【Crocodile Monitor LV11】
HP: 398/398
MP: 100/100
【Titles】
「Beloved by Spiders」
「Master of the Silver Dragon Cave」

I leveled up six times in an instant.

My current level is now 11.

Passing level 10 means that my maximum level has increased.

Creatures like the Caiman and Titanoboa couldn't evolve until well beyond level 10. Now that I've grown quite a bit, my required levels have increased as well.

That’s a positive sign.

Rapid evolution may be difficult, but that means I’ve gotten stronger.

I can walk with my head held high now.

And this new, enticing message appeared before my eyes.

[You have acquired the title 「Master of the Lower Swamp」.]

Master of the Lower Swamp
You have conquered the lower swamp. When near water, your speed is boosted, and your health gradually regenerates.

Oh.

That's quite a useful effect.

So, if I soak my body in water, I can recover health?

This is a great ability.

I haven’t been the master of the Silver Dragon Cave for long, and now I’ve already acquired a new home.

But what does "lower" mean?

[You have acquired the title 「Master of the Swamp」.]

Wait, not quite.

Lower, huh? So, I’m not the master of the entire swamp, just a part of it?

Does that mean there's another master above me?

If the Caiman was here, that master must be stronger than it?

Hmm. That's not good news.

Should I go and pay my respects?

No, as long as I stay in the lower part of the swamp, I shouldn’t have to run into them.

I mean, why would I go to another area?

I’ll find simple joys here, catching fish, and pestering the frogs and turtles that used to bother me.

"Geggeggek..."

Good. Now for the victor's spoils—before I feast on crocodile meat, let’s check on some familiar faces.

【Anthrakomartus LV3】
【Status】
「Worship」「Hungry」

【Atercopus LV4】
【Status】
「Worship」「Elation」

"Kieeeek!"
"Kiiiik!"

So, how have you two been?

"Kieeeek!"

Pus and Tus rushed towards me, rubbing their furry bodies all over mine.

They really do look like puppies when they do this.

If you look closely, they resemble spiders, but at a glance, they just look like fuzzy little creatures.

You two are best admired from afar.

[The faith of 【Anthrakomartus】 has greatly increased.]
[The faith of 【Atercopus】 has greatly increased.]

Oh right, they were worshipping me.

What spider wouldn’t revere a lizard capable of easily catching water beetles and piranhas?

And now, after I’ve grown even stronger and taken down their nemesis, the Caiman.

If they knew how to write, they’d probably have penned a whole book by now.

[A faint divine power stirs within you.]

...Huh?

Last time it said I had a faint divine aura.

Now it says it’s stirring?

What even is divine power?

And why is it still "faint"?

No further information appeared.

Well, two spiders alone probably can't make much difference.

Anyway, could you stop rubbing against me?

"Kiing!"

They’re cute for spiders, but still, this is a bit much.

"Kieeeek!"

They looked at me with sad faces, then reluctantly backed off.

They’re still subtly holding onto my tail, though, thinking I wouldn’t notice.

That’s fine. I’ll let it slide since I’m feeling generous.

Now, it’s time for the main event.

Crocodile meat feast.

I used my claws to peel off the Caiman’s tough hide.

I preserved as much of it as I could, intending to use it as a rug.

Once the hide was off, I sliced off a small piece of meat.

It’s from the part furthest away from where I attacked.

This Caiman was killed by poison.

Naturally, its meat would contain traces of that poison.

I’m immune, but these little spiders aren’t.

So, I set aside the safest part of the meat for them.

"Kiing!"

You’re lucky you’re small.

Even a little bit will fill your stomachs.

They eagerly took the crocodile meat and rushed off.

You’re lucky to have a big brother like me.

What spider ever gets to eat crocodile meat?

Now it’s my turn.

I cut the rest of the crocodile meat into bite-sized pieces.

This is a moment to savor.

I can't live like a beast forever—I need to think about dignity too.

Chomp.

Chew.

Gulp.

...Wait.

Did all the meat I cut just disappear in one bite?

Did I really do that?

No. Next time, I’ll eat more slowly.

There’s still plenty of crocodile meat left.

Chomp.

Gulp.

Delicious!

It’s really delicious.

Even though the meat is quite muscular, it melts in your mouth the moment it touches your tongue.

It seems my venom tenderized the meat perfectly.

Compared to the insects I ate back in the Silver Dragon Cave, this is a meal fit for a king.

Maybe this is what it feels like for a monk, after a lifetime of asceticism, to taste meat for the first time.

Chomp.

Gulp.

This thing... What did it eat to grow so tasty?

Alright. From now on, I’ll hunt every Caiman I come across.

Don’t hold it against me—this is your original sin.

I finished off the crocodile feast in no time.

It’s a bit disappointing, but it was delicious.

Now that I’ve eaten all the meat, it’s time for the main course.

The main course, of course, is the naedan.

The original source of the advanced naedan fragment I swallowed earlier.

A black orb with a faint green glow.

Gulp.

I swallowed it right away.

I felt a fiery sensation in my stomach.

Am I naturally suited to absorbing naedan?

It goes down so smoothly.

I didn’t feel an immediate surge in internal energy.

I probably need to find another way to use this naedan...

But I’ll keep it stored inside for now. It’ll be useful somehow.

Now that I’m the master of the swamp, and my stomach is full, should I pay a visit to my old pals, the turtles and toads?

Maybe if I have time, I can do some meditation.

"Grrrr."

Tus, Pus.

You two stay here and rest.

"Kieeeng!"

Tus and Pus crept up to me.

Do they know that being next to me is the safest spot?

I’ve grown quite large, so it wouldn't hurt to give them a scale or two for protection.

"Hiong!"

They let out cute noises, waving their front legs in excitement.

You really like that, huh.

The two spiders kept rubbing against me.

It’s understandable with Tus; he's happy to see me again, so I get why he’s doing it.

But Pus is different.

I don’t know how to describe it—maybe too enthusiastic?

Nah, surely not. Why would a spider do something like that?

I’m probably just imagining things.

Maybe there’s a cultural thing with spiders that I don’t know about.

...But Pus, why are you sticking your rear towards me?

"Hion..."

What’s with that embarrassed sound?

"Tus."

And why are you licking your lips while looking at my tail?

What’s going on with you two?

I’m not interested in spiders!

At least not until you turn into humans or something.

"Kieeeng!"
"Kiiik!"

[The effects of the title 「Beloved by Spiders」 have been enhanced.]

...I’m going crazy.

Beads of sweat dotted Baek Un’s forehead.

Could it be because he had climbed this treacherous mountain for days?

No, there was no way a top-class martial artist like him would be exhausted by such a trivial feat.

The reason for his sweat was the man who had appeared before them.

Black hair.

Steps so light they seemed invisible, with a mysterious movement, as if a shadow itself was gliding.

The Phantom Sword Ghost, U Jinun.

If it had just been that man, Baek Un might have stood a chance.

But he wasn’t alone.

The other presence felt soft like flowing water, yet carried the overwhelming force of a tidal wave.

A man with blue hair and noble eyes, holding a single dao.

The Blue Sea Tidal Sword, Dan Cheongho.

These two were the Left and Right Protectors of the Heavenly Demon Cult.

"Namgoong Hyung... how could..."

"...It’s over."

The fact that both of them were here could only mean one thing.

She was coming.

The Left and Right Protectors knelt on one knee simultaneously.

Her black hair, cascading like a majestic ink painting, was the most beautiful sight in the world. Her pale white skin seemed untouched by sunlight.

But no one could afford to be entranced by her beauty.

"Left Protector, U Jinun, greets the Lord of the Heavenly Demon Cult!"
"Right Protector, Dan Cheongho, greets the Lord of the Heavenly Demon Cult!"

She was the leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult.

One of the top ten masters, standing at the highest seat among them.

A woman who had far surpassed the peak of martial arts—an unrivaled force in the world.

"For what reason have you visited my garden?"

Baek Yeon-Yeong’s cold eyes gazed upon Namgoong Yeon’s expedition.

Her expression was devoid of any emotion, and everyone trembled under her gaze.

"If you have come seeking to join our cult, you’ve come to the wrong place."

"Is... Is that so? We... we must have..."

The man speaking trailed off.

He had noticed Baek Yeon-Yeong’s eyes narrow.

He realized in that moment that if she so much as moved a finger—no, even without moving, she could kill him.

"Are you so eager to covet the treasures of our cult?"

Baek Un was drenched in sweat.

She was not someone he could handle.

How did things turn out like this?

They had only just entered the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, yet the leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult herself had appeared.

Baek Yeon-Yeong scanned the group with eyes as cold as a serpent.

Thirteen third-rate martial artists, eight second-rate, and four first-rate.

One hiding their strength.

And one with an unknown identity.

"There’s a strange one among you."

Her gaze fell upon a Dilophosaurus that was locked in a cage with wheels.

At that moment, Baek Un heard someone’s voice in his ear.

[When I count to three, close your eyes and cover your ears!]

It was a voice transmission.

There was no time to wonder who had sent it.

As soon as they closed their eyes, a white flash exploded.

Kwakwaang!

It was a thunderbolt bomb.

Modified to produce a blinding flash and thick smoke instead of a deadly explosion.

[Now’s your chance. Run!]

Baek Un realized who had sent the voice transmission.

Namgoong Yeon.

As soon as he threw the bomb, Namgoong Yeon dashed in the opposite direction, faster than anyone else.

In the chaos, they had a chance to escape.

Baek Un, along with the others, scattered in different directions.

As the smoke cleared, Baek Yeon-Yeong reappeared.

She was silently counting in her head.

Once enough time had passed, she spoke.

"Left Protector, and Right Protector."

Of course, Baek Yeon-Yeong wouldn’t lose track of them over something as trivial as a flash bomb and smoke.

"Pursue them."

However, she didn’t chase them right away because she had other priorities.

Baek Yeon-Yeong gave additional orders.

Catch the third-rate martial artists first.

Drive the second-rate ones deeper into the mountains, and allow them to escape at their own pace.

As for the first-rate ones, either injure them or trap them further inside, ensuring it takes them longer to escape.

"As you command!"

The Left and Right Protectors leapt in different directions.

Capturing over twenty enemies, not to kill them but to drive them into specific areas, wasn’t an easy task.

But they were the Left and Right Protectors of the Heavenly Demon Cult.

For them, it was as easy as doing it with their eyes closed.

Moreover, the Ten Thousand Great Mountains were filled with powerful beasts that could easily isolate the intruders.

Baek Yeon-Yeong turned her head.

She looked in the direction of the Silver Dragon Cave.

Lifting her right hand ever so slightly, her gaze followed her fingertips.

She recalled the small lizard that had once bitten her finger.

And without realizing it, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
 

TL NOTE: Please don't skimp on the stars for the translation - it inspires me and gives me the strength to write more. Thank you~!

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