Ice Dragon

『 ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ 【Frostia】  Ice Dragon  LV□□□ 』

Seven stars.

A rating I had never seen even while using Shadow Symphony.

The highest rating I knew was five stars, and my single black star was unknown information.

However, seven stars intuitively revealed how immense this being’s potential was.

The level was unknown.

Even during my seed phase, I could see the level of the Frost Drake, which far surpassed mine.

Nor could I even guess how high that unseen level might be.

Moreover, the fact that its species was a dragon.

Dragons are the top predators in any fantasy world.

Their strength was evident even through dragon subspecies like wyverns and drakes, but now I felt that the real thing was incomparably more overwhelming.

‘Run…’

The cold of the ice cave felt even more biting.

Every petal of mine quivered, and my roots instinctively dug deeper into the ground.

But I couldn’t move.

Fear froze me completely, as if time itself had stopped.

Such a being was here.

Approaching me.

Thud… thud…

A gigantic dragon, whose size didn’t even register on my Detection Radar, drew closer.

Though it was clearly getting nearer, its form remained indistinct, as if shrouded in fog.

『 「Detection LV9」 skill has leveled up. 』

Even with the increased detection level, its form remained unseen.

It was as if an immense gap blocked my vision.

Thud…

The ice cave trembled with each approaching step.

The surroundings were already in chaos.

Ice Goblins trampled each other trying to flee, while Snow Hyenas frantically clawed at the walls in search of an exit.

Frost Wolfings cowered instinctively, and even the Fly Reindeer, capable of flight, were so terrified they crashed into walls.

The ice cave was filled with the screams of fleeing monsters.

Those who had been tearing each other apart just moments ago were now gone, leaving only primal fear.

‘Mikhail… Mikhail… Mikhail… Mikhail… Mikhail… Mikhail… Mikhail… Mikhail… Mikhail… Mikhail…’

My petals trembled faintly.

All I could rely on was Mikhail.

A poisoned flower like me could do nothing.

Only prayer remained.

But with the final footsteps, a massive shadow loomed.

***

Deep slumber.

The hibernation that had lasted hundreds of years felt eternal.

In the deepest layer, where extreme cold had condensed, I spent solitary, frigid time.

‘This scent… a flower…?’

A mysterious, lethal, sweet, and dangerous aroma touched my nostrils.

A flower’s fragrance in this deep layer?

In this place where icy cold rejected all life, could a flower have bloomed?

Like the emergence of a World Tree, the life force of plants stirred my long-frozen eyelids.

White pupils shone like moonlight, cold and pale.

‘Interesting…’

The Ice Dragon’s long neck moved gracefully.

For thousands of years, its icy power had ruled this labyrinth.

Only ice-attuned monsters could endure this cold.

No plants existed here.

Yet, that scent was unmistakably floral.

And so alluring.

‘A flower in the ice labyrinth…’

A faint smile played on the Ice Dragon’s lips.

Curiosity outweighed the discomfort of waking from deep slumber.

It slowly rose.

Ice crystals shattered around its massive form.

Translucent white scales gleamed through the broken ice.

Wings like condensed snowflakes unfolded softly.

The ruler of this labyrinth finally stirred.

To meet a single flower.

As it ascended from the deepest layer, the Ice Dragon frowned.

‘So noisy…’

Monsters in the middle layer fought each other on the path to the upper layers.

They fled in terror upon sensing the ruler’s presence, but their frantic movements led to gruesome ends.

‘Impudent.’

A cold, graceful step.

The temperature plummeted, and the monsters’ movements slowed before freezing into blue ice sculptures.

The Ice Dragon walked calmly.

The frozen monsters shattered like frost in the cold air, their remains vanishing as glittering ice dust.

‘The middle layer is no different.’

Monsters fought and fled in the path to the upper layer.

Those who couldn’t escape were trapped in blue ice, silenced forever.

Quiet footsteps.

The Ice Dragon advanced like moonlight, its white scales shimmering.

Each step turned chaotic battlefields into gardens of cold, crystalline beauty.

‘Such frenzy…’

A smile lingered on the Ice Dragon’s lips.

This small change, after thousands of years, was enough to break the monotony.

Finally, it reached the middle layer.

Guided by the sweet floral scent and the smell of blood, it moved forward.

In the cavern lay the bodies of nearly fifty monsters.

And at the center, a single flower bloomed.

‘This…’

In the blue glow of the ice cave, a flower burned red like a crimson moon.

Its black stem ended in petals that shimmered like jewels, with violet stamens displaying their beauty.

‘Beautiful…’

For the Ice Dragon, it was as if a dormant part of its being, like a girl’s heart, had awakened.

What came next was astonishing.

A faint trace of divine power emanated from the flower.

‘This is… surely Mikhail?’

Even the Ice Dragon, with millennia of life, had never encountered such an existence.

A small monster with Mikhail’s divine power.

Impossible life blooming in the icy realm.

And above all…

‘That enchanting scent and beautiful form.’

The Ice Dragon’s gaze fixed on the flower with interest.

No intruder in this labyrinth had ever piqued its curiosity so deeply.

‘Nis always bragging about his subordinates was so annoying.’

A graceful smile formed on the ruler’s lips.

In that moment, the Ice Dragon’s massive form was enveloped in a radiant, star-like light.

White scales shattered into glittering silver dust, and wings dissolved like snowflakes.

The long neck and tail faded into the light.

When the light dimmed, a woman stood in its place.

Her silver hair shimmered like ice crystals, and her white skin was as pure as first snow.

She retained the Ice Dragon’s dignity but surpassed it with unparalleled beauty.

A moonlit silver dress swayed gently, as if moved by an unseen breeze.

Her pale eyes, like moonlight, softened as they gazed at the flower.

She walked gracefully.

Barefoot, yet her steps were light, as if walking on clouds.

Frost flowers bloomed and vanished with each step.

The silver-haired woman knelt elegantly, matching her height to the flower.

Her white fingers gently brushed the petals.

Though cold, her touch was tender.

“Really… beautiful…”

Her voice was clear and pure, like shattering ice.

“A flower blooming here… and possessing Mikhail’s divine power?”

Smiling faintly, she spoke naturally, as if to an old friend.

“I am Frostia, ruler of this Shia Kalt.”

After a moment of thought, she spoke resolutely.

“You’re mine now.”

Her tone was firm yet gentle, leaving no room for refusal, yet filled with affection.

Her cold eyes sparkled with the excitement of discovering a long-sought treasure.

***

The Ice Dragon’s gaze turned to me.

‘Please… please… save me…’

My Detection skill prevented me from looking away.

The gigantic Ice Dragon, now clearly visible, made it impossible to escape or hide.

Then, suddenly, the surroundings brightened.

‘Wha… what…?’

An unbelievable sight unfolded.

The massive Ice Dragon vanished, replaced by a woman.

Her snow-white skin, endless silver hair, and pale eyes seemed otherworldly, embodying flawless beauty.

‘Wow… she’s so beautiful…’

For an instant, a wild dream flashed through my mind.

But reality soon set in.

‘What am I thinking! Oh no… please save me…!’

The silver-haired woman approached calmly.

Her gait carried the Ice Dragon’s majesty but lacked any hostility.

Instead, she seemed curious, even interested.

She knelt gracefully, her height matching mine.

Her white fingers gently brushed the petals.

Though cold, her touch held affection.

‘Is this… a selection?’

It reminded me of videos where stray cats find kind owners and start new lives.

I wondered if the cats felt this way.

‘Maybe… Butler…?’

Then she spoke.

□□… □□□□□…”

‘Huh…?’

A language from another world!

When I played the game, there was auto-translation, but…

Oh, so this is another world?