NOVEL WEB Chapter 4: Scales of Fire and a Divine Request
The dragon's eye, a miniature sun, reflected Leo's terrified image. The heat emanating from it was a promise of annihilation. With a trembling hand, Leo opened the thermal container.
A heavenly aroma escaped, filling the cavern. It was a scent so complex and delicious that for an instant it silenced the sound of bubbling magma. The egg, perfect and glistening, rested inside like a black jewel.
Ignis's voice resonated, but this time its overwhelming power was tinged with something new: an almost childlike eagerness.
With a delicacy that contradicted its colossal form, the dragon extended a single claw, the tip sharp as a spear, and pierced the egg. He brought it to his mouth, and for a moment, the cavern fell silent.
Then, a deep, resonant sound echoed from the depths of Ignis's chest. A sound of pure contentment. A tear, thick and shimmering like mercury, formed in the corner of its eye and instantly evaporated from the heat.
Leo's phone vibrated violently in his hand. He looked down, his eyes struggling to focus on the glowing letters.
DELIVERY COMPLETE! Customer Rating: ★★★★★ (The customer left a generous tip!) Payment Received:
+1,000 Karma Points
+1x [Trueflame Scale]
TIP BONUS: +1x [Tear of a Satisfied Dragon]
Leo's legs gave out. He fell to his knees, relief washing over his body in a wave so overwhelming it left him breathless. He'd done it. He'd survived.
Ignis lowered its massive head once more, its gaze now less threatening, almost... pleased.
Needing no further encouragement, Leo backed away, stumbled through the portal, and slammed the storage door shut behind him, his body shaking as the adrenaline faded. He leaned against the door, sliding to the floor, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
He was alive.
After several minutes, he finally looked at his phone. His Karma Points balance was now 1,000. Next to the number, a new icon had appeared: a shopping cart. He tapped it. A list of bizarre items appeared: [Minor Stamina Pill - 50 KP], [Fire-Resistant Courier Suit (Tier 1) - 500 KP], [Scooter Repair Manual (Spirit-Powered) - 800 KP].
He had purchasing power. He could upgrade. He could survive better. The fire-resistant suit seemed ridiculously expensive, but after looking a dragon in the eye, it felt like the wisest investment in the world.
Next, he tapped the items in his inventory.
[Trueflame Scale]: A scale imbued with the essence of an ancient dragon. Withstands extreme temperatures. Can be forged by a master craftsman or consumed for a temporary boost in fire resistance. Emits a comforting warmth.
[Tear of a Satisfied Dragon]: An alchemical ingredient of unparalleled purity. Amplifies the effects of any potion or dish. Extremely valuable. Warning: its aura of pure contentment attracts the covetousness of melancholic beings.
He had treasures. Real, magical treasures that could change his life. A tired but genuine smile spread across his face. Maybe this hell-job had its perks. He could finally get out of the red, maybe even...
BZZT. BZZT. BZZT.
His phone vibrated with a different, almost hysterical urgency. A new notification, in a screaming hot pink, flashed on the screen, complete with winking emojis and floating hearts.
NEW EMERGENCY ORDER!!! (ﾉ>ω<)ﾉ ♡ Client: Sephie-chan Item: 1x Pack of Cheese-Flavored Chips (Limited Summer Edition) + 1x Diet Cherry Soda Address: Elysian Apartments, The Underworld Penthouse, Suite 7 Delivery Instructions: "LEAVE AT THE DOOR!! DON'T KNOCK!! THE BOSS IS IN A MEETING ABOUT LOST SOULS AND HATES BEING INTERRUPTED!!! HURRY LEO-KUN, MY ENERGY BAR IS HITTING ZERO!! (╥_╥)" Payment: 1x [Charon's Obol - One-Way Passage] + ???
Leo stared at the notification, his brain trying to process the whiplash. Dragons, secret markets, scales of fire... and now an order for chips from a client who used kaomojis and called him "Leo-kun."
His new life wasn't going to give him a single second of rest. He sighed, a sound that was half exhaustion, half resignation. At least this time, the client didn't seem like she wanted to incinerate him. Probably.