The Food Chain
In the wild, there is no mercy. Survival of the fittest. The strong eat, the weak are eaten.
In the primitive forest near the Hunter Tribe, a single beast grazed peacefully in one corner of the woods.
Meeeeeh— An Electric Sheep. True to its name, it possessed the form of a sheep, yet it was a magic beast that discharged electricity by rubbing its wool.
Crackle! Indeed, the charred corpses of carnivorous magic beasts lay scattered in a black heap around the Electric Sheep.
That was when it happened.
The Electric Sheep’s ears suddenly perked up. A chilling sensation raced down its spine. It immediately began rubbing its entire coat to charge lightning.
But it was already too late.
Whoosh! A red wolf burst from the dense underbrush. A magic beast that spewed searing crimson flames. A Fire Wolf.
Crunch! The wolf tore into the sheep’s neck before the electricity could fully charge. The hunt ended in an instant. The Fire Wolf gazed at the limp corpse and licked its chops with leisurely satisfaction.
Yet the wolf’s complacency did not last long.
Sliiide. A colossal shadow from the sky swallowed the Fire Wolf whole.
Thud!Yipe…!
A crushing weight pinned the Fire Wolf’s back. It was a Cloud Tiger. A majestic predator that wrapped its paws in pure white clouds and could stroll freely through the air by stepping upon them.
Crack— The Cloud Tiger glanced back and forth between the Electric Sheep and Fire Wolf beneath its feet. Which to savor first? Electric-grilled or flame-roasted? A delightful dilemma indeed.
The moment the beast lowered its head to begin its feast—
Rustle. A small, light sound of leaves being stepped on echoed.
The Cloud Tiger’s ears twitched. Who dares interrupt the mountain lord’s mealtime?
Grrrr… The tiger turned its head toward the noise, openly displaying its displeasure.
“Heheung~ Heung~ Heung~”
A tiny figure appeared between the leaves. It was a small girl humming cheerfully as she walked. Soft pink hair fluttered in the breeze. A pair of cream-colored horns rose neatly from the crown of her head. Her petite, delicate frame did not even reach an adult man’s waist.
The Cloud Tiger’s eyes flashed with predatory hunger. Such a small morsel wouldn’t even make a single bite. Still, if chewed thoroughly with the bones, it would serve as quite an acceptable snack.
Roar— The Cloud Tiger tensed powerful muscles in its hind legs, preparing to pounce.
Right then, the girl casually turned her head. Her sparkling ruby eyes met the tiger’s gaze head-on.
Shudder—!
A scream erupted from the genetic level. ‘Absolutely must not touch.’
Swoosh. The tiger slowly closed its gaping maw. It carefully retracted its extended claws and relaxed the coiled muscles in its hind legs. Then the Cloud Tiger plucked a nearby leaf and began munching away.
Munch munch.
‘I am a gentle herbivorous tiger! I’ve been this way since birth!’
It desperately insisted it was a lifelong pacifist that had never tasted meat.
“Heheung~ Heung~ Heung~”
I felt wonderful. Refreshed, almost like I could float away. The air was crisp, and warm sunlight filtered gently through the leaves. Perfect weather for a stroll.
Of course, the true highlight making this pleasant walk complete was something else entirely.
“Good. Very good.”
I snuck a sideways glance around. Far off, a large-horned cow had its head buried against a tree trunk, shivering violently. A pack of wolves lay flat on their bellies, playing dead. And the tiger that had immediately started munching leaves the moment our eyes met earlier.
All the magic beasts were desperately pretending they couldn’t see me.
As expected, there are perks to being reborn as a dragon.
“Mm-hmm. This is exactly how mere creatures should act! Prostrating flat before a dragon’s majesty is the foremost principle of survival.”
This was the proper attitude for lower lifeforms. It was those insolent tribespeople who were abnormal, trying to act as equals.
“They’re worse than beasts.”
I recalled the flawless plan I had perfected while rolling around in bed last night.
The Hunter Tribe’s entire identity revolved around hunting. They bragged endlessly about their so-called ‘hunting grounds blessed by the divine dragon.’ Their arrogance came from the hunt itself. Therefore, the solution was simple.
Drive all the ferocious magic beasts in the forest straight into their village!
Also known as the “Monster Wave Operation!”
An endless tide of magic beasts surging forward. Only then would they finally realize that the being they worshipped as a benevolent divine dragon was actually the incarnation of merciless catastrophe!
I would create just enough chaos, savor the sight of their tearful faces, then return at my leisure.
“Kahaha! All right, let’s get this started.”
No matter how small and delicate this girl’s body was, the dragon aura dwelling within could not be concealed. I puffed out my small chest and took a deep breath. Opening my mouth wide, I unleashed a ferocious roar.
Meeeeeh!Whine whine—!Roar!!
The hidden magic beasts screamed in unison and burst from cover. Sheep, cows, wolves, even the tiger that had been grazing—all of them. Hundreds of beasts began a blind, panicked stampede.
Naturally, they ran exactly where I had deliberately left a path open. A straight shot toward the Hunter Tribe.
Rumble rumble rumble—!
The ground shook violently. I floated leisurely into the air and followed behind the herd.
“Run, you beasts! Anyone who falls behind gets eaten!!”
The monster wave accelerated twice as fast. Dust clouds billowed. Hooves and claws tore at the earth as they charged desperately. Some even tripped and rolled in their frenzy.
Soon the edge of the forest appeared. Trees grew sparse, revealing wide cleared ground and crude huts beyond. The Hunter Tribe’s village.
“M-monster horde! The beasts are coming!!”
The sentry on the watchtower screamed until his voice cracked. Drums beat wildly.
Boom. Boom-boom-boom. Boom-boom-boom-boom!
The tribespeople poured out in panic.
“Take up arms! Hold formation! We will protect the land bestowed by the divine dragon!”
That red-haired guy actually has decent leadership for a lower lifeform.
Yes, struggle all you want. Warriors wielding bone spears lined up in front of the village, led by the chief.
Just before the beast horde collided with the tribal warriors, tension reached its peak.
Finally!
Screeeeech!
“…Huh?”
Right in front of the village—close enough to touch with an outstretched hand—the madly charging magic beasts all slammed on the brakes at once.
Bewilderment washed over the tribespeople’s faces.
“C-Chief. Why are they acting like this?”
“They’re… not attacking?”
“Um… is it just me, or do their eyes look strangely innocent?”
The beasts with their noses pressed to the ground kept sneaking glances in my direction.
“Hey! Why aren’t you fighting?!”
I shouted from above.
“Attack! Bite them! Aren’t you supposed to be bloodthirsty magic beasts?!”
Whine whine— The moment the magic beasts heard my voice, they instead pressed themselves tightly against the humans.
“Have you ever seen anything so pathetic and weak!”
Had I driven them too hard? Did the humans suddenly look safer by comparison? Or was the apex of the food pyramid so overwhelmingly dominant that competition further down the chain had become meaningless?
No. This would not do. My brilliant plan was falling apart.
“Then I’ll simply create an environment where they have no choice but to fight.”
I snapped my fingers and activated dragon tongue magic.
"O trees, rise up!"
⟨ Dragon's Wooden Wall ⟩
The latent magical power surged into the earth.
Rumble!
The ground split open. Trees erupted fully grown along the perimeter of the clearing in front of the village. Roots tangled, branches wove together, forming a perfect circular fence in seconds. A colosseum.
A stage where slave gladiators and beasts fought for their lives. Naturally, I occupied the position of the cruel emperor watching the brutal entertainment and giving a thumbs-down.
“Kahaha! I am a merciless tyrant dragon! Only those who survive shall see tomorrow’s sun!”
With every side blocked, there was nowhere to run. For the sake of survival, they would have no choice but to tear into one another!
The stage was now complete.
In the center of the arena, the Red-haired Chief and the Cloud Tiger faced off. The chief’s red hair fluttered in the wind, and the tiger’s fur bristled threateningly.
“…….”
Roar—
Both radiated tremendous pressure in a silent staring contest.
The boss battle! Would the leaders’ breathtaking one-on-one duel finally begin?
“Oh! Go on! Powerful strike! Wild slash! Tiger claws!”
Swoosh. The tiger subtly raised a front paw… then politely waved it at the chief.
‘Thank you for your hard work. I’ll be on my way.’
The tiger turned, summoned small clouds beneath its feet, stepped onto the air, and bounded upward.
Boing. Boing. Boing.
It avoided me at the top of the fence and fled far beyond the sky.
“What?! Since when can tigers fly?! Don’t run away! Fight!”
The boss had fled. In an utterly cowardly and shameless manner.
The remaining beasts were even more pathetic. The sheep huddled together, rubbing their wool against one another for comfort. They looked like gentle clumps of cotton candy.
The cows, tension gone, contentedly munched on weeds growing in the dirt.
Shameless creatures!
The wolves took the prize. Pant! Pant pant! They rolled onto their backs, tongues lolling, tails wagging furiously—right at the warriors’ feet!
“There, there. Good boys. You were scared, weren’t you?”
“Look at this one. Its fur is so warm.”
“With bellies this toasty, we won’t even need fires this winter.”
The warriors had initially recoiled in surprise, but the wolves’ blatant displays of affection gradually melted their wariness.
“What the hell is this…”
I collapsed in utter dismay and clutched my horns.
“I wanted a blood-soaked arena, but it turned into a peaceful petting zoo!”
“Aaaah…”
It was then.
The Red-haired Chief, who had been standing motionless while watching the peaceful exchange between beasts and warriors, began to tremble. He suddenly dropped to his knees. One by one, the tribal warriors stopped stroking the animals and prostrated themselves as well.
O benevolent divine dragon!! The life of a hunter is forever stained with blood and wounds! Even after eating our fill today, we lived in constant fear of losing our lives to a beast’s claws tomorrow! We bled without end, and when winter came we starved for lack of game.
Yet the divine dragon has looked upon our suffering with compassion! To personally tame the forest’s magic beasts and deliver them to our side! The divine dragon has bestowed a fence upon us! Let us raise and multiply these beasts within it! Let us end the slaughter and walk the path of coexistence!
As the chief’s impassioned speech ended, the tribespeople slammed their foreheads to the ground and cheered in unison.
“It’s you again!”
“This too must be the dragon’s magnificent grace!”
“O great divine dragon! We shall worship you for all eternity!”
Bark bark!Meeeeh—Moooo—
Even the wolves, sheep, and cows cried out happily to match the mood.
The harmony between humans and magic beasts.
“…Roa?”
It was one of humanity’s historic leaps—the moment animal husbandry began.