My once large and magnificent body.

Scales like those of a dragon.

Sharp teeth.

A mighty tail.

…All of it, gone.

“Ge-geeeek!”

I let out a mournful cry, and Hissy slithered over, seemingly to comfort me.

“Ssssss….”

But her gaze felt strange.

I couldn’t quite tell what she was thinking as her tongue flicked out, dripping with saliva…

“Gek-gek.”

I had a feeling I was about to discover just how Hissy’s digestive system worked.

I quickly looked away.

In my current state, I was little more than a tasty snack to her.

“Ke-keck.”

A small dinosaur croaked, attempting to rescue me.

It was Little Dragon, a specialist in miniaturization.

Being an elder, he likely knew a thing or two about what was going on.

I shot him a pleading look.

“Kahek. Kekkeck.”

He looked back, his face saying, “I don’t know, I just came to laugh at you.”

“Gekgek!”

Ugh, fine, leave then.

I even tried to mimic his weird dance moves backward, but nothing changed.

“Ge-eeng…”

Resigned, I slumped down with the look of a lizard who’d lost everything.

“Hm…”

Baek Yeon-Yeong took hold of my tail and lifted me up.

“Kek.”

Did she know what was happening?

“I quite like this belly of yours.”

“Geeeek!”

Quit admiring it and check my condition!

Baek Yeon-Yeong poked and prodded my belly for a while, flipping me over and examining my body.

“Likely a side effect from using too much power.”

It was the same conclusion I had come to.

I couldn’t think of anything else.

I’d drawn on so much strength to strike Gachal Goatal, who wielded Tasei’s power, that side effects were inevitable.

But still, could it really shrink me this much?

“Don’t worry. You’ll return to normal in time.”

Well, that’s a relief.

With the Bird King gone, I wouldn’t need to engage in any dangerous battles for a while.

I could manage my daily life with this body.

“Though how long it’ll take, I can’t say.”

“Gek?”

Wait, what?

Well, at least I could still handle some basic threats in this smaller form.

After all, I wasn’t an ordinary lizard; I was trained in the martial arts of Little Dragon.

And there was no reason to fight tougher opponents right now.

But my pride as a lizard wouldn’t let me rest.

The dignity of a sacred creature like the Komodo dragon had been reduced to this.

Look at Baek Yeon-Yeong now, fondling my tiny hand.

“Gekgekgek!”

I tried to bite her, but my current state made it impossible to pierce her fingers.

“A skilled physician could help shorten the recovery time.”

A skilled physician!

Of course, Baek Yeon-Yeong had a plan.

“But there aren’t many who treat spiritual creatures.”

Then why say it?

“There is one in our sect, though.”

“Gekgek!”

Ah, the genius of Baek Yeon-Yeong!

“However, they may not be accustomed to treating such a small spirit, and it could worsen your condition.”

My face grew longer.

“But we do have an external expert who’s just arrived.”

I don’t believe it.

“Gek.”

She must be trying to mess with me again.

“Why the long snout? Do you doubt my words?”

Did I see this “expert” too?

Wait a moment.

An external expert.

A spiritual creature specialist.

Small-sized…

Tang something-or-other!

The Tang Clan’s young lady, skilled in handling spiritual creatures and adept with her inner power.

“Gekgek!”

Tang So-Yeong might not be particularly powerful herself, but she was respected within her clan and even managed the Dilophosaurus.

And not just any, but a Dilophosaurus that used Mantianhua.

Her lack of combat prowess was compensated by expertise in other areas.

She’d even saved Nephila’s life.

Besides, I was a Komodo dragon—a revered creature within the Tang Clan.

Although my species had slightly changed, Tang So-Yeong probably knew my physiology better than anyone else.

With her smaller inner power core, she’d be well-suited to treat a lizard of my size.

“To deliver the Odusa core and deal with the Biikjo core, I was thinking of taking you to the Heavenly Demon Sect.”

Taking me to the Heavenly Demon Sect?

“Huiya, what do you think?”

Of course, I’d go.

Not just a casual visit but full recovery, core consumption, seeing the spiders after so long…

Maybe even enjoying some tasty food.

I was eager to go right away, but something held me back.

“Peeeek…”

Hissy looked at me, eyes brimming with sadness.

“Hui…”

And the Snake Queen.

Another figure calling me Hui.

“If not for you, I wouldn’t have been able to sever my grudge with the Bird King.”

The Snake Queen approached, while Baek Yeon-Yeong stepped back, giving us space to say our goodbyes.

“How can I ever express my gratitude?”

She extended a hand, gently stroking my head.

“You are my savior.”

I set aside any doubts about using the term “savior” for a lizard.

“Instead of expressing thanks, your healing should be the priority.”

“Ge-eeng…”

“With your current state, there’s little you can do.”

Hmm?

I wasn’t sure what she meant, though moving was indeed difficult.

“Besides, if we’re to ‘talk,’ it will take at least a month.”

What kind of conversation takes a month?

…It is a conversation, right?

“Peeeek…”

Hissy slithered over to me, curling around my body.

“Though she doesn’t want you to leave, the Princess will gladly let you go if it’s what you need.”

“Ssssss….”

Her tongue flicked over me, coating my scales in saliva.

She wasn’t crying, so she must have mentally prepared herself to let me go.

Hissy had been in Little Dragon’s territory for the past week.

We’d only just reunited, but I had to leave again.

“Peeeeaaak!”

Eventually, Hissy broke down in tears.

It was a heart-wrenching sight.

The Snake Queen turned away, unable to bear it.

“How can I soothe this sorrow…”

She didn’t want me to leave, either.

Even though it was for treatment, the duration was unknown.

“Forgive the interruption, but our sect does not reject spiritual creatures.”

“Peep?”

Hissy paused, tilting her head.

“If you wish, you could stay in our sect as well.”

“You mean…?”

“There’s no need for such a grand farewell. If you’d like, you’re welcome to join us in the sect. And if not, you may visit any time.”

The Snake Queen’s face flushed.

“I have… things to do here…”

It would be strange if she were to join me after such sentimental words.

Besides, it wasn’t entirely untrue—she had responsibilities.

With the Bird King gone, there would be much for her to oversee.

“Peeep!”

Hissy’s tail wagged excitedly, understanding the situation and thrilled at the idea of coming with me.

“The Princess, too, must prepare to receive Nachaljo’s core.”

“Peeeak!”

Hissy hung from the Snake Queen’s hand, reluctant but understanding.

It seemed she would have to stay.

But knowing she could come anytime meant I wasn’t too worried.

If she wanted, Baek Yeon-Yeong could bring them to me with a simple gesture.

Otherwise, I could always fly over myself.

While the Snake Queen and Hissy shared a moment, a middle-aged man entered.

“Judging by the atmosphere, I suppose I should also offer my thanks.”

It was Argentarvis.

“Gek-gek.”

Good to see you, Argentarvis.

“You fought well. I let that scoundrel Pillbang escape, though.”

He understood.

I even retrieved the unicorn’s horn for him, so surely he owed me at least Pillbang’s core?

“Gekgekgek.”

“Hm. I’m not sure what you mean, but it seems we’re on the same page.”

Don’t pretend you don’t know.

“Gek-gek-gek.”

“If you ever need my strength, don’t hesitate to ask.”

That’s useful.

Argentarvis had wings, which made up for my own lack of flight.

He could lift me up and help me unleash my devastating Gekgekkus Beam from above—a terrifying prospect.

“Just as long as you maintain a good relationship with my daughter.”

“Gekgek!”

Of course… wait, what?

“Chirp…”

With a soft, longing look, Chirpy flew over.

Hello, little finch.

“Chirp-chirp.”

Chirpy plucked a feather from his chest and landed precisely on my necklace, affixing the feather to it.

With a small glimmer, the feather left an imprint on the necklace, forming an image above the lizard engraving—a single white feather.

“Chirp…”

What did that mean?

“Peeeaaak!”

Hissy snarled in fury.

Had the Snake Queen not intervened, Chirpy would’ve ended up in Hissy’s stomach.

My necklace now displayed a series of symbols.

The Snake Queen’s emblem.

Nephila Jurassica’s insignia.

Hissy’s mark, and now Chirpy’s feather.

Why did they all insist on leaving their mark?

Were they trying to stake a claim?

It must signify

 an alliance.

At that moment, a fleeting image flashed before me.

A scrawny lizard.

Beside him, a shiny, well-kept snake, spider, and bird.

“Geeeek!”

…

I must be hallucinating from exhaustion.

“Well, well. My student has turned into quite the charmer.”

Baek Yeon-Yeong looked a bit shocked.

Whatever she was thinking, I was sure about 90% of it was a misunderstanding.

“Gekgek.”

I continued my farewells.

The Snake Queen, still flushed, hid her face behind her tail as she gently stroked me.

“Next time we meet, please… regain your size…”

Size was important, I understood.

“And stay a while…”

It was her way of saying she wanted to see me again.

Having said goodbye to the Snake Queen, Argentarvis, and everyone else, I felt ready.

“Ilbung…”

What was that?

“Iilbuuu…”

In the distance, a figure approached, more cow than horse.

The form he’d shown in the battle against Nachaljo was long gone.

The blue horn must have been a temporary effect.

“Il… bu…”

The unicorn—no, now he was more accurately the Bicorn—rubbed at the spot where his horn had been.

“Ilbuda…?”

Wait, what?

His horn was already beginning to regrow.

It looked like horns might grow back quickly, almost like hair.

…but something was off.

“Ilbudaa?”

A tiny bump sprouted from the smaller horn.

Though too small to confirm, it seemed like he was growing a second one.

“Ilbuda…?”

He shook his head in confusion.

“Ilbu… ilchooo!”

It appeared he was having an identity crisis.

For now, he still saw himself as a unicorn, but he’d soon realize he was on the path of the bicorn.

What would I do when he became a bicorn?

That might mean he’d become an enemy.

Such were the worries only a noble, pure lizard could have.

With the unicorn-bicorn situation settled, I completed my farewells.

“Huiya, are you ready?”

“Gek.”

I nodded.

“Come here. It’s time to return to the sect.”

I bowed one last time to the Snake Queen and nestled into Baek Yeon-Yeong’s embrace.

“Why you so naturally head this way, I’ll never understand.”

“Kek.”

“What will you do if I start to sweat?”

Baek Yeon-Yeong sighed and turned to the Snake Queen.

“It won’t take long. Hui’s recovery may be quicker than you think.”

“Honored one, please look after Hui.”

“Gekgek.”

I’m not a child.

“Understood. I’ll make sure to curb his flirtatious tendencies.”

“Oh, and about that garment…”

“I’ll prepare a few. Though I’m not sure exactly what you mean, I’m a bit intrigued myself.”

What on earth were they talking about?

As a small act of revenge, I burrowed deeper into Baek Yeon-Yeong’s arms.

“Gekgek.”

“…This won’t be easy.”

With everyone’s farewells, I left the sanctuary.

It was finally time to return to some familiar faces.

“Huiya, are you ready?”

“Gekek!”

Let’s go, to the Heavenly Demon Sect.