Chapter 103 I’ve Been Missing Out on Half My Life!
Hehehe.
Hehehe, really?
That was a laugh the Snake Queen I knew would never make.
And the same went for Shikshik.
She, too, seemed to be in complete shock.
So, naturally…
“Gehehe.”
“Hieehe.”
…it was only fair that we tease her.
Honestly, I had harbored some vague fear of the Snake Queen.
And rightfully so, considering she was still an overwhelmingly powerful spiritual creature whose level I couldn’t even fathom.
Her first impression had been terrifying enough to make my legs go weak, so it was only natural.
Of course, as we spent time together and grew closer, some of that fear had dissipated.
I realized she was much gentler than I initially thought, and she was generous enough to share elixirs with me.
She also had a vast internal energy pouch.
Moreover, she spent more time in her human form than in her true form.
Maybe it was because she found it more comfortable, or perhaps she was being considerate of me and Shikshik.
Whatever the reason, it was good for me.
Of course, even in her human form, she retained that distinct aura.
Whenever she looked at me with those snake-like eyes and quietly flicked her tongue, I could fully understand what it felt like to be a mouse in front of a giant snake.
But how about now?
Even the cowardly Tang So-yeong would feel safe enough to playfully pinch the Snake Queen’s cheeks if she saw her like this.
Although, there might be a new statue of Tang So-yeong added to the temple afterward.
“…Didn’t I say it was a misunderstanding?”
The Snake Queen trembled slightly, but she couldn’t hide her now rounded eyes.
Shikshik was the Snake Queen’s daughter.
It wasn’t possible for them not to look alike.
The Snake Queen had a face that anyone could tell belonged to a snake.
Even if she took on a human form.
In contrast, Shikshik, while still very much a snake, had a round face that somehow made you think of a puppy.
There was that difference between the two.
But now, that difference had narrowed significantly.
No one would doubt they were mother and daughter now.
She was undoubtedly Shikshik’s mother.
Round and round.
I wondered if the Basilisk was actually an evolved Ball Python.
That thought crossed my mind.
“Gehehe.”
I mimicked the Snake Queen’s laugh while wiggling my body.
“Hiekek.”
Shikshik wagged her tail in response.
The Snake Queen, seemingly having no resistance to being teased, was at a loss for what to do and hung her head low.
Her ears turned bright red.
Showing something like that only made it harder for me to stop.
“Stop it.”
Teasing others is the most fun thing in the world.
“Gehek!”
“Hieek…”
Suddenly, Shikshik’s voice changed.
I turned my head to look at Shikshik.
No, to be precise, I looked at where Shikshik had been.
Where did she go?
Before I could even figure out what was happening, I found myself airborne.
The Snake Queen had grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and lifted me.
“Ge, geck!”
Let go!
I opened my mouth wide, planning to strike the fingers holding me up, but I was too weak to do so with my neck grabbed like this.
“Hieeek!”
Quick-witted Shikshik was already squirming away to escape.
Hey, that’s my Shikshik!
“Kn-grrrr.”
The Snake Queen ground her teeth.
“Geck.”
Yes, ma’am.
I nodded vigorously.
I’ll stop teasing you.
The Snake Queen sighed once and placed me back on the ground.
Then she grabbed Shikshik’s tail, dragging her back, and continued in a calm voice.
“…I wanted to show you how dangerous Okbong’s honey can be.”
Shikshik and I exchanged glances.
No one would be foolish enough to believe that.
But if we argued, we’d end up turned to stone.
“Surely, you don’t think I made that noise just because one rice cake ball was tasty?”
Of course not.
“Geck geck.”
“What kind of face is that?”
What’s wrong with my face?
“Are you really thinking that a Queen would be so easily swayed by a single drop of Okbong’s honey?”
It’s not that extreme, but…
“To be honest, Okbong’s honey doesn’t hold that much appeal for me. As I mentioned earlier, it was simply to show you that such people exist.”
I nodded, but I felt a mischievous urge rising.
The Snake Queen’s eyes were slowly returning to their usual sharpness.
She was denying Okbong’s honey with her mouth.
So, what would happen if I offered her another one?
I still had my rice cake ball left, untouched.
“Geck geck.”
“Indeed, I don’t find Okbong’s honey…”
The Snake Queen’s eyes twitched.
It was because she saw the rice cake ball in my tiny hand.
“Ahem, cough! Quickly, put that in your mouth.”
I shook my head.
“Gegeck.”
I then subtly pushed the rice cake ball toward the Snake Queen.
Want another one?
The Snake Queen glanced at Shikshik out of the corner of her eye.
Shikshik was completely focused on finishing the rice cake ball she had started earlier.
The Snake Queen looked at Shikshik once.
Then at the rice cake ball.
Then at me.
Then at the rice cake ball again.
Gulp.
“…If you’re so insistent, I suppose I could take care of it for you.”
“Geck geck.”
Come on, easily swayed Queen.
“Ugh.”
The Snake Queen finally gave in and took the rice cake ball from me with a resigned expression.
Chomp.
Munch.
The Snake Queen’s expression softened.
The first time she made that laugh, it must have been an accident.
“Hehehe…”
A silly laugh escaped the Snake Queen’s lips.
She quickly covered her mouth, but she couldn’t hide her relaxed expression.
…The first time, it was understandable.
She might have made that sound unconsciously.
But for her to do it again after being cautious?
Could it be that Okbong’s honey really is that dangerous?
That’s unlikely.
Shikshik also had a strong reaction, but it wasn’t nearly as pronounced as the Snake Queen’s.
It was just that the Snake Queen had a sweet tooth.
The Snake Queen, who had been laughing foolishly, suddenly looked conflicted.
“I suppose there’s no going back now…”
Please don’t say things that could be misunderstood.
“I feel like I’ve been missing out on half my life.”
…And is it really appropriate to use the word ‘life’?
—
The Snake Queen carefully stored the remaining rice cake balls in the container.
Judging by how she gulped, she would probably eat them soon, but that’s up to her.
I didn’t really need those rice cake balls anyway.
The status window didn’t recognize them as an elixir, and I had already picked up plenty in the Silver Dragon Cave.
Besides, since the Snake Queen liked them so much, I could afford to give them up.
The Snake Queen had given me far more than I had given her.
You could say she was a Basilisk that gave without holding back.
Of course, I wasn’t acting with any expectations, but if she insisted on giving me something, I wouldn’t refuse.
After tucking away the rice cake balls made with Okbong’s honey, the Snake Queen picked up the unicorn horn she had placed on the ground earlier.
“Well, now that we have the unicorn horn, it’s time to meet the former king of the birds.”
This was the reason we needed the unicorn horn.
To request an alliance with the former king of the birds.
To delve a little deeper, the former king of the birds had been defeated by the Imoogi Bird.
The unicorn horn was an item with exceptional healing properties.
The plan was to gift this item to secure the alliance and heal the Argentavis’s injuries, thereby strengthening our forces.
“Since it’s the former king, the Queen should go in person.”
Even though the former king was defeated by the Imoogi Bird, he was still the former king of the birds.
It would be better for the Queen to go personally rather than sending a subordinate.
“Princess, prepare to leave.”
It seemed she was planning to bring Shikshik along as well.
It wouldn’t be right to leave Shikshik alone, and bringing her successor would emphasize how important this matter was.
It was a wise decision.
“And the companion as well.”
“Geck?”
Huh?
“If we end up killing the bird king, the one who will temporarily rule the skies will be him. It would be beneficial for you to make an impression.”
So, I should think of it as networking?
If that’s the case, there’s no reason to refuse that offer.
In fact, I’d welcome it with open arms.
Considering how much I’ve gained from the Snake Queen alone, the former bird king, who was also called a king, must have some incredible elixirs stashed away.
“Geck geck!”
I let out an affirmative geck-geck.
Oh, I’m drooling.
“You’ve made a wise decision. With your presence, this discussion will end quickly.”
The Snake Queen’s lips curled into a smile.
It was closer to her usual ufufu smile rather than the hehehe one.
“I’ll be showing them the cards I hold.”
“Geck?”
“What do you mean?”
“The fact that
Gogadurisu defected is a well-known event. Many were afraid that the balance of this jungle had been disturbed.”
“Geck geck.”
“But now, I have a card stronger than Gogadurisu. A spiritual creature powerful enough to punish the traitor has joined me. In other words, the Snake Queen is still strong. No, she is even stronger than before. This is what I need to show those fools.”
So, this is what it came down to.
Komodo-lania was like a newly emerging supernova.
Most of those in the jungle probably didn’t know about me yet.
The Snake Queen planned to make it widely known that a new spiritual creature had joined her ranks.
Does that mean I’m being acknowledged?
It might seem otherwise because I encountered someone like Baek Yeonyeong, who is a monster beyond measure, early on, but I am actually a very strong spiritual creature.
I have my own faith, something most spiritual creatures lack.
I have my own internal energy technique that I created.
I can manipulate opposing elements, heat and cold.
It goes without saying that I can handle poison techniques.
My defense is also exceptional, thanks to my dragon scales, making me far superior to creatures of my size.
I could easily block attacks from enemies several times my weight.
Does that mean speed is my weakness?
Not at all.
The Soaring Dragon’s Ascension Step, a footwork technique, is one of my main skills.
Every beast that faced me as an enemy probably cursed inwardly.
If they guarded against fire, I would hit them with ice, and if they guarded against ice, I would use poison techniques.
If they engaged in close combat, they would get hit by the Nine Yin White Bone Claws.
And if they tried to keep their distance, they would get struck by the Gecko Death Beam.
…Even I can admit that I’m a bit unfair.
But what can I do?
Go eat ten cores, a thousand-year-old Fire Carp, a thousand-year-old Snow Ginseng, Azure Sky Immortal Dew, and a Myriad-Year Golden Spirit Fruit, then come back and face me.
“Therefore, my companion.”
The Snake Queen spoke in a solemn voice.
Her tone was different from the lighthearted one she used when she smiled.
“Prepare to be bathed.”
Huh?
“Geck?”
This conclusion is strange, don’t you think?