Return to the 18th Floor
18th Floor.
The place where I died as a human and was reborn as a monster.
The past three years as a snake had been a nonstop struggle, but this was the spot where I'd fought the hardest of all.
Back on the 18th Floor once more, I quietly recalled old memories.
I hadn't been that strong back then—but precisely because I wasn't strong, I'd fought that much harder to survive.
How many times had I pushed myself to the brink, only to get careless and fall into danger?
Once I'd finally started getting the hang of things, I'd begun striving to grow stronger again.
Compared to now, those days seemed utterly insignificant, but that's exactly what made them so precious.
Having returned to my original body—no, to a human form—I avoided causing the usual commotion.
I quietly traced my memories as I walked.
The swamp at the heart of the 18th Floor.
It looked much the same as before overall, but one thing was different.
"The village is gone."
The lizardmen's village was no longer here.
I'd vaguely suspected as much ever since the queen's absence, so there was no shock.
Not even traces of the village remained; it was all pristine now. I promptly turned away.
My destination was eastward, toward the heart—the forest outskirts where my nest lay.
As I crossed the swamp and entered the woods, I emanated a moderate aura to avoid repeating past disasters.
It wasn't overwhelmingly strong, but in the upper floors, it would be enough to deter other monsters from rash attacks.
Here and there, I spotted wolves patrolling the forest.
Not the pristine white ones from the snow mountain zone, but the dull brown wolves etched in my memory: Silent Wolves.
Back then, just seeing them had made my blood boil, but now? They felt almost welcoming.
No—very welcoming.
Overcome with nostalgia, I dashed toward them. The wolves trembled, then let out a piercing howl.
It had been ages since I'd heard that long, drawn-out cry.
That felt welcoming too.
But why?
As nocturnal monsters, wolves rarely howled to summon allies during the day unless something major was afoot.
Yet here they were, howling... Had a major threat appeared?
Come to think of it, I was radiating a certain presence.
Not too intense, lest it backfire—just around B- or C-rank level... Yeah, that must be it.
Of course. I was the big threat.
Made perfect sense.
Soon enough, wolves poured in from all directions.
Seeing them swarm like this stirred up fresh waves of old memories.
I'd thought I'd culled their numbers back then, but somehow they'd multiplied again.
Pests... no, wolves really did need periodic extermination.
To celebrate my return, maybe I'd wipe them out?
And amid the gathering pack, I spotted a familiar face.
A Gray Killer Wolf—a drab gray brute larger than the rest.
Not the exact same one from before, but still a welcome sight.
Especially since there were three of them.
That was surprising.
But it didn't end there.
A massive specimen emerged, so huge the regular Silent Wolves looked like pups beside it.
Its pitch-black fur gleamed proudly—a total newbie I'd never seen before.
C-rank, from what I sensed.
No name came to mind, but it had to be this floor's boss.
Had the wolves seized dominance after I left?
As I marveled for a moment, the wolves growled threateningly: "Grrr—"
Only then did I snap back to the present.
Oh right. I'm surrounded.
They'd gathered so cutely that I'd forgotten.
I pondered briefly.
Back then, wolves had made my blood boil, sure—but that was then. This was now.
Revenge was settled long ago, and these weren't the same wolves anyway.
Maybe I'd let them live this time?
Nah, they were swarming too thickly. It was gross.
Like cockroaches.
Time to thin the herd a bit.
And while I was at it, teach that black one a lesson too.
It had been glaring down arrogantly. Annoying.
If I weren't in human form right now, it'd look like a speck next to my true size.
It needed a lesson in humility.
And so, I gave them a thorough thrashing.
I even took down two Gray Killer Wolves.
Three felt like one too many.
In the process of adjusting their population, the forest took a bit of a beating.
I'd absentmindedly used fire magic at first, toppling a few trees—oops, my bad.
I wanted to preserve this forest exactly as I remembered it.
Afterward, I let the fleeing wolves go and hurried on.
I'd dawdled quite a bit; time to pick up the pace.
* * *
Finally, I reached my old nest.
As expected, it was crawling with monsters inside.
The queen's mana that had sustained it had run dry.
Even the cavern where I'd lived had new residents.
I reached in casually, and out came a Horn Rabbit, dangling.
Yep, thriving just fine.
Sorry for disturbing you.
In the small clearing at the center of the nest—the spot where I'd grinded stats or trained my mana—I quietly sat down.
The 18th Floor matched my memories in many ways, but plenty had changed too.
Like the queen had, maybe I should cloak the area in my mana?
Easy enough at my current level.
I mulled it over, then shook my head.
No real need.
This place had its own monsters living here now.
Just like me back then—at least here, I hoped they could live in peace.
How long had I been lost in nostalgia?
I sensed presences approaching.
About twenty of them.
Not hunters, from their auras, but serious business.
All E-rank or higher, four D-ranks, and one C-rank.
Odd.
Wasn't that black wolf the floor boss?
Another boss-tier monster?
Time to check it out.
I rose quietly.
No matter how much had changed since my day, I didn't want to wreck the area—so I'd go out to meet them.
And there they were: lizardmen.
I'd seen plenty on the way up to the 18th Floor, but these—the ones with history here—felt especially welcoming.
A hundred times more than the wolves, even.
But the warmth faded quickly.
These weren't the ones I remembered.
Wise Scale was gone, and so were the lizardmen I'd bonded with.
My excitement settled into calm.
For a moment, my sour mood made me want to wipe them out on the spot—but I held back.
They were 18th Floor lizardmen, tied to the ones led by Wise Scale.
I still owed a debt from back then; no point taking it out on these guys.
So I gestured for them to leave.
Suddenly, the lead lizardman dropped to his knees and bowed deeply.
The others followed suit.
What...?
"Zzz—Zzaa—!!!"
[Returned! Great Offspring!]
Shock and confusion hit me as I stared at the kneeling leader.
C-rank—the one I'd pegged as boss-tier.
Pathetic from my view, but its mana far outstripped the others; definitely a shaman.
Wise Scale?
The thought flashed through my mind. I asked hastily.
But no, it wasn't Wise Scale.
And yet, in a way, it was.
Are you Wise Scale?
No. I am not the Wise Scale from the Offspring's memories. But I am Wise Scale.
...What does that mean?
I inherited the name. I am the survivor from back then.
Disappointment at "not Wise Scale" lasted a second—then its words widened my eyes.
I scrutinized its face. Familiar, somehow.
I hadn't caught the scent with my tongue in this form, so it took a moment.
Sure enough, scanning the kneeling ones behind...
Three D-rank lizardmen.
Yep—them too. Familiar faces.
You guys! You're still alive?!
Overjoyed, I pulled them into a hug.
Like reuniting with old comrades I'd never expected to see again.
No—exactly that.
War buddies I'd written off forever, after two and a half years.
But how...? How did you survive? What happened to the village? Wise Scale?
The new Wise Scale answered my barrage.
The previous Wise Scale said humans would come. So we prepared to survive.
What preparations...?
We moved the young and eggs to the forest outskirts. We struggled to live. The previous Wise Scale and great warriors all died fighting.
...I see.
Also, the previous Wise Scale said: Wait for the time. The Great Offspring will surely return. Pretend to be dead until then, and we can live. And you really returned. Stronger, Great Offspring. We are glad.
Its tale pieced together the story.
I bit my lip briefly.
Yeah, I'd said something like that back then.
The night before I left: If I returned safely, I'd repay the favor.
Had Wise Scale clung to that promise, making his survivors wait all this time?
Thoughts swirled, but I kept them inside.
I just calmly patted the new Wise Scale's shoulder.
You waited well.
Tears welled in its eyes as it nodded fervently.
The three surviving great warriors were much the same.
Only the other lizardmen, clueless about the history, bowed awkwardly.
So how'd you recognize me?
I gained mana sense upon evolving. I know the Great Offspring's mana. It was hidden meticulously, but I felt it. Great Offspring, you thrashed the wolves' king?
Ah, yeah—just taught it a bit of humility.
Glad. The wolves' king always picked fights with us. Happy you disciplined it.
...I'll go back later and finish it off properly.
After the brief reunion, as we headed to their new village, the new Wise Scale and his trio cheered.
Anyway, you and the others have gotten seriously strong. Honestly, impressive.
...Perhaps because we passed by the old queen's sanctuary.
Hm. At this level, you could've survived on your own without waiting for me... Why didn't you?
Humans are strong. We do not fear death. But we hate meaningless death. Also... we wanted to meet you, Great Offspring.
I see... Oh, I haven't said it yet—my name is now Nyx.
Wise Scale nodded vigorously.
Its mind echoed with quiet repetitions of "Nyx, Nyx"—memorizing it.
I watched fondly for a moment, then we arrived at the lizardmen's new village.
But...
...This is your new village?
I blinked at the sight.
No, this isn't a village so much as...
Compared to the old one, it was basically just living in the wild as-is.
Many lacks, but comfortable place! Great Offspring... no, Nyx will like it! We prepare utmost hospitality!
Wise Scale boasted proudly. I had plenty to say, but swallowed it.
...I'll make sure you live well.
The time to repay that old debt had finally come.
Starting with their living situation.