EP.43
Tang So-young?
How did you end up here?
No.
What’s important isn’t that.
It’s the fact that a member of the Tang Family is touching Nephila Jurassica’s body.
And that she is asking for Low Qi.
It can be saved.
Kwaddeuddeuk!
I quickly rummaged through the body of the Dilophosaurus.
As I tore it apart with my claws, I spotted a large, purplish-green Low Qi.
[Advanced Low Qi (Green)]
With it in my mouth, I hurriedly ran.
Having defeated the Dilophosaurus, my level increased, and all my injuries were healed.
Pabababam!
“Gegegegek!”
I urgently handed the Low Qi to Tang So-young.
She didn’t even look at me as she accepted it.
After cutting it precisely in half, she placed it into Nephila Jurassica’s mouth.
Tadad.
She touched Nephila Jurassica’s blood with her hands and saliva.
“Gek…”
With a worried expression, she watched over Nephila.
The bleeding had stopped, but her condition seemed critical.
After a few more blood touches, Tang So-young looked at me and nodded.
That must mean it’s okay to come closer.
My heart raced up and down.
It was slight, but she was definitely breathing.
“Gegegegek!”
She was alive.
She hadn’t died.
Droplets.
Hot water fell from my eyes.
It landed on Nephila Jurassica’s eyes.
She looked at me and smiled faintly, just like before.
Her delicate hand wiped away my tears.
The difference from earlier was that this time, I wouldn’t drop them helplessly.
Spider.
I met Nephila’s eyes.
Eight red eyes looked back at me.
…Huh?
Eight?
It had definitely been two before.
The soft touch against my cheek felt strangely different too.
It felt like a very sharp and hard blade was touching me.
“Kieeek!”
Nephila.
I’m so glad you’re alive.
But suddenly, it’s overwhelming.
“Kieeeek!”
“Geek!”
Enough!
Get back for now!
*
“I’m relieved. I managed to revert any excessive strain somehow.”
Thanks to Tang So-young, Nephila Jurassica could live.
Of course, it was quite regrettable that her beautiful face had vanished, but still, saving her life was something.
But how did I end up back here?
After being hit by the Dilophosaurus’s poison.
“I was really surprised. I didn’t even realize I was poisoned. I thought I had identified all of Dilophosaurus’s poisons, but who would’ve thought it had hidden its strength…”
I was taken aback by the cunningness of the Dilophosaurus.
Well, if Tang So-young had already figured out all of its abilities, she would have given me much bigger warnings.
No, the Tang Family wouldn’t have entrusted her with the Dilophosaurus’s management at all. Her abilities were impressive, but her fighting power was pretty lackluster.
“I owe my life to Master Komodo. I’m really grateful. I felt heartbroken leaving you behind, but thankfully this spider came to my aid.”
Came to your aid?
“She gave me an herb with detoxifying properties. Usually, spiders wouldn’t know such things, but it seems this spider was also one that had stayed with our Tang Family Tao.”
Nephila Jurassica, who had been hovering around me, encountered Tang So-young as she fled.
Having given her the antidote, she quickly came back to me, and Tang So-young waited until the poison was neutralized before arriving here.
I glanced at Nephila Jurassica.
I was in the midst of pulling my tail with her long legs.
Toos and Pus watched her actions while clinging to my tail.
Usually, I would have protested with a “Kieeek!”, but what was with that resolute expression?
Was there some unspoken understanding between the spiders, or was she thinking differently after this incident?
I was relieved that everyone was safe.
If even one of them had been missing, this outcome wouldn’t have happened.
I had saved them all.
Not a single one was lost.
“…It’s painful to have lost the Dilophosaurus, but it can’t be helped, since it’s already gone.”
So there was something I had lost after all.
“Tang So-young. Please open your mouth.”
Tang So-young suddenly made that request.
I wasn’t a child.
Squeeeak.
I opened my mouth wide.
At that moment, Tang So-young shoved something into my mouth.
Was she giving me medicine?
There was a familiar bitter taste.
…This was Low Qi!
“Gegegegek!”
This was something I could barely afford to give to Nephila!
Just as I was about to force the Low Qi out, she said, “You should eat it, Master Komodo. I fed half to the spider too. Taking any more would be poison.”
Is that so?
Then I had no choice.
…Wait, no.
“Gegegek.”
I stretched my tail to point at the Dilophosaurus’s corpse.
You were in charge of that spirit who died, shouldn’t you at least recover the Low Qi?
“I’m fine. Please eat it, Master Komodo. It’s only right since you are the one who defeated it.”
If you insist that much, I guess there’s no helping it.
I thought she wouldn’t ask me twice, but I was wrong.
Gulp.
This familiar taste…
It had been a while since I had Low Qi.
It warmed me up naturally.
“…And for the current Master, that Low Qi will definitely be necessary.”
The more Low Qi, the better.
“I think we need to keep observing the spider for a while. It will take some time, so please do what you need to do, Master Komodo.”
As she said that, her gaze turned back to Nephila Jurassica.
Now fully a spider, not even resembling a human anymore.
I briefly questioned whether she would be able to heal her, but then realized it was unnecessary worry.
After all, she was someone who knew animals better than humans.
Tuduk.
“Kieeeng!”
“Isn’t it refreshing?”
I couldn’t understand why a martial artist was giving treatment to a spider, but let’s just move past it.
I knew exactly what I needed to do.
Messages kept fluttering continuously.
And finally, I had achieved the maximum level.
【King Crocodile Lizard LV20(+)】
Reaching level 20 after defeating the Dilophosaurus.
That symbol following the level.
It was time to evolve.
Carrying the Dilophosaurus meat, I entered the collapsed nest.
[A mysterious aura surrounds your body.]
I could feel the power of the Low Qi I had just consumed.
This was different from ordinary Low Qi.
[Evolution is possible.]
Could it be because of the color? I could feel the strength of the Dilophosaurus distinctly.
[Would you like to evolve?]
Of course!
__________________________
【King Crocodile Lizard】 can evolve into
1. 【Gavial】
2. 【Reticulated Python】
3. 【Komodo Dragon】
__________________________
There were no unique options like Moon Wolf or Dimetron.
All three options were quite reasonable choices.
It was a bit surprising that the Komodo Dragon was not a special evolution, given that it evolved directly from the King Crocodile Lizard; something like the Komodo had to be included.
__________________________
【Gavial】
It is a type of crocodile that measures about 3 to 6 meters in length and weighs around 160 kg. It is characterized by its long, slender snout and thin teeth. Gavials exhibit a social behavior, living in groups and communicating with each other through distinctive vocalizations.
__________________________
Gavial.
Right from the start, a pretty good option had come up.
Its size is quite impressive.
It weighs more than twice and is longer than an average Piranha Cayman.
If I chose this guy, it would certainly make things a lot easier.
However, it has a critical drawback.
Gavials are not exactly good-looking.
It would be embarrassing to call it a crocodile.
Let’s move on.
__________________________
【Reticulated Python】
This snake can grow up to 9 meters long and can weigh up to 100 kg, making it the longest living snake today. It uses its overwhelming size and muscle to slow and hunt its prey. There have even been records of large individuals preying upon crocodiles and Malayan sun bears.
__________________________
The longest living snake.
Of course, it is smaller than Titanoboa.
The Reticulated Python also had a very impressive size.
Its basic combat power is excellent.
The problem is, it literally transforms from a lizard into a snake, right?
Its legs would disappear.
This means I couldn’t use Soaring Dragon or Tidal Water anymore.
It’s unfortunate, but I’ll also pass on you.
__________________________
【Komodo Dragon】
This is currently the largest lizard, growing up to 3.6 meters in length and weighing up to 160 kg. It is a powerful hunter that gruesomely hunts its prey with serrated teeth reminiscent of carnivorous dinosaurs. Furthermore, it is skilled at long battles using its venom and the bacteria in its saliva, although most opponents collapse before the poison even takes effect.
__________________________
This is it.
This is the right lizard.
That a lizard can weigh up to 160 kg is astonishing.
Of course, that is the maximum record, so the average would be about 80 kg.
That much would solve all my problems.
There’s no need to look further.
Even if special evolution options appear, there wouldn’t be a better choice than the Komodo Dragon.
[You have achieved the conditions for special evolution.]
Still, let’s see what’s there.
[Acurosaurus has achieved an astonishing feat!]
Huh?
[You have accomplished an incredible achievement.]
This is a notification I’ve never seen before!
[Hidden options are revealed as a reward.]
Hidden options?
Something feels off.
It’s neither a special evolution nor something entirely different popping up.
With a racing heart, I looked at the options presented.
__________________________
【King Crocodile Lizard】 can evolve into
1. 【Gavial】
2. 【Reticulated Python】
3. 【Komodo Dragon】
4. 【Komodo】 (Feed with “Dragon Scale”, “Reverse Wind and Wave”, “Nine Yin White Bone Claw”, and a fragment of advanced Low Qi (Green))
__________________________
Wait a minute.
What’s that long tag?
And why is Komodo appearing here?
Was Tang So-young’s nonsense actually real?
Is there really a Komodo, not just a Komodo Dragon?
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