I Became an Evolving Lizard in a Martial Arts Novel

EP.27

The taste might be lacking, but indeed, it has the efficacy to be called Gong Cheong Stone Oil.

Randomly enhancing the performance of skills.

That’s quite significant.

So much so that it’s not at all undeserved to be called Gong Cheong Stone Oil.

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【Skills】

「Dragon Claw Technique」「Little Dragon Ascending Step」「Small Zhu Tian」「Ten Poison Immunity」「White Orchid Heart Technique」「Wall Climbing Technique」

「Tail Cutting LV9」「Dash LV8」「Crisis Detection LV7」「Tail Cutting LV2」「Wild Eyes LV2」「Cold Blood LV1」「Predation LV1」「Gastronomy LV2」「Tough Skin LV1」 ….

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Enhancing performance is essentially equivalent to raising levels.

Given that it’s a significant boost, expecting an increase from level 1 to level 10 would be reasonable.

There might even be cases of evolution.

However, what if it enhances a martial art that lacks skill levels?

With skills, enhancements are evident as their levels increase.

But martial arts are different. Without levels, there’s no way to gauge how much stronger they have become. It’s inherently more challenging to amplify their power compared to skills.

What if, in that context, the performance of a martial art were to be significantly enhanced?

There wouldn’t be anything better than that.

I’ve determined what I must do.

I clasp my hands together.

With a devout heart.

I pray.

Please, let it be a martial art.

Not something like Tough Skin.

…If I get Tail Cutting, I’ll truly be prepared for anything.

Enhancing Small Zhu Tian would also be quite useful.

If the path to Great Zhu Tian opens up, significant growth could be expected.

The same goes for Little Dragon Ascending Step.

Since I still use it effectively now, improving it wouldn’t be a downside.

It’s a footwork technique, so there might even be a chance for it to evolve into something more advanced later on.

White Orchid Heart Technique isn’t bad either.

It’s the only internal martial arts technique I have.

A technique as pure as a white egg.

It indicates that I can proceed in any direction.

However, the best option would undoubtedly be Dragon Claw Technique.

My main offensive technique, Dragon Claw Technique. I have even evolved into a King Crocodile Lizard because of this martial art, sacrificing my size. Even now, it possesses quite formidable power, and if it gets enhanced, I will literally become the king of lizards.

Ding.

A message from the status window appeared.

Something is moving around like a slot machine.

Please.

Please!

Only a martial art!

[“Ten Poison Immunity” evolves into “White Poison Immunity.”]

Gulp.

Martial art splash.

…….

My luck is truly dreadful.

Of all things, why did it have to be Ten Poison Immunity?

Well, it is true that it doesn’t have a skill level….

But it’s disappointing.

While increasing my resistance to poison isn’t a bad development, the issue is its immediate lack of practicality.

If it were another martial art, the enhancement would surely be noticeable.

It’s like a pretty-looking worthless fruit.

[“White Poison Immunity” reacts to 【King Crocodile Lizard】.]

Huh?

[You have acquired “Poison Fangs LV1.”]

Now, things are changing.

“Poison Fangs LV1”

Releases poison from the fangs. It can continue to spray poison, but MP will be continuously consumed.

Consumption: 5 MP.

My eyes sparkle.

Honestly, it doesn’t seem like an outstanding skill.
It feels like the kind of skill you’d get first when you climb the poison tech tree.

But even that is something to be grateful for.

I really needed a skill like this.

Now I’m able to use this overflowing MP meaningfully.

It costs 1 MP to cut the tail.

It consumes 2 MP when using Dash.

My total MP is 50.

I would just barely use it all if I were to cut the tail 50 times.

HP increases show up immediately, but there was not much difference with MP compared to when I was a gecko. No matter how much it increased, there wasn’t a way to use it.

I had been feeling like I was missing out, but with this one skill, I can put it to good use.

Moreover, it’s a skill that utilizes poison.

My species is the King Crocodile Lizard.

Right now, I am a poisonous King Crocodile Lizard.

Almost a Komodo Dragon, isn’t it?

I feel a bit regretful.

If I had learned Poison Fangs before evolving, I might have been able to evolve into a Komodo Dragon.

Of course, if I had come to this place before evolving, there was a high chance I’d have been controlled by that mushroom.

Should I try it out?

I positioned my fangs against a relatively intact corpse of a centipede among the scattered remains.

Crunch.

The moment I bit into it, poison flowed from my fangs.

The initial MP consumed when the poison came out was 5.

And as time passed, MP was consumed little by little.

So that’s how it works.

Not bad at all.

Very good, in fact.

Not only can I activate it at will in the water, but I can also use Poison Fangs in mid-air.

Sizzle.

As the green liquid dripped from my fangs and hit the ground, it evaporated instantly.

The ground looked slightly hollowed out. The potency is quite decent.

I’m not exactly sure what kind of poison this is, but with this, it will be a huge help in dealing with the Piranha Cayman.

I’m nearly done devising a plan to catch it.

Now, what remains is to further enhance my own powers.

A new body and a new skill.

I need to research a fighting style that matches this and raise my levels as much as possible.

Right now, I was in a place where that was feasible.

Since the Titanoboa had died, no one had stood above Silver Dragon Cave.

That unbearable gap has finally come to an end.

I will stand above Silver Dragon Cave.

Inhabitants of Silver Dragon Cave.

As a poisonous King Crocodile Lizard.

How will you stop me,

*

A week has passed.

A lot has happened during that time.

Facing two snakes using serpent kung fu is still a heart-pounding story. Each of us covered each other’s blind spots, creating a terrifying scenario of attacks from both sides. I was bewildered by the marvel of it several times.

Especially the final moment, when the two intertwined their bodies and executed paired serpent strikes, still makes my heart pound even now.

If it were against a Green Basilisk, I would have been utterly helpless.

The serpent kung fu lost to my Dragon Claw Technique.

The giant mantis wielding the antler technique wasn’t any push-over either.

The sight of it wielding a scythe bigger than my leg freely reminded me of a martial arts master from a painting. With its wings, its mobility was impressive, making it a tough opponent.

Overwhelming and brutal violence. If it hadn’t lured me into an area with a low ceiling, I might have been its prey.

The antler technique was defeated by the angles derived from Little Dragon Ascending Step.

There are many masters comparable to these beasts, but if I were to name the most memorable one, it would be the Giant Scorpion.
The two pincers, wielded as flexibly as twin swords, were overwhelming enough, but then there was the poisonous stinger tail coated in deadly venom that pressured me like a spear.

And it didn’t stop there; even the shell was tough, making it feel like I was facing a master among masters clad in armor.

I truly felt frustrated when I first encountered it.

It was large and armored. On top of that, its front legs were sharp and it could use poison?

What kind of opponent is this?

Of course, it must have been thinking the same thing.

A large, armored, poisonous lizard with sharp front legs.

That’s me.

【King Crocodile Lizard LV5】
HP: 312/312
MP: 75/75
【Titles】
“Beloved by Spiders”
“Master of Silver Dragon Cave”

Look at these astounding stats.

I am filled with emotion.

I remember when I was a Green Gecko Lv1.
Back then, I was too busy running away from an Oviraptor.
When I was a Green Basilisk, I didn’t even dare to think about fighting it.

But now, if it comes into my view, it will become my meal.

They say dinosaur meat tastes like chicken, and I’m quite curious about that.

A new favorite has emerged beneath Nephila Jurassica.
Yes, it is now the master of Silver Dragon Cave.

“Master of Silver Dragon Cave”
You have conquered the cave where dragons hide, Silver Dragon Cave. Creatures of Silver Dragon Cave will no longer attack you. The effects of stealth are enhanced, and you gain bonuses to various resistances.

I have successfully conquered this lair.

This badge, earned by defeating countless formidable foes, is something I want to boast about if I can.

Truthfully, it’s a bit surprising to receive this title.
It seems like I got it because the Titanoboa died, but the gap between the first and second place is just too vast. I expected at least something with half of the Titanoboa’s strength to still be around.

…Baek Yeon-Young must have taken something when she left.

Considering she took the Titanoboa’s inner core, did she take all the strong beasts in this place?

It’s hard to say. It’s none of my business.

What matters is that I received this title.

I have undeniably become the master of Silver Dragon Cave.

Even if I turned over and took a nap here, no one would dare to touch me.

…Not that I plan to scratch around like a grumpy animal here.

I have trained as much as I could in this Silver Dragon Cave.

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【Skills】
“Dragon Claw Technique” “Little Dragon Ascending Step” “Small Zhu Tian” “Ten Poison Immunity” “White Orchid Heart Technique” “Wall Climbing Technique”
“Tail Cutting LV10” “Dash LV10” “Crisis Detection LV7” “Poison Fangs LV5” “Tail Cutting LV2” “Wild Eyes LV2” “Cold Blood LV1” “Predation LV1” “Gourmet LV3” “Tough Leather LV3” …….
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I have definitely become stronger.

However, a direct confrontation with the Piranha Cayman might still be tough.
I am definitely at a disadvantage in terms of size.

But I don’t think I will lose.

I looked down at the artificial objects beneath my feet.
A straw doll and colorful threads,
And the newly acquired poison skill.

These are the keys to defeating the Piranha Cayman.

All preparations are complete.

Now it’s time to rise up.

Cayman.

Your opponent has returned.