Became a Dragon kidnapped by Humans

“Progenitor… uh, did I do well…?”

While sensing Gwangcheol-i’s thoughts, I nodded in response.

Though I wasn’t sure if I managed to look directly at everyone, these black-jacketed individuals were indeed behaving admirably. Was it because they were in black jackets that they maintained such composure?

But did these black-jacketed individuals even understand Gwangcheol-i’s thoughts?

This was suddenly strange.

As a test, I sent a thought to the black-jacketed individual in front of me, asking for a glass of water.

“Gyaoo.”

“…?”

Nothing happened.

At first glance, it wasn’t that they heard and ignored it—they simply hadn’t heard it at all.

Then how had the ones below known to look up?

I didn’t understand.

Well, whatever method they used, it didn’t matter. Compared to the others who couldn’t understand at all, the fact that they somehow understood and looked up was the important part.

So, I’ll give them praise.

Hmm.

I had thought it might take quite a while, but thanks to everyone looking up at once, it was over quicker than expected.

In the end, you lost, my so-called descendants.

I glanced at the swirling circle beside me.

“Kgeum! Help! Help!”

“Not slipping, not retreating…! What should I do?! Waaaahh…!!”

It was utter chaos.

Here we were, just the two of us in such a narrow space, and yet we were having such a great time. Remarkable.

To help the foolish descendants, I disentangled myself from the foolish Kan Hana’s embrace.

As soon as I stood up, I wanted to lie back down, but it was tolerable, so I stretched out.

Kan Hana, upon noticing my movement, looked like a child who had had their comfort blanket stolen, pouting sadly. But what can she do?

She was asleep, after all.

What else could Kan Hana do besides flailing in the emptiness or having nightmares?

Once I rearranged her hands to hold herself, I approached the circle.

What’s inside?

I stuck my head in and peered inside.

A chaotic scene unfolded, like blueprints of various parts of the building tangled and refracted together.

It could have easily been as beautiful as a glass ornament, but somehow…

Because the building itself was so complex, perhaps?

Rather than being pretty, it was more maddening.

If my lake had been reflected in such a structure, it would have been fantastical.

My lake…

For some reason, my mood suddenly darkened. I grabbed the edge of the circle and tore it apart.

“What? What? Progenitor??”

“Eeeeeng?? Ah, it’s collapsing! The passage is collapsing!”

The insides of the circle rapidly destabilized and began to break apart.

Unlike the snake Tonton-i, who calmed down in my presence and showed delight, Descendant 3, hidden behind, was frantically swimming about without realizing my presence.

Well. Given how wild the interior became, it must be hard to stay still.

Indeed, it was hard for me too.

So, I tapped my foot.

———!!!

The space, which had been constantly shifting erratically after I had torn the edge, immediately stabilized.

Then, from mid-air:

“Progenitor!”

“Waaaah!”

Small things…

No, small “beings” appeared.

Not that it’s been long, but every time I see this ugly yet oddly charming Tonton-i snake, it triggers a protective instinct.

I lifted it into my arms and stroked it with affection.

“Progenitor. Good.”

Yes, yes. The smooth texture feels great to me too.

While caressing Tonton-i, who was chirping happily with half-closed eyes—

“Emergency! Emergency! High alert!!”

“Where did it come from…?!”

“It’s IF-108. They said Division B-10 was still unrecovered, and now it seems there’s been a containment breach.”

The black-jacketed individuals quickly formed a perfect circle and surrounded us.

Hmm.

—Click, clack.

Ugh, well.

I understand.

If they had pointed weapons at me, it would have been reasonable suspicion, but their caution was entirely aimed at Descendant 3.

It is natural to be alarmed when someone suddenly appears after all.

Still, since they’re my descendants… there’s really no need to be this frightened.

Ah, whatever.

Humans are so fragile, so it’s no surprise they overreact to something as harmless as this self-claimed descendant.

But even so, their reactions were puzzling.

I looked at Descendant 3, who was making a whistling sound.

Don’t humans usually rely on sight?

At a glance, Descendant 3 appeared small and cute. Why were they so wary?

While pondering the reactions of the black-jacketed humans—

Their gaze led to the reason.

This descendant.

What in the world… is that obnoxiously cumbersome shell covering?

I hadn’t noticed it before, but when I factored it in, the descendant’s appearance became very unappealing.

That’s why humans find this bizarre.

“Eeee! There are too many biped beasts! Progenitor, get away! I’ll handle these bad ones for you!”

I poked the cheeks of Descendant 3, who was defiantly threatening the humans despite their cute appearance.

The descendant turned their gaze to me with a deflated sigh.

“Ueeeeng, progenitor? What’s wrong…?”

What’s wrong, indeed.

Is the kid really this clueless?

I sent a thought.

What’s the meaning of this disheveled state? It looks truly awful; take it off quickly.

Descendant 3 blinked their large eyes for a few seconds without understanding, then shook their head violently.

“Eeeeh! Even you, Progenitor, I’ll refuse this!”

As their oversized shell swayed along with the headshakes, the black-jacketed humans flinched in unison.

My goodness. You…

I then sent a firm thought.

Everyone’s watching, why are you throwing a tantrum? Stop acting out and take it off quickly.

If it were Tonton-i, they’d have obediently followed right away.

However…

“No! Never! I already said no way! There are so many biped beasts around, so what do you think you’re talking about…!”

Boldly, the descendant rebutted.

Not only that, they glared fiercely!

I stopped petting Tonton-i and raised an eyebrow.

Hmm.

Well, then, there’s no other choice.

As the descendant cautiously watched me approach, I began to stroke their head.

“Ueeeeng? If they were my parents, they’d keep nagging by now… so you’re not going to nag?”

That’s right, I won’t nag.

The one I cherished most used to say, “A god helps those who help themselves.”

As if reassured, the descendant smiled sheepishly. Then, I extended my hand toward their tacky shell.

I grabbed a chunk and tore it off with a swift motion.

“… Eeeeng?”

Caught off-guard, the descendant froze.

But this docility soon gave way to furious flailing and struggling, which I ignored.

“Eeeeh! Eeeeh!”

Tsk tsk. Look at you now. These days, kids are something else.

With the black-jacketed people watching, I quickly finished up.

“Please, Progenitor! Just… aaagh… Progenitor! Progenitor!!”

The desperate slaps to my body gradually weakened until they hung limply.

I vigorously tidied up the messy appearance the now compliant descendant had.

After a short while:

“Gyaak…”

Straightening my posture and catching my breath, I stepped back a couple of paces.

Let me see if it’s neat now…

Indeed, I couldn’t help but marvel at my own work.

Objectively speaking, this descendant now looked a hundred times neater and more presentable than before.

Phew.

You’re looking so much better now.

I patted the back of the descendant, who was now sulking and sobbing loudly for reasons unknown to me.

You look much better now; you won’t embarrass me in public.

So I decided to present them to the surrounding humans.

“…! …!”

But the descendant flailed their fins and resisted, refusing to move forward.

Tsk. Why the stubbornness? Not like Tonton-i, at all.

They clenched their teeth and resisted, but eventually, I dragged them to stand in front of the humans.

I stood them up, spread my arms, and proudly presented to the humans:

“Gyaa!’

This is my descendant!

What do you think? Not scary anymore, right?

Even though they probably couldn’t understand, I sent my proud thoughts confidently.

The black-jacketed humans reacted intensely:

“Anti-entropy rate decreasing. Singular domain collapse observed. Was it IF-017?”

“So this is IF-108’s true form?”

“Completely unexpected… human-like shape. Arms replaced by fins. It almost looks like a penguin. It resembles IF-017, but younger, somehow…”

—Snap, snap.

I dimly recognize these black things.

Kan Hana used them often.

For what, exactly, I don’t know, but she would always click these when she found me cute.

The same device was being used on the descendant now…

Right.

No wonder. After stripping off that hideous shell, everyone liked it better.

Why wear something like that?

From now on, be like this.

With satisfaction, I chuckled and began to stroke the descendant’s head.

Slap.

But the descendant slapped my hand away.

“Waaaahh!!! Progenitor, I hate you!”

What? Now what?

I honestly have no idea why they’re upset, but even so, I was trying to comfort them.

Not working, though…

I decided to go back to petting Tonton-i instead.

“Progenitor. Again. Not distress. Affection. Good.”

For some reason, the Tonton-i snake, who had been apprehensive upon seeing my hand, eventually chirred and relaxed, accepting my affection.

Yes.

The descendant should be like this.

After crying for a while, Descendant 3 momentarily ceased sobbing and looked at me.

Oh, finally stopped?

However, upon noticing that I was stroking Tonton-i, Descendant 3 started crying and fussing all over again.

“Waaaahh!! What are you doing?! I hate you, Progenitor!”

What is this now?

I tilted my head in confusion.

I wasn’t sure why they were crying, but I had tried to comfort them, to no avail.

Then I simply decided to continue petting Tonton-i.

“Why the extra sadness?”

After all, I fixed your appearance. Shouldn’t that be enough?

Stroking Tonton-i always calmed it down and felt good.

Apparently, this descendant is going to be a bit of work…

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