I Became an Evolving Lizard in a Martial Arts Novel-Chapter 306

Shik-Shik.

So that’s what the ones who attacked the Serpent Queen were?

Those things actually thought they could take her on?

...No, the Serpent Queen was injured right now.

That must be why those things dared to show up, completely unaware of their place.

Crack.

They’ll never step foot here again.

I’d make sure they understood—if you mess with the Serpent Queen, I’m the one who shows up.

I had to overwhelm them completely.

Boom!

And I did it not in my beast form, but as a human.

One by one, with a single strike.

Crackle!

“Kree—! Kreeee!”

“R-Run for it! Kreeeeek!”

I wanted to wipe them all out, but... it’d be better to let a few escape.

They needed to spread the word.

But of course, I wasn’t going to let the ones still tainted by the remnants of Taese go.

Boom!

Just like that, I took out all the intruders who still carried traces of Taese's corruption.

The rest, I let run.

Then I sprinted toward the Serpent Queen.

“My mate... what is that form...?”

She looked flushed. Her face was bright red.

“Are you okay? We should get you to the Heavenly Demon Cult, quick—”

“No! Ahem... I-I'm not that badly injured. I can stay here.”

She quickly waved her hand in denial.

Yeah, her internal energy still felt stable. She was probably not in danger.

We should talk inside the temple. It’d be safer there.

“Aaah... suddenly, my head feels faint.”

The proud Serpent Queen leaned her body against me.

She must be badly hurt if she’s acting like this.

If I’d come sooner, she wouldn’t have ended up like this.

My arm itched. Is that... guilt?

“Ehehe...”

Hm?

The Serpent Queen was now softly rubbing her face against my forearm, almost like she was licking it.

That explains the itch.

She must really be in pain to act like this.

I held her up and guided her into the temple.

*

“Hm, I see. So the moment you heard, you rushed all the way here for me...”

She was still gently stroking my arm.

I figured she could stop now, but didn’t say it aloud.

“There’s no need to worry too much. They were just some foolish troublemakers drunk on power they didn’t understand.”

How could I not worry?

She’d done so much for me—helping me both physically and emotionally, generously providing rare elixirs like Ten-Thousand-Year Golden Lingzhi, Fire Pearls, and Snow Ginseng.

Even when I asked her to aid me against powerful enemies like the Yongsaengguja, she helped without hesitation.

Our bond started thanks to Shik-Shik, and it’s one I never want to lose.

...Speaking of which, where is Shik-Shik?

Given the Serpent Queen’s reaction, she hadn’t been hurt by the attackers. So why wasn’t she here?

The Shik-Shik I knew would’ve rushed at me with a wagging tail, chirping and leaping into my arms like a spring.

“Shik-Shik? ...Wait, are you calling my daughter that?”

Huh?

She didn’t know?

Well, Shik-Shik only ever made that “shik-shik” sound around the Serpent Queen. She wouldn’t have known I named her that.

She’s Shik-Shik because she shik-shiks.

Thinking about it... she probably chirps or squeaks more often, but it’s still better than calling a snake “Chirpy.”

“Still, Shik-Shik isn’t the best name either. Hm, come to think of it, I never told you her real name.”

Shik-Shik’s real name?

“Dark Cloud Thunder Rose Spirit. That’s my daughter’s name.”

...Excuse me?

Isn’t that a bit much for someone like Shik-Shik?

Yeah, no. I didn’t hear anything.

You’re Shik-Shik. That, or Chirpy. Take your pick.

“Anyway, don’t worry. She’s doing just fine. She’s probably still asleep, didn’t even notice the attack.”

Asleep?

She’s cute when she sleeps—making soft chirping noises like “hyorong gororong”—but still, through all that noise?

“I bit her myself to put her to sleep.”

You what?

You mean you injected venom with your fangs?!

Sure, I’ve sometimes felt like nibbling Shik-Shik, but I’ve never actually done it!

But the Serpent Queen apparently couldn’t resist.

She must’ve ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) playfully put that chubby body in her mouth and accidentally nipped too hard.

“She needs plenty of rest at her age. Especially now.”

So it wasn’t an accident... you bit her on purpose?

...I guess snakes have their own parenting style. I won’t question it.

“But you... you even mastered the secret of human transformation in the meantime. I thought you were just a fledgling, but I see now you’re more mature than you look.”

Counting my past life, I’ve definitely passed twenty. Can’t call me young anymore.

And I was currently in a form that reflected that.

“Ehehe...”

She kept making that cute little laugh.

She usually only made that noise when she was eating rice cakes.

“What a wonderful day. My beloved has returned to my domain.”

It was true that I hadn’t visited in a while.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

The last time was when I asked for her help to fend off Gongbok and Akbulhwi.

I would’ve loved to come here every day, but I couldn’t.

I had to prepare for my showdown with the True Dragon.

“Serpent Queen.”

I called to her as she caressed my arm.

She was a powerful spirit beast.

So I’d thought she would be fine even if we weren’t together all the time.

But that’s not the case anymore.

If these low-level beasts could launch a surprise attack, then stronger enemies could too.

With war looming, not only the beasts of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains would make moves—outside forces would strike too.

This place wasn’t safe anymore.

Which is why I wanted her somewhere safe.

“No—Fasir.”

Dragons are greedy creatures by nature.

I’m no exception.

I want what I want, and I always go for it.

Especially when it comes to protecting what’s mine.

Which is why...

“Come live with me in my nest.”

Even if I have to push a little, I’m bringing Fasir and Shik-Shik with me.

The hand that was resting on my arm slipped away.

Yeah. I figured.

What I just said came from pure selfishness.

Fasir was the ruler of this forest before I ever entered her life.

To ask her to abandon her territory—especially for a spirit beast—was nothing short of an insult.

Just as I looked into her eyes, preparing to persuade her—

“Ehehe.”

Fasir smiled brightly, her expression completely melted.

“Mm... Mmm... I shouldn’t leave until my daughter’s grown, but... if my mate wants it this much... maybe just for a little while.”

And for some reason, she was lightly touching her lower abdomen with her hand.

“I need to... prepare to leave... ehehe...”

So unlike the usual Snake Queen, she was flustered.

“That tiny little lizard, grown up so much already...”

Still, I was relieved.

It seemed like she had accepted my proposal.

“You’re not feeling well. Don’t push yourself. I’ll take care of everything.”

“No, it’s not that bad... Mmm, though I suppose my body does feel rather weak.”

Weak?

“How about some nourishing food before we begin?”

Nourishing food, huh.

Is she saying we should eat first?

That I agree with.

Strength comes from food, and Snake Queen’s cooking skills weren’t half-bad.

Even without seasonings, she always managed to make food that looked quite appetizing, and now that she’s trading with Cheonma Divine Sect, she probably has more ingredients.

Or... since I’ve got a human body now, should I show off my own skills?

“Want me to cook?”

“W-What? You’ll... you’ll cook for me? Ehehe... That wouldn’t be bad either...”

Right, take it easy since you’re not feeling well.

Just as I was about to show off my culinary prowess—

Shlak.

Smooth scales wrapped around my body.

“...Huh?”

“Stay still.”

“Didn’t you say we were going to eat something?”

Did I misunderstand something?

Why is she tying me up when we’re supposed to eat?

“Isn’t it for nourishment? Vitality nourishment.”

Vitality... as in stealing yang energy for nourishment...?

“It won’t take long, don’t worry. Mmm, I’ll let you go once the moon changes and you return to your original form...”

That’s not “not long!”

A month is not “quick”!

And why is your tail slipping under my clothes?!

“Come here!”

“Kyaaaah!”

Wait, weren’t you hurt?!

Crack.

What’s with this tail strength?!

She’s clearly stronger than usual!

“Hehe... Don’t resist. According to what I read in books... it’s said one can exert seven times their usual strength...”

“Kraaaagh!”

You tricked me!

You said it was just for nourishment!

“You said you don’t touch baby lizards!”

“How is this a baby lizard! All I see is a grown mate!”

“Kraaaagh!”

Her entire body wrapped around me like a snake coil.

She’s just teasing again, right?

She’s going to let me go after a while, right?

There's a script, and I just need to play my part... right?

“Ehehe...”

Nope. I was wrong.

Her eyes had already glazed over.

With clumsy fingers, she began pulling off my black robe.

“You don’t know how long I’ve been holding back. This isn’t my fault. You’re the one who said that...”

Just as my upper robe was about to come off—

“Piiak?”

A familiar chirp stopped the Snake Queen’s movement.

Shik-Shik!

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

“...P-Princess, why are you awake already?”

“Piiiii...”

Shik-Shik yawned as she crawled over toward us.

As expected of Shik-Shik.

You came to save me!

“...Shiririk?”

Huh?

Wait a second.

Is that really Shik-Shik?

Huh? Shik-Shik looks...?

“PIYAAAAAK!”