Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Polymorph (5)
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Suryeon sat on the container roof for quite a while, watching the humans.
-…They just keep working.
Yi Ha-jun was diligently working without taking a single moment to rest.
Others were working hard too, but Yi Ha-jun stood out the most among them.
"Put that over there. And why do you keep slowing down? You wanna die? Move faster."
He transported goods while assessing the surroundings and mercilessly punished anyone trying to slack off.
The weakest one, yet giving orders to others.
To Suryeon, the sight was utterly fascinating.
-Compared to other humans, he's the weakest in strength. But he works the best.
His gaze was different from the others.
The look of someone standing on the edge of a cliff, refusing to step back even an inch.
Suryeon didn't know the right word to describe that gaze.
But she knew Yi Ha-jun had a clear difference from the others.
-I get it. He's special even among humans. That must be why my parents chose him. Not that I approve or anything.
Hmph-
Not approved yet.
I haven't acknowledged him.
Suryeon snorted in dissatisfaction and turned her head away.
Yi Ha-jun's work was nothing but repetition after repetition after repetition anyway.
-Gotta find some new info.
Splash splash-
Suryeon slowly climbed down from the container roof.
-…Wings would make this so much easier. When will I outgrow being a hatchling? I hate being this young.
My rational, logical brain is better than any dragon's.
Yet I have to deal with inconveniences just because I'm young.
-…I'll learn Polymorph quick and become an adult.
Suryeon cooled her head and scanned the work site for info on Polymorph.
She remembered one good spot.
Her destination was D-4 warehouse, piled with monster corpses.
Suryeon slipped inside the wide-open warehouse with a splash.
-This is…
Suryeon was startled upon entering D-4.
From her perspective, it was inevitable.
-I remember seeing this on TV… When you're super happy… it feels like heaven…
In that sense, right now…
-I feel like I'm in heaven…!
Freezer warehouse.
D-4 stayed sub-zero to preserve monster corpses.
High humidity and cold—perfect heaven for a water-affinity Blue Dragon.
Even if dragons were weak to cold.
-Trying Polymorph with metal for temperature control and all. Humans might be smarter than I thought. I'll give credit where due.
Changing their form as desired.
From subway humans smearing weird stuff on faces to alter looks, to replacing bodies with metal to surpass human limits.
At its core, no different from a dragon's Polymorph.
-But they'll never escape the human mold. I don't get why humans bother with such pointless stuff.
The homeowner better not get into that nonsense.
-Not that I'm worried. Just efficiency-wise. I don't wanna watch meaningless crap… Wait, why am I justifying myself?
Just keep doing what I was.
What the homeowner does is none of my business.
Suryeon steeled herself and approached the monster corpses.
Sizes varied: small, medium, large.
Appearances differed, but internals showed similarities.
Suryeon observed the corpses, analyzing monster types and structures.
-Looks like not much intelligence. Just survival instincts. That's why they hunt humans like on the news.
Actions change based on info or knowledge.
Taking actions for survival—humans, monsters, dragons all the same.
Suryeon toured the corpses slowly with those thoughts.
Then, she sensed humans approaching the warehouse.
-Don't get caught. Dragons never get spotted. Hide.
Pat pat pat-
Suryeon stuck to a wall out of sight and froze.
Human footsteps grew louder.
"This go in medium? Not small?"
"Ugh, Yi Ha-jun said medium. Looks small, but medium. He knows best."
"Guy works well but lacks manners. Finally done with one."
Thud-!
The two workers dropped the monster corpse.
They'd return to work now.
But their feet didn't move.
-Hmm… Yi Ha-jun… the homeowner…
Suryeon was curious what they'd say.
But something felt off.
Still, she stayed hidden and listened.
"Ugh, my shoulders. Life was sweet without him. Section chief didn't care."
"True. You know why he ghosted?"
"Nope. But guys like us ghost for the same reasons. Gambling debt probably."
"Hah, yeah? Acts all high and mighty. Fucking parasite. Doesn't get that no matter how hard trash like us tries, we're the same?"
Their talk was one-sided gossip about Yi Ha-jun.
Stuff they couldn't say to his face, laughing behind his back.
-…
Suryeon didn't like the two humans' behavior.
She moved from hiding to stand behind them.
-A dragon like me says he's different. What makes them think he's the same?
Annoying.
Suryeon bared her jaws wide at the departing pair.
Then roared loud.
"Shaa-!!"
To humans, just a cry.
But laced with Dragon Tongue.
Wham-!
The two walking ahead crumpled forward like hit from behind.
"Aaack-!!"
"Fuck-! Who-?!"
They whipped around in panic, but nothing there.
They glared at each other.
"You do it?"
"What."
"Hit my head just now. Joking too rough?"
"Me? I got hit too. Don't suspect the innocent. Piss off."
"Piss off? Listen to this fucker?"
They suspected each other, grabbed collars, faces red.
-…Hmph. Don't badmouth absentees. Fight face-to-face.
Spitting as they yelled, the two stormed off.
Suryeon watched with odd satisfaction.
"You close this after, we'll talk."
-Wait, don't close-
Before she could act.
Bang-!!
The massive freezer door slammed shut.
Trapped in the freezing warehouse, Suryeon stared blankly at the door.
-…Need to open the door. I like cold, but not forever. Dragons are weak to cold.
Big trouble.
-Should've thought rationally… Reacted on emotion for nothing…
Suryeon regretted her actions too late.
The sealed iron door ignored her regrets.
-Someone open it. Can't stay long.
Thump thump-!
Suryeon smacked the door with her tail for help.
But time passed, and only her faint, weakening cries echoed unheard.
"Shaa- shaa-"
***
"Good work."
End of shift.
I moved fast.
"What's the rush, Yi Ha-jun!"
"Got something!"
Answered the section chief behind me quick.
I checked the bag I'd brought Suryeon in.
"Gone! Told her report hourly. Where'd she go!?"
Driving me crazy.
Fool me for trusting a dragon.
She's still a kid.
Kids cause trouble if you look away a second.
I gritted teeth, scanning likely spots for Suryeon.
"Last seen on container roof."
I climbed up using boxes.
Section chief below yelled loud.
"Yi Ha-jun! You punk, what the hell?!"
"Let me be. I'm busy."
"You workaholic gone mad? Container'll collapse!"
Section chief nagged, but.
I ignored best I could.
"Not here."
Where'd she go.
Hope no trouble.
Worry grew, heart racing.
But can't lose cool now.
"Whew. Find her, she'll get hell from me."
Suppressed emotions, resumed search.
"You here?"
Trash bin.
"Answer if here."
Under container.
"Please be here."
Truck.
Checked spots.
No Suryeon anywhere.
"…Only one left."
Warehouse area.
No other likely place.
Probably closing now.
'She there?'
I sprinted to warehouse area full speed before too late.
Legs felt different, stronger.
'Not closed yet.'
Hah- hah-
Caught breath, asked warehouse manager.
"Hah, can I go in quick?"
"Work's done? You the one who ran up? Speed was-"
"Whatever. Can I?"
"Ugh, manners same as ever. Hurry. Late, we lock."
"Yeah."
Short reply, entered warehouse area.
Regular logistics closing.
So Suryeon not there.
Gone over 2 hours.
"Freezer warehouse maybe."
Rushed down stairs to freezer.
As expected, sealed tight.
Freezers close 2-3 hours early, so people avoid.
High chance Suryeon here.
"I'm here, answer if inside. Suryeon. Trapped?"
Raised voice at freezer door.
Faint voice from within.
"Door… open… z…"
Not dragon cry, young girl's voice.
'Not Suryeon… Wait, no way?'
Disappointed not cry.
But just in case, hit open button.
White cold fog leaked.
From it, cold-faced expressionless girl with small blue horns, blue tail.
Exhausted, stepped out.
"Took you… long enough… If rescuing… come faster… Cool's nice… but dragon body… can't endure cold long…"
True.
Reptiles weak to cold.
More than that.
"You're Suryeon, right…?"
Suryeon shivered, nodded.
"Can't tell… by looking…? Humans are idiots… Take back smart…"
"Why were you in- Wait, clothes first."
Took off training jacket, dressed her.
Suryeon, drained eyes, stuck out arms swallowed by sleeves.
"Home quick… Tired…"
"Was gonna scold, but acting cute?"
"Scold later… Go now…"
"Sigh."
Not trash to scold sick kid.
Piggybacked her outstretched arms.
Suryeon climbed, immediately snored softly asleep.
"Fast sleeper. Dragon in human form, but just a kid."
Trouble and all.
"Sigh."
Hid tail with clothes, horns with hood.
As Suryeon wanted.
"Home then. Glad safe."
Steps toward home.
***
On way with Suryeon.
Ran into section chief unexpectedly.
"Wh-what? Yi Ha-jun, you punk. Got a kid? Brought here? Shoulda said if raising one!!"
"No, not that…"
"Then what? Niece?"
"No, I am parent sorta…"
"Then your kid! Punk!"
"How explain this…?"
Suddenly misunderstood.
Unaware, Suryeon slept peacefully like bobbing on waves.
"Mmnya… mm…"