Right where the dragon had been, it suddenly emitted a colossal surge of energy, forcing the snake—who had been attacking madly—to stop.
It immediately ignored me and focused on that spot, its alertness several times greater than when it fought me.
I saw, without knowing when it appeared, a cocoon forming around the dragon—and now it was slowly cracking.
Is the dragon evolving?
No wonder it took so long.
Seizing the moment while the snake wasn't paying attention, I flashed out of its range to hide behind a large rock.
My job here is done, right?
Dragon friend, I'm counting on you.
Don't forget to share the loot.
After a few tremors, the cocoon finally shattered completely, revealing the dragon's brand-new form.
Although I was far away, I could still see its blinding brilliance.
Its previous blue scales were now coated in a metallic-gold layer, and two rugged horns branched out from its head.
Just by appearance—it was truly majestic.
I tried to Appraisal it.
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Aahh?
It can block Appraisal now?
That only proves how powerful it is after evolving. Moreover, I've worn the snake down significantly, so this fight is a sure win for the dragon.
The snake, sensing a massive pressure, decided to flee. First, it sprayed the same mist it used on me before and cloaked itself within.
I tried to locate it, but my vision is blurry from being seriously wounded.
Moments like this, you don't get often—I really want to watch...
So I rushed into the Shop to check for skills that would let me observe this battle. Two candidates popped up: [Night Vision] and [Heaven Eye].
Hmm... both are eye-related, but I wasn't sure which does what.
Based purely on name power, [Heaven Eye] sounded stronger, so I decided to buy it.
At only 500 Skill Points, it was no issue.
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Without hesitation, I activated the newly acquired skill.
My vision sharpened; even within the mist, I could clearly see everything.
Damn, if I'd had this skill earlier—no more suffering.
That's always how it goes: what you need arrives after you need it.
Now, the snake wasn't fleeing normally—it was splitting itself somehow. I saw five identical snakes, all smaller than the original.
One must be the true body. I tested with [Sensing] and received five identical vibrations.
If they're clones, that's insane. Maybe it's another skill.
The snake kept fleeing, but couldn't escape because a stone wall had appeared in front and enclosed the area.
I knew that was the dragon's skill.
The dragon floated mid-air, then aimed its horns at the mist and gathered a sphere.
So it's playing the self-destruct strategy again?
But contrary to my expectation, the sphere didn't launch—it exploded in place, absorbing the mist inside it.
While I was trapped in suffering, the dragon finished the task effortlessly.
I wonder when I'll have moves like that again.
The mist dissipated, revealing the snake—but now it was a large two-headed beast.
It knew it couldn't flee, so it was preparing for a final showdown.
At the thought, I flashed further away—I'm injured, and even the blast shockwave could kill me now.
The snake fired those circle summons it used on me before—but this time they were bigger and far more numerous.
They aimed at the dragon but did no damage; each orb stopped at a fixed distance from the dragon then vanished.
Through [Heaven Eye], I saw an invisible shield surrounding it.
Hmm, this skill really helps me see so much—my vision's greatly expanded.
The dragon didn't stay still; it maneuvered in the air, closing in on the snake. Its post-evolution speed was even faster, and it approached swiftly.
The snake struggled upward using its wings to evade, but its speed couldn't match the dragon's four-legged flight.
Upon reaching the snake, the dragon quickly cast a spell from its mouth and exploded it. The blast was massive, but the dragon was unharmed; the snake staggered and collapsed heavily.
So it truly intended to blow up until death? That skill seems useless now—the dragon's scales didn't even scratch.
The more I watch, the more I admire the dragon.
What followed was a brutal torture fest: whenever the snake tried to stand, the dragon would approach and detonate everything. The snake's scales peeled off to reveal fresh flesh beneath.
Oh, the snake was about to break.
It staggered away, then split into five small snakes and scattered.
The dragon seemingly anticipated this—it also split into five smaller dragons and started pursuing.
I can only describe the snake's fate as "tragic": previously being tortured by the dragon was bad, but now it was tormented fivefold. Eventually three of the snake clones died, while the other two finally recombined into the scarred original snake.
I thought that'd be the end—but the dragon didn't seem ready to finish it yet.
It just hovered and watched the battered snake lying there, full of wounds.
What was it waiting for?
Then the snake strained to stand again, shifting postures.
Wait!
It curled itself but left a hole in the center; then, from nowhere, a huge egg appeared there.
It laid an egg?
Why now?
My head buzzed in disarray as the dragon just stood silently.
Then the snake placed the egg in a corner.
It felt like it was preparing its own death—that's exactly what it was going to die for.
But to my surprise, the snake began charging a spell in its mouth; a sphere slowly formed.
I Appraised it again—its SP bar was plummeting.
It wanted a final blow?
I glanced at the dragon.
It had stepped back and was charging its horn in response.
Damn it.
This dragon better end it clean now—not play final moves too.
I need to get away.
I have no SP left for another [Invincible Shield]; if those two spells collide, I die.
What can I do?
Unless I-level up instantly to heal—in this spot there's only dragon and snake, and I can't reach either.
Wait...
Oh, the egg!
No, no.
What crazy thought is this?
No.
Why do I feel insane? The snake is already my enemy, so its offspring will be too.
To eradicate, root and all.
Right.
I think there's a saying like that.
So I'm not wrong, am I?
I'm just doing it for my own survival.
Hey, even if I say more, it's just rationalizing.
Uwwh, I can't care that much—now I'm a spider, nothing binds me.
Yes!
With determination, I re-evaluated the scene.
Both snake and dragon were focusing on their spells—they wouldn't notice me.
I didn't flash. I crawled stealthily behind rocks to approach the egg behind the snake.
Honestly, if an explosion occurs, I don't know how it'd survive—so I'd as well eat it now.
Once close enough, I flashed right behind the egg. Because it's big, it hid me.
Then I used [Venomous Fangs] to inject poison into the egg.
Good, not detected yet.
Through [Heaven Eye], I could see the egg's life weakening—I kept going.
Just as I thought I'd succeed, the snake suddenly roared.
It discovered me?
As expected, the snake charged toward me.
But it's still casting? Abandoning mid-cast—is that okay?
I felt uneasy and increased my speed.
The snake, with the massive orb, rushed at me.
Faster!
I poured venom into the egg as fast as possible.
Faster!
Got it.
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With the notifications, my body and stats fully restored—but I'd completely driven the snake insane.
It wasted no time and unleashed its charged sphere at me; the pressure alone almost suffocated me. At the same time, the dragon behind threw its charge too.
The damn dragon.
It turned on me.
No choice—I used [Invincible Shield].
A thunderous explosion erupted, sweeping everything into chaotic fury. The ground cracked wide like an abyss, the air tore open. I remained safe within the shield—but fortune didn't spare me: a colossal fissure opened beneath me, pulling me down into the abyss.
But not just me—the snake was dragged too.
It was no longer the feared creature. The dragon's destructive blow, and its own skill's backlash, left the snake shattered: drenched in blood, its body limp. Yet, with bone-deep survival instinct, it growled and tried using its ruined wings to crawl toward me—its eyes blazing with hatred.
At first I feared it. Now?
A wrecked body, a crawling corpse daring to attack? Ridiculous.
I dropped the shield—the fury had subsided. Immediately, I flashed above it and, without hesitation, plunged [Drill leg] straight through its eye.
The snake screamed, writhing as if torn in half—but I drove the drill in harder.
Without giving it time to retaliate, I activated [Paralyzing Evil Eye] and [Heaven's Net]. My skills were stronger now, and layers of control wove around it like a living nightmare. Trapped completely, it had no strength left—its SP was nearly gone. All that remained was panic and its last futile struggles.
I had to end it before the dragon reached.
Time to make it XP for me to level up.
Ignoring its final screech, I pressed more power into [Drill leg]—piercing its skull, drilling deeper. The sound of bone snapping and flesh crushing echoed with the snake's final cry.
Then—silence.
Finally succeeded.
The victory was mine.
I rejoiced, then realized I was still falling—but not a big issue.
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Nai wa.
This is amazing.
But right now, I must escape.
I used [Adamantine Body] to cushion my fall; the snake corpse beside me I wrapped carefully in silk—should do for now.
I didn't know where this was, but I needed to get out.
I ran as fast as I could. Along the way, I passed some creatures—but they saw the large
remains trailing behind me and didn't dare approach.
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I don't know what this skill is, but my speed has increased—and I'm still running for my life.
At that moment, I had no idea that earlier, the dragon had just silently watched us from above—and after seeing me kill the snake, it flew away.