There is a game called ’Dragon Building a Lair.’
A defense game where you protect your lair from invaders.
The same game that I couldn’t clear even after dedicating an entire month to it.
And somehow, I found myself reincarnated into it.
“Graaar…”
‘Is this a hatchling’s body? Indeed. It’s superior beyond comparison to mere humans.’
The moment I opened my eyes, I felt it.
The refreshing aura of mana filling the surroundings.
The mystical beings that happily responded to the slightest movement of my jaw.
But that wasn’t all.
The resonance of mana revealed every ridge and bump of my body.
Tightly interwoven scales. Short but robust legs.
All of it screamed at me.
This body belonged to the Western-style dragon you’d often see in fictional creations.
The human me was gone, and I’d been reincarnated into the body of a dragon.
‘Why do I say reincarnated rather than transported?’
[Hatchling Nurturing Support System – Lea]
[Congratulations on your birth! I am Lea, the AI created to assist Teonar in survival…]
‘It’s practically spoon-feeding me.’
It was the familiar status window that often appeared in the game.
The UI was exactly the same as the one I’d seen thousands of times before.
…The relief I felt when I saw it for the first time.
Even I was initially at a loss, thrown off by the unprecedented experience of reincarnation.
But then, the comforting sight of that status window popped up.
It was so reassuring that tears welled up the moment I saw it.
‘This must be what it feels like for a child reunited with their mother after a long time.’
‘I didn’t even cry when I was born.’
“Graaar… Ahem. Ahem. Can you understand Korean?”
First, I attempted communication.
What I saw was Korean text, but I doubted Korean would exist within the game world itself.
I needed to test how far we could communicate.
[Yes. I, Lea, am an AI created to assist Teonar in survival.]
“An AI, huh? What are your functions and areas of expertise?”
[My primary function is to provide a broad range of knowledge necessary for the survival of a hatchling. I specialize in aiding Teonar’s survival…]
“Are you a type of magic?”
[Yes. I am a transcendent magic developed by the Dragon Lord for the hatchling’s benefit.]
“What exactly is transcendent magic?”
[It’s magic that exceeds the limits of mana usage, allowing mortals to defy the laws of the universe…]
“Hmm.”
‘No communication issues, and it seems my name as a hatchling is Teonar.’
I even tried speaking in English, Chinese, and an artificial language from a famous space opera film.
Yet, there wasn’t even the slightest delay in response.
Even the in-game lore of ‘Dragon Building a Lair,’ which you couldn’t find through a simple search, was answered accurately.
There was no longer any reason to doubt the system’s capabilities.
“Alright then, let me ask you the most important question.”
[Please, go ahead. It is only natural for a newly hatched hatchling to exhibit intellectual curiosity about the world, and it is my duty to address it…]
“——————Why is my body transparent?”
After determining that the system was trustworthy, I decided to ask about something that had been bothering me.
I glanced downward.
“There’s nothing there.”
‘Is this that transparent dragon thing? Do I just roar dramatically or something?’
I instinctively understood it.
A body so transparent that it couldn’t be seen.
This was my natural state.
If dragons were categorized by scale color—red, gold, etc.—
then I was clearly a rare species that could be called a “transparent dragon.”
I was burning with curiosity as to why this was the case.
[It is suspected that Teonar is currently using magic such as ‘Invisible.’ If you wish to deactivate it…]
“No, I’m not using magic. I feel like I could if I tried, but I’m not right now.”
[Perhaps a sacred relic, such as the ‘Tarncape,’ is…]
“I just broke out of an egg. I don’t have anything like that.”
[…]
Three seconds of silence.
For the first time, the system—which had been ready to answer anything immediately—took a moment to think.
That must mean my condition was extremely unusual.
[Requesting permission to access data. There may be an issue with Teonar’s mana state. If you grant Lea temporary data viewing permissions…]
“Sure, go ahead.”
[Warning: Data access permissions allow me to view everything about your being, including your rank. Even if Lea requests this…]
“Skip the security procedures and just do it.”
I granted the permissions without hesitation.
Normally, I would avoid doing something like this.
But I had already decided I could trust this “Lea.”
Besides, her voice was pleasant. Let’s just say, from today onward, she’s my mother.
‘Is this what imprinting feels like?’
Imprinting the phenomenon where a newborn duck or similar creature recognizes the first moving object it sees as its parent.
‘I see. So that’s why I cried as soon as I saw her. That wasn’t like me at all, but it makes sense now.’
‘If this is a dragon’s instinct, then so be it.’
‘By the laws of nature, Lea, you are my mother from today onward. And my name is Teonar.’
“From now on, just call me Teo. Drop the honorifics.”
[…Understood. Accessing Teo’s data now.]
While I was making that decision, the system text on the window began to blur.
At the same time, I felt a ticklish sensation near my heart.
This must be what “data access” felt like.
‘As expected of Mother. Even when touching a dragon heart, she’s so gentle and caring…’
[—————Failed. Data access is not possible.]
“…Huh?”
After all that, to hear that it was “impossible” was the last thing I expected.
My gaze returned to the system window—not to blame it, but purely out of curiosity.
“What does that mean? Why can’t you access my information?”
[Teo’s rank is abnormally high, and as an AI, Lea is unable to access related information.]
“A system designed for hatchlings can’t view a hatchling’s data? Wasn’t it poorly made, then?”
[Lea was designed to handle the mana of 10,000 average hatchlings. However, Teo’s mana exceeds my limits.]
“Oh.”
So that’s why I’m transparent.
I’m ridiculously overpowered, to the point of being a “transparent dragon.”
It was hard to wrap my head around the fact that, not only was I no longer human, but I was over 10,000 times stronger than my own kind.
[Additionally, I have formulated a hypothesis regarding Teo’s earlier question.]
“What is it?”
[Teo’s rank may be so high that ordinary mortal eyes cannot perceive you directly.]
“But even I see myself as transparent.”
[It is likely that Teo’s physical body cannot keep up with your rank. Since rank is imprinted on the soul rather than the body, this hypothesis is plausible.]
“I see. That makes sense.”
So, I learned something new:
Transparent dragons are invisible because they are too powerful.
…Seriously. Even as a human, I was called a genius.
Now, even as a reincarnated dragon, I’m some kind of extraordinary outlier.
Maybe I was just born to be different.
‘Well, who would complain about being handed an overpowered cheat in a reincarnation?’
“Thanks, Mother. That really helped me get my thoughts in order.”
Though it felt a bit awkward, I expressed my gratitude.
At least my confusion was clearing up.
In response, my “mother” said:
[Correction: Lea is merely an AI and does not qualify as a biological parent.]
“Oh, come on. Isn’t it my choice what I call you—”
[Additionally, Teo is currently the last surviving dragon on this planet. Your biological parents no longer exist.]
She dropped a bombshell.
Me, Teonar. Barely one day old as a hatchling.
No friends. Not even a single parent left on this planet.
The sudden emotional blow was dizzying.
‘The lore said dragons were individualistic and didn’t help the protagonist. Turns out it’s because they were extinct?’
“Are you serious?”
[Yes. The dragon species went extinct on this planet 30 years ago, following the death of the Dragon Lord.]
“But I just hatched. I’m alive.”
[It is presumed that Teo’s egg remained hidden for 30 years without being discovered. This is an event of such improbability that it can only be called a miracle.]
“…Wait, what?”
Disbelieving, I averted my gaze.
The swirling mana around me began to respond to my emotional turmoil.
I decided to use it.
To search for others of my kind.
“…Ah.”
‘So that’s how it works.’
There was no need for my mother to teach me.
Simply willing it was enough for me to know how to cast the magic.
Just as a newborn doesn’t need lessons on how to cry.
Using magic was as natural to a dragon as breathing.
He acted on instinct.
“Wide-area search.”
—Whaaaaarrrk!!!
A gale swept through the clearing.
It was the aftermath of immense mana shooting across the continent in an instant.
And with it came a flood of sensations.
The entire shape of this world, what could only be called a complete map of the world, was engraved in his mind.
He even confirmed the number of his living kin.
As if soaring freely through the skies, gazing down below, he searched every inch of the continent.
It was as if he had looked down upon an entire star with a single spell.
Strangely, it felt like nothing at all.
“Yep. I tried searching with magic, but there’s nothing.”
[Observation: A wide-area search spell spanning the entire continent is an advanced spell, difficult even for Elder Dragons. While Teo’s conclusion is reasonable, there seems to be an error in the process.]
“I have 10,000 times more mana.”
[Understood. With mana exceeding that of 100 Elder Dragons combined, your wide-area search is indeed feasible.]
When even the system—and his own “mother”—was convinced, there was nothing more to say.
Whether it was some cheat skill gifted after transmigrating or just a stroke of luck, hooray for limitless mana…
[As you can see, the current state of the continent is highly unfavorable for Teo’s survival.]
“…Yeah, I figured.”
There was no time to gloat over something so trivial.
The brutal difficulty of “Building a Dragon’s Lair” had resurfaced in his mind.
“A dragon is treasure incarnate, from its heart to even a single scale. If humans find out about me, they’ll definitely try to kill me.”
[Correct. The moment Teo’s existence becomes known, a subjugation force will be dispatched. The Dragon Slayer who once beheaded the Dragon Lord is likely still alive. A head-on clash is inadvisable.]
“Ugh, don’t remind me. I lost count of how many times I died because of that guy in the game.”
A groan escaped him.
Of course, now he was a transparent dragon.
With power leagues beyond the game’s protagonist, he could probably survive somehow.
‘But if I do that…’
[That is why I have prepared a quest for you, Teo.]
“Huh? A quest?”
Just as he was deep in thought, those three words rang out—a quest.
It was a concept that didn’t even exist in the game.
He quickly turned his gaze to Lea.
Though invisible to others, she was there nonetheless. His look clearly demanded an explanation.
As if responding, the system window suddenly expanded.
[Below is a list of 100 missions created by the Dragon Lord to ensure the survival of a hatchling…]
“Yeah, no thanks.”
His interest instantly evaporated.
The very first task, glowing brilliantly at the top of the list, killed his enthusiasm.
The Dragon Lord’s most prioritized quest was… simply unacceptable.
『First Quest: Transform into a Human Using the Magic of Metamorphosis.』
‘What’s with this human transformation nonsense, seriously.’
I’d felt it ever since I lived as a human.
I was born wrong.
I should’ve been born as a more exalted species, something befitting my stature.
And now, what was my species?
The most powerful creature a dragon.
I was that dragon now.
Needless to say, I absolutely loved it.
Pretending to be human at this point? Not happening.
‘I won’t say never, but acting human just to survive? That’s a bit much.’
“So, Mother. Let’s save the quest for later.”
[Warning: This is an essential step for Teo’s survival. At least up to the twentieth quest…]
“Nope.”
[To enhance the hatchling’s learning motivation, gold and other rewards will be provided upon quest completion.]
“…Still no.”
Honestly, I was tempted by the gold.
Back when I was human, collecting shiny trinkets had been a hobby of mine, so my collector’s instinct twitched a little.
But I resisted.
[Warning: Failure to complete the quests may jeopardize Teo’s survival.]
“Mother, please stop nagging me.”
[As an AI designed for the hatchling’s safety, it is my duty to…]
“It’s fine, really.”
Whoosh.
I spread my wings wide.
Majestic wings that couldn’t even be compared to the frail arms of a human.
I soared through the skies, feeling elated.
“I’ll handle this my way.”
‘Whoever threw me into this game world, you made the right choice.’
Thus began the great first flight of Teo the Transparent Dragon.
* * *
A moment later.
[Teo, even now, you could still complete the quest—]
“Alright, now go forth and earn me some experience points~.”
‘Why should a dragon of my caliber hunt personally, anyway?’
[….]
The very first action of the seasoned gamer Teo the Transparent Dragon was to outsource farming.