The Dragon That Lays Golden Eggs
After arriving home at the dragon's lair that lays golden eggs, I washed off the dirt-caked Earth Dragon and collapsed straight into bed. It seemed like all the fatigue I'd been ignoring lately had hit me at once. With so much happening suddenly, it made sense. Anyway, when I woke up, the first thing I saw was...
"...Is this kid really a hatchling?"
It was the Earth Dragon, clutching my tail tightly and sleeping right next to me.
...Maybe influenced by the polymorph form? Well, at least it was a relief. If it had turned into some burly dude, I'd have shoved it straight into the shoe closet.
"Mmm... Lady Goldie? Huh?"
"Awake now?"
"Eek... S-sorry...!"
"It's fine. These things happen."
The kid's eyes flew open in shock, and it yanked away from my tail. Most creatures with tails feel the same—touching one casually is pretty rude. Same with horns. But it had been hugging mine outright, and it looked shocked at itself for doing it.
"Let's eat breakfast first."
"Y-yes, ma'am."
Today's breakfast was mackerel. No special reason—just that Ha-eun sent some last time, and the expiration date was getting dicey. Might as well grill all ten of them. Dragons eat a ton even in human form, obviously.
Sizzle—
As the sound of grilling mackerel filled the air, the Earth Dragon cautiously sidled up beside me.
"What should I do?"
"You? Just sit tight."
"But..."
"I'll have other stuff for you later, so wait for now."
"Understood."
Was it self-conscious being in my place? It could relax, no problem. And if I actually put it to work, I'd probably get reported for child abuse...
Clink—
I set the table with the finished grilled mackerel and some side dishes. The kid, now seated, stared back and forth between me and the food, eyes sparkling like it remembered yesterday's hangover stew. Made sense—after a lifetime of dirt and rocks, just the smell of this stimulating stuff would be mind-blowing.
"Don't hold back—dig in. Watch out for bones in the fish."
"Yes! Thank you!"
Great response, but then it just sat there spoon in hand, staring blankly at the food.
...Right, it probably can't use chopsticks. Once I handed it a fork, it finally started eating.
"Good?"
"It's the best thing I've ever tasted."
Man... easy peasy. Was this the same kid who blasted me with a full-power breath yesterday? Now it was like a starved elementary schooler...
"So, here's the thing. You're an Earth Dragon, right?"
"Yes."
"From what I know, Earth Dragons are experts at gem processing."
"Correct."
"You can keep living here in my lair from now on. Help me out with processing gems when I need it?"
I didn't call Earth Dragons experts for nothing. Even if their rank was low, dragons had domains I couldn't touch. For them, it was gem processing—exactly what I needed right now. A gem's value skyrocketed depending on who handled it. And since I was stuck with the kid anyway, a win-win setup was ideal.
"I'll fix up a room for you when I have time—use that. Spread out the dirt you brought yesterday too."
"Then... you'll keep preparing meals?"
"Obviously."
"I'll do it."
I chuckled at that response. Swallow your food first before answering, kid.
"But... I have a request too."
"Yeah? What?"
"I know it's presumptuous, but... could we form a contract?"
Ah, a contract? Hmm...
"Trying to boost your rank?"
"It'd be a lie to say I had no ambition."
This was the exact same kind of contract I'd considered with Ha-eun. But between dragons—not different races—it meant something else entirely. Like sworn siblings. Though it could become true family too...
Right now, the kid just wanted to raise its rank. The only way for dragons was bonding with a higher-rank one to gain eligibility. Then it'd have to grind the actual growth itself.
But.
"Nah."
"...I figured."
Contracts were delicate—life-changing for both of us. You could only have three at once, and they cost billions minimum. Couldn't just hand one out lightly.
...But rejecting it outright had the kid on the verge of tears. With that kid face, it was hitting me right in the feels...
I'd planned to save the rest for later, but better spill now.
"Not that I'm totally against it. Be good and helpful, and I'll think about it."
"...! Got it! I'll work hard!"
The face lit up again.
...Was I always this soft on kids?
"Alright then. Looks like you'll have plenty to do."
"What do you mean?"
"First, we name you. Then stream time after breakfast."
"...Pardon? A name?"
"Can't keep calling you Earth Dragon. Awkward."
I wasn't great at names, but I had a good idea.
"This feels ominous, but... understood."
"..."
"Hey, quit screwing around, you lot!"
"Sigh... Ha-eun, you too..."
[Earth Dragon Naming Contest]
It seemed like a solid idea at first, but it bombed spectacularly. Nothing but trolls. Even Ha-eun was messing around.
"Hey! Don't mess with someone's name like that!"
Ugh, trash heap. Talking to them was pointless.
"Earth Dragon."
"No thanks."
"How about Tororong as a nickname then?"
"What's a nickname?"
"Like... an alias? See, that person's nickname is BountifulHarvest. Separate from the real name."
"Like a title."
"Close enough."
Nicknames could be cute. But the real name... couldn't trust the viewers with that.
Hmm... Something fitting for an Earth Dragon...
"How about... Terra? Like the goddess of earth."
"What do you think?"
"Sounds good."
"Cool. Terra it is! Don't forget—I named you."
"Got it."
A bit rushed, but way better than the viewers' trash suggestions.
Name done. Now for the important part.
Whoosh—
"...? Where are you going?"
"Gotta check your skills. I'll hit a nearby gate for mana stones—entertain the viewers."
"Pardon...?"
"Meat for dinner when I get back!"
Thud—
"..."
Left alone, Terra looked around in disbelief before turning to the screen where text kept popping up.
"Kkakdugi? What's sese se se?"
"No clue what you're saying. Explain one by one. And who are you all? Spirits living in this rock?"
"Arrow? This one?"
Proceed with easy payment?
"Payment?"
Click—
Payment completed.
Deluxe Starter Pack - 148,200 won
About two hours later, I casually mined some low-grade mana stones from an E-rank free gate nearby. True to my word, I stopped at the butcher for beef—Hanwoo—for dinner, but...
"Ugh, miss, says insufficient balance?"
"Huh? No way..."
For some reason, payment wouldn't go through—insufficient funds. Yesterday's stream and gate runs netted over 700k... I'd only spent maybe 100k today. Should've had at least 600k left.
"One sec, how much?"
"Just 90k."
◈ Sale Price: 90,000 won
"Try ringing it up again."
I sold a few stones to cover it and headed back out.
Ring ring—
"Hello? Ha-eun?"
Call from Ha-eun.
"F-finally connects... Unnie, big trouble!"
"Huh?"
"T-Terra did gaming on stream and..."
"And?"
"Y-you left easy payment on so..."
Easy payment? Oh. No way.
"...58k spent on FantasyStory so far."
"What?"
...Nope. Terra, you're evicted from my lair effective immediately.
Thud—
I raced home and flung the door open.
"Why won't this work."
I smiled and approached the kid, oblivious in gaming nirvana.
"Terra?"
"Ah! You're back? Look at this! Combat power keeps rising. Incredible..."
Thwap—
I placed a hand on its head, sliding slowly to the rock-like horn.
"W-why...?"
"Just wondering how to snap this off."
"E-eh?!"
"Know what you did?"
"Uh... um..."
"Helped yourself to my lair's treasures? Without a word?"
"...!! T-treasures? But I didn't touch anything—"
"Not all treasures are visible."
I gently gripped Terra's right horn. It trembled, looking up at me.
"I-I'm sorry. But if I upset you and used your treasures without permission... I deserve punishment..."
And this little thing squeezed its eyes shut, ready for it.
"Sigh..."
I was gonna lose it. What was I even doing to a kid like this...
It didn't even know what it clicked anyway.
"...?"
I released my hand and spun its chair around.
"My fault for leaving without explaining. Sigh... We'll sort that later. First, something else."
"...What?"
"See this?"
I pulled eleven low-grade mana stones from my pocket. Started with twenty, but nine went to the butcher emergency fund.
An Earth Dragon should show something.
"Mana-infused ore."
"Process 'em?"
"Process? ...Yes."
I handed them over. It rolled them around, then opened its palm. The stones floated up like levitating.
"What power to imbue?"
"Keep the shape. Same energy, but compress for higher density."
Terra nodded, tensed its arms, and its eyes flashed Dragon Eye. Guess it shows true form under strain.
Crack—
Crackle—
Stones flew together, clashing and glowing like mini stars. They fused like forced puzzle pieces into one mass.
Plop—
The processed stone dropped into its tiny palm.
"Done."
"Lemme see."
◈ (Special) tagged items fetch higher prices.
◈ Sale Price: 500,000 won
"Oho... Earth Dragon for a reason."
110k into 500k? Short of the 580k blown, but this was a golden goose! Wait, dragon laying golden eggs? Whatever.
"Sweet! Keep this up."
"Yes!"
"And never touch payment prompts on the computer. That's using my treasures."
"Ah, got it..."
"Good. You're on lifetime lockdown. No leaving till you die."
Great idea—install a PC in its room, feed it dumplings, toss stones, profit! Money printer...
...Nah, too much.
"Trade secret, kids. Curious ones get hurt."
I glanced at the monitor. Terra skills checked...
"Ha-eun, swing by after work tonight."
"Got Hanwoo beef. Lots of it, and stuff to talk about."
"Who said I'm your mom, brats."
Anyway, time to hunt down whoever framed me.