Chapter 42

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 42

Chapter Title: Flapping (3)

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Miss So-jeong told me not to look, but isn't it human nature to want to see something even more when you're told not to? Especially when it's about you.

My precious dopamine source, the Awakener Gallery. As soon as I launched the app, the familiar blue screen popped up.

'First, I should check the quality posts.'

I set the filter to quality posts and hit enter, and a flood of threads greeted me.

Hmm. Yeah. Go ahead, talk all you want.

Because I'm a real dragon, and I'm going to dominate the Korean—no, the entire world's hunter scene someday.

Exactly seven years. No, at this rate, just four more months and I'll shed this wyrmling phase. That's when I'll become a proper dragon and show my true power.

What do you think of when you hear "dragon"?

A sturdy body? Exceptional flight? Lords of magic?

The answer is 'all of it'!

I'm the man who's going to be the world's strongest!

"Heh heh heh..."

I let out a laugh befitting the next world champion and checked the thread list again.

After skimming one page, I got the vibe. My new nickname 'Flying Kid', and tons of envy.

"Ha, 'kid'..."

Is that something you call a strapping young man like me? I let out a hollow laugh, but my shoulders still puffed up a bit anyway.

Whatever the nickname—who cares? What matters is that I flew, and it's all over the place now.

Reading through posts full of envy and jealousy was just as satisfying as devouring a mana heart.

Yeah, yeah. Envy away. I've got SSS-rank potential and SS-rank skills, plus more money than you'll ever earn. Supreme under heaven, unrivaled. I'm literally the best in the world.

I was scrolling down in satisfaction when my finger paused on one thread.

"Ha..."

I was speechless for a moment.

How the hell did they even get that shot? I zoomed in on the low-res photo over and over, and sure enough, pink and white peeked out under the dress.

To confirm, I checked my pants—yep, matches what I'm wearing now. Not AI-generated.

Of course, my face is pretty, objectively. Pretty enough to slap an actor or model ten times over.

Flawless skin, golden horns and wings, sleek tail fur and scales. It's cool and cute, no denying it.

'Still, this is a bit much...'

I looked down at my own body, devoid of any curves.

This isn't the kind of look that sparks lust, right?

I let out an incredulous chuckle. The comments were just as wild as the post. From weird exclamations to threats of lawsuits, calls for executions of serial pervs—total chaos.

"The world's full of all kinds."

Tsking my tongue, I pulled up the keyboard to comment.

Hit post, and a new window popped up.

"Huh?"

Someone must've reported it, or the OP got cold feet. I was gonna screenshot it too—shame.

I dropped the quality filter and searched more.

'A video?'

Curious, I clicked the link. A YouTube Short played—a 10-second clip perfectly capturing me soaring through the sky, grinning ear to ear in excitement.

The comments were flooded with "cute".

70 km/h, huh. Seeing that made me feel even guiltier about Yoo So-jeong and the Management Bureau staff.

'...She must've dodged around people at nearly 100 km/h because of me.'

No wonder she was sweating and disheveled. I should get her a gift next time. Something amazing—maybe make one myself.

As I kept scrolling, a fun idea sparked in my head.

'Since it's out there anyway, why not blow it up properly?'

All the photos and videos of me online so far were low-res sneaky shots by randos. What if I posted a high-res selfie showing off this perfect face?

It'd set the gallery on fire, top the quality lists—no, even hit real-time best.

'Accounts like Unemployed King or Golden Hand don't fit for that...'

"Alright. Time for a new account."

I already had over ten, but they were all just for lurking, so yeah, new one.

I clicked through the agreements, solved the captcha, but hesitated at the end.

'What nickname?'

This was serious. In online communities, your nick is your identity, first impression. Needed something memorable to overwrite 'Flying Kid'.

'Gold Dragon? Ruler of the Skies?'

Hmm, close but missing 2%. Need more majesty, overwhelming presence. Something that hits gallery users like BAM!

After pondering, the perfect name flashed in my mind.

Emperor above the heavens. Perfect. No flying awakener outdoes me.

Account created, I fired up the camera app.

No half-assing this. I stepped out of the lair into the sunlit living room.

Blasted all three lights, nailed the selfie angle. Snapped shots in every expression.

Click! Click!

Slight smile, cool aloof gaze, head tilt for max cuteness.

The winner: head slightly turned, aloof sidelong glance. Mysterious yet arrogant—perfect for 'Emperor of the Firmament'.

Prep done, hit new post on Awakener Gallery.

Title: Short and punchy.

No body text needed. The photo says it all.

Posted—now spam refresh. Each second felt like a minute. Views might be slow at first, but comments will snowball it.

And on the eighteenth refresh, the first comment dropped.