Chapter 12
For quite some time, Suryeon sat on the container roof, observing the humans' actions.
‘They just keep working.’
Lee Ha-jun was working tirelessly without a moment's rest. While others were also working hard, Ha-jun stood out as the most exceptional.
"Put that over there. And why are you slowing down? Do you want to get fired? Move faster!"
He multitasked effortlessly, moving objects while assessing the surroundings and punishing slackers without mercy. Despite being physically weaker, he commanded others. Suryeon found this fascinating.
‘Compared to other humans, he's the weakest physically, yet he performs the best.’
His eyes were different from the others - determined and unyielding. Suryeon couldn't find the right words to describe that look, but she recognized that Ha-jun was distinctly different from the rest.
‘I can see why he's special among humans. This must be why mother chose him. Not that I approve, though.’
Suryeon snorted in dissatisfaction and turned away. Ha-jun's work was just repetitive, after all.
‘I need to find new information.’
With soft footsteps, Suryeon slowly descended from the container roof.
‘If only I had wings, this would be easier. When will I outgrow this hatchling stage? Being young is inconvenient. My rational and logical mind is superior to any dragon's, yet I have to deal with these limitations due to my age. I'll master polymorphing and become an adult soon.’
Suryeon cooled her head and explored the work site in search of information about polymorphs. She remembered a good spot - the D-4 warehouse where monster carcasses were stored.
As she entered the wide-open warehouse, Suryeon was shocked.
‘I've seen this on TV... when people feel extremely good, they say it's like being in heaven. In that sense, right now... I feel like I'm in heaven!’
The freezer warehouse, D-4, maintained sub-zero temperatures to preserve monster corpses. For a blue dragon who loved cold and humidity, it was paradise - even if dragons were generally weak to cold.
‘From attempting polymorphs with metal to temperature control, humans might be smarter than I thought. I'll give credit where it's due.’
She observed that humans' desire to change their appearance - from applying strange things to their faces on the subway to replacing body parts with metal to surpass human limitations - was essentially no different from a dragon's ability to shapeshift.
‘Still, they can't escape being human. I don't understand why they bother with such pointless efforts.’
Suryeon approached the monster corpses, which varied in size from small to large. Although their appearances differed, their internal structures shared many similarities. She analyzed their types and anatomy.
‘Judging by their appearance, they don't seem very intelligent. They probably act on survival instincts alone, which is why they hunt humans as seen on the news.’
As Suryeon examined the corpses, she sensed humans approaching the warehouse. She quickly hid, pressing herself against a wall out of sight.
Two workers entered, carrying a monster carcass and complaining about Ha-jun. Suryeon listened to their conversation, feeling uncomfortable with their gossip.
Annoyed by their behavior, Suryeon decided to teach them a lesson. She opened her mouth wide and shouted, "Hiss!!"
To human ears, it was just a roar, but it contained dragon language. The two men felt as if they'd been struck hard on the back of their heads and fell forward.
Confused and angry, they began to suspect and argue with each other. Suryeon felt a strange satisfaction watching them fight.
However, her satisfaction was short-lived as the warehouse door slammed shut, trapping her inside.
‘Oh no, I need to get out. I like the cold, but I can't stay long. Dragons are weak to extreme cold.’
She realized, regretting her impulsive action.
Suryeon desperately pounded on the door with her tail, calling for help. But as time passed, only her faint cries echoed in the warehouse, unheard by anyone outside.
"Hiss... Hiss…!"
***
"Good work today."
After hearing the end-of-day announcement, I quickly moved.
"What's the rush, Ha-jun?"
The manager called out.
"I have something urgent!"
I checked the bag where I had brought Suryeon, but she wasn't there.
"She's gone! I told her to check in every hour. Where could she be?"
I cursed myself for trusting a dragon. She's still a child, after all. Turn your back for a moment, and they cause trouble.
Gritting my teeth, I searched for places Suryeon might be.
‘I last saw her on top of the container.’
I climbed up, ignoring the manager's protests below.
"Ha-jun! What the hell are you doing?"
"Just a minute, I'm busy!"
"Has all that work driven you crazy? Get down from there!"
I checked various spots - the trash cans, under containers, trucks - but Suryeon was nowhere to be found.
‘The warehouse area is the only place left.’
I sprinted towards the warehouses with all my might, hoping they hadn't closed yet.
Panting, I asked the warehouse manager.
"Can I go inside for a moment?"
"We're done for the day, but... did you just run here? That speed-"
"Never mind that. Can I go in?"
"Still as rude as ever. Make it quick. I'm closing up soon."
I entered the warehouse area. The regular storage units were already closing, so Suryeon couldn't be there. That left the freezer warehouse.
"Suryeon, are you in there?"
I called out at the freezer door.
A faint voice replied from inside.
"Open... the door..."
It wasn't a dragon's cry, but a young girl's voice.
Puzzled, I pressed the button to open the door. Cold mist seeped out, and a small figure emerged - a blue-horned, blue-tailed girl with a cold expression.
"You're late... If you were going to rescue me... you should have come sooner... I like the cold, but... a dragon's body can't withstand it for long..."
"Is that really you, Suryeon?"
I asked, shocked.
She nodded, shivering.
"Can't you tell... just by looking? Humans are stupid after all... I take back what I said about you being smart..."
"Why were you in there- Never mind, let's get you dressed first."
I took off my training jacket and put it on her. Suryeon, exhausted, stretched out her arms, now covered by the oversized sleeves.
"Let's go home quickly... I'm tired..."
"I was going to scold you, but you're being cute now."
"You can scold me later... Let's just go..."
I sighed and lifted her onto my back. She fell asleep almost instantly.
"She's quick to sleep. But more importantly, she's a dragon that can transform into a human... but she's just a child."
I hid her tail under the clothes and covered her horns with the jacket's hood.
"Alright, let's go home. I'm glad you're safe."
***
As I was carrying Suryeon home, we unexpectedly ran into the manager.
"What's this, Ha-jun? You have a child? You brought her here? Why didn't you tell us you had a kid?!"
"No, it's not like that..."
"Then what? Is she your niece?"
"Well, I am her guardian, but..."
"So she is your child! You rascal!"
"How do I explain this...?"
A misunderstanding had suddenly arisen. Oblivious to my predicament, Suryeon slept peacefully on my back, gently snoring.
"Mmm... hmm..."