Chapter 83: Miniaturization
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 83: Miniaturization
Honhwi, the old Compy before me, seemed quite flustered.
His level was so high that I couldn't see his status with my Wild Eyes.
But I didn't need a skill to read his condition.
Just look at that expression.
He was probably thinking, What the hell is this guy?
Me, a good-natured lizard, resorting to extortion like this.
To be honest, my conscience pricked me.
But they say a book thief is no thief. I figured it was okay to set aside my conscience for a moment for the sake of learning.
“Gekgek.”
Jingle.
I flaunted the necklace from the Snake Queen—no, my wife—once more.
Selling my conscience and jingling the token from the Snake Queen.
Compy stared at me with a look of utter disbelief.
But his staring wouldn't change anything.
If I threatened him with the debt he owed the Snake Queen, he'd have no choice but to teach me.
Still, knowing how lizards think, he wouldn't feel very good about me if I went about it this way. Even if he did teach me, he'd likely do it half-heartedly.
After all, the Snake Queen's Destruction Ray couldn't reach this far.
So, what should I do?
I just had to make Compy interested in me.
My arrogant attitude was just to get his attention, whether it was positive or negative.
Now, it was time to turn that attention into positive interest.
Just then, I spotted a stream up ahead.
I dashed toward it at high speed.
Tadat!
After leaping up as if to dive headfirst into the water, I landed naturally on its surface.
This was the profound principle of the Little Dragon's Heavenly Ascent Steps.
Standing leisurely on the water, I slowly observed his expression.
I could see his dazed eyes widening.
Compy would know this footwork well.
It couldn't be a coincidence that the 'Little Dragon' in 'Little Dragon Faith' and 'Little Dragon's Heavenly Ascent Steps' were the same characters.
He must have thought some arrogant punk had shown up, only to find out I was the Snake Queen's companion.
He probably figured I was acting cocky because I had her backing, but then it turns out I know such a profound footwork technique.
It was a situation bound to pique his interest.
Tadadat!
Compy started to move.
He seemed to be walking slowly, but in reality, he was fast.
His destination was, as expected, the stream.
He stepped onto the surface with perfect ease.
Not a single drop of water splashed—a truly perfect execution of the Little Dragon's Heavenly Ascent Steps.
“Gegegek.”
A large lizard and a small lizard, staring at each other on the water's surface.
Perhaps we were disciples of the same school.
“Kekek.”
Compy gave a slow nod.
It seemed he was finally willing to teach me.
Compy's small hand reached out to me.
Good. You've made the right choice. Let's have a pleasant exchange of techniques.
I raised my own hand to meet his.
Tok.
Just like when I faced Nephila Jurassica and the Ant Legion, our hands touched.
Bwoong.
And in that instant, the sky flipped upside down.
No, it would be more accurate to say that I was flipped upside down.
My heavy body shot into the air as if flying, then plunged straight into the water.
Splash!
I only fell in the water; there was no damage.
But just because there was no damage didn't mean I wasn't pissed off.
Fwrrr…
Still submerged, I poked just my head out of the water and glared at Compy.
Beckon, beckon.
Compy was gesturing with his hand in a strange pose.
“Kekek!”
He was grinning.
Right.
This is what learning is all about.
[Using Reverse Scale LV1.]
[Temporarily acquiring Gekgek Death Beam LV1.]
You're the one who asked for it.
A spark of life returned to Compy's dazed eyes.
He probably didn't think I'd go this far.
His intentions were obvious.
He had to teach me anyway because of his promise to the Snake Queen. He just didn't want to simply hand over his techniques, so it seems he was trying to establish a master-disciple-like relationship. That's why he tried to assert dominance earlier.
Did he think I'd just take it?
I have only one master.
…And the Snake Queen is now my wife, at least on paper.
Jjeo-eong!
A Destruction Ray of immense power fired off.
Its destination: Compy.
…Or rather, right above him.
His attempt to assert dominance was annoying, but I wasn't such a scumbag that I'd shoot a Death Beam in his face.
Dominance for dominance.
I lowered the output and aimed for the sky, since the other lizards watching nearby could get caught in the blast.
Kwagagagak!
Even so, the output was still powerful.
I hadn't aimed at Compy, but if he just stood there, he could get hurt by the shockwave.
If he made a fuss and dropped to the ground, he could get through it without any harm.
Now, what will you choose?
“Kekekek.”
“Gegegek!”
…Huh?
What was this?
I met the eyes of Compy, who was suddenly perched on my shoulder.
He really deserves to be called Little Dragon. To have such agility…
I've got a rough idea of his skill now.
I'd better shake him off before he starts smirking.
Dragon Scale Transformation.
Chwajajajang!
My scales took on an extremely aggressive form. My body was now no different from a porcupine's.
Naturally, this was bound to hurt Compy, who was trying to cling to me.
Teong!
He bent his body like a bow and successfully leaped into the air.
Incredible elasticity. He was faster than my scales could transform.
Yes, this is the level of skill that makes learning worthwhile.
[Using Reverse Scale LV1.]
*
Our match took place entirely on the stream.
Using the principles of the Little Dragon's Heavenly Ascent Steps, we aimed to knock each other into the water.
We exchanged attacks that looked like they could break bones, but since neither of us had landed a clean hit yet, it was fine.
Compy's combat prowess was greater than I'd expected.
He was fighting with his internal energy extremely restrained.
His goal was solely to deflect my attacks with his footwork and knock me down with his physical techniques.
If he had deactivated his miniaturization and unleashed his attacks, I would have been floating belly-up in the stream long ago. But he didn't.
This wasn't a life-and-death battle.
It was a form of training.
The method might have seemed a bit rough, but feeling it with my own body was the most important part of learning.
Compy didn't know it, but I had the skill Reverse Scale. If I could grasp the principles of his techniques while taking hits, I could swallow them whole.
In fact, I could already use a few of his strange martial arts right now.
Little Dragon Fist, Little Dragon Kick. Something like that.
They weren't bad, but they didn't seem to suit my current size.
I wished he would use stronger techniques, but he didn't show anything more than this.
I was also starting to run out of steam. I had no major injuries, but every time I was caught by one of his marvelous techniques, the impact was enough to make my head spin. If I were any smaller, I would have been knocked out with a concussion by now.
Should I just admit defeat and say it was a good lesson?
“Grrrr….”
No.
That would hurt my pride.
He was the one who knocked me into the water first.
And just as he wasn't using his full power, neither was I.
You might say the guy who used Reverse Scale and the Gekgek Death Beam is lying, but I knew a way to beat Compy effectively.
And without much effort, at that.
The reason I hadn't used it was out of respect for Compy.
And to copy his techniques.
This will be the last exchange, so let's go for it.
“Kegegek….”
Compy's aura changed. It seemed he had read my intentions.
Tadadadadat!
Compy kicked off the water's surface and charged. He must be planning to end this spar with this one blow.
The Little Dragon's Heavenly Ascent Steps was a footwork technique containing the principles of Water-Treading Lightness Skill. The more proficient one became, the less water splashed when they walked. At the highest level, one could move as if walking on land.
Compy had reached that realm long ago.
And yet, a huge spray of water erupted around him.
That was a water spray created by Compy's will.
The scattered water began to gather at a single point, forming a suit of water armor around him.
Its shape was that of a small dragon.
A form truly befitting the name 'Little Dragon'.
Right.
You're finally showing it.
Sssseup.
I tensed my entire body.
Hooop.
I'm going all out, too.
Gomodo Style, Fifth Form.
Presenting the Queen's Token.
Compy's fist, which had been about to strike my head, faltered.
He probably never expected I'd use such a precious item as a shield.
But I carried the name of the Snake Queen's companion.
Even in a spar, defeat was unacceptable.
Thwack!
I struck Compy with my tail.
Splash!
The small Compy couldn't avoid the surprise attack and fell straight into the stream.
He wouldn't be seriously hurt.
But I was satisfied just seeing him get soaked.
Yes.
This is my victory.
“Gegegegegek!”
*
“Kek….”
Compy, seemingly in shock, turned his head away. Even when I poked him with my claws, he wouldn't budge.
Hey, what's wrong?
“Gegegek.”
It may have been a dirty trick, but he was now officially a lizard who had lost to me.
And in front of his followers, no less.
Besides, he was the one who attacked first.
He even used a big technique at the end.
[Your divinity increases.]
“Kek!”
Maybe I should have let him win.
No, I mean, who told him to attack first?
“Gekgek!”
He seemed to be sulking, but after a while, he started to loosen up.
When I sliced up the Terror Bird meat I'd brought as a gift, didn't he just casually approach with his hands behind his back?
Truly a being worthy of the name Honhwi.
I bowed my head in gratitude for Compy's generosity.
“Gegegek.”
I guess sharing a meal really is the best way to get closer.
After sharing the meat with the other lizards, the awkward atmosphere eased considerably.
“Gekgek.”
I spoke to Compy.
“Kekek?”
Tsk, how is our conversation just 'Kekek' and 'Gekgek'?
Communicating with the Snake Queen or the King of Birds was easy. I could even talk with Swish-Swish and the spiders to some extent, thanks to their faith.
With different faiths and no shared language, communication was a real pain.
Still, I wasn't too worried. Even if we couldn't talk, he was quite intelligent.
I just had to convey my intentions through gestures.
“Gekgek…. Gekgek! Gekgek! Gegegek!”
I communicated with Compy, using my whole body.
By the time the lizards had picked the Terror Bird bones clean, we finally started to understand each other.
What I had been trying to get across all this time was my request for him to teach me Miniaturization.
I was satisfied with the other techniques I'd seen and felt, but my original purpose was Miniaturization.
Compy seemed to think deeply about something, then the corners of his mouth lifted into a sly grin.
What's this?
Why that expression?
You understood what I meant, right?
“Kekek!”
Compy put on a dazed expression.
He looked like a lizard who had seen and lived through everything in the world.
There was no trace of the aggressive demeanor I had seen at the stream.
And so, Compy's dance began.
…Yeah. With a face like that, I should have known he'd do something like this.
But I have to do this dance to use Miniaturization?
Compy stared at me intently.
His gaze seemed to say, Well? What are you waiting for?
Fine, I'll play along just this once.
I changed my expression from that of a valiant Gomodo to a dazed gecko.
If the snakes and spiders saw this, they'd be so disappointed.
“Gekgek….”
But I had no choice.
It was a mountain I had to climb to learn Miniaturization.
I copied the entire strange, floppy dance.
…This had better work. Or I'm blasting a Death Beam right in your face.
[Using Reverse Scale LV1.]
[Temporarily acquiring Miniaturization LV1.]
It worked!
Okay.
Sorry for doubting you.
Let's try it out. If I use it now, it'll be easier to use next time.
Chwajajajak.
My vision dropped sharply.
My massive body shrank from a Gomodo-Lania to the size of a Gomodo.
Yes. This size is just right.
Chwaaaak.
Huh?
I shrank from a Gomodo to a Crocodile Monitor.
This wasn't bad either. I was still big enough to carry Tang Soyeong on my back.
Chaaaaak….
From a Crocodile Monitor to a Green Basilisk.
…Can't I stop this?
Chuuuuuk….
From a Green Basilisk to a Green Gecko.
Hey, isn't this a little too small?
