Together with Baek Yeon-young, I was led to a new place.

We arrived in a dark underground chamber, more accurately described as a vast cavern. Scattered throughout were circular stones, likely *wall-stones* used for training by the *Cheonma Divine Cult*. Judging by the solitude, it was probably her private training space, or she’d cleared everyone out for this session.

“Let’s get started, shall we?”

Baek Yeon-young produced a core—a white core that looked slightly different from the last one I’d seen.

**[Core of Odusa]**

Not only had its shape changed, but the name was different as well. Last time, it had been labeled a “supreme core,” but now it was named the “Core of Odusa,” suggesting it had been refined or enhanced by Baek Yeon-young, much like the *Serpent Queen* had modified the *Phoenix core*.

“Gek…”

Despite being a lizard with limited greed, I couldn’t help but drool as I stared at it.

“I thought it would take at least three years to be ready for this. But here we are.”

When I first met Baek Yeon-young, I was just a tiny lizard, lacking both power and the decency to ask for something so precious. But she’d waited, and I’d finally grown enough to deserve it. While she could have sold the core for an astronomical sum, she was instead giving it to me.

Ordinarily, I’d pretend to refuse once or twice to be polite. But I’m a greedy lizard at heart, so I immediately opened my mouth wide.

“I’d give you the *Core of the Phoenix* too, but that one needs further purification.”  
“Gek!”

Most cores could be swallowed without much issue, thanks to my previous experience, but the *Phoenix core* was different. With traces of *Taese* lingering in the Phoenix’s body, the core could be tainted by that energy. Eating it could result in some bizarre mutation, like tentacles replacing my limbs.

Baek Yeon-young offered a few words of explanation before handing over the core.

“This is no ordinary core. Do you know what it is?”  
“Gek gek.”

I had a rough idea, thanks to my *wild instinct*.

“The creature that produced this was an *Imoogi* that evolved into Odusa.”

An *Imoogi*. This creature had been a massive titanoboa—larger than any real snake, hence worthy of the title. An *Imoogi* is a snake that, after much training, is on the verge of becoming a dragon. If it manages to create a *yeouiju* (a dragon’s orb), it can ascend as a true dragon. So, in a way, an *Imoogi* is part dragon.

Of course, if I said this in front of an actual dragon, I’d probably get fried by lightning. Still, I’d estimate an *Imoogi* has around a 2% dragon content.

This particular *Imoogi* had given up on the dragon’s path, evolving instead into a five-headed serpent to survive. It was much like the Phoenix, which had evolved for survival rather than ascension.

The *Serpent Queen*, Odusa, and the Phoenix—they all shared a common trait. Each had aimed for dragonhood in some way. In fact, the Basilisk species of the *Serpent Queen* was listed as a form of proto-dragon:

**[Basilisk]**

*A mythological giant serpent often classified as a type of dragon. Its left eye holds a deadly venom, and its right eye possesses petrifying power. Known as the apex predator with unlimited growth potential.*

Of course, it wasn’t a full dragon—probably just 10% dragon, while Odusa might be about 3%.

“If you consume Odusa’s core, you’ll grow closer to being a dragon,” Baek Yeon-young said. As a lizard, I already had some dragon-like traits: scales, blood, and sharp teeth.

Though I didn’t expect to become a dragon outright, I figured this might advance me from “lizard with dragon essence” to something like “lizard with dragon extract.” Maybe I’d evolve into a *Giant Green Basilisk*, similar to the Serpent Queen.

Baek Yeon-young reassured me, “Since it’s a lower-tier dragon species, you won’t become a dragon instantly. But it’s better than not eating it at all.”

I snapped my jaws, signaling for her to give it to me.

“It should suit you quite well.”

She placed the core in my mouth, and I swallowed it with a gulp.

“Sit in meditation.”

A core of this caliber wasn’t something that could simply be digested. I needed to circulate my energy to handle its power properly, organizing the myriad forces within me.

“I’ll assist with the flow of your qi, so relax and release your energy,” she said.

Interference during meditation could be dangerous, but Baek Yeon-young was skilled enough to mitigate such risks.

…At least, I hoped so.

Let’s trust Baek Yeon-young. After all, she’d already handled me mid-meditation once before.

I began to meditate as she sat behind me, pressing both hands to my back.

“Gek…”

Despite my scales, I felt a faint, ticklish sensation.

“Focus.”  
“Gek.”

I closed my eyes and circulated my inner energy.

“Feel the energy within you.”

The energy of the core, she meant.

“Among the elemental energies—yin, yang, wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—what do you sense?”

I focused, knowing that the unique properties of the core would likely influence my next evolution.

“You should direct that energy towards…”

Her voice trailed off.

Baek Yeon-young’s qi began flowing into my body, as if searching every corner. After a while, she spoke, sounding baffled.

“Hui, what on earth did you do?”

…Huh?

---

A precious core, no ordinary core at that—yet, I felt no effect. Despite consuming it, I sensed none of the elemental energies she’d described.

Had it not been for my *wild instinct* confirming the core’s authenticity, I might have suspected a scam. And Baek Yeon-young would never trick me like that.

Baek Yeon-young wedged her hands under my armpits and lifted me.

“Open your mouth.”  
“Gek ek…”

How rude. It felt like I was baring my soul… which, in a sense, I was.

Following her instruction, I opened wide.

Baek Yeon-young leaned in to inspect my mouth. I briefly considered closing it to see her reaction but quickly remembered who I was dealing with. If it had been Tang So-young, she’d probably have screamed about the damp darkness inside, but Baek Yeon-young wasn’t like that.

Besides, I’d probably break my teeth if I tried.

“Gek…”

I swallowed nervously as she looked around.

“I can’t understand it. The core’s energy vanished in an instant.”

The core’s energy had disappeared!

What did that mean? Had it gone down the wrong pipe?

“Though you’ve digested it, why can’t you sense the energy?”

She mused, lost in thought. That’s great, but could we continue this conversation *outside* of my mouth?

After an agonizing stretch of time, she finally withdrew her head.

“Hui.”  
“Gek gek.”

I put on a sorrowful expression. I’d devoured the core Baek Yeon-young had given me, only for it to disappear. Though it wasn’t my fault, I tried to look as pitiable as possible. Maybe she’d take pity and offer me another core.

“Don’t jump to conclusions—this is only my hypothesis,” she said, her tone intrigued.

“I believe the energy from Odusa’s core was fully absorbed by you and converted into potential.”

“Gek?”

What did she mean? Shouldn’t I feel that energy circulating within me?

“It’s been transformed into latent power,” she explained.

She went on to clarify that, typically, only about 30% of the energy from a core would dissipate like this, but for it to vanish entirely was unprecedented.

To summarize, normally, I would have retained the core’s energy within me, as I had with Hwari and Seolsam. But Odusa’s energy had completely disappeared, absorbed as latent power.

“So you may not feel any immediate changes, but in the long run, this is advantageous. And you’re on the brink of rebirth, aren’t you?”

Since my battle with the Phoenix, I hadn’t evolved, as I hadn’t reached the necessary level. But with this boost in potential, it was now only a matter of reaching the next level before I could unlock a highly promising evolution path.

“Gek…”

Could this be the path to becoming an actual dragon? A *black dragon*, perhaps?

“Hui, do you remember the *Dragon Gate* within the *Ten Thousand Mountains*?”

The *Dragon Gate*. Baek Yeon-young had once mentioned it to me. It was a location marked by four peaks, where an actual creature had evolved into a dragon.

“With your current potential, if you were to endure the Dragon Gate’s trial, I can’t even imagine what you might become.”

Countless battles, innumerable elixirs, and the core of Odusa—all had merged within me as latent power. If I could survive the Dragon Gate’s trial…

“Gek gek gek gek!”

Master, please keep this from that unknown cult leader. He might try to recruit me as the cult’s sacred beast!

Visions of a glorious future filled my

 mind. A life where the Serpent Queen, *Ssss*, *Chirp*, Tus, Pus, and Nephila Jurassic all admired me…

Why was everyone just admiring me, though?

“Are you that happy?”  
“Gek!”

Right now, I felt like sprinting toward the Dragon Gate.

“Then I’ll adjust my plans to send you there soon.”

Master truly understands me.

“Well then.”

Seize the opportunity while it’s there.

“Take your stance.”

…Wait, what?

“Why are you looking at me like that?”  
“Gek ek…?”

Now that I think about it, we’re deep underground. There’s no one around. The area is vast. And, judging by the number of wall-stones here, soundproof.

"Let’s see just how strong you’ve become.”

Baek Yeon-young rolled up her sleeves.

Only now did I understand the emotions felt by every *Gomodo* opponent I’d faced.

“Gek gek gek gek gek!”

Someone, save me!