What the Hell is Lizardman Evolution?

Lizardman evolution—what is it? You don't need to think too hard to figure it out. It's like monkeys turning into humans, or dinosaurs eventually becoming chickens. That's evolution in a nutshell. Retaining previous traits while becoming a new existence. Of course, evolution isn't always gradual and positive. Change doesn't guarantee improvement.

I stared once more at the skull right in front of me. Lizardman—you know what that is. A monster that looks like a lizard. Just like goblins look like a mashup of dogs and humans, lizardmen are literally lizard humans. And ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I could evolve into that?

I pondered my status window for a moment. Would there really be any advantage to evolving from a regular skeleton into a lizardman skeleton?

...Okay. Why not give lizardman a shot.

After a brief deliberation, I decided to go for the evolution. I wasn't sure exactly how evolution differed from inheritance, but so far, every inheritance had been a win. No regrets. At this point, it was worth trying. Better to try and regret than do nothing at all.

All conditions met. Time to evolve.

"Accept!"

Clack clack!

I shouted with eager anticipation, and soon a new message appeared before my eyes.

Yeah, job changes like this always come with dedicated quests. The greater the trial, the bigger the reward—common sense. Now I just hoped the quest wouldn't be too tough.

Seeing the quest details, I breathed a sigh of relief. Not bad at all. I'd half-expected something like "Kill 300 lizardmen." Glad it's not a grindfest.

I slipped out of the treasure vault with a sigh of relief.

"Where've you been?"

Gular spotted me returning after a brief absence and spoke up.

"Vault."

Clack clack.

I'd already explained the Shadow Underground Dungeon to him. No issue if he knew about the treasure vault—his interests lay elsewhere anyway.

"Oh...! So you brought that?"

Unlike me, Gular had zero interest in material wealth. The mad alchemist, obsessed with research, only cared about new knowledge.

"Here."

Clack clack.

I pulled out the item he'd wanted and handed it over.

"This is ancient kingdom knowledge...!"

The item was parchment from the Shadow Underground Dungeon—tough sheepskin covered in complex script I couldn't decipher.

"Ooh... Ooh...!"

Gular was thrilled, reduced to monkey-like grunts, forgetting how to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠speak. He dove straight into research mode.

I watched him pore over the parchment intently, then quietly stood.

'Gonna step out for a bit.'

"Clack clack."

Gular looked puzzled.

"Hm? Where to now, all of a sudden?"

I gathered my gear from the floor and replied.

"Walk."

Clack clack.

Time for some fresh air.

The dungeon entrance was sealed tight. The gnomes must've blocked it before starting construction.

Drip.

I poked my head through a small hole, and fresh air rushed in. Inhaling it felt refreshing. This is why I hate underground—makes you gloomy.

Outside was bright and vibrant. Blinding! Even wrapped head-to-toe in a thick cloak, the sun felt damaging just to look at.

I stepped cautiously into the sunlight, bundled up tight.

"......"

This is fine. As long as I'm not directly exposed, no problem.

The plains around the dungeon were quiet—probably because I'd rampaged here before. Passing familiar scenery, I entered the forest and heard murmurs.

"...Is that for real?"

Wanderers. A party of three men, gear marking them as typical newbies.

Normally I'd charge and swing, but per Gular's warning, caution now. I used the Shadow Ring to mask my presence and crept closer.

"Will the Management Bureau really dispatch a hero? Last time was a bust."

Hero? A hero coming? I perked up at the unexpected word.

"Last time they didn't know about the dungeon. It's different now! The man-hunter's holed up inside!"

Word about me had spread. Immortality sucks for this—info leaks everywhere. That Holland guy knew all my patterns for the same reason.

"Then they'll come prepared. Which hero, you think?"

"Dunno...? Last was the Iron-Blood Hero, so maybe someone else this time."

Multiple heroes exist. One had already come—for me. If I hadn't entered the dungeon then, we might've met. A chill ran down my spine.

"We gotta exterminate that man-hunter this time."

"Totally! My neck still hurts from that bastard."

Jackpot intel, unintended. Gular's worry was spot-on—humans were gearing up for counterattack. Good thing I'd transformed into the tower despite the exposure risk. Not that I'd planned that far ahead.

'A hero, huh...?'

I didn't know how strong heroes were. Toughest foe so far: Holland. His pattern-reading combat had me struggling at first. Sneaky half-beat attacks between on and off beats. Without that dirty style, he'd have been real trouble.

Now a stronger foe who knows my tricks? A top-tier human hero?

'...Time to prepare for the hero.'

This won't cut it. Need evolution. Might not make me that much stronger, but I need every edge.

"Oh yeah, heard the witch got a bounty recently."

"That girl in ragged clothes? Why her suddenly?"

"Dunno details, but sounds like a major crime."

Topic shifted; I'd heard enough. Time to move. Prep before the hero arrives.

I hurried off. Destination: lizardman habitat in the nearby forest.

Deep in the forest, the vibe shifted—dark, humid. Towering trees blocked sunlight. I ditched the cloak and roamed freely.

About time they showed.

Purpose: hunt lizardmen. Exactly 10. Higher essence for better evolution? Nice bonus, but I just wanted quick evo and back to dungeon. Hero news meant no slacking—tell Gular and gnomes to rig hero traps.

Soon, a swamp appeared ahead. Lizardman turf.

Thrilled, I stepped closer—

Whoosh!

The calm swamp erupted, dozens of shadows emerging.

Lizard ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠skin, faces. Long slit maws flicking slender tongues. Lizardmen.

Shing!

They drew blunt-tipped blades in unison, eyes murderous.

Hot damn! All at once—bring it!

"Clack clack!"

Adrenaline surging, I raised the Drake Soul Sword.

"Wait!!"

A human voice? From here? Startled, I turned. An elderly lizardman approached.

"Ah, ah...! That's...!!"

His eyes locked on my Drake Soul Sword. He prostrated fully, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠pleading desperately.

"Dragon Slayer! Please spare us!"

A talking lizard? I gawked at them groveling on the ground.