Chapter 202
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 202
Chapter Title: Easy Woman
Dragons are exclusive.
More precisely, they have no interest whatsoever in other living beings.
But the end result makes it fair to call them exclusive.
They simply observe. No matter what happens in the world—whether it perishes, goes extinct, faces invasion, or erupts in war—they couldn't care less.
That's what dragons are. To them, all life except their own is insignificant and inferior.
Just like humans don't join ant kingdoms in their bloody wars or lend a hand.
Dragons are the same. If the world ends, they just slip off to another dimension. Even wars don't faze them—they only shred intruders who trespass their territory.
Just like humans thoroughly exterminate ants that wander into their home.
"Answer only the questions you're asked."
Such creatures move for one reason alone. Dragons aren't swayed by grand ideals or justifications.
They move for just one thing.
"What did you do to Benia?"
When something's wrong with one of their own.
Dragons live through eternal ages. Lifetimes humans can't even fathom.
Naturally, everything around them vanishes—except themselves. A human they liked closes their eyes one day, and when they open them again, that human's gone.
Liked possessions shatter and fade unless they're extraordinary. The eternal constants are themselves, their lair, and their kin.
So it's only natural for bonds to form with kin.
"I'm in a foul mood right now. Sharing the same air as you humans makes me want to puke. Just watching you walk gives me goosebumps."
Now, here's a question.
If a dragon charges alone at demons, claiming to protect humans, and then its presence—previously cut off—starts emanating again...
Would the other dragons come looking? Or not?
The answer's right in front of me: this woman, her face twisted in disgust, radiating revulsion.
Thick horns she doesn't even bother hiding, slit pupils unique to reptiles, crimson eyes, and hair that burns like fire.
Chin propped on her hand, legs crossed, gazing down in the haughtiest pose imaginable.
She's grilling me about Benia's whereabouts. Even suspecting me.
"Even a dullard like Benia wouldn't let herself get ambushed or attacked. What the hell happened?"
But I can't respond. Simple reason: her glowing eyes.
The "Peer" Benia often wielded. One of a dragon's innate powers.
She's deployed it precisely—sparing everywhere else, binding only me in place.
My fragile body can't so much as twitch my lips, of course.
"Speak. Did you kill Benia and take her heart? Or slay her after she let her guard down, moved by your 'kindness'?"
No. Come on.
"Depending on your answer, dragons might deem all humans enemies. This won't end with just your death."
Release me first, then I'll answer.
Driving me insane.
In the end, her suspicions only deepened. She even concluded I'd tricked and betrayed Benia.
When she abruptly started a countdown, I panicked. Why count down when she's the one who sealed my mouth?
But luckily, things are fine now.
Why? Only one reason.
"Who's the auntie?"
"Hah. You're no human."
"Me? I'm Levatein!!"
"Levatein, is it? Even in human form, kids are just so cute."
"Hehe."
Thanks to our daughter's cutest-in-the-universe charm, the tension eased a bit.
It started with curiosity. Fascination at Levatein unaffected by the "Peer." Now she's chatting with her right beside me.
Can you even call it right for her to grin so innocently while Dad's on death's door?
Still, dragons are suckers for novelty, so she's bought us some time.
I need to think hard in the meantime. How do I wriggle out of this?
Wasn't it that damn purple-haired one to blame from the start? Told her not to show up, but she wandered out anyway and sparked this disaster.
What? Dragons turning hostile to humans? After all I've done to prevent exactly that?
I absolutely can't let it happen. Not after everything I've endured.
What now? What to do? Try to move, but nothing budges.
Every muscle paralyzed—no movement without permission. Who handed out this busted power?! I want to scream.
But that's on me, so no excuses.
Levatein's adorable time-buying antics melt my heart one moment, then reality crashes back and despair hits—rinse and repeat.
All a weakling like me can do is pray Benia hurries back.
Please, someone, help us—that's what I'm chanting inwardly when...
A voice comes from the side.
"What are you doing? And who's this?"
A flat tone. Yet breathtakingly beautiful—a voice from the heavens. Can't turn my head, but I know it instantly.
This is Michael. Has Benia finally arrived? Hope surges as I stare ahead, but...
"Ho."
The situation doesn't improve. If anything, it chills further.
"How'd you get in? The area's warded with 'Perception Reduction,' 'Space Distortion,' and 'Mana Blockage'?"
"How? I walked right in. More importantly, who are you? Another one? Another woman? How many do you need before you're satisfied? Huh?"
I don't know either. This was an unprovoked assault. Shove your face in all you want—I can't answer.
Normally I'd chime in here, but my silence seems off, so Michael leans in close. Stares, pokes my face a few times.
Then nods.
"Finally getting what's coming. I get it. Flirting left and right, then playing dumb. Knew you'd catch hell eventually."
"What's 'flirting' mean?!"
"It means your dad's trash."
"That's right!!"
What do you mean right? The two ignore the dragon and start bantering. Meanwhile, I'm weeping inwardly.
What the hell's happening? Where's Benia—the one who should be here? Why just her?
So much I want to ask, so much to say—but my mouth won't move.
As I shiver in my frozen state, Michael finally lets out a deep sigh and speaks.
"Lee Seong-hoon."
The sword at her waist rings out sharply. A chilling metallic screech rattles my ears and sets every nerve on edge.
"This is a one-time deal. Doesn't feel like a joking matter."
Shing.
A crisp sound, and something severs. Couldn't say what, but I know the bindings are gone.
That's all my brain registers.
My body moves strangely well now. Glance sideways—Michael's watching me.
"There. Saved your skin, so burn this into your head. I'm not an easy woman. I don't swoon over dinner invites or come running at your sweet talk. Next time, lure me with something more enticing. Got it?"
I nod on reflex. No clue what she's on about, but piping up now feels like it'd get me veiled, so I just nod.
Veteran survival instinct.
"A monster, huh."
Our little eye-exchange shatters at her deadpan remark. Face utterly unfazed despite the power she'd just shattered.
No, not unfazed. Emotions burn there—raw killing intent and fury.
"Smell blood. And faint traces of Benia's mana on you too."
With that, she scoops up Levatein. The clueless blonde squeals in delight.
"This what I think it is? Better not be—for your sakes."
"No idea what you're thinking, but yeah, I'm a monster."
"Is that the priority right now?! Hold on. Benia's not dead. She's been solo-jamming drums, gongs, even gayageum from earlier. Benia—"
"Now."
She lops off my plea with "Dragon Word." The ironclad command leaves a mere mortal like me speechless.
"You expect me to buy that? You're drenched in dragon mana, reeking of blood. And you—can't you feel the mana quivering around you?"
"I feel it. But could you dial back the mana? Desk's cracking. You covering repairs?"
"Fearless before a dragon. Like the saying about pups and tigers."
"Not sure who the tiger is here."
Boom—!!!
A bizarre roar floods my ears. They're just glaring, but the table groans.
Mana waves make the wards around us screech oddly too.
This is bad—really bad. I urgently whisper to Michael.
"Benia! What happened to her that she came alone?!"
"Benia? Oh, that maid?"
"Yeah. What gives?"
"She vanished mid-trip, saying she had 'business to handle' and to wait."
"Ah."
That rotten maid. Bolted. Bet she sensed the dragon on her way back and bailed.
"What's she, some angsty teen?! Charged a demon, got her ass handed to her—she should've braced for a scolding!!"
"No clue what you mean, but what about this one?"
"Can you take her?"
"Full wings out? Yeah. But deploying all ten here? No way."
"Ten? Ten wings? Raphael couldn't even manage one at first?!"
"........"
Michael whips her head away at my words. Coughs twice, then turns back to me.
"Slip-up. Slip-up. I can do two."
"You said ten earlier. Ten."
"Math's not my strong suit."
"That's not a math issue—digits off!!"
"Numbers are just numbers."
"Not the line for this! Hey, eyes front!!"
"............"
As we bicker endlessly, the dragon stares in disbelief.
Then—
"No dice."
She snaps her fingers. Instantaneous. The cozy cafe vanishes.
Scenery blinks like a teleport. Antique decor gone—now a soot-scarred cave fills my vision.
That instant, I know. This is...
"Her lair."
"Lair? Like a dragon's nest?"
We're done for. Stunned by the abrupt shift, voices echo from midair.
—Ah, you two won't do. You know what it means to enter a dragon's lair uninvited?
—No resistance. Just drown in helplessness and die. We'll hash out human treatment with the others. Die quietly.
—Thought we'd shown enough examples of messing with dragons. Unfortunate.
—Ah, this little one's mine now. Adorable. An undying playmate.
"What?"
That last bit I can't ignore. Even more than talk of human extinction.
What about Levatein? I bolt upright, steeling myself to snatch her back right—
Then a scream from behind I never expected.
"Kyaaak!!"
What's behind me? Michael, who'd stood with me. The ever-stoic fool who thinks she's top dog.
Her screaming? I whirl around in shock.
"........"
Only her backside visible, but she's flat on the ground—white hair, ears beet red.
"Play dumb for you?"
"........"
Or else she'll kill me?
"Gone?"
Benia sneaks back to the cafe where she was set to meet Lee Seong-hoon, cautiously scanning around.
No dragon presence. She exhales in relief but hurries to her original seat anyway.
Why dodge the dragon? Simple—like skipping family after screwing up big during holidays.
Nothing good comes from meeting. Just hurt feelings and a dragged-out scolding fest. A twinge of guilt, sure, but ditching Lee Seong-hoon nets more gain.
She's no bad kid. Good-hearted, so a few words and done.
With that in mind, she returns to her spot.
"......."
Only an empty chair greets her.
"Screwed."
Benia senses instantly: she's the one who's screwed.