Selling My Scales One by One Would Make Me Rich Quick

-Welcome, Lord Pellelian.

A voice rang out. Thud. The iron door I'd just passed through slammed shut behind me. No one would be getting through that now. Unlike the previous door that had opened with just a few knocks, this one had a far more intricate locking mechanism.

-You went through all that trouble just because of your damn biometric authentication.

'Tell ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me about it.'

Pellelian had originally designed the iron door to require his own blood smeared into it for entry. At the same time, it needed voice authentication and a pulse of his unique mana signature to unlock. It was overkill. I'd nearly made it all the way here only to be locked out. Luckily, since he'd designed the security himself, he'd built in a backdoor for emergencies.

'What is this, some kind of public certificate system?'

-What's that?

'Never mind.'

The lights flickered on. Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop. It sounded just like those halogen lamps kicking on in a Hollywood movie when someone enters an abandoned warehouse. A neatly organized corridor stretched before me. I tensed up instinctively. What if a golem suddenly activates again? Given how well-preserved the dungeon seemed, it didn't look like the half-destroyed guard golems from before would be waiting. Thinking back on it now, those golems had been insanely powerful. Even as I was now, I probably couldn't beat them.

-Hah hah, no need to worry. There are no traps or security measures inside.

Pellelian chuckled at my fear, clearly enjoying himself. Damn mischievous old geezer.

'So what's different about this place?'

-Dungeon 123 wasn't designed with outsiders in mind. It was made solely for my personal use. That's why the external security is ironclad, but the interior is comfortable.

Made sense. This time, the moment I entered, a voice had greeted, 'Welcome, Lord Pellelian.' The previous dungeon had been called the "Laboratory." This one was the "Magic Stone Vault."

A sudden curiosity struck me.

'But you know, with all these dungeons, couldn't you just send someone else in to fetch them?'

-Ah...

'Like asking a friend to grab some magic stones for you.'

With security this tight, that'd be impossible. If he had to come personally every time, it'd be a hassle.

Pellelian fell silent. He didn't speak again until I'd almost forgotten I'd ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠asked.

-...I don't have friends.

'Knew it!'

I jumped in surprise.

-Huh?

'I meant you don't have friends.'

-Yeah.

For a second, I'd thought he was saying I had no friends. Embarrassed, I played it cool and pressed on.

'What about trustworthy comrades, then?'

-...

Pellelian went silent again. A long pause later, he replied.

-None.

'Reliable subordinates?'

More silence.

-...Don't think so.

If I were a truly wicked snake, I'd have asked right then: An elf like you must have lived forever—how is that possible? Surely you have family? Siblings or at least parents you could ask!

But I'm not that ruthless. Pellelian had sworn to me: he'd answer my questions honestly and obey my words. Still, that didn't mean I treated him like an unpaid slave. Unless it was absolutely necessary, I didn't pry. If I'd really asked that, he'd have felt humiliated. When you take someone in, you have to embrace them with your heart. True loyalty can't be forced.

Though Pellelian probably had no idea I saw him as a subordinate.

-What are you staring at? You can tell from that thing over there.

'Staring at nothing. We need to get to the magic stone storage quick.'

-We're going! I'm leading the way!

Pellelian bickered with me but kept the conversation flowing. When talk turned to evolution, his voice brightened instantly, like he'd never been grumpy.

-Forget those results. You mean the special evolution conditions we checked in the chimera dungeon before.

-In my view, your evolution tree has no limits.

'Whoa.'

He'd pierced right through my Potential of 20. As expected of Pellelian. I asked the question burning in my mind.

'Does that mean I could suddenly evolve into some other monster?'

-Other monster?

'Yeah, like a centipede.'

A centipede popped into my head, so I blurted it out.

-Possible, but also impossible.

I hated vague answers like that. Fortunately, Pellelian elaborated.

-If your next evolution gives you legs, the one after that adds a carapace, and the next adds venomous claws, you could evolve into a centipede-line monster. But why bother?

I had no intention of doing that either.

-Coincidentally or not, you're evolving very efficiently. I explained that each monster type has a limit to how many times it can evolve, right?

'Yes, teacher.'

-You've evolved multiple times in a short period, yet you still have tons of room left. Even for lowly things like snakes, centipedes, or spiders, multiple evolutions are rare.

We agreed not to call them lowly. But it felt like praise, so I let it slide.

'What do you mean by efficient evolution?'

-Efficient evolution doesn't necessarily mean becoming a stronger monster type. In some ways, it's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the opposite.

'Then what?'

-It means you can evolve in a direction with even greater potential. Suppose you went a different path instead.

Professor Pellelian launched into lecture mode.

-Little Green Snakes have diverse evolution trees, but the most common path enlarges their size: Little Green Snake to Green Snake to Giant Green Snake.

-Many stop there.

'That's it?!'

-With luck, they might reach Green Snake King. A Giant Green Snake is a 10-meter behemoth. But stopping after just three evolutions? Pathetic.

Compared to my third evolution into White Double-Horn Python, yeah, lame.

-To go further, you'd need to evolve into a higher type before Giant Green Snake. Paths like becoming a python, like you, exist.

'What about Medusa Mom?'

-Medusa Serpent? That's a special evolution path too.

'Serpent.' A higher-class snake monster than plain snake or python.

-A serpent that gains petrification evolves into Medusa Serpent. But that's a dead end too—probably can't evolve again.

Oh ho. So my hunch that Medusa Mom could evolve further was right.

-You should aim for serpent too. It's a special path even named snake monsters take.

No way I was becoming a Medusa Serpent. Too ugly.

One thing Pellelian said stuck with me.

'Named snake monsters?'

-Some are recorded, others presumed alive. I'll explain later. Focus on your current evolution.

My priority special evolution condition. He said it casually.

-There's an efficient, guaranteed method. A secret only I know...

'What is it?!'

The answer was anticlimactic.

-Eat a ton of high-grade magic stones.

'Ah.'

-Normally impossible at your level. Where would a monster get that many?

True enough. Not all monsters drop magic stones, and high-grade ones come from insanely strong beasts.

But this was Pellelian's vault. A veritable buffet.

-Mana saturation evolution like before won't work anymore. But this is better. You'll evolve into a type that can wield massive mana!

My heart swelled.

'Finally, I can become a true swordmaster!'

Learning Invisible Hand magic? My pulse raced. I'd become the grandmaster of snake swordsmanship.

-...Magic is the ultimate discipline.

Pellelian tsked but pointed with a finger.

-Pull that lever.

I did. Clunk. The wall slid open. Hiss—white steam billowed out. A chill filled the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠air. A display case popped forward.

-Behold my magic stone collection. Marvel at it.

'Whoa!'

I'd imagined a dusty warehouse, not this. Crystal panels encased them like a jewelry box—or a high-end chocolatier's display, since they were edible. Dozens filled the shelves.

The smallest were bean-sized grade 1 magic stones.

Next came grade 2s, 3s, and 4s—the latter acorn-sized. Pellelian burst into laughter.

-Eat your fill, snake! As much as you can!

Probably until mana saturation hit and I couldn't anymore. Even the chimera's grade 4 stones had filled me after two.

Pellelian made an even bolder offer.

-Take the leftovers in your subsapce, as much as it holds.

No need to say that.

-...Why so quiet? Overwhelmed with gratitude?

His tone dripped false kindness. After our time together, I knew his character well enough.

'There's more, right?'

-Huh?

'Magic stones. This isn't all.'

The best I'd eaten were the chimera's two grade 4s—a terrifying foe even now. But for Pellelian? Hiding all this in a massive dungeon for just grade 4s? No way.

I voiced my displeasure aristocratically.

'Show me the good stuff before I leave.'

-...

'Silence won't cut it. Be honest.'

We'd just talked trust, but a snake takes what he can.

Pellelian grumbled forever before nodding.

-Pull the right lever again.

I did. Hiss—another case emerged. Finally, I could smile.

Fewer, but thicker. A grade 9 even. How high do these go?!

'No more hiding?'

-You think magic stones pop out of every monster kill, you brat?! Higher grades I sold for cash! Happy now?!

'Why get mad?'

Pellelian fumed. I comforted him.

'If I don't take them, the fairies will loot it all.'

-Who knows... If I collapsed the rock, maybe no one finds it.

'Ahem.'

Pellelian conceded.

-Eat what you can. Return the rest later.

If he ever regained his body, that is.

-Start with low-grades. Or your body might actually explode. No joke.

I nodded. That was true.

'Then I'll dig in.'

Started with grade 1s. Wonder what monster these came from? Even same-grades tasted different, based on origin.

-You're eating well.

Devoured all ten grade 1s.

A plus appeared beside my level. Next, grade 2s. Ten gone easy.

-Feeling full yet? Skin itchy?

'Nah.'

Grade 3s hit different. Even one from a hybrid chimera had been a feast before.

Two pluses now.

-This is weird...

Despite Pellelian's worry, no burden. Was my Potential a foodie talent? Finished all grade 3s. Starting to feel full.

Grade 4s were tough. Nearly finished when it hit—body felt like bursting. Not stomach, something deeper.

-Insane. You're a monster.

Pellelian went from regretful to awestruck.

-Don't push...

'Hold on.'

I had one trick left. Some skills at lv10.

Right, evolve skills. But something extra appeared.

My heart raced. Perfect.

I could now physically steal hearts. But did that replace separate Bite and Leap? Need to check later.

'Urk.'

Essence drained fast. Back to eating.

-How much more can you eat?!

Pellelian was ecstatic. Finished grade 4s, started grade 5s. Shockingly, two grade 5s maxed me out.

My limit, huh.

-Five times what I expected...

Pellelian muttered, looking burned out. Time to evolve. I was stuffed and sleepy anyway.

-There'll be mana-saturation related options. Check carefully!

I'd planned to anyway. Settling in, I closed my eyes. Like always, sleep took me instantly.

* * *

Wait, hot pink? From the Crimson Tarantula King's inner core? White + red...? Hard pass. No dignity loss.

No green! When does that vanish? Anything magic stone related? Last option. My scales prickled instinctively. This one.

Crystal. Gem, crystal. I could picture it—my skin gleaming like jewels. Crystal snakes or lizards were rare in games. Technically white-ish. Heaven's gift for not abandoning white. Magic stones looked crystalline too. Others changed color or ignored mana. Maybe scale reinforcement? Patterns had effects; scales probably did too. No reason to hesitate.

Evolution started.

* * *

Meanwhile, outside. Day one since new chieftain Nanaruk and the holy serpent Ululululu slew Crock.

Nanaruk evolved in Crock's old hut; Ululululu still hadn't emerged from underground.

The Runka tribe warriors who'd claimed this place beamed. Their new king—virtuous unlike Crock—would lead Great Forest goblins to glory.

Hobgoblins like Zadiram, who'd fought, were thrilled too. No threats left, yet Zadiram and Kadiram volunteered for guard duty.

"Chieftain okay?"

"Yeah, collapsed but should wake soon. Heh heh."

Chatting happily—until someone approached.

"Hey. Hobgoblins."

Kadiram and Zadiram startled. They'd sensed nothing, yet a man stood before them. Ill-suited for humid Great Forest: long coat, hat. Slender tall build. Beautiful face, ashen skin. Long ears. A shadow elf.

"Where's Crock?"

His gloomy question was halting but clear goblin-tongue.

Zadiram and Kadiram grabbed weapons.

"Who are you?!"

-...Hmph.

The shadow elf tsked.

"That idiot. Dead after all."

"Reveal yourself!"

Kadiram bellowed threateningly. The shadow elf muttered indifferently.

Kadiram glanced at Zadiram, unsure—

"Kek, kuh."

I must've misseen. A huge hole in Zadiram's throat. Blood gushed; he crumpled.

"You."

The shadow elf wiped blood from his hand.

"Guide me to the dungeon."