Hatching

At that moment.

I was witnessing a great birth.

A message floated before my eyes.

Finally!

A whirlwind of anticipation, excitement, and a dozen other emotions surged through me.

Rumble...

For an instant, the mana in the air seemed to hold its breath, growing utterly still—as if the entire world existed solely for Dania.

Crack... craaack—

Fine fissures spiderwebbed across the once-impenetrable eggshell, and it began to tremble.

Whoosh!!

Multicolored lights poured from the cracks, painting the surrounding air in vibrant hues.

Crimson flames, azure waves, verdant life-veins like fresh leaves, swirling white winds—they intertwined, weaving an otherworldly pattern.

Ah...

A silent gasp escaped me before that majestic, ecstatic sight.

Screeeech—!!!

In a flash.

Shards of shell exploded outward with a piercing cry.

Whoosh!

Through the scattering lights, Dania's sparkling eyes gleamed.

Even in her tiny form, she radiated overwhelming power—a vision of pure mystery.

Elemental forces dwelled in every scale, making the light around her body writhe like living flames.

Dania looked just as I'd imagined her.

A dragon.

The grandeur and dignity of that legendary race, scaled down to perfection.

And atop it all, the hatchling's innate cuteness and charm.

"Chu, chuchu!"

"Popo!"

Chuchu and Popo finally burst into cheers, a beat late.

Whirr. Clank.

Even Archeron, stiff in his movements, dropped to one knee.

Bowing before this monumental birth.

『Kkyu!』

As Dania slowly rose from the shattered egg, flames, water droplets, leaves, and wind wisps swirled around her in a celebratory dance.

Her newborn eyes shone like a galaxy, clear and profound.

And in the gaze she fixed on me—boundless affection, like gazing upon a long-lost lover.

"Ah."

A shiver ran through me; I let out a quiet gasp.

This scene of profound birth would be etched in my memory forever.

『Seojun.』

Dania.

She called my name.

Her voice carried the deep rumble of the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠earth and the whisper of sky winds—profoundly mystical.

Low and soft, yet infused with every element, it resonated deep in my soul with a strange tremor.

Not mere sound, but something seeping straight into my spirit.

A warmth and love transcending time and space, like an ancient bond reignited.

"Yes, Dania."

I smiled gently, calling her name in return.

Grateful for each other's existence, blessing our future together.

Surely that's what she meant by—

『I'm hungry. Feed me.』

—no, she was just hungry.

Yeah...

Of course.

She just woke up.

『Hehe. Just kidding. Thank you for coming to me, Seojun.』

Huh?

Dania, you little...

Throwing curveballs already.

With that, she flapped her tiny wings and hovered into the air.

Flying right after hatching.

Truly a dragon.

She flew straight to me, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠nestling perfectly into my arms.

She's so warm.

Her body, about the size of my torso, brimmed with cozy energy.

Lizards are cold-blooded, right?

Dragons must be different.

Whoa. Our Dania.

Lv100 right out of the egg.

I wonder if she'll really hit Lv500 as a full-grown dragon, like I thought.

Up close, she's even prettier.

I gazed at her absently.

Her scales shifted iridescently with every angle, like a rainbow.

So beautiful, I lost myself staring for a moment.

Fwaaaah!!

Blinding pentachrome radiance erupted from Dania in my arms.

Wha—!

Before I could react, the light seeped into my body.

"Ah!"

A thrilling energy surged through me.

Like floating on clouds, utter fulfillment.

Fwaaaah!!

The pentachrome light from Dania washed over Popo, Chuchu, and Archeron before fading.

It even lingered briefly over the Gongcheong Oil Spring before vanishing.

"Whoa."

This is insane.

All our potentials skyrocketed.

Potential is the most crucial factor for superhumans.

Hong Seolhwa and Alexei reaching Lv80 was possible only because their potentials unlocked that far.

Without it, even my spirit medicines couldn't have broken that barrier.

It's like the innate limit set by the heavens... and she just boosted it effortlessly.

Dania!

What are you?!

I blinked at her with wide eyes.

『Kkyuuu, Seojun's face is hilarious!!』

Dania covered her mouth, giggling with crinkled eyes.

"Heh, really..."

Her name alone screamed extraordinary.

Elemental Dragon.

First I'd ever heard of it.

Dragons are shrouded in mystery, but my gut said she was no ordinary one—something special.

"Let's eat first. You've been craving stuff, right?"

『Yeah! Sweet potatoes! I want them so bad!』

"Chuchu!"

"Popo!"

At Dania's words, Chuchu and Popo dashed off to dig some up.

『Thanks, kids.』

"Chuuu-!"

"Popo!"

Aigoo, look at Chuchu and Popo.

Acting all cutesy in front of Dania.

Just like they do with me.

They see us all as family.

"Try a raw bite first."

『Kkyu! Can't wait!』

I peeled and fed her a piece.

Then—

『Kkyuuuuuuu—!』

She squealed in delight, eyes sparkling like stars, devouring it in seconds.

『Even better than I imagined! Seojun, more sweet potatoes!!』

Instant convert to sweet potato fanatic.

I chuckled softly.

"Hold on. This next one's even better."

Roasted sweet potatoes this time.

Wrapped in Cheongmyeongsu grass and straight into the fire.

"Fire."

Fwoosh!!

Perfectly golden inside.

With my skyrocketing mana control, fine-tuning the flames was child's play.

"Here, try a bite."

Crunch.

Dania chomped right in.

『Kkyuuu... ecstasy...!』

Her face lit up like she'd fallen in love, polishing it off in a flash.

Wow.

Lair-roasted sweets are heavenly, but Dania's obsessed.

Got it.

Time to ramp up sweet potato production.

"Chuchu!"

Chuchu saluted, like leave it to me.

Smart kid, quick on the uptake!

I ruffled his head.

"Alright, now for something new."

『Something new?』

"Chu?"

"Popo?"

They all tilted their heads at me.

Heh heh.

This one's got me excited too.

I turned to Chuchu.

"Sergeant Chu, fetch the Nagatara meat."

"Chuchu!"

He plunged a paw into his belly pouch.

Out came the Nagatara meat, fresh as if just butchered.

That pouch's magic.

Nothing spoils or oxidizes inside—perfect preservation.

"We're grilling this today."

Stewing Mandragora and Nagatara? Later.

No seeds for Mandragora yet.

"Fire."

Fwoooosh!

I ignited the firewood with a flame from my hand.

Skewered the meat and set it over the fire.

Sizzle—

The surface glistened instantly, thin smoke rising.

The smoke mingled with melting fat hissing over flames, promising crispy, juicy perfection.

The aroma was rich and deep. Charred fat, nutty umami assaulting my nose.

As it browned, juices burst from within, pooling and bubbling with a zzizzle that echoed everywhere.

My mouth watered.

Haven't tasted a bite, but the clean, intense flavor teased my tongue already.

"Whoa. Insane."

My stomach roared in protest.

『Kkyuuu! What is this?! The smell is heavenly!』

Dania's eyes sparkled too.

Yeah.

Dania gets it.

Dragons love meat.

"Chuu!"

"Popo."

Chuchu and Popo, though?

Not as hyped.

Guess they're herbivores.

Meat for me and Dania, then.

What for them?

Ah!

Sudden idea.

Gujijayeop Herb.

Test that new Rapid Spirit Herb Bloom?

Thought short, action swift.

Rapid Spirit Herb Bloom.

Activating it on the Gujijayeop seeds, vibrations of life pulsed from the soil.

The earth breathed gently, and faint green light emanated from the planting spot.

Warm, mystical glow, moistening the air with freshness.

Then.

We witnessed a miracle.

Crunch!

Tiny sprouts pierced the soil with a soft sound.

They unfurled leaves rapidly, drawing power from deep below.

Leaves shimmered translucent in the light, releasing a crisp, slightly bitter aroma that purified the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠air.

In moments.

Seven Gujijayeop herbs fully matured.

Not all, but undeniable wonder.

However.

"Whoa... jackpot."

My voice deflated.

Huff, huff. Out of breath.

Why?

"Popo!"

"Chuchu!"

『Seojun!! Drink water!』

I gulped from the Cheongmyeongsu leaves they brought.

Cool relief cleared my head.

"Ah."

Instinct told me.

Rapid Spirit Herb Bloom guzzles stamina and mana.

Can't spam this.

Shaking off dizziness, I saw their worried eyes.

"I'm fine. No worries."

I stretched exaggeratedly to prove it.

They sighed in relief.

Gotta eat that meat quick.

Perfectly grilled now.

"Meat for me and Dania."

"This for Chuchu and Popo."

Nagatara meat and Gujijayeop herbs.

We all dug in at once.

Whew.

The grilled Nagatara's smoky, nutty depth hit my nose.

Crispy golden crust, juicy flesh peeking beneath.

Crunch!

First bite: outer crunch gave way to melting tenderness.

"Wow!"

Umami enveloped my tongue, intense flavor lingering.

Each juicy burst brought sweet char notes, perfect harmony of crisp and moist.

Warmth spread through me, aftertaste begging for more.

Insane.

『Kkyuuuuu! Seojun!! This is too delicious!!!』

We both lost it.

Eyes rolled back, we demolished the meat in seconds.

And level ups too.

Dania gained one level.

Nice.

Nagatara meat packs a punch.

Plenty to last a while.

When it runs out?

Hunting trip.

"Chuchu!"

"Popo-!"

Then Chuchu and Popo cheered happily too.

Gujijayeop suits them.

Wonder what it tastes like?

I eyed them curiously.

"Chuchu!"

Chuchu tore off a leaf and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠offered it.

About to taste when—

Messages scrolled up.

Ah!

All my auction crops sold.

Wonder the prices, but first, the herb...

"Huh?"

I voiced my confusion.

Why?

Some alert...

Looks like tons of comments on my old post.

Quick check.

"What? Something happened to BangbaeFoodie?"

Totally unexpected news about BangbaeFoodie.