Swish!

I propelled myself forward at high speed, racing toward the Heavenly Demon Cult.

Though my body hadn’t changed much in size since my latest evolution, I was now significantly heavier—at least twice as heavy. Yet, my speed hadn’t slowed at all; in fact, I was even faster.

Swish!

“Cough-cough…”

Sneaking into the Heavenly Demon Cult shouldn’t be too difficult.

The last time I went there, I had been tucked safely inside my mentor’s arms, unable to see the path. That showed just how meticulous she was, even managing to limit my view as a lizard.

Even without seeing the path, I knew the general direction. Plus, I’d traveled from the Heavenly Demon Cult to the jungle before, so finding my way back wasn’t an issue.

I reached a side gate rather than the main entrance. The Heavenly Demon Cult, despite its reputation, had strict security even at its side entrances. The guards here weren’t particularly skilled, but any suspicious activity would set off alarms throughout the area.

Luckily, that wasn’t an issue for me.

I wasn’t a suspicious person—I was a lizard.

“Cough!”

With my natural lizard sounds, I should look like an ordinary lizard.

“Ah! A dragon!”

That is, if I remembered to shrink down first.

I’d gotten a bit too comfortable around others who treated me like a normal lizard even in my larger form. Of course, humans would be startled by a lizard my size.

This was all the Snake Queen’s fault.

After a brief commotion, I quickly retreated.

“What kind of dragon shows up on guard duty? Did you see that?”

“What are you talking about? How would I get into your dreams?”

Eavesdropping from my hiding spot, I gathered that they were letting it go.

“I swear, I saw a dragon.”

“Sure, you did. If a dragon had really shown up, why would it sneak a peek at your chest and run off?”

“The… the reason is…”

“You were probably dozing off and dreamed it up, you pervert.”

It seemed like there was a slight misunderstanding, but they’d work it out.

After being spotted once, I decided to avoid further issues by shrinking myself. Once I was smaller, I’d just look like a white-furred, two-horned lizard, which was much less conspicuous.

Sometimes I even shot beams or walked on two legs, but I had an unfounded belief they’d let that slide too.

“Cough-cough…”

However, before shrinking down, I had something else to take care of.

I had a bundle tied to my tail, filled with the treasures the Red Dragon had given me. Unfortunately, unlike the sacred necklace around my neck, these treasures didn’t shrink with me.

Hauling this massive bundle in my smaller form would be impossible.

I could lift it if I tried, but carrying it around would look suspicious.

A small creature hauling away treasure like it was carrying a prized burger recipe wasn’t exactly inconspicuous.

It wouldn’t look great, but I’d bury it nearby and inform my mentor of its location later.

Of course, she might think I was just hiding waste, but a few extra treasures should clear up that misunderstanding.

One of the items I set aside was a ring.

Even in a smaller form, I could carry it without trouble.

With enough rings, I’d look like a lizard with two horns, fur, and a tail adorned with ten rings, but the open-minded followers of the Heavenly Demon Cult might not think much of it.

They’d probably assume I was just someone’s pet lizard.

A wild lizard with rings on its tail would surely be unique.

“Cough-cough.”

Swish!

As expected, sneaking into the Heavenly Demon Cult was easy.

“Hah! A dragon!”

Thud!

One of the guards inside suddenly collapsed for no apparent reason.

He was probably exhausted from guard duty.

…In reality, he’d fainted after I accidentally whacked him on the head with my tail in surprise.

“Cough…”

Seriously, one hit, and he’s out?

How weak are these guards?

It might be a side entrance, but still.

What if some wild creature with nefarious intent snuck in?

They’re lucky I’m a pure-hearted lizard.

At least he’d learn a lesson from this incident.

He’d remember not to let his guard down, or he’d end up knocked out by a tail smack.

“Cough-cough.”

With a triumphant sound, I searched his pockets.

Nothing worth taking.

A few coins, but they were useless to me.

I thought about leaving him like that, but he might cause a fuss if his comrades found him in this position.

Since he looked like he’d been knocked out in a scuffle, it was better to change his posture.

I arranged him so he’d appear as a lazy guard who’d fallen asleep.

“Cough-cough-cough.”

No need to thank me.

After expertly covering my tracks, I finally slipped into the inner area of the Heavenly Demon Cult.

I flicked my tongue to savor the scents around me.

As a lizard, I could amplify scents by flicking my tongue, allowing me to locate specific scents easily.

With my destination reached, it was time to complete my mission.

My first stop would be Baek Seolhwa’s quarters.

Based on the scent, I could tell she wasn’t there.

Perfect timing for some snack theft.

Though stealing snacks now could be risky.

If they noticed me while I was still inside the cult, they’d search for me.

The safest option was to steal the snacks right before I left.

But with less risk came less reward.

If I only stole the snacks on my last day, I’d only get one shot at it.

If I started today, though…

Baek Seolhwa might get mad, but she’d likely restock her snacks.

That would give me another chance to swipe some.

“Cough-cough-cough…”

It’s like finding a snack duplication glitch.

Even I was impressed by my own cleverness.

Still, it felt a bit wrong to only steal from her, so I decided to leave a few gifts.

Maybe a fruit that tasted somewhat similar to honey…

Considering she buys her treats, I’ll add a treasure too.

One of the rings from my tail should do the trick.

With a piece of fruit and a ring left behind, I successfully stole all her honey treats.

With my mouth full of the sweet honey balls, I crawled toward the spider sisters’ quarters.

To avoid a repeat of last time’s rough treatment, I adjusted my size to something closer to a medium-sized dog.

This way, the spiders wouldn’t pile on me.

Avoiding the gazes of passing followers, I made my way to Tang So-Yeong’s building.

Whether by chance or my mentor’s design, no followers were near this area, so I could walk on two legs without worry.

As I reached the entrance, I heard familiar sounds.

“Kiiing…”

“Keeeek!”

The spiders were having a lively chat.

“Ahem.”

Tang So-Yeong was here too.

“I’m an expert in this field, so trust me.”

I was curious about what they were discussing.

Was she giving them a lecture on medicine?

Or maybe, being from the Tang Clan, she was teaching them about poison techniques?

Those would be her areas of expertise.

“Have you heard of the Fengyu Pill?”

…Fengyu Pill?

You’re no expert.

“What’s with that expression? Are you doubting me?”

“Keeek!”

“Kiiii!”

“It’s just that I look like this in these clothes, but if I took them off, I’d…”

Tang So-Yeong was trying to pull one over on the spiders.

As a just lizard, I couldn’t ignore this.

Creeeak.

I quietly opened the door and slipped inside.

“Cough!”

I returned to put an end to Tang-whatever’s mischief.

“Eek! …Sir Go?”

Tang So-Yeong shrieked in surprise.

That guilty reaction… she knew she was up to something.

There she was, trying to deceive my innocent spider friends…

Next to her, I noticed another figure.

Her usual black clothes were missing, leaving her upper body bare.

Though she was facing away from me, the sight was visually… intense.

Next to her lay some herbs and acupuncture needles.

Apparently, this treatment required her to be topless.

Sensing my presence, the golden-haired woman turned her head, and for a moment, she looked startled before her mouth curled into a slight smile.

It was a familiar face and a familiar smile.

Nephila Jurassica. 

She had finally evolved.

For a moment, I was speechless.

Nephila’s evolution meant she was healed.

She was fully recovered now.

But something felt off.

I was happy, of course, but there was a strange emptiness inside me.

A void.

Yes, that was the word—I felt empty.

Something big was missing.

I looked back and forth between Nephila and Tang So-Yeong.

“Cough…”

My shoulders slumped.

At this rate, I might just starve to death…