The Terrifying Dragon

The Terrifying Dragon

 

“… You want to meet Perseus? Um… Is there really a need to meet him?”

About two hours later.

When I told Han A-rin, who came to visit the hospital room, that I wanted to meet Perseus, I noticed she looked very flustered.

I wondered why, but since I had already made a promise with the suspicious viewer, I couldn’t break it. I was about to tell the truth, but then.

‘It doesn’t seem right to say I’m meeting him because I want to eat churros.’

So I tried to phrase it as best I could.

“I want to meet the dragon.”

Hearing that, Han A-rin made an “Ah” sound and looked at me.

Ha-eun soon nodded as if conceding and said to me.

“I guess that makes sense since Ha-eun is half dragon. So instinctively… hmm. No, forget it.”

Han A-rin, who was about to say something but canceled it.

She silently looked at me with a smile, then suddenly started touching my cheeks randomly before continuing.

“Shall we go meet him then?”

“Yes!”

“Alright, then let your big sister carry you.”

At those words, I shook my head to indicate that I could walk on my own.

But Han A-rin seemed to have no intention of listening to my opinion as she picked me up and held me in her arms.

Just as we were about to go straight to Perseus.

“Chae-a is here too!”

Chae-a, who had been momentarily forgotten, was standing with her arms wide open, proudly demanding to be hugged.

Seeing this, Han A-rin was startled and picked up Chae-a.

Chae-a, dangling in her arms, giggled and shouted ‘I’m happy!’

‘Chae-a likes being hugged by others.’

Thinking that I should hug her often, I turned my gaze.

‘By the way, I’m excited to see a dragon for the first time.’

I hope it looks like a lizard, or has wings and such.

I giggled with anticipation, thinking it would be nice if it looked something like a dinosaur.

* * *

To briefly explain Perseus as he appears in the original work, he is described as a sword mage with overwhelming talent.

Of course, this is only an evaluation of him in terms of combat.

If you combine everything including power, fame, and wealth, he was described as having an even greater influence than the top-ranked Sword Saint.

Perhaps because of these factors, people jokingly called him by nicknames like Invisible Dragon or Deus Ex Machina.

There was also a description that Perseus surprisingly liked such nicknames.

‘Anyway, the important thing is that Perseus is an incredibly great and terrifying dragon.’

As just an ordinary citizen, I feel nervous about meeting a dragon I normally wouldn’t be able to encounter.

As I get closer to the place where Perseus is waiting, I feel cold sweat forming and fidget with my fingers.

Han A-rin seems to notice my tension and says with a chuckle.

“No need to worry. Perseus will treat Ha-eun and Chae-a well.”

It was somewhat comforting words in the current situation.

But it sounded like he would only treat us well, which was a bit strange.

Just as I was about to ask for clarification, I see a large reception room door.

Entering with a mix of curiosity and nervousness, what I saw was.

A blonde man with a very classical appearance.

He was calmly drinking tea, but upon noticing us, he stands up with a very kind expression.

“I’ve been waiting.”

Though I roughly knew, I stared blankly, amazed at the blonde foreigner speaking Korean so elegantly.

He approaches me and calmly starts examining my face.

“You look quite gaunt. Does the association not feed Ha-eun properly?”

“Sorry, but Ha-eun ate two bowls of rice yesterday.”

“What about snacks?”

“Ice cream, with honey topping added.”

“You should have added fruit too. You always lack sense, don’t you?”

If you only listened to their tone without hearing the content, it sounded like nobles engaging in psychological warfare over some grand business.

But the content itself was like elementary school students childishly arguing.

I couldn’t help but blankly watch the two, falling into an indescribable sense of dissonance.

The two seemed to notice my gaze and quickly calmed down.

They speak to each other with the most composed expressions possible.

“Let’s sit down first. It seems our conversation will be lengthy.”

“I’m sorry, but I have to eat dinner soon… I only have about 30 seconds left. Oh, now it’s 27 seconds.”

“I anticipated that, so I ordered dinner in advance. We can talk while eating.”

Han A-rin placed me and Chae-a on the luxurious sofa with a frustrated expression.

It was red and so soft that I felt unsure if I should sit on it, fidgeting uncomfortably.

Suddenly, Chae-a next to me started pressing the sofa with her palms and said to me.

“Woah, I feel like I could fly so far if I jumped on this…!”

It certainly does seem like it would bounce well, just as she said.

As I was nodding in agreement with Chae-a’s words,

Perseus, who was in front of us, addressed me.

“Let’s start with introductions. I am Perseus, the Gold Dragon representing all dragons.”

Since it was polite to introduce myself when receiving an introduction,

I quickly bowed my waist and introduced myself.

“I, I am Yu Ha-eun!”

While the other person speaks in an elegant manner, I’m using a silly speech with a lisp, so my face keeps getting hot.

Thinking that if there was a mouse hole, I’d want to hide in it right away, I’m rubbing my cheeks.

Perseus looks very pleased as he speaks to me.

“I know. Ha-eun, you’re the only hatchling of the Dragon clan.”

“… Yes.”

While I’m not knowing what to do out of embarrassment.

Chae-a, who was next to me, suddenly stands up, proudly pushing out her protruding belly and shouts loudly.

“I am Chae-a! Chae-a is great!”

“Indeed, you are great.”

“Yeah!”

Chae-a, happy that Perseus praised her, giggles and sits back down.

I’m holding Chae-a’s hand tightly while trembling.

Perseus snaps his fingers and continues speaking.

“Then let’s talk about the rest while having dinner. Butler, if you please.”

At those words, the butler in a suit who was standing by quickly starts arranging the food.

I’m looking at the numerous dishes being served with wide eyes.

Perseus looks at me and calmly says.

“Before we discuss other matters, let me say this in advance. All dragons, including myself, are prepared to do anything to protect you, Ha-eun. Of course, we also plan to provide you with the elixir you need.”

Elixir?

I know it’s rare, but why are they trying to provide it to me?

Not understanding why they would offer it when I don’t have any particular illness, I calmly expressed my doubt.

 

“It’s okae. Give the eliksir to someone else who really needs it!”

(It’s okay. Give the elixir to someone else who really needs it!)

 

At my polite refusal, he smiles bitterly and mutters softly.

“Indeed. Sacrifice, is it? You’re too kind, just as Han A-rin said.”

 

“Now do you see? How much of an angel Ha-eun is?”

“I agree.”

 

What are they saying in front of a person!

As I once again become embarrassed and bury my face in the table, trembling,

 

Perseus looks at me like that and speaks kindly.

“But it’s alright. There’s no need to sacrifice, as everything is already prepared. So there’s no need for you, Ha-eun, to sacrifice yourself.”

 

Feeling like there was some misunderstanding, I quickly shook my head and denied it.

“No… I’m strong and not sick!”

 

“It’s not bad to hide pain, but it’s not good either. Especially for young kids like you, it’s better to show when you’re in pain.”

Are we even having the same conversation?

 

I looked to the side, meaning to ask Han A-rin to stop this, but

Han A-rin was nodding with an expression as if holding back tears, so I couldn’t bring myself to ask her to stop it.

 

‘Why is she sad…?’

 

Just as confusion was filling me due to all these incomprehensible things.

Chae-a, who was sitting next to me, stood up proudly and said to us.

“Then Chae-a wants to eat too! Chae-a likes yummy things!”

“Is that so? Then let’s give Chae-a chocolate instead of elixir.”

“How did you know Chae-a likes chocolate!? Amazing!”

“There are various ways to know things.”

“Wow. Chae-a wants to know too.”

“If you come to visit often, I’ll teach you.”

“Okay!”

Chae-a and Perseus seem to be a good match, as they appear to communicate well.

While I’m hesitating, envious of Chae-a’s liveliness and assertiveness.

Han A-rin, who was next to me, wiped her tears and said to me.

“Ha-eun, if you feel even a little bit of pain, you have to tell your sister, okay?”

“Yes…”

“Sister feels like she can’t live without Ha-eun now.”

“……?”

It seems like everything is incredibly mixed up.

I nodded, thinking that I don’t really understand anymore.

Anyway, it didn’t seem like anything I said now would be well understood.

As I hugged my tail and closed my eyes tightly to calm my unsettled mind.

Perseus gently stroked my head and spoke.

“Then let’s start with the meal. I’ve tried to select a menu that the babies would like, but I’m not sure if it will suit their taste.”

Grateful for the consideration, I said “Thank you!” and examined the food placed in front of me one by one.

‘There’s fancy stir-fried sausage with vegetables, and even steak.’

While the composition itself is stir-fried sausage with vegetables, the plating is done so well that it gives a strong sense of luxury.

I was surprised to see how ordinary food could become so impressive this way.

Chae-a, who was next to me, drools and whispers to me.

“I’ve never seen such delicious food before…!”

It seems she was very pleased with the food placed in front of us.

I nodded vigorously to express that I had similar feelings.

Chae-a looks at me, smiles, and starts shaking her head wildly.

“Shall we eat now, little ones?”

Han A-rin, anticipating that we might spill food, puts a children’s apron on each of us.

I was about to say it’s okay when I saw the apron with a squirrel drawn on it that Chae-a likes.

But because Chae-a was clinging to me saying ‘I like squirrels’, I couldn’t bring myself to take it off.

“Chae-a has squirrel pajamas too! They’re sooo cute!”

I smiled watching Chae-a chattering cutely in front of me, and decided it was time to start eating.

With that thought, I was about to grab a sausage when.

“After the meal, we’ll take time to look around various layers. It will probably be quite fun.”

Perseus’s suggestion was heard from the front.