Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Became the Gallery's Only Reptile
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Honestly, I didn't expect replies to come in right away when I posted.
But it seems that was just wishful thinking on my part.
"Sh, Shaa?!"
Startled by the flood of comment notifications popping up one after another, I quickly checked the post I'd made.
[I just woke up here... What is this place?]
— Posted by: Yonggarisnaek
From what I can tell skimming the gallery, this seems like the Jijiyong world. But I have no idea why I got pulled here. Does anyone know?
The reaction was explosive.
It felt just like rotten veterans spotting a fresh newbie crying for attention.
Of course, it was all just greetings—no replies to what I actually wanted to know.
"Shaa?"
'Achievement? What does that mean?'
I immediately replied to one of the comments.
'...What?'
For a moment, I thought it was a joke.
But seeing the positive responses from the others, I realized it was true and my jaw dropped.
And then, memories from the past flashed through my mind.
A joke post saying that if you perfectly replicate the achievement you chose, the goddess summons you to another world.
Back then, I'd just laughed it off as one of those common troll posts.
But that post... wasn't a joke at all... it was real?!
'...Hold on. The achievement I picked before reincarnating as a snake was definitely...'
If we tier them, it was one of the absolute bottom-tier ones, not even scraping 5th tier.
[No Miss No Damage No Potion], infamously known as the Three Out achievement—the worst in all of Jijiyong.
Of course, the description was full of romance.
Land every single attack without missing. Take zero damage to your health. No need for even a single potion. Pure romance.
But compared to that setup, the actual abilities it granted were anything but good.
No wonder it's called the worst of the worst 5-tiers.
Even hardcore veterans avoid it. And that was the one I had active the last time I played.
"Shaa."
But why did I pick something like that?
'Because... it was fun.'
Other achievements lock you into fixed jobs and story routes for about half the game.
But the one I chose? It had massive drawbacks, but in exchange, it offered overwhelmingly higher freedom than any other.
No one believed my sincere words.
Well, who would believe someone cleared the game landing every hit, taking zero damage, without using a single potion?
But I did it. That's why I'm here.
"Shaa."
'But why am I an animal instead of a human?'
Looking at the gallery posts, people often upload selfies.
And they're all in human form.
No one else had a non-human shape like me.
'If I'm the only one like this...'
It'd be a little—no, extremely—depressing.
'No. Pull yourself together. No time to mope about that when my situation is this dire.'
I'm a newly hatched snake right now.
In other words, extremely weak.
If a carnivorous animal passes by? I could get eaten on the spot.
'First, I need to hide my body.'
A sanctuary known only to me, safe from the others.
I have to find it.
Ssss...
I slithered across the ground, twisting my body this way and that.
At first, the movement felt awkward, but I got used to it in no time.
Maybe because I'm a snake now. It even felt more comfortable than walking on two legs.
Rustle.
'Presence!'
Not far away, bushes rustled with signs of movement.
I quickly hid in nearby foliage and stared at the source.
"Hwoong."
'That's... a Mana Spirit Body?'
Mana Spirit Body.
Some might call it a creature because it moves around with a form, but according to Jijiyong lore, it's 100% not a living being—just mana clumped together visibly to the naked eye.
'If that's here, it means there's a mana-rich spot nearby.'
Beasts usually avoid or flee from abundant mana.
Which means it's my top priority for a nest!
'Gotta find it quick.'
I moved in the direction the Mana Spirit Body came from.
That should lead me straight to my goal.
Of course, I took breaks to scroll the gallery, checking for any useful info.
And to avoid leaving tracks, I was extra careful, diligently wiping my tail to erase signs as I slithered along.
Suddenly, a chill ran through my entire body.
Shiver shiver shiver.
"Sh, Shaa?"
'What is this creepy feeling?'
It felt like my instincts were screaming that moving forward meant death.
A predator nearby? But no matter how quietly I scanned, I saw no beasts or tracks.
'Tch. This isn't some minor misfeeling.'
Could I really call this a mistake when my whole body was prickling?
As I pondered the cause, I spotted the floating Mana Spirit Body ahead and realized.
'It's not a predator. It's... because I'm getting close to a place with ultra-pure concentrated mana!'
Yes. Proof that I'd reached my destination.
'Since I'm a snake, not human, I'm getting this beast-like warning to stay away, just like other animals?'
If anything, it made it easier to find.
Just head toward where the chill intensifies.
A method only possible because I'm a beast, not human.
I immediately followed the alarming sensation deeper inward.
Ssss... Halt.
'Whoo, this level of chill makes it really hard to press on.'
Even I, with a clear goal, hesitated—should I really go further? Maybe somewhere else?
But I couldn't stop here.
For my safety. And for my greater ambitions, a mana-rich spot was essential.
'Better distract myself another way.'
The closer I got, the heavier my body felt, movement growing laborious.
At this rate, I'd stop before reaching the goal.
So I opened the gallery to divert my attention a bit.
'I need my tail for moving, so just reading posts.'
Chicken skewers are definitely best at this shop lol.
— Posted by: Chocolate Mint Chicken
(Photo of glossy soy-glazed chicken skewers) See this? Teriyaki glaze, perfectly seasoned, using only thigh meat for tenderness. Everyone try it.
This is the limit. No more!
— Posted by: Sugar and Sugar
(Photos of papers covered in magic formulas and technical terms) My brain's at its limit! No more, you guys!!!!
Why pick mage then?
Reading the gallery posts definitely helped me breathe easier.
Or more accurately, it helped me ignore the sensations my senses were desperately trying to suppress.
'Jealous bastards.'
Excluding me, everyone else was human.
Some struggle desperately just to survive, while others fuss over memorizing a magic formula at their desk.
'Not that it's that hard... is it?'
Seeing the complex formulas and incomprehensible terms made my vision spin.
Unlike in-game, this is reality. To cast even one spell, you have to understand and memorize all that?
'Maybe I'm lucky to be born a snake...'
If I had to go through that grueling process as a mage, I might've quit ages ago.
Chill.
'Did I arrive?'
A murderous sensation incomparable to before.
Before, it just warned of danger ahead. Now, even the slightest movement felt like it could end me.
If I were human, I'd be drenched in cold sweat by now.
"Sh, Shaaa...?!"
'Cr, crazy. This is beyond what I imagined!'
Finally arriving, a massive cave loomed before me.
No signs of life at the chill entrance.
Dozens of Mana Spirit Bodies swirled around it.
'That many Mana Spirit Bodies? How much mana is gathered here?'
This had to be a leyline managing the area's mana.
Gulp.
'Alright. Let's go in.'
With this much mana concentrated, I could surely speed up my path to becoming a spiritual being.