Having polymorphed into a human, I resolved not to revert to my dragon form for the time being.
After all, the human body, one I had inhabited for a full thirty years, was far more comfortable.
In any case, I then began to assess my surroundings.
The immediate area, I noted, was a somewhat chilly forest.
The crisp, cold air suggested the presence of a nearby lake.
“That GM bastard should have provided more information before leaving.”
With no other recourse, I had to tap into my existing knowledge of the game’s lore.
Ascertaining my specific dragon lineage was paramount.
The factional conflicts among dragons were notoriously brutal.
In the game ‘Hero Fantasy,’ dragon factions were categorized into five distinct groups.
The first was Glacia.
These dragons were inhabitants of the snowy wastes.
However, though my current location was rather chilly, it didn’t appear to be a snow-covered forest, so I dismissed that possibility.
The second was Volcano.
Their very name suggested intense heat.
Given that they resided in barren volcanic regions devoid of vegetation, I ruled them out as well.
The third was Wind.
This one seemed somewhat plausible, as Wind Dragons inhabited cold, windy, high-altitude regions.
Yet, high altitudes typically lacked abundant trees.
The fourth was Lake.
These dragons dwelled in forests punctuated by lakes.
‘Hmm, this seems the most likely candidate.’
The fifth was Mineral.
Considering my own appearance, they also presented a strong possibility.
True to their name, Mineral Dragons were characterized by sparkling, gem-like scales on parts of their bodies.
‘My horns and tail scales shimmered with a golden luster, making this a distinct possibility.’
“Hmph…”
‘Perhaps the status window held a clue.’
Driven by this thought, I reopened the status window.
[Entity Name: (Undetermined)]
[Species: Dragon.]
[Lv.2]
[Skills: Polymorph, Breath, Flight, Roar, Charm… and many others.]
[Strength: 99]
[Magic Power: 99]
[Intellect: ?]
[Stamina: 99]
[Titles: 2 owned.]
There was nothing remotely helpful.
If anything, it only deepened the mystery.
“Now that I think about it, that’s odd. Why is my species simply ‘Dragon’?”
Every dragon I had encountered in ‘Hero Fantasy’ possessed a unique species name, determined by their native terrain.
‘Why am I merely ‘Dragon’?’
Upon closer inspection, I noticed yet another change.
“What? A title system has appeared?”
The Title System.
It was purely cosmetic, a system that bestowed a title for each achievement completed, allowing it to be displayed before one’s name.
But what good was it if I couldn’t even use it?
I didn’t have a name.
‘And I already have two titles?’
I hadn’t done anything yet.
Truly, it lived up to its reputation as ‘Hero Fantasy’s’ most ridiculously overpowered species.
Among players, it was a species so formidable that a running joke claimed the Demon King’s fully evolved stats barely rivaled those of a Level 1 Dragon.
‘…It might even be true.’
“What, it grants achievements for doing absolutely nothing?”
‘I’m curious what they are. Should I just open them?’
[Would you like to view the Title Storage?]
[Y/N]
“I will.”
Wondering if such a casual response would suffice, I uttered it, and with a brilliant flash, the Title Storage opened.
[Opening Title Storage.]
[Title 1: I Have Returned.]
[You have gained a new life!]
[Title 2: Child of the Emperor.]
[No being in this world can stop you!]
“Hmm.”
‘What is the meaning of this?’
The first title’s implication was somewhat clear to me.
It appeared to be a title bestowed upon those who had been reborn.
‘Quite a unique title, indeed.’
And the second title…
“Child of the Emperor?”
‘What could this mean?’
While its exact nature remained a mystery, it seemed to be connected to my parentage.
Or perhaps it was simply a grandiose way of referring to dragons as ’emperors.’
A dull ache began to throb behind my temples.
I had no idea of my true identity, and without that knowledge, how could I even begin to consider where to go?
Given the fierce factional struggles among dragons, I needed to ascertain my identity before seeking out any specific group.
“Haa… This is bleak.”
As I sank deeper into despair.
–Grrrruuumble.
“Ah.”
My stomach let out a furious growl.
“My… my body’s strength is…”
Birds, I recalled, expended an immense amount of energy when hatching from their eggs.
Dragons, I surmised, were likely no different.
“I… I’m dizzy.”
This was no time for such weakness.
Regardless of which dragons held this territory, since I had tumbled into it, it was probable that they were of a similar lineage to my own.
“A-anything. Is there… isn’t there anything to eat?”
Thus, I began to forage desperately for sustenance.
–Groooooooar!!!!
A monstrous roar, surprisingly close, echoed through the forest.
[Prey detected!]
[Title: Child of the Emperor has detected status ailment: Hunger!]
[The Emperor’s Blessing descends!!]
“The Emperor’s Blessing? What’s that?”
Whatever it was, I felt my vision sharpen and a surge of power coursing through my veins.
–Crash!!!
–Crash!!!
There was no time to stand dumbfounded.
The source of the deafening crashes was rapidly approaching, its colossal presence radiating directly before my eyes.
“Is it coming now?… It seems quite massive. Can I eat all of it?”
[Entity Name: Lake Forest Wraith.]
[Species: (Unknown.)]
[Lv.(Unknown)]
[Stats: (Unknown.)]
[A 1000-year-old vengeful spirit, a mass of magical energy, perfectly nutritious for a newborn dragon.]
[Emergency Quest received!]
[Hunt the Lake Forest Wraith! (0/1)]
As the quest materialized before my eyes, the colossal beast finally revealed its monstrous form.
–Groooooooar!!!!
Its body, a deep black, continuously pulsed with a vibrant purple aura.
The Lake Forest Wraith, resembling a monstrous salamander, fully unveiled itself.
Its bulk was so immense it could rival even Baekdu Mountain (TL Note: A significant mountain on the border of North Korea and China, revered in Korean culture.).
Yet, the emotion that stirred within me upon witnessing such a colossal presence was singular.
“It looks delicious!!”
It was an overwhelming surge of anticipation.
****
Unified Era 3000.
The somber atmosphere, long stagnant due to the Unified Dragon Kingdom’s enduring low birth rate, finally ignited with fervor.
News of the Queen’s childbirth had just been proclaimed throughout the realm.
Subsequently, the Queen and King sought a month’s respite in the former territory of the Lake Dragons, renowned for its pristine air and pure waters.
Afterward, they were making their return journey to Dragon Hive, the dragons’ capital.
–Crash!!!!
A landslide, triggered by the previous day’s torrential rains, had occurred.
“Gah!”
Startled by the sudden tremor, the nervous wet nurse dropped the precious egg from the carriage.
–Roll, roll, roll.
The egg tumbled precariously.
“My child! My child!!!”
“Your Majesty! It’s too dangerous!”
The Queen shrieked, rushing toward the cliff edge, while the King desperately tried to restrain her.
“Immediately! Decapitate that woman!”
“Royal Guard! Find the egg at once!”
A dragon’s egg was as durable as steel.
It could not be cracked from the outside, only from within, thus there was no concern of physical damage.
However, a significant drop in temperature would undeniably pose a grave threat.
The ground was thoroughly soaked from the recent rain.
Furthermore, the nearby lake contributed to an even lower ambient temperature.
Consequently, by the King’s direct command, a search party of five, including myself, the Captain of the Royal Guard, descended the cliff.
“Captain! The egg is nowhere in sight!”
“Search! We absolutely cannot lose the egg here!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Find it before the Wraith emerges!”
The very lineage of the kingdom hung in the balance.
With recent technological advancements, humans had grown remarkably powerful, and we could sense their covetous gaze constantly fixed upon our territories.
While proud dragons would never truly be defeated by mere humans.
Still, vigilance was necessary, as even the Demon Kings lurking beyond our borders cast their greedy eyes upon our lands.
Should news of the King’s child’s disappearance spread under such circumstances, the repercussions would be catastrophic and unmanageable.
Knowing this truth better than anyone, the Royal Guard soldiers frantically scoured the forest, when suddenly.
The true cause of the landslide stirred to life.
–Groooooooar!!!!!!
“!!!”
“The Lake Forest Wraith!”
“Damn it!”
A colossal, dragon-like apparition, wreathed in a black aura, manifested its terrifying presence.
The Lake Forest Wraith.
Three thousand years prior.
This entity was a relic from before the dragons had unified into a single species.
It was a monster that manifested randomly after the Lake Dragons, defeated by the Glacia faction, were massacred in this very location.
It typically appeared with high probability following a landslide, as most landslides in the Lake Forest were, in fact, attributed to this very monster.
Its gargantuan size was legendary, rumored to be insufficient even if three mountains were combined, and only comparable to a hundred dragons standing shoulder to shoulder.
My eyes fell upon the soldiers, rigid with terror at its monstrous scale.
“All aerial soldiers, release your polymorph and revert to your battle-ready dragon forms!”
As it was my duty to command these soldiers, I swiftly issued my orders.
“Ascend immediately and prepare your Breath attacks!”
Fifteen aerial soldiers, who had been positioned at the rear, promptly soared skyward.
“The reconnaissance team will maintain polymorphed forms and retreat upward immediately!”
“Yes, sir!”
I hastily directed the reconnaissance team to safety above.
“Protect His Majesty!”
“Raise your spears!”
“Mages, cast your spells without delay!”
In response to my commands, the spearmen aimed their weapons at the Wraith.
The mages lifted their staffs and began their incantations.
Just as only the firing of magic remained.
A voice called out to me from behind.
“Captain of the Royal Guard! The child, have you found the whereabouts of our child!”
Albinius Lascaris, the sagacious monarch widely regarded as the wisest king and the sovereign to whom I pledged my loyalty, inquired about the egg’s fate.
“…Your Majesty, I apologize.”
“Haa…”
“My Queen!”
Struck by the shocking news that the egg had not been found, the Queen collapsed.
The King, swiftly catching her, looked at me and spoke.
“…Haig, I ask, merely as a precaution, can it not be found now?”
“…I am sorry.”
“Haaah… For now, let us deal with that monster, then resume the search for the egg.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Bowing my head to the King, I escorted both him and the Queen back to the carriage.
“I will handle this as swiftly as possible.”
“Indeed. If necessary, I too shall intervene.”
“I will ensure that will not be necessary.”
After exiting the carriage, a mage ran up to me, informing me that the spell was ready.
“Fire on the count of three.”
One.
Two.
Thre–
[The Child of the Emperor glares at those who disturb their meal!]
“Cough?!”
Words suddenly appeared before my eyes.
“M-My status window?!”
Simultaneously, all the soldiers began to collapse.
A sensation like a splitting headache crushed their minds.
–Ugh?!
–Gah!
–W-What?!
“C-Child of the Emperor?”
As the Royal Guard crumpled to the ground.
–Roooaarrrr!!!!!!!!
A golden, resplendent Breath attack erupted from the forest.
