Baekrang had once allowed herself to be touched by the black-scaled lizard.

It was back when the horned creatures swarmed, and she sacrificed herself to save her youngest sibling and the pack. She didn’t expect to enjoy the touch of that lizard’s hands. She merely thought of herself as a tragic heroine in a story.

But to her surprise, it wasn’t as bad as she’d anticipated.

No, it went beyond that—it was actually… pleasant.

The lizard’s large claws and tail, which she’d assumed would be rough and clumsy, were unexpectedly gentle and soothing. The sensation was unlike anything Baekrang had ever experienced, and her tail began to sway involuntarily.

At that moment, all her embarrassment at exposing her belly faded, replaced by a growing desire for just a bit more of that touch. Of course, that urge only surfaced in those fleeting moments of contact; otherwise, Baekrang actively denied the experience.

After all, this was a lizard. Wolves and lizards were entirely different species. How could she possibly feel anything for a creature with no fur?

Yet, despite all this, her pack adored the lizard.

Baekrang assumed it was that strange, mesmerizing touch. The lizard would eventually leave, but her wolves would be heartbroken, so if she could learn the technique, she could fill that void quickly and restore order. Wolves, after all, should be drawn to those with fluffy fur. A hairless lizard wasn’t a suitable leader, she thought.

So, she’d asked the lizard to touch her again.

This time, she was determined to pay attention, to learn the right technique and pressure.

“Awoo…”

Baekrang was startled by what she saw—herself, lying on her back, her tail wagging in delight.

It had started with her head. The lizard had stroked her at just the right pressure, rubbing her head before pressing gently near her ears. His claws brushed her fur in such a way that it felt soothing, as if he’d done this a thousand times before. She hadn’t realized last time, caught up as she’d been in the chaos, but the lizard was incredibly skilled at this.

But by the time she recognized it, it was too late.

The lizard’s large claws continued to stroke her fur, scratching in places that she, as a wolf, couldn’t normally reach.

“Awoo…”

A proud spirit beast like herself lay there, helplessly wagging her tail, looking as if she was courting him.

“Ka-Kayeng!”

She reminded herself she was the alpha, only doing this for the pack’s sake. But the way it looked… it was almost as if she’d sent her pack outside on purpose, grabbing a moment alone to indulge.

Yet, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t bring herself to push the lizard’s hand away.

“Awoo…”

The lizard scratched every nook and cranny of her fur, soothing her skin beneath it. Eventually, she simply stretched her tongue and let herself go under the spell of the black-scaled lizard.

“Heh-heh…”

It wasn’t about satisfying her own desires, she reasoned. She was just studying his technique.

If she learned this, she could keep her dignity as alpha and deepen the pack’s bonds.

That was what she thought.

“Awoo?”

Until she locked eyes with Chilang.

“…Ch-Chilang?”

The youngest wolf dropped the shard of ice from his mouth, having caught her lying on her back, belly exposed and tail wagging, thoroughly enjoying herself. And it wasn’t just him.

Ilrang to Chilrang—all the wolves were watching.

“No, no…”

Baekrang tried to deny it.

“It’s not what it looks like!”

But in their minds, they now saw her as an alpha sneaking moments of joy with a different species, pretending nothing was happening.

“Awoo!”

Ilrang nodded approvingly, as if to say, “You’ve been alone for a long time; it’s about time you found a good mate.”

“It’s not like that!”

Baekrang tried to explain, but her pack wasn’t so easily convinced. Only with the lizard’s clumsy, chirping “Gek-gekk!” did they finally seem to accept her words—though a lingering impression remained.

Their alpha, they assumed, had indeed found herself a mate.

“Ehehe… they approve…”

“What’s with you!” Baekrang exclaimed, tossing an ice shard at a suspicious creature laughing in the shadows.

---

I spent more time with the wolves, keeping myself in a small form.

“Gek.”

The pampering they provided almost made me want to stay here forever.

Honestly, the surroundings weren’t exactly luxurious. Outside, beasts drooled at the sight of me, eager to pounce.

Of course, they made for decent prey, but I was a lizard who understood civilization. Compared to the cozy safety of places like the Temple of the Snake Queen or the Heavenly Demon Cult, this place was a death trap.

But the warmth surrounding me more than made up for it.

“Awoo…”

These fluffy wolves encircled me.

Their fur brought an odd sense of peace.

…Not in any strange way, more like the way puppies bring joy.

The scent of their warm fur was oddly comforting.

And then, there was another perk.

“Wh-what are you looking at?”

Baekrang.

She now spent most of her time with me in human form.

It seemed that she was worried if she stayed in wolf form, she’d end up wagging her tail and exposing her belly.

She must’ve felt she’d become a dog, not a wolf, in front of me.

To prevent that, she stayed human.

A clever one, that Baekrang.

“How dare you think I’d fall for a few scratches,” she muttered, lightly poking my head as she placed it on her knee.

Half-hidden by a curious icy pouch, I watched the ceiling.

“But… it wouldn’t hurt to make sure, so… maybe I should check one more time before you leave,” she mumbled, her tone barely audible.

“Gek?”

“Don’t ask why!”

Baekrang’s voice wavered.

Guess she was in a state of denial.

If only she’d admit it like the other wolves. Maybe her pride as alpha held her back.

Seeing her like this sparked an idea.

Before I leave this place, I’ll make sure Baekrang becomes a full-on puppy.

---

“…Travel safely.”

Baekrang said as we finally prepared for my journey to face the guardian of the volcano.

“Awooo!” the wolves howled in support, jumping around me.

As much as I wanted Baekrang to come along, it wasn’t possible.

With her cold-based powers, a volcano would be an extremely challenging environment for her.

While her frost abilities would be effective against the volcano’s creatures, the intense heat would harm her in turn.

Fighting a fire-wielding beast was one thing, but enduring the volcano’s environment itself was too much.

I’d miss her assistance, but capturing the guardian was something I had to do alone.

My goal in defeating the guardian was to evolve.

More specifically, to pass the Dragon Gate’s trial, which required me to defeat the guardian as one part of it.

If I were to fight the guardian with Baekrang, the results might not be as satisfying in terms of evolution.

It was only a hunch, but still—I couldn’t take any chances.

“Gek-gekk!”

With a last farewell, I set off.

The path to the volcano was familiar. Baekrang and I had traveled here multiple times, hunting not just the Magnosaurus but other foes as well.

The creatures here wielded fire, making them ideal practice before facing the guardian.

The entrance to the volcano appeared before me.

It was a typical volcano, with flames flickering in various places.

No beast here posed a real threat, and it was rare for creatures like the Magnosaurus to come down this far.

Even if they did, I could handle them without trouble.

*Rumble!*

*Kwoooom!*

Was the volcano about to erupt?

A violent tremor shook the ground.

*Kwoooaaak!*

In a panic, the beasts scattered, fleeing down the volcano.

Thankfully, it didn’t erupt, but the timing felt ominous.

If it did erupt mid-battle with the guardian, I’d be in a difficult spot.

Even with Baekrang’s potion granting me fire resistance, it wouldn’t make me immune to magma.

“Kraaaah!”

“Kiaaaak!”

Some beasts remained unfazed by the tremors and kept their ground, charging toward me.

But they were no match.

Even without taking the potion yet, my base resistance was enough to fend them off.

*Ssssss!*

The fight ended quickly.

Something didn’t feel right.

Even if they’d lost their intelligence, it was strange for them to attack so recklessly, seemingly in fear.

But it wasn’t enough to make me stop.

As I climbed, the heat grew more intense.

If I reached the summit, the mere act of moving might ignite me.

Without Baekrang’s potion, this would’ve been impossible.

Soon, the volcano’s midsection came into view.

This was to be my base camp.

Here, I’d take the potion, make final preparations, and then move to the summit for the final fight.

Normally, the Magnosaurus would be here, but he was in my stomach now, leaving me free to rest on this spot.

There might be another creature taking its place, but it wouldn’t be an issue.

Most of the animals had fled due to the tremors.

*Rumble!*

*Kwoooom!*

Another tremor shook the ground.

Hearing it closer now, it didn’t sound like the volcano was erupting.

Was someone else challenging the volcano?

From the sounds near the summit, it could be the guardian…

It might be even stronger than I’d thought.

Thinking it was just a giant rat was a mistake.

With my resolve hardened, I reached the midsection.

*Kikakakak!*

A visitor awaited me.

I wanted to take it down quickly and rest, but something was off.

This creature was larger than the Magnosaurus, radiating intense heat, with a rodent-like face.

---

**[Fire Rat LV90]**

It was the Fire Rat, the guardian of the volcano.

…But why was it here, in the middle?

So then, what was causing that noise from the summit?

 

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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