The Dragon's Autograph Session
"No way..." Yuhwa declared, her voice ringing with majestic authority. "Everyone, line up at once. I shall bestow upon you the grace of a great dragon!"
The department store had long since abandoned any pretense of normal operations.
-Why don't I have to get one...?
-That person's eyes have completely gone mad, haven't they? If you don't get one, she'll probably blow your head off.
-Damn it... I'll just get the autograph and get the hell out.
Even the wealthy ladies who would normally demand VIP treatment with their noses held high, and the office workers who had been hurrying along with quick steps—all of them now waited obediently in line.
To be precise, one could say she had cast a spell.
If anyone tried to leave without an autograph? All it took was a single glance from her, and they would meekly join the queue.
It was a magic only the superior transcendent race of dragons could wield.
Scratch, scratch.
With elegant hand movements, Yuhwa swung her pen across notebooks, bags, and even expensive luxury coats thrust toward her by fans, signing them without hesitation.
"Huuuueeeng... This bag costs three million won..."
"It'll be worth even more now. You're welcome."
"Yeees...!"
The lady's eyes glistened with tears. It was impossible to tell just how moved she was.
"I-I'll carry this autograph with me instead of a defibrillator!"
"Ooh..."
Now there was a madman. Carrying an autograph instead of a defibrillator for his heart...
But she liked it. He would receive the tail-tap-tap treatment.
"Don't worry. Your illness will be cured soon."
"...!"
"It's not a lie. I mean it."
When she lightly tapped his head with her tail, she could see him tearing up.
This was happiness.
On a whim, Yuhwa spread her wings and gave them a single flap.
A gust of wind rose, and the crowd erupted into frenzy.
"She looked at me! She looked at me! She stared right at me!"
"Mom, I want to be like Lady Yuhwa when I grow up!"
"Yuhwa isn't just a simple Awakened. She's a scream that bursts people's hearts."
After signing for exactly 217 people, her wrist began to ache.
Yuhwa lightly tossed the pen she had been holding into the air.
"The autograph session ends here."
Sighs filled the lobby, but no one dared voice a single complaint.
Leaving the reluctant crowd behind, Yuhwa strolled leisurely into the nearest luxury brand store.
"Ah, w-welcome, Lady Yuhwa!"
The store manager appeared, bowing at a perfect ninety-degree angle.
Yuhwa swept her gaze across the interior.
Glittering dresses on mannequins, diamond necklaces displayed in cases, and limited-edition bags worth tens of millions of won.
Time to spend some money.
Yuhwa pulled out the black, unlimited-limit card that Park Jin-tae had given her.
Then she extended her finger and drew a long line from the store entrance all the way to the farthest display case.
"From here to there."
"Y-yes! Which items would you like to see?"
"No need to show me anything. I'll buy it all."
The manager's mouth fell open.
"Didn't you hear? Pack up everything."
"R-right away! All staff, assemble! Pack everything!"
With the manager's ecstatic scream, the store descended into chaos.
Yuhwa glanced to the side.
In the distance, behind a department store pillar, four pairs of eyes were huddled together, peeking at her.
Yujin wore a devastated expression. So-yi looked embarrassed, while Ayane seemed consumed by self-loathing. Lastly, So-ah was beaming with pure delight.
Yuhwa beckoned them over with a flick of her hand.
When the group approached hesitantly, she gestured with her chin toward the mountain of dozens of enormous shopping bags.
"Perfect timing. Carry these."
The moment the words left her mouth—
"Of course! Master, I'll carry them!"
Yujin mobilized both hands and even her silver-gray tail, hanging the bags all over herself.
"As expected, only you, Jin."
"Hehe. Carrying Master's luggage is my joy."
At Yujin's swift change in demeanor, So-yi stepped forward, unwilling to be outdone.
"I-I'll carry them too, Lady Yuhwa! I'll show you the strength of an A-rank Hunter!"
So-yi even summoned wind mana to lift the bags with ease.
"Sis! Me too! I want to carry some!"
When So-ah stood on tiptoe to grab a bag handle, Yuhwa lightly pressed a finger to her forehead with a stern look.
"Now, now! You shouldn't carry things like this. It'll stunt your growth. Instead, you..."
"Waaah!"
Yuhwa easily gave So-ah a piggyback ride.
"Hold onto the horns on my forehead properly."
"Yeees...!"
Now only one remained.
Yujin and So-yi's gazes, laden with shopping bags, turned toward Ayane, who still stood empty-handed.
"..."
Ayane shrank under their piercing stares, her pupils trembling.
She was Japan's National Power-Class Hunter and the Shrine Maiden of the Sun! Was she really supposed to play the role of a mere porter?
"U-um... Do I... have to?"
Ayane muttered in a shrinking voice.
Yujin flashed a chilling glare and bared her fangs.
Crushed by the silent killing intent, Ayane finally surrendered with tears in her eyes.
"I-I'll carry them..."
When Ayane approached with a resigned expression, Yuhwa smirked and thrust the largest, heaviest pile of bags into her arms.
"That's the price for speaking last. Drop them and you know what happens."
"Uuuugh... Yes..."
"Good. Let's go, my servants!"
Yuhwa strode out of the department store with light steps.
(Photo: Yuhwa signing with a haughty expression)
After finishing their shopping, Yuhwa and her group immediately boarded a vehicle prepared by the Association and headed to the airport.
At the end of the runway, in the most discreet and heavily guarded VIP-only area, Cecilia stood waiting with her hands clasped in a respectful posture.
Behind her, a sleek, massive private jet bearing a heavy black emblem with a golden cross was warming up its engines.
"Oh..."
Yuhwa let out an admiring exclamation at the jet's elegant form.
"Quite an expensive-looking plane."
Cecilia approached, bowing her head as she explained.
"This aircraft is reserved exclusively for when the Vatican receives state guests."
"They moved us here with coins?"
"Yes... It is expensive, but it's the best way to maintain secrecy. The destination is also a special airport located within the Vatican—a sanctuary where entry into its airspace and landing are only permitted with the Saintess's direct approval."
"An airport you can only enter with the Saintess's permission."
Yuhwa stroked her chin and looked up at the sky.
A sudden, pointless curiosity struck her.
Which would be faster—flying in a plane, or transforming into a dragon and flying herself?
She was certain she would win, but if she lost, it would be unbearably humiliating... Better not to try.
"Lead the way."
"This way, please."
Following Cecilia's guidance, Yuhwa and her group boarded the jet's ramp.
"Welcome, Lady Yuhwa."
The moment they stepped inside, the sight before Yuhwa's eyes was beyond imagination.
Which was why she immediately covered So-ah's eyes with her tail.
"Sis? Why...?"
The interior resembled a lavish European palace rather than an aircraft. The floor was covered in the finest red carpet, and a bar table adorned with chandeliers and fine wood was perfectly set.
But what surprised Yuhwa the most wasn't the interior decor.
"This way, please."
The flight attendants greeting them.
Every single one was a woman with model-like beauty.
Moreover, their uniforms were far from modest. Tight blouses that clung to their curves as if they might burst with every breath, and skirts with deep slits revealing their thighs.
It was an outfit so shameless that it was hard to believe this was a private jet belonging to a religious nation.
Yuhwa cleared her throat and glanced at Cecilia.
"Ahem. As religious people, shouldn't you be frugal and modest? This seems... a bit excessive."
Yujin, who had been fiddling with the diamond necklace (which Yuhwa had personally put on her) with sparkling eyes, stepped forward.
"This is simply how guests are treated, Master. For someone like you, this level is only natural!"
Is that so...?
Yuhwa released her tail from So-ah's eyes and quickly scooped the girl into her arms.
Then she threw herself into the best seat.
So-ah merely giggled with delight.
Yujin sat beside her, skillfully pouring vintage wine from the bar table and sipping it elegantly.
"Ah. Um... Would you like me to pour you one as well?"
"Do it."
So-yi awkwardly poured the wine. Yuhwa took a sip.
Despite her calm exterior, Yuhwa's mind was racing.
Am I the only one who thinks this is weird?
It made sense that all the attendants were women.
But why on earth were their uniforms like that?
The Saintess used this jet often, apparently.
Perhaps... her preferences were reflected in it.
Surely the Saintess isn't a lesbian... is she?