Chapter 182 – Dragon (2)

“…What?”

‘Did she say something happened to Horn?’

I stared at my blank phone screen for a few seconds. Then I immediately left my dorm and headed to Choi Seol-ah’s.

***

Instructor residential area, Joaquin Academy.

I knocked on Choi Seol-ah’s door. I felt a faint presence inside, but no one answered.

I pressed the doorbell. Total silence.

‘I’ll use the master key.’

I always carry one. An electronic lock is just a joke.

Clack.

The moment I pulled out my sashimi knife, a loud crash came from inside.

The door swung open and Choi Seol-ah burst out in a panic.

“M-My lord! W-What brings you here?!”

“You said something happened to Horn, so I came immediately. No stalling—what happened? Did someone find out you have a dragon in your house? Despite all the warnings I gave you?”

“N-No! It’s not that! It’s just that…”

Choi Seol-ah stammered, leaving the sentence hanging. I grabbed the half-open door and pushed it hard.

“Ow!”

Seol-ah fell on her rear, letting out a yelp. I walked past her without hesitation and went straight inside.

“Wait a second, my lord! I have a right to privacy too!”

“Shut up.”

I ignored her protest and began to search the place. I sensed a presence coming from the kitchen. I walked over with my shoes still on.

“…Hm?”

The first thing I noticed was the mess—the kitchen was a disaster. Then, I saw Horn sitting on the floor, even though there was a chair right next to her.

She was chewing on a sausage. My expression grew complex. When she saw me, Horn jumped up in surprise.

“H-huh? My Lord, why are you here?”

I activated the [Blessing of Communication].

I spoke to the dragon girl whose mouth was still stained with meat.

—Is it good?

“……”

She nodded… and nodded again…

***

Dragons are always portrayed as powerful and mysterious creatures no matter the world.

Sometimes they’re benevolent beings who bless humans, or let the hero ride on their backs to forge legends.

Other times, they’re unknown beasts capable of bringing total destruction. That’s what dragons are too.

So in this world based on Miracle Blessing M, which side do they fall on? Good or evil?

In that respect, I can only give an ambiguous answer.

To start, dragons are classified as part of the demon race.

It’s not complicated—their home is located in the Demon Realm.

However, concluding from that alone that “dragons are enemies of humanity!” would be premature.

Because in truth, there are barely any records of them ever harming anyone.

There are even rumors that when they encounter humans, they just ignore them and go on their way.

A type of demon with no aggressive nature. That alone sets them apart from other demons, who kill humans without a second thought.

‘Now it makes sense why those pigs at the auction weren’t afraid to try capturing a dragon.’

By nature, dragons are rare and avoid exposure.

They live quietly, in their own way.

Those who are truly powerful don’t need to show it off.

Even 700 years ago, during the First Great War between humans and demons, they didn’t intervene.

They just observed the war from a distance, as if it didn’t concern them.

Some say they were so overwhelmingly powerful that they simply lost the need to fight.

With no real threats, there was no reason to show their strength.

But everyone in this world knows one thing:

They are not a peaceful race.

Even the Corps Commanders are fully aware of that.

All the commanders are transcendental beings.

However, a united race of dragons could rival them.

If the two sides clashed, the result would be mutual annihilation.

That’s why the commanders avoid approaching dragon territory.

And in return, even when the Demon Realm fell under the commanders’ rule, the dragons remained silent.

Thus, a natural non-aggression pact formed between them.

But that fragile balance is starting to shake.

In three years, a new war between humans and demons will begin.

And no one knows which side the dragons will take.

In the original game, it was the same. If Leon earned their favor, they sided with humanity.

Otherwise… well, obviously, they’d become enemies and join the Demon King.

Or maybe, like 700 years ago, they’ll just watch from afar.

No one knows yet whether dragons will side with demons, with humanity, or with no one. Not even the dragons themselves.

But one thing’s certain: that uncertainty will determine the final course of the war.

***

“…So that ‘big emergency’ was just about spending too much on food? Are you kidding me?”

I frowned, and Choi Seol-ah quickly shoved the receipt in my face. On the verge of tears, she defended herself.

“It’s not just! Look at this! All the money that went into that big-eared Horn’s stomach in just one week!”

A hundred thousand won…

Yeah, it was quite a bit. And there wasn’t anything green—it was all meat.

I turned to look at Horn. Her head was lowered like a criminal’s. Seeing her like that made me feel a pang of guilt.

I looked back at Choi Seol-ah. She flinched as I furrowed my brows.

‘Are you really complaining about food, of all people?’

If it were someone poor, I’d understand. But Seol-ah was swimming in money. Dirty money, at that.

And she couldn’t spare some to feed someone who was hungry? Better to spend it on food than to burn 3 billion in an auction.

When someone wealthy gets stingy with food, they just look petty.

‘Then again… spending a hundred thousand in a week is kind of impressive.’

But Horn is a dragon. Even if she looked like a frail little girl now, her true nature was that of a mythical beast soaring the skies.

If she’d wanted, she could’ve wiped out the supermarket’s entire meat section. For a dragon, this amount was actually moderate.

Dragons are often compared to elephants when it comes to appetite.

I let out a sigh. I had no right to scold Seol-ah over this.

Despite all her complaining, she was taking care of Horn.

And besides…

Horn looked much healthier. Her once sunken cheeks were now round, and her hair looked fuller. The difference a proper diet makes was clear.

Despite her complaints, Choi Seol-ah was doing a good job. So she deserved some credit.

I said to her:

“I know you’ve been making an effort. It must be hard taking care of someone you can barely communicate with.”

“Y-you mean… you’re complimenting me?”

Her eyes sparkled like she’d just witnessed a miracle. I continued.

“And you even bought her new clothes.”

“How did you know?!”

“The tag’s still hanging. Take it off already. Anyway, I get that you’ve spent a lot. But it’s not like you’ll live with her forever. It’s just for a month. After that, I’ll take over. Just hang in there a bit longer.”

“Yes, understood!”

Choi Seol-ah grinned from ear to ear. That smile was irritating. Maybe it was just her face.

“And I told you to call her Horn, didn’t I? Why do you keep calling her ‘big ears’ like it’s some cruel nickname? Judging by appearances isn’t fair. Would you like it if people called you balloon-head? Use her name.”

“Hehe, yes!”

She was on the verge of tears just minutes ago, and now she’s giggling.

‘Not sure if she’s just simple or plain dumb.’

I thought about scolding her again, but held back. If she’s motivated now, I’ll leave it at that.

I walked over to Horn and sat down in front of her. I planned to take this chance to ask her something I’d been holding off on.

The clue about the fourth fragment. The system said I could get it through Horn.

―Horn, you can lift your head now.

“Yes…”

Since I still had [Blessing of Communication] active, I spoke directly to the dragon girl with meat stains around her mouth.

―I already told her what she needed to hear. Don’t worry about that and just eat in peace. And if she says anything again, tell me directly. I won’t let it slide. That girl only understands things when you smack some sense into her.

Horn covered her mouth and let out a small giggle. Choi Seol-ah tilted her head, confused.

Badmouthing someone to their face has its charm.

―About what you said earlier… “You’re back.” You still don’t remember why you said that?

“Yes, it just came out from deep inside. But I remember how I felt at that moment. It was like… an overwhelming sense of nostalgia.”

―Forget that. I’ve always wanted to ask you something. Dragons live in the Demon Realm, right? Then how did you come to the human world? To get here, you’d have to go through a Gate of Gehenna.

Horn nodded eagerly and answered:

“Oh, that! Dragons can cross the Gates of Gehenna whenever we want.”

―…Dragons? Why?

I didn’t show it, but I was very surprised.

Dragons are among the most powerful beings in the world. The fact that they can freely enter and exit the Demon Realm means humanity is always at risk without even knowing it.

“Seven hundred years ago, our leader made a pact with the Founding Hero. In exchange for staying out of the First Great War between humans and demons, we were granted that privilege.”

A wise decision. Even the Founding Hero couldn’t afford to fight both demons and dragons at once.

Horn continued:

“That’s how we became the only race allowed to travel freely between worlds.”

A deal made possible only thanks to the dragons’ neutrality. It also showed that Balor Joaquin had no intention of provoking the dragons, even at great risk.

“Of course, we lose a lot of power in the human world, so we have to take on human form. It’s not a perfect transformation, so we need to be careful.”

Ah… so that’s why the “big-eared one” became so small. Now it made sense.

―Okay, now I know how you got here. But how did you end up getting kidnapped?

Horn twisted up like a pretzel and lowered her head.

“…They told me they’d give me food if I followed them. So I did…”

―…….

Falling for a trap so old not even a kindergartener would fall for it—what a way to ruin the image of a mythical being.

“Th-that’s because I hadn’t eaten in two days! I’m not as dumb as I look!”

She flailed her hands in panic, the classic move of someone with a guilty conscience.

―Alright. Last question. Why did you come to the human world? Don’t tell me it was just for a stroll. Even dragons must follow certain protocols, right?

“…That.”

Horn’s face turned cold, and she spoke seriously:

“I came to personally eliminate my fallen brother… Basilisk.”

At that moment—

== ==

[NEW! An event mission has been activated.]

Defeat the corrupted Basilisk together with Horntail.

[※ You can obtain the fourth fragment of 【???】. Total progress (3/7)]

[※ Bonus reward: Spirit Stone of the Fallen Dragon]

== ==