Became a Dragon kidnapped by Humans

A newbie researcher at FPL, Gan Hana, was sitting by the window where a gentle breeze was blowing.

She wasn’t alone; next to her bed was a woman in a patient gown with an IV in her arm.

Gan Hana had come to visit her.

It was a great chance to legally slack off while conducting interviews with Gamma Rank personnel involved in experiments under the guise of official business.

“Senior… Are you feeling any better?”

Despite her delicate appearance, Gan Hana skillfully peeled an apple and offered it with surprising ease.

Unfortunately, the apple ended up on the table since its intended recipient declined.

“Ugh… I’m sleepy. Other than that, I’m fine.”

Her senior, with dark circles stretching down to her jawline, replied from her hospital bed.

Though she didn’t look like someone recovering well, it was terrifying how much brighter her complexion had become compared to before.

Now, this naturally polite senior treated the fresh-faced junior researcher Gan Hana with respect.

Gan Hana felt her heart twist uncomfortably.

“I’m sorry for teasing you last time, Senior! Please talk casually here…”

“It’s only natural for Gamma Rank personnel to address Beta Rank personnel formally. Let’s follow the rules.”

“Aaaah…”

Gan Hana wanted to tear her hair out.

While she thought her senior was still upset about the previous incident, what truly unnerved her was how calm and composed her expression remained.

Is this really the same person who freaked out when they made eye contact with IF-017?

IF-017 just seems so quiet and cute…

Sensing no blood would come out even if pricked, Gan Hana quickly abandoned casual chatter and began the formal interview process, documenting everything.

“Personnel G did not experience any threat from IF-017, correct?”

“Physical threats, no. But there might’ve been psychological ones.”

“IF-017 showed no aggression despite clear opportunities to attack, right?”

“Typical predators maybe, but each unknown phenomenon has wildly different conditions for aggression. Hard to say whether IF-017 had such chances.”

“So IF-017 is probably the cutest and safest IF in existence, huh?”

“The logic seems flawed…”

Though something felt off about the questions…

“Researcher, weren’t these supposed to be more serious questions during interviews between Gamma and Beta ranks?”

With a suspicious glare, Gan Hana clasped her hands together and blinked innocently.

“Senior, your adorable junior has one favor to ask—please give IF-017 a positive review? Is that okay…?”

“I merely answer truthfully… Why?”

“While researching IF-017’s harmless nature, I found that proving its harmlessness grants access to its containment chamber. Since you returned unscathed physically, if we rule out mental harm too, it’d be perfect!”

“…Do you have a specific reason to enter?”

The senior’s gaze grew increasingly skeptical.

Completely oblivious, Gan Hana grinned widely.

“IF-017 is completely lovable compared to other phenomena! Its cheeks look so soft… Have you noticed? If I were responsible for IF-017, I’d visit 365 times a year just to squish those cheeks! Not only that, but its tiny hands and head are irresistible to pet… And wasn’t your fieldwork reassigned to desk duty recently? That’s unfair!”

Beeeep!

The senior had already pressed the emergency call button.

“She appears to show severe signs of mental contamination. Please respond immediately.”

“Huh?”

Gan Hana was dragged away by security officers for a lengthy mental contamination check because every word she said could be heard through the intercom.

“…Huh?”

It took Gan Hana three whole hours to convince the security team she was sane.

—

Under dazzling lights and a snow-white ceiling, the beautiful Milky Way sparkled beautifully that evening.

Because I’ve kept my eyes closed for so long lately, perhaps?

The noises around me seem louder and clearer now.

Impossible.

I haven’t been keeping them shut for days.

No, it’s real—the noise has gotten louder.

Almost twice as loud since I first noticed it a few days ago, with no sign of stopping.

What are they doing down there? Which direction is it coming from?

I paused to listen carefully.

—BOOM! KABOOM!

“…Break the heart!…”

“…Aaaaaaaaah!…”

“…Damn… This is insane…”

Ah.

It’s below me.

To see, I’d need to turn my entire body 180 degrees since I can’t just move my neck.

Decidedly not worth it. Let’s look up instead. The night sky is lovely tonight.

It’s fine.

Even if I can’t see, I can still hear and feel.

—KABOOM!

“…The barrier is… failing…”

“…Tear it apart already, inferior beings…”

“…Please save me… I don’t want to die…”

“…Containment wall breached…”

—POOF! CRACK!

From what I gather, it sounds like humans getting beaten up by something with wildly expressive features.

Humans aren’t like last time.

Whenever there was a fight, they used to rush over and beg for help.

Did they grow more independent?

They seem determined to handle things themselves without reaching out.

Although being stuck here feels a bit lonely, at least they’re leaving me alone, which shows some decency.

After briefly doubting them, humans remain as diligent as I remember.

I almost lost faith in them there for a moment.

Whatever.

I’ll visit the lake later myself. For now…

Let’s rest.

Too lazy to get up.

Even though hanging precariously on a swaying rope isn’t very comfortable, I tried my best to relax.

Pointless effort.

The calm within the storm shattered instantly.

Because voices now came clearly from just beyond the wall.

Oh no.

“Isn’t the reason for quarantine not due to danger but rather to keep it safe? Yet, why does the quarantine procedure match other chambers exactly? Hmm. Beta Rank Personnel, Gan Hana, requesting entry clearance to IF-017’s containment chamber.”

—Access granted.

Beep.

Heavy footsteps approached as the door opened.

Creak, creak. Judging by the clatter, she must’ve brought something in both hands.

“Hehehe, finally…!”

A rather sinister voice accompanied by unsettling heartbeat rhythms.

I cracked one eye open to confirm.

Familiar, yes. It’s our third encounter now.

Before me stood the brown-haired woman I’ve only seen through glass until now.

“Ah, you’re awake?”

She’s always acting strangely, even in the brief moments I’ve observed her.

Just a few days ago, she told a black-haired woman to stop poking my cheek and run away.

And now she’s here in person…

“Hi! I’m Gan Hana! This is our first close-up meeting, right?”

As she introduced herself, I already knew her name.

I heard her talking just beyond the wall moments ago.

When I glared at her waving hand, her heartbeat accelerated.

Glaring makes her happy, apparently.

Searching my human memories, this behavior seemed familiar but remains hazy, like forbidden knowledge.

There were similar types before.

Groups who reverently laughed as they sacrificed hearts using obsidian knives.

Once, they were so numerous they dominated, though their numbers dwindled over time. Still, there were always a few left.

This girl feels different but likely belongs to the same category.

Ignoring her is the best option. They age and die quickly enough.

That’s the only solution I know.

So, I closed my eyes again.

Still…

At least they had manners back then.

“Wow, it’s really soft… Even though you’re supposedly an ancient being from before recorded history, how is this possible?”

Grabbing my cheek without waking me up?

What kind of nonsense is this?

When unimaginable things happen, reactions fail—but this was exactly one of those moments.

Shaking my head freed myself from her grip.

Rest ruined. I lifted my head slightly to face her.

“Oops, sorry about that? Hehe, my bad.”

Gan Hana.

Right. Got your name.

But tell me…

What IS that thing you’re waving in front of me now?

My human memory tells me exactly what it is.

Isn’t that a ‘cat toy’?

What’s your plan?

“…Miao.”

I waved my hand to shoo it away.

Was I wrong earlier about doubting humans unnecessarily?

Nah, justified suspicion.

“Oh, it reacted! Honestly, I wasn’t sure, but IF-017 is definitely a cat…”

Back off…

“Meowwwwwk!”