Dilophosaurus.

That’s the name of the beast I’m up against.

It’s on a completely different level from the creatures I’ve fought so far.

A fitting opponent for the term "medium-sized dinosaur."

Compared to a Baryonyx, its size is definitely smaller.

But compared to me, it’s an overwhelming difference.

If I stand on two legs, our heights might be similar.

But the weight difference is crushing.

The creature weighs 400kg, though it doesn’t seem fully grown, so it might be lighter.

According to my status window, my weight is around 15kg.

Even if I’ve grown a bit heavier, the disparity remains daunting.

This won’t be an easy fight.

Before the battle, I need to clear the distractions.

Whack!

I lashed my tail, sending Tang So-Yeong flying.

That should wake her up.

Tang So-Yeong snapped to her senses, her face pale as she glanced between me and the Dilophosaurus.

Her movements were sluggish, likely still affected by the poison.

She couldn’t speak, but I could tell she wanted to help.

I don’t need it.

“Grrr...”

In fact, her being nearby is a hindrance.

Whap!

I slapped her with my tail again, pushing her farther away.

Finally, she took Tus and Pus and began stumbling backward.

Good.

At least she’s got some sense.

Run as far away as you can.

“Craaaargh!”

The Dilophosaurus charged at terrifying speed.

Its target wasn’t me, but Tang So-Yeong.

It dares to ignore me, the Crocodile King Lizard, and go after her?

How arrogant.

I planted my legs firmly into the ground and stood upright.

Swoosh!

I propelled myself toward the beast, tearing through the earth with explosive force.

A Green Basilisk’s legs allow it to strike the surface of water 20 times per second.

As the Crocodile King Lizard, I still possess that speed and power.

Stronger and faster than before.

With the explosive strength unique to large lizards, I closed in on the creature in a single bound.

My sharp claws aimed for the beast’s head.

Slash!

But it effortlessly dodged by lowering its head.

“Kieeek!”

Just as expected, it’s not going to be easy.

The size difference is a fundamental problem.

The Caiman moved on four legs, allowing me to close the gap.

But this creature is bipedal, so even if I stand on two legs, I can’t bridge the gap.

My missed attack left me wide open for retaliation.

Would it claw at me? Bite me?

Or perhaps...

Spit!

Its frill expanded, and dozens of streams of venom sprayed toward me.

It seems to realize that a single type of venom won’t take me down, so it’s changed tactics.

The scent alone made me feel dizzy.

But that was all.

What do you think you’ll achieve with a mere few dozen types of venom?

“Hundred Venom Immunity.”

You are immune to the effects of one hundred types of venom. You possess an extremely high resistance to poisons.

I am immune to venoms.

Without hesitation, I moved to strike the beast’s head with my claws.

Slash!

Again, the creature nimbly avoided my attack.

But it wasn’t a complete loss. My claws had managed to tear the edge of its frill.

“Kieeek!”

Unlike other parts of its body, the frill wasn’t very durable.

It must’ve been incredibly painful since it thrashed around, trying to grab me with its tail and legs.

Even a blind strike would be dangerous if it hit.

I backed off for now.

I took a deep breath.

Its venom won’t be able to inflict any serious damage on me.

And even if it could, it’s not something it could use in a tight situation.

However, my own venom attacks likely won’t affect it either.

With both of our poisons out of the equation, this is a pure physical battle.

“Craaaah!”

It roared and charged at me.

Fast.

Very fast.

I quickly jumped back to dodge.

Wham!

The creature couldn’t stop its momentum.

Tadat!

I leaped into the air, charging my claws.

Now was the chance.

These claws could pierce the tough hide of the Caiman.

There’s no way it won’t work on this creature.

Clang!

Just as I was about to strike, the beast swatted my claws aside with its own.

“Kikik!”

That stance.

And that power.

It was a move I knew well.

The Dragon Claw Hand.

Thud!

The Dilophosaurus rushed at me again, spreading its arms wide before slashing in an X pattern.

There was no doubt about it. Its attack was incredibly similar to the Dragon Claw Hand.

This is dangerous.

I quickly ducked low and charged forward instead.

Because of my sudden change in height, its claws swiped through the air above me.

In contrast, I was now in the perfect position to strike at its weakest point.

The frill, where its heart was located.

I gathered all my strength and stabbed my claws forward.

Crunch!

It’s tough.

But Dragon Claw Hand wasn’t about stabbing.

It was about seizing your prey.

Slash!

I raked my claws across its chest.

A line of red blood appeared.

But it was shallow.

This kind of scratch won’t be enough.

Once more...

Crack!

Just as I was about to strike again, the creature’s sharp claws raked my side.

Screech!

The force of the blow sent me flying, though I managed to avoid falling.

But the damage wasn’t minor.

My head throbbed with pain.

The Dragon Claw Hand...

What a brutal technique.

Just one hit left me reeling with pain.

Now wasn’t the time for admiration.

The beast was charging at me again.

Crash!

I quickly rolled out of the way, dodging the follow-up strike.

The Dilophosaurus leaped into the air, slashing downward with its front claws.

Boom!

I barely managed to avoid it by rolling.

Its attacks came relentlessly.

It wasn’t using venom, but its strikes were fluid and continuous.

I kept getting pushed back.

The injury to my side was a serious problem.

I had to focus solely on dodging and kept retreating.

Since the beast also used the Dragon Claw Hand, the chances of winning in a battle of claws had diminished.

The same went for biting—it would likely grab me with its claws before I could land a bite.

I thought I’d grown strong, but once again, my size was my downfall.

The beast gained confidence.

I hadn’t been able to counterattack for a while, so its arrogance grew.

It started driving me toward the direction of my lair.

Crash!

It was obvious what it was trying to do.

It was cornering me to finish me off with a decisive blow.

“Krurrk!”

Claws and fangs won’t work on it.

I also lack the physical strength to match it.

And my condition is worse than its.

Crash!

While dodging its attacks, I was flung toward my lair.

The pile of branches and random items I’d stacked up crumbled down.

The beast must be smiling, thinking it had cornered me just as planned.

But it doesn’t know this was my strategy all along.

If claws and teeth aren’t enough, I’ll just need something sharper.

Swish.

Beside me lay a sword.

This was the reason I allowed myself to be cornered.

I’ve never swung a sword before.

Holding one with a lizard’s body is difficult enough.

But what does that matter?

Clench.

I grabbed the sword with my mouth.

I don’t expect to defeat it with this weapon.

How could I, an inexperienced swordsman, defeat an opponent stronger than me?

The beast advanced.

It seemed momentarily wary of the sword in my mouth but soon dismissed it as unthreatening.

It charged, jaws wide open, ready to tear me apart.

I also rushed forward.

Its right foreleg raised, ready to strike.

Its claws were as sharp as a master-crafted blade.

If they clashed with the sword, the blade would probably break.

I spun my body, aiming the sword at its neck.

The Dilophosaurus swung its claws at the blade.

Crack!

My attack was blocked by its Dragon Claw Hand.

But the creature had overlooked one thing.

Sizzle.

“Kieeeek!”

This sword had just been used as a cooking pan.

Grabbing it with bare claws, it had burned itself.

The creature thrashed about, running toward the swamp.

Yes, that’s right.

If you’re burned, you should get into the water.

Splash!

The Dilophosaurus stepped into the swamp.

Now, the counterattack begins.

I dropped the sword and chased after it.

Land creatures slow down in water.

It’s a natural fact.

Except for me.

Swoosh!

I skimmed across the water and struck with my Dragon Claw Hand from an unexpected angle.

Slash!

A deep gash appeared on the creature’s right hind leg.

“Kraaagh!”

The beast flailed in panic.

The more it struggled, the deeper it sank into the swamp.

Spit!

The Dilophosaurus spread its frill and sprayed more venom.

It probably didn’t believe it could harm me with that.

This was just a smokescreen.

It was buying time to escape from the swamp.

I couldn’t let that happen.

Swish.

I dove deeper into the water.

The creature, thinking its venom cloud had blinded me, hurried toward land.

Yes.

It’s falling right into my trap.

Crack!

The moment its feet touched solid ground, I burst from the water and latched onto its wounded leg.

Crunch!

I bit down hard.

Snap...

At the same time, the creature’s claws came slashing down.

Crack!

Because I had its leg in my jaws, I couldn’t dodge.

I paid for it with my left eye.

Its claw had gouged into my eye socket.

“Grkk...”

The pain was enough to make me want to pass out.

It wasn’t going down without a fight.

Fine.

I’ll give you my eye.

I bit down even harder, crushing its leg.

The Crocodile King Lizard’s secret technique.

Death Roll.

Crunch!

I clamped down on its leg and spun furiously.

Snap!

The creature tried to match my movements, its instincts telling it to counter my roll.

But I wouldn’t let it.

One of its arms was still lodged in my eye socket.

I grabbed onto its arm with my free hand.

Whichever way it twisted, it was going to lose either its leg or its arm.

Snap!

Crack!

After a few moments of struggling, I lost my grip on the creature.

But I’d dealt considerable damage.

Its leg was barely recognizable, and its left arm was in tatters.

Of course, I wasn’t unscathed either.

I’d lost an eye, and my side had a deep gash.

I’d lost a lot of blood, and my strength was fading.

I needed to end this.

If this dragged on, even if I won, I’d die.

The creature seemed to realize this too, as it glared fiercely at me.

“Grrr...”

Fine.

Let’s settle this.

Bam!

I charged at the creature.

At that moment, the Dilophosaurus vanished.

No, it leaped into the air so high that it almost seemed to disappear.

How could it jump so high with its injured leg?

It didn’t matter.

What mattered was that its frill was spread wide.

In its hands were thin, needle-like quills.

“Kikikikikik!”

Hundreds of quills and venom filled the sky.

It was the Sa-Cheon Tang family’s secret technique.

Mancheonhwa-U.

 

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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