Closed-door training (with some sunbathing allowed) continued as usual.

When Baek Yeon-young was around, I trained directly with her, honing my sword aura. When she wasn’t, I practiced on my own, managing my inner energy through *Qi circulation* exercises. Sword aura might have been essential, but controlling my inner energy was just as vital; after all, sword aura itself was a manifestation of that energy.

Tang So-young and her spider companions occasionally dropped by to bring me food. She insisted on staying hidden from the other cult members, worried about being discovered as an outsider. However, I had a strong suspicion that her presence had already been noticed. Some cultists would often mention the Tang Clan as they kept a watchful eye out for intruders.

I wanted to inform her, but it would be hard to convey that information by just hissing and chirping at her. She’d probably piece it together if she was clever enough, but I decided it was best to let her believe her stealth skills were working.

“How hard do you think it was for me to sneak down here? I was so cautious!” she would say, proud of her “stealth” as she brought me my meals. I didn’t have the heart to ruin her little fantasy.

Between eating meals and bonding with the spiders, I also took breaks to go outside. Although I was technically undergoing closed-door training, it didn’t apply to lizards. We’re cold-blooded, and while Baek Yeon-young provided warm bedding, nothing compared to actual sunlight.

Once I stepped outside, I’d crawl to a designated spot with a small fence around it, just big enough for me to stretch out and bask in the sun. A simple sign marked the area, and before long, curious cultists would gather around.

“I’m going to tame it!”  
“I read it’s a creature called *Komodo*. You’d better watch out for its venom if you’re not immune.”  
“Maybe if we put a muzzle on it…”

Not entirely sure what they intended with the muzzles and leashes, but I welcomed their offerings of food as a tribute to my majesty.

Occasionally, I’d fire a death beam into the air just to show off, only for Baek Seol-hwa to appear with a scowl. I’d run off before she could catch me, sometimes even stealing a snack from her stash.

“Hey, you lizard! Did you really have to steal the whole drawer?!”

At night, I’d return underground, resuming my solitary training until Master Baek found me and insisted on cuddling me to sleep. That usually ended my training for the day, and after a good night’s rest, I’d be back at it come morning.

Time went by like this until one day, during a sparring session with Baek Yeon-young, something remarkable happened.

*Ssslllchh!*

An icy, fiery energy surged through my front claws—a brief but unmistakable manifestation of sword aura.

“You’ve finally reached it.”

From that moment on, my training was complete.

“You’ve still got a long way to go before using it fluently, but this is good enough for now,” she said.  
“Gegek!”  
“With enough practice, you’ll soon be able to wield sword aura effortlessly.”

Though I was wielding sword aura with my claws rather than an actual sword, I had ten “blades” to work with, just as she’d taught me.

With training complete, I was ready. My whole body tingled with anticipation—not only because of my newfound power but also because I was eager to see my next evolution. With all the strength I had gathered, what would I become?

It was time to head to Dragon’s Gate and claim my next form.

---

“Hero Go, are you leaving now?”  
“Keeng…”

Tang So-young and the spiders looked sad as I nodded slightly.

“Gegek.”  
“I thought so. I overheard that you’re heading to Dragon’s Gate, right?”

Sharp ears, or perhaps Master Baek had told her.

“I’d stay by your side if I could…”

Not that you’d be much help…

“What’s this strange feeling?!” she muttered, seemingly sensing my lack of enthusiasm.

Ignoring her rambling, I turned to say goodbye to the spiders.

“Keeeng…”  
“Kiii…”

I hadn’t known them long, but I guessed they were saying something like, “Do you have to leave already?”

Tus and Pus clung to my tail, as if asking to come along. I could probably carry them on my back if they wanted; I’d grown enough for that. They might even spin webs to make a little home back there.

However, Dragon’s Gate wasn’t some safe swamp or forest. It was the very place Baek Yeon-young insisted I reach before mastering sword aura.

I couldn’t risk them getting caught up in any danger.

“Kiek.”

Unlike the whimpering Tus and Pus, Nephila calmly approached, wrapping her long legs around my front paw.

“Kieeek.”

Be careful. We’ll be waiting.

We didn’t speak the same language, but I could sense her message.

“Keeng!”  
“Kiii!”

Tus and Pus, now realizing what they needed to do, let go of my tail and crawled toward my neck, where my accessory hung. Ever since I first got it, I’d noticed them eyeing it, just waiting for an opportunity.

Tus left a mark with her venomous fangs, while Pus wove spider silk over it, adding their touch to the design. Now, my accessory had two fuzzy spiders etched onto it.

“Kiii…”

I didn’t know why they kept marking it, but I’d gotten used to it by now.

“Keeng!”

Thanking them with a farewell, I turned to go, glancing back one last time. They’d be fine. Judging by how plump they were, they’d be well-fed in my absence.

With a final farewell to Master Baek and a quick raid of Baek Seol-hwa’s stash, I set off for Dragon’s Gate. There was just one more stop I had to make first.

---

Master Baek had explained what Dragon’s Gate was, where it was located, and what to expect. I didn’t understand half of her instructions—her explanations weren’t always the clearest. Thankfully, she’d arranged for someone to guide me.

A creature familiar to both me and Master Baek.

“…It’s been a while, little one.”

The Serpent Queen.

She slithered closer, her cold scales brushing against me as she inspected me.

“Shiii…”

Behind her was a smaller snake, one I knew well.

Round and… wait, had it changed?

“Peep!”

That chirp—it was definitely Shikshik. But it barely acknowledged me, a far cry from the usual tail-clinging greeting. It seemed taller, longer.

Had it already forgotten me? The sting hurt more than anything Baek Yeon-young had done.

“…Do you know how long the princess has waited for you?” the Serpent Queen asked.  
“Gek?”

I took a closer look at Shikshik. As soon as our eyes met, it looked away, though its tail wagged furiously.

This little one was sulking.

Normally, Shikshik would’ve already clung to me by now, but it seemed adolescence had struck.

“After finishing up here, I planned to visit, but you arrived first.”

The Serpent Queen then unwrapped a bundle from my tail, one Master Baek had fastened for her.

“Ho…”

She examined it with great interest. I didn’t know what it contained, but it was probably a letter explaining my situation, along with a package Baek Yeon-young had sternly warned me not to open.

“So many rice cakes? I must be dreaming.”

I’d stolen them from Baek Seol-hwa’s stash. She hadn’t been thrilled, but there wasn’t much she could do—I was, after all, Master Baek’s prized companion.

The Serpent Queen opened and read the letter. I wondered if I should learn to read too. I could understand spoken words, but written ones remained a mystery.

Maybe if I had extra time after my evolution, I’d give it a shot. A lizard adept in both martial and literary arts might even unlock new evolution paths.

“Hm, I see. So, you’re off to Dragon’s Gate?”  
“Gegek.”  
“You’re more than qualified. I’ll tell you everything I know about it.”

The Serpent Queen always got to the point—one of her finer qualities.

“However, there’s something we need to do first.”  
“Gek?”  
“Could you… close your eyes for a moment?”  

Close my eyes?

Not sure what this was about, but I obeyed.

“Actually, could you turn around as well?”  
“Gegek.”

No reason to distrust her, so I turned.

“Hm… so that’s how it’s done…”

I heard some rustling behind me.

“Princess, hold still a moment.”

“Peep!”

What on earth were they doing?

Curious as I was, I managed to stay patient.

“All right, you may turn around now.”

The Serpent Queen tapped my back, and I opened my eyes, turning around to face her.

And there it was.

A maid outfit.

Or rather, the mythical *Maidou* outfit!

I recalled whining to Master Baek before I left, wanting to see the Maidou outfit she’d had specially made for her. She’d refused, so I assumed she’d never finished it.

But I’d misunderstood. Baek Yeon-young had completed it and sent it to none other than the Serpent Queen.

“I’m not sure why

 you like such an audacious outfit, but… it feels a little embarrassing to wear.”

It seemed the Maidou outfit Baek Yeon-young was making had always been meant for the Serpent Queen.

And then, Tang So-young’s words hit me: “Although, I don’t understand why an adorably plump snake would need an outfit…”

So, the outfit I’d seen made for the Serpent Queen… meant that the “adorably plump snake” was…

“Shriiik…”

No! My Shikshik was wearing… that!

And… it was… strangely… cute?

“Gekgekgek!”

What am I thinking?

Out! Out of my head!

 

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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