chsdbacks Chapter 43
Chapter 43
Tang So-yeong?
How did she get here?
No, that’s not the important part.
What matters is that someone from the Tang family is touching Nephila Jurassica’s body. And that she’s asking for an inner core.
She can be saved.
Crack!
I quickly tore into the Dilophosaurus’ body.
As I ripped through with my claws, I spotted a large inner core, glowing a mix of purple and green.
[Advanced Inner Core (Green)]
Clamping the core in my mouth, I sprinted over to Tang So-yeong.
My level had increased after defeating the Dilophosaurus, and my injuries had fully healed.
Pababababat!
“Gegegegek!”
I urgently handed the inner core to Tang So-yeong.
Without even looking at me, she took the core. She expertly split it in half and placed a portion into Nephila Jurassica’s mouth.
Tat.
She pressed a series of acupoints on Nephila’s body using her hands and needles.
“Gek...”
I watched Nephila, filled with worry.
The bleeding had stopped, but her condition still seemed grave.
After a few more acupuncture points, Tang So-yeong glanced at me and nodded.
That must mean I could come closer now.
Her chest rose and fell, though faintly. She was breathing.
“Gegegek!”
She was alive.
She hadn’t died.
Plop.
A warm tear fell from my eye.
Nephila Jurassica saw it.
She looked at me, smiling gently just like before.
Her delicate hand wiped away my tear.
The difference this time was that her hand didn’t fall away helplessly.
Spider.
I met Nephila’s gaze.
Eight red eyes stared back at me.
...Wait, eight?
There had only been two before.
And the soft touch against my cheek had changed too.
It now felt sharp and hard, like a cold blade pressing against my skin.
“Kieeeek!”
Nephila.
I’m happy you’re alive, but...
You’re starting to make me feel a little uneasy.
“Kieeeeeeek!”
“Gegek!”
Stop!
Let go of me for now!
“It’s a relief. I managed to reverse the damage she did by overexerting herself,” Tang So-yeong said.
Thanks to her, Nephila Jurassica survived.
Of course, it was a shame, a huge loss actually, that her once beautiful face had changed so much. But saving her life was what mattered most.
Still, how had Tang So-yeong returned here?
She had been poisoned by the Dilophosaurus earlier.
“I was really surprised. I had no idea I had been poisoned. I thought I had figured out all of Dilopo’s poison, but it must have been hiding some of its power...”
She clicked her tongue, clearly impressed by the Dilophosaurus’ cunning.
If Tang So-yeong had fully understood its strength beforehand, she would have given me more warnings.
Or, the Tang family wouldn’t have entrusted her with managing the Dilophosaurus at all. Her abilities were impressive, but her combat skills were nothing extraordinary.
“Thanks to you, I survived. I was heartbroken at the thought of running away and leaving you behind, but this spider here ended up helping me.”
Helping?
I could feel the power of the inner core I had just consumed.
This wasn’t a typical inner core.
[Evolution is possible.]
Was it the color? I could feel the raw strength of the Dilophosaurus coursing through me.
[Would you like to evolve?]
Of course!
The 【Crocodile King Lizard】 can evolve into:
【Gharial】【Reticulated Python】【Komodo Dragon】
No strange choices like Thylacines or Dimetrodons this time.
All three were options I could understand.
I was a little surprised that the Komodo Dragon wasn’t a special evolution, but then again, evolving from a Crocodile King Lizard, Komodo seemed like the right step.
【Gharial】
A species of crocodile that grows between 3 to 6 meters in length and weighs around 160 kilograms. It has a long, narrow snout and slender teeth. Gharials are social animals and communicate with each other using unique vocalizations.
The Gharial.
A solid choice right from the start.
Its size was impressive.
It was more than twice the weight and length of the average piranha caiman.
Choosing this would make life easier.
But there was a major downside.
Gharials were ugly.
So ugly that calling them crocodiles was almost an insult.
Next.
【Reticulated Python】
The longest snake in existence, reaching up to 9 meters and weighing around 100 kilograms. This snake uses its overwhelming size and muscle strength to slowly constrict its prey. There are records of larger specimens consuming crocodiles and Malayan bears.
The largest snake in existence.
Of course, still smaller than a Titanoboa.
The Reticulated Python was an excellent choice in terms of raw power.
The problem?
I’d be turning into a snake.
Losing my legs.
I wouldn’t be able to use techniques like Small Dragon Ascending to the Heavens or Dragon Claw.
Regrettably, you’re out too.
【Komodo Dragon】
The largest lizard in existence, growing up to 3.6 meters in length and weighing as much as 160 kilograms. A powerful predator, it uses its serrated teeth to hunt with brutal efficiency. Though it specializes in long-term battles using venom and bacteria in its saliva, most of its prey succumbs before the poison even takes effect.
This is it.
This is the right lizard.
A lizard that could weigh 160 kilograms?
Of course, that was the upper limit; the average was closer to 80 kilograms.
Even at that size, it would solve all my problems.
No need to look further.
Even if a special evolution option appeared, nothing could be better than the Komodo Dragon.
[You have fulfilled the conditions for a special evolution.]
Still, I should check it out.
[Achievement unlocked: You’ve impressed the Allosaurus!]
Huh?
[You’ve achieved an incredible feat.]
This was a message I had never seen before.
[As a reward, a hidden evolution option has been revealed.]
A hidden option?
Something felt strange.
This wasn’t just a special evolution.
A completely different term had appeared.
With a pounding heart, I stared at the screen.
The 【Crocodile King Lizard】 can evolve into:
【Gharial】【Reticulated Python】【Komodo Dragon】【Gomodo】 (Acquired: 「Dragon Scales」「Releasing Strength to Move Mountains」「Nine Yin White Bone Claw」, Consumed: Advanced Inner Core (Green) Fragment)
Wait a second.
What is that long title?
And why is Gomodo here?
Was Tang So-yeong not just spouting nonsense?
Is the Gomodo real? Not Komodo?