Fist.
But no matter how hard I glared at the Water Boatman, nothing changed.
One cannot expect to be full from just one meal.
I immediately began to prepare the Water Boatman.
Peeling off its tender outer shell to reveal the plump meat inside wasn’t a difficult task.
Chomp.
I took a large bite.
Hmm…
Was it because I had eaten fish sashimi yesterday? It didn’t taste that delicious.
It had the exact flavor I expected from a Water Boatman.
Neither more nor less.
For an insect, it was fairly decent. However, the distinct smell of the Water Boatman was quite strong.
It couldn’t be called gourmet.
Still, I couldn’t afford to leave any food behind.
After all, it could help me level up.
“Gek-gak!”
I swiftly devoured one Water Boatman.
One was definitely not enough.
With my eyes gleaming, I looked back at the surface of the water.
Though I yearned to catch a fish, I instinctively felt that the Piranhas I had seen yesterday were on the prowl.
I felt that if I dipped my tail in, I’d be immediately pulled into the water.
If only I had some other tools, I could catch fish.
Rushing reeds would be futile; if I had fishing line or something similar, that would be great…
I’d better stick to catching the more manageable Water Boatmen.
Splish-splash!
I dashed through the water and caught another Water Boatman. This time, I succeeded in knocking it out with a swing of my long tail.
I could save this one for later.
After all, it was already knocked out, so it was perfect for preservation.
Alright.
Let’s catch a few more.
It would be even better if I could spot something like shrimp.
Just as I was poised to catch more remaining Water Boatmen,
I felt a gaze upon me.
Quickly, I shifted my body and turned my head.
Yet, nothing was visible to my eyes.
I concentrated.
【Antracomartus LV3】
【Artercopus LV4】
Two names I had never seen before.
__________________________
【Antracomartus】
A small ancient spider, about 3 cm in length. It has a flat body with large forelegs and hunts its prey with two venomous fangs.
Possessing a timid nature, it plays dead when it senses danger.
__________________________
__________________________
【Artercopus】
A small ancient spider, about 4 cm in length. It resembles a mix between a spider and a scorpion, characterized by a tail that is devoid of venom. It can produce threads with excellent water-resistant properties, yet it displays the unusual behavior of not building a nest with its web.
__________________________
At the same time I confirmed the information of the two spiders, a welcome message arrived.
[The level of “Wild Eye LV1” increases.]
【Antracomartus LV3】
【Status】
“Fear” “Hunger”
【Artercopus LV4】
【Status】
“Naivety” “Hunger”
Wild Eye has evolved.
I can now see the status of my opponents as well.
The source of the gaze that had been watching me turned out to be the two spiders.
They were very small spiders, hardly comparable to the Nephila jurassica.
“Gak-gak.”
Be careful. If it were any other lizard, you would have already been eaten.
If it weren’t for my connection with Nephila jurassica, I might have swallowed these little ones whole.
They looked slightly fluffy and appeared quite appetizing.
Alright, I’ll pretend I didn’t see you.
I turned my head.
But then, the little buggers started to approach me.
“Kieeee….”
What are you doing?
I’m a lizard, and you’re spiders.
Why are you coming towards me?
…Wait a minute.
【Green Basilisk LV2】
HP: 55/55
MP: 24/24
【Title】
“The One Loved by Spiders”
I recalled the title I possessed.
The ability to avoid being attacked by spiders.
In other words, I’m currently marked as a likable lizard to them.
“Kieoong!”
The spiders were waving their front legs about.
How odd that they, being different species, would get along so well.
I wish my neighbors would take a cue from you.
“Gek-gak.”
I did my best to communicate with them.
It was quite rare to encounter a non-hostile opponent.
“Gek-gak-gak!”
A slightly larger spider, namely Pus, stepped forward.
“Kieoo….”
It patted its belly.
“Kieengeng….”
The visibly venomous Tus was also whining.
Could it mean they’re hungry?
Considering I confirmed it with Wild Eye earlier, that should be correct.
I glanced down at the Water Boatman beneath me.
Pus jumped about excitedly.
“Kieoong!”
So they are indeed hungry.
Without hesitation, I nudged the Water Boatman towards them.
The two spiders stared blankly.
“Gek-gak.”
Have they been fooled all this time?
They can eat it, you know.
“Kieoong!”
The larger spider rushed towards the Water Boatman, with the smaller one following closely behind.
Yes, eat up!
Nephila jurassica, are you watching?
Though they aren’t the same species, I’m just glad to repay even a little of the favor I received from you.
I’m not one to get emotional over such things, yet it brings at least a hint of tears to my eyes.
I wiped my eyes with my tail.
“Gek-gak-gak.”
Are you all eating well?
“Hiooong….”
The Water Boatman was being chewed on by the spiders.
Tus and Pus!
Slap!
I whipped my tail and quickly subdued the Water Boatman.
“Kieoong….”
The near-dead Tus and Pus huddled together, trembling.
…No, how on earth did you survive here?
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