WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: HidingTurtle

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ I Became the Ophidian of the Apocalypse ◈

Chapter 41: Sell Scales One by One, Get Rich in No Time

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-Welcome, Pelerian.

A voice rang out.

Thud.

The iron door I had just passed through slammed shut.

No one would be getting through it now. Unlike last time, when a few knocks had opened the door, this one had a far more complicated locking mechanism installed.

-I brought this trouble on myself by setting up an identity verification system.

'You sure did.'

Pelerian had originally designed the iron door to open only after feeding it Pelerian's own blood.

At the same time, it required voice authentication and a release of Pelerian's unique magical power signature. It was absurdly thorough. I had almost made it all the way here only to be unable to enter.

Thankfully, Pelerian had personally designed the security system.

Pelerian had left a backdoor, so we somehow managed to open it.

'It's like some kind of digital certificate system.'

-What is that?

'Something like this exists.'

The lights came on.

Thunk, thunk, thunk, thunk, thunk.

It sounded like halogen lamps switching on in an abandoned warehouse in a Hollywood movie.

A neatly organized corridor stretched out before us.

I tensed up without realizing it.

What if a golem suddenly got up again?

Since the dungeon was so well-preserved, the guard golems probably would not be half-destroyed like before.

Thinking back on it, those golems had been incredibly strong.

Even now, I probably could not beat them.

-Hoho, don't worry. There are no traps or security devices inside.

Pelerian cackled in delight after noticing I was scared.

What a nasty old man.

'What's different about this place?'

-Dungeon No. 123 was not designed with intruders in mind. I made it solely on the assumption that I would enter it. The external security is strong, but I made the inside comfortable.

That was true.

This time, the moment I entered the dungeon, I heard a voice say, "Pelerian, welcome."

The previous dungeon's exact name had been the Laboratory. This place was the Magic Stone Storage.

Something suddenly occurred to me.

'But it's not like you only have one or two dungeons. You could send someone else inside, right?'

-Ah...

'You could ask a friend to bring you some Magic Stones.'

With security this strict, that would be impossible.

It would be a huge hassle if Pelerian had to come here in person every time.

Pelerian fell silent.

Pelerian finally spoke after I had nearly forgotten what I had asked.

-...No friends, right.

'How did you know?!'

I jumped in shock.

-Huh?

'Ah... You meant that you don't have any friends.'

-Yes.

For a moment, I thought Pelerian had said I did not have any friends.

It was embarrassing, but I pretended nothing had happened and asked again.

'Then what about trustworthy companions?'

-...

Pelerian fell silent again.

After a long while, Pelerian answered.

-None.

'Trustworthy subordinates?'

More silence.

-...It seems I have none.

If I were a truly bad snake, I would have asked something like this.

No, how could that be when you're an elf who has lived for so long? You must have family, at least. Surely you have family you could ask for that much. Siblings, or at the very least, parents!

Something like that.

But I was not such a ruthless snake.

Pelerian had sworn to me.

Pelerian would answer my questions honestly and obey my words.

That did not mean I intended to use Pelerian as an unpaid slave.

If it was not something I absolutely needed to know, I would not force Pelerian to answer.

If I had really asked those questions just now, Pelerian would have felt ashamed.

When you take someone in, you have to embrace them with your heart.

A subordinate who serves you sincerely can never be gained through force.

Of course, Pelerian probably had no idea that I considered them a subordinate.

-What are you looking at?

That told me all I needed to know.

'What do you think I'm looking at? We need to get to the Magic Stone storage already.'

-We're going!

Pelerian bickered with me while continuing the conversation.

The moment we started talking about evolution, Pelerian's voice brightened as though they had never been snippy in the first place.

-Forget that report now.

Pelerian meant the time we had examined my Special Evolution conditions in the Chimera's dungeon.

-In my view, it would not be wrong to say your evolution tree has no limits.

'Gasp.'

Pelerian had seen right through my Potential of 20. As expected of Pelerian.

I asked what I had been wondering about.

'Then could I suddenly evolve into a completely different monster?'

-A different monster?

'Yes, like a centipede.'

Centipedes were what happened to come to mind, so I asked.

-It is both impossible and possible.

I hated answers that vague.

Fortunately, Pelerian added a more detailed explanation.

-If your next evolution gave you legs, the one after that gave you a carapace, and the next gave you venomous claws, you could evolve into a centipede-type monster. But why would you?

I had no intention of doing that either.

-Perhaps by chance, but you have been evolving very efficiently. I explained that every monster has a limit to the number of times it can evolve, did I not?

'Yes, Professor.'

-For some reason, you have evolved repeatedly in a short period, yet it seems you can still evolve many more times. Even if tiny creatures like snakes, centipedes, and spiders can evolve multiple times, that is remarkable.

Pelerian had said they would not call me a tiny creature.

Still, it sounded like praise, so I listened quietly.

'What does it mean that I've evolved efficiently?'

-Efficient evolution does not necessarily mean evolving into a stronger monster. In some ways, it could be said to mean the opposite.

'Then what does it mean?'

-It means you can evolve in a direction with greater potential. For example, let us assume you had evolved along a different tree instead of this one.

Professor Pelerian began the lecture.

-The Little Green Snake has a diverse evolution tree, but the most common path is to increase its size.

From Little Green Snake, to Green Snake, then Giant Green Snake.

-For many, that is the end.

'That's it?!'

-If they are lucky, they may reach Green Snake King.

A Giant Green Snake was a massive snake reaching ten meters in length.

Yet it ended after only three evolutions.

Compared to me evolving three times to become a White Double-Horn Python, was that not terribly disappointing?

-Then before becoming a Giant Green Snake, it should evolve into a higher species. There may be a path to becoming a Python, like yours.

'Then what about Medusa Mom?'

-The Medusa Serpent? That also went through a special evolution process.

Serpent.

It was a snake monster of a higher species than Snake or Python.

-A monster that became a Serpent likely acquired the ability of Petrification, then evolved into a Medusa Serpent. Yet that is also a regrettable path. A Medusa Serpent can only evolve one more time.

Oh.

So Medusa Mom really could evolve further.

-You should also aim to evolve into a Serpent. Serpent is a special evolution process that other named snake monsters have also gone through.

I did not want to become a Medusa Serpent.

They were too ugly.

Something Pelerian said caught my attention.

'Named snake monsters?'

-Some are recorded, while others are believed to still be alive. I will explain later. Your current evolution is more important for now.

The Special Evolution conditions I needed to fulfill first.

Pelerian spoke casually.

-There is an efficient and certain method. It is a secret known only to me...

'What is it?!'

The answer I got was more anticlimactic than expected.

-Eat a lot of high-grade Magic Stones.

'Ah.'

-Ordinarily, it is an evolution condition you could never fulfill at your level. Where would a monster find that many Magic Stones?

That was certainly true.

Not every monster contained a Magic Stone.

And monsters with high-grade Magic Stones would all be extremely strong.

But this was Pelerian's Magic Stone storage.

It was practically a buffet.

-Raising the level of your evolution through magical power saturation, like last time, will likely be impossible. But this is even better. You will be able to evolve into a species capable of handling a massive amount of magical power!

My chest swelled.

'I'll finally be able to become a real swordsman!'

The thought of learning Transparent Hand magic made my heart race.

I would become the grandmaster of snake swordsmanship.

-...Magic is the ultimate field of study.

Pelerian clicked their tongue, then pointed with one finger.

-Pull that lever.

I did.

Click.

The wall opened.

White vapor billowed out with a hiss.

Cold air brushed against me.

Then something like a display case slid forward.

-That is my Magic Stone collection. Behold it, and applaud.

'Wow!'

I gasped.

I had expected a dusty old warehouse when Pelerian said storage, but what was this?

The Magic Stones were displayed beneath crystal panels, like a jewelry box.

Since they were edible, it also resembled the chocolate display case of a luxury chocolatier.

Dozens of Magic Stones were packed inside.

The smallest were Grade 1 Magic Stones the size of beans.

──────────────

【Grade 1 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 1 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 1 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 1 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 2 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 2 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 2 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 2 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 2 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 2 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 2 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 2 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 3 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 3 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 3 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 3 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 3 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 4 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 4 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 4 Magic Stone】...

──────────────

Beside them were Grade 2, Grade 3, and Grade 4 Magic Stones. The Grade 4 Magic Stones were as large as acorns.

Pelerian burst into hearty laughter.

-Eat with gratitude, snake. You may eat as much as you can! You will likely reach magical power saturation after eating a certain amount and be unable to eat any more, but...

Even the Chimera's Magic Stone had been Grade 4.

When I ate two, my magical power had filled to the brim.

Pelerian made an even more generous decision.

-You may take whatever remains, as much as your Subspace can hold.

Ah, Pelerian should not have said that.

-...Why are you so quiet? Are you too grateful to speak, snake?

Pelerian's tone could not have been kinder.

But when Pelerian acted like this, I had no choice but to be suspicious even if I did not want to be.

I had not known Pelerian for long, but it had been more than enough time to understand their character.

'There's more, right?'

-Hm?

'Magic Stones. This isn't all of them.'

The best Magic Stones I had ever eaten were the two Grade 4 Magic Stones the Chimera carried.

The Chimera had been a terrifying enemy from my perspective. It would not be easy even if I fought it now.

But would that be the case for Pelerian?

Pelerian had built such a massive dungeon just to hide Grade 4 Magic Stones?

There was no way.

I voiced my complaint in an old-fashioned manner.

'Before I get to the main course, show me the rest.'

-...

'Keeping your mouth shut won't work. Reveal them honestly.'

We had just talked about trust and all that.

Still, I had to take what I could.

Pelerian groaned for a long time before nodding.

-Pull the lever on the right as well.

I did so.

Hiss-

Like before, another display case slid out.

Only then could I finally smile.

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【Grade 5 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 5 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 5 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 6 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 6 Magic Stone】, 【Grade 7 Magic Stone】, ...【Grade 9 Magic Stone】

──────────────

There were fewer of them, but they were much larger.

There was even a Grade 9 Magic Stone.

Just how high did Magic Stone grades go?

'You really haven't hidden anything else, right?'

-Do you think Magic Stones pop out every time you kill a monster, damn it?! I sold the higher-grade ones for money. Is that enough?!

'Why are you getting angry?'

Pelerian huffed and puffed.

I comforted Pelerian.

'If I don't take them, the fairies will just come and rob you.'

-Who knows... If I collapse the rocks entirely, they may not find it.

'Ahem.'

Pelerian eventually acknowledged that I was right.

-Only eat as much as you can. If anything remains, you must return it later.

That was for if Pelerian somehow got their body back.

-Start with the low-grade Magic Stones. Otherwise, your body might really burst and you could die. I am not lying.

I nodded.

That was true.

'Then I'll eat.'

I started with the Grade 1 Magic Stones.

What kind of monsters had these been extracted from?

Even Magic Stones of the same grade had different flavors.

It seemed to depend on who their original owner had been.

-You eat well.

I devoured all ten Grade 1 Magic Stones.

*「You absorb a large amount of Magical Essence.」

*「Your level has reached its limit.」

*「Unabsorbed Magical Essence is stored.」

──────────────

【White Double-Horn Python Lv. 20+】

──────────────

A plus sign appeared beside my level.

Next came the Grade 2 Magic Stones.

I easily devoured all ten Grade 2 Magic Stones as well.

-Aren't you getting full by now? Is your skin getting itchy or anything?

'Nope.'

I was fine.

The Grade 3 Magic Stones were in a different class.

Even one Horn Jaguar Magic Stone had once been a luxurious meal for me.

*「You absorb a large amount of Magical Essence.」

*「Unabsorbed Magical Essence is stored.」

There were now two plus signs.

-That is strange, very strange...

Despite Pelerian's worries, I could still eat more.

There was not much strain on my body either.

Could my Potential extend to a talent for competitive eating?

I devoured every Grade 3 Magic Stone.

I was starting to feel full.

The Grade 4 Magic Stones were truly difficult.

I had almost eaten them all when I finally felt something.

It felt like my body would burst.

It did not seem to be because my stomach was full.

-Insane. You really eat a lot.

Pelerian went beyond regret and began to marvel.

-Do not push yourself any further...

'Wait.'

I still had one trick left.

Several of my skills had reached Level 10.

──────────────

【White Double-Horn Python Lv. 20+++】

【Skills】

...

※Evolution available:

[Tear Apart Lv. 10], [Leap Lv. 10]

...

──────────────

Right. Let us evolve.

But something more than I had expected was written there.

──────────────

※Due to the privilege of the epithet 'Heart-Eating Snake,' you can fuse-evolve skills.

* 'They say it possesses a special skill that eats hearts.'

──────────────

My heart pounded as I read the message.

Excellent.

*「You consume Magical Essence to fuse-evolve skills.」

*「Tear Apart Lv. 10 and Leap Lv. 10 fuse.」

Thump, thump.

*「You have acquired the skill, 'Heart-Eating Leap Lv. 1.'」

I had become a snake capable of physically stealing people's hearts.

But did this mean I could no longer use Leap and Tear Apart separately?

I would have to check later.

"Urk."

My Magical Essence drained away in an instant.

I resumed my eating show.

-How far are you going to eat?!

Pelerian was swept up in a frenzy of excitement.

After eating every Grade 4 Magic Stone, I even began eating Grade 5 Magic Stones.

Amazingly, after eating two Grade 5 Magic Stones, I was completely full.

──────────────

【White Double-Horn Python Lv. 20++++】

...

【Status】

[Evolution Available]

──────────────

*「You have fulfilled the special conditions for evolution.」

This seemed to be my limit.

-You ate five times more than I expected...

Pelerian muttered as though burned to ash.

Then, should I begin evolving right away?

My stomach was so full that I was getting sleepy after eating.

-There will be evolution options related to magical power saturation. Look carefully!

I had intended to do that even without Pelerian nagging me.

After settling into position, I closed my eyes.

Like last time.

Sleep overtook me in an instant.

* * *

──────────────

From 【White Double-Horn Python Lv. 20】

1. 【Long Double-Horn Python】

2. 【Poison Double-Horn Python】

3. 【Hot Pink Double-Horn Python】

──────────────

Wait, what was Hot Pink?

Could it be because I ate the Inner Core of the Crimson Tarantula King?

White and red mixing together...

This was an automatic pass.

I did not want to lose my dignity.

I read further.

──────────────

4. 【Green Double-Horn Python】

──────────────

No, I said I was not going green.

When would the green options finally disappear?

Was there nothing related to Magic Stones?

Then I saw the final option.

The moment I saw it, it felt as though my Scales stood on end.

I knew instinctively.

──────────────

5. 【Crystal Double-Horn Python】

──────────────

Crystal.

A crystal, or a crystalline formation.

I could imagine it. My body gleaming like crystal.

Crystal snakes and crystal lizards had always been extremely rare monsters in games.

Strictly speaking, crystal was also white.

Could this be a gift from heaven for me, who had refused to give up on white?

The Magic Stones I had devoured during my eating show also looked like crystals in some ways.

The other options were all terrible.

They either changed my color or had nothing to do with magical power at all.

Perhaps this was an evolution that strengthened my Scales.

Pattern had its own effect, so Scales probably had something else too.

Yes, there was no reason to hesitate.

*「You have selected Crystal Double-Horn Python.」

*「Evolution begins.」

I began evolving.

* * *

Outside.

It had been a day since the new chief Nanaruk and the sacred snake Ululullulu beat Krok to death.

Nanaruk was evolving inside the hut that had served as Krok's residence, while Ululullulu had yet to emerge from underground.

Every warrior of the Runga Tribe that had newly occupied the place wore a bright expression.

The Goblins' new ruler would soon be born.

Unlike Krok, Nanaruk had an excellent character as well, and she would lead the Goblins of the Great Forest down a new path.

The Hop Goblins, including Jadiram, who had participated in the battle, were in good spirits too.

There were no threatening enemies left, but Jadiram and Kadiram volunteered to stand guard.

"Is the Chief all right?"

"Yes, she did collapse, but they say she'll wake up soon. Hehe."

The two were chatting happily when someone approached.

"Hey. Hop Goblins."

Kadiram and Jadiram were startled.

They had not sensed anyone approaching, yet someone was standing right in front of them.

The stranger wore clothing unsuited to the sweltering Great Forest.

A long coat. A hat.

A tall, slender man.

His features were beautiful, but his skin was ash-gray.

Most of all, those long ears.

He was a Shadow Fairy.

"Where is Krok?"

He asked in a gloomy voice.

It was clumsy but clearly Goblin speech.

Jadiram and Kadiram raised their weapons and shouted.

"Who are you?!"

"...Hmm."

The Shadow Fairy clicked his tongue.

"That idiot. It seems he finally died."

"I said reveal your identity!"

Kadiram shouted threateningly.

But the Shadow Fairy ignored Kadiram and muttered something under his breath.

Kadiram turned to Jadiram, uncertain what to do.

"Kek, keh."

For a moment, Kadiram thought it was a mistake.

A large hole had opened in Jadiram's neck.

Blood gushed out, and Jadiram collapsed.

"You."

The Shadow Fairy wiped the blood from his hand and spoke.

"You will guide me to the dungeon."

Footnotes:

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