CHAPTER 12…………………………………..
4. Suspicious Evolution 011 – Suspicious Evolution #2
I gathered the vine the Marbling had been carrying along with the vines I found in the forest and tied them all together into one long line.
The result was an unbelievably crude rope, but since I had absolutely no knowledge of rope-making, even this felt like a blessing.
I yanked on it with all my strength to test how much weight it could bear. Despite my increased strength, it didn’t snap—it was sturdy enough.
I tied the long rope to a nearby tree trunk and let it hang down into the underground chamber.
I’d imagined myself descending gracefully like special forces rappelling down a cliff, but in reality I ended up climbing down in an awkward mess, like a child clinging to a rope.
Holding the crystal I’d left on the ground, I reentered the deep cavern—the Tomb of Queen El—Gasa. My plan was to bring everything I’d stockpiled there up to the surface.
Like the snake, I briefly considered living underground, but the thought of sharing space with spiders made my skin crawl.
Even now, as I carried things out, the spiders’ footsteps clicked and clattered beyond tiny mouse holes.
Ugh. Disgusting.
Unless I had bug spray or something like F-Killa, there was no way I wanted to coexist with those things—even if I had to sleep on bare dirt instead.
After moving most of my belongings to the rope, I tied several of the snake’s bones to the end. I climbed back up, then pulled on the rope to haul the bones out.
The vines made an ominous zzzt sound under the combined weight of me and the bones, but thankfully the makeshift rope didn’t snap.
I repeated the process several times, gradually moving all of the snake’s remains to the surface.
It’d be nice if I could make a box and use it like a pulley…
But I didn’t have the materials, and more importantly, I didn’t know how.
They say when you’re short on brains, your body has to work harder. Still, with my dramatically increased stamina, the work was more tedious than truly exhausting.
They say primitive tools didn’t develop quickly because indigenous people were so physically capable they didn’t feel inconvenienced. I finished faster than I expected.
Staying busy kept stray thoughts away, and the surge of vitality in my body felt great. More than anything, I liked the fact that I was doing something creative and constructive for myself.
Once everything was moved, I planted the massive snake ribs into the ground around my stone shelter, forming a fence.
There were so many bones that I could create a dense, tightly packed barrier.
Seen from above, the circular fence looked like a primitive tribal barricade. I wondered if there was a better way to use the bones, but nothing else came to mind right now.
I can always pull them out later if I think of something. While I’m at it… should I make a roof?
I lashed the bones together in layers with vines, creating something like a massive bamboo mat.
Placing it atop the stone walls formed a solid base for a roof.
I draped the leather clothes taken from the Marblings over it, then layered snake scales on top like roof tiles to give it a slope. Finally, I covered everything with branches for camouflage.
By night, it would look just like part of the underbrush.
The house and fence were crude and primitive, like a caveman’s hut, but considering I’d built it with wild materials and no tools, it was remarkably well done.
Next time I hunt a beast, I should skin it and cover the whole roof. Can’t have rain leaking in.
I carefully placed the snake egg and the blue crystal inside the stone shelter.
The egg was emergency food, and the crystal repelled insects—basically a bug repellent mat.
Sure enough, when I brought the crystal inside, the hidden bugs scattered and fled into the forest.
Smiling in satisfaction, I looked around the brightly lit interior.
Good thing I didn’t grow any bigger after evolving.
If I’d grown too large to fit inside, this house would’ve been a disaster. I nearly would’ve had to tear down the shelter I’d spent all day building.
Will I evolve again someday?
I recalled how my experience points had increased earlier when I ate the Marblings.
Even though I didn’t level up, EXP was clearly accumulating. That meant I’d eventually level again—and maybe evolve again once I hit a certain level.
No guarantee I’ll stay this size. I should expand the house little by little whenever I can.
I decided to settle here instead of moving on.
What I’d originally planned as a temporary hideout had become a home I felt attached to after putting in so much work.
The only concern was that Marblings had already been living here, and other groups had discovered the area.
This place might be a patrol route or gathering spot for similar lesser demons.
Marblings are easy prey now. If three or four come at once, that’s just food.
Lying in the cramped shelter, I maintained a positive mindset.
Tomorrow, maybe I’d use the buried bones of the lesser demons to build totems nearby. If they scared off intruders, all the better.
Shame the campfire went out. Should I look for flint? Or do I have to start a fire by rubbing sticks together?
As I pondered, a strong wind blew—whoooosh—shaking the forest trees violently.
I curled up inside the small shelter. No matter how strong the wind was outside, it couldn’t reach me here.
Surrounded by solid walls and the soft blue glow of the crystal, I closed my eyes. It was the most at ease I’d felt since coming to this world.
—Woooo.
After some time asleep, I woke with a start. I sensed the presence of living creatures outside my stone shelter.
Marblings?
It could be the ones I’d seen earlier—or their companions. I sharpened my senses, trying to gauge their numbers.
Rustle, rustle. Footsteps continued without pause—the sound of dry leaves and branches I’d scattered around the fence being crushed. My military training, setting up sound traps during exercises, paid off here.
Too many feet. Way too many.
It didn’t feel like Marblings. Growls and intermittent panting mixed in with the steps.
I carefully rose and lifted the branches blocking the entrance just enough to peek out.
Beyond the snake-bone fence, red eyes glinted.
Under the light of two bright moons, their black fur gleamed. Four proud legs planted on the ground, long snouts typical of canines.
When I realized what they were, my entire body trembled—fear and excitement racing down my spine.
Three-eyed wolves…!
The same three-eyed wolves that had tormented me since my first day in this world prowled outside my fence.
Unlike before, when I’d faced only one, several had come this time. I could see about three near the entrance, and sensed more beyond my vision—at least six or seven total.
Wolves are pack animals. Guess that’s true even with three eyes.
The lone wolf from before must’ve been an outlier—maybe a rogue expelled from the pack.
Peering through the gaps, I watched as they bared their teeth and growled, unable to easily cross the snake-bone fence.
Good thing I angled the sharp ends outward. This fence is doing its job.
Still, I couldn’t relax. With so many wolves, anything could happen.
Some might be strong enough to leap the fence—or smart enough to find a way around it.
Sure enough, they lifted their forelegs, trying to jump over.
—Kegeng!
One wolf yelped loudly, likely scratched by the bones, and staggered as it licked its wound.
At this rate, one of them might get in.
Even though I’d grown stronger after evolving, these wolves looked about 1.5 times bigger than the one I’d fought before.
Instinctively, I gauged their strength.
If they come one at a time, I can handle it. But how…?
To fight a pack head-on, there was only one option: use the terrain—this was my home.
I pushed against the inner stone wall. It didn’t budge. The hardened ground made it solid—more than enough to withstand wolves slamming into it.
All I have to do is attack the ones that stick their faces in. One at a time.
With my back protected on three sides, I just needed to rake their faces with my claws.
Wild beasts would never think of such a desperate, all-or-nothing strategy.
Like Zhangpan Bridge, where one man held off an army, I decided to stand my ground inside this shelter.
—Grrrr…
—Bark! Bark!
Panting grew louder. Heavy bodies leapt and landed again and again.
—Kegeng!
A loud yelp came from a spot I couldn’t see. Moments later, I sensed their presence inside the fence—they’d finally breached the bone barrier.
Their breathing echoed vividly outside the stone walls. They moved around, sniffing.
Curled up inside, I held my breath, even swallowing as quietly as possible. I was ready to fight—but if they failed to notice me and left, that would be even better.
Rustle, rustle.
A crunching sound followed. One of them was definitely digging through the branches covering my shelter.
—Grrr…
I sensed movement on the roof. The framework creaked ominously, like it might collapse.
…Thank goodness I built the roof today. If it were just branches, they’d have dropped right in.
Relief washed over me—followed by a chill at the thought of what could’ve happened otherwise.
The creaking stopped as the wolf climbed down.
—Grrrr…
—Sniff.
—Bark, bark.
Three or four wolves circled my hideout. With their keen sense of smell, they might’ve caught my scent.
Just stick your face in—I dare you.
I extended my claws, ready. Being discovered felt inevitable.
The night was still deep, and the wolves seemed to have nothing better to do than trespass.
The sound of branches being torn away continued—they were stripping my camouflage.
They’re destroying my house…!
Images of my hard work flashed through my mind. I wanted to roar and tear into them, but I forced myself to stay calm.
—Grrrr!
After some time, a wolf’s snout finally appeared before my eyes. Three red eyes glared as it barked loudly.
—Bark!
At that instant, I slashed its face with all my strength.
Who do you think you are, sticking your face in here?!
—Kyaaang!
The wolf recoiled in agony, pulling back its head. With its nose raked by my claws, the pain must’ve been unimaginable.
—Grrr.
The massive wolves could only force their faces and forelegs partway into the stone entrance.
I couldn’t be more grateful for how narrow I’d built it.
Anyone who comes in dies.
I didn’t hide my fury, raking every face that tried to push through.
—Grrr, keh!!
—Bark! Bark!
Numerically, I was clearly at a disadvantage.
But this wasn’t a hunt between wild beasts anymore—it was a battle between man and beast.
And in moments of crisis, the strategies and tactics of civilization shine brightest.
