Became a Dragon kidnapped by Humans

[Object Number] IF-684

[Object Name] Dragon

[Object Class] Top-Level

[Hazard Level] Extremely Hostile

[Imagination] The Dragon is a massive monster from Western mythology and legends, described as having a reptilian body covered in scales, wings, and a pair of horns. Known for breathing poison and fire while flying, dragons were long considered legendary adversaries to knights in myths but became regarded as mythical creatures due to modern biological concepts because of their six-limbed anatomy.

[Reality] IF-684 is an unknown colossal beast resembling a monitor lizard or crocodile with approximately a pair of long horns and wings. In its complete form, the creature’s length is about 300m, and it weighs roughly 100,000 tons.

IF-684 is an intelligent entity with remarkable intellect. Its disposition is highly aggressive. It attempts to either possess or destroy everything in existence, without discrimination.

Observations have shown that even with 88% of its mass lost, leaving only ‘bones and heart,’ IF-684 does not die. By consuming precious metals and living organisms, it can rapidly recover more mass than what was consumed, granting it near-immortality.

IF-684 breathes fire. A superheated organ named ‘Dragon Heart’ rotates around its core, supplying exawatt-level energy to its entire body within short periods. This allows IF-684 to incinerate entire national territories in a short time through primitive aerial bombardment via its mouth alone.

There are very limited ways to harm IF-684. Purely immense, fast, and powerful, the entity exhibits immunity close to resistance against almost all non-anomalous and anomalous attacks. The only way to temporarily neutralize it is through overwhelming physical force surpassing its own.

[Containment Procedures] There is currently no stable method to contain IF-684. All current containment measures are temporary, and more effective isolation methods must be developed.

IF-684 must be contained in a specially designated isolation chamber located 500 meters underground. The entity should consistently maintain a state where more than 50% of its mass is lost. To ensure continuous mass loss, the isolation chamber must remain at least 80% submerged in molten metal heated above 1200 degrees Celsius.

(Excerpt omitted)

IF-684 becomes enraged upon hearing keywords such as ‘ritual,’ ‘lake,’ ‘dragon,’ or ‘pearl.’ Therefore, using these words inside the containment chamber is strictly prohibited.

The potential value derived from studying IF-684 is considerable.

However, regardless of the significant value that could be created from IF-684, if containment fails, the entity could potentially cause even greater damage.

Thus, if recontainment is deemed impossible even by Level 3 ‘Gram,’ FPL must cease all direct intervention with the entity and delegate recontainment operations to the Overseer Foundation.

The Overseer Foundation cannot tolerate IF-684 being left uncontained after a containment breach and will inevitably attempt recontainment, even if FPL withdraws involvement.

We do not act for the sake of the world; therefore, we need no grand justification.

---

The control room was bustling with noise.

Elena Miller of the Marizan Ballerina tactical strike team slammed her hand on the console, urgently pressing the pilot.

“We need to take off immediately. Code Dark, IF-684.”

Elena had no idea what was happening. What started as a routine mission to eliminate one IF-769-1 turned into dealing with an unidentified ultra-dangerous entity, pitiful survivors, and now IF-684—all in just one day.

Despite Elena’s insistence, the pilot’s hands didn’t move.

A spectral captain, IF-401-1, who appeared behind them shook his head.

“I can’t authorize it. And please, keep it down.”

In the midst of IF-684 wreaking havoc below, the ghost asked for silence.

Elena was exasperated.

But knowing the significance of IF-401-1 giving orders, she reluctantly lowered her voice despite not understanding why loud noises would destroy the plane.

“…Why?”

“Imagine your hearing becoming 100 times sharper. How would you feel if someone shouted next to you? Let alone the engine noise.”

Elena gritted her teeth at the cryptic nonsense.

Had IF-401-1 not been an intelligent entity, she would have undoubtedly cursed aloud.

Then, the spectral captain closed his eyes as if observing something before speaking.

“…Open Gate 2 for 15 seconds, and I’ll authorize takeoff.”

A statement incomprehensible in meaning.

But following his words seemed like the only way to escape their doomed fate.

“Gate 2… Understood.”

The pilot hesitantly manipulated the console.

The sound of some wall opening briefly and closing echoed.

Finally, the spectral captain opened his eyes and applauded silently.

“Takeoff authorized.”

“Control Room. Takeoff authorized by IF-401-1. Preparing for takeoff.”

Watching this, Elena absentmindedly stroked her chin, feeling something was amiss.

She felt like she’d forgotten something. Not a repair issue—just opening and closing some part of the plane’s wall shouldn’t grant takeoff authorization.

Through the cockpit window, the vast sky stretched endlessly.

“…We’ve taken off.”

Though they’d narrowly escaped a life-threatening situation, a lingering discomfort remained.

Elena asked the pilot about the location of Gate 2.

Curious about why this particular gate mattered so much, she listened.

“Ah, if you look here…”

Elena froze at the pilot’s response.

Unbelievable, she thought, then checked the CCTV feed.

Where Gate 2 had been…

… moments ago, Luge had lain there.

When the gate opened briefly and closed…

Luge was gone.

Had he walked away on his own? Why?

Her glare questioning the spectral captain yielded only his unwavering stance.

The anomalous nature of IF-401 was undeniable.

‘If taking Luge onboard causes a crash, but leaving him behind prevents it…?’

Research Facility 4, always shady, came under suspicion.

The mysterious ultra-dangerous entity roaming freely throughout Research Facility 4.

The powerless girl, Luge, found there.

And IF-684 escaping at a perfect timing.

Could all this be coincidence?

A hypothesis crossed Elena’s mind.

‘Surely, those crazy bastards at Research Facility 4… whatever they did inside, weren’t planning to crash us to cover it up?’

Elena’s distrust of Research Facility 4 deepened to its core.

---

I had long discarded my pajamas.

I observed the architecture of this presumed temple.

I heard the humans, assumed to be priests.

I felt…

The mountainous presence of that carefree face.

Indeed, quite strong.

Clearly, only a high-ranking priest could confront such a creature.

Yet, provoking me to this extent seems unlikely, doesn’t it?

Back in the day, any fool who dared speak out would’ve been dragged to me by Muna after receiving a thorough scolding.

I’ve always been ready to discipline anyone I meet, and soon that moment will come.

Just that much.

That insignificant creature…

I focused on the emanating thoughts.

All I hear are urgent shouts, screams, footsteps, heartbeats.

And explosions accompanied by laughter filled with satisfaction.

Hmm.

Truly strange.

It’s been ages since the number of humans turning into stars in the lake surpassed four digits, yet no one prays.

Even with dwindling faith, one would expect prayers before death…

Originally, I used to receive so many prayers during such events that selecting which wishes to grant was itself a task.

Now, no one offers sincere prayers.

What shall I do?

To lose my dignity and rush to punish that person, someone needs to pray earnestly—but alas.

During my last visit, I went merely out of amusement and got scolded by Muna.

“Great Ancient Being. Why did you save those who wished to die for you?”

“Gyaah…”

“That isn’t a deity. That isn’t a god. It’s merely…”

Really.

If only they hadn’t cried while begging me not to ignore them, I wouldn’t have done so.

Ugh.

What should I do if no one seeks my help?

This is unprecedented.

I’m a dragon.

You humans once adored the Dragon God so much…

Though I found your prayers annoying, now that they’ve abruptly ceased, I feel somewhat useless.

Sniffle sniffle.

As this melancholy washed over me…

A stirring sensation arose from within my embrace.

Tonton-i the snake.

Frightened, I transformed into Divine Mode to comfort it, but even in my arms, it was utterly restless.

“Ancestor! Escape! Wings, failure. Angry! Escape!”

What is he saying?

Reading his intent revealed nothing comprehensible.

Nevertheless…

Calm down. You’re safe with me.

I sent this notion.

“Lies?”

Not again with this skeptical tone.

No, it’s true.

This is blatant truth.

Could Tonton-i possibly see me as weaker than him?

How mistaken his vision must be.

That distance is easily within one punch, truly frustrating.

After maintaining eye contact for a while, Tonton-i calmed down.

Apparently, the sincerity was conveyed.

Yet…

A confident “Pii!” sounded…

… apparently, too well-conveyed.

“Ancestor! Please! Attack! Please!”

Tonton-i, waddling his stout body, pleaded for me to punish that person.

Hmm…

A plea, not a prayer?

Hmm. Does this count as a quasi-prayer?

At least until a more earnest prayer comes along…

Alright.

O magnificent Dragon Lord shall honor thy ‘plea’!

Conveniently, the wall before me opened in a peculiar manner.

An invitation to pass, surely.

I carefully carried Tonton-i and briskly walked forward.

I glanced back once.

The wall closed as soon as I exited, and shortly thereafter, the entire structure I had been in ascended into the sky with a loud noise.

Wow, fascinating.

Modern human buildings can fly?

Still, I absolutely refuse to use such a thing. It looks far too noisy.

Since I can fly perfectly fine on my own, I have no reason to use such contraptions.

Nevertheless, the sight of a flying human building intrigued me momentarily.

Then…

A squirming sensation arose from my embrace.

“Ancestor! Move!”

He urged me to hurry.

What’s wrong? I was stationary for barely the blink of an eye.

Humans are turning into stars in the lake, so it’s understandable to be urgent—but why does Tonton-i seem even more anxious?

Curious, I inquired of Tonton-i.

Surprisingly, he responded thoughtfully.

“Unknown. Mother said. Fire Snake. Revenge. Thus, revenge.”

What is this?

Revenge?

Such an uncharacteristic word for Tonton-i. It doesn’t suit him.

Why does he send such sentimental notions pretending to have a backstory?

Suddenly, this feels less like my familiar Tonton-i.

I awkwardly covered his eyes with my tail.

“What? What?”

Then a “Pii?” sound emerged.

Phew.

Now, that’s more appropriate.

After dissecting the notion, it seems Tonton-i himself doesn’t know much but heard this from his mother.

No further questions needed.

So, checking for any stragglers…

I briskly moved forward.

Meanwhile, that carefree-faced individual, having devoured countless humans, now sported a plump figure contrasting with his previously gaunt appearance.

Then…

Plop.

The floor—or rather, the ceiling—collapsed.

I spread my wings, tightly hugging Tonton-i, and plummeted downward.

Given the temple’s size, falling through the newly-made hole took longer than expected, but…

No worries.

That carefree-faced individual was ascending toward me.

Most importantly…

“Falling! Falling! Falling star! Help!”

Gwaaaang—

Tonton-i’s diverse cries were endlessly entertaining.

Hehe.

Soon enough!

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