Yellow Dragon Manifestation
Guuuuung— […!]
Mana that had been deeply hidden surged forth as if liberated, beginning to take shape. Wings sprouted, and a massive tail grew, roughly shoving aside the surrounding piles of dirt.
“…What’s that?”
“Huh?”
Even the chat, which had been buzzing chaotically, fell silent for a moment. They’d feel that overwhelming pressure even through the screen.
Grrrrowl… The massive body revealed itself, and an indescribable terror blanketed the depths of the abandoned mine.
[Like that—]
Right in front of it, the Earth Dragon trembled as it looked up. Yes, it had no choice but to look up. The vast size difference and the clear gap in rank emanating from the depths of its soul urgently screamed at it. Kneel before that being immediately. A dragon so noble that even proud dragons could only gaze up at it in awe.
————!!
Ku-gu-gu-gu-gung!
The Yellow Dragon manifested in the depths of the abandoned mine.
It felt like being freed after so long—I let out a roar. Even though it was a light roar without any mana infused, sharp cracks spiderwebbed across various parts of the mine that couldn’t withstand it. Then, growling, I lowered my head to match the Earth Dragon’s eye level.
[Hey, hi.]
[…!]
The Earth Dragon flinched in terror and lowered its posture, pressing its chin to the ground in a sign of submission. Even if our worlds of origin differed, dragons as a species inherently possessed a rank bestowed upon their souls. It could be seen as a kind of status.
I, as I mentioned before, was at minimum apocalyptic-class. To put it in terms, like an emperor.
Anyway, normally, a dragon wouldn’t bow its head lightly even with a rank difference. However, from the Earth Dragon’s perspective, the being before it held not just a rank gap, but an unimaginable difference in power. Its very existence would inspire instinctive fear.
And…
[So, you didn’t like me coming to your lair? Fair enough.]
[N-no, it’s not…]
[That’s why you called me a damn human or bitch or whatever, right?]
[…]
[Answer me.]
With that signature stubbornness. The three qualities of a ruler—rank, power, and dominance—fit together perfectly.
[But… this is still undeniably my lair—]
0 won
[Talking back right now?]
Massive magic circles appeared around the Earth Dragon. Definitely, this form was far more mana-efficient than my human state.
[…I apologize. I did commit a rudeness, but.]
It pressed its snout to the ground, its pupils slowly rising to meet my gaze. Overcoming even fear to look me straight in the eye.
[This being my lair doesn’t change.]
Terra - Heat Ray
Puhwaaak!
As it reared up, a brilliant red beam shot from its massive maw. An attack that melted and compressed minerals accumulated in its body over time into a breath. Among Earth Dragons, it was known as a sure-kill move.
However.
Whoosh—
[Huh.]
I casually swatted it away with my wing, and the breath veered off course, slamming into the wall.
Kwaaaang!
Pretty tough for an Earth Dragon. To attack despite sensing the rank gap and overcoming fear. These guys were supposed to just sleep underground, right?
[Were you a fire dragon in a past life? Temper’s hot as hell.]
The summoned magic circles lit up simultaneously. One of them flared brightly and vanished.
Kwaaaang!
A massive shockwave immediately struck above the Earth Dragon’s head, forcing its snout back to the ground.
Bzzzzt!
This time, two of them.
Kwang-kagang!
Sealing stones shaped like restraints dropped rapidly onto its neck and legs, binding its movements. Each one was truck-sized. It was a heat-ray variant, but a spell I’d developed to seal other dragons—its effect would be reliable.
Then, five magic circles glowed. High-powered magic purely for elimination. Just as it seemed ready to activate at any moment, the Earth Dragon ground its teeth, trying desperately to attack.
[Stop. If you keep this up, I’ll have to kill you for real. You wanna live, right?]
[Ugh… What do you want from me?]
[Finally up for a chat, huh.]
Feisty personality for an Earth Dragon, quick to act. Sharp mind too. Not bad at all? I don’t enjoy destruction myself, so I wanted to just warn it here and dip appropriately…
But if I don’t handle this properly, the Association will keep sending hunters. Not good news for humans or the Earth Dragon.
[If you stay here, humans will keep coming. This is a human-dominated world.]
[Humans? Things like those—]
[More annoying than you think. Might end up dead eventually.]
To most dragons, humans were ant-level. Just one of the weaker races that barely managed civilization.
But after half a year back on Earth, I’d realized Earth humans were on another level from medieval ones. Even with other races appearing now, centuries of single-species dominance gave them experience. Overwhelming tech and hunters—some S-ranks or national-level ones could solo low-rank dragons.
[Your choice. Die by my hand now, by humans later, or coexist like me.]
[…]
Dragons had immense pride. I was the exception; coexistence with humans? Absurd normally. So if it raged and attacked again, I’d have to be ready to kill it…
[If we coexist, my lair is guaranteed?]
[Uh? Yeah… I’ll talk to them…?]
[Agreed.]
Huh? That easy?
[Why that look?]
[Just surprised you’re going along with coexistence so readily. After attacking me moments ago.]
[Didn’t you choose coexistence too? I just want to live my life.]
[Wise one.]
[Plus, since you’re not here to destroy this place, no reason to fight anymore.]
Top 1% social skills among dragons? Tough, clever, human-like. I admit it—the second most human dragon after me.
The chat had turned to nonsense in the meantime. Half wondering what I was doing, half in awe of my true form. Time to head back?
[You know Polymorph, right?]
[Yes.]
[I’ve got this remote viewing magic humans are watching. Polymorph to human form and say hi. Show a good side, and they’ll treat you better.]
I said that, released the sealing magic, and tried to Polymorph myself.
Insufficient balance.
Wait, I already spent all my money. …And Polymorph guzzles mana too. Back in that world, gold bars just vanished… Releasing was cheaper since it just vented bound mana, but…
Required amount - 1,000,000,000 won
The units are ridiculous. What now? Gotta live like this forever? Fine for me since it’s my true form, but problems outside… Plus, talking coexistence then failing Polymorph? Embarrassing.
[Hm?]
As I pondered, a status window popped up.
Skill 1-Use Coupon
Oh right, the perk reward from earlier. Meant for this? Perfect for mana-hungry skills like Polymorph.
Using Item Skill 1-Use Coupon.
Skill - Polymorph
Using the coupon filled the mana deficit, and my body glowed brightly. Then, like kneading clay, it compressed into a single point before returning to my familiar human form.
“Ugh, standing on two legs really feels inefficient.”
“All good, all good. More importantly, she said she’d Polymorph too…”
I pointed at the Earth Dragon mid-Polymorph. But its compressing body… was smaller than mine? Wait, why’s it shrinking more?
“…”
“Is… something wrong?”
“Unnie? This kid is…?”
Ha-eun, who’d been watching from afar, approached after I Polymorphed. And she saw it. Long gray hair, blue eyes. And… an elementary school girl appearance.
What the hell.
“You, you were a hatchling?”
“Uh… no?”
As explained before, Polymorph manifests in the most ideal form for the user. But…
“What should I do?”
No matter how I looked, this was too much. I’d planned a double peace sign for donations post-Polymorph, but now? Asking a kid like this? I’d be in real danger!!
◈ Buy the kid some candy^^
◈ Lmao
◈ Check that figure
◈ Boo trash, kid’s scared
Why are donations still pouring in? These shady bastards… Gotta remember the nicknames.
As I thought that and was about to explain about the Earth Dragon—
Conditions met.
Gate collapse beginning.
Wait, right now? Collapsing just like that?
“Sorry, Earth Dragon.”
“Pardon?”
“Gotta abandon this place. …Yeah, that’s how it is.”
“What??”?
Ha-eun and I emerged from the collapsing gate with the Earth Dragon and found a nearby hangover soup joint. We were hungry, and I figured the sulky Earth Dragon needed something in her mouth.
And I… was on the phone with the Association to report.
“You’re saying the monster inside was a dragon?”
“Yes. I talked her into coming out, but… she’s sulking. Lost her lair…”
“Hard to imagine the situation. Best to bring her to the Association firs—"
Beep— A mail receipt sound came through the phone.
“…Seems best if Hunter Lee Se-yeon takes her.”
Like yesterday, what’s with that mail? Watching live or something?
“Me take her?”
“Yes, since she’s the same kind, better than us, right?”
“No no, why me?”
“We’ll double the socialization subsidy for returnees handling education. On top of what you get now—”
“Thank you. Of course I’ll take her. I’ll raise her well.”
I hung up, leaned back in the chair with a sigh, and spoke.
“Ha-eun, ever raised a kid?”
“Huh? N-no…?”
“How to handle this one…”
With her arms crossed, glaring at me… No sign of softening. Hadn’t touched the soup either.
“J-just eat something. We bought it with our money.”
“…”
“Sigh, sorry, okay? Didn’t know it’d collapse right away… But I grabbed some stuff, right?”
Even if lower rank than me, making her lose her lair right after promising… felt bad. Like losing your house in a blink for a human. Couldn’t stop gate collapse anyway.
“Here, all sauced up. Eat. I’ll take responsibility for your lair somehow. Come to mine first.”
“Lady Goldie’s lair?”
“Yeah.”
Her eyes widened. Dragons don’t easily share lairs, situation or not. Mine’s just an apartment, but fine for human living. Probably better.
And she picked up the name quick. Dragons usually shy from that?
“…Understood.”
Thankfully sincere—she eyed the soup, picked up the spoon.
“Not like that, like this.”
“Yes.”
I added meat to the broth; she sniffed worriedly a few times before slowly sipping.
“…!”
“Good, right? Humans here have great tech.”
“D-delicious.”
One taste and she shoveled it down. Food conquers all.
“Eat more.”
She downed seven more bowls before mellowing. Nearly 80,000 won, but necessary investment. Earth Dragons excel at gem processing. She’ll help big time.
And… Ha-eun paid. Said I resolved it quick today. Good’s good.