But wait.

Even if they are dragons, is it really possible for them to have such offspring?

Unless they can reproduce asexually, they would need a mate to have children, right?

Gongbok, who is said to resemble a dragon, is also described as being made of rock.

...So, are they mating with rocks?

“Geeeng…”

I feel like I’ve just learned a truth I didn’t want to know.

So, does Chodo have children with flowers?

Does the term "true dragon" actually refer to some incredible absurdity?

How could flowers and rocks even do such things?

No, wait.

They’re not the only ones.

Since they're dragon offspring, it means there are nine children in total.

My illusion of the true dragon is somewhat shattered now.

I just can't understand it.

I don't think I’m qualified to be a true dragon.

Because I’m just a perfectly normal lizard.

“Grooong…”

Spiders, snakes, birds, wolves, dragons, and maid Spinos.

That seems normal, right?

…Huh?

“Gekek!”

Just as I was fighting the invisible demon, my teacher gently touched my tail.

Oh, I had forgotten about this.

I quickly pushed the demon from my mind and stretched my tail out.

“Gek.”

It's nothing special. I just found it along the way.

“…Oh? These are some valuable items.”

“Gekek!”

You think that's all?

I buried a lot more treasures behind the side door.

“Oh? Are you offering all of these to the main temple?”

“Gekk.”

Anyway, they’re things we won’t be able to use much.

The Red Dragon keeps bringing stuff from somewhere.

…Maybe from the Volcano Sect?

If that’s the case, I’d feel a bit bad, but the Red Dragon doesn’t seem to care.

“Anyway, the financial situation of the temple wasn’t that great. Thanks to this, we can breathe a little easier.”

“Gekk.”

Even though the Heavenly Demon Cult is a religious group, they still need money.

“This winter should be more comfortable.”

Well, they probably need even more money than other groups.

Though I don’t know much, the Heavenly Demon Cult is primarily a worshipping group, not one focused on martial arts training.

The number of martial artists isn’t very high, and they mostly worship the god known as Cheonma.

Martial strength isn’t as important, and you can enter the cult simply by believing in Cheonma.

The Heavenly Demon Cult is based on Mount Cheonma, which isn’t exactly the best place.

Though there are some good spots, it’s not an ideal location for humans to live.

It’s a place that’s hard to get into, and if you join the Heavenly Demon Cult, you become an enemy of the Murim Alliance.

So, only a few people try to join the cult.

Some martial artists are drawn by the power of Cheonma, and some others are just desperate.

My teacher must have joined the cult under similar circumstances.

It’s a place where the poor gather.

Those who are hungry and thirsty come together here.

My teacher might hold a relatively high position in the cult, but her room is plain.

Even if there are furniture pieces with intricate designs, they are all old.

With her power, she could live more luxuriously, but she chooses to lead by example.

That’s why I follow her without question.

“You’re being so sweet.”

My teacher gently scratched under my chin.

“Geroong…”

“With all these treasures, I can treat the followers to dessert every day.”

“Gek?”

…It doesn’t seem as poor as I thought.

Well, there are plenty of beasts around, so they won’t go hungry.

I might have memories of being hungry, but now that I’m in the Heavenly Demon Cult, I’ll no longer starve.

Still, it might be hard to feed all the followers just with beasts.

Since they advocate for harmony with mystical creatures, they can’t just capture and eat them all.

They probably supplement with food purchased from outside.

They might farm here too, but it doesn’t seem like the land is suitable for farming.

…The area where the mystical creatures live seems nutrient-rich, but regular followers probably can’t farm there.

“I’ve cut back a bit on Seolhwa’s snack budget, but it should still be enough.”

“Gekk.”

“I’ll distribute some to the followers as well.”

It seems like my teacher is planning to exchange all the treasures I brought for food.

I was told to use them as I pleased, but I should still leave something behind.

I took out a ring decorated with a blue gem and held it with both hands.

“Gek.”

I grabbed my teacher’s left hand, which was stroking me, and slipped the ring onto her ring finger.

“Is this for me?”

I can use the other treasures however I like, but I’ll keep at least this one.

I know it’ll fit perfectly since I’ve bitten her fingers a lot.

“Gekk.”

My teacher stared at her ring finger.

Her expression didn’t change, but something flickered across her face, though it was only for a brief moment.

It’s hard to tell what it was because the room was dark.

However, being a black-scaled lizard with a hint of intuition, I noticed the corner of my teacher’s lips twitch upwards.

“Really, who taught you to do this…?”

“Gekk.”

“Since you’ve given me such a precious gift, I’ll have to repay you.”

Ah, I didn’t expect anything in return.

“It’s technically still yours, but…”

*Rustle.*

My teacher pulled out a round item from her drawer.

**【Face-changing stone of the monster】**

“Gekk!”

It’s the face-changing stone of the monster!

Finally!

“I succeeded in purifying the energy of Taese. Seolhwa worked hard on this.”

As expected, Baek Seolhwa.

I’ll have to give her some rice cakes later.

“Of course, the efficacy is slightly reduced due to the purification of Taese’s energy, but it’s better than not being able to eat it at all.”

“Gekk!”

I gathered the face-changing stone and kept it for later use.

I could use it myself, but I might invest it in another follower.

…Maybe give it to Sseek?

If I give it to Pus and Tus, both could surely evolve.

Hmm, I’m having second thoughts.

“It’s good. Now that we’ve shared what needs sharing, let’s do what we need to do.”

I swallowed nervously.

There was one thing I did every time I met my teacher.

A duel to test my progress.

Though it was more of a test of my resilience than an actual duel.

My teacher’s soft lips slowly moved.

I knew exactly what she would say.

“Get into position.”

I braced myself.

But the words that came out of Baek Yeon-yeong’s mouth were different from what I had expected.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Gek?”

“Didn’t you say you were coming into my bedroom?”

“Geeek…”

I’m glad it’s not a duel, but something feels off.

“Are you saying you don’t want to sleep with me?”

“Gekk!”

That’s definitely not the case.

“Then, lie down quietly under the blankets.”

“Kkeek…”

I slipped into the blankets as if entering a jar.

Just as I was sniffing Baek Yeon-yeong’s scent, she climbed in after me.

“Geeek…”

Then, she held me tightly like I was some kind of pillow.

This wasn’t an unfamiliar feeling.

We’d spent time like this before.

This was just part of my duty as a disciple, helping her with her insomnia.

Even if it was a little hard to breathe, it didn’t matter.

This pressure…

I could die happy.

“It’s so dark.”

“Gek…”

Actually, having these thoughts… it feels like I’m becoming more like a true dragon.

I tried to justify it to myself.

“It’s fine. I’m the one holding you, so what does it matter?”

“Gekk.”

And so, my teacher held me for a long time.

Just as I was getting used to the heavy pressure, she suddenly spoke.

“Hyiya.”

Out of nowhere, she called my name.

“I have a favor to ask. Can you do it for me?”

A favor?

“Gek!”

Of course, I’ll do anything for my teacher.

But she’s asking me for something?

What could it be?

Is it to let her touch my belly?

“First, I need to tell you about the situation at the main temple. After Taese showed up, strange winds started blowing across the central plains.”

Taese… is the one who briefly appeared when we fought the monster with a human face.

“If they use the arrival of the Evil God as a reason, they could attack the main temple at any time.”

“Gek…”

I don’t know much about Taese, but I know it’s the Evil God.

And the Heavenly Demon Cult has a bad public image, even being called the “demonic cult.”

If an Evil God appears in their territory?

That would be the perfect excuse for anyone to attack them.

“Well, those cowards probably won’t start an all-out war.”

I’m not sure how strong the Murim Alliance is, but they can’t be stronger than my teacher.

An attack on the Heavenly Demon Cult would cause great loss for them as well.

“Still, greed makes humans unpredictable.”

Even without starting a full-blown war, there are plenty of ways to hurt the Heavenly Demon Cult.

Just like Baek Yun and Jang Bong did, targeting the mystical creatures of Mount Cheonma.

“I’ve received intel that the Shaolin monks are planning to enter Mount Cheonma

.”

“Gek…”

The Nahan.

If you want to explain it simply, they’re like Shaolin’s special forces.

“The teacher would like to deal with them directly, but that would only turn into a bigger excuse for them.”

I had a pretty good idea of what my teacher wanted now.

“Officially, it would be best if a creature unrelated to the Heavenly Demon Cult handles it.”

I have to defeat the Nahan from Shaolin.

“The Nahan’s true identity is Cheolduyong. He’s a hidden mystical creature from Shaolin.”

Cheolduyong?

The headbutting dinosaur.

“…Can you do it?”

I need to take down the Nahan invading Mount Cheonma.

And at the heart of the Nahan is Cheolduyong, the headbutting dinosaur.

Since Cheolduyong is heading to Mount Cheonma and not the Heavenly Demon Cult, their goal must be the mystical creatures and elixirs of Mount Cheonma.

Even without my teacher’s request, it seems like we’re bound to clash.

“Gekk!”

Of course, I’ll do it.

“Thank you. If you handle that, you’ll grow even stronger.”

“Gek.”

“The Dragon’s Maw is originally a Shaolin martial art. By facing the Nahan, you’ll gain greater insight.”

The Dragon’s Maw.

The first martial art I ever learned, the one that connected me to Baek Yeon-yeong.

I’ve been using it all this time, but it’s been somewhat overshadowed by the techniques like Yeongsaseongbak and Guumbekoljo, not to mention Gegaeksinho.

“And Shaolin’s teachings aren’t just about the Dragon’s Maw, so maybe you’ll surpass even the absolute pinnacle of martial arts.”

The absolute pinnacle…!

I’ve never met someone at that level, so I’m not sure how strong they are, but my own martial power exceeds that.

If I can elevate my level further?

Maybe I can even reach my teacher’s ankle.

“I don’t particularly like the fact that it’s from Shaolin, but not being bound by such things is the way you live.”

My teacher gently stroked my horns.

“Since you’ve done me a favor, what should I give you in return?”

“Gekk.”

A reward?

One smile from my teacher is more than enough reward.

“What?!” 

Suddenly, my teacher lightly hit my scales.

Well, it was light by her standards.

*Kwaaang!*

“Geeeek!”

Teacher, you’re killing me!

No, I’m really dying...!

“How can you say such things to your teacher…”

What do you mean?

What did I say?

“Gekk?”

“…I never taught you to speak like an animal.”

It’s unfair.

What did I say to make her act like this?

Once again, my teacher’s hand went up.

“Gekk!”

No, I’m really going to die!

*Thud.*

But, contrary to my expectations, my teacher only placed her hand lightly on my head.

“…Alright. If that’s what you want, it’s a teacher’s duty to give it to you.”

She scratched my slightly broken scales.

“Is this really what you want, beast who performs knightly rituals?”

I didn’t say that!

…

But since the mood lightened a bit, maybe I can be a little bold now.

I think she’s going to accept that strange request of mine.

“Gekk.”

Yeah.

I said that.

“…See? I knew it.”

*Rustle!*

“Geeeek!”

It’s a joke, a joke!

“Even if it’s a maid outfit, to think you’d want me to wear something like that…”

What’s that?

I never said that...

…But I guess I do like it.

“Gekk-gekk.”

“You’re getting more and more mischievous, tsk.”

My teacher’s smile is the best motivation.

But the maid outfit teacher... that’s something else entirely.

The schoolgirl outfit teacher…

I’d sacrifice my life for that reward.

“Geheh... Gerorong…”

*Squeak.*

“Geeeek!”