Chapter 37: Dilophosaurus
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 37: Dilophosaurus
The second reason Tang Soyeong wasn't cast out from the Tang Clan, despite being an eccentric.
It was because her talent for handling spirit beasts, not just her knowledge, was exceptional.
From a young age, she had a knack for communicating with animals, especially spirit beasts and other creatures that wielded poison.
At first, it was just that she was good at communicating with them.
But the people of the Tang Clan wouldn't just let such a glimmer of talent go to waste.
Instead of training in poison and martial arts, they had her focus on knowledge and her unique ability.
With the Tang Clan's support, her talent blossomed into her current ability.
Her skill in grasping a spirit beast's condition surpassed even the Tang Clan's elders. It was only natural that she was put in charge of managing them.
Her ability was simply to discern the state of a spirit beast.
Seeing their mental images was not her ability. Her limit was detecting changes in their inner core—their innate power, which could be called a dantian.
She could only see these mental images when the spirit beast itself allowed it, or when their wavelengths matched well.
But even then, she could only see fragmented scenes.
Shimmering flames, a raging tsunami, a falling thunderbolt.
Such were the limits of the mental images she could see.
Interpreting them was entirely up to her.
However, the mental image she saw this time was different from anything she had seen before.
The image was too specific.
No, 'blatant' would be a more fitting word.
There was no will to hide it. Usually, mental images were blurry, but what she saw was incredibly vivid.
Every single claw, the texture of the hide.
The harmony between a suspicious spirit beast and an even more suspicious human.
She had a vague realization that she would never forget what she saw today for the rest of her life.
And she would also, one day, realize that it had awakened a new preference in her.
*
This is unfair.
That's my mission?
No. That must be some malicious editing.
Right before I died, there was a wish I desperately made.
I asked for the power to burn all the demonic arts books on my hard drive.
So, my mission is to get rid of the images Tang Soyeong saw.
Judging me based on just a part of it is unforgivable.
And to think she can learn all that just by touching me.
It's obviously a scam.
She doesn't look like the type of person who would use such a noble ability.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Please don't eat me. I don't like being wet..."
I spat out Tang Soyeong, whom I had half-swallowed.
It was a warning to never speak of that matter again.
"Ptooey! Huuu... You truly are Hero Go. I'm covered in saliva, but there's not a trace of poison! Your internal energy must be so profound that you can even control things like your venom."
This is bad.
She's not that scared of me anymore.
Was it because she saw the Spino in a maid outfit and the Therizino in a school swimsuit? It seems her fear threshold has gone up.
Tang Soyeong, her face slightly flushed, wiped the saliva from her face.
"H-Hero Go, your mental image is truly incredible... So this is what it means to reach a higher realm. A mere mortal like me should just be content with where I am..."
Chomp.
"Hyeok! It's wet!"
After that little episode, Tang Soyeong dried her wet body by the campfire.
"I was half in doubt, but you really are a Gomodo, Hero Go."
My surname isn't Go, and I'm not a Komodo dragon.
Why on earth is she mistaking me for one?
And it's also strange that she went from being doubtful to certain.
Judging by her tone, it's as if seeing that Spino-Therizino double mix was what convinced her.
Is there some kind of urban legend that Komodos go around collecting pictures of Spinos and Therizinos?
What a horrifying story.
If a creature that collects such pictures exists, it wouldn't be human, but a demon. A demon.
"The mental image I just saw... it's something that couldn't be seen unless you were a Gomodo."
For some reason, Tang Soyeong was staring intently at me.
Since I'm a Crocodile Monitor, not a Komodo, I'm not too bothered.
"It was more shocking than any mental image I've ever seen. Hero Dal's was just ordinary..."
I was about to give her another tour of my mouth, but then I tilted my head.
Hero Dal.
I was curious about the identity behind that strange name.
"Ah, I was talking about something only I would know."
Komodo is Hero Go.
Then what about Hero Dal?
"There's a spirit beast the Tang Clan was managing, called Dalopo."
Dalopo?
...Don't tell me you mean Dilophosaurus?
The dinosaur that spits poison?
"Actually, I didn't come here alone. I came with Dalopo... but we ran into the Demonic Cult Leader and ended up getting separated."
Oh, that's too bad.
But the Demonic Cult Leader?
Why is a dangerous guy like that here? This isn't the 100,000 Great Mountains.
"Your power is great, Hero Go, but... if you see the Demonic Cult Leader, you must run immediately."
Of course I'll run.
"There's even a monstrous rumor that he bathes in the blood of martial artists, so you can imagine how cruel and twisted he is, right?"
Ugh.
There's nothing more pitiful than getting involved with someone like that.
"Ah, I should continue talking about Hero Dal. Dalopo has escaped my control. I thought we had a pretty good relationship, but I guess not. You might run into him, Hero Go."
I'd rather not.
"He might attack you on sight. The power of a Gomodo is something even poisonous creatures can't help but covet. You must be careful."
Grrrrr.
"Ah, no. I'm not saying you'd lose, Hero Gomodo... Right, I just mentioned poisonous creatures, didn't I? This is a secret, but Hero Dalopo is a master of poison arts."
Is it really a secret?
I can perfectly picture it spreading its frill and spitting poison.
"If you're a Gomodo, you should be able to withstand the poison. That means you could even capture him alive if you run into him! ...Of course, that would be difficult in reality. He has a nasty personality, and I get the feeling he wants to eat me..."
Tang Soyeong glanced at my teeth.
"If I lose Dalopo, my position will be in great danger, but if I could take your poison, Hero..."
She seems to have some fantasy about my poison, but it's not that great.
It's just a common poisonous fang. One that consumes 5 MP.
Tus's all-out bite might even be more effective.
"S-Still, capturing him alive is the best option! Got it?"
No, the best option is not meeting him at all.
I don't want to fight a poison-spitting dinosaur.
Poison-users are all tasteless.
You two should sort out your own problems.
I whipped my head away.
A sign that I wasn't interested in this matter.
"H-Hero Go!"
Tang Soyeong clung to me.
"Aren't you curious about Dalopo's poison? I'll explain it to you!"
No, I'm not curious.
It spreads its frill and spits, right?
I've seen that a lot.
"Normally, it keeps the frill on its neck folded, then suddenly spreads it out with a fwoosh! How about that? Ah, and it has another poison, too. Should I say it's similar to a bewitching poison? It inflicts hypnosis or hallucinations on its opponent... H-Hero Go? Are you sleeping? H-Hey, wake up! This is important!"
*
Jang Bong spoke while lying in the tall grass.
"Huuu... Is everyone still alive?"
All five martial artists were still breathing.
"Primordial Heavenly Venerable, Primordial Heavenly Venerable..."
It was a stroke of heavenly luck.
When the teal dragon was chasing them, he thought at least one would die.
When it used Water-Treading and Gecko Wall-Walking Art, he thought three would die.
Finally, when he saw it holding a sword in its mouth, he thought it would be a miracle if even one survived.
But they had all survived.
Without a single casualty.
"...You should all know you're alive thanks to me."
No, there was one casualty.
Tang Soyeong. The name of the woman the Bloody Lion had abandoned to flee.
The Bloody Lion's eyes blazed as he continued in a threatening tone.
"We are accomplices now. If any of you escape and speak of the Tang Clan's daughter... I trust you know what will happen."
The martial artists nodded at his words.
The Bloody Lion had pushed the Tang Clan's daughter to be eaten by the beast.
If this fact were to leak out, the Bloody Lion would die without question. And very painfully at that.
But would the others live?
No.
They would be held responsible for standing by and failing to save Tang Soyeong, and they too would die.
Then could they survive by reporting it first?
No, that wouldn't work either.
At first, they would receive a huge reward for the information.
But the moment they tried to do anything with that money, they would die. While drinking water, while eating a meal, or perhaps while sleeping.
Because that's what the Tang Clan was like.
"Do you think we're crazy? We'll just hold a memorial service for her later and be done with it."
Tang Soyeong's death was unavoidable.
The martial artists rationalized it to themselves.
"Huuu. Still, it seems safe enough here. I think we can rest."
The martial artists agreed with Jang Bong's words.
They had no strength left to move.
If they hid their bodies in the tall grass, the chances of being discovered by other beasts would be slim.
The martial artists found spots and began to rest.
"Master Bloody Lion. Aren't you a bit hungry?"
"What are you talking about in this situation?"
"I think I saw some fruit on the way here. Won't you come with me?"
"Hah, is there a reason we both have to go?"
"It's because my hand is like this..."
Tsk.
The Bloody Lion clicked his tongue.
Does that man have no pride at all?
Even so, he got up from his spot.
Because of the sin he had committed.
They might not report him to the Tang Clan, but it wouldn't hurt to prepare for the worst, just in case.
The Bloody Lion followed Jang Bong through the grass.
"Aish. Well, it was right here. And you asked me to come with you."
It was a fruit he had never seen before.
He didn't know its name, but he picked the rather appetizing-looking fruit.
"Is this enough?"
"No, a little further."
The Bloody Lion walked further ahead as Jang Bong said.
A giant tree came into view.
It was a tree with feather-like leaves scattered about.
"Jang Bong. There's no fruit here. What did you see?"
"You'll know if you go a little further."
What is this nonsense?
The Bloody Lion spat on the ground.
The moment he lifted his head again, he doubted his eyes.
A massive spirit beast was staring at him.
It was even larger than the teal dragon he had seen earlier.
He was startled for a moment, but the Bloody Lion soon realized the spirit beast's identity.
"Ah! The one sent by the Tang Clan!"
What was its name again?
Right, Hero Dal.
He felt a strange sense of relief.
He had seen Tang Soyeong feeding it before.
Although she was dead, this spirit beast wouldn't know that.
The Bloody Lion's mind raced.
That small woman controlled this spirit beast, so why couldn't he?
It was larger than the spirit beast from before, but for some reason, it didn't feel dangerous.
Its scales were glossy, and the feathers lightly attached near its neck looked fluffy.
An intense desire to touch it just once surged within him.
Right.
Let's try touching it.
Just as he was about to reach out his hand.
"Snap out of ittttt!"
Jang Bong's voice came from far away.
Wasn't Jang Bong right next to him? He'd definitely hurt his arm and wanted to pick fruit together...
...Had Jang Bong hurt his arm?
"Why, why are you there! Q-Quickly, run away!"
He'd been bewitched.
And completely at that.
By the time he realized it, it was already too late.
"Dammit! R-Run awayyyyyy!"