*Magnosaurus.*

A beast cloaked in lava and flame.

It had long surpassed the boundaries of a typical dinosaur.

To be fair, even the Tang Clan’s Dilophosaurus was far beyond what a dinosaur should be.

This creature possessed abilities that seemed more suited to a fantasy novel.

Of course, it still retained the sheer physical power of a dinosaur.

In other words, it was an overpowered character.

Not that I was one to be underestimated.

I focused my gaze.

My wild eyes had two main abilities.

One was to identify an opponent's level and name, while the other was to check its status and traits.

The former didn’t place much strain on my body, so I used it frequently. However, using it to see status required effort and caused some discomfort in my eyes.

While the effect wasn’t permanent, it was annoying enough that I avoided it unless absolutely necessary.

Right now, it was worth the discomfort.

After all, this was a one-on-one encounter, so the strain wasn’t as intense.

**【Magnosaurus lv65】**  
**【Traits】**  
「Flame Hide」「Fire Resistance」「Extreme Yang Body」  
**【Status】**  
「Rage」「Fear」「Confusion」

The traits were more or less what I expected, aside from the *Extreme Yang Body*.

What caught my attention was its status.

Rage, fear, and confusion.

I could guess why it was enraged.

But fear and confusion?

That was strange.

What was it afraid of, and why was it confused?

*Boom!*

The Magnosaurus crushed a furred beast it had been fighting with a single stomp.

One heavy stomp with its hind leg, and it was over.

It then scorched its prey with flames spewing from its mouth.

While I couldn’t fully observe its combat style, I had a general idea.

“Gek-gekk!”

I launched myself off the ground, charging straight at it.

“Kruk?”

The Magnosaurus immediately turned toward me, its jaws opening.

“You fool! Why make noise like that?”

Baekrang scolded me, just as flames burst from the Magnosaurus’s mouth.

And then—

*Crack!*

A large ice wall formed right in front of me.

It seemed to be Baekrang’s doing.

As much as she scolded me, she was clearly helping out.

If I teamed up with Baekrang, I could safely take it down.

But that didn’t suit my style.

I preferred to finish it quickly with direct attacks.

Even if I got injured, a creature of this level would definitely raise my level, so it wasn’t a big deal.

As long as Baekrang continued to support me from afar with her ice, that would be enough.

*Tatatat!*

Using the principles of the Dragon Ascension Step, I swiftly closed the distance between us.

Without wasting any momentum, I transitioned straight into a *Dragon Claw Strike*.

My front claws slashed at lightning speed.

“Kraaaah!”

*Swish!*

However, the Magnosaurus swung its bladed tail, blocking my attack.

*Clang!*

The impact stung my wrists.

Its tail muscles were impressive, meaning its main weapon was likely its tail.

As long as I was cautious of that, I’d be fine.

“Grrrr.”

*Whip!*

Once again, its tail shot toward me like a whip, tracing a flexible arc through the air.

I ducked to avoid it, but the bladed tip swung downward as if anticipating my move.

*Clang!*

I barely managed to block it by crossing my arms.

…As much as I hated to admit it, this creature was using sword techniques.

If Baekrang was right, this must be the 24-Step Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

Though, it was merely in name.

There wasn’t a hint of plum blossom fragrance in the air.

The Magnosaurus swung its tail like a sword.

Attacks came at angles impossible with a typical blade.

It was dizzying.

But I couldn’t just sit still and take it.

I needed to break its sword flow.

I channeled *Eagle Talon Counterstrike*.

My right hand took on the qualities of a snake, while my left took on those of a bird.

*Clang!*

*Shink!*

I blocked the incoming Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

The lava-bloomed plum blossoms shattered under the eagle’s talons, and the venomous snake coiled up the branches of lava.

*Fwoosh!*

Suddenly, flames burst forth.

*Crack!*

Baekrang’s ice wall blocked its fiery assault.

I countered the Plum Blossom Sword Technique with *Eagle Talon Counterstrike*, while Baekrang defended against the flames.

The creature had to be frustrated.

All of its attacks were blocked.

“Grrrr…”

Of course, I couldn’t just stay on the defensive either.

I had to either unleash a powerful technique or wear it down gradually.

It was clear the creature was hiding something, so I decided to play it safe.

*Hisss...*

I released a thick cloud of venom from my mouth.

Gomodo lizards naturally produced venom.

I was an evolved being that had consumed a Dilophosaurus’s inner core.

I spread the venom around like a poisonous mist.

In the jungle, I couldn’t fully utilize my venom.

The Snake Queen already possessed poison, and the Bird King had prepared countermeasures.

But now, things were different.

The Magnosaurus had no immunity to venom.

There was no reason not to use my most powerful weapon.

“Keeek!”

The effect was immediate.

A creature this large wouldn’t be taken down by poison alone, but it would surely be an annoyance.

*Fwoosh!*

The Magnosaurus spewed flames, attempting to disperse the venom cloud.

I wasn’t about to let that happen.

*Crack!*

I struck its head with a *Dragon Claw Strike*.

“Kraaaah!”

*Crack.*

Its thick neck held firm against my attack.

But the venom seeping in, coupled with the damage from my strike, was sure to weaken it over time.

“Grrr, grrrraaah!”

The Magnosaurus roared.

It must have realized it couldn’t afford to leave its back open now.

*Whoosh!*

Its tail whipped forward in a ferocious sword strike.

Then—

*Fwoosh!*

Flaming rain fell from the sky.

This was its hidden move, the *Thousand Blossoms Fire Rain*.

I could hardly believe my eyes — a volcanic dinosaur using the Thousand Blossoms Fire Rain.

But sure enough, it was just that.

The sky was filled with beautiful, fiery blossoms.

It was both *fire* (火) and *flower* (花).

But there was no time to admire it.

Just because the attack looked beautiful didn’t mean I would stand there and take it.

**[Activating 「Reverse Scale lv5」.]**

Against a fake Thousand Blossoms Fire Rain, I had to respond with my own.

**[Temporarily acquiring 「Thousand Blossoms Fire Rain」.]**

I crafted the scattered venom into thin, dart-like needles.

*Whoosh!*

The poisonous needles shot forward at high speed.

Venomous darts met the flaming rain in midair.

*Fwoosh!*

The flames held the upper hand in intensity but expended their strength trying to pierce through the venom.

Which meant they posed no real threat.

“Grr?”

The Magnosaurus looked visibly shaken.

This technique was likely its finishing move.

Its spirit was faltering, and its body was showing signs of fatigue.

*Hisss…*

**[Activating 「Reverse Scale lv5」.]**

It was time to finish this.

**[Temporarily acquiring 「Death Beam lv5」.]**

*Zzzzzt!*

A fierce blue beam shot out, piercing a large hole through its neck.

“Kraaaaagh!”

This was unexpected.

It was still alive.

*Fwoosh!*

The Magnosaurus’s body erupted in flames.

It was likely similar to the poison-induced frenzy technique the Dilophosaurus had shown me.

The difference was that this creature was even more unstable and powerful.

Charging at me recklessly, the Magnosaurus seemed determined to take me down with it.

“Awoo!”

But it never reached me.

*Crunch!*

Baekrang’s icy aura chilled its fiery body.

With the flames weakened, I struck its neck with a powerful *Dragon Claw Strike*.

*Crack!*

With a satisfying snap, its neck broke.

**[Level Up]**

The level-up notification confirmed its death.

“Gek-gekk!”

I let out a triumphant roar to celebrate the victory.

Honestly, defeating it wasn’t that difficult.

If I had continued using *Reverse Scale* and landed stronger techniques, it wouldn’t have stood a chance.

Even with my lack of mastery, wrapping my ki around my claws could have likely snapped its neck in a single blow.

But there were two reasons I didn’t go all-out.

The first was that opponents of this caliber were rare.

So I took the chance to practice my poison attacks.

…Of course, I also wanted to show that fake Thousand Blossoms Fire Rain who was boss.

The second reason was that this creature wasn’t the end.

My true target was the guardian.

This one was merely a subordinate.

Revealing all my cards now wasn’t ideal.

It was better to save my strength for the guardian. If I showed more techniques now, the guardian might find a way to counter them.

That’s why I limited myself to the *Death Beam* and poison attacks.

By showing two vastly different techniques, it would be hard to guess if I had anything else left.

“Gek-gekk…”

When they finally try to counter my poison and beams, I’ll hit them with something completely new, reducing them to a helpless little mouse.

As I chuckled, I heard a voice.

“Well done!”

Baekrang came running over, breathless.

I had some resistance to fire, but without her support, I would’ve taken damage.

Thanks to her, I was able to bring it down much faster.

Since she’s a spirit beast adept with ice, she opted for support instead of direct combat, which matched well with my style.

Maybe I could take her along when I face the fire rat.

“Aww, you did great.”

*Lick.*

…Huh?

Baekrang was licking me all over.

“Look how heated up your body is.”

With each touch of her tongue, the warmth of my body slowly faded.

I was grateful, but did she even realize what she was doing?

“Gek-gekk.”

“…Huh?”

Baekrang met my eyes.

Like a startled cat, she jumped back.

“Eek! Wh-what’s that look for?!”

What do you mean, what? I should be asking you.

“A-ah, well, it’s just…”

She stammered.

“I usually… congratulate my younger siblings… like this…”

Baekrang offered a hasty explanation.

“It’s… just a habit…”

So, you congratulated your younger siblings like this when they succeeded in hunting?

And now, it’s just become second nature, so you did it to me without realizing?

Hmm…

I stared at Baekrang’s face with my “lizard eyes of truth.”

Flustered, she slapped my shoulder with her paw.

“Forget it!”

Then she stomped off, tail wagging furiously.

Why is she mad when she was the one doing it?

And why is her tail wagging as she stomps away?

Is it a species thing? Hard to understand.

Does she even like me?

“Heh-heh… Po-polygamy…”

What the—?

From out of nowhere, Igaksu creatures appeared, staring at me with mischievous eyes.

“Gekk!”

Seriously, these creatures… and the unicorns, too.

Are they even animals?

They don’t quite fit the spirit beast label, either.

There’s something indescribable about them.

…But that’s for another time.

For now, I needed to catch up to Baekrang.

After all, she was the only one who knew how to use the Magnosaurus’s remains.

“Gek-gekk!”

I hurried after Baekrang.