Sleek, smooth scales coiled tightly around my body, locking my joints in place and preventing any movement as an inquisitive, flickering tongue drew closer.

"Sssshrik…."
"Grk!"

It tickles, Shikshik.

"Chirp?"

Shikshik looked slightly taken aback. It seemed she thought she was using some kind of deadly attack, but from my perspective, she just looked cute. I mean, even if she was a snake dressed in a maid outfit, it was adorable.

…Not that I'm a weird lizard for thinking that; objectively, she's cute.

What Shikshik was doing was just playful affection. The real problem was the Snake Queen.

Crack…

"Grk-grk!"

I tried to resist, but my joints were bound too tightly to free myself from her powerful coils. Besides, the Snake Queen was much stronger than I was in terms of raw physical power.

"Grk!"  
Stop!

But I couldn't give up.

"Now, stay still, will you?"

Did she think I would just sit and take it? Is she planning to keep messing with me, like in some kind of supernatural romance novel?

Squish.

"…Grk."

I felt all my strength draining away. That was the Snake Queen for you—always prepared with some insidious technique.

"Every time I wonder about it… why are you so weak in this useless, soft spot?"

I admit defeat. Born with the body of a lizard, I had no way to resist this overwhelming force.

…Is my mind becoming more like a lizard’s too?

No, I am a sentient human. I must open my eyes and face reality. I am not so weak that I’ll be enchanted by something as insignificant as this.

I am the Divine Beast of the Kegaek Sect.

And the Divine Beast doesn’t lose to things like—

Squish, squish.

Wow, these are really… something.

"Grk-grk-grk!"

What kind of sorcery is this?!

"Chirp!"  
Shikshik chirped, as if to scold me for saying something foolish.

"Ohoho. Yes, if it's you, I can give you as much as you want."

I felt myself sinking into the Snake Queen's vast, ocean-like generosity.

I hate to admit it, but the Queen's internal energy reservoir was among the top two or three I’d encountered. It was that incredible.

Even ten Dang So-yeong couldn’t compare.

The Queen and Shikshik's coils held me tightly, but I wasn’t too worried. Despite their playful teasing, they always knew where to draw the line.

"I’ve been thinking—shouldn’t it be time for you to mature fully after a year?"

…Huh?

This wasn’t going the way I’d imagined.

"With these thick arms, this thick tail… surely you wouldn’t claim you’re not yet an adult?"

…Technically, geckos can reach maturity in about a year. But for one thing, I’m not exactly a gecko right now, and it hasn’t even been a full year.

"Grk-grk-grk!"

I made a noise conveying that exact meaning.

"Besides, dragons don’t measure age by years."

"Grk?"

Is that a thing?

Wait, but Red Dragon seemed to care about her age?

"Quiet, you."

This was getting out of hand.

Honestly, I didn’t have any reason to resist the Snake Queen’s advances. If not for her serpentine lower half, she’d be considered one of the most beautiful women in the world.

…Actually, her snake tail doesn’t even feel like a drawback anymore.

And I couldn’t deny that the kiss she left on my cheek before I departed last time had stirred my heart.

But there was a reason I was fighting so hard.

I know myself too well. Once I cross into that unknown territory, there’s no coming back. I’d be stuck for months, ensnared between scales and—

…Would that be so bad?

No, I mustn’t give in.

Think of something sad. Think of the worst things I can.

Right, my inner demons.

But one isn’t enough. I need to think of the maid outfit-wearing Spino and the school-uniform-wearing Therizino.

"Grk!"

It felt like I’d taken an internal injury from failing to control my breathing.

…And judging by the blood, I might actually be injured.

Alright, now that I've regained my composure, I just need to respond calmly.

Even if the Queen and Shikshik’s eyes look a bit crazy, they’re intelligent and refined serpents. They’ll listen to my sincere plea.

"Grk-grk-grk!"

Clang.

The open stone door slowly started to close.

"Shouting won’t help you now."

"Grk!"

The Queen’s voice was cold, her movements dignified as she ensnared me.

"Grk-grk-grk!"

I did my best.

Just holding out this long was an achievement.

Maybe it’s time to accept my fate.

Boom!

A black veil suddenly appeared, repelling both Shikshik and the Snake Queen.

"Chirp?"  
"What…?"

The Snake Queen’s gaze fell upon the amulet hanging from my neck.

"How could the sacred artifact…?"

This veil had activated before, when Baek Lang tried to pounce on me. It seemed the Snake Queen's protection was still intact, but now it had activated against her too?

"Grk-grk!"

I didn’t fully understand it, but clutching onto this amulet felt like the right move.

"Could it be… the marks have accumulated so much that it’s altered the amulet’s function?"

This amulet carried many traces.

Spider, snake, bird, wolf.

Their combined imprints must have created something that even repelled its original owner, the Snake Queen.

"Well, that’s one way to keep others away, though even I can’t get through now…."

The Queen’s gaze traveled down my body.

"Grk."

I quickly shielded myself with my tail.

"Alas, I suppose I must withdraw for now."

"Chirp-chirp…."

It seemed I’d somehow managed to fend off the assault from the Queen and her daughter.

This amulet saved me.

…But wait, if it repels even the Snake Queen, what happens later?

"Grk-grk?"

…Is this some kind of chastity belt?

"Grk-grk-grk!"

---

Thanks to the Queen’s mark, I was able to protect my purity.

While the Queen and Shikshik looked disappointed, with this barrier in place, they couldn’t approach me if they let their intentions show.

For now, the Queen was back to her usual calm and composed self.

…It might just be an act, but for now, she seems normal.

"Chirp!"

Shikshik, too, was playing around my body as usual, occasionally stretching herself out as if measuring her size. I didn’t know what she was thinking, but it was adorable.

"So, you truly claimed the Dragon Gate as your territory?"

The Snake Queen looked intrigued.

It seemed I’d successfully diverted her attention.

…Although I did feel like her gaze was lingering on my lower half.

"The Dragon Gate is indeed a wonderful place. While not as vast as this jungle, the energy there is far more potent."

The Queen let out a small laugh, almost like a mother-in-law hearing her son-in-law bought an apartment in Seoul.

…Or maybe not a mother-in-law—perhaps my wife?

"If time permits, it might be beneficial to send the princess there as well. With the Dragon Gate’s energy, her metamorphosis would progress faster."

"Grk-grk."

Sending Shikshik to the Dragon Gate!

That would be amazing. Baek Lang and Red Dragon would be there to protect her, and her evolution would surely accelerate.

But that would mean the Queen would be left alone.

…Maybe I could bring her along too.

It wouldn’t hurt to ask.

"Grk-grk-grk."

"Are you thinking of me? It makes me happy to know my mate is so considerate, but I have many responsibilities."

"Grk…."

"I still have to eliminate the remnants of the Gaekyeol Sect and deal with the traces of the evil god we encountered. Though, the humans from the Heavenly Demon Sect have agreed to assist with that."

It seemed bringing the Queen along was a no-go.

"Chirp?"

Even taking just Shikshik would be difficult. She was the Queen’s official successor, after all.

If I were to bring her, I’d have to take them both.

…Or expand my territory to include the entire jungle.

"Once the princess succeeds me as queen, then I might entrust myself to you."

"Chirp-chirp!"

With a sharp glare, Shikshik bit down on the Queen’s finger.

"But mate, what’s that thing dangling from your tail?"

The Queen continued to play with Shikshik as she looked at me.

Oh, right. I forgot about this.

"Grk-grk."

A gift for the Queen.

"Is that honey from the Jade Peak? …Not that I’ve already eaten all you gave me."

…She ate it all?

No wonder her energy pouch seemed larger.

I hadn’t brought any more treats; instead, I had some shiny trinkets for her.

"Grk-grk-grk."

I pulled out some gold and jewels from the bag.

"Ooh. They’re quite beautiful, aren’t they?"

The Queen’s expression showed she liked the glittering gifts.

Anyone would love shiny things—especially a lady.

"Your gesture is endearing, but these are unnecessary for me. If you’re planning to visit

 the Heavenly Demon Sect, perhaps you could give them to your master."

The Queen didn’t accept the gold or jewels.

While it seemed she liked them, they were ultimately useless for her, no more than decorations for her statues.

"Chirp?"

Shikshik tilted her head, showing interest in the pile of treasures I’d pulled out.

Still a young snake, it seemed she had a natural fondness for shiny things.

"Chirp-chirp!"

After nibbling on the Queen’s finger, Shikshik dived into the pile of gold.

A maid-dressed snake swimming in a sea of coins.

It sounded like an impossible phrase, but the sight was unfolding before my eyes.

"It seems the princess is quite pleased."

I sat next to the Queen, watching Shikshik swim among the gold.

"…Still, it feels wrong to turn away your sincerity, even if I have no use for it."

The Queen smiled softly.

"However, I truly don’t need these. You’d be better off trading them with the humans from the sect."

"Grk-grk."

I’d once glimpsed the Queen’s childhood memories.

The young Snake Queen looked almost exactly like Shikshik, with the same fascination for shiny things.

She might want the gift, but it seemed she was holding back for my sake.

…There was no need for her to do that.

Red Dragon would bring me more anyway.

"So, I ask for just one thing. Won’t you give me a single token of your affection?"

"Grk!"

A single item.

That’s her compromise.

I would have loved to give her half of the treasure, but she wouldn’t take it.

What would be best?

Maybe a gold statue?

That might be the most valuable, but it wouldn’t mean much to her.

Other treasures were the same.

…Wait, I think I know.

The Queen had given me a token of her affection—a pendant.

So, it would be fitting for me to give her something similar.

"Grk-grk."

I took hold of the Queen’s tail.

"Wh-what are you doing?!"

Though she seemed flustered, she didn’t resist.

The gift I chose was a large jade ring.

Though, for her, it was closer to a bracelet.

"To think I took you for an innocent creature…!"

I did have smaller rings, but they seemed too small.

The Queen deserved something this size.

I slid the jade bracelet onto her tail.

"…Ha."

The Queen sighed softly.

Did she not like it?

She looked at her tail for a long moment, her face scrunched up.

…Did I lack good taste?

Just as I was about to look for another gift, her lips began to move.

"My mate."

Her golden eyes gleamed brightly.

"If I hadn’t held onto my reason, I might have devoured you."

She looked at me with a flushed face.

She was trying to maintain a cold expression, but a smile leaked out despite herself.

Heh-heh.

That laugh didn’t suit her, yet paradoxically, it suited her perfectly.

She sighed again, a warm breath escaping.

"…Why is it that I lose composure so easily around you?"

The scene was playing out similarly to before, yet this time, she didn’t wrap her tail around me.

She merely leaned her face against my cheek, slightly flushed.

Smooch.

The Snake Queen’s pink lips brushed my scales once more.

…

"Grk…."

Could the Queen control fire? Because my scales felt like they were burning where her lips touched.

"Hissss!"

Shikshik, her face in a sharp triangle, snapped at the Queen’s finger as if to interrupt.

"Do you know the way to break my mark?"

The Queen managed Shikshik effortlessly, her gaze fixed on me.

"…But telling you that would put me at a disadvantage."

She stared intently, a mischievous smile on her face.

That must be a lie.

Otherwise, she would’ve already stopped.

"Think it’s a lie, do you?"

Smooch.

She kissed my other cheek.

"What do you think? Still believe I’m lying?"

…It’s a spell.

She’s put me under a spell I can’t escape.

It’s the perfect trap.

"Rest assured, I’ll only taste a little this time."

"Grk…."

"It’ll be done before the moon changes."

…It didn’t sound like she’d stop at just a taste.

I could see the future.

A future where I turned to dried lizard powder.

Maybe giving her the ring was a bad choice.

…Is there some meaning to putting a ring on her tail that I don’t know?

"This is your karma."

So this is how I meet my end.

"Polygamy."

Polygamy?

Boom!

With a resounding crash, someone burst through the stone door.

"Polygamy!"

It was a divine creature with a proud horn—a unicorn.

"Black-tailed beast!"

"Grk!"

Ah, it’s the unicorn!

Have you come to save me?

"Monogamy only!"

"Grk?"

You’re here to save me, right?

"Twenty percent split!"

What does that mean, unicorn?