Inhwa's Art
The day after recounting the tales of all the floors I'd traversed thus far.
[Come to think of it, this lady possesses such a skill as well.]
Snow remarked as if it had suddenly come to mind during our sparring that day. Her body was enveloped in a burst of light.
And the form that Snow revealed was...
[A, a human?]
Before my eyes stood a beauty with long, shimmering white hair cascading down her back.
A woman of transcendent beauty, to whom the phrase "a beauty to topple kingdoms" seemed utterly inadequate.
And completely nude, at that.
[What do you think? Quite novel, isn't it? I learned it long ago, but hadn't needed it until now, so I'd forgotten.]
With those words, Snow spun lightly on her heel.
Her dazzling white hair fluttered through the air.
"Cungcung—!"
Suli, who had been playing with To Soon-i (or rather, sparring with her) off to the side, came bounding over in excitement at the sight of her mother's changed form.
It was a cry that meant something like, 'Mommy? Is that really Mommy?'
[Yes, Suli. Your mother is right here.]
Snow gently scooped Suli into her arms. She spoke with evident admiration.
[Oh... In this form, I can hold Suli so comfortably. It's more pleasing than I expected.]
A kingdom-toppling beauty cradling a fluffy fox—it was like gazing upon a perfectly rendered painting.
I let out a small sigh of admiration.
The sight of a nude beauty stirred no particular emotion in me.
Had I still been human, it might have been different, but now our very species were worlds apart.
Even so, the memories of my human days made it feel a touch awkward.
[Ahem... Beautiful.]
[Hmm? Beautiful? This form, you mean?]
[Yes, by human standards, it's an exceptionally stunning appearance. Quite breathtaking.]
[Well, this lady's beauty is only to be expected.]
Even as she said it, her snow-white cheeks flushed a delicate pink.
I chuckled softly.
[Still, you should cover up a bit. By human standards, that's as good as being stark naked.]
[Hmm... Clothing, you mean? Indeed, I recall seeing humans dressed that way before. Wait just a moment.]
With that, Snow gently set Suli down from her arms.
She channeled her mana once more.
Clothing materialized over her body.
A lovely hanbok in harmonious shades of white and blue.
[How's this?]
[Still beautiful.]
[...Thank you.]
Snow murmured softly, averting her gaze.
From below, Suli cried out, "Cungcung!"—'Hug me again!'
I watched Snow scoop her up again as if it were the most natural thing in the world, then spoke.
[So, can I learn that too?]
[Learning it itself won't be difficult. The issue is adapting to the changed body.]
[What do you mean?]
[Just what I said. You have no legs, after all. I adapted easily enough, but for you, who never had them to begin with, it might take some time.]
This lady shall assist you.
I nodded with an "ahh" at Snow's added words.
I understood what she meant.
But contrary to her concerns, I doubted I'd have much trouble adapting.
After all, I had been human once.
'It'll feel a bit strange, sure. I've been in this body for so long.'
Still, adaptation shouldn't be an issue.
Intense movements might be tricky at first, but walking? That should come easily.
Afterward, I focused intensely on learning Inhwa's Art from Snow.
More diligently than the healing magic, gigantification, or size reduction techniques I'd studied before.
It wasn't nostalgia for my human days driving me.
If asked now whether I missed being human, I'd deny it without a second's hesitation.
So becoming human again wasn't all that important.
Yet I threw myself into Inhwa's Art for one reason: it tied directly to my revenge.
'Shin Jae-jun, Kim Jun-su, Lee Ha-na.'
Three names I could never forget.
Nearly three years as a snake, and not a moment had passed without them in my thoughts.
Even amid struggles for growth, even sharing days with Suli, Snow, and To Soon-i—even now, having come this far.
I never forgot them.
Plotting my revenge, I'd wrestled with countless dilemmas and schemes.
At first, I thought becoming a B- or A-rank high monster would make it effortless.
But deeper reflection revealed it wasn't so simple.
They were hunters; I, a monster.
We could meet inside the labyrinth without issue, but outside? Revenge would be impossible.
I'd considered lurking in the upper floors, waiting for them to enter, but that felt far too vague.
And they wouldn't come alone.
Forcing a revenge kill might draw a full raid party afterward—hardly a sound plan.
Above all, passively waiting clashed with my nature.
I needed to act proactively, shaping events rather than reacting.
That was one truth I'd gleaned from labyrinth life.
Thus, the need to venture outside the labyrinth.
The problem? I was too conspicuous—not just as a monster, but my sheer size.
Emerging like this would summon hunters in droves.
I could fell some, but if top hunters gathered, even I couldn't exact revenge amid the chaos.
That's where Snow's gigantification and size reduction came in.
Sidelining gigantification, size reduction paired with my Stealth would let me slip out unnoticed.
But then Inhwa's Art entered the picture.
How could I not learn it?
It offered far greater certainty than mere shrinking.
Beyond hiding, I could walk among humans, biding my time openly.
So I clung to Inhwa's Art.
One nagging thought: what of my left and right heads in human form?
They wouldn't sprout three heads like in monster form, right?
Imagining it was horrifying.
I prayed it wouldn't happen.
And as Snow had said, mastering Inhwa's Art wasn't hard.
Days of dedicated practice, and I succeeded in transforming into a human.
Thankfully, no three heads.
Left and right remained in my consciousness as always.
They were a bit pricklier without bodies to move, but no real issue.
Just one slight problem.
[Hmm. So confident, yet what a ridiculous sight.]
Snow's mocking voice rang in my ears.
She snorted derisively, then pranced ahead demonstratively—in human form, of course.
"Cungcung!"
Cries like 'Idiot! Daddy's an idiot!' echoed relentlessly.
Suli had scampered to my side, barking furiously.
With my lowered viewpoint, her face was right before my nose.
That part was nice, but...
I tried twitching my body—nothing doing.
Flat on the ground, I was helplessly stuck for the moment.
Yes.
Contrary to my expectations of easy adaptation, this new human body refused to budge.
[Oh my~ Look at your foolish father's pathetic display, Suli. You mustn't grow up to be such a sorry adult. Understood?]
"Cungcung—!"
I hung my head wordlessly at Suli's agreeing cry.
Utterly humiliating.
And wasn't Snow pricklier than usual?
[Should've accepted this lady's help graciously... No need to be stubborn... Tsk.]
I bowed my head deeper at her tongue-clicking.
Was she sulking over that?
Suli really did take after her mother.
Hours passed sprawled on the ground.
Finally, with Snow's reluctant aid, I managed to stand.
My trembling legs filled me with resentment.
[Something new where nothing was before—it's only natural to be this frail at first. But with your innate physical prowess, you'll strengthen quickly.]
So fret not.
I nodded slowly at Snow's calm addition.
It was somewhat comforting.
Walking right after transforming was absurd to begin with.
[By the way, that eyesore—mind covering it? It irritates me for some reason.]
Snow's gaze flicked downward.
Realizing it fixed precisely on my crotch, I shoved her away in panic.
And promptly collapsed in a heap.
[Tsk... No idea what you're doing, but it's idiotic... Best keep away from Suli for now, in your human state.]
Excruciatingly humiliating.
Days of training to adapt to this human body.
At last, I could walk on my own power.
And not just that—as Snow had promised, once initial adaptation set in, the rest came easily: running, intense movements, all effortless.
I had full control.
I was thrilled.
[So, when will you rid us of that monstrosity? Or shall this lady tear it off herself?]
I hurriedly conjured clothes with mana.
A hanbok like Snow's, in black tones.
Not difficult.
But Snow was terrifying.
My human appearance closely mirrored my old self.
Slightly sharper features, taller stature, bulkier build—but anyone who knew me would recognize me quickly.
I was deeply satisfied.
When I faced those three, they'd know exactly who exacted vengeance.
The thought brought a grin.
And that certain part, now several times larger than before? Immensely gratifying.
[Hmm~?]
"Cungcung—?"
...Though I'd likely never use it.
Adapting fully to Inhwa's Art brought gains beyond easier revenge.
I could hug Suli!
The moment I cradled her fluffy form, revenge vanished from mind.
This satisfaction trumped it all.
Things impossible in snake form—I indulged freely.
Ah, her paw pads are so soft.
Delightful.
Yes, yes. You too, To Soon-i. Let me pet you.
Especially around the ears...
Ah, ears are sensitive? Sorry.
No, why are you crying now?
What? That the missus will kill you?
Why would Snow...?
I wasn't even trying to hurt you...
Snow, watching silently, lay on her back in her gumiho form, belly exposed.
To Soon-i had already fled.
What did she want?
I stared blankly; her long tail tapped the ground in irritation.
After a moment's thought, I lightly stroked her body.
Only then did Snow wag her tail contentedly.
She seemed pleased.
Riding the momentum, I petted her everywhere.
Snow's breathing grew ragged.
Strange, intense sounds echoed in my mind.
The mood turned oddly charged—until Suli intervened.
Snow whipped me hard with her tail.
Thankfully, my stats remained intact even in human form—no real damage.
But why?
I'd only petted as instructed...
An utterly unjust night.