A lazy afternoon.

Preparing a picnic lunch with your beloved family, laughing together while going on an outing, could be considered a successful life.

Of course, there's a minor issue that the lunch consists of a blood-dripping Deinonychus leg, and the beloved family includes three spiders, one Tang family member, and a handsome lizard—but that’s still pretty good, I think.

"...I feel weird again. It's like someone thinks of me as a beast? It’s strange," Tang So-Yeong muttered to herself.

I even packed grilled fish for her.

I hadn't realized it before, but eating meat all the time seemed to be a bit too much for her.

Wouldn't a martial artist be happy to eat meat all the time, though?

That thought kept swirling in my head, but as they say, a woman's heart is something else entirely.

Grilled fish should satisfy her.

After all, a sacred beast like Lord Go can’t go around grazing on grass, right?

I followed Nephila Jurassica, who was pointing in a direction.

The three spiders were perched on top of my head, with Tang So-Yeong riding behind them.

Nephila pointed, and Tang So-Yeong translated the gestures for me.

...But isn’t this just a little outing? Couldn’t you walk?

You all climbed up here so naturally.

I’m supposed to be a sacred beast, after all.

"Skree!"

"Lord Go, she says to head left this time."

I wonder if I've been tricked into this by the four Tang family members.

It's like working at a terrible company where they keep promoting people to roles like team leader or manager, all while giving them more work but no real change. People get a title, and suddenly they feel too good to complain, quietly taking on more tasks.

This feels like that.

They call me a sacred beast, but really, I’m just their servant.

"Screech."

Tap tap.

Look at them.

They're all playing hand games up there, not listening to a word I say.

I thought about shaking them off for a moment, but Nephila isn’t in great condition, so I held back.

"She says left again. Ahh!"

Well, except for you, Tang So-Yeong.

After lifting her back onto my back, we continued walking.

We crossed the swamp, climbed over hills, and passed through valleys.

"Kaak, kaak!"

There was a random crow sitting there.

Hello, crow.

"Screech!"

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a feathered animal.

"Th-that...could it be a Golden Phoenix?"

What is she going on about now?

That’s just a crow, level 30 at most.

And it’s a poor bird with an extra leg.

"Stop! I’m sure that’s…"

I ignored Tang So-Yeong’s words and kept walking.

"Skree!"

Nephila Jurassica, jumping excitedly on top of my head, indicated that we were almost there.

"Skree!"

We finally arrived.

In front of us was the entrance to a cave.

Nephila, you have good instincts.

Treasure is always hidden in caves, after all.

I entered cautiously, ready for any potential threats.

The entrance was narrow, but the inside was more spacious than expected.

It wasn’t as big as the Silver Dragon’s cave, but there was enough room for me to move around comfortably with my larger body.

"Skree!"

Nephila Jurassica's long arms flailed around.

"A cave that seems perfect for hiding treasure. It looks like the spider lady knew what she was doing," Tang So-Yeong commented.

A cave, treasure, and a sacred beast.

"And it seems like it’s a very valuable treasure too!"

This spider really knows how to get a man’s heart racing.

Of course, the sacred beast guarding the treasure is none other than Nephila Jurassica.

Alright, bring out the hidden treasure.

"I’ll help look," Tang So-Yeong offered, jumping down with Tus and Pus.

The Tang trio scurried through the cave, clearly excited by the thought of finding treasure.

I wondered if they could even see in here. I could, thanks to my dark vision, but Tang So-Yeong, being human, probably couldn’t see much.

Tap tap tap.

Tang So-Yeong ran around the cave excitedly, seemingly having found something.

"Lord Go, look at this!"

My view was blocked, so I couldn’t see.

Did she find something good?

"There’s some sort of fur here!"

Fur?

That’s a strange thing to say.

Could it be clothing?

"Wow. It’s a bit warm, and it feels mysterious."

...I hope that thing doesn’t move on its own.

As that thought crossed my mind, I heard footsteps again.

Tap tap tap.

Tang So-Yeong came running back, dragging Tus and Pus behind her.

Her lips were sealed tight as she sprinted as fast as her short legs could carry her.

Not that she was particularly fast.

"L-Lord Go…"

Once she reached me, she stood there, trembling.

"T-there’s something…"

What now?

"There’s something in there…"

Was it a beast?

I hadn’t checked because my view was blocked.

Who told you to move on your own, anyway?

Still, since she made it back safely, it’s probably a docile creature.

Or maybe it was asleep.

She mentioned fur, so maybe a wolf will jump out?

I hope it’s not a bear.

Thud.

The sound of footsteps echoed heavily.

Something large stumbled toward us, seemingly just waking up.

A massive, white creature.

It resembled a Deinonychus, but its hind claws were far more threatening.

Its body rippled with muscles.

[Utahraptor LV27] [Status] [Irritated] [Tired]

–––––––––––––––––––––––– [Utahraptor]

With a body length of 5-6 meters and weighing about 400kg, this is the largest dinosaur of the Dromaeosauridae family. Covered in feathers and equipped with deadly claws over 24 cm long on its hind legs, it excels at puncturing rather than slashing flesh. ––––––––––––––––––––––––

A Utahraptor.

This creature is the largest among the raptors.

When you think of raptors, you usually picture something nimble, but this one is different.

It gives off a different vibe entirely.

Thick bones, thick muscles. And covered in feathers, making it seem even more massive.

Feathers, right.

Some laugh at the idea of dinosaurs having feathers.

But recent reconstructions of Velociraptors have made it clear they were closer to small birds than to typical dinosaurs.

But the Utahraptor is different.

Despite its feathers, it’s not funny at all.

If other raptors are like cats or cheetahs, the Utahraptor is more like a snow leopard.

"Grooo…"

Thud.

It slowly walked toward me.

It looked like avoiding a fight wasn’t an option.

I pushed Tang So-Yeong and the spiders back, preparing for the coming clash.

Shiiing!

My scales transformed.

Alright.

Come at me.

"Raaaaah!"

Thud.

Thud.

Despite its massive body, it was fast.

I had to think of it as an upgraded Deinonychus with enhanced size and abilities.

A fitting challenge for Lord Go.

"Rooooar!"

I braced myself for the attack.

Thud.

Thud.

But the creature passed right by me.

Thud!

Thud!

[Utahraptor LV27] [Status] [Fear] [Panic]

The Utahraptor ran out of the cave.

...Did it just flee?

"Y-you really are amazing, Lord Go…!"

Should I be disappointed?

Why did it run away without even trying?

It was bigger than me, after all.

Maybe that Utahraptor is naturally gentle.

The Tang trio must have disturbed it while it was sleeping, and it moved to get them out of the cave.

If it had really wanted to catch Tang So-Yeong, she wouldn’t have been able to escape with those short legs of hers.

Now I feel a little guilty.

It was peacefully sleeping, and we ended up chasing it out.

Sorry, Utahraptor.

We’ll just find the treasure and leave.

Assuming you didn’t swallow it, that is.

"Hmph. I was just about to use the secret technique of the Tang family, the Mancheonhwa U!"

Yeah, right.

From someone who stole martial arts from an open sect.

"I feel weird again! It’s like I want to deny something? Ugh...I’m sorry. It’s just me being strange…"

Good that you realize it.

"Skree!"

Nephila Jurassica was happily wiggling her legs in a little victory dance.

I couldn’t understand spider language, but it looked like she was dancing out of satisfaction.

It seems she wasn’t pleased about anyone entering the cave.

...But you’re not really from here either.

"Screech!"

Nephila waved her third leg forward.

I understood that much.

"She’s saying to follow her!"

Alright.

Now that the Utahraptor is gone, it’s time to see the treasure.

"Skree!"

Nephila proudly pointed to a corner covered in cobwebs.

It seemed the treasure was hidden there.

She slowly began to pull at the webs.

The treasure Nephila Jurassica had cherished so much finally came into view.

"Th-this is?"

"S-screech?"

Tang So-Yeong and Pus gasped in unison, as if they were synchronized.

What is that?

Let me take a closer look.

...Why does it look so familiar?

It looked like a small lizard. The tail, in particular, had a nice, plump shape.

Wait a minute.

That’s me!

"Screech!"

That’s my shed skin!

Why is it here?!

"Skree!"

Tus and Pus quickly scuttled over to my old skin.

"Screeeee!"

Thud.

Nephila Jurassica blocked them.

Don’t touch, just look—that’s probably what she meant.

"Scree…"

Tus and Pus stared longingly at my shed skin.

Do they even know what that is?

Tang So-Yeong, with eyes wide like a rabbit, looked back and forth between my old skin and me.

"Could it be… Lord Go's...sacred relic?"

No, it’s just my shed skin.

"This is...so valuable! Extremely rare!"

It’s not rare. I shed one every time I level up.

"A remnant of Lord Go from when he was smaller...this would be in high demand!"

Who would want the shed skin of a gecko?

"Screech!"

...Except for the spiders, I guess.

"Screech."

Spiders.

I’ve seen your collection.

But I didn’t come all this way just to look at my old skin.

"Screech!"

As if understanding what I meant, Nephila moved her long legs.

She headed toward another pile of webs.

Yes, I trusted you.

Nephila is the best!

"Skree!"

Nephila removed the webs.

"Th-that’s…!"

"Screech!"

The Tang trio gasped again in surprise.

But unlike them, my expression hardened.

What Nephila proudly revealed was the long tail of the Green Basilisk.

The one I had cut off right after I evolved into the Basilisk.

...Nephila.

I respect your tastes.

But I didn’t come here to see my shed skin or severed tail.

Hurry up and show me the real treasure.

"Hiss…"

Nephila bashfully clasped her hands together.

...Don’t tell me this is it?

"Screeeeech!"

My treasure.

Where’s my treasure?

No.

That Utahraptor must have stolen it.

The precious treasure Nephila had prepared was probably taken by that creature.

Yes, that must be it.

Nephila would never offer me just this as treasure.

Utahraptor.

Come back here.

The Ten Thousand Year Flame Lotus, the Ten Thousand Year Snow Ginseng, the Ten Thousand Year Golden Lingzhi Fruit, and the Ultimate Elixir.

I’ll pluck all your feathers until you cough up my precious treasures.

With my Winged Lizard powers, of course.