“It’s been a while, so I wasn’t sure at first, but now that I see you like this, it’s obvious.”
Wait a second... is this really Seol-hwa?
The only person who would have the audacity to call an innocent lizard like me a thief is that human.
So, the person in front of me isn’t Arin, but Seol-hwa?
What’s going on here?
Does she have a double identity or something?
...Now that I think about it, didn’t she disguise herself when we first met, just like my master does?
I thought it was because they were related by blood, but maybe she’s just particularly skilled at transformation techniques.
Well, as the priestess of the Heavenly Demon Cult, it makes sense she’d have that level of ability.
But why is the Heavenly Demon Cult’s priestess here?
“Hui, why are you here?”
Seol-hwa waited for the Guild Master to leave before addressing me directly.
“Gekgek.”
That’s what I want to ask.
Why are you here?
And could you maybe let me go first so we can talk properly?
“Geeeek.”
You’re holding me a bit tightly, don’t you think?
“I can’t let you go. If I do, you’ll just run away again, won’t you, you little thief?”
I’ve been completely cornered.
This innocent lizard could only feel wronged.
What did I even do?
Sure, I might have stolen all the dumplings from Seol-hwa’s drawer once, but I had my reasons.
Tus and Pus loved them, Soyeong loved them, and even Shiksik loved them.
Most importantly, the Snake Queen, Fasir, made an “Ehehehe” sound while eating them—that goofy, satisfied kind of laughter. How could I just sit back and not take them?
Sure, I might have eaten quite a lot myself, but it was all for the greater good.
“I even left you some dried persimmons as an alternative snack, but you took both the persimmons and the dumplings? Who does that?”
“Gek...”
I thought you left them for me to enjoy, you know, to keep my strength up.
Squeeze.
Seol-hwa’s grip tightened around me, and I let out a distressed “Kekeck.”
It seems she’s really out for blood today.
Now that my cultivation level has increased, I can sense just how strong she is.
The energy radiating from her right now is at least on par with Akbulhwi.
She’s undoubtedly a master of the Flower’s Vision level.
In my current state, there’s no way I can escape from someone of her caliber.
“Gerolong...”
Ugh, how humiliating.
If only she had grabbed me by my energy pouch instead of her hand, I’d have stayed put without resistance.
“...Hui, do you realize how lecherous your expression looks right now?”
What’s wrong with my expression?
As I flailed helplessly in Seol-hwa’s grip,
“Baby!”
A familiar voice echoed, followed by the sound of countless legs skittering.
Centipede was charging toward me—well, more like taking 270 tiny steps in a hurry.
“Big bro! Your little brother has arrived!”
The mantis flapped its wings furiously as it leapt into the fray.
I could understand Centipede, but what are you doing here, Mantis?
“Kirrk!”
Even the Violet General joined in.
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What’s this guy doing here now?
Objectively, it was a reckless charge by two insignificant bugs and a well-meaning Centipede.
But the fact that they were willing to risk themselves to save me from the grasp of such a powerful opponent was touching.
“Let go of the baby!”
“Kirrk, boss!”
“Keeek!”
I never expected the Mantis and Violet General to get involved, especially not like this.
“...Do you know Hui?”
“Gekgek.”
Of course, they do.
No.
They’re more than just acquaintances.
They’re comrades.
*
“Comrades, my tail.”
“Kirrk... Boss, the soil here is amazing! Ah, so damp and dark...!”
“Keeek.”
“Baby... who is this noble person? How do they know my heart so well?”
In such a short time, the Trio of Insects had completely fallen for Baek Seol-hwa.
Currently, we had relocated to Seol-hwa’s temporary quarters.
The ones who had tried to save me were now utterly subdued, quietly resting inside a large transparent container.
The container was designed to resemble a cave-like environment, and it seemed they were enjoying it.
From my perspective, it didn’t look much different from what I’d seen before, but apparently, it was special in their eyes.
It was touching, sure, but didn’t they give in a little too easily?
The moment Seol-hwa’s fingers touched them, they immediately disarmed.
While it was a relief that the misunderstanding had been cleared, I was still bound.
“Kerrorong.”
“Hey, Hui. When did you sneak in this time?”
Seol-hwa had finally returned to the appearance I recognized, with her usual face and, of course, those impressive energy pouches.
“Hey!”
As I tried to retreat into the container, she grabbed my tail and pulled me back out.
“Geeek.”
It’s not like I’d wear down from being touched, geez.
“What’s with that shameless look in your eyes? For such a small creature, you’re so bold...”
Now that I think about it, has Seol-hwa ever seen my true form?
Every time we meet, I’m in this small form.
...Could that be why she treats me this way?
I’d better keep my larger form hidden.
If she finds out, I might not be able to pull off my “Gerolong” act anymore.
Dangling helplessly, I was eventually placed on a nearby desk by Seol-hwa’s hand.
“Now, let’s continue where we left off. There’s no one watching or listening here. ...Not that there’s anyone else who could understand what you’re saying anyway.”
“Gekgek.”
If it’s Seol-hwa, she’s sharp enough to interpret “Gekgek.”
Soyeong could understand everything I said, and Master could discern most of it.
Compared to them, she was a bit behind, but she was still competent enough to hold a conversation.
“So, Hui, why are you here? Did you get caught?”
There’s no way a supreme lizard like me would get captured by humans.
“Gekgek.”
I infiltrated.
“Ah, so you did get caught. I knew wandering around like that would get you in trouble one day.”
No, I said I wasn’t caught!
“What would you have done if I hadn’t been here?”
Let’s not even go there.
“So, even mentioning the name of the Palace Lord didn’t work, huh? This ‘person’ must be someone unusual.”
Exactly. That’s what I wanted to know.
Wasn’t she supposed to be the Priestess of the Heavenly Demon Cult?
“Gekgek.”
So why are you pretending to be the Palace Lord of the Northern Ice Palace?
“I’ve known about this place on the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains for a while now. They siphon off spiritual medicines and hunt spiritual creatures. Normally, I would’ve erased them immediately, but... I left them alone for certain reasons.”
Judging by Master’s nature, there’s no way a place like this would’ve been allowed to exist.
I thought the Heavenly Demon Cult wasn’t aware of this place, but that’s not it.
Seol-hwa picked up a dumpling brought by the Guild Master.
She glanced at me briefly, smirked, and popped it into her mouth.
“Geeek...”
“Hmph. Say what you will, but I’m not giving any to a thieving lizard.”
Oh, so that’s how it’s going to be, huh?
“...Is it just me, or did it suddenly feel colder in here?”
It’s already too late.
Next time, even if you cry and beg, I won’t forgive you.
I’ll steal the entire drawer.
Wait, could the reason for sparing this place really be the honey of Oak Peaks?
“What do you take the Priestess of the Heavenly Demon Cult for? Sure, I like Oak Peaks honey, but I wouldn’t go against our creed for something like that.”
I don’t really know much about your creed.
“Anyway, I was gathering information. Ugh, it’s so cold. Pretending to be the Northern Ice Palace’s Palace Lord means altering my constitution, and I really didn’t want to do that.”
Having already swallowed two dumplings, Baek Seol-hwa sighed.
So that’s why her hands felt colder than before. She didn’t just change her face—she altered her entire constitution to match the Palace Lord.
...Is that even possible?
“Oh, and just so you know, even if you see the real face, don’t get any funny ideas. I might have a personal connection to Arin, but I’m not naïve enough to just let a lizard cling to my chest.”
What kind of lizard do you think I am?
At least I now know that Arin isn’t just a disguise but a real person.
“The Northern Ice Palace doesn’t have much reason to come here, but occasionally, the real Arin does visit. I decided to infiltrate this time to gather more information.”
I thought something felt off during the earlier conversation, and now it makes sense.
The Guild Master mistook Seol-hwa for Arin and spoke to her as such, but Seol-hwa didn’t seem to know much about the True Dragon.
No, as the Priestess of the Heavenly Demon Cult, she wouldn’t be completely ignorant of the True Dragon.
She probably just didn’t realize there was a connection between the Guild and the True Dragon.
“They’re a group that worships the True Dragon, so honestly, I’d love to destroy them right now...”
“Gek?”
So you do know they’re associated with the True Dragon?
Then why are you leaving them alone?
Of all things, it’s the True Dragon.
The Heavenly Demon Cult and Master were branded as evil precisely because of the True Dragon.
Even if the average cultist doesn’t know, the Priestess and Master definitely do.
Knowing this group offers medicines to the True Dragon and leaving them alone?
My lizard brain couldn’t comprehend this.
“You look like you have a lot of questions. Well, since it’s you, I suppose I can explain... though technically, you’re not human.”
I mean, I was human once, but fine, I’ll let that slide.
“The Guild collects spiritual medicines and creatures to sell them at high prices. Most of it comes from the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, so from our sect’s perspective, they’re worse than useless.”
If Master wanted to, she could wipe this place out on one of her casual strolls. Why let it be?
“But the medicines they collect don’t just come from the Ten Thousand Great Mountains. A small portion comes from elsewhere, and our sect desperately needs those specific medicines.”
Desperately needs them?
Sure, medicines are valuable, but isn’t the Ten Thousand Great Mountains overflowing with them?
Even random lizards passing by get fed spiritual medicine here.
“Hui, this is something you can’t tell anyone. I’m only telling you because it’s you.”
Seol-hwa’s voice was serious.
She seemed genuinely worried about someone overhearing.
It’s probably none of my business, and the Heavenly Demon Cult is strong enough to handle itself, so I’ll just pretend not to care.
While her attention is elsewhere, I’ll swipe those dumplings.
I was aiming for one, but now I’ll take three to make up for her mocking me.
“My... I mean, our Master...”
Huh? Master?
It’s been a while since I’ve seen her.
She went all the way to the Tang Clan to clean up their mess for her lousy disciple.
They say a master’s grace is like heaven itself. How will I ever repay her?
“I miss Master.”
“She’s injured.”
The small hand reaching for the dumpling froze midair.
Blood rushed to my head, and my breathing quickened.
I couldn’t believe my ears.
Who’s injured?
“She was hurt a long time ago. She’s been hiding it well, but the injury hasn’t fully healed. That’s why we’ve left this place alone, in case the medicines here could help her recover.”
Her words blurred in my ears.
Someone had dared to harm my Master?
And worse, forced her to hide her pain?
What kind of bastard would do such a thing to my Master?
Who dared?