Chapter 194: The Leader
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 194: The Leader
“…The reaction is bigger than I thought.”
“Gekgek!”
Of course it is.
I could understand another Guardian of the Dragon Gate falling.
But the Ice Bird of the Snow Mountain was an exception.
Its power was weaker than the Nine Sons of the Dragon, so I had already marked it as my next target.
Besides, its description was intriguing enough that I wanted to see it for myself at least once.
A bird that wields cold energy.
To think I missed the chance to see it.
No, I should think positively.
The fall of the Nine Sons of the Dragon could have been a far more dangerous situation.
It would mean an enemy strong enough to defeat them had appeared.
On the other hand, defeating the Ice Bird?
The new guardian would be strong, but probably not stronger than the Nine Sons of the Dragon.
Of course, since it defeated the Ice Bird—which was empowered by the Dragon Gate—on its own, it could become even stronger if it claimed the Dragon Gate for itself.
But I should be able to handle that much on my own.
If things got tough, I could always go with the Red Dragon, whose fire is the natural opposite of cold.
“It’s what you’d call a changing of the guard. Like how the Fire Rat took over after that red lizard stepped down on her own.”
The Red Dragon was the first generation.
The Fire Rat was the second.
Was this something similar?
A mysterious powerhouse who defeated the first-generation Ice Bird.
Who in the world could it be?
“Is it a bit different from that? It’s probably more similar to you defeating the Fire Rat. The Fire Rat is weaker than the red lizard, but the new Guardian of the Snow Mountain will be stronger than the Ice Bird.”
A new guardian, stronger than the Ice Bird, had appeared.
That was all the information I had for now.
But if I thought about it carefully, it probably wasn't that big of a deal.
Aside from my personal curiosity, I had no real reason to attack the Snow Mountain.
It would be good to keep obtaining the power of the Dragon Gates.
It would accelerate my growth, after all.
But there was no reason to target the Snow Mountain first.
It would be better to go after those who possessed knowledge I needed, like the Nine Sons of the Dragon, or precious elixirs like the Plumpness Pill.
The one advantage had been that the Ice Bird of the Snow Mountain was weaker than the Nine Sons of the Dragon, but now that its master had changed, that was no longer certain.
“Gek.”
As long as I didn't initiate contact, there wouldn't be a problem.
A problem would only arise if the new Guardian of the Snow Mountain was thinking the same thing I was.
It, too, must have absorbed the power of the Dragon Gate and grown a stage further.
The power of the Dragon Gate is truly overwhelming.
I didn't evolve immediately after defeating the Fire Rat, but I became able to use the Dragon Gate's power after a life-or-death battle with the Red Dragon.
I achieved unprecedented growth, skipping two stages of evolution at once.
It was growth that surprised even me, with my cheat-like status window. How must it feel for ordinary spirit beasts?
It would probably try to attack other Dragon Gates to evolve once more.
Gongbok and Chodo were not opponents to be taken lightly.
It was true they were bound to the Dragon Gates, but they were on a completely different level.
They were, after all, descendants of a True Dragon.
So, what choice would the Guardian of the Snow Mountain make?
It was obvious it would invade a Dragon Gate where a guardian other than the Nine Sons of the Dragon resided.
And unfortunately, that place was home to just one weak little lizard.
“I wield the power of cold, too. So I can tell this cold wind isn't natural.”
No wonder the wind felt a bit strange.
If the new Guardian of the Snow Mountain invaded this place, it would be troublesome in many ways.
The nest I worked so hard to build could be destroyed.
But it wouldn't be easy for it, either.
The charge of ten Bicorns alone was a force to be reckoned with.
Baek Rang's cold energy.
The Red Dragon's fire.
And with the Crushing Dragon waiting, if it invaded this place, the outcome would be obvious.
“Gekgek.”
But I don't see the Red Dragon.
“The red lizard is probably at the volcano. You know, her original place, not here.”
“Gekgek.”
“She came and went often while you were away, but she's a bit late this time, huh?”
Was she late because she was trying to steal something valuable?
“It's probably because she's carrying a lot of things.”
It was a shame the Red Dragon wasn't here, but our forces were more than enough even without her.
She might return if we waited a little.
Even if she was late, there was no need to worry.
It was unimaginable that something could have happened to the Red Dragon.
I mean, who in their right mind would mess with a Red Dragon?
Let's summarize the situation.
While I was bringing the four Tang Clan sisters here, the Guardian of the Snow Mountain changed.
And there's a high probability that this new guardian will invade my territory.
“Since I wield cold energy too, a preemptive strike wouldn't be a bad idea. Or, I don't like it, but we could wait for the red lizard to arrive.”
A preemptive strike with Baek Rang.
Wait for the Red Dragon, then a preemptive strike together.
Or wait for it to come to us.
These were the options I could take.
“Gekgek.”
I've decided.
The first thing I'm going to do is…
Slurp.
“Hnng… sliiick… sliiick…”
…wake up the sleeping Tang Soyeong.
“Sliick… Hyaaaak!”
I licked her face a few times, and she shrieked in delight.
“A-are you finally going to eat me…?!”
No, that's not what I meant.
“Gekgek.”
Just get up for now.
There's something you need to do.
“I thought she was just a physician, but she's more useful than I expected, huh?”
Baek Rang said in admiration.
I might ignore Soyeong sometimes, but she was still a martial artist of the Tang Clan.
In other words, her skill in handling poison was second to none.
I squeezed out a bit of my venom for her, and she quickly whipped up a few impressive-looking traps.
“Miss. The spiderweb, a little to the side…”
There was no reason to invade the Snow Mountain right now.
If I had to leave for somewhere else, it would be better to deal with it and eliminate the element of uncertainty.
But I planned to stay here for a while, so there was no rush.
Even if I did attack, I should go with the Red Dragon.
I could already picture how happy she'd be to breathe some fire.
If not that, I should at least gather some information about the enemy before going.
If I went in overconfident and ran into a type of enemy I couldn't handle, the outcome wouldn't be good.
Therefore, I chose to wait here.
And while we waited, we set up traps to deal with outsiders, just in case.
I used my ability to create trees, cut them into spears, and even coated them with poison.
The Bicorns dug pits and installed the spears inside.
After adding several more traps made of spiderwebs harder than steel, this nest had become a natural fortress.
After setting up the traps, there was something else I did right away.
“…Aren't I more capable than you thought?”
Tang Soyeong said, rolling up her sleeves.
She was preparing a meal.
“Gekgek.”
Yes, Soyeong, you're capable.
Baek Rang seemed to be trying her best to understand, but she couldn't hide the fact that she was a little doubtful of Soyeong's qualities.
It might have been because Tang Soyeong was a pure human.
And Tang Soyeong, who had fainted upon seeing Baek Rang, also seemed to have trouble fitting in.
That's why I deliberately gave Soyeong tasks she could excel at.
Making traps with human dexterity, removing thorns stuck in the Bicorns's feet.
And cooking, something only a human could do like this.
Sizzle.
The meat cooked with an appetizing sound.
Tang Soyeong's cooking skills were nothing to scoff at.
I'd tried the meat she grilled in the swamp, and it was incredibly delicious.
Of course, having only eaten raw meat before experiencing the taste of civilization, anything would have tasted good.
“Yeah, you're capable. Much more than that fire-breathing red lizard.”
“R-really? Hehe… But a red lizard…?”
Baek Rang, in her human form, seemed to have gotten somewhat close to Tang Soyeong.
It looked like Soyeong was still being cautious around her, but it didn't seem to be out of fear anymore.
How should I put it… it was more like she was trying to figure out when she could touch that white fur.
Sorry, but Baek Rang is mine too.
“There's this annoying red lizard. She's just ridiculously strong and simple-minded…”
Now that I looked closer, it seemed like she was already trying to form a faction.
Well, it's the fault of the person—no, the dragon—who isn't here.
“Kieeeeng…!”
“Grrrrrowl!”
The spiders and wolves were drooling, waiting for the meat to cook.
I didn't know about the spiders, but this must have been the first time the wolves were eating something cooked.
Since Baek Rang wields cold energy, they probably ate even slightly burnt meat cold.
It seemed food for the Bicorns had also been prepared.
She seemed to be diligently cooking some nameless plant, but honestly, I had no idea what it would taste like.
Still, seeing the Bicorns drooling too, they must find it delicious.
“It looks like it's almost ready!”
It was finally done.
“Gekgek.”
Let's eat.
“…Whimper.”
“Poly…”
Huh?
They all looked ready to pounce just a moment ago, so why were they waiting so patiently now?
“What are you doing?”
Baek Rang said, looking at me.
“…You're the leader of this pack, aren't you?”
Leader.
Yeah.
She was right.
I'm the leader of this pack.
“Gekgek!”
I shouted the slogan of the Gaegaek Cult and buried my head in the mountain-like pile of meat.
“How did I end up with a lizard like this… Never mind.”
“Woof woof!”
“Keeeng!”
“Poly… gamyyyy!”
And so, we had a happy mealtime.
The meat, seasoned with salt and spices, had a taste incomparable to raw meat.
“…Eating like this isn't so bad.”
It was a taste that even Baek Rang, the wielder of cold, had to acknowledge.
“Keeeng!”
Tus and Pus also grabbed large pieces and climbed onto my head to start eating.
…I may be the leader, but could you please not treat me like a table?
“Poly… hehe…”
The Bicorns made suspicious noises as they stuffed the cooked vegetables into their mouths.
Given their size, the amount they ate was enormous.
If I hadn't gained the ability to control plants, I wouldn't have been able to provide enough food for the Bicorns.
Looking at it this way, it seemed like we were a good match.
“Huhu… I'm happy that everyone likes it.”
Tang Soyeong seemed to have completely blended into the group now.
“Grrrr…”
Of course, she failed to pet the wolves.
“Uuuuh…”
Sigh.
I gently offered my tail.
“H-Hero Go?”
You like my tail, don't you?
You can touch this, at least.
“…Hehe. As expected, there's no one like you, Hero Go.”
She said as she diligently petted my tail.
Click.
No, wait. Seeing how she was persistently picking at a scale, it looked like she was trying to pull one off.
Swat!
“Hmph.”
Nephila blocked her just in time.
“Kyak! I-it was just a joke!”
I stood still and watched everyone.
Someday, I'll be able to see everyone I'm connected to here.
Chatting loudly and eating delicious food, just like now.
Sleeping while gazing at the moon.
Pouring a glass of wine, then the Snake Queen ties me up.
My Master scolds me.
Then, seeing another chance, Nephila ties me up with her webs.
And I'll gradually waste away…
…It went in a slightly strange direction, but it seemed like it would be fun.
Even if I can't return to being human, if I could live a life like that…
…I would be happy beyond measure.
“…Hero Go, what's with that face?”
“Can you stop trying to look handsome? Why does a lizard have such a melancholic look on its face?”
Trying to look handsome?
Call it a thoughtful expression.
“…It's annoying how he's actually handsome.”
Baek Rang added in a very small voice.
But the ears of the Crushing Dragon were more than enough to catch her words.
“Gekgek!”
Hey, you won't get anything out of me with compliments like that.
“N-now that's a really lecherous face!”
“How can a lizard make a face like that?”
Yeah. Keep it coming.
Who knows? If you keep complimenting me, maybe an elixir will just drop from the sky.
“Gekgekgek…”
It was while I was making the handsome face that Baek Rang had acknowledged.
“H-help me!”
Someone's voice rang out.
At the same time, everyone fell silent.
I knew instinctively.
That voice wasn't a spirit beast's, but a human's.
Why was a human here?
Splash.
Splash.
The sound of footsteps grew louder.
“H-heoooook!”
A man screamed, having apparently spotted me.
His head was completely bald.
Seeing him so surprised… he probably thought the inhabitants here were human, not spirit beasts.
The appearance of the nest, the smell of cooked meat, and the smoke.
It would be easy to mistake it for a human settlement.
And then he was shocked to make eye contact with a lizard the size of a house.
“N-n-no way. K-Gomodo…?”
Who are you?
Why are you acting like you know me?
“P-please help me! That thing…”
Wait a minute.
That location is definitely…
“…must be stopped… Kuaaak!”
CRASH!
…where the traps are.
“Ge-ek…”
I stared blankly at Tang Soyeong.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
You're the one who set that up.
“D-don't tell me you're trying to say that man fell because of me?”
No, that's not it.
“Ge-eeeng.”
Just so you know.
Tang Soyeong, a martial artist of the Tang Clan, has brutally murdered a passing human with a merciless trap.
“No, you're the one who told me to do it, Hero Go! And that's just a pit, you know? Of course, it'll be hard to get out because of the spiderwebs inside, but…”
…Is that so?
I believed in you, Soyeong.
“…You didn't do that because of some vengeful spirit, did you?”
Baek Rang voiced a ridiculous suspicion.
“Gekgegek!”
Who has time for that?
We need to check on the person who fell first.
“To think this is our leader… I'm one to talk, but she's in for a rough ride too.”