Tang So-Yeong’s eyes shone brightly.

It was almost the same expression she had when she was about to take my scales.

Well, considering that the Snake Queen is a very rare spiritual being, I can understand why she would react like this.

It seems like Tang So-Yeong really likes spiritual beings.

Naturally, her interest would be drawn to the Snake Queen, who takes the form of a lamia, a half-human, half-snake creature.

“She’s bigger than the Great Hero!”

…That seems to be a bit of a different kind of interest.

Though, it looks like she’s talking about size, not the kind of "big" I had in mind.

The Snake Queen’s size is truly enormous.

Of course, her weight might not differ too much from mine.

But, being a snake, her length is what’s truly massive.

A 7-meter snake weighs less than 100 kg.

As the length increases, the weight grows exponentially— for example, a Titanoboa, at 15 meters, weighs around 1 ton.

My weight is estimated to be around 3 tons.

So, what about the Snake Queen’s length?

She’s not called the ruler of the jungle for nothing.

...But right now, she’s in a humanoid form.

So, I can’t be talking about size, can I?

“Gek.”

What in the world are you looking at?

I gently tugged on Tang So-Yeong’s dumpling-shaped hair.

“Eek!”

That pocket is mine.

“It’s fine. I was just enjoying looking at you.”

What are you saying?

When did I ever look at you like that with such lecherous eyes?

“Humans are really fascinating. Though we are the same species, their personalities can be so different.”

Same human?

It sounds like you’re talking about Master and Tang So-Yeong, but that’s a huge mistake.

Tang So-Yeong and Master are not the same kind of humans.

“What’s with that expression?”

Look at that pettiness.

We could never be the same species.

“Hehe…”

Nephila suddenly wrapped her arms tightly around my neck.

It seemed like she was analyzing something.

I turned my head slightly and saw she was staring at the Snake Queen’s chest.

“Kyaek…”

“Kyoook…”

Tus and Pus were also doing the same.

The sudden appearance of someone with deep inner energy.

Of course, they would be on guard.

It’s not my true intention, but I’ve often seen people lose focus when confronted with something that massive, so it’s understandable.

Nephila, while being quite formidable, is definitely not large.

Tus and Pus are still spiders, but their appearance isn’t exactly imposing…

Not that it’s bad, but it’s a bit of a letdown.

But why does Tang So-Yeong seem so cheerful about it?

She’s the smallest of them all, right?

…Ah, I get it now.

Nephila is jealous of something bigger than her own.

But Tang So-Yeong isn’t even thinking about that.

She’s completely oblivious.

She’s just endlessly converging to zero.

“…I’m feeling weird all of a sudden.”

Tang So-Yeong was staring at me blankly.

“Gekgekgek.”

“By the way, there’s a face I’ve been wanting to see.”

“Gek?”

A face you’ve been wanting to see?

Was there anyone the Snake Queen knew among us?

“You’ve gained quite the spiritual stature.”

The Snake Queen’s gaze was fixed on Nephila.

“If it weren’t for you, my companion might have collapsed. I express my thanks.”

“…Hehe!”

Nephila’s face turned red with anger.

She probably didn’t like being referred to as my companion.

And she squeezed my neck tightly.

It seemed like a possessive act, like a child unwilling to part with something they like.

“Kyeeng…”

“Kyooh…”

Tus and Pus did the same.

They were buried in my fur, then poked their heads out, grabbing my scales with their tiny legs.

“Pipipipi.”

Sishishi seemed to like their reactions, letting out a cute little laugh.

Why’s she acting so smug now?

Sigh, the spiders' reactions are a bit more extreme than I expected.

Is it really because of her chest?

I try to act like I don’t notice, but I can’t help but know how these spiders feel about me.

Wild eyes tell the tale, and with the title of “beloved by the spiders,” it’s clear they feel more than simple affection.

Probably beyond mere fondness.

A sudden appearance of a colossal rival.

That’s what they seem to be thinking.

“Don’t get too tense. I don’t particularly like spiders, but I won’t touch my companion’s followers.”

It seems the Snake Queen isn’t exactly fond of spiders either.

“Pip!”

Sishishi has also been on guard against the spiders from the start.

...Wait, now that I think about it, there’s a theory that basilisks and spiders don’t get along too well.

In some movie, when a basilisk’s corpse is placed down, giant spiders flee in terror.

It’s a species instinct.

And the relationship with me.

Seems like both of these factors are in play here.

“Gek!”

If they were just a passing acquaintance, I wouldn’t care, but they’re all followers of the Geokgaekyo. The Snake Queen isn’t yet a follower, but I plan on secretly making her one when I retire.

Spiders are far weaker than Bae Ryang or the Red Dragon.

Of course, I’ll be looking out for them, but high rank doesn’t solve everything.

But if the Snake Queen has a connection?

If there’s a problem, it will likely be resolved quickly.

Their species may not get along, but I can’t just ignore it.

If I’ve figured out what the problem is, it means there’s a solution.

I untied the bundle from my tail.

“Oho.”

The Snake Queen looked at the contents of the bundle with interest.

She smiled slightly at the rice cakes I had stolen.

Had the spiders not been there, she would’ve shown a cute smile.

“There’s quite a lot. Wait, what’s this?”

Yes.

You’ve found this too.

“Alcohol.”

Even though it’s a bit awkward, maybe alcohol will change things.

There’s nothing quite like alcohol to make people get closer, even when the relationship is a bit stiff.

“Gekgek.”

“Huh? Where did you get this? Wow, how expensive is this!”

Tang So-Yeong was leaping with joy, clearly knowing the value of the drink.

Is it an expensive drink?

I just grabbed it along with the rice cakes.

“Geumjoncheong…! I only saw it in the Tang Clan!”

Geumjoncheong!

The name alone sounds expensive.

Anyway, I brought the whole jar of this rare alcohol.

“Nice. Since you’ve brought the alcohol, preparing the food will be my job.”

As expected of the Snake Queen.

“Gekgekgek.”

Alright, everyone, you can look forward to it.

The Queen’s cooking skills are something else.

“One, two, three, four, five, six… We’re going to have a feast.”

Yes.

Let’s all eat until our bellies burst.

…Wait a minute.

Tus, Pus, Nephila, Tang, Sishishi, the Snake Queen.

And me.

That’s seven of us, right?

I must’ve miscounted.

“Gekgek.”

“Pipipipi…”

“Kyeeng…”

Sishishi and the spiders made soft sounds.

Why does it feel like you’re already getting along?

What difference does it make?

I brought it up so you could get along anyway.

I’m fine with it.

“…Hmm.”

Nephila also smiled at me.

Yeah.

Looks like you’re looking forward to this too.

“The cold wind is coming in. I’ll close the door now.”

Crrrsh.

The thick stone door closed.

Good.

Now let’s get ready to eat.

“Gek!”

Ugh, look at them all drooling.

How hungry could they be?

...You’re drooling because you’re hungry, right?

Winter was still far off, but snowflakes began to scatter from the sky.

A breathtakingly beautiful scene unfolded.

Dozens of weapons shaped like snowflakes poured down from the sky, and before long, an ice storm was unleashed.

“Straighten up! We’re almost there!”

The masters, bald as eggs, were facing off against the Bingjo.

“Kkiki-kikak!”

The Bingjo flew around frantically, constantly releasing cold air.

But.

Boom!

A single creature shot out like lightning.

By the time the Bingjo heard the sound, it was already too late.

Boom!

The mighty head of the Cheolduyong pierced through the Bingjo.

“Kwaaaa!”

The guardian of the Dragon Gate, and the lord of the snowy mountains.

The Bingjo fell like that.

“Phew…”

One of the monks wiped the sweat off his smooth head.

They had taken down a powerful spiritual being.

It would’ve been tough for them alone.

But, thanks to their secret weapon, they were able to win without significant sacrifice.

“To already catch a spiritual being like this. The gains are good.”

The start was promising.

At this rate, they might each be able to take a token of victory for themselves.

The monk thought so, just before locking eyes with the Cheolduyong, standing triumphantly over the Bingjo’s corpse.

“…Cheolduyong, what are you thinking?”

The Cheolduyong’s eyes turned blue.

A strange aura poured from him.

Kugoo…

His overwhelming inner energy crushed them.

“Ugh! What is this!”

Before they could even respond, the Cheolduyong raised his hand.

One hand pointed to the sky.

The other pointed to the ground.

Among those in the Shaolin, no one would not recognize that stance.

The "Heaven and Earth, I Alone Stand" position.

It was a declaration made after the birth of the Buddha.

But the Cheolduyong was an exception.

He had never learned that doctrine.

He had deliberately excluded it.

The Cheolduyong had been their pawn, and if he gained too much knowledge, no one knew what would happen.

Yet now, he was taking that stance.

What could it mean?

Had he reached some kind of enlightenment?

If he had gained this insight without background knowledge, it might be right to consider him as a Buddha.

But that possibility was extremely low.

In fact, it was almost nonexistent.

So, what does this situation mean?

“…All other disciples, listen.”

The answer was simple.

“Subdue the Cheolduyong!”

The Cheolduyong had deliberately hidden his power.

He had been living as their pawn, but at the crucial moment, he intended to strike them down.

Crack.

Without hesitation, the Cheolduyong took the Bingjo’s token.

The Cheolduyong was an ordinary dragon.

Before the Shaolin’s headmaster killed their parents.

Not only did he kill their parents, but he also brought the Cheolduyong in to use as a pawn.

He had taught him martial arts, making him do things the Shaolin could not officially allow.

Blood had been stained on the ordinary dragon’s body.

Even when he tried to sleep, he could hear his parents’ screams.

Every day felt like hell.

But he couldn’t go against them.

He was far too weak compared to the Shaolin’s headmaster.

That’s why he had hidden his strength and waited for the right moment.

“Strike from the side!”

Over ten warriors rushed at once.

Even the Cheolduyong, no matter how powerful, would have to be cautious of this many opponents.

Crunch.

The Cheolduyong’s blue eyes locked onto the leader.

Whooooosh!

The stopped blizzard began to rage again.

Boom!

Dozens, if not hundreds, of ice shards rained down from the sky.

“Y-You are now… betraying our Shaolin…!”

No one was able to follow through with their attack, caught up in dodging the falling ice shards.

“Truly… you betrayed us!”

One monk screamed in a frenzy.

The Cheolduyong stared at him and suddenly smiled.

“Interesting.”

The Cheolduyong opened his mouth.

“You… when did you start talking?”

The monk from Shaolin was horrified.

They had hidden the fact that he could speak, and now the power he had hidden was beyond measure.

“Heaven and Earth, I Alone Stand. So, you were the only ones who knew about this greatness, huh?”

The Cheolduyong didn’t answer the monk.

As if he didn’t need to listen to the words of an insect, he spoke only to himself.

“It's not too late…!”

Boom!

A huge ice shard crushed the monk’s head.

“E-Execution!”

“YOU!”

Seeing the head of the executed monk crushed, another monk rushed in, furious.

“…You’re so angry over something so trivial.”

The Cheolduyong laughed lowly.

Kugoo…

His inner energy concentrated into a single point.

A fierce cold wrapped around his head.

The Cheolduyong’s head leapt as if to fly, slamming into the ground.

Boom!

“Ugh!”

The immense physical force was more than enough to make the nearby monk evaporate, but that wasn’t the end.

Kugoo…

“A… an avalanche!”

The snowy mountains seemed to respond to his emotions as they overwhelmed the Shaolin monks.

It was the chill of the mountains and the frost.

It was the Cheolduyong’s rage.