“Gek gek gek.”

They say what goes around comes around.

Trying to use Komodo-Rania as a mere footstool? Absurd.

For all appearances, I am still a divine beast.

That certain freeloader, Dang So-Yeong, clings to their side—an elite from one of the Five Great Clans.

And even that kind of person trusts Kaek.

Even the spiders believe in him.

The Serpent Queen's daughter believes in him too.

But to grind down such a precious lizard?

This is only fair punishment.

No, actually, I let them off easy for stealing the honey dumpling made from Okbong nectar.

And besides, I even gave up my prized tail.

It’s the tail that Shikshik admires and TusTus quivers over.

Even Baek Yeon-Yeong showed interest in it.

Of course, it can grow back, and I can regrow it whenever I want, but it’s rare enough that I haven’t had to use it since I got this big.

Now, all my missions are complete.

Retrieve the horn of a unicorn?

Done.

Admire Baek Seol-Hwa’s internal energy pouch?

Done.

Steal Okbong’s honey?

Done.

All that’s left is to stroll back with a light step.

Tudadadada!

…What on earth?

Scary.

Kicking up an incredible amount of dust, Baek Seol-Hwa was racing around.

Her speed and power were reminiscent of a unicorn.

How could such strength come from such a small frame?

Is there actually a separate species called “Baek Yeon-Yeong”?

Roughly like a T-Rex.

And Baek Seol-Hwa would be her subspecies.

Otherwise, there’s no way to explain what I’m seeing.

An enraged rhino.

No, look at her charging like a unicorn.

My tail trembles on its own.

One thing I’ve learned here: Never judge anyone by their face.

If she’s going that wild over a single dumpling, maybe her personality isn’t as nice as it looks.

Sure, it’s expensive, but one dumpling shouldn’t be worth a whole house.

Couldn’t she just think of it as charity to a poor lizard?

If I get caught, I’m in big trouble.

Which means that if I don’t get caught, I’m innocent.

Who am I?

The founder of the Kaek Arts.

The master of So-Ryong Ascending Steps.

“Gek gek gek!”

I leaped away, stepping swiftly on the dew-covered grass.

---

Finally, I managed to shake off Baek Seol-Hwa.

Applying my miniaturization was a stroke of genius.

Using So-Ryong Ascending Steps with this small body not only prevented her from keeping up, but she couldn’t even pinpoint my location.

It might be tricky if we ever cross paths again, but what are the odds of meeting her again?

I double-checked that no one was following me.

Now it was safe.

With excitement, I entered the temple.

“Princess, why do you keep doing this to me?” 

The Serpent Queen and Shikshik were bickering.

Normally, they’d sense my presence immediately, but today seemed different.

Curious about what they were discussing in my absence, I decided to listen in, hiding myself.

“What…what did you say? A thief? How could you use such a cruel word?”

Shikshik chirped, and the Serpent Queen seemed to understand every word.

One day, I’ll need to learn Shikshik’s language from her.

I could communicate with Shikshik, but not with perfect accuracy.

“We already agreed on this. When the princess becomes queen, her partner will naturally be the princess’s consort.”

“Hiiieek!”

“Do you think I made this decision lightly? Absolutely not. I had no choice but to make this choice.”

She had no choice?

Then cancel it.

I barely stopped myself from letting out a disappointed “gegegek” and kept listening.

“There are marks of various species on his body. It’s clear this lizard has spent time with other species. He’s just living up to his looks.”

…I may have hung out with spiders, but not in *that* way, you know?

“That’s why I’m claiming him first before another species does.”

“Peep!”

Curious to see how far the conversation would go, I stayed quiet.

Just as the Queen started talking about certain techniques, her gaze fell on me.

“…How long have you been there?”

From the start?

“Incredible. For me not to notice… You’ve truly grown.”

Sure, I’ve grown, but I was also engrossed in their amusing conversation.

Perhaps my training in hiding my presence from Baek Seol-Hwa has paid off?

In any case, it’s all good.

“Gek gek.”

“Piyaaaak!”

Shikshik slithered over to me, eagerly nuzzling my head.

Her tail was wagging, clearly delighted.

“…Peep?”

She tilted her head, flicking her tongue.

When snakes flick their tongues, they’re picking up scents.

Shikshik was sniffing me, just like a dog sniffing its owner returning home.

It was a heartwarming sight.

“Piiiik…”

Shikshik kept tilting her head.

“Ssssaaaak!”

Suddenly, with a voice full of anger, she started licking me furiously.

“Gek gek!”

Stop it!

I’m soaked!

“Piiiiek!”

Could it be that she caught Baek Seol-Hwa’s scent?

As if determined to erase that smell, Shikshik kept flicking her tongue over me.

Being the size of a Green Basilisk, I was soaked through like a stuffed toy dunked in a wash bucket.

“Geeek…”

Where is the dignity of a divine beast?

Finally, dripping wet, I got her to stop.

“Piyaak!”

Shikshik’s triangular face softened into a round one again.

She must be satisfied for now.

Wait, what did I do wrong?

I’m a victim too.

But there was no way Shikshik would understand my thoughts.

I was the one wronged here.

“You’ve returned safely.”

The Serpent Queen slithered over.

“Gek gek.”

“So, how was the unicorn?”

“Gek gek gek gek gek!”

I responded energetically.

I exaggerated, saying I was nearly trampled to death by it.

“Hmmm… That’s odd. It didn’t act that way when I and the princess met it.”

This is unfair.

I’m pure-hearted too.

It must have reacted that way because I’m male, right?

Every lore says unicorns often dislike males.

It couldn’t have considered a three-month-old lizard impure.

“You completed the task successfully. Thanks to you, things are much easier.”

“Gek gek.”

The Serpent Queen patted my head, looking pleased.

But Komodo-Rania always delivers results beyond expectations.

With a smug expression, I handed her the container from Seol-Hwa’s internal energy pouch.

“Hm? What is this?”

Setting down the unicorn’s horn, the Serpent Queen accepted the container.

“Gek.”

Open it.

“This smell… Could it be Okbong’s honey?”

The Serpent Queen’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Where on earth did you find this?”

“Gek.”

I let out a dignified sound.

Oh, just picked it up on my way.

“…Are you giving it to me?”

“Gek gek.”

I brought it to share, so go ahead.

The Serpent Queen started stroking me again and opened the lid.

“Oho… Okbong’s honey. This is an unexpected find.”

Taking out three dumplings, she handed one each to Shikshik and me.

“Hiiiiek…”

Shikshik flicked her tongue, savoring the dumpling’s aroma.

“Too much might be bad for you, but a moderate amount is better than any elixir.”

Is it just me, or does this sound like a warning that eating too many sweets will rot your teeth?

“To think I’m receiving something so precious when I’ve done nothing in return.”

Is it that big of a deal?

Aren’t you hyping me up a bit much?

“Hieek!”

Shikshik gazed at the dumpling with eager eyes.

The Serpent Queen looked at me without a word.

They probably wanted me to take the first bite.

But I already ate one, so I faked a bite by opening my mouth and swallowing air.

“Piyak!”

Only then did Shikshik launch herself at the dumpling.

After one taste, her expression shifted to one of disbelief.

“Hiiiiek!”

Is it that tasty?

With a happy face, she nibbled at it bit by bit.

Seeing her joy made me feel unexpectedly proud.

“Hehehe.”

That silly laugh escaped her.

…Hehehe?

Could Shikshik laugh like that?

I looked at Shikshik, who blinked back with wide eyes.

It wasn’t her sound.

It wasn’t me either.

Then, who could make that sound…?

Looking up, I saw the Serpent Queen with an expression I’d never seen before.

Her face melted into an “hehehe” kind of look, overcome by the deliciousness of Okbong’s honey.

Though Shikshik and I stared blankly at her, she remained like that for quite a while, until she seemed to notice our gaze and looked down.

Our eyes met, and she seemed to realize what kind of face she’d been making.

No, saying “had been making” is incorrect.

She hadn’t erased that expression yet.

“…This isn’t right.”

Her face showed the

 regret of someone who had made a mistake.

Gone was her usual impassive face, and she looked almost like an ordinary girl.

She struggled to wipe away the expression, but it lingered stubbornly.

Her sharp eyes had softened long ago.

Who could look at her now and call her the Serpent Queen?

“…It’s not what you think.”

The Serpent Queen tried hard to explain.

Her face flushed as red as a carrot, yet her raised lips wouldn’t fall.

She coiled her snake body, trying to hide her face, but it was impossible.

“It’s not…what you think…”

Usually, the Serpent Queen was as cold as winter.

A face like Baek Yeon-Yeong’s.

One that seemed to lack any feeling.

Even her rare smiles were as elegant as frost on a tree.

Okbong’s honey melted her winter.

Now, the Serpent Queen could only be described by one word: spring.

Seeing her flustered was a refreshing shock.

She was probably surprised too.

That “hehehe” wasn’t her usual “ohoho.”

Shikshik and I exchanged glances.

There was only one thing to do.

“Gehehe!”

“Piheek!”

Kaek Arts, Style #2: Merciless Teasing.