Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Polymorph (2)
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A dragon's true form wasn't efficient in the human world.
Everything was made to human standards.
-This is so annoying!! Why is the door handle up so high!! You stupid humans!!
Hop- Hop-
Hwaryeon jumped desperately toward the handle to open the closed bathroom door.
-Lee Ha-jun! Why did that idiot close the door and leave!!
She grumbled while cursing Lee Ha-jun, who had forgotten and left the bathroom door shut.
She finally managed to open the bathroom door and take care of business.
But Hwaryeon's dissatisfaction was building up.
And that dissatisfaction was on the verge of exploding.
-I can't live like this!! It's so inconvenient! I'm going to live as a human!!
I'm going to polymorph.
Hwaryeon racked her brains, groaning as she tried to figure out how to transform into a human.
Polymorph was magic even dragons found difficult.
Even with knowledge passed down from her parents, changing forms required some kind of trigger.
-What form should I take? Like Suryeon said, hatchlings need to pick one—male or female—to avoid identity confusion.
What do I want to be?
What form feels most like me?
What is my truest self?
-Argh!! This is hard!! It's too complicated!! I hate complicated stuff!!
Dragons were an arrogant race.
Stubborn and strong-willed, they didn't listen to others.
Even so, Hwaryeon hated getting trapped in complicated thoughts the most.
-I should ask someone else. Choryeon is dumber than me. I'll ask Suryeon.
Plop plop plop-
Hwaryeon approached Suryeon and asked confidently.
-Hey, Suryeon.
Suryeon, interrupted during her personal time, squinted and replied.
-What.
-How do you see me?
-We haven't even known each other a week. How should I know.
-Shut up and answer the question!!
Annoying.
Suryeon answered without much thought.
-A simpleton who hates complicated things. A dumbass fitting for a Red Dragon.
-W-what?! Why am I a dumbass!
-Red Dragon trait. Denies being dumb. Guess the knowledge from Mother is true.
-Hah, what nonsense!
Denying reality, Hwaryeon swung her tail at Suryeon.
Smack-!
Suryeon rolled once from the tail strike.
She clutched her face, got up, and muttered.
-...Red Dragon trait. Violent. Guess that's true too.
-Hmph. How dare the younger sister define the eldest. I'm not violent—you're just in the wrong!
-...My mistake for giving an honest answer to a dumbass.
-You!
Hwaryeon swung her tail at Suryeon again.
This time, Suryeon wasn't going to take it lying down.
-Twice? No way.
Suryeon quickly moved back.
And because of that.
A nearby plate of instant ramen got hit by Hwaryeon's tail.
Crash-!!
-Ah.
-...
The glass plate flew far into the sky and shattered against the wall.
Hwaryeon and Suryeon stared blankly at it.
But only for a moment.
They turned their heads away, ignoring the broken pieces.
-Not my fault! You started it!
-Not my fault. You broke the plate.
Choryeon watched the whole thing quietly.
Choryeon shouted firmly at the bickering pair.
-No fighting! Fighting is bad! We should all get along!
Green Dragon trait: pacifist.
***
Another day, clocking in as usual.
Hauling heavy monster byproducts until the sky darkened.
By then, heroes who had been fighting at dimensional gates returned, and I watched them idly.
Lost in a daze, the staffing agency boss yelled loudly.
-That's it for today! Good work, everyone!
-Good work, sir!!
The day ended with those words exchanged.
Afterward, I did my usual embezzlement of daily necessities.
-Just one roll of toilet paper and three coffee mixes today.
I was feeling a bit conscientious today.
After a quick swipe, I changed out of my work clothes and headed out.
At the entrance, I locked eyes with Jo Hyun-gyu, the staffing agency boss, smoking a cigarette.
-The boss talks too much. Annoying.
Still, greetings were in order.
I raised my hand briefly, black bag of goods in the other.
-Boss. Good work today. I'm heading out. See you tomorrow.
-Kid. Getting shorter with words? Come here. Have one.
The boss handed me a cigarette.
I took it along with his lighter, lit up, and took a drag.
-Whew.
-Back at work after a while—how's it feel? Tough?
-Eh, same old. Just like before.
Even though it had been a while since I worked.
Nothing had really changed.
But apparently, it looked different to others.
-Really? You looked more beat-up before. What'd you do these six months? Get a girlfriend?
-You know my situation. No way.
Jo Hyun-gyu.
Staffing agency boss.
Pushing sixty, but his body was covered in solid muscle.
He hired me back even after I ghosted for six months.
He knew my circumstances, and we'd known each other a long time.
He even told me to swipe necessities without getting caught by others.
-Good guy.
I gazed at the dark sky, moon hidden by smog, and spoke.
-What happened with that new guy from yesterday?
-What do you mean? Just did it.
-Gave him money?
-Looked like he needed it. Gotta, right? Parents sick, needs surgery.
Too good for his own good.
I exhaled smoke like a sigh.
-He didn't show today. No contact either?
-Yeah, busy with surgery, I guess?
-Argh, seriously. Told you not to lend money to others. Why not give it to me instead?
The boss chuckled wryly.
-You haven't paid back in ten years—who'd trust you? Lend to you?
-Not won't—can't. Whatever. You give to strangers?
-I'm lending. He might pay back. You? No chance. Work while young, punk. Pay up quick.
-Feels unfair. Sigh, I'm done. Heading out.
Even after knowing each other so long.
Less trusted than a stranger.
-...Wouldn't lend to me either, if I were him.
I stubbed out the cigarette underfoot and walked ahead.
Then, the boss's voice called from behind.
-Hey, grab some meat and soju! My treat!
-No can do today. Or ever.
-Where to!
I smiled unwittingly and replied shortly.
-Home.
***
Lately.
Going home felt exciting.
Because my daughters would be waiting obediently.
Watching them filled me with energy automatically.
-Never dreamed I'd look forward to going home. Guess these days come too.
Nice.
Not a pervert, but smiles kept creeping up.
-Gotta hurry.
I quickly passed the sketchy area near my classified high-crime home.
Then, with anticipation, I flung open the iron door.
Clang-!
-Kids! Dad's home-
That instant.
My expectations shattered.
Just like the glass plate broken on the floor.
Oblivious to my shattered heart, Choryeon came to greet me with a smile.
-Shaaah-!!
-...Choryeon.
-Shaaah-?
-...That broken plate. You do it?
-Shaaah-
Shake shake-
Choryeon shook her head, denying responsibility.
Then the culprit narrowed to two.
-Hwaryeon. Suryeon. Front and center.
-...Shaa-
Suryeon crept over slowly from her corner hideout.
Meanwhile, Hwaryeon ignored me completely.
She stood smack in the living room center, roaring at me.
-Shaaak-!! Shaaak-!!
Playing it that way, huh.
Time to use Dad's authority.
I approached the prime suspect, Hwaryeon.
-That broken plate. You did it?
-Shaaak-! Shaaak-!
-Don't just roar. Nod or shake your head. You do it?
-Shaaak-!! Shaaak-!!
Hwaryeon didn't answer.
She just kept yelling loudly at me.
Like a kid's tantrum, refusing to admit anything.
I stood before her and said again.
-That plate. You do it, Hwaryeon?
-Shaaak-! Shaaak-!
Hwaryeon's flames seemed unquenchable.
Instead of dousing them.
I chose another way.
To make an even bigger fire.
-Did you break that plate, Hwaryeon!! Get over here, you!!
-Shaaak-!!
I reached to grab Hwaryeon.
She anticipated, dodging back.
-You! Ignoring me now!
-Shaaak-! Shaaak-!
-What's so unfair—why cry!
Dragon agility, huh.
That tiny body moved fast.
-Wanna see who wins?
If I lost here, Dad's authority hits rock bottom.
No way I lose here.
I charged at Hwaryeon again.
-Get over here!!
-Shaaak-!!
Thud crash-!!
Whoosh-!!
In the cramped studio, me and Hwaryeon began a tense chase.
Reptile or not, she was quick—hand almost touches, she bolts far.
Felt like a cat chasing a tiny mouse.
At this rate, I'd tire first, so I decided to use a human trick.
I grabbed a blanket off the floor, held it high, and advanced.
She sensed trouble, backing slowly into the corner.
-Not so easy now. Give up quietly?
-Shaaaak-! Shaaaak-!!
-You broke that plate! What's so unfair!!
-Sh, shaaak-!!
Cornered, her flames flickered weakly.
I seized the moment, blanketing her from above.
-Gotcha! You!!
-Shaaak-!! Shaaaak-!!
She thrashed to escape the blanket attack.
But her rebellion faded over time.
-Whew, finally settled.
-...
-If wrong, reflect. Ignoring me and running.
-...
-No more of this. Got it?!
-...
No reply.
Quietest I'd seen Hwaryeon.
Figured enough reflection time.
So, I removed the blanket, granting freedom.
-...But, did Hwaryeon grow this big?
Slight doubt, but.
I lifted the blanket, freeing her.
That instant.
-It wasn't just me!! Why only me!!
Not a shaaak.
An unfamiliar voice.
And a heavy kick flew at my jaw.
Thwack-!
The kick sent me tumbling back.
-W-what was that?! Sudden kick-
-And?
-What else!!
What I saw.
Wrapped in the blanket.
A girl with red hair, red eyes.
Sharp features.
-It's me!! You dumb human!!
Hwaryeon, blanketed, stood in human form.
-Wasn't just me!! She started picking on me first!! Why only me!! Jeez...
She seemed truly aggrieved.
Transparent tears trickled down.
-...Did I judge too hastily.
Guess I needed to hear her side.
Including how she turned human.