Chapter 31: Dragon Craft

I came to the Hero Association to report yesterday's incident.

I beat the so-called ‘Angel Isaiah’ and his gang up and handed them over to the Association. They said he'd be rotting in prison for decades.

"He won't dare show his face in my area again."

But according to the Association, Isaiah wasn't the kingpin of the drug operation, just a small fish. Apparently, the real boss was hiding somewhere deeper in the shadows.

Unfortunately, we couldn't root out the entire criminal organization.

'Of course, the real boss wouldn't be someone I could just walk up to and arrest.'

Unlike common criminals, the awakened criminal "villains" must be at the top. The guys I encountered this time were just the tip of the iceberg.

"It didn't make sense that he only had those two weaklings as his subordinates."

Looks like those two managed to escape since they weren't on the arrest list. Well, they'll survive on their own somehow. With these thoughts, I left the Hero Association. On my way home, I checked my reward money on my smartphone.

[Hero Association Deposit: 150,000 won]

"Sigh. if I'd caught the real boss, I could've made thousands."

Even with Isaiah in prison, someone else will just take his place. District 09 was full of criminals ready to fill his shoes. That's why the reward was so low.

"At least I got some spoils."

For a criminal, he had some nice stuff. Actually, the loot is worth more than the reward, which was Isaiah's gold ring. Before heading home, I stopped by a jewelry store to sell this little beauty.

"I'd like to sell this. How much is it worth?"

"Hmm, let me take a look."

The stern-looking old man examined the ring carefully, and I desperately hoped it would be worth something good. While I was silently praying, the old man carefully spoke.

"18K gold. With this thickness... I can give you 200,000 won."

Nice. I guess this is why it pays to be good. I sold the ring and promptly left the jewelry store.

"Is this why people become heroes? Am I making too much money?"

Maybe I'll be rich soon? Though to be honest, I still have debt piled up. I suddenly felt gloomy.

"...When will I ever pay off all this debt?"

Sigh.

Just thinking about debt ruins my mood. I should hurry home and try to relax. I quickened my pace, eager to enjoy some healing time at home.

"Oh?"

While walking to the subway, I spotted a toy displayed in a department store window. I wanted to walk past it, but something about it caught my eye. So, I went inside and looked over the box.

"I used to play with these a lot when I was young. It brings back memories."

Since I made good money today, it should be fine. If I keep working like this, I'll have enough to pay my debts this month and then some.

'They might need toys like this too.'

It would be nice for them to play with while I'm gone. With that thought, I decided to buy the toy.

"How much is this?"

"150,000 won."

"..."

How ridiculously expensive. These things were always unnecessarily pricey.

***

I returned home carrying the toy box in one hand.

"Dad's home. Kids, I hope you haven't caused any trou-"

"We didn't cause any trouble and behaved well!"

"Ah, yes, good job, Hwaryeon."

She already knows what I'm going to say, as expected of a dragon with quick learning abilities. Hwaryeon greeted me cheerfully and eyed the toy box in my hand. She seemed interested.

"Dad, what's that! Is it food?"

"No, it's a toy."

"A toy? What kind of toy! I want to see!"

Hwaryeon reached out to check what the toy was, but I quickly pulled it back.

"Why?!"

"Dinner first, toys later."

"Then make dinner quickly!"

Hwaryeon must have been really curious about the toy. Even though dinner wasn't ready yet, she was already sitting at the table, banging on it.

Bang-! Bang-!

"Food! Food!"

"Oh, you precious thing. I'll make it soon, so just wait."

I quickly changed my clothes and came out. Suryeon and Choryeon also seemed interested in the toy box I brought. Choryeon put her hand on the box and asked me.

"Can I open this, Dad?"

"After dinner."

"What's it for?"

"It's something you build and put together?"

"What's that?"

Suryeon tilted her head, not understanding. I guess it would be better to show them directly. So, I quickly prepared dinner and filled their stomachs.

'They're eating faster than usual today.'

They must be excited about the toy. After we finished eating, we finally opened the long-awaited toy box.

"Ta-da!"

"What's this? There are so many square pieces!"

"...I don't know. I’ve never seen this before."

"I don't know either, Dad!"

As expected, they don't know what it is. I confidently spoke while turning the box over.

"Ah, this is called LEGO."

All the LEGO blocks from the box spilled out.

Clatter-

I showed them the completed model pictured in the instruction manual.

"We need to put these blocks together to make a castle like this picture."

Simple LEGO building was good for brain development. Suryeon nodded, seeming to understand perfectly.

"So we just put these blocks together to make it look like the picture. Seems easy."

"Well, it might be easy, or it might be hard."

"Dragons don't find things difficult, Dad."

Suryeon started assembling the blocks one by one. Usually, following the instructions is the proper way. But she assembled it just by looking at the picture, without reading the manual.

"She's doing well without even looking at the instructions?"

Clever kid. I'm glad I'm still smarter than them, though. I stepped back and quietly watched them work. They were busy moving their hands, earnestly assembling the LEGO.

"If we put this block here, one wall is complete!"

"Hwaryeon, not there. It goes on the left."

"Hmph, I knew that!"

Click-

They slowly built up the blocks, piece by piece.

The sisters were working well together, cooperating.

"Choryeon, move your hands faster."

"This is as fast as I can go, Suryeon unnie!"

"..."

As expected, Suryeon is the best at this. She easily assembled the LEGO just by looking at the picture on the instructions.

"Hwaryeon. You made another mistake. That's not where it goes."

"I know that!"

"And Choryeon, if you're not using that, give it to me."

"Okay, unnie!"

You could say she was assembling the LEGO with machine-like precision.

Suryeon maximized efficiency as she put the pieces together.

She seemed to find enjoyment in the process.

Anyone could see she had a scientific mind.

'She's having the most fun.'

Even with her cold expression, she couldn't hide her excitement. Gradually, they built up the blocks and almost completed the castle's outer walls.

"...This is fun."

Grin-

Suryeon showed a slight smile as it neared completion.

Seeing this, Choryeon said with a bright smile:

"Oh, Suryeon unnie just smiled!"

"...No, I didn't."

"I definitely saw you smile! Really, Dad!"

"..."

Choryeon insisted strongly. Hearing her words, I asked Suryeon:

"How is it, Suryeon? Is LEGO fun?"

"..."

Suryeon maintained silence for a moment. Then, slowly opened her mouth to speak:

"...This is fun. I'll admit it clearly."

"I'm glad you're enjoying it."

"I enjoy assembling it according to my calculations."

It was worth the expensive price after all. I was worried they might not like it, but they were all fortunately enjoying the LEGO.

"When we finish this, we can destroy it, right?!"

"...Why would we complete it just to destroy it? No."

"Let's destroy it! That would be more fun!"

It seemed destruction was all that was on dopamine-addicted Hwaryeon's mind. Anyway, working together slowly, they built the castle's outer walls firmly, neatly stacked the inner parts, and placed the square people figures in appropriate positions.

And thus, a block castle was born by dragon hands.

"Wow, we finished it! Now let's destroy it!"

"...I said we're not destroying it."

"Dad, we did it! This is amazing!"

Woohoo-!

They cheered with joy at completing it.

The joy seemed doubled because they worked together to create something.

"How cute."

I couldn't miss this scene, so I took out my smartphone and captured their joyful moment.

Click-!

The photo captured them surrounding the completed castle, cheering. It came out cute enough to keep in my gallery forever.

"It came out well."

"...Dad, what are you doing?"

"Taking pictures because you all look cute."

"...Don't take pictures of me."

Is she embarrassed? Suryeon covered her face with a blanket, not wanting to be photographed. Unlike her, Hwaryeon and Choryeon were more welcoming:

"Dad, take my picture in the center! I'm the main character!"

"I don't mind how you take mine, Dad!"

"Then how about everyone makes a V-sign?"

Like this. I showed them first as an example, and Hwaryeon and Choryeon made V-signs with their fingers.

Click-!

The photo came out quite cute, and our first LEGO castle was completed together. I pressed save with a satisfied smile.

"What's this, Lee Suryeon?"

"..."

Looking at the photo carefully, Suryeon was secretly making a V-sign in the back. She's so shy.

And so, we displayed the LEGO castle against the wall.

Although new furniture appeared in our cramped studio apartment, it didn't feel particularly crowded. Maybe it was  because we made it ourselves.

Rather, looking at that completed castle, the room somehow felt more spacious.