Why Are You Grinning Like That?
“Why are you grinning like an idiot?”
“Can’t I smile?”
“…You little punk. Some of us have headaches ready to split our skulls, but you don’t give a damn. Wipe that grin off your face! It’s annoying as hell.”
The constellation ‘Sung Hyun-sook’ sends a pitying glance, saying [The only thing you don’t have is hair on that head of yours.]
Mom, your skill at teasing Uncle Tae-ho is getting better every day.
Anyway. As you can see, I’m currently face-to-face with Uncle Tae-ho in the chairman’s office. I had a few things to tell him. But I smiled because I was in a good mood, and now he’s picking on me for it.
For the record, the reason I’m in such a good mood is…
— Agent Hwang will surely become an outstanding successor.
…Pietro’s words were still echoing in my head.
According to Mom, the administrators of the Honor Hall value ‘equality’ and ‘order’ above all else in the world, so they never speak falsehoods. In other words, Pietro only tells the truth.
If he said I could become an outstanding successor…
‘That means I really have the potential for it.’
At least it wasn’t just lip service, Mom had said. That made me feel even more reassured and happy.
‘Someday, I’ll become a successor too…’
All rankers who left meaningful marks on the world were successors. Those blessed by constellations. The elite among elites whom even constellations had to acknowledge. The position that countless players admired and dreamed of.
Of course, before my regression, I had dreamed of becoming one too. Though back then, I thought it was just a pipe dream that would never happen.
But…
‘Not anymore.’
The future I’d only imagined in dreams, the other world I’d gazed at with longing—that could now become a clear ‘reality’ in this life, something I could grasp with my own hands.
And not just any constellation’s successor, but Mom’s. Nothing could be more perfect.
But it was still a bit early to count my chickens.
‘To make this dreamlike reality come true, I need to keep pushing forward, just like Pietro said.’
No complacency. Grow more, get stronger, rack up more achievements.
That was my top priority target. My fist clenched involuntarily, and my heart pounded fiercely.
“Ah, so how the hell did you end up raising that dragon? Don’t try to change the subject.”
…Until Uncle doused me with cold water, his eyes sharpening.
Gift, why did you have to polymorph into a dragon of all things and put your master in this mess? Couldn’t you have picked a tiger or a lion?
I sighed and shook my head.
“…You really want to hear it?”
“I do.”
“Well, then I guess I have no choice. The epic story between me and that guy…”
“Yeah, spill it. I know you do crazy shit all the time, but I’m curious about this one.”
Yoo Soo-yeon, standing silently behind him, perked up her ears with interest.
I’d expected this reaction and prepared my alibi in advance. My tale (total BS) was so gripping that if this were a fantasy novel, comments like ‘Author-nim, this chapter was the best!’ would’ve been perfectly fitting.
“…You found a Dragon Lair in a dungeon, and the dragon there acknowledged you as its master?”
“Jae-min-ssi tamed a dragon that even Player Jin Soo-hyun couldn’t conquer…”
The flicker in their eyes meant slightly different things.
I checked their emotional states with Throw Eye.
Lee Tae-ho: Suspicion / Mild Shock / Hope
Yoo Soo-yeon: Surprise / Awe / Respect
Uncle was skeptical, while Yoo Soo-yeon kept a straight face but was impressed inside… Hmm. Somehow, peeking into their thoughts made me feel embarrassed.
But what’s with the ‘hope’?
“…Well, if you say so, what can I do? It’s fishy, but I’ll trust you. Anyway, that dragon—is it really safe?”
“Of course.”
“Then, in a way, this could be seen as the first time in history a dragon has sided with humanity.”
…Ah.
So that’s what the hope meant. Uncle started smiling dreamily, like a man glimpsing humanity’s future.
“…Yeah, maybe you’ve brought a reliable ally, Jae-min. Heh, who knew. A dragon as an ally, not an enemy to fight.”
“……”
Humanity had encountered dragons exactly twice. Once eight years ago in America’s purple gate. Once five years ago in Japan’s purple gate.
Since they appeared in gates, dragons were naturally enemies to fight. That established the formula: ‘dragon = vicious, powerful foe.’
But now, in a world where that common sense was set in stone, I’d suddenly tamed one as a familiar? It’d be absurd, and on the flip side, a golden opportunity.
But what do I do? Our kid’s actually a wolf…
“You’re sure that dragon won’t attack people, since it calls you master?”
“As long as they’re not Oh Chae-rin-level scum who deserve it?”
“…Good.”
Good what? Uncle nodded with a grim resolve, then suddenly shoved his smartphone at me.
What’s this?
“Scroll through them one by one.”
“This is…”
Screenshots of headlines and comments related to me and Gift filled the screen. Uncle must’ve collected only those.
But… why show me this out of nowhere? Some new humiliation play?
The constellation ‘Sung Hyun-sook’ happily scans the reputation of [Our son♡]!
The constellation ‘Sung Hyun-sook’ touches her cheek and shakes her head, thinking [Gotta brag to my constellation friends later.]
Mom keeps doing this, no wonder her nickname in the Hall is ‘All-Time Ultimate Braggart Mom.’ Please keep some dignity, Mother. I let out a weird groan from embarrassment, and Uncle spoke in a low, serious tone.
“As you can see, that dragon you’re raising is a hot topic right now.”
“…There’s gotta be more shocking news than my dragon, right?”
“Sure, the ‘human experiments’ you dragged into the light are getting the most buzz. But your dragon’s right up there too.”
…Looks like my grand plan to have Gift polymorph into something else soon is headed to the distant stars.
I sighed away my complicated feelings and kept scrolling. I expected only friendly articles and comments.
I was wrong.
“Jae-min. Even if Buddha or Jesus came back, skeptics would doubt, and haters would hate. That’s the world these days.”
Most raised safety concerns about a dragon as a familiar. Tons of posts demanding the government and Association regulate individuals keeping dragons.
These bastards… After our kid risked its life fighting for them, this is what they say? Laughable.
I looked up from the screen at Uncle.
What do you want to do about it?
I was about to ask when—
“If showing you this crap hurt your feelings, sorry. Jae-min.”
“…Pardon?”
“Regulate it, with government and Association stepping in?”
Pfft. Uncle snorted openly.
“I don’t know what the government’s thinking, but the Association has zero intention of regulating jack. It doesn’t bite people? Good enough.”
“Uncle…”
“You do baffling crazy shit sometimes, but I don’t think you’re the type to spit promises and not back them up.”
“……”
“Just know reactions like this exist, then ignore them completely from now on. This uncle will handle the outside noise.”
The constellation ‘Sung Hyun-sook’ draws a pleased smile on her lips.
Uncle shot up from his seat and came around behind me. His thick hand patted my shoulder firmly.
“We won’t skimp on support for you and that dragon. That’s the Association’s official stance. So don’t waver—go your own way.”
“……”
As expected. No wonder I saw him as a father figure.
“…Thanks, Uncle.”
Having someone who believes in and supports you by your side is an unparalleled blessing.
So…
“And can I ask one more favor?”
Might as well lean on this angelic uncle a bit more.
***
“Yeah, yeah. No, it’s not tough. You’re the one suffering, raising the kid alone.”
In a dimly lit room, a weary-looking middle-aged man smiled while talking to his wife.
On the desk where he perched his butt, a nameplate read ‘Director Song Young-ju.’
“Sorry. Things have been messy lately… Yeah. No, it’s fine. Go to bed. …Ah. Wait before you hang up—let me hear our late baby’s voice.”
After a brief silence, a lispy, cheerful voice came through the receiver.
“Daddy~.”
“Hey~ my princess! What’d you do while Daddy was gone?”
“Did my kindergarten homework!”
“Did you? Aigoo, such a good girl.”
Song Young-ju’s beaming smile turned to a framed photo on the desk. A precious family picture full of memories. Gazing at it, he chatted endlessly with his youngest daughter.
Soon after, with reluctant goodbyes, he ended the call and rubbed his forehead with both hands.
The short happiness ended, heavy reality crushing him—
—Sob… Waaah…
A sobbing sound pierced his ears from beyond the door.
“……”
Song Young-ju silently left the room. A vast living room-like space greeted him.
Dozens of children slept on the cold floor, covered only in thin blankets.
The sobs came from nearby.
“Ugh… Hic… Sob…”
A boy was vomiting tears and snot, clutching his pale stomach like food poisoning.
“Ha…”
Deep sigh. Song Young-ju approached, licking his lips in barely contained irritation.
“You fucking worthless brat. Of all times, the middle of the damn night…”
No stress like this. Already, that Hwang Jae-min punk had exposed Mad Dog’s ‘human experiments,’ giving him headaches.
No more massive funds in exchange for orphanage kids to Oh Chae-rin.
‘Fuck. It was a sweet deal…’
Not just cut funds—government and Association investigations meant his tail was next. If exposed as the kid supplier for experiments? Game over.
‘I have a family to support!’
For two days, Song Young-ju had been losing his mind from anxiety. And this damn brat pukes without a care.
Normally, he’d leave it to clean itself up. But…
“You doing this on purpose, huh?”
Now, he itched to beat it senseless.
His hand shot out, roughly grabbing the boy’s hair as he curled in pain.
“A-ah, sob…”
“Huh? I asked if you’re doing this on purpose. Director’s asking. Answer me.”
“S-sorry… St-stomach…”
“What happens if you’re wrong? You get hit, right? Or not?”
“……”
“Ah, not answering again.”
Song Young-ju swung his left hand at the boy’s cheek.
Or tried to.
“…Huh?”
Right before impact. Before seeing his left finger twisted impossibly.
Pain hit a beat late.
“Guh…?! A-aaah! My hand!!”
His brain couldn’t process. What the hell? Why’s my finger like this?
Feeling nerves rip apart in agony, Song Young-ju tried rolling on the floor.
But again, he couldn’t finish the motion.
Crack!
“Hng…!”
Some invisible grip yanked his hair savagely, forcing him upright.
Then a voice.
“My kid is precious.”
Whoosh…
With a wind-like sound.
Song Young-ju saw him. Jae-min, right in his face, eyes flashing demonic fury.
“Other people’s kids aren’t? You worthless, unrecyclable trash bastard.”
Stealth released.
Jae-min’s fist smashed Song Young-ju’s face.
Thwack—!