Chapter 52: Farewell
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 52: Farewell
Baek Yeon-yeong seemed to like the gift Nephila Jurassica gave her.
She placed it on my head and kept fiddling with it, after all.
“Kieeehng…”
Nephila had a very sad expression.
“Kiooong…”
Tus and Pus were the same.
I’m so proud of you guys.
You usually bicker with each other, but when danger struck, you immediately gave up something you cherished so much.
Some human kicked Tang Soyeong in the back and ran away. You’re better than people.
Of course, the fact that the cherished item was my shed skin bothered me a little, but what did that matter?
It’s the thought that counts.
Baek Yeon-yeong must have been moved not by the shed skin itself, but by the spiders' sentiment.
“…To think it was even smaller back then. It’s a true shame I didn’t get to see it.”
She was moved by the sentiment, right?
The atmosphere eased up a lot.
Tang Soyeong still showed signs of fear, but Baek Yeon-yeong made it clear she had no intention of punishing her right away.
Now, something resembling a conversation had begun.
It created a ridiculous scene, like a chick and a crocodile talking to each other.
The sight of Tang Soyeong flinching in fear at Baek Yeon-yeong's every word and action looked a little pitiful.
Hang in there, Tang Soyeong.
You can do it.
As a sign of support, I decided to actively help her from the side.
“Gek gek.”
I added a little interjection every time Tang Soyeong spoke.
That should add some credibility to her words, right?
It probably wouldn't be very effective, but it was better than nothing.
“Gegegegek.”
“He-Hero. Pleeease…”
Look at that gaze.
She’s so moved by my help that she’s about to cry.
“Gegegegek!”
It’s nothing, really.
Tang Soyeong explained everything, from why she entered the 100,000 Great Mountains to how she met a handsome monitor lizard.
The gist of it was this:
Hearing rumors that the 100,000 Great Mountains were teeming with spirit beasts, the Tang Clan had sent her here to raise a spirit beast named Dilopho. As a side mission, she was also to retrieve the poisonous insects stolen by the Demonic Cult.
“To think you’d try to accomplish something with a single poison dragon. It’s not even a disposable pawn.”
Tsk.
Baek Yeon-yeong clicked her tongue.
She was right.
The Dilophosaurus I faced was an extraordinary monster that could handle internal energy, but I didn't think it could take on all the dinosaurs roaming this place.
If it ran into even a lesser version of Ankylo, its head would probably explode.
“…Dilopho found me and a-attacked my home.”
The story now moved on to the fierce battle between me and the Dilophosaurus.
How Dilopho used sleeping poison in a sneak attack.
How I, with my poison resistance, endured it and faced the beast alone.
How Nephila Jurassica, though Tang Soyeong didn't see it, threw herself in front of me to protect me.
And finally, how I crushed its head with the Nine Yin White Bone Claw.
She told the whole story.
“I see. So this spider did that.”
“Kieeehng…”
Baek Yeon-yeong's gaze turned to Nephila Jurassica.
She couldn't help but be intrigued.
After all, Nephila was a spider that had evolved into an Arachne.
A super-lucky human-faced spider.
Though she was back to normal now.
“So, you were about to return to Sichuan because this creature's condition worsened?”
“Ye-yes!”
Tang Soyeong took this as a sign that her explanation had been understood, and her face brightened.
Tang Soyeong's story was this:
This spider saved that lizard's life.
In return, the spider's condition worsened.
Therefore, she was trying to return to Sichuan, where she had the equipment and ingredients to save the spider.
Baek Yeon-yeong seemed to accept the story up to this point.
“I don't mind you returning to Sichuan. I don't like that you coveted what is mine, but after hearing your story, I see no reason to kill you.”
Tang Soyeong let out a sigh of relief.
“However, I cannot permit you to take Hui.”
Baek Yeon-yeong gripped the scruff of my neck.
I felt like a kitten being carried by its mother.
I’m getting drowsy.
“…Gek!”
I let out a surprised ‘gek’ a beat too late.
Wait, what did she just say?
“Hui cannot leave the 100,000 Great Mountains.”
Am I being kidnapped?
“B-but…”
Tang Soyeong objected in a trembling voice.
“Without Hero…”
“Are you saying this because you think you'll be in danger without Hui?”
“N-not just me, but the spider lady too…”
Tang Soyeong was right.
Knowing Tang Soyeong, she would surely start bawling if I disappeared. Nephila Jurassica might even have to tie her up in webs and drag her by force.
“Isn't that a selfish thought? Do you truly not know what will happen if Hui goes to the Central Plains now?”
Baek Yeon-yeong rebuked Tang Soyeong.
“Even Third-Rate martial artists have set foot in our cult's 100,000 Great Mountains. They say even the damn monks of Shaolin are searching for spirit beasts with fire in their eyes. The Central Plains is mad right now, trying to secure spirit beasts by any means necessary.”
Her blue eyes glared fiercely at Tang Soyeong.
“Hui goes outside? Not just anywhere, but all the way to Sichuan? Isn't the outcome obvious?”
What would other people think if they saw me?
A giant lizard.
But one that used martial arts and had consumed quite a few elixirs.
I was literally a walking fortuitous encounter.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say I'd end up as a grilled lizard skewer.
Tang Soyeong lowered her head.
She probably didn't want to leave with me just to use me.
It was likely just a vague hope that somehow…
…they could overcome any hardship if they were together.
But she had just run into the wall of reality.
After keeping her head down for a long while, Tang Soyeong reached out and gently touched my cheek.
Baek Yeon-yeong frowned, clearly displeased, but didn't stop her.
“…Hero. I'm sorry. I'll find a way to treat the spider lady myself.”
Does that mean the two of them will leave the 100,000 Great Mountains on their own?
“Ge-ek!”
That can't happen.
It's true that if I leave the 100,000 Great Mountains, I risk being hunted by other martial artists. But without me, Tang Soyeong would be eaten by another dinosaur before she even made it out.
People don't abandon people.
Of course, I'm a lizard, but I still can't abandon her.
How could I abandon a follower who worships me as a divine beast?
“Gegegegek!”
I actively expressed my opinion to Baek Yeon-yeong.
I didn't know if she'd understand, but she should be able to tell I was against the current situation.
“Daughter of the Tang Clan. How long will it take to treat the spider?”
“A-at least a month. It might take even longer…”
“And the treatment method?”
“After removing the remaining poison from its body, I have to inject another poison to heal its inner core. If left alone, the same symptoms will reappear, so I have to try to induce a metamorphosis. That's why I can't know the exact duration…”
Tang Soyeong's voice brightened a little.
Baek Yeon-yeong's words sounded like she might be able to help treat the spider.
“Metamorphosis, you say. Well, since you brought a spirit beast here, I suppose your specialty is handling them.”
Baek Yeon-yeong got off my back.
“Come to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”
Did I hear that right?
There were two huge errors in that statement.
One, Tang Soyeong was from the Sichuan Tang Clan.
“Wh-what?”
And the other was that she believed in the Gaegaek Faith, not the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
“Ge-gegek?”
It was a statement that surprised both Tang Soyeong and me.
“What are you so surprised about? Surely you didn't take that to mean you should join our cult.”
“Th-then…”
“The equipment and ingredients to treat that spider. Our cult should have them as well. Besides, we also have people who know how to handle spirit beasts. Of course, when it comes to poisons, you, a member of the Tang Clan, are the expert, so I will leave the treatment to you.”
This was good news.
Of course, as someone from the Tang Clan, Tang Soyeong would have to walk on eggshells, but at least she wouldn't have to worry about dying immediately.
“Gek gek!”
That's my master for you.
Her personality is a bit strange, but to think she'd offer such a great solution.
“Do you dislike the idea?”
“N-no! I'd love to!”
The destination was revised.
From Sichuan to the headquarters of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. The name alone made my heart tremble.
I didn't know Baek Yeon-yeong's exact rank, but it didn't seem to be low.
And I was her direct disciple.
“Gek gek.”
Maybe I should try pulling some rank.
Just as I was having such delusions…
“Huiya.”
Baek Yeon-yeong's blue eyes looked at me.
“You cannot enter the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”
But you said you'd raise me!
You were just sitting on my back!
“It is too soon.”
I tried to protest with a series of ‘gek’s, but her eyes looked somewhat sad.
“The time is not yet right.”
I intuitively realized this wasn't a problem that could be solved by whining.
There must be some circumstances within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
There might be people there, too, who would want to capture a spirit beast like me.
It was a bit disappointing, but what could I do?
I’ll just have to wait.
Did she say a month?
Besides, the mention of metamorphosis meant Nephila might be able to return to her former appearance.
That was more than enough reason to wait.
In the meantime, I'll just play with Tus and Pus.
“Kieeehng…”
Tus and Pus exchanged glances, then scurried over to me.
Right.
So you guys understood everything.
We won't be able to see Nephila and Tang Soyeong for a while.
Let's get along, just the three of us.
“Gek gek.”
Tus gently bit my tail.
Pus softly pressed its rear against my claw.
…What are they doing right now?
“Kiooong…”
After doing that for a while, the spiders hugged my tail and claw tightly.
Then, they slowly crawled over to where Tang Soyeong was.
They kept looking back, but with resolute expressions.
“Keehng!”
“…Yes?”
“Kieeehng!”
Tang Soyeong and the spiders began to communicate.
What were they talking about?
No, could you even call it a conversation?
“Hoh.”
Baek Yeon-yeong also watched the spiders with interest.
“…Is that so? I understand.”
Tang Soyeong looked over at me.
“The little spider ladies say they will no longer stay with you, Hero.”
What?
These spiders.
After all I've done for them.
I know Baek Yeon-yeong is pretty, but still.
Are they abandoning me to scurry over to her side?
“…They say they realized something after seeing the big spider lady this time. How weak they are. How incompetent.”
It wasn't like that.
“They say they want to protect you, Hero, just like the big spider lady did.”
Tang Soyeong had been subtly talking to Tus and Pus for a while now.
She told them that if they went to Sichuan with her, she could help them become human-faced spiders.
In other words, she would help them evolve to the next stage.
Tus and Pus had remembered that.
And they accepted her offer.
To become stronger.
To protect me.
…How much stronger can you guys possibly get?
But I couldn't stop Tus and Pus.
Because I keenly felt what that emotion was.
“Gek…”
I looked back.
So many were leaving in a single moment.
But this wasn't a permanent farewell.
It was just an unavoidable parting, and we would meet again soon.
If anything, it was a situation that called for celebration.
“Kieeehng…”
“Kioooong…”
Since I couldn't completely hide my loneliness, I didn't look toward Tang Soyeong and the others.
I acted as if it was nothing.
I pretended I wasn't sad at all.
“And while we're at it, we also need to solve the problem of matching their sizes.”
…What is that supposed to mean?
Let's just ignore it for now.
She can't ruin my emotional moment.
“Kioooong…!”
Tus and Pus.
And Nephila Jurassica let out a cry.
“Gegegegek!”
Without looking back, I simply raised a hand to say goodbye.
Let's see each other again in good health.
It would be nice if all three of you have become Arachnes by then.
“Kiooong!”
Yeah.
This is really goodbye for now.
“Sorry to interrupt the mood, but we're not leaving right away. There are a few things I need to teach my foolish disciple.”
……I activated Sprint.
At top speed, I looked for a mouse hole. No, a lizard hole.
Give me back my emotional moment