Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Our Dragon Doesn’t Bite
Even though I had become completely broke, I had already paid for tonight’s lodging in advance.
So tonight would be comfortable—but tomorrow was the problem.
I needed a solution quickly, so I called Rene into the room.
“I need money.”
“Didn’t that woman agree to repay you?”
“She did. But I gave her two days. That means we have nothing for food or lodging tomorrow.”
“…Then I’ll return these clothes!”
Rene jumped up, clenching her fists.
I grabbed her shoulders immediately.
“Stop. Your old clothes are already gone. Planning to walk around naked?”
“Ah… right….”
“We need a real way to earn money.”
“…Then what about guild requests?”
“That would sabotage her. She’s trying to earn that money.”
If we interfered, she’d never make the deadline.
“I’m sorry… I don’t know much about this…”
“It’s fine. I didn’t call you for advice.”
“…Then why?”
“I have a question.”
“…?”
“Dragonkin can transform into dragons, right?”
“Probably? I’ve never met others…”
“Can you?”
“Of course! I can show you right now!”
She puffed her chest proudly.
For once, confidence.
“Any side effects?”
“None… except it takes about a day to turn back.”
“…Hmm.”
That mattered.
Until now, I hid her identity—
Horns with magic.
Tail wrapped around her waist.
Wings folded.
But as a dragon—
No hiding.
“So why are we talking about this?”
“I found something.”
I handed her a paper.
“A Beast Contest?”
“Keep reading.”
“…Performance… rules… location… prize….”
She froze.
“…There’s prize money?”
“Yep.”
Her eyes trembled.
“So you’re asking if I can transform because…”
“You figured it out.”
“Wait! I’m half human! Isn’t that unfair?! And dangerous beasts are banned!”
“Only if we get caught.”
“…That’s not reassuring!”
“Trust me.”
“Next participant!”
I stepped forward with a bright smile.
“Hello! You’re working hard today.”
“Thank you! Seeing everyone happy gives me energy!”
Perfect.
I handed over the form.
“Where’s your beast?”
“Ah… it’s shy.”
“Oh! That’s rare.”
“Still, we need to verify.”
“Of course.”
I crouched and lifted Rene.
A tiny silver dragon.
The reaction—
As expected.
Shock.
“Participant… dragons are not allowed—”
“Wyvern.”
“…What?”
“Rare variant.”
“…That looks like a dragon…”
“Happens a lot.”
I pushed through confidently.
Inside my head—
Rene’s voice.
‘Calling me a wyvern…?’
‘Just this once.’
‘Next time I’ll be angry.’
‘There won’t be a next time.’
Wyverns were beasts.
Dragons—
Sacred.
Huge difference.
“…Fine. I’ll allow it.”
Yes!
Halfway there.
“Proceed to the stage.”
“…Now?”
“Yes.”
Problem.
We hadn’t planned anything.
Rene looked at me in panic.
We had no time.
The stage—
Already there.
Cheers erupted.
Rene waddled forward stiffly.
Like a penguin.
‘What do we do?!’
‘I don’t know. What can you do?’
‘Roar?’
‘Louder than the crowd?’
‘…No…’
‘Fly?’
‘Not impressive…’
‘Fire?’
‘I’m not a fire dragon!’
‘Any breath attack?’
‘…One…’
‘Use it.’
She spread her wings.
Energy gathered.
The crowd fell silent.
Then—
I noticed.
Too much energy.
‘What are you doing?!’
‘I’m trying my best!’
‘That’s too much! You’ll destroy the city!’
‘If I stop now… it might explode…’
…We’re screwed.
“Rene! Fire it upward!”
She raised her head—
And released it.
BOOOOOOM—
A beam of light pierced the sky.
Clouds split.
The entire stage shook.
The crowd stared in awe.
‘…That’s insane.’
‘Hehe…’
‘Don’t laugh.’
She won first place.
And got disqualified immediately.
Our dragon doesn’t bite.
She fires beams.
Above the city—
A demon watched.
Kaem.
Rank 53.
Master of beasts.
He sneered.
‘Humans… treating beasts like toys…’
He wanted to destroy everything—
But held back.
‘Next year…’
Then—
A beam.
Hit him directly.
He vanished instantly.
Just like that—
We accidentally killed a high-ranking demon.