Chapter 20 : Hmm, is that all?

A Shocking Truth.

Lena didn’t like fighting.

A modern soul, raised in peace where war was a distant tale, found it a natural distaste. Even after tumbling into the Great Forest’s wilds, that hadn’t shifted.

She didn’t hunt for sport—only killed when hungry, dodging conflict where she could. Why would she enjoy fighting? It was barbaric, violent—your heart ached hitting someone, your body throbbed getting hit.

To her, even intelligent monsters were uncultured beasts. They relished combat, killing and dying for fun—textbook savagery. The Great Forest cradled such creatures.

Even peace-loving Lena fought often here. Yet it barely registered. They struck first; she crushed them—cause and effect, no guilt. Her instincts kicked in, ending it fast.

…So she must’ve been wrong.

This is actually kind of fun?

The thought hit as she blocked Python’s body slam.

Until now, Lena hadn’t truly fought. Combat was a one-sided hunt—Great Forest monsters couldn’t spark her danger sense an inch. As her levels rose and skills sharpened, she’d strolled through the woods, heedless of threats.

Python was different.

The ruler-class Monster Serpent matched her monstrous strength. Her nimble moves? Mere insect-wing flutters to a giant striking with sheer mass. Survival instincts blared; the Status Window flashed red in her peripheral.

An equal foe, at last.

Lena reveled in moving her body after so long.

“This is what you call exercise.”

As a man, she’d skipped the gym—too much hassle. But she didn’t hate exercise. Once started, the muscle release and sweat felt refreshing. This mirrored that—intense, unyielding, thrilling. Her heart raced, plotting her next move.

Humans were animals too. Was battle-joy so odd?

She justified it to herself.

Shweeik!

Python, though, oozed annoyance.

That’s life—one gains, another loses. I’m having fun, so take one for the team. Lena’s smile never wavered.

It didn’t last.

“Aish.”

Knocked back by Python’s slam, she spat sticky saliva. The workout was great, but progress stalled. Matching Python was her loss in endurance.

Like an ant dying to a toothpick while a human feels a prick—both took hits, but scale tipped the damage. Python lost some scales; Lena’s skin tore, flesh shredded. Wind pressure alone ragged her clothes, despite no direct blow.

Choosing a head-on fight after her kick worked was dumb. In a stamina slugfest, Python’s bulk trumped her size.

“What’s with that giant? It’s so fast!”

Hitting its limbs was futile—she knew that. But leaping for its head? Instant counter. Move faster? How, beyond this? Blind it? Feint? Bait the orcs now?

Her racing mind froze.

She wasn’t alone in her frustration. Python, the beast, snapped first, playing its trump card.

Woo woong—a bee-like hum, then light flared. Stars seemed to dot the ground—blinding, dazzling.

Wow, what’s that?

Python’s tail glowed. Lena had fought countless monsters, but this was new. Glowing parts? Sure. This? A flashbang on steroids.

[Survival Instinct (Lv. Max) is activated!]

Her neck hairs bristled; muscles clenched. Not just showy—her gut screamed it outclassed all prior threats.

Run. Now.

Reason begged. Instincts, flawless till now, agreed.

But… Is it really that bad?

Her honed senses caught a nuance. Ready to bolt, instincts shrieking, yet it felt overblown. Not life-or-death—manageable. Dopamine-fueled delusion? Maybe.

Lena always tested the “impossible” first. Reckless, foolish—yet it’d paid off before. Her tingling skin urged her to act.

Fine, let’s try.

Fleeing a beast bruised her pride anyway.

Bracing herself, she faced Python’s tail as its starry glow crashed down.

Kwaaang!

The earth quaked, a roar splitting the air. Shattered crust and dirt rocketed past the clouds.

That damned human.

Python’s deranged mind seethed. Small, elusive, yet absurdly strong—worse than an uncatchable mosquito. His unknown rage, snapping his sanity, zeroed in on her.

His vast gaze, once spanning the Great Forest, shrank to one girl.

I’ll kill her.

That resolve stirred dormant energy. Mana pooled in his tail—a knight’s basic sword-channeling, but monstrous in his mountain-sized frame.

She’d held out, but not against this.

The tail strike unleashed unrivaled power, reshaping the Great Forest. Powdered plants and dust rained over gouged earth.

Satisfaction surged. His tail felt her—hit confirmed. Too weak to dodge or dumb enough to block? Didn’t matter. She was dead.

Python flicked his tongue, smug.

Even weakened, he’d rampaged to his fill. A worthy foe—swallowing her would restore him fully.

He moved his tail—or tried.

Why won’t it move?

Panic crept in. Then, a tearing sound. Blood gushed.

Shiaaaaa!

Python writhed, agony piercing his haze. His tail—ripped off, a chunk of flesh rolling free.

“Jeez, tails regrow—why the drama? …Wait, snakes don’t? Lizards do?”

A daft remark, given the scene.

Python’s teary eyes locked on her.

That damned human—unscathed, alive. …Or was she? What was that?

Scales sprouted on her—glossier, tougher than his own.

[The Constellation of the Green Dragon begins to shine!]
[Dragon Factor activated!]
[Instinct Trigger – Path of Harmony suppresses rejection!]
[Dragon Factor perfectly integrated!]

Lena studied her hands—strange, new. Once smooth despite her wild life, now scaled. Not ugly, but bizarre.

“Oh, dragonborn.”

That tingling? Scales budding. She took it in stride. Gender swapped already—why not race? Permanent, she’d fret over looks. But the Green Dragon’s mark on her chest hinted at a skill, not a curse—like a wizard’s magic from a job change.

Good news. She liked her long, sharp nails over sleek scales.

They’d sliced Python’s tail—real damage now possible. Her instincts, once warning, now spurred her: You’ve got this.

Glancing at the severed red lump, she smacked her lips.

Eat what you lack. Folk cures said liver for liver, eyes for eyes. Scaled now—would scaley meat boost her more?

“Enough snake wine to drink till I croak.”

Lena licked blood from her face and grinned.