I Became a Cute Girl! 1
The gallery folks insisted that seeing is believing over a hundred words of explanation, so they told me to check it out myself.
The exchange was beyond what I'd imagined.
Kyuu!
'Whoa, the gallery had a feature like this?'
It was just like those RPG exchanges from my childhood games. Sellers list prices, and buyers pay up to take the goods.
This system might feel novel to the locals, but to me—a veteran gamer from my past life—it was familiar territory.
Thanks to that, I adapted to the exchange faster than any of the gallery vets expected.
With promises of good money, I immediately listed some GeukyangCheonYeomhwa from my leaf bag on the exchange.
It got sucked into a translucent system window right before my eyes, then popped up in the sales list like the others.
Successfully registered GeukyangCheonYeomhwa x10!
Current Listing Price: 10 Low-Grade Spirit Stones
Not knowing the market, I priced it like similar herbs. I worried it might be too high, but those fears vanished as it sold like hotcakes.
Your GeukyangCheonYeomhwa x10 has sold out!
Proceeds minus fees incoming.
As the gallery said, spirit herbs were hot commodities. Less than a minute after listing, and it was gone.
It was great news, but even I hadn't expected this level of demand. I felt thrilled yet a bit dazed.
Kyuu!
'Whatever... If I run low, just forage more. This forest's overflowing with 'em.'
Unlike other cultivators scrounging for scraps, I lived where resources tripped me up. No regrets.
Anyway. With profits from the GeukyangCheonYeomhwa, I scoured the exchange for useful Hwayeong Sul techniques.
Money wasn't an issue. Sell more herbs for the girl or hunt Black Pattern Snakes—plenty around.
The real question: Could I even learn it? Hwayeong Sul required at least Aura Building realm, as the gallery said—high difficulty.
The gallery had a point. The girl was basically a stranger—first met today, different races. No real obligation.
But.
Kyuu...
'Still... gotta at least try, right?'
Quitting without trying felt wrong. Who knows? I might pull it off again!
After much internal debate, Lin decided to attempt Hwayeong Sul to help the girl.
Kyuu!
'Yeah, let's do it!'
With that, the Hwayeong Sul floated into the air at her will.
Lin didn't know it, but in that moment, her resolute heart had grown purer and stronger through the struggle.
Whoosh—!
The Hwayeong Sul enveloped Lin's body in GeukyangCheonYeom, erupting into massive flames.
Strange incantations flooded her mind.
Kyuuu...!
'Ugh... body feels like it's burning! But... gotta endure!'
Not literally burning, but each incantation brought searing agony, like real fire.
Penalty for attempting an impossible art beyond her realm.
Yet her dragon body's tenacity, talent, and evolved noble heart held her faltering mind steady—
And soon, as the embers nearly died...
Flash—!
She stood on the grass with pale, slender legs.
'It... it worked!'
Lin landed gracefully, sighing in relief inwardly.
Who'd have thought it'd actually succeed? She'd tried half-heartedly, no big expectations.
"Even if it failed, this tough body would've handled it fine."
Still, no backlash was best—even for a dragon.
Success in tow, I peered into a nearby puddle.
There gazed a tiny, cute girl—about the little one's age. Translucent eyes stunningly beautiful. Misty ethereal clothes.
One quirk: a small dragon horn on her forehead. Cover with cloth, and it'd pass for a squinter's glance.
"Pretty successful Hwayeong, huh?"
No more lizard voice kyuu-ing. Impressive for her realm.
And once more, the gallery exploded in chaos.