Mommy's Little Dragon and the Gangnam Takeover
“Grrr... purrr...”
A massive dome-shaped isolation zone. Just moments ago, this place had been a hellscape of yellowish gas and stench, but now a strangely peaceful sound echoed through it.
The source was none other than the fire dragon Balakas. The house-sized red dragon lay sprawled on its back, purring contentedly like a happy cat.
Kang Jinhyeok stood before it, sleeves rolled up.
“There, there. Feels good, right? No more tummy ache?”
Jinhyeok confirmed that Balakas's bloated belly had deflated nicely, then scratched vigorously between the dragon's tough scales. Dragon scales were harder than diamond, but under his God's Hand skill, they softened like pliant rubber.
Patient 'Balakas's affinity has exceeded MAX!
Abnormal status: 'Imprinting' in progress.
“Nngh... Mama...”
A slurred telepathic message leaked from Balakas's mouth. Jinhyeok's brow furrowed.
“Who're you calling mama? Gross. I'm your doctor.”
“Mama... good... tummy cool...”
Balakas ignored him, rubbing its enormous head against Jinhyeok's thigh like a puppy seeking its mother. The problem was that this 'puppy's' head was the size of a dump truck.
“Whoa, easy! Don't push! You'll knock me over!”
Jinhyeok grunted, shoving the dragon's head away. The onlookers couldn't close their gaping mouths.
“That's... Lord Balakas?”
“No way, it never acted this cute even with the guild master.”
Kim Hyunseok, president of the Korean Healer Association, was especially stunned. He stared blankly at the floor slick with... Balakas's excretions—technically mana residue.
“Were we... all wrong? It was just constipation? Constipation of all things?”
His pride as an S-rank healer shattered. They'd poured in life force with noble magic, bestowed blessings, tried everything—and it all failed. But one rubber plunger fixed it.
As Jinhyeok packed up, he tossed a casual remark at Kim Hyunseok.
“Hey, Mr. Association President. Stop spacing out and help clean this up?”
“...Pardon? Clean what?”
“This. This stuff.”
Jinhyeok nodded at the mess on the floor.
“Pure mana clumps. Dump it and it's pollution; refine it right, and it's fertilizer or fuel. You healers are pros at purification magic, right? Clean it spotless. Bad for patient hygiene.”
“Wha— You want us to clean up shit?!”
“What, should the lead surgeon do surgery and janitorial? You're the assistants.”
He had no comeback. Jinhyeok had saved Balakas as the main doctor; cleanup fell to the observing medical staff. Kim Hyunseok trembled, but Lee Shinwoo's icy gaze from the side said it all.
Do it.
Lee Shinwoo's eyes commanded. In the end, Korea's top elite healers tearfully grabbed brooms and purification scrolls.
“Damn... Is this why I became a healer...?”
“Shut it. The smell's getting in.”
S-rank healers sweeping dragon dung—a sight for the ages. Jinhyeok nodded in satisfaction. Hierarchy established.
Once sorted, Lee Shinwoo approached Jinhyeok. His expression had softened—verging on awe.
“Incredible. Truly. I've seen countless miracles, but nothing like today.”
“Not a miracle. Medicine.”
“Hahaha! Right, medicine. God's medicine.”
Lee Shinwoo conceded gracefully. He beckoned his secretary, who hurried over with a document briefcase.
“A promise kept. Here.”
Lee Shinwoo handed over an envelope. Jinhyeok opened it, spilling out hefty title deeds, keycards, and permits.
[Real Estate Ownership Transfer Deed]
-Location: 1-1 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, et al. (3 parcels; Zeus Guild 2nd HQ)
-Building: Zeus Medical Tower (15 above-ground floors, 5 basement) -Est. Value: 520 billion won
Jinhyeok's hand trembled faintly. 520 billion. Untouchable even slaving as a porter forever—or winning lotto 100 times. All for one plunger swing.
Professionals rule.
Jinhyeok cheered inwardly but played it cool, pocketing the papers.
“Got it. Guild covers transfer fees and acquisition tax, right?”
“Naturally. Taxes handled perfectly. And...”
Lee Shinwoo eyed Balakas, still nuzzling Jinhyeok's leg with eyes closed.
“It's too attached to you. Should stay isolated here, but... take it for now.”
“Me? This thing?”
“To your clinic. Building's oversized anyway—perfect for Balakas.”
Jinhyeok pondered. Housing a dragon? Hassle. Food bills insane. But... Gangnam prime spot, 520 billion tower. Security worry solved with an S-rank dragon as guard dog?
No thieves, not even ants. Plus, Balakas was a walking billboard.
“Deal. But guild foots feed bill. Picky eater.”
“Hahaha! No worries. Top-shelf. Mana stones out—your 'fiber-rich' diet in.”
Deal sealed. Jinhyeok tapped Balakas's snout.
“Hear that? You're the clinic mascot now. Earn your keep—cute it up for customers. Got it?”
“Mama... food... good...”
Balakas just wagged its tail happily. The gust sent a nearby S-rank healer flying, but no one cared.
The next day, Korea erupted.
Portals, SNS, NewTube—every main page flooded with one story.
[Shock! Dying Fire Dragon Balakas Cured Overnight!]
[Miracle Worker: Unknown Vet? "Just Treated Constipation," He Says]
[Zeus Guild Hands Over Entire Gangnam HQ... "520 Billion Treatment Fee"]
Public reaction boiled like a furnace.
'Plunger Master', 'Dragon's Doc', 'The 520 Billion Man'. Nicknames piled on Jinhyeok. He ignored interview requests and TV offers.
He was prepping his biggest move ever.
“Heave! Hey, manticore! That's fragile! Careful!”
Outside his rundown Seongbuk-gu clinic. Moving trucks lined up. But no movers—
“Kraaang!”
The Blood Manticore hauled an X-ray machine on its back to a truck. Shadow wolves followed with medicine boxes in their mouths; iron bears lifted fridges one-handed.
Locals gawked, snapping pics. Beasts doing the heavy lifting?
“Doc, you really leaving?”
The neighbor ajumma asked sadly. Jinhyeok wiped sweat, smiling.
“Yeah, bigger place so the kids can play. Thanks for everything.”
“Aigoo, who'll trim Ppoppi's nails now? Gangnam's too far.”
“No worries. Special house call for Ppoppi. Shadow wolf pickup.”
Jinhyeok gazed at the weathered sign.
[Arcana Animal Medical Center]
Three years ago, his first nest post-awakening. F-rank scorned everywhere, but this place took him in.
“Good job. Farewell.”
Short goodbye, then shotgun in the lead truck. Park Cheolwoo, raid leader, drove—assigned by Lee Shinwoo.
“To Gangnam.”
“Yes, sir! Onward, Director!”
Park gripped the wheel rigidly. The convoy roared off to Korea's ritziest hood, Cheongdam-dong.
[Arcana Animal Medical Center - Gangnam Main Branch]
The arrival was jaw-dropping. 15-story glass tower. Ex-hunter VIP ward, fully equipped.
“Whoa... spacious.”
Jinhyeok marveled in the 1F lobby. Marble floors, chandeliers. Luxury clinic? Extravagant.
“Director, interiors redone to spec.”
Park guided.
“Floors 1-3: Small beast clinics and grooming.”
“4-10: Wards and rehab gyms.”
“B1-5: Large beast isolation. Balakas in B5 VIP (ex-training hall).”p>
“Perfect.”
Jinhyeok nodded. No more excuses. Time to prove skill.
“Sign up. Open for business.”
He flipped the switch. Rooftop LED blazed.
We heal every beast in the world.
[Humans strictly prohibited.]
The moment it lit Gangnam's skyline—
“Director...”
“Yeah?”
“Check outside. Something's up.”
Park pointed, flustered. Jinhyeok peered through the glass.
“Heh.”
A dry laugh escaped. Street out front. No open announcement, yet hundreds swarmed. Not people—beast owners.
Front: Famous S-rank 'Ice Emperor' Seo Jihu cradling his Pengsoo. Behind: Top guild rankers with tents, each with a monstrous pet.
“My baby's not eating!”
“Gryphon wing broken—surgery possible?”
“Money no object—number ticket, please!”
Chaos. Gangnam turned monster meetup.
“Director, what now? Guards can't control.”
“Let 'em. Form a line.”
Jinhyeok donned his crisp new gown. Gold nameplate: [Director Kang Jinhyeok].
“They're the desperate ones.”
Sip of coffee, then intercom to B5.
“Balakas, you there?”
—Mama? Why call?
“Noisy customers outside. Come up, enforce. No barking—just flash teeth.”
—Got it! I'll earn my keep!
BOOM—!
The building quivered. S-rank dragon aura surged from below, flooding the lobby. Outside, hunters and beasts froze: “Hup!”
Primal fear. Apex predator resided here.
“Finally quiet.”
Jinhyeok adjusted his tie, opening the exam room.
Real start now. Not neighborhood vet—the top dog holding hunters' leashes worldwide.
“Next patient.”
His voice broadcast hospital-wide.