"You're planning to bring them here?"

Although it's easier to communicate with raspy sounds, it seems they can fully understand me now.

Faith is quite useful in that regard.

It has a hidden feature that lets me communicate through these raspy sounds.

Sometimes, it even conveys the thoughts of those who can’t speak.

I was curled up in the embrace of the Red Dragon, and nestled in my embrace was Baek Lang.

My belly felt cool, while my back was warm.

It feels like having the air conditioner on with an electric blanket—oddly addictive.

Honestly, I’d like to suggest staying in human form, but that wouldn’t be very dignified for me.

I can easily picture myself curled up between a warm bun and a cool rice cake in miniaturized form.

…Though I’d like to think I have better self-control, you never know.

Something about seeing big, towering creatures throws me off balance.

I didn’t used to be this way…

…Probably a side effect of being in a lizard’s body.

It’s probably more comfortable for the Red Dragon and Baek Lang to stay in their natural forms as well.

"Grk-grk-grk."

"So, you’re saying you’re making this place a nest?"

Nest.

That’s a fitting term.

I’ve claimed this volcano as my domain, so I plan to gather my followers here.

“It shouldn’t be a bad environment for training…”

Most of the volcanic fire has faded.

In place of fire (火), flowers (花) have blossomed, thanks to me claiming the Dragon Gate’s power after defeating its guardian.

I might have bent the rules a bit to make the Dragon Gate mine.

My abilities go beyond just nurturing plants.

I purified the scorched land and made it fertile again.

An ecosystem that couldn’t thrive due to the fire will start to flourish once more.

It’ll be better for the wolves to stay here in my warm, food-abundant territory rather than hunting down below.

…There’s not much food yet, but that’s just a matter of time.

If it comes down to it, I can always do a hunt myself.

“…Having the Dragon Gate might indeed help bring my siblings closer to becoming mystical beasts.”

This is new information.

Well, every creature drawn to this place by the Dragon Gate’s power did grow stronger.

Though there was a minor side effect of losing intelligence.

Now that it’s my domain, I can remove that side effect and take only the benefits.

That settles it—I should move my followers here.

I’m fine as I am, but the spiders prefer to shift to human form.

…Though I’d be fine without it!

“I’m all for it. A divine beast who’s placed a leash on me should at least own a Dragon Gate, right?”

The Red Dragon purred, releasing a small flame.

…If my fur weren’t blessed by the fire spirit, I’d have been bald ages ago.

“We need to increase the number of followers and gradually expand our influence. Otherwise, what was the point of me joining my little master?”

"Grk..."

The scales of the Fire Dragon lightly brushed my back.

“Grrr… Besides, I’ve joined you, so my siblings should too.”

Baek Lang’s fur tickled my belly.

…Are you two really aware you’re under me?

"Grk…"

I’m the divine beast, and you’re just followers.

Just ordinary followers!

…

I should come up with appropriate titles for Baek Lang and the Red Dragon.

It doesn’t feel right to call my two strongest assets mere followers.

But I can’t give them grand titles either, considering my lack of divine energy.

…White Fang and Scaly Tail shouldn’t consume much divine power, right?

Fwoosh.

Snap-snap.

"Grk!"

Just kidding, just kidding!

---

"Hah, hah, hah."

Chillang greeted me with an energetic wag of his tail.

He’s a sizable wolf, but given my size, he feels like a medium-sized dog.

In other words, incredibly cute.

"Whine... whimper!"

Time for… the dragon-style ultimate petting technique!

"Hah hah hah…"

Chillang stuck out his tongue, making a fuss.

Unlike Baek Lang, his fur is more gray, which gives a different vibe.

I held him under his arms and lifted him high, just about to shower him with kisses when—

Grab.

"That’s enough."

Baek Lang’s white hand covered my mouth.

"Grk."

I was tempted to test what would happen if I put it in my mouth, but I restrained myself.

After all, I had to show my dignity as the divine beast of my followers.

"Hah hah!"

"Woof woof!"

The wolves began darting around, running here and there, even leaping like Arctic foxes.

It seemed they were quite pleased with this new nest.

The wolves weren’t the only ones I’d recruited.

From afar, the horned creatures were watching, seeming eager to join the cult of the Great Lizard God.

I’d thought of recruiting them, but I didn’t expect them to approach on their own.

They lay low as if begging to join, so I welcomed them with open arms.

In an instant, we gained significant strength.

With seven dire wolves and ten horned beasts added, we were stronger than ever.

Plus, their loyalty was remarkable.

The wolves, of course, had shared countless battles with me, so that was natural.

But the horned creatures were even more loyal.

“Polygamy!”

They looked at me with reverence in their eyes. Could it be related to my title, Black Sun?

I don’t know why, but it’s a good thing.

These creatures have considerable power and are exceptional mystical beasts.

Honestly, I’m not sure exactly what they are, but everyone has secrets.

I’ll let it slide with the magnanimity of a broad-minded lizard.

Now that our power has increased, we have a new problem.

While this volcano is technically our domain, there isn’t a proper nest here.

There’s a cave, but it’s too cramped for everyone, and the place I shared with the Red Dragon has holes everywhere from our battles.

So we need a new nest…

"Little one, what’s got you so worried?"

"Grk!"

Ah, Red Dragon!

With her treasure-hoarding habit, she must have some artistic flair.

…Not that we need an artwork, but it’d be nice to have a nest that reflects the cult’s stature.

"We have those mystical creatures we just recruited, don’t we?"

"Grk?"

"They’re pretty handy with their paws."

…Handy?

No matter how I look at them, they don’t have hands.

“Polygamy!”

The horned creatures wiggled their front paws.

Suddenly, they started digging into the ground and crafted a decently sized sculpture.

“Black Suuunnnn!”

It was a big, impressive tail.

They really are handy!

It’s a bit crude, but for a dirt sculpture, it’s pretty well-made.

And there were not one but two thick tails.

…Those are tails, right?

“If you leave it to them, they’ll make something decent. Creating a nest isn’t exactly rocket science.”

"Grk-grk."

Alright.

I think I’ll leave this to the horned creatures.

“Hehehe…”

“Polygamy… hehe…”

Look at their confident expressions.

They’re so reliable.

"Couple room… hehe…”

“Many wives… many thousands…”

…Can I really trust you guys?

At least Baek Lang and the Red Dragon are here, so if things get too weird, they can keep them in line with frost or fire.

Since I don’t have to handle it personally, I can save time.

If I leave now, I could probably bring the followers back by the time the nest is done.

Maybe I should visit Shikshik and the Snake Queen too?

Since they’re in charge of the jungle, I can’t ask them to relocate, but I should at least let them know I’ve established a domain at the volcano.

They might even send a few promising beasts my way.

Decision made.

I’ll entrust the nest to the followers for now and leave the volcano.

“Grk-grk, grk-grk. Grk-grk-grk!”

I conveyed my plan to Baek Lang and the Red Dragon.

“Want me to give you a ride?”

The Red Dragon flared her massive wings.

Her sudden offer made my heart race.

Not for any strange reason, but the excitement of riding a dragon!

Those red scales…

Wings shining like rubies…

It’s like a gorgeous older sister in a bright red sports car, sliding down her sunglasses and offering me a lift.

Wham!

“…Snap out of it.”

A tuft of white fur entered my mouth, snapping me back to reality.

"Grk…"

Regrettably, it seems I won’t be riding on the Red Dragon’s back.

Flying all the way to the Heavenly Demon Sect is risky.

To humans, she’d look like a flying catastrophe.

And with a powerful lizard on her back, it’d be even worse.

“Hm. I was going to ask to ride you as payment for the ride.”

Ride me?

She means ride on my back, right?

I’d be fine with that.

“Grr…”

Baek Lang glared at the Red Dragon with narrowed eyes.

“Yawn… I should get some sleep by the crater while you’re away.”

She said with a soft smile, heading toward the crater.

Baek Lang looked slightly annoyed.

“…Do you like He Shou Wu?”

Why are you getting competitive over this?

"Grk-grk."

I don’t mind, but don’t overdo it.

“Are you going straight to those who left a mark on your pendant?”

"Grk."

“Good. I wanted to

 check on those spiders anyway.”

I hope Nephela’s condition has improved.

I’ll have to see how she’s doing.

She seems nearly recovered, so bringing her and Tang Soyoung along might be a good idea.

…Though, should I return her to the Tang Clan?

Oh well, I’ll decide later.

A few scales as payment should be enough.

“…Are all the followers you’re bringing female?”

This guy.

His intuition is sharp.

How did he know?

It’s almost like it’s written all over his face.

“You’re predictable.”

So it wasn’t my imagination.

"Grk…"

I’m not making excuses, but I didn’t deliberately recruit only females.

It’s purely coincidence that all the creatures I met were female.

…There were two human men I encountered while hunting Gogae mushrooms, but they don’t count.

“If you knew before I did, what can I say?”

I feel like burying my face in Baek Lang’s warm fur.

“…But don’t come back with even more, alright?”

"Grk-grk."

That shouldn’t be too hard.

“All the new followers are female, my own group is female, the red lizard is female…”

Baek Lang’s golden eyes gazed at me steadily.

…Is it really that difficult?

There does seem to be an unusual number of females around me.

But we do have the horned creatures.

“And all the horned creatures are female too… Though that’s just their species.”

"Grk-grk-grk?"

What’s that supposed to mean?

The horned creatures are all female?

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

"Grk?"

“It’s common knowledge. That’s why they’re rare mystical beasts. To reproduce, they need to mate with unicorns, but the two species are naturally incompatible.”

I’ve learned something I didn’t want to know.

All those horned creatures making those strange sculptures are female?

Then again, they are the counterpart to unicorns, so I suppose it makes sense.

The unicorn was male.

…Hold on.

I might actually be able to recruit a unicorn.

Dear unicorn, let me find you a wife.