Approaching the slimy, writhing sack Seth felt a little disgusted. Okay, not just a little.

  ~ Don't be such a wuss and help it. ~

  "Are you sure this is strong? It can't even get out of its membrane..."

  ~ Yes, I am sure. ~

  "Fine..."

  The leathery membrane was about the size of a potato bag. He was glad for wearing gloves and he grabbed the membrane and held it still, so he could cut it open with a knife. A roundish head with big, sparkly eyes was stuck out from the whole made like this.

  The eyes never left the blacksmith as the rest of the stubby, bluish-gray snake left the sack silently. The big, almost completely black eyes stayed innocently focused on him.

  

  ~ Are you... no, you are not my mother. Who are you? Did you kill her? ~

  It was a new innocent voice that echoed in his mind, but the question was shockingly blunt. Not to mention that it was able to talk telepathically right after birth.

  Seth was sure that lying to it and playing foster parent would be easy. However, in the long run, he wouldn't be able to keep what he did a secret.

  Just thinking about the work to keep it a secret was a pain in the ass. He wasn't going to have that drama.

  "Yeah. I killed you mom." the flat-out told it the truth.

  ~ I see. Why? ~

  "You are asking some hard questions. To become stronger, I guess?"

  ~Are you strong? ~

  "Strong enough, I would say?"

  ~ Good, then you are my Mom now. ~

  "Huh? Why am I your mom!?"

  ~You killed my mom, so you have to take responsibility. I can feel her presence on you, and I like the aura of treasure around you. ~ the chubby snake explained nonchalantly.

  Another one of those characters ...

  ~ Congratulation on becoming a mom! ~ the other one exclaimed.

  ~You should just accept it. ~ the lich commented dryly

  "Fine. How about we make a mount contract for now and you can go to rest in a safe place?"

  ~...Okay ~

  With its approval, the mount contract was formed. It glowed brightly and vanished into the pocket dimension for the mount.

  "Well, this went smoother than expected. What did it mean with the aura of treasures?"

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  ~It's an Imugi, which means that it just needs the right opportunity to become a dragon. Dragons have the inborn habit of desiring treasures. As a blacksmith who keeps mass-producing and wearing epic and better items, you look like a walking treasure chest to them. ~ Al explained matter of factly.

  "I see. So it came out as an Imugi, is that good or bad? What other possibilities were there?"

  ~ Well, there were a few, but most likely was either an imugi or a flood dragon. ~

  "Wouldn't a flood dragon have been better then?" he mumbled. He thought since the name had a dragon in it, it would have probably been stronger.

  ~Not necessarily. Flood Dragons have a worse temperament. It might have tried to fight you. ~

  "And the strength?"

  ~ Well... flood dragons are slightly stronger since they have inherited actual dragon blood, unlike an imugi that evolves from a snake. But Imugis are said to be more intelligent, they learn quickly and are naturals in magic. ~

  "I see. Well, I think we can talk about it a little more at a later time. For now, we should return to the others."

  Seth had accomplished everything he had set out to do. Of course, he could have farmed the snakes more, but most of them they had seen, had a lower level than himself, and hunting them would have been less effective than simply visiting a fitting dungeon.

  Using the