I Became an Evolving Lizard in a Martial Arts Novel

Chapter 38

The only light illuminating the dark branches was a faint moonlight.

I felt dazed, unsure of how I had gotten here or why I was here.

I couldn’t remember anything.

Around me, there were countless corpses.

As I stared at the horrific scene, something suddenly yanked at my body.

It felt like a massive hand gripping my shoulder.

No, not just my shoulder.

Eight hands were grabbing hold of me.

I couldn’t do anything.

A sense of helplessness washed over me.

Drip.

Something cold dripped onto my back.

Chills ran through my body.

The creature’s hand gently grabbed my tail.

I had to escape.

I had to get away, no matter what.

Yes, while its hand was focused on my tail, this was my one chance.

If I cut off my tail and made a break for it...

...But my tail wouldn’t come off.

Slowly, I was dragged toward it.

I turned to look back.

What I saw was...

“Kieeeng!”

Tus and Pus were waving their hands at me from right in front of my face.

It was just a dream.

Am I feeling weak lately? It seems like I’ve been having nightmares.

I can’t recall the details, but it was definitely horrifying.

If I could sweat, I probably would have been drenched.

Just to be sure, I wiggled my tail slightly.

After looking it over from every angle, there didn’t seem to be any problems.

Now that I think about it, this tail has helped me out a lot.

It’s useful for swinging at enemies and for balancing when I stand on two legs.

Not to mention, I’ve saved my life more than once by cutting it off.

I stroked my long tail.

I’ve had to sever this tail so many times.

Some of it is probably still with Nephila Jurassica.

...Nephila Jurassica.

I wonder how she’s doing.

Seeing Tus and Pus reminded me of her suddenly.

I’ve got some time on my hands now, so maybe I should go visit her.

I’ve built up quite a tolerance to spiders after spending so much time with Tus and Pus.

Nephila Jurassica is also, in a way, a pretty charming spider.

If Tus and Pus are soft and cute, then Nephila is more of a fierce, cool type.

She’s got long legs and a face that’s a little intimidating.

She’s definitely got that “older sister” vibe.

Her appearance is like a tiger spider—blonde hair, red eyes, and she even wears flashy leopard print clothes...

Oh.

What am I even thinking?

If I keep this up, I’m going to summon another demon of my mind.

Or maybe I’m already possessed by one.

To be seriously considering the appearance of a spider...

Forget it. Forget it.

I’ll meet Nephila if fate brings us together again.

If I meet her now, I’ll probably end up with some weird title.

I shook my head vigorously.

Get out of my head!

“Kieeng?”

Tus and Pus tilted their heads at me curiously.

No, no, I wasn’t thinking about anything.

Still, it’s a good thing you two are male.

“Keeeeeng...”

...You are male, right?

Ignoring Tus nibbling on my tail and Pus subtly nudging my back, I turned my gaze toward Tang So-Yeong.

For reasons unknown, she was wrapped up tightly in spider webs.

Pus gave me a proud glance, wiggling its legs with satisfaction.

“Kieeng!”

Well, I’m sure there was a reason for it.

She must have done something weird during the night again.

Was she trying to extract my venom or something?

Moving silently, I slowly crept closer.

Normally, I wouldn’t have dared to face one of these.

Deinonychus are pack hunters.

The risk was too high.

I could handle one, but more than that, and I’d be in serious trouble.

But this time was different.

No matter how I looked, there was only one.

Perhaps it had come to drink alone, and there was no sign of its pack.

This was my chance.

If I missed this opportunity, I might never know the taste of Deinonychus meat.

Slither.

I quietly slipped into the water.

Just like a crocodile, I swam stealthily.

Slide.

As I drew closer, the Deinonychus also approached the water’s edge.

The situation was ideal.

It stood on the shore, glancing around.

It looked tired.

It must have been thirsty.

How thirsty do you have to be to leave your pack and come drink water alone?

It staggered closer to the water’s edge.

Plop.

Its snout touched the surface.

Gulp.

Now.

Now’s the time!

Koo-Kwaaa!

With a massive splash, I burst out of the water.

I aimed for the Deinonychus’s neck.

“Kiiiiiek!”

It let out a shrill scream, startled by the sudden attack, but it was too late.

Its neck was already between my jaws.

Crack!

I had to end this in one move.

Time for the Caiman’s ultimate skill.

Death Roll.

Kwa-ga-ga-ga-gak!

Crunch!

【Deinonychus LV7】

【Status】

「Venomous」「Near Death」

Crack!

It didn’t take long for the Deinonychus to be torn apart.

[Your level has increased.]

Even a Deinonychus can’t do much when taken by surprise.

Wait, wasn’t there something strange in the status window earlier?

Yeah.

It said Venomous.

Had it eaten a toad or something?

Its sluggish movements must have been because of the poison.

Not that it would have changed the outcome.

Now, before its pack arrives, I need to carry this away.

Finally, I’ll get to taste Deinonychus meat.

...

There it is again.

That feeling that someone is watching me.

I feel like something is staring right at the back of my head.

What is this tingling sensation?

It doesn’t feel like killing intent.

Whoever it is, let’s find out.

Leaving the Deinonychus carcass behind for a moment, I stood up on two legs.

Splash!

I dashed through the water toward the direction of the gaze.

I spotted thick foliage ahead.

And for just a brief moment, I saw a pair of red eyes.

So it was you watching me.

Shraak!

I slashed through the bushes with my claws.

But the presence was gone.

Not a trace left behind.

As if it had never been there in the first place.