Chapter 21

Pain is double-edged.

Sometimes it breaks the will of living creatures, and other times it sharpens their consciousness.

The pain of having its tail cut off seemed to have brought Python back to its senses, pulling it out of its daze.

Focus returned to its once hazy eyes.

It was不幸 for Rena.

Initially, the goal was to awaken Python, not engage in a fight to the death, but now it seemed the situation had turned to solely awakening the opponent.

The drawback of this became immediately apparent.

Python’s scales stood up in the opposite direction with a metallic clink.

Then, like a mirror reflecting sunlight, they scattered light and emitted a mysterious iridescent, five-colored glow.

“What kind of monster has a phase 2?”

Or, is it because it’s a monster?

If we think of it like a game, this is essentially a boss monster.

[Five-Color Scales]

This was the skill that elevated Python, once just a large snake, to the rank of a dominator-level monster.

It was similar to how a hedgehog raises its spines for protection.

Of course, since these were mana-laden, they were incomparably tougher and sharper.

The sturdy scales repelled attacks while the sharp tips pierced and killed any who approached.

It was both an impenetrable shield and a deadly trap for enemies.

To a monster, it was nearly a perfect advantage.

As infamous as the monsters of the Great Forest were for their bizarre abilities, their physical traits were nonetheless prominent.

The closer one got, the more damage was incurred, making it a very unreasonable ability indeed.

“The Great Forest dominator-level monster, Python, has identified you as an enemy!”

“Engaging Python is dangerous!”

“It’s recommended that you temporarily retreat, coordinate with allies, and then challenge it!”

…As if that would work against someone like that.

Rena brushed away the system message obstructing her view and waved her hand.

With a crisp sound of breaking bones, dozens of Python’s scales shattered and broke off.

Feels good.

The sensation of snapping them like peanut brittle was perfect for stress relief.

She even considered taking a few as souvenirs—they were shiny and pretty, perhaps good for decoration.

She then attempted to slice Python’s torso in half, but Python’s whipping body struck her like a whip.

Rena was pushed back, carving a deep trench into the ground.

Massive trees snapped, and rocks were reduced to rubble, linearly devastating the Great Forest’s terrain.

But Rena herself was unscathed.

The impact from Python’s whip-like tail was absorbed by the dragon scales protecting her, and her awakened physique wasn’t even slightly tickled by the remaining force.

Instead, her shoe soles felt like they were on fire.

Her feet were burning as if standing barefoot on scorching asphalt in the height of summer.

Rena regretted her decision.

She should’ve just flown away.

But since she didn’t know how far this thing could fly, she stayed put and took damage needlessly.

“Bothersome.”

She thought the scales were merely decorative, but unexpectedly, they were effective.

Despite breaking with a single slash, they made splitting the body entirely more difficult.

Python’s counterattack came just as she was trying to break away.

It seemed she’d have to break all the scales on the cutting site. But would Python, now fully conscious, simply allow that?

Wasn’t it about to use some other fancy technique?

Indeed, it did.

Rena noticed a cluster of luminous glimmers filling the sky.

“Shooting scales?”

She was honestly impressed by this novel application.

Each one of those glimmers was a scale.

Having realized that the Five-Color Scales were only good for a one-time shield, Python had changed its strategy.

But wouldn’t it regrow scales if it can do that? Why didn’t the tail regenerate?

Lost in such a foolish question, even momentarily, was enough time to decide life or death.

The scales came raining down like arrows fired by a massive army, forming a tidal wave covering an entire area instead of mere points.

No matter how fast she ran at full strength, avoiding this was impossible.

She’d just have to endure with her bare body—her arms might fare well, but the rest would be a mess.

What a cowardly fighting style.

Of course, cowardice is highly praised, whether in the internet world or in real life.

Any ordinary opponent would be utterly helpless against a beast like this.

But Rena wasn’t an ordinary opponent either.

The scales began to pelt the ground with a thunderous noise.

The impact resembled bombs dropping more than arrows.

BOOM BOOM BOOM! The ground erupted in explosions.

Rena suddenly appeared amidst the debris, soaring high into the sky.

Generally, this was a foolish move.

Humans couldn’t fly, and since changing direction in mid-air was difficult, this was actually a mistake that would restrict her next movements.

Especially while the scales were still raining down.

It was like diving into a storm.

“Instinct Triggered—Predator’s Sense amplifies the five senses!”

Rena’s vision captured every falling scale.

The more she focused, the slower time seemed to stretch, as if she was walking through the gaps of time.

For everybody else, what felt like one second to them stretched to about ten for her.

Rena pushed off from a scale grazing her calf and leaped.

Between the raining scales and gaps, the path she could take was instantly clear.

“Wild Martial Arts (Max Level) assists with movement!”

Her body twisted, flipped, rebounded, and spun, each action flowing seamlessly like water.

In the blink of an eye, she found herself staring at a white cloud.

She was now at the same height as Python’s rigidly raised head.

Its blood-red eyes twitched nervously.

It didn’t expect its attack to be dismantled in such a manner.

Rena smirked teasingly.

Who says someone this small can’t be dangerous?

It was an absurd thought, as there was no relation between her small stature and the incredible agility that allowed her to evade bombardment.

Yet, regardless of the reasons, the mistake was still a mistake.

Even the most terrifying predator could suddenly meet a tragic demise due to a moment of carelessness.

This wasn’t a board game—no one gave quarter in real combat; all they wanted was each other’s necks.

Rena pushed off the last scale, leaping once more, and delivered a fierce slap to Python’s cheek.

The shockwave from her fingertips caused a whirlwind to erupt.

Python’s head snapped back 90 degrees.

Though failing to crush its skull with one strike, it was due to the protection of the Five-Color Scales.

She had assumed all the scales had been fired, but it seemed that Python had reserved some around its head.

Rena wasn’t disappointed.

Her purpose was to change its direction anyway.

PUFF!

Just as Python seemed to puff out its cheek, it opened its mouth wide.

An unknown liquid sprayed from its open maw.

As if it had drained all its bodily water, the liquid cascaded like a waterfall.

Whatever it touched was instantly corroded.

All that remained in its wake was a clearly hazardous purple gas and dissolved remnants.

“Wow! A breath attack!”

Rena recognized it.

A breath weapon, the ultimate technique used by dragons or similar monsters as a final resort.

It was famed for its overwhelming power.

And it lived up to the hype.

A path was carved through the Great Forest; it looked open and inviting, but it was terrifying.

Close call.

Her instincts that something didn’t feel right paid off.

Who would have expected such preparation?

If she had immediately tried to end its life, what might have happened?

It wasn’t luck.

She had a nearly celestial-level danger-detection ability.

SHIACK!

Even though Python’s ultimate plan had been laughably nullified, it didn’t lose momentum.

Retreating equaled death.

This insect-like human had the full capability to take its life.

Having overcome countless trials and tribulations to reach its position as a dominator in the Great Forest…

Would it willingly surrender its life to a mere human?

Python moved its body in a last-ditch effort.

Striking with brute force was futile.

With the loss of its Five-Color Scales, escaping unscathed was practically a miracle.

Thus, there was only one method left.

Python realigned its bent head and snapped its massive jaw shut.

…!

It was triumphant.

Won! I’ve eaten it!

Though it was a disappointing conclusion to its struggles, a victory was still a victory.

It could feel Rena passing down its throat.

No matter how monstrous this human was, could it survive in digestive acids?

Monsters from the Great Forest grew stronger by consuming and assimilating other monsters.

A trial was merely a stepping stone for growth.

A truth Python had personally realized.

It had consumed a monster of equal caliber.

Not only could it restore the mana it had expended thus far, but it could also anticipate further growth.

Then, a spark of unease flickered in its mind.

This was more an instinctive hunch than a rational thought.

Was it really plausible that such a human, who evaded the Five-Color Scale bombardment and the breath attack with ghostly precision, wasn’t putting up any resistance while being swallowed?

Could this be part of his plan?

S-SHIACK!

The realization came too late.

Python felt searing pain from within its belly.

It was as if cut by a knife, the sharp pain burning.

Its tender, unprotected inner lining and organs were being shredded.

Python tried to vomit its contents, but the opponent was faster.

Its throat swelled up and down, and a fine line soon appeared, followed by a sudden SLASH!

The severed snake’s head plummeted to the ground.

Rena emerged from within it.

Covered in sticky slime but smiling cheerfully.

“What fun. The slide was excellent.”

It was a unique experience.

It felt like returning to childhood.

When would she ever get to slide down a long esophagus again?

Together with the joy of exercise, it felt like she had satisfied six months’ worth of dopamine.

Rena affectionately tapped Python’s head.

“…You’ve been defeated! Dominator-level monster of the Great Forest, the monstrous snake Python!”

The message was accompanied by the cheerful sound of trumpets as the status window appeared, signaling the end of the battle.

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