Chapter 23: The Second Evolution
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 23: The Second Evolution
【Arthropleura LV17】
【Status】
「Hunger」
【Arthropleura】
The largest of all millipedes, growing up to 2.6m in length, 55cm in width, and 50kg in weight. It possesses a potent venom and prefers herbivory over carnivory.
It was the same creature I saw when I first came to the Silver Dragon Cave.
“Geeeeek!”
How did I not notice it was here? Does it have some kind of stealth skill?
“Saaaaak!”
Give me back my kind centipede!
The millipede stared at me blankly. Its mouth was twisted into a strange shape.
Was it smiling?
The millipede opened its massive maw wide.
Your companion? Are you talking about this?
It didn't speak, but I heard the voice.
“Geeeeeeeeek!”
You baaaastaaaard!
I will not forgive you.
My centipede friend was the only sane one I'd met in this cave.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Gulp.
The millipede swallowed the kind, gentle centipede whole.
“Swaaaaaa!”
It let out a roar. The very air trembled.
My past self would have surely fled. But now, I could never back down.
“Gek-gek-gek!”
I puffed up my body as much as I could and faced it.
The size difference between us was immense. I didn't need to stand next to it to know. How could I possibly defeat a behemoth over two meters long?
I had no way of piercing that iron-like armor.
That's right.
My past self, that is.
Thump.
I kicked off the ground and leaped as if to fly.
“Saaaaak!”
It seemed to have not expected my charge, its surprise was palpable.
If I attacked now, I could probably do some damage.
No, I'll hold back for a moment.
Fwoosh!
My target was the wall right behind it.
Its massive fangs grazed past me. If I had charged straight at it, I would have been hit.
I kicked off the wall again and rushed toward it.
This time, it was for real.
I spread my hand wide. This was not the hand of a lizard.
Dragon's Claws.
My martial art, worthy of being called the talons of a dragon.
Shred!
I sliced right through the giant millipede's shell.
“Kieeeek!”
It roared, furious at being hit by the unexpected blow.
It connects.
My attacks can reach it now.
But the cut wasn't deep yet.
Besides, I was still in mid-air. It was only for a moment, but I was completely defenseless.
And it knew it.
Ch-ch-ch-chak!
Its enormous body surged toward me.
A procession of armored segments, fatal with a single touch. I had to dodge it, no matter what.
‘Tail Cut!’
As my tail severed, I was granted incredible speed.
But no matter how fast I became, I was in the air. It was common sense that you couldn't move without something to push off of.
“Gek-gek!”
Speed wasn't the only thing I gained from Tail Cut.
My already severed tail became an excellent foothold.
I kicked off the foothold and leaped once more.
Kwa-ga-ga-gak!
It slammed its head into the cave wall with enough force to break through it.
If I hadn't dodged, I would have been ground to bits.
I focused my mind.
My predicted landing spot was the middle of its back. The advantage was now mine.
I pointed my head toward the ground and fell fast. I readied my claws, bringing both hands together. The sharp talons aimed for a single point.
Kak!
My claws collided with its armor.
Ka-ga-ga-gak!
A sharp pain shot through my claws. It must have felt the same.
The power of the Dragon's Claws. The speed from Tail Cut. And the kinetic energy from falling from a great height.
My attack, combining all these elements, was not something it could simply ignore.
Crack.
Cracks began to form on its tough armor.
It's working.
Pierce through!
Craaack.
Thwack!
Was it because I was so focused on piercing its armor? I failed to dodge its incoming tail attack.
Struck by its tail, I was sent flying several meters.
Shreeek!
Still, I managed to dig my claws into the ground and stop myself before hitting the wall.
“Swaaaaaak!”
Enraged, it unleashed a tremendous killing intent.
I hadn't managed to slice it in half. But it was true that I had inflicted heavy damage.
“Gek-gek-gek.”
I stood on two feet. I aimed my claws, waiting for the perfect moment.
“Kieeeeeek!”
Furious that it had nearly been killed by me, it thrashed its massive body about.
Boom!
Kra-boom!
It wasn't enough to make the cave collapse, but for a small lizard like me, even these vibrations felt quite threatening.
I had to finish it before it thrashed around any more.
The moment I charged, a hazy mist spread out.
I knew instinctively.
It was a poison mist.
It was only natural, I suppose. Some millipedes have venom.
I just didn't know they could use it on this scale.
“Keuk!”
I staggered. With my tail not fully grown back, it was hard to keep my balance.
It charged at me.
A tactic of neutralizing its prey with poison, then crushing it with overwhelming mass.
It was brilliant.
However.
“Gek-gek-gek!”
I have Hundred Poisons Immunity, you know.
I kicked off the ground and shot up in an instant.
Thinking I was poisoned, the creature slammed its head into the ground, and I didn't miss the opening.
Kwaduk!
Green Basilisk Style, Dragon's Claws, Fourth Form.
Strike Where You've Struck Before.
Kwak!
Kak!
This time, I drove my Dragon's Claws in with alternating hands.
“Kieeeek!”
The giant millipede writhed in agony.
No, I should call it my plaything now.
“Gek-gek!”
This is for the only sane one, my centipede friend!
“Gek!”
This is for Tus and Pus!
“Gek-gek-gek!”
And this is for Nephila Jurassica!
“Keeeeeeek!”
The millipede seemed to be crying out in both pain and indignation, but I decided to ignore that.
I could feel its strength waning.
The millipede hadn't used its poison from the start.
It had used a seemingly inefficient hunting method of just ramming with its body first.
Why was that?
Because using poison was even more inefficient for it.
Releasing a poison mist of this scale must have put a strain on its body, so it underestimated me and tried to crush me with its body first.
It was visibly exhausted.
Time to finish this.
I can't just end it normally.
Pierce the enemy's head with five fingers.
I put strength into my right hand and thrust it forward.
Pow!
They shattered magnificently.
My fingers!
“Geeeek!”
Ugh, this thing is damn hard.
I guess this is divine punishment for trying to act cool with a move I haven't even learned yet.
It must have seen this as its chance, as its struggles grew more violent.
On top of that, its body was becoming translucent.
So it really did have a stealth ability.
If I had dragged this hunt out, I would have been in big trouble.
“Gek-gek!”
I still have one hand left.
Kwajik!
I grabbed the edges of the hole with my other hand and tore.
Riiiiip!
And just like that, the millipede was ripped in half.
Phew.
That was not an easy opponent.
If I didn't have Hundred Poisons Immunity, I surely would have lost.
Its carelessness played a huge role.
It should have anticipated an opponent immune to its poison. Or it should have used its transparency skill from the start.
[You have leveled up.]
[You have leveled up.]
It was tough, but the reward was sweet.
I gained two levels in an instant.
[You have reached the maximum level.]
【Green Basilisk LV10(+)】
HP:100/100
MP:40/40
【Titles】
「Beloved by the Spider」
If this wasn't the max level, I'm sure I would have gained a few more levels.
But let's not be disappointed.
Reaching the maximum level means...
[A spiritual energy envelops your body.]
[Evolution is possible.]
It means I can evolve.
Finally, the next evolution.
[Would you like to evolve?]
If I followed my heart, I'd hit 'Accept' right now, but the time wasn't right. There was something I had to do first.
I approached the millipede's mouth.
Mr. Centipede, are you listening? This is a dirge for you.
“Gek-gek-gek.”
The centipede I met in the cave.
I don't know if it was male or female, and I didn't know it for long, but it was the only light in this pitch-black cave.
I'll remember you.
The memorial was over.
Now it was time to prepare for myself.
During my last evolution, if Nephila Jurassica hadn't given me food, I would have starved to death.
…I really gained a lot from her.
I wonder if she's doing well.
Nephila Jurassica is no longer by my side.
I have to prepare my own food.
And as it happened, a massive piece of meat lay right before me.
I dragged the creature's corpse. Given its size, it was quite difficult.
If I hadn't torn it in half, moving it would have been impossible.
I moved it between the stone slabs with the murals.
I don't know why, but the creatures in this cave rarely approached the green stones over there.
Plus, it's hidden by the rocks, and the millipede's corpse is emitting poison, so most creatures won't come near.
I can't be sure about individuals immune to poison, but even if they came, they'd eat the conveniently prepared millipede rather than the suspicious egg.
Now, all preparations were complete.
“Gek-gek-gek.”
I guess this will be goodbye to this cute little cry.
[Would you like to evolve?]
Of course.
【Green Basilisk】 can evolve into:
1. 【Green Iguana】
2. 【Sea Iguana】
3. 【Giant Girdled Lizard】
What is this uninspired list?
In a video game, they'd get flamed for padding out the content with palette swaps.
No.
This list is for a normal Green Basilisk.
What I was aiming for was a special evolution.
Besides, I've fulfilled quite a few conditions.
1. A fragment of a high-grade inner core.
2. Martial arts, including the Dragon's Claws.
3. Survival in a pitch-black cave.
This should be enough to qualify.
Alright, bring it on!
[You have met the conditions for a special evolution.]
That's right.
Green Dragon, Green Hydra, Green Tyranno.
Hurry up and show me something like that.
【Green Basilisk】 can evolve into:
1. 【Green Iguana】
2. 【Sea Iguana】
3. 【Giant Girdled Lizard】
4. 【Thylacine】
5. 【Dimetrodon】
……Huh?
A Thylacine?
Something even more random than a dragon just popped up.
And why is there a Dimetrodon?
Aren't the other four combined smaller than a Dimetrodon?
Even if it were on the evolution tree, shouldn't it be something I'd only see in the next evolution, at the earliest?
I glared at the options.
Suspicious.
Very suspicious.