For several seconds, the atmosphere was heavy with silence as Kyle stared deeply at Boa with knitted brows. As someone from a Christian background back on Earth, he naturally harbored prejudice against snakes. Now he was expected to listen to a snake that had lured him into a trap?
Normally, he would have screamed hell no and skewered the serpent without hesitation. However, the situation was different since it might involve a mana vein.
'But is there really a mana vein in a location like this?' Kyle was skeptical about the authenticity of Boa's words.
"Do you have proof this mana vein exists, or am I just meant to believe the words of a snake who lured me into a trap?" Kyle asked, direct and simple.
He had never been the crafty or cunning type. His straightforward nature could be considered one of his greatest flaws.
Strangely, upon hearing Kyle's words, Boa seemed to relax. His anxiety vanished, replaced by confidence, as he raised his body higher for Kyle to see and unleashed a small mist of purple poison fumes from his scales.
He expected some sort of response, but even a minute later, Kyle kept staring at him expectantly, like someone waiting to see something he already didn't understand.
"Is that supposed to mean something?" Kyle raised a brow.
For a moment, Boa fell silent in thought. How could a fully grown kobold not know about mana veins or the reason behind his actions?
It didn't know Kyle was only a year and three months old, a kobold who barely understood this strange world.
"I am a mere serpent who came in contact with a mana vein. After prolonged exposure, I awakened this ability and developed a strong affinity toward the poison element. If I had access to it longer, I would have evolved and become a magic beast," Boa explained.
Kyle's eyes widened in shock.
Immediately, he began rubbing his chin as a series of thoughts crossed his mind. He had always believed the serpent was born with this ability, just like the tiger bunny. Now he was being told it was the result of exposure to a mana vein.
Curiosity stirred.
"Does this apply to the tiger bunny as well?" he asked.
Once again, Boa was taken aback.
"You don't know that much? Have you been living under a rock?"
At this point, Boa suspected Kyle was intentionally toying with him. Most kobolds never even awakened their bloodline talents. Achieving that required experience and carnage.
How could a fully grown kobold who had achieved this not know the basics?
"What do you mean? I was only allowed to leave the cave three months ago! If you're as knowledgeable as you claim, you should know kobold infants don't leave their caves until their first year of life!" Kyle snapped, offended by the remark.
"Infant? You?" Boa's voice was filled with doubt. "I'm sorry, but when was the last time you saw your reflection?"
Buzz!
Only then did Kyle finally understand the root of the misunderstanding. His body didn't look like that of a young kobold, so Boa had naturally assumed he was an adult.
"Ohh, I understand the problem now. I wish I could explain, but it's not that simple. All I can say is my situation is unique. I'm the kobold Messiah, so I'm a bit special." Kyle waved him off casually with a proud smile.
He expected Boa to be impressed, but the snake looked even more confused.
"Messiah?"
"Errm yes… like the kobold Jesus. I'm sure you understand."
"I'm sorry, I don't quite follow."
Pa!
Kyle facepalmed, his heart drowning in embarrassment. He had tried to show off, but it backfired spectacularly.
'Why am I even trying to impress a snake?' he wondered, questioning how he'd ended up in this situation at all.
He clearly remembered his words and actions, yet for some reason, they didn't feel like him.
"Never mind. Just tell me what you know," Kyle said, quickly deflecting.
Thankfully, Boa didn't press the issue and simply continued.
In this world, there were beings of various races ranked both high and low. Then there were magical beasts with strong affinities to magic, and beneath them were simple beasts like Boa and the tiger bunnies. Under the right conditions and with the right resources, beasts like them could evolve into magic beasts.
According to Boa, the tiger bunny species was actually new. They were descendants of a rabbit that evolved into a low-level magic beast in this very Bed of Reeds over fifty years ago. They were unique to the Evergreen Forest and couldn't be found anywhere else in the world.
That explained their inherent ability, the same one that had nearly taken Kyle's life during his first hunt. The more he learned about this world, the more questions surfaced. Deep down, he felt a tinge of sadness. Exploring such a world with a kobold body wouldn't be easy.
"Currently, I'm aware of a crystal vein, but it's occupied by a goblin. If this esteemed kobold helps me get rid of it, we can share its benefits together. Then there would be no reason for us to fight," Boa said smoothly.
It was a lie delivered with expert ease. If he couldn't get rid of Kyle during the fight, he could simply share the vein until he evolved into a magic beast. At that point, he would eliminate Kyle and keep everything for himself.
"Goblin?" Kyle raised a brow, then quickly covered his mouth to suppress his laughter.
Of all the creatures that could bully this snake, it was a goblin?
How pathetic.
Even as he amused himself, Kyle maintained a clear mind and assessed the situation inwardly. While he was confident he could defeat Boa, the snake wasn't weak. If a goblin could drive it away from a mana vein, then that goblin must be unusual.
Still, trust was the real issue.
'I'll just kill it after killing the goblin. No need to be polite,' Kyle decided.
He couldn't pass up this opportunity, but he wasn't about to let himself be used and discarded. After three months of hunting, he had already accepted the rule of this world: kill or be killed. Slowly, he was shedding old habits and adopting new ones necessary for survival.
"Very well, I'll help you," Kyle shrugged, his face calm. "Lead the way."
Boa's expression brightened, a cruel smile blooming beneath his warm eyes, unaware of the equally cold gleam hidden behind Kyle's gentle smile.