Naming the Lizardmen
The Lizardmen had evolved.
A few who were E-rank had risen to D-rank, some of the D-rankers among them to C-rank.
And the triplets, who had been C-rank, had grown all the way to B-rank.
The triplets had evolved into the same [Dragnuyt] form as Wise Scale.
Unlike Wise Scale, who seemed specialized in magic, their muscles were incredibly developed.
I celebrated with them lavishly.
All that hard work has paid off, right?
Hasn't it?
So from now on, we can ramp up the training intensity a bit...
The evolved Lizardmen, triplets included, all latched onto my tail.
They begged me to spare them.
No, isn't cranking up the intensity after evolving a given?
Just like iron gets harder the more you hammer it, the same goes for people... no, monsters.
If you let yourselves get hammered hard, you'll toughen up too.
I know from experience.
Did I ever tell you?
Among my stats, my durability is the highest.
It used to be agility or strength at the top...
Anyway, that's how I've survived more times than I can count.
So let's work hard, you guys.
I'll train you plenty.
Eh, no need to thank me.
This is mandatory.
Wise Scale, who had been enduring the harshest training compared to the others, quietly comforted the triplets.
Thud—he gave their shoulders a light pat, and they bowed their heads deeply.
No, Wise Scale. I'm planning to up your intensity too.
The frontrunners got caught by the pack, didn't they?
That won't do for a chieftain's face.
Wise Scale clung to the tip of my tail.
He begged desperately for mercy, but it was no use.
Don't worry, you won't die.
I know from experience.
I'll make you really tough.
Eh, these days even mages pump up their durability.
Dodging with agility only works so much—get grazed once and you pop anyway. Better to toughen up and take one more hit, right?
Can't wrap your head around it?
Then just accept it quietly.
And so, the Lizardmen's training intensity went up.
Their faces were pale as ghosts, but when push came to shove, they kept up without issue.
If you're this good, why'd you resist so much?
Maybe we can crank it up a notch more...
This time they wailed for death instead.
I had no choice but to call it here.
The left head smirked, saying it was self-inflicted.
...No. Like I said last time, we're one body.
After that, I got my throat thoroughly chomped.
Snow wrecked me too.
You really have to experience it yourself to know—now I could understand the Lizardmen's feelings.
Sorry, kids.
I reflected.
The evolution news wasn't just for the Lizardmen.
The Surprise Birds had evolved too.
Early one morning, as I headed to their nest for eggs like always, there they were—suddenly much bigger.
I didn't know the species, but they were definitely D-rank monsters now.
They seemed to have evolved based on the surroundings; their bodies were pure white.
They looked just like swans.
Following the custom where the first discoverer names the monster, I named them this time too.
Naming: [White Swan].
'Swan' already means white swan, but whatever.
It's not like I'm telling anyone.
Honestly, I first thought of 'Snow Swan' from 'snow white swan,' but it reminded me too much of Snow or Suli, so I changed it quick.
Living in the Snow Mountain Zone makes everything feel 'snow'-related.
Think ahead—gotta find more varieties...
Afterward, I gave individual names to the Surprise Birds... no, now White Swans.
Unlike the Lizardmen, there weren't that many—just four—so naming was easy.
They give us fresh eggs every day; this much is fine, right?
I went with 'Iljo', 'Ijo', 'Samjo', 'Sajjo'—nice and fitting.
The 'jo' comes from the 'bird' radical, for reference.
To me, they were just casual names, but they hit different for the swans.
The flock burst into tears as one.
They seemed deeply moved...
As the guy who slapped them together, it stabbed at my conscience.
No, snakes have no conscience.
So I saw nothing...
Somehow word spread, and the Lizardmen swarmed me en masse.
Their vibe was off—intense.
I heard them out.
Long story short, one reason.
They wanted names too.
The swans... no, White Swans had come bragging, apparently.
Looks like chicken for dinner tonight.
Anyway, the news was out, and now the Lizardmen were protesting in force.
Main demand: names for them too.
So I asked,
[Why the obsession with names? You've lived fine without them till now, haven't you?]
[Name means much. Proof as true subordinate.]
The representative Lizardman's answer made sense.
No, even without names, you're already my subordinates...
I was a bit stumped.
As we bickered, Snow, watching leisurely from the side, spoke up.
[Why not just name them casually like always? From what I hear, they just crave belonging... Meaning aside, having names to call each other makes a difference. Better give them something.]
The Lizardmen nodded vigorously at Snow's calm voice.
Some even cheered, praising her.
Wait, weren't you guys scared of Snow?
Since when's she your idol?
'It's grit!' they replied—clearly brainwashed.
Snow, you terrifying fox...
Anyway, I had no choice but to name the Lizardmen too.
Couldn't come up with thirty names on the spot, so I recycled some letters.
Riga, Lina, Lida, Lira, Lima...
Zaga, Zana, Zada, Zara, Zama...
Droga, Druna, Druda, Drura, Druma...
Saved the rest for future hatchlings. If they multiply more, next batch starts with 'Man'.
I really tried.
The Lizardmen erupted in cheers.
A short echo rang through the quiet snow mountains.
Suli, napping in Snow's embrace, startled awake.
Was it that good...?
Anyway, their reaction exceeded expectations.
Bigger than when I first built their home.
Should've named them sooner if I'd known.
Started daunting, but once I got going, it was nothing.
Watching them dance in a circle, weird moves and all, warmed me oddly.
Soon Suli and To Soon-i joined the fun.
[Well, that seems done. Time to start today's routine. It's late—gotta make it tighter than usual.]
The Lizardmen froze as Snow rose smoothly.
Right.
Today's duties weren't over.
[I watched quietly, but you tormented this lady's husband well... You thought through the aftermath, I presume?]
Snow's serene voice chilled the air.
A bit touched, I quietly scooped up Suli and To Soon-i.
Looks risky here—let's play over there.
Dad'll make it fun.
Yeah? Mom's busy, so we'll play just us for now.
She'll be back soon.
Just us till then.
Then the Lizardmen's wails filled the quiet snow mountains.
With that settled, the White Swans arrived.
Apologizing for earlier?
Nah, the chicken bit was a joke.
* * *
Nope.
They were protesting: their names were slapped together, but the Lizardmen got cool ones.
Chicken's on the menu tonight, looks like.
Watching the swans flee with hasty apologies, the triplets showed up.
They already had names, along with Wise Scale, and had watched quietly from the side.
So, what's your business...?
Same as the swans.
Come to think of it, lizard meat tastes like chicken, right...?
Pair it with the chicken...
I sighed softly at the triplets bolting away.
This should be the last...
To Soon-i, what's yours?
You wanna end up on the menu too...?
[A-ahj! J-just wanted to thank you for this pretty name! Thank you, Master!]
Oh, that's fine then.
Yeah, yeah. Thanks.
Our To Soon-i's so quick on the uptake.
I petted her thoroughly for a while.
To Soon-i's such a good girl.
But To Soon-i, why're you shaking?
You too, maybe...?
For her safety, I decided not to pry further.
The right head was licking its chops, sensing opportunity.
Ask more, and it'd swallow her under 'punishment' pretense.
In this vibe, the Lizardmen were adapting to the Snow Mountain Zone.
Wise Scale and the triplets were fine already; at this pace, the rest could survive solo soon.
Meaning family outings weren't far off.
'Once the Lizardmen are fully settled, we leave. Meet Arde and the Red Wyvern first... But can Suli or To Soon-i handle the Lava Zone? If not, shortest path...
I pondered future plans quietly.
I wanted to show Suli and Snow—lifelong snow-dwellers—diverse landscapes ASAP.
'Maybe outside foods too, if possible.'
Suli's reaction aside, Snow's intrigued me.
She seemed unlikely, but her responses in these areas were always spot-on.
'Me and Snow have Inhwa's Art, no issue. Suli and To Soon-i... Claim taming?'
Introducing my daughter as a tamed monster felt off, but it was the only way out of the labyrinth for them now.
'...Snow aside, would Suli and To Soon-i be okay meeting hunters?'
Not safety with guardians, but worry about Labyrinth Will corruption.
'...Gotta discuss with Snow.'
Mental resistance skill in short term would be ideal, but unrealistic.
'Anyway, not far off.'
Good thing Lizardmen kept pace—no need for alternatives.
Hoping they grow fast.