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2.47% So I'm a Snake, Who Cares? / Chapter 8: Ugh! It's a flying snake!

章 8: Ugh! It's a flying snake!

Gulp, gulp, gulp.

There's a way to eat food deliciously.

It's putting a large amount in your mouth at once.

Think of a lettuce wrap that fills your mouth.

After chewing and swallowing a wrap so big it's slightly difficult to chew, and then gulping down cola while your throat is slightly blocked, you can't feel more fulfilled.

Even now as a snake, it's the same.

I could tear meat with my teeth, but it's better to swallow it in one bite.

It might be an instinct because I'm a snake.

Moreover, in this wilderness, it's safer to swallow prey in one bite and move rather than leisurely tearing at meat.

After swallowing the rabbit in one bite, I rested in the bushes.

It wasn't just for digestion.

Ah, I'm dizzy.

I've certainly gotten the hang of it after using Billy's Horn a few times.

I didn't really feel it with other skills, but this skill definitely consumes something.

At first, it felt like all my energy was draining.

Borrowing skills from other magical beasts, it's a skill with infinite potential, but you have to pay the price.

I'm not sure if it consumes mental energy or the magical power I might have.

To replenish whatever it is, all I could do was eat other magical beasts and rest.

But while the level of Billy's Horn has increased, my level still hasn't risen.

Could it be that even that dangerous rabbit wasn't a worthy opponent for me?

It seems too harsh, considering how terrifying its front teeth were.

Well, I guess it's time to aim for something stronger than a rabbit.

I crawled slowly.

While hunting, I gained an important skill.

「Stealth proficiency has increased.」

This was a skill that the centipede couple also had.

A skill that a cool snake like me must master.

It was essential for quietly approaching prey.

The sound of me moving through the bushes definitely became quieter.

After advancing like that for a while, I suddenly stopped.

There was a sunny spot ahead.

Sunlight was pouring down from the blue sky unobstructed by leaves.

It seems like it would feel good to bask in.

I wasn't the only one who thought so; there was already a guest.

It was a lizard about the same size as me.

I focused my eyes to analyze it.

──────────────

[Long-tail Gecko lv7]

[Traits]

[Scales]

[Skills]

[Biting lv7], [Wall Climbing lv2], [Tail Whip lv10]

[Status]

[Temperature Control]

──────────────

Tail Whip!

It's a level 10 skill. It was a skill rarely seen in weak creatures.

True to its name, it had a long tail.

And at the end of that tail was something spiky like a mace.

It seemed to fight by swinging that.

Indeed, it seemed to be one of the stronger creatures I've encountered.

Worth fighting.

It was adjusting its body temperature while basking in the sunlight.

With its eyes tightly closed, it looks very comfortable.

...Hmm, that Tail Whip is tempting

I have a tail too. It would be pretty good if I could fight by swinging my tail around.

The skill I'm currently borrowing is 'Leap' from the rabbit.

Should I borrow that Tail Whip?

From what I've figured out, it's advantageous to borrow higher level skills.

From a level 3 skill, you can get a level 1 skill, and if you borrow a level 6 skill, you can get a level 2 skill.

And that Tail Whip is a delicious-looking level 10.

After pondering for a moment, I made up my mind.

Let's not borrow it unnecessarily.

I'm low on magical power. It probably won't fully recover just by resting a bit.

It might not be insufficient, but it's better to calculate conservatively since there's no accurate way to check.

And for an ambush, Leap is more convenient than Tail Whip.

I'll just hide like this, coil my body, then suddenly spring out, bite its side once, and run away.

I coiled my whole body.

Then I stretched out and leaped into the air.

Whoosh!

Truly a flying snake.

The Long-tail Gecko basking in the sunlight didn't even notice my leap.

And just as I was about to bite it.

Something fell from the sky.

That's the only way I can describe it.

Bang!

A thunderous sound like a gunshot rang out.

And where the Long-tail Gecko had been, nothing remained.

I landed in vain.

Looking around, the lizard was nowhere to be seen.

Only bloodstains remained where it had been.

And a moment later.

The Long-tail Gecko fell from the sky.

Thud!

It must have fallen from a high place, its head was bent.

The Long-tail Gecko was a mess.

I think it would taste delicious.

I heard the sound of a bird.

When I looked up, there was a bird sitting on a large tree in front of me.

It's one I hadn't seen just before.

An animal is most vulnerable when it's hunting another creature.

Knowing this, I thoroughly scanned the surroundings before leaping.

Where did that bird come from?

The bird was large enough to grab and fly off with the Long-tail Gecko.

Its eyes were fierce, and its feathers were bright red.

Its large, yellow beak was sharply curved at the tip, indicating it was a carnivorous bird of prey.

──────────────

[Galloper Hawk lv9]

[Traits]

[Bird of Prey]

[Skills]

[Flight lv7], [Acceleration lv5], [Pecking lv4], [Talons lv3], [Silence lv2]

[Status]

[Curious]

──────────────

You're my real opponent.

It's common knowledge that birds of prey are natural predators of snakes.

It seems this one is dangerous.

A flying bird and a ground-crawling snake don't match up well.

It stole my prey, but I'll let it go just this once.

I slowly backed away.

It would have been good if it had just let it go.

But the arrogant creature seemed to show curiosity towards me.

It spreads its wings wide and slowly rises.

This is dangerous.

My survival instinct warns me, and I quickly crawl towards the bushes.

Then a powerful pain struck my back

Bang!

I figured out how that gunshot-like sound was made.

Its flying speed is extraordinary.

It suddenly accelerates and strikes its prey with its talons.

My vision spun.

Is it going to drop me from a high place like the poor lizard?

No, that wasn't the case.

I was thrown off by the impact, but I landed on the ground again.

When I turned my head, the Galloper Hawk was sitting quietly on the tree with its wings folded.

Blood was streaming from my back where its talons had struck and passed.

What's this, surely it could have dealt a fatal blow, why did it retreat?

Did it realize the terror of my venomous fangs?

It took off again.

I won't fall for it this time.

I used the Leap I borrowed from the rabbit.

Damn, I can't dodge.

Bang!

This time, a terrible pain swept across my belly.

It was an attack so fast that it would be difficult to dodge even in perfect condition, but with a whole rabbit in my stomach, my body is even heavier.

If I had known this...

No, it's too late for regrets.

In the first place, I didn't notice the existence of that bird despite carefully scanning the surroundings.

I thought I was going to die this time for sure, but it perched on a branch again.

What should I do?

If I could bite it just once, I could poison it and win.

But there was no such opportunity while crawling on the ground.

Thwack!

It struck me and passed by once more.

No major wound, but at this rate, I'll die.

Why does that bastard keep repeating this?

I soon realized the reason.

Because it started laughing, flapping its wings.

"Kak-ka-kak, kak-kak!"

──────────────

[Galloper Hawk lv9]

...

[Status]

[Enjoyment]

──────────────

That son of a bitch!

It was playing with me.

Intense anger welled up.

So you're looking down on me, huh?

Let's see if you can still cackle like that in my stomach.

Wasn't it said that beasts are most off guard when hunting their prey?

No, they're most off guard when playing with their toys.

This guy was completely underestimating me.

This was precisely the opportunity.

With the borrowed Leap lv1, I can't jump that high.

But I have an ace up my sleeve.

The Flight lv7 that it possesses, I'll borrow that.

Am I a genius?

I'm trembling at the flexibility of my own idea.

「This skill cannot be borrowed due to species characteristics.」

Nope~ Not possible~

I could borrow Leap because snakes can also jump.

I could also borrow Carapace because I have scales.

But not Flight.

How can I, without wings or even limbs, possibly fly?

...Damn, I had hoped, but it seems there are limits to skills too.

But I'm not stupid.

If I can't borrow the Flight skill, I'll borrow Acceleration lv5.

That bird's incredibly fast flying speed seems to be the effect of Acceleration.

If I combine it with my Quick Crawling, I should be able to hide under the tree shade.

I might not be able to get revenge, but as long as I survive...

That's when it happened.

「Due to the trait 'Perseverance', you are not restricted in development.」

What?

「Borrowing Flight lv7. Temporarily acquired Flight lv2.」

What's going on?

Potential 20, I believed in you!

Perseverance, obtained by setting the Potential stat to 20.

Unlike 'Indomitable' which I had roughly figured out, I didn't know the effect of 'Perseverance', but now I could understand its true value.

If we're talking about potential, it's the possibility to develop.

I could learn even what I originally couldn't learn.

「Using Flight lv2.」

In other words, I've really become a flying snake.

My body lifted off.

And it started flying at quite a fast speed.

The ground quickly receded.

This is terrifyingly scary.

The direction I headed was towards the Galloper Hawk perched on the tree.

The bird that was laughing "kak-kak" seemed shocked at the situation unfolding now.

It flapped its wings belatedly, but even in that moment, I was advancing towards it.

I was flying, but I have no wings.

I couldn't control direction or speed.

I was just flying in the direction I initially went.

It flapped its wings in panic, but I stretched out my coiled body.

Chomp!

I bit it!

I could clearly feel my venomous fangs digging into its wing joint.

With the sensation of my venom glands squeezing tightly, it flapped frantically.

I coiled my body around its torso.

It's useless to try to escape.

I squeezed it with all my strength.

Even if it's a bird, with its wings bound, there's no way it could fly.

I fell to the ground with it.

Boom!

Stars flashed before my eyes.

I almost lost strength in my body from hitting my head on the ground, but I forcibly held onto my consciousness.

The strength of its flapping gradually weakened.

It cackled, and finally perished.

「Level has increased.」

Successful hunt.

Hehe, it hurts like hell.

This time, I didn't let my guard down and scanned the surroundings.

Fortunately, no other magical beasts trying to butt in were visible.

I sighed.

The feeling of flying in the sky was really... terrible.

It's called flight, but it was no different from being swept away by the wind.

I couldn't control the direction at all.

If I hadn't managed to cling to it, I might have crashed to death flying alone and falling.

It seems snakes are more suited to crawling on the ground than flying around after all.

I don't know. Maybe someday when I get used to it, I might be able to use it.

Since I can only borrow one skill at a time with Billy's Horn, it seems like it will take a long time for that to be possible.

I looked at the two dinners in front of me.

Either one would make for a hearty meal.

The sun seems to be setting soon, shall we head back?

==

I swallowed the Long-tail Gecko in one bite.

It felt like I wouldn't need to eat for a few days.

Then what about the Galloper Hawk?

I carried it all the way to my den in my mouth.

It would be nice if I had something like a bag. It's fortunate that the bird is light.

It wasn't to store it like a lunchbox.

It was to share the food with the kind-hearted centipede couple.

I did rip open its belly to check for a magic stone, but they would be happy enough.

I brought it with such warm intentions, but...

I was shocked by the horrific scene.

The centipede couple was together under the sunset light.

They weren't leisurely enjoying the sunset. They were embracing each other.

Completely entangled and squirming, it was clear what they were doing.

This is X-rated!

Shamelessly outdoors!

I thought they were good neighbors, but this is too much.

The Galloper Hawk fell with a thud because I opened my mouth wide in shock.

Startled by that sound, the centipede couple jumped apart.

Yeah, it's natural to be embarrassed. That's how it should be.

But it seems it was all my misunderstanding.

They weren't making love.

They were holding something.

An egg?

No, it doesn't seem like an egg.

It was a round, pitch-black, shiny lump.

The husband carefully cradled the round object in his arms.

Something suddenly occurred to me.

In martial arts novels, spiritual beasts like centipedes usually nurture something.

Inner Dan?

Is it an Inner Dan?

Is it one of those things that increase the protagonist's realm when eaten?

I focused my eyes to use Insight.

[Inner Dan: In Production]

It really is an Inner Dan.


next chapter

章 9: Unwelcome Dawn Visitor

Saliva dripped from my mouth.

How rude.

But how could I help salivating?

Like a gentleman, I wiped the drool from my mouth with my tail.

Among the web novels I read, there were many martial arts stories.

The protagonists who consumed Inner Dan would usually undergo a metamorphosis based on its effects.

If I ate that, could I become stronger too?

Even if I couldn't become human, perhaps I might evolve into a Great White Super Snake.

As I salivated, the centipede groom warily twitched his antennae.

Could he be thinking I might try to steal the Inner Dan?

That's a hurtful misunderstanding.

There's no way I would rob a good neighbor.

I proposed a fair trade.

While nudging the delicious-looking Galloper Hawk, I pointed to the Inner Dan with my tail.

A one-for-one exchange.

I'll give you chicken, so won't you give me that Inner Dan?

I had originally intended it as a gift, but since the situation changed, I tried to improvise.

Tap tap tap!

But the centipede couple clashed their teeth.

It seemed like they were angry, saying it was nonsense.

Well, even I think the value doesn't quite match.

I backed away, leaving the Galloper Hawk carcass.

Just eat it.

I was joking.

Then, the centipede bride carefully picked up the Galloper Hawk carcass.

That's when it happened.

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

The sound of a rooster crowing was heard again.

Are the chickens here ill-mannered?

They crow at dawn, at night, without a care.

It doesn't seem too far away, I should visit sometime and taste real chicken.

I greeted the centipede couple.

Have a good night~

And please refrain from public displays of affection.

The centipede couple slightly bowed their heads, following my lead.

It really seemed like they understood my greeting.

I entered the knothole.

I had definitely widened the entrance this morning, but in just half a day, it had become a bit difficult to enter.

It would be nice if I could find a larger home...

Despite such regrets, I was exhausted and quickly fell asleep.

==

──────────────

...

Among the five great demonic regions of the continent, the Great Forest has its unique characteristics.

It's the abundance of its vegetation.

Setting aside the barren 'desert', the lushness of the Great Forest overwhelms the 'mountain range' and 'grasslands'.

The area of the Great Forest is third after the desert and the 'frozen land'. In other words, it's the third largest among the five great demonic regions.

However, if we calculate the number of magical beasts living there, it's a reasonable estimate that it would exceed ten times the combined number of magical beasts in the desert and frozen land.

This is possible due to the warm and humid climate that creates dense foliage, but it's noteworthy that the latitude of the Great Forest isn't that low.

In fact, the Greyrim territory at the easternmost part of the kingdom bordering the Great Forest has a cool climate even in midsummer.

However, as you go east through the Sija Forest adjacent to the territory and towards the Great Forest, the temperature rises rapidly.

Various scholars have devoted themselves to research to uncover the cause, but a clear reason hasn't been found yet.

The most plausible hypothesis is that it's due to the ancient magic of fairies.

The fairy race, now heading towards extinction, is said to have settled in the far east since ancient times.

The ruins occasionally found in the Great Forest contain traces of antiquity, and this hypothesis suggests that large-scale magical measures were taken to create a favorable climate for fairies to live in at that time.

But even the fairies remaining now don't possess ancient records, so the inside story is unknown.

In the Great Forest section of this book, we aim to explain various magical beasts of the Great Forest, those already discovered, and those yet to be discovered.

...

「From the preface of "The Wise Parvian's Mysterious and Fascinating Magical Beast Encyclopedia: Great Forest Edition"」

──────────────

==

Zain, the squire of the hero Gunter, wore a perplexed expression.

It was because of the girl standing in front of him.

She was Rania Greyrim, the only daughter of the local lord.

Gunter had left for the capital again right after defeating the Medusa Serpent.

Instead, he left Zain and a few of his attendants here in the Greyrim territory.

It had been leisurely days, but Zain often found himself in awkward situations.

It was because of that mischievous boy-like young lady.

They said she had been sickly as a child and had overcome several life-threatening situations. Perhaps that was why.

Instead of things that young ladies her age would typically like, Rania had a great interest in heroes and magical beasts.

"What brings you here, my lady?"

Of course, a lady is still a lady.

As a knight, Zain had no choice but to be courteous.

Rania gave a quick curtsy and said,

"I have something to ask you, Sir Zain."

Yes, I thought you might.

Zain ended up letting out a sigh.

"Is it about that book again? The Wise One's Magical Beast Encyclopedia."

"Yes! I have more questions about the Medusa Serpent. And about the Horn Jaguar."

"A fine lady shouldn't be interested in such monstrosities as magical beasts."

"But I want to become a hero later!"

Rania said boldly.

Then, looking at the man sitting next to Zain, she added,

"Or maybe a hunter."

"Hahaha!"

The man puffing on a pipe burst into hearty laughter.

He was a hunter residing here in Greyrim.

While most magical beast hunters are practically ronin, some are the real deal.

This man was the real deal, so even Zain respected him.

"Why would the young lady become a hunter? Miss Rania should become a hero."

"Really? You think so?"

"Leave such dirty work to rascals like Oliver here."

Saying so, Oliver puffed out tobacco smoke.

"So, what did you want to ask?"

Zain wanted to send this immature young lady away quickly.

"You said you lost some of the Medusa Serpent's offspring. What if they grow up to be Medusa Serpents and come back?"

"... Haha, there's no need to worry too much about that. Medusa Serpents give birth to thousands of offspring at once. If even half of those babies grew up to be Medusa Serpents, the kingdom would have been destroyed by now."

"Then..."

"Among magical beasts, there are some species with particularly long evolution processes. Unlike dragons that are strong from birth, snakes are hardly different from insects when they're born. The Medusa Serpent is not only a mutant among them but also a higher species."

Zain had accompanied Gunter.

His knowledge of magical beasts was not inferior to that of magical beast hunters.

"Out of a thousand babies, maybe one or two might evolve to the level of a serpent."

"Ah."

At this point, Oliver interjected.

"Sir Knight, that's the standard for the mountain range. The Great Forest is different."

"... Is that so?"

Despite being corrected, Zain didn't seem particularly displeased.

"The magical beasts in the Great Forest evolve in their own ways. You know that even the offspring of a Medusa Serpent don't all evolve into Medusa Serpents, right young lady?"

Rania nodded.

So did Zain.

"The Great Forest has the greatest biodiversity of magical beasts, as rich as its vegetation. Also, because there's plenty of prey, many strong ones are born. Out of a thousand, more than five might evolve into serpents."

"That's really terrifying."

"Some might even evolve in extraordinary directions. Beyond the serpent level."

"Like a Leviathan?"

Rania's eyes sparkled.

Leviathan was a legendary magical beast mentioned in the book she was holding.

A magical beast so huge and powerful that if it raised its body submerged in the sea, the sea level of the entire world would drastically lower.

Oliver chuckled.

"Yes, perhaps like a Leviathan. But the snake of the apocalypse probably doesn't exist."

"But... it's written in the book."

"Not everything written in books is true. Ah, right. Come to think of it, the captain of the guard said that. There was a lone white individual among the baby snakes."

"Really?"

The captain of the guard had let a few baby snakes escape and received disciplinary action.

But the lord knows well that he is capable. The lord will probably lift the punishment soon.

And according to the captain's statement, there was a lone white one among the baby snakes.

"He said it looked small and weak, but such ones are actually dangerous."

"Why?"

"It's likely to be a mutant. And mutants always produce unexpected results."

"If it's small and weak, wouldn't it have died there?"

"If it survived. And if it evolves, it will be different again. The problem with magical beasts is that they can become stronger. The weaker they start, the more they can evolve, and that means they can become more dangerous."

The hunter, who had been grinning until now, became quite serious.

He took a drag on his cigarette and asked,

"By the way, young lady, you seem to have a great interest in the Medusa Serpent."

"Snake-type is my favorite magical beast."

"Wow, you have excellent taste."

Zain, who was listening, inwardly felt dizzy.

Is this really a conversation to have with a noble young lady?

"Ah, right, I have a question. Is this also a snake-type magical beast?"

Rania opened the book and showed a specific page.

There was a description and illustration of a magical beast.

"It's a Cockatrice."

"Yes, I was confused about whether this is also a snake type."

"It can't be called a snake type. If we have to categorize it, it's more of a chimera type. It's very rare. They say if you encounter this one, it's one of two outcomes."

"What are they?"

"Either you get killed and eaten, or you become filthy rich overnight."

"Filthy rich..."

Just as Oliver was about to explain, a maid came running breathlessly towards Rania.

"Young lady!"

"Your tea ceremony lesson is today, how could you run away?"

"I, I forgot about it."

"Then you should hurry and go."

"If you could give me just a little more time..."

"No way!"

Rania left with a sulky face.

Watching her go, Oliver burst into hearty laughter.

With Rania gone, the place became quiet again.

And in that silence, Zain thought.

'So what about becoming filthy rich!'

The interesting story was cut off in the middle.

But the young knight's pride wouldn't allow him to ask again.

Zain could only suffer alone inwardly.

==

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

I hid my head between my coils.

A snake's ears, unlike other animals, are located in the skull.

Maybe that's why.

The sound of that crazy rooster crowing was too loud.

Why does it keep crowing?

It's not even crowing from far away.

It's as if it's crowing from nearby.

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

It really got closer.

Suddenly, sleep fled and all my scales trembled.

I jerked my head up.

Survival instinct was warning me.

There's something out there. Something dangerous, so bury your head and play dead.

Or run away!

Survival instinct warns of danger in such an unkind way.

I could go out and assess the threat, or I could hide here in the knothole pretending to know nothing.

It's impossible to know which is truly the way to survive.

Bang!

The sound of something striking a tree was heard.

It wasn't the dead tree I was in, but it sounded like a tree had been broken and fallen.

I chose not to hide.

Carefully, I slipped out of the knothole.

It's dawn, not even light yet.

It was dark, but thanks to night vision, I could see well ahead.

And right nearby was the centipede bride.

Hello, do you know what's happening?

I wanted to ask cheerfully like that, but I hesitated.

The bride was solidly stiff.

Not in a figurative sense, but literally, she had been petrified into stone.

An ominous feeling welled up.

I only knew of one monster that could turn an entire magical beast into stone like this.

Mom?

No, could it be Dad?

Has Dad, whose face I've never seen, come back to meet his child?

"Squeak!"

A roar.

The centipede groom was fighting with a magical beast.

The appearance of that magical beast was truly terrifying.

A chicken's head, a reptilian body, and a snake's tail.

A form like a terrible hybrid.

──────────────

[Cockatrice lv12]

──────────────

The night's assailant had such a name.


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