After gnawing on Tang So-Yeong’s fingers, I thought about biting somewhere else, but it seemed it would just ruin my mood, so I stayed calm.

Tang So-Yeong, who had been huffing and puffing a moment ago, saw I was behaving and began wriggling her fingers, slyly reaching out to touch my scales.

“Kioong!”  
“Kieeek!”

Of course, the spiders kept an eye on her, but since Tang So-Yeong had treated them well, they didn’t seem to mind too much.

“Hehe… scales…”

...A herbivore? Really?

"Ah, I’m not touching out of personal interest—just checking for any differences from before."

Maybe wipe that drool from your mouth before you make excuses.

“I’ve known Sir Go since he was only this big. It feels so nostalgic… although now he’s even smaller than he was back then.”

It looked like she was reminiscing about the first time we met. Back then, I was a Crocodile King Lizard, though a much larger one than most.

“Your size may have temporarily shrunk... but if I inspect you more closely, the most noticeable feature is your horns.”

With her small hands, she reached up and gently touched my horns.

“Many spiritual creatures with horns possess unique powers. They’re not only strong but often have distinct abilities.”

Horned spiritual creatures—like the unicorn and bicorn—were prime examples. The Red Dragon also had horns.

Though not everything she said was true, it seemed plausible.

"The Tang Clan also has some horned spiritual creatures. The one I remember most is a green dragon that manipulates objects with its mind."

A mind-controlling dinosaur!

"The Great Dragon of the Tang Clan. Unfortunately, I only managed it for a short while, so I only saw it a few times."

Great Dragon?

"It means a beast that raises its horn high like a conch shell."

If I compare it to my experiences so far, it must be a Ceratosaurus.

But I doubt it’s the kind I know—it might be a psychic dinosaur, like the Dilophosaurus with its poison or the Magno with its fire.

I’d better remember that—I might face it later.

Her hand, which had been fiddling with my horns, now moved to my neck.

“Fur… hehe…”

...Are you really Tang So-Yeong?

For a moment, I wondered if this was a herbivore disguised as Tang So-Yeong, but her modest chest reassured me it was indeed her.

“I know several spiritual creatures with horns like yours, but none with fur—this is a first for me.”

Tang So-Yeong stroked my fluffy fur.

“…I’ve never heard of a komodo dragon transforming into something like this. If I record this, I could publish a book under my name!”

She glanced at me, probably hoping to document my appearance and traits. To do so, she’d need me to cooperate, hence the hopeful look.

It would involve examining my body thoroughly, a tedious task, but it would also mean creating a resource for my future enemies to exploit my weaknesses. Though by then, I’d likely evolve again.

“Cough-cough.”

It was mildly annoying, but I could allow her this.

"Really?"

I might treat her harshly at times, but I had grown somewhat fond of her. The reason I wanted to bring her to my territory was to protect her.

Tang So-Yeong was from the Tang Clan, part of the five great factions. They were associated with the orthodox side, meaning they were in opposition to my master’s Heavenly Demon Cult.

So, why was she here?

If her purpose wasn’t to start an open conflict, then her mission to the Ten Thousand Mountains was a mystery. Even if they weren’t directly attacking, any intrusion risked conflict with the Heavenly Demon Cult.

From what I’d seen, Tang So-Yeong’s companions were weak, save for Baek-Un. Although they had brought a strong creature like the Dilophosaurus, it was still a juvenile.

The more I considered it, the less sense it made. It was almost as if someone had deliberately sent her here to get rid of her.

If that were the case, Tang So-Yeong couldn’t go back.

Even if she returned, she would likely face more threats. Those trying to eliminate her could accuse her of collusion with the Heavenly Demon Cult.

Since she had joined my cult, it was my duty to protect her. She got along well with other spiritual creatures, and we could use a healer.

We couldn’t always rely on boiling bicorn horns for treatment.

“…Alright, then. Excuse me for a moment.”

Huh? I wasn’t in the mood for anything too troublesome right now.

"Now, everyone!"

Tang So-Yeong flashed a triumphant grin.

She’d sprung a trap on me.

Just then, a white thread shot out.

It wrapped around Tang So-Yeong, not me.

“Huh? Why is this happening to me?”

You really don’t lose sight of what matters, do you?

"You promised, Lady! We were supposed to explore that soft belly together…!"

“Hmph.”

Nephila and Pus giggled at her predicament.

So that’s what they had been planning all along.

“Sir Go, it was just a joke…!”

Bang!

---

I found myself nestled between the four sisters of the Tang Clan, attempting to sleep.

I could no longer imagine sleeping alone.

…I’m a reptile, so I need this for body temperature regulation.

But there was a serious problem with my sleeping arrangement.

Nephila and Tang So-Yeong on either side—an uncomfortable setup.

It felt like lying on a stone bed.

To be fair, it wasn’t as hard and flat as a rock, but it was still far from ideal.

No scales, no fur, no cozy pouches.

“Cough…”

I sighed and closed my eyes.

Would this lead to some serious health issues?

At that moment, I was suddenly wrapped in something soft.

A faint floral scent filled the air.

It was an irresistibly cozy sensation.

Was the universe rewarding me for my purity as a lizard?

Instinctively, I burrowed into the softness, as if diving into water.

This familiar feeling.

It was as though I’d left a stone bed for a waterbed.

Now, I could finally sleep in peace.

I nestled in, adjusting to the perfect position.

“Impudent creature.”

A familiar voice reached my ears.

I cracked one eye open to see Baek Yeon-Yeong’s icy blue gaze fixed on me.

"Cough?"

I came to my senses in an instant.

Why had I so naturally burrowed into this place?

How had she entered without my noticing?

It must be because she’s my master—if anyone else had entered, I would have sensed it.

“A disciple of mine should not act like a wild animal.”

Baek Yeon-Yeong’s tone was as cold as her expression.

My master would never call me an animal… although technically, I was one.

Not that I minded much, but it was uncharacteristic of her.

Was she upset?

Her expression gave no clue.

“Do you still not realize your error? To act with such audacity…”

Audacity?

The term means to disgrace one’s master…

Had I really done something so wrong?

“Cough…”

Innocently, I let out a lizard-like whine.

“You dared to proclaim, in front of the cult followers, your intent to enter my chambers.”

…Wait, what?

“And now, because of that, my dignity is compromised. I had to send a carcass to quell the rumors…”

…Was it because of that terror bird?

They might have understood some of my words, but I never said anything like that.

It seemed they had repaid my kindness with betrayal.

“Punishments were discussed—something about making an example of the disrespectful beast.”

“Cough…”

“My followers did nothing wrong; they merely shared the tale of a certain ungrateful beast.”

Baek Yeon-Yeong lifted me by the scruff.

"Cough..."

My body went limp.

"I don’t plan to punish you."

“Cough!”

That’s my master for you.

"But you must take responsibility for bringing me to this."

“Cough?”

Take responsibility?

The conversation was taking an odd turn.

“Disrespectful beast.”

Even as she scolded me, she stroked my head affectionately.

“You really wanted to enter my chambers that badly?”

I swear I never said that.

“It is a master’s duty to discipline her unruly disciple.”

Some nameless followers must have slandered me.

“So, tonight, you’ll stay here with me.”

Maybe I did say something like that after all.

“Cough-cough-cough!”

From the stone bed to the waterbed!