A Strange Dream and an Uninvited Guest
I had a strange dream.
In the dream, just before falling asleep, a bizarre phrase floated in the air before my eyes, leaving me puzzled.
Players are logging into the world.
'Players?' Was that the right word? The Hangul letters were clear as day, but it had been so long since I'd seen them that I froze for a moment. Players were people who played games. Games were something I'd done a lot in my past life—a hazy memory lingered.
"So... 'logging into the world' means users are entering this other world? And this place is..."
......
Haaah...
"Zzz..."
I'm tired. Must've been seeing things.
No way a status window—one I'd shouted for endlessly 300 years ago—would pop up now. Probably some prankster fairy or headache of a mage. Sure, you might ask how they knew Hangul, but I'd taught them back when I was bored. It's an easy script to learn, so they picked it up quick and started using it.
Or maybe this whole thing was still a dream.
"Hng..."
It even felt hazy, like I was dreaming.
"Weird... a past life dream..."
I hadn't dreamed of my past life in decades.
"So vivid..."
.
.
.
"Ooooh!!!"
'...?'
Dododododo!
Something darted around inside the nest, visible through my half-closed eyelids. A small something, hopping excitedly like a rabbit. So damn noisy. Had the fairies snuck in?
I told them not to come while I'm sleeping.
The forest fairies were such pranksters—if you didn't warn them multiple times, they'd climb all over you and cause chaos. A little chatter was fine, but if it disturbed my sleep, I'd give them a stern talking-to. They'd been quiet for a while now, but if they crossed the line again...
"I did it!!!"
Too loud. Please be quiet...
Kuuu...
How many times do I have to tell them? Looks like after this nap, I'll have to give the fairies a real scolding. If only they'd listen nicely...
"Can't take this."
Click. Click.
The little thing stuck to my face, striking various poses. Then it started muttering to the air—that sight rubbed me the wrong way. No intention of quieting down, so maybe a flick on the forehead would do it. In polymorph form, it wouldn't kill her, right?
Kugugugugu!!!
I opened my eyes. My blurry vision sharpened, revealing the culprit who'd ruined my sleep.
"You opened your eyes? What're you talking about? You're supposed to be asleep..."
"Who are you?"
A human. A sky-blue bob-cut human woman turning her head with a creak. More adult than girl, but her face was innocently bright. Noblewoman vibes, maybe?
Outfit screams fresh mercenary, though.
A newbie adventurer just starting out. The human gripped the sword at her waist and backed away.
"A human?"
"Uh... y-yeah. Um..."
"How'd you get here?"
"H-hiking..."
"Hiking?"
This high up? The mountain was too steep even for an orc—way beyond what this weak-looking girl could climb. There were plenty of lower peaks around Red Mountain more suitable for hiking.
She's after treasure, probably.
Thieves had always eyed dragon nests, past and present. From her earlier reaction, this girl was likely no different.
"You're lying. You came for my nest's treasures."
"N-no, that's not it!"
"Hmph."
"R-really! I swear! I was just gonna head back..."
Kwajik!
"Hiiik...!"
"Where do you think you're going?"
I poked a claw into the spot behind her where she'd been slinking away. A deep pit formed, big enough for dozens of humans, and she froze pale as a ghost.
"Not content with waking me, now you try to run?"
And not even a fairy—a human? I'd scold a fairy harshly for that; a human deserved worse. Humans weren't even cute.
"...Sorry. I'm sorry..."
"Come here."
"......"
"Come. Here."
She shuffled over like a guilty puppy. Earlier she'd bounded in like a starved mutt.
"You."
"Y-yes?"
"What's your name."
"H-Haring."
"Haring."
I stared down at Haring. Human. Mercenary. Mid-20s, roughly. Noblewoman looks, but her gear suggested a regular adventurer.
Or maybe a runaway young lady.
Based on my 300 years of experience, she didn't seem like a total villain.
Hm.
Decision made.
"You woke me right up. What're you gonna do about it?"
"Uh... go back to sleep?"
"This."
I raised my hand for a flick like I usually gave the fairies when they got too rowdy. One problem, though...
Kugugugugu!!
"Hiiik!"
"Ah."
I was in dragon form. Dazed, I'd nearly swatted her as a dragon. Would've been one corpse to clean up.
Paaaah...!
My body shifted. Mystical mana enveloped me, shrinking my hill-sized frame smaller and smaller and smaller. Red hair cascaded to my waist, red bat-wings unfurled toward the sky. Crimson horns gleamed, an elegant black dress—gifted by the emperor himself—draped comfortably over me. Topped off with scarlet eyes.
"Uh, wha?"
I'd shrunk smaller than Haring. For some reason, she was breathing harder than when she'd faced dragon-me.
I balled my tiny fist.
"Just one."
"Whoa, no wa—"
Kkooong!!
＊
"Ugh."
Haring came to and sat up. She wasn't at the peak anymore—base of the mountain, surrounded by rabbits and deer. The pissed-off dragon must've tossed her here.
Nearly three days to climb; this felt harsh, but pretty merciful.
"Saved, at least."
Death or goblin cave would've been a loss. Newbie zone or not, death penalties hit hard—gotta be careful.
"Ow ow... got a lump..."
Haring rubbed the swollen bump and checked her system window.
All physical abilities reduced by 50% for 12 hours.
Mana recovery reduced by 50% for 12 hours.
Skill cooldowns increased by 50% for 12 hours.
You survived an attack from the Flame Dragon!
"Oh. A title."
The intimidation debuff was brutal, but two hidden pieces? Huge. Especially this title—even rankers couldn't buy it. If sellable, it'd fetch thousands easy.
But more important than that...
"Didn't get a pic... damn."
Insanely cute. Perky little horns and wings aside, those dainty features and round eyes! The way she clenched her tiny fists in anger made me wanna squeeze her. Wait, dragons allowed to be this cute? Weren't they supposed to be busty babes or tall handsome dudes in novels and comics?
But this majestic dragon turned out to be an adorable little girl! Total cheat.
The fancy, elegant dress only amplified the charm.
"Photo! Needed a photo..."
Go back now, and death. She spared me once out of mercy, but lingering? No way.
Approach carefully when she's awake, at least.
Haring steeled herself and checked the gallery.
The Prologia gallery was blowing up with nothing but her dragon saga. Haring couldn't stop grinning as she closed it.
She'd planned to share after a proper reward, but that changed the instant she saw the 'human version' dragon.
"Can't show that to just anyone."
Not until she snapped a pic of that dragon face herself. No one else gets to know.
Haring clenched her fist and set off toward the distant mountain.