"Teacher..."
"Call me sister!"
"Uh... hello, sister..."
"Nope, little sister!"
"Li-little sister..."
"Can't hear you. You want to learn etiquette, right? Speak up."
"Little sister!"
"Add my name. One more time."
In the empty valley, the large brown-red cat crouched in a corner, veins pulsing on his forehead, his face darkening with every word.
But under the bright, smiling gaze of those golden-green eyes, Ian finally gave in. Wearing a lion's miserable expression, he inhaled deeply, then threw his head back and roared—
"Yes! Shamhat little sister!"
"Mm, what a good boy..."
The green-haired woman in white ceremonial robes smiled contentedly and reached out to stroke the big cat's head. Her relaxed, glowing expression showed she was enjoying every second of it.
She looked just like a shepherd taming a wild wolfdog.
Shamhat, the sacred prostitute of Uruk's temple, was once sent to the Cedar Forest to tame the wild and unknowing Enkidu.
According to legend, after six days and seven nights together, the god-forged weapon completely opened his heart to her. He learned trust, became emotionally dependent, and awakened his humanity.
More than that—this beast-like being, once covered head to toe in hair and living alongside animals, would eventually reshape his appearance using Shamhat as a model.
So yes, the green-haired woman before him had the same features and figure as the Enkidu Ian remembered.
In a sense, she was both the teacher who led Enkidu into human society—and the mother who awakened his humanity.
But even in the Mystery-rich Silver Age, human life had its limits.
Now, Shamhat was just a ghost, trapped in the Underworld.
The regret of not having been able to stay with Enkidu long enough in life had bound her to this valley in death, where she kept vigil over her sleeping child.
But now, she couldn't even do that. All she could do was wander this enclosed barrier, lingering until time wore away her soul completely.
That's how things were supposed to go.
Until, a few months back, a certain sneaky little creature stumbled across Enkidu's resting place—entirely by accident—and caught Shamhat's attention.
The rest went as you'd expect.
Whether to kill time or for her own amusement, Shamhat, at Ian's request, began teaching him bits of knowledge and etiquette from the Mesopotamian world.
And the little schemer? He just rolled with it, called her "Teacher," and started dropping by often to ask questions that piqued his interest.
"So, what do you want to know today?"
"Teacher, can you stick to lessons and keep your hands to yourself?"
Ian raised a paw and swatted away the soft hand reaching for his belly, rolling his eyes with visible irritation.
Sacred prostitutes were priestesses tasked with pleasing gods—sometimes even serving as sexual initiators within their city-states. Every single one of them was a veteran.
This teacher in particular had completely shattered the graceful, demure image Ian had built in his head from the Epic of Gilgamesh. She was way more trouble than he'd expected.
Maybe being confined to this little valley for hundreds of years had done something to her.
In any case, whatever the truth of her past, it couldn't be recovered now.
Faced with a woman constantly trying to size him up, Ian stuck to a policy of respectful distance.
Unless he absolutely had to, he didn't go near her.
Shamhat seemed a little disinterested now, turning to sit atop a nearby stone.
From the purple cedarwood jewelry box beside her, she pulled out a jeweled comb and started idly running it through her spectral green hair. Her pale feet swayed lightly in midair.
Come to think of it, that cedarwood box and gem-studded comb had both been loot Ian had won. But the moment Shamhat laid eyes on them, she claimed them as an offering for his "teacher" and confiscated them on the spot.
Honestly, that still stung.
Still, judging from her current body language and the relaxed atmosphere, she seemed to be in a good mood today.
Better make use of the time—he still had plenty on his plate.
As a gentle breeze stirred the valley air, Ian slowly padded closer to the stone, hesitating. And he had to admit—
When she stayed quiet, this teacher really did have the aura of a woodland spirit. Quite ladylike, actually.
Shame she could move and talk.
"Teacher..."
"Forgot again?"
"Sister..."
"Add the name!"
"Shamhat-sister..."
Ian's mouth twitched. Even his iron stomach—capable of digesting magic crystals—was starting to churn.
The ancient snake hesitated, finally steadied his mind, tossed down a few rune stones to activate a barrier, then carefully slithered up and whispered by Shamhat's ear.
"I know where that place is. But you're actually planning to go through with it?"
The sacred prostitute paused mid-combing, turning her head toward the big cat lying by the rocks. The laziness in her expression vanished, her eyes narrowing.
"Not afraid I'll snitch?"
Ian remained calm, lips curled into a quiet smile.
"I could take you with me..."
"Tch, I really underestimated how bold you are."
"You do realize what'll happen if He finds out? You won't even get to remain a snake."
Shamhat resumed combing her hair, tone casual, but her expression subtly shifted.
Good. Just a little hesitation is all I need...
"Think about him—a person who can't live freely, can't die peacefully, fated to be a tool for life. Don't you want to help?"
"Even if it's just to grant him release."
Ian stepped forward, approaching the massive pit at the center of the valley. He paced along its edge, occasionally sighing and shaking his head.
Once, there had been a smooth stone platform here—and a coffin that held Enkidu's body.
Shamhat fell silent. A shadow passed over her gaze.
"Little one... don't try to defy fate. Otherwise..."
"Otherwise I'll end up like you?"
Ian bared his teeth in a grin, finishing the sentence for her.
Shamhat's expression froze. Her gentle face sharpened in an instant, slicing with hidden blades.
"How do you know that?!"
"Is it really that hard to figure out?"
Ian glanced up at the pitch-black dome above, then lowered his head, murmuring.
"Weapons only need to remember their targets."
"Once they feel emotions, they lose their edge. Their strikes hesitate. They even dare disobey their masters."
"You shouldn't have given him feelings. Or humanity."
The green-haired beauty fell into a daze, then covered her lips with a soft smile—one laced with nostalgia and sorrow.
"I should've thought that way... but I couldn't do it."
"I was once given an oracle: guide the Chains of Heaven, bring back the Wedge of Heaven."
"But the moment I entered the Cedar Forest and saw that child, I was already lost."
"There's nothing in this world purer than those eyes. No breeze softer than that soul."
"He was so gentle to the beasts of the forest—I knew he would treat people the same."
"Our king needs a companion like that. A guide—not a shackle."
"And people like us, never meant to bear children... we'll never truly understand the joy of leading an innocent, wide-eyed child down the path to wisdom."
She cast a glance toward the big cat curled beneath the rock, listening quietly. Her voice took a sharp turn, expression tinged with annoyance.
"Our meetings happened under such similar circumstances."
"So why are you completely black, full of venom and trickery, and not the slightest bit cute?"
Hey, hey, hey! Can't we just talk like normal people? What's with the personal attacks?
Releasing the mana sustaining his Self-Modification form, Ian shifted back into his ancient snake body, visibly sulking.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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