EP.47
A languid afternoon.
One could say that preparing a lunch box with care alongside precious family members and heading out with laughter is a successful life.
Of course, there is a minor issue in that the lunch box consists of the dripping hind leg of a Deinonychus, with precious family being three spiders and one Tang, alongside a handsome lizard, but I think that’s perfectly fine.
“…I feel strange again. Should I say it feels like someone is considering me a beast? It’s odd.”
Tang So-young muttered to herself, lost in thought.
I had also packed a grilled fish just for her.
I hadn’t realized it, but it seemed that continuing to eat meat was a bit burdensome for her.
Isn’t it fine if a martial artist eats meat every day?
This thought lingered, yet the heart of a woman is another matter entirely.
A grilled fish should be enough to satisfy her.
Certainly, the divine beast Komodo cannot just graze on grass.
I walked in the direction Nephila Jurassica was gesturing toward.
Three spiders had climbed onto my head, with Tang So-young perched behind them.
Tang So-young would call out directions as the spiders pointed where to go.
…But can’t we just walk for an outing?
You all seem too comfortable up there.
Calling me a divine beast while treating me like one is quite the irony.
“Keyeeng!”
“Master, we should go left this time.”
Am I perhaps falling into the scheme of the Three Warriors from the Tang family?
It’s similar to a malicious company that throws around titles like department deputy or supervisor needlessly. They put a hat on you and use it as leverage to prevent your resignation or make unreasonable demands.
Even if your position changes, nothing really changes; it just boosts your mood, preventing complaints as you silently work.
This is what it feels like.
They call me a divine beast and yet use me like a servant.
“Gekek.”
Clop, clop.
Look at that.
They’re ignoring my words and playing among themselves.
I thought about shaking them off, but Nephila wasn’t in good shape, so I held back.
“Again, we’re going left. Aaaah!”
Of course, you’re an exception.
After picking Tang So-young up again, I continued walking.
We were crossing a swamp, climbing over hills, and traversing valleys.
“Caw, caw!”
There’s a crow in an odd spot.
Hello there, crow.
“Gekek!”
It’s been a while since I’ve seen a furry beast.
“What, what, golden phoenix?”
Now she’s speaking nonsense again.
That’s just a level 30 crow.
Moreover, it’s a poor bird with an extra leg.
“W-Wait! That’s definitely…!”
I cheerfully ignored Tang So-young’s words and kept walking.
“Keyeck!”
Nephila Jurassica was hopping excitedly on my head.
It seemed we were almost there.
“Keyeeng!”
We had finally arrived.
What lay before us was the entrance of a cave.
Nephila certainly has an eye for things.
Treasure should indeed be hidden in caves.
Cautiously preparing for any potential threats, we slowly entered the cave.
Though the entrance was narrow, the interior was larger than expected.
It wasn’t as big as Silver Dragon Cave, but there was enough room for me to move without hindrance.
“Keyeck!”
Nephila Jurassica, waving her long limbs.
“This cave seems likely to hide treasure. The spider junior didn’t suggest coming here for nothing.”
Caves, treasures, and spirit beings.
“That treasure must be incredibly precious!”
She was a spider who knew how to thrill a man’s heart.
The spirit guarding the treasure, of course, was Nephila Jurassica herself.
Now, let’s go retrieve that hidden treasure.
“Ha, let me take a look first.”
Tang So-young got off my back, with Tus and Pus in tow.
The Three Warriors from the Tang family began to scurry around the cave excitedly.
They seemed quite thrilled at the thought of finding treasure.
Would they be able to see well? I’ve got night vision, but for a normal human like Tang So-young, it might be difficult.
As they bolted around the cave, it seemed she had found something and shouted.
“Master, look at this!”
My view was blocked, so I couldn’t see well.
Did she find something good?
“There’s some fur here!”
Fur?
That was quite an unexpected remark.
Could it be some kind of clothing?
EP.48
“Wow. This is a bit warm and a curious object.”
…Could it be that the object moves on its own?
As I pondered this question, I heard footsteps again.
Patter, patter, patter.
Tang So-young came rushing back with Tus and Pus in tow.
She seemed to be running at her utmost speed, mouth tightly shut.
Of course, since her legs weren’t very long, she didn’t appear particularly quick.
“Master, Master….”
Tang So-young finally made it beside me, trembling all over.
“There, there’s something….”
Oh dear.
What has she stumbled upon this time?
“Something is there….”
Could it be a beast?
My view was obstructed, so I couldn’t confirm.
So why did she move around so carelessly?
Still, the fact that she returned safely suggests it might be a docile creature.
Or perhaps it was simply sleeping.
Since she mentioned fur, could it be something like a wolf?
I certainly hope it’s not a bear.
Thud.
The sound of footsteps was ominous.
Something approached, swaying as if just awakened.
Its gigantic white body.
Similar to a Deinonychus but with far more menacing claws on its hind feet.
The sheer amount of muscle exuded from its form was palpable.
【Utahraptor lv27】
【Status】
「Annoyed」「Fatigued」
__________________________
【Utahraptor】
Its body length is around 5 to 6 meters, and it weighs about 400 kg—this dinosaur belongs to the Dromaeosauridae family at its maximum size.
Covered entirely in feathers, it features a vicious claw exceeding 24 cm on the second toe of its hind foot. Although its claws are unsuitable for slicing, it excels at puncturing flesh.
__________________________
Utahraptor.
This creature is the largest of the dinosaurs labeled as raptors.
Typically, raptors are associated with a sleek image. But this one is different.
From its origin alone, it feels distinct.
Thick bones are accompanied by thick muscles. Plus, its body is so heavily covered in feathers that it appears even bulkier.
Yes, feathers.
Some might laugh at the idea of dinosaurs having feathers.
But considering the latest restorations of Velociraptor, one has no choice but to concede to some degree.
They drew it more like a small bird than a dinosaur.
However, Utahraptor is different.
Even with feathers, it does not appear ridiculous at all.
If other raptors could be likened to a cat or a cheetah, Utahraptor resembles a mountain lion or something equally formidable.
“Grrr….”
Thud.
It slowly approached me.
Avoiding a confrontation seems impossible.
I quickly shielded Tang So-young and the spiders behind me, preparing for the impending shock.
Shwhh!
My appearance transformed into that of the dragon.
Yes.
Bring it on.
“GRAAAAAAH!”
Thud.
Thud.
Despite its massive body, it was surprisingly swift.
One must regard it as a foe that has not only enhanced the advantages of a Deinonychus but also increased in size.
Truly a fitting rival for this Komodo.
“Grrrr!”
Just as I was preparing to fend off its attack.
Thud.
Thud.
It passed right by me.
Thud!
Thud!
【Utahraptor lv27】
【Status】
「Terrified」「Freaked Out」
The Utahraptor dashed out of the cave.
…Did it just flee?
“Y-You’re amazing, Master…!”
Should I feel deflated about this?
Why did it run away without even trying?
Its size was indeed greater than mine.
Perhaps this Utahraptor was not of an aggressive disposition.
Maybe it was simply stirred awake by the Three Warriors from the Tang family and was trying to move its body out of the cave.
If it had truly set its mind to catching us, Tang So-young wouldn’t have had a chance to escape with her short legs.
Thinking like that makes me feel a bit sorry for it.
After all, we might have disturbed its deep slumber.
Apologies, Utahraptor.
I will just grab the treasure and be out of your way.
Provided, of course, that you don’t swallow my treasure.
“Ahem. It seems to be a worthy opponent. This would have been the perfect time to use the Tang family secret technique, Eternal Fire Carp, alongside you, Master.”
“Yeah, right.”
As if you can complain when you’ve stolen martial arts from the dog.
“I’m feeling strange again! Is it right to say I feel something negative? Ugh… I’m sorry. I must be the weird one…”
At least she realized she’s feeling strange.
“Keeek!”
Nephila Jurassica moved its legs as if dancing joyfully.
While I couldn’t understand the spider’s words, it was clearly a dance of relief.
It seemed displeased that someone had entered this cave.
…But you’re not exactly a native of this cave either.
“Kek kek!”
Nephila Jurassica shook its third leg back and forth.
I could understand this much.
“It seems to want us to follow!”
Right.
Now that we’ve driven away the Utahraptor, it was time to check for treasure.
“Kieun!”
Nephila Jurassica proudly pointed to a corner covered in spider silk.
It appeared that treasure was hidden there.
It slowly pulled on the cobweb.
The treasured item, which Nephila Jurassica had cherished so much, was revealed.
“This, this is?”
“Kee, kuek?”
Tang So-young and Pus seemed to synchronize as they were both taken aback at the same time.
What the heck is that?
Let’s take a closer look.
…Why does that look so familiar?
I definitely had seen something like that before.
A small lizard shape. Especially attractive was its plump tail.
Wait a moment.
Is that me?
“Kieek!”
It’s my shed skin!
Why is this here!
“Kieun!”
Tus and Pus quickly scurried towards my shed skin.
“Kieeek!”
Thud.
And then Nephila Jurassica intervened.
It seems to mean we should only look and not touch.
“Kieun…”
Tus and Pus could only gaze blankly at my shed skin.
No, do they really know what it is?
Tang So-young looked at me and my shed skin alternately with wide, rabbit-like eyes.
“Could it be, the great master’s… shed skin?”
No, it’s a shed skin.
“This is… precious! Extremely precious!”
It’s not precious. I get one every time I level up.
“The great master as he was in his small days… this will have high demand.”
Who on earth needs a gecko’s shed skin?
“Kieun!”
…Except for the spiders, of course.
“Gekk gekk.”
Spider.
I’ve seen your collection.
But I didn’t come all this way just to see my shed skin.
“Kieeek!”
Nephila seemed to think I would say that, moving its long legs.
Where it headed was another pile of spider silk.
Right, I was trusting you.
Nephila is the best!
“Kieun!”
Nephila Jurassica cleared away the webs.
“That, that’s!”
“Kieeek!”
This time, it was the Three Warriors of the Tang family shocked again.
Unlike her, my expression froze in real time.
What Nephila Jurassica proudly presented was the long tail of a Green Basilisk.
The tail that had been severed right after evolving into a basilisk.
…Spider.
I respect your preferences.
But I didn’t come all this way just to see my shed skin and a tail.
Quickly, show me the real hidden treasure.
“Hiooong…”
Nephila Jurassica put its hands together shyly.
…Is this really the end?
“Gegeeeek!”
My treasure.
Where did my treasure go!
Right.
This must have been stolen by the Utahraptor.
Nephila Jurassica’s precious treasures were taken away by that creature.
Of course, that’s right.
My Nephila wouldn’t present me with something like this as treasure.
Utahraptor.
You better come back.
Eternal Fire Carp, Eternal Snow Lake, Eternal Golden Spirit Fruit, and the Great Returning Pill.
I’ll pluck your feathers until you regurgitate my precious treasures.
Of course, with the dragon’s water.
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