Summoning My Mini-Me and a Scaly Windfall
With a sense of utter defeat, I flopped onto the floor like a dead fish. Ack, boo-hoo... I'd finally grown a bit after becoming a lesser dragon... Devastation welled up, tears pricking at my eyes, but I didn't let them fall. I'm a tough guy...!
Well, who knows. Maybe if I level up the lesser dragon rank, I'll grow taller? It's a growth phase, after all.
I didn't get my top wish, but escaping hatchling stage came with a bunch of rewards: extra stats, a skill enhancement ticket, and even a new skill! Thanks to the stat boosts, my status window was free of any more D ranks. Well, except for the skills themselves.
I invested the enhancement into Dragon Breath again this time. Body Enhancement is pretty useful... and Basic Elemental Magic isn't bad either. But up to now, in tower or gate clears, Breath had been the MVP by far.
The new skill looked like one for summoning a familiar companion, judging by the name. And it started at a whopping C-rank! Curiosity piqued, I tapped the description.
Familiar Summon Lv.1 (C)
Summons a familiar that obeys your commands.
Such a bare-bones description. As the saying goes, powerful skills have short explanations. Like Throw Water. More allies is almost always a win!
I wonder what my familiar looks like...! Heart pounding!
"Familiar Summon!"
A brilliant light flared, revealing the familiar. I squinted against the glare, peering at the glowing orb hovering in midair—it seemed capable of flight.
"Peep...?"
"Huh...?"
The familiar was flying just as I'd hoped. But what threw me was...
"Why does it look exactly like me?!"
It wasn't just similar—it was a perfect copy of me. The only difference? It was a chibi version, like a 2-head-tall caricature. Seeing myself like this... damn, I'm kinda cute.
So now I'm walking around with a pet version of myself...?
As I spaced out staring at it, my mini-me tilted its head curiously.
Hmm. Cute enough, that'll do.
"Peep-!"
Apparently thrilled, the little doppelganger landed on my shoulder and started nuzzling my cheek.
...What to name it? Calling the thing on my shoulder "familiar" or "pet" felt too impersonal.
Hmm... First familiar, so Number One?
"..."
Suddenly, that Hunter Gallery comment popped into my head: "Your naming sense is legendary lol."
No, no! My naming sense isn't trash...!
Dozens of names flashed through my mind, but none stuck. Only one option left. I scribbled them on paper and laid it out in front of the familiar.
"Here! Pick a name!"
"Peep?"
The familiar fluttered over the options and snatched one.
[Me2]
"...Yeah, on second thought, that's a no. Maybe ask Seol-ah?"
"Peep!"
As if saying "wrong," it flipped the paper upside down and gestured for me to read it backwards.
"Uh... Ina?"
"Peep!"
It nodded in satisfaction. Compared to the other names, it did have a nice ring. And since the familiar picked it itself, no reason not to use it.
"Alright. From now on, you're Ina."
"Peep peep-!"
Thrilled with its name, Ina bounced around on the papers.
One last thing to check. I pulled out the White Dragon Grimoire from my drawer.
If I've outgrown hatchling, maybe my language comprehension deepened too?
Last time, I could only read the basic magic pages, but now I felt confident about more.
Flip.
Congratulations to newborn dragons who have mastered the basics. Here, I leave records for learning intermediate magic.
I could now read past the basics—where it used to say my growth was insufficient, now the White Dragon uncle's words appeared. Later pages were still illegible, but this was solid progress.
To study diligently for new skill acquisition, I used the room's sole table and chair. Ignoring that it was also the dining table, it was perfect for reading.
Ring ring- Ring ring-
Just as I finished the intro and reached my first intermediate magic explanation, my phone rang. It was A-rank hunter Park Chae-rin, who'd taught me sword basics last time.
"Ha-neul? Calling about that gate byproduct disposal from before."
Oh right, that. I'd asked her to handle the massive haul since I couldn't move it myself. Took longer than expected. Makes sense—most of it from a B-rank gate. Should fetch a nice sum, right? Maybe enough for daily fried chicken luxury...?
My heart raced, but acting too excited would seem lame. I played it cool.
"How do I get the sales money?"
"I'd like to explain in detail. You free now? Wanna grab dinner?"
Huh? Sudden dinner invite. Not bad—I hadn't eaten yet anyway. No reason to turn down free food.
"Sure. Head to Geumryeon Guild?"
"I'll come get you—be ready on time. Promised that hanwoo beef, remember."
Ooh... Gotta go. Now...! Beef on the line—who cares about details. She asked for my address to pick me up; after a brief hesitation, I gave it. Knowing my home address wouldn't cause issues.
She's Seol-ah's acquaintance too...
Dinner set, time to pick clothes. First, put this guy away.
"Peep?"
I unsummoned the still-bouncing Ina and rummaged for an outfit. Seol-ah had bought stuff she wanted me to wear, but better than nothing. No need to stick to my usual comfy tee and shorts—business manners and all.
As I browsed, a sleepy Yoon Seol-ah's voice came from behind.
"Mmm... Wha? Going somewhere...?"
"Chae-rin invited me to dinner."
"Dinner plans...? For real? When did you make those, oppa?"
"Uh... just now? She offered beef."
"Beef?! Lucky...!"
Seol-ah shot me envious looks.
...Don't Hunter Association staff make bank? Can't she afford beef anytime?
"...What?"
"Mind if I tag along?"
She gazed at me pleadingly, wanting in on dinner. Her motive was a bit puzzling, but I messaged Chae-rin anyway. Couldn't leave her sulking like that. It wasn't strict business, and with Seol-ah there—the one who'd introduced us—it'd be less awkward.
"Fine... I'll ask Chae-rin."
"Yay!"
An A-rank hunter's wallet could handle one more, right? Chae-rin replied instantly, like she'd been waiting. Seol-ah beamed at the screen.
"Yesss-!"
Like she'd summoned a beef-starved ghost or something...? Weird, but whatever. As I prepped to leave, Seol-ah rummaged in a shopping bag for cosmetics—the stuff she'd begged for post-gate.
Typical girl move.
"...Full makeup or what?"
Overkill? But yeah, she's a civilian. Meeting a TV-famous A-rank must be exciting.
Then it hit me—that's her real desire.
She approached with an armful of products.
"Not makeup. Skincare stuff?"
"...?"
Skincare. I knew the basics—protects skin, right? But why bring it to me?
"You neglect your skin too much. It's baby-soft now—needs protection...!"
She dumped them in front of me and started slathering them on.
No. I got it wrong. She didn't care about impressing the A-rank...
"Why put this on me? Isn't it dangerous?!"
"Bought it all for you! Kid-safe, super gentle!"
Nooo... If this continues...
"Moisturizer first... lip balm, lotion..."
"Gaaah!"
She subjected me to a full skincare onslaught.
Park Chae-rin arrived in a black van with a secretary escort—VIP treatment after the skincare torture. And not some casual grill joint; she took us to a super private spot, all private rooms.
"Saw it on the news. Gate survivor from a sudden one—shocked me."
"Wasn't that tough."
"Nah~. Soloing a C-rank gate means you're cruising the Black Tower to floor 30 easy?"
Floor 30's where you ponder B-rank promotion. She was hyping me up, but I nodded along.
"Ooh... Guess I'll plan tower climbs like you said, Chae-rin."
"Love the enthusiasm... I'm stuck with my raid team right now..."
Even A-ranks hit walls? Wild. Power issue? Nah, her reason was different.
"New section's a magma-filled mega-cave... Everyone bailed from the heat..."
"Heat...?"
"Yeah~. Sauna from hell. Heavy armor tanks suffered most..."
She whined, slumping as memories resurfaced.
Heat, huh... Perfect opportunity.
The shady merchant hadn't contacted me since. Meaning no deal. Fair enough—my youthful look screams kid.
No need for him anyway. Sell direct to deep-pocket buyers. First customer for Ha-neul-brand scales: Park Chae-rin, incoming.
"Got the perfect item for that."
"Ooh, really?"
"Wanna see?"
I pulled a scale from my pocket—the ever-present ones—and slid it over. Miles better than combat-shed ones.
Dunno why, but they flake off a bit each time growth hits 100%. Like molting? Harmless, and perfect for profit—top-quality scales on tap.
Chae-rin examined it, handed it back, and asked:
"Some kinda scale... What's it from?"
"Huh, never seen dragon scales?"
"Dragon scales?"
"Yeah, hot in alchemy lately. Attach to heat-protection potions—boosts effect."
"Ooh! Perfect for my raid! Legit?"
"Tried it myself. Works great."
"But dragon scales..."
Her gaze drifted to my tail.
"..."
"..."
"Selling any?"
"Y-yeah... Friend discount, 600k each...?"
"I'll take 'em all!! Bring more—no, everything!!"
"M-me too! I want some!!!"
"Hweh...?"
Dunno why, but Seol-ah jumped in with scale lust too. What...? Just potion enhancers, right...?
Swept up in their fervor, my ~68 scales all sold to them.
"Heh heh, sweet. Add to my collection—no, raid gear, and we're golden."
"Glad it helped. Had just what you needed."
"Thanks, I'll treasure—er, use 'em well."
Post-sale glee fading, Chae-rin remembered something and got serious.
"By the way... Still got Full Moon?"