Chapter 9: Polymorph (2)

A dragon's true form isn't efficient in the human world.

Everything is made to human standards.

-This is so annoying!! Why is the doorknob so high up?! These stupid humans!!

Hop- Hop-

Hwaryeon jumped repeatedly, trying to reach the doorknob to open the closed bathroom door.

-Lee Ha-jun! Why did that idiot close the door before leaving!?!

She cursed Lee Ha-jun, who had forgotten and closed the bathroom door before leaving.

In the end, she managed to open the bathroom door and take care of her natural needs.

But Hwaryeon's frustration was building up, and that frustration was about to explode.

-I can't live like this!! It's inconvenient! I'm going to live in human form!!

I'm going to polymorph.

Hwaryeon started racking her brain, struggling to transform into human form.

Polymorph was a difficult magic even for dragons.

Even with knowledge inherited from parents, changing form required some kind of trigger.

-What form would be good? Like Suryeon said, as a hatchling, I should choose either male or female to avoid identity confusion.

What do I want to look like?

When do I look most like myself?

What exactly is my truest form?

-Argh!! This is hard!! It's so complicated!! I hate complicated things!!

Dragons are a stubborn species.

They're headstrong and have strong personal opinions, so they don't listen to others.

Despite this, Hwaryeon hated being trapped in such complex thoughts the most.

-I need to ask another idiot. Choryeon is dumber than me. I'll ask Suryeon.

Toddle toddle-

Hwaryeon approached Suryeon and confidently asked:

-Hey, Suryeon.

Suryeon, annoyed at having her personal time interrupted, frowned and replied:

-What.

-What do you think of me?

-We haven't even known each other for a week. How would I know?

-Shut up and just answer the question!!

Bothered, Suryeon answered without much thought:

-A simple-minded fool who hates difficult things. An idiot befitting the Red Dragon species.

-W-What?! Why am I an idiot!

-Red Dragon trait: Denying the fact that they're idiots. Looks like the knowledge passed down from mother is true.

-Ha, you're talking nonsense!

Hwaryeon denied reality and swung her tail at Suryeon.

Slap-!

Suryeon was hit by the tail and rolled once.

Then, holding her face as she got up, she muttered:

-...Red Dragon trait: Violent. This seems to be true too.

-Hmph. How dare you try to define me, the eldest. I'm not violent, you're the one who's wrong!

-...I guess it is my fault for answering truthfully to an idiot.

-Why you!

Hwaryeon swung her tail at Suryeon again.

This time, Suryeon wasn't going to take it lying down.

-I won't fall for it twice.

Suryeon quickly moved her body backward.

Perhaps because of this,

The nearby plate of dry ramen was hit by Hwaryeon's tail.

Crash-!!

-Oh.

-...

The glass plate that flew far and shattered against the wall.

Hwaryeon and Suryeon stared at it blankly, but only for a moment.

They turned their heads away, ignoring the broken plate pieces.

-It's not my fault! You started it!

-It's not my fault. You're the one who broke that plate.

Choryeon, who had been quietly watching this,

Firmly shouted at them as they bickered:

-Don't fight! Fighting is not good! We should all get along!

The Green Dragon's trait was being a pacifist.

***

Another day of work as usual.

The sky darkens as I diligently move heavy monster byproducts.

By then, I quietly watch the heroes coming out after their activities in the dimensional gate.

As I stare, looking dazed, the labor office manager shouts loudly:

"That's it for today! Good work everyone!"

"Thank you for your hard work!!"

The day ends with saying and hearing those words.

After that, I proceed with the now routine embezzlement of daily necessities.

"I'll just take one roll of toilet paper and three coffee mix packets."

Today, I was being somewhat conscientious.

After quickly pocketing the items, I changed out of my work clothes and came out.

At the entrance, I made eye contact with Jo Hyun-gyu, the labor office manager, who was smoking.

'The manager talks too much, it's annoying.'

But I should still greet him.

I raised my hand briefly, along with the black bag containing the daily necessities.

"Manager. Good work today too. I'm off. See you tomorrow."

"Kid. Your words are getting shorter? Come here. I'll give you one."

The manager handed me a cigarette.

I took the cigarette and lighter, put the cigarette in my mouth, and lit it.

"Phew."

"How is it working again after a while? Isn't it tough?"

"Well, just. Same as before."

Even though it's been a while since I worked,

The work and everything else hasn't really changed.

But it seems to look different to others.

"Is that so? You looked tougher before. What did you do for 6 months? Did you get a girlfriend?"

"You know my situation. That's not possible."

Jo Hyun-gyu, the labor office manager.

Despite being close to 60, his body is covered in solid muscle.

He rehired me even after I disappeared for 6 months.

He knows my situation well, and we've known each other for quite a long time.

He even told me to embezzle daily necessities without getting caught by others.

'He's a good person.'

I looked up at the dark sky where the moon was hidden by smog and spoke:

"What happened with that person who came for the first time yesterday?"

"What do you mean what happened? Just did what we always do."

"Did you give them money?"

"Well, they seemed to need it. Had to give it. They said their parents were sick. Gotta have surgery, right?"

He's too kind for his own good.

I exhaled cigarette smoke, almost like a sigh.

"That person didn't come today, right? No contact either?"

"Yeah, seems they're busy with the surgery?"

"Oh, come on. I told you not to lend money to others. If you're going to do that, why not give that money to me?"

The office manager chuckled and replied:

"Why would I lend to you when you haven't paid back for 10 years?"

"It's not that I'm not paying back, I can't- never mind. But you give it to someone you just met?"

"It's lending. At least that person has a chance of paying back. You don't. Work while you're young, kid. Pay back quickly."

"This is so unfair. Sigh, I've finished smoking, so I'm off."

Even though we've known each other for a long time, apparently I'm less trustworthy than someone he just met.

'...I wouldn't lend to myself either, I guess.'

I put out the cigarette with my foot and walked forward.

Then, I heard the office manager's voice from behind:

"Hey, have some meat and soju before going home! My treat!"

"I can't today. Won't be able to from now on either."

"Where are you going!"

I smiled without realizing and answered briefly:

"Home."

***

Recently, I look forward to going home because I think of my daughters waiting quietly for me.

Watching their behavior feels like it automatically recharges my energy.

'I never dreamed I'd look forward to going home. I can't believe this day has come for me.'

It's nice.

I'm not a pervert, but I can't help smiling.

'I should hurry home.'

I quickly passed through the area near my house, classified as a high-crime zone.

Then, with anticipation, I forcefully opened the iron door.

Clang-!

"Kids, Dad's ho-"

At that moment,

My expectations were shattered.

Like that broken glass plate on the floor.

Unaware of my crushed feelings, Choryeon came to greet me with a smile.

"Hisss-!!"

"...Choryeon."

"Hisss-?"

"...That broken plate. Did you do it?"

"Hisss-"

Shake shake-

Choryeon shook her head, saying it wasn't her.

Then the suspects are narrowed down to two.

"Hwaryeon. Suryeon. Gather in front of me."

"...Hiss-"

Suryeon, who was hiding in the corner, slowly approached me.

On the other hand, Hwaryeon wasn't listening to me at all.

She was standing boldly in the middle of the living room, roaring at me.

"Hisss-!! Hisss-!!"

So that's how it's going to be.

Seems like it's time to use dad's authority.

I approached Hwaryeon, the most likely suspect.

"That broken plate. Did you break it?"

"Hisss-! Hisss-!"

"Don't just yell, either nod or shake your head. Did you do it?"

"Hisss-!! Hisss-!!"

Hwaryeon didn't answer.

She just kept shouting loudly at me.

It looks like a child's tantrum, not wanting to admit anything.

I stood in front of Hwaryeon and spoke again.

"That plate. Did you do it, Lee Hwaryeon?"

"Hisss-! Hisss-!"

Hwaryeon's fire didn't seem like it would ever die down.

Instead of trying to douse that fire, I decided to try a different approach.

Namely, to fight fire with fire.

"I'm asking if you broke that plate, Lee Hwaryeon!! Come here, you brat!!"

"Hisss-!!"

I reached out to grab Hwaryeon.

As if she had anticipated my action, she moved her body backward.

"Why you! How dare you ignore me!"

"Hisss-! Hisss-!"

"What are you crying about? What's so unfair!"

As expected of a dragon, I guess.

She moves quickly with that short body.

'Let's see who wins, shall we?'

If I lose here, dad's authority will hit rock bottom.

I absolutely can't lose in this situation.

I lunged at Hwaryeon again.

"Come here!!"

"Hisss-!!"

Crash bang-!!

Pitter patter-!!

Hwaryeon and I began an intense chase in the cramped studio.

For a reptile, she's incredibly quick, darting away just as my hand is about to reach her.

I feel like a cat trying to catch a tiny mouse.

Realizing I might tire out first at this rate, I decided to use one human ability.

I picked up the blanket strewn on the floor and approached her with it held high.

Seeming to realize this wouldn't be easy, she slowly backed into a corner.

"It won't be easy now. Why don't you just give up quietly?"

"Hissss-! Hissss-!!"

"You broke that plate, didn't you?! What's so unfair about it?!"

"Hi, Hisss-!!"

The fire in the cornered creature dimmed a little.

Seizing the opportunity, I threw the blanket over her.

"Got you! You brat!!"

"Hisss-!! Hissss-!!"

She struggled to escape from the blanket attack.

However, her flame of rebellion gradually died down as time passed.

"Phew, finally calmed down."

"..."

"If you did something wrong, you should reflect on it. Ignoring me and running away."

"..."

"Make sure this doesn't happen again. Understand?!"

"..."

There was no answer.

This was the first time Hwaryeon had been so quiet.

I thought this was enough time for reflection.

So, I decided to remove the tightly wrapped blanket and give her freedom.

'...Wait, has Hwaryeon grown this big?'

I had a slight doubt, but I removed the blanket to give her freedom.

At that moment…

"I'm not the only one who did wrong!! Why are you only blaming me?!"

Instead of a "Hisss-" sound,

Along with a voice I'd never heard before,

A heavy kick flew towards my chin.

Thwack-!

That kick sent me falling backward.

"W-What was that?! Suddenly a foot-"

And then.

"What do you mean what?!"

What I saw was wrapped in the blanket,

A girl with red hair and red eyes with sharp features.

"It's Hwaryeon!! You stupid human!!"

Hwaryeon, wrapped in the blanket, was standing there in human form.

"I'm not the only one who did wrong!! She started it with me first!! Why are you only blaming me!! Sniff..."

She must have really felt wronged,

As small, clear tears were trickling down.

'...Maybe I judged too hastily.'

It seemed I needed to hear the story properly, including how she became human.