Chapter 18 : IF-401 ‘Eastern Ghost’ Part 2

I was enjoying a proper rest after a long time.

The temperature here was just right, the ground was soft, and the air flowed refreshingly.

It was a world of difference from the place where I first opened my eyes.

One of the few downsides was the humans constantly chattering beyond the walls…

But for now, I could endure it.

I had retracted everything—horns, tail, wings—everything that could be hidden, and reset myself into pajama mode!

‘The last time I truly rested was when I held Kang Hana in my arms, wasn’t it?’

This was my resolve.

I was going to make up for the ridiculously insufficient rest I had before.

Beneath my head, I could hear the small heartbeat of my plump little snake.

Thump, thump.

Compared to Kang Hana, it was even quieter than the sound of dewdrops falling.

The place I had originally been in was so noisy that it made me burrow into Kang Hana’s embrace…

But in a place this much quieter, even this small sound was enough.

A small body means a small heart, and a small heart means a small heartbeat.

‘Is that how it works?’

It’s so insignificant.

That’s why I like it even more.

Hehe.

Even though I was extremely tired, I had heard from Shim Cheong so many times—enough to make my ears fall off—that excessive rest is not good for the body.

Not too much, not too little, just the right amount.

‘Maybe I should rest for about a thousand years in human terms.’

Right now, my posture was incredibly comfortable.

I was certain that if I got up and lay back down again, even in the exact same position, I would never feel this level of comfort again.

So I hoped no one would interrupt this dreamlike rest.

That was when it happened.

Suddenly, I felt a sense of urgency.

“A ghost? A ghost?!”

Ghosts.

If it was ghosts, they must be referring to those (former) humans from earlier.

Then it should be fine.

They seemed pretty decent.

“Gueeeck……”

And then, the sound of a pig getting its throat slit…

No, the sound of a snake getting its throat slit…

No, wait, a “pig snake” getting its throat slit.

What the hell.

What is this.

I poked at the soft belly of my plump little snake, pressed beneath my head, with my fingertip.

No response.

I sent out a mental query, asking what was wrong, if it was okay.

Since my plump little snake was quick-witted, it would surely respond immediately.

But astonishingly, there was no response at all.

Thump, thump.

Thump… thump…

The small heartbeat of the plump little snake, which I had liked precisely because it was so tiny and insignificant, suddenly stopped.

And with it, the comfort that heartbeat had given me completely vanished.

Silence.

…Huh.

‘Is this situation… serious?’

The plump little snake seems to be in bad condition.

I need to check quickly…

‘Wait a second.’

‘No… it couldn’t be, right?’

I forced my exhaustion-soaked brain to function and tried to logically analyze the situation.

Alright, let’s think.

The plump little snake is behind my head.

I don’t have eyes on the back of my head.

I can’t twist my neck 180 degrees.

So, in order to check, I have to…

Get up.

‘Ah.’

But I just lay down.

And I was feeling so perfectly relaxed.

I see.

‘So to check, I have to get up, huh?’

Annoying.

No, that’s not even close to describing it.

I’m pissed off.

I’m extremely, unbelievably furious.

I’m so mad, it’s at least “five breaths” worth of rage.

A bubbling fury surged within me, and the sacred fire responding to my will flared up wildly, heating the area just beneath my chin.

***

—Sssshhh…

A wisp of hot steam escaped past my lips.

Ugh.

I really, really just want to let out one breath.

Just once, if I could let it all out, I’d feel so much better inside…

But then… then…

The plump little snake and some completely unrelated humans would get caught up in it.

That would be no different from those chaotic, free-spirited idiots.

I couldn’t allow that.

Calm down.

I had to live up to my name as a godly dragon.

So, please… just cool down.

My exhausted body refused to obey, but I forced every bit of my concentration into controlling my breath.

I suppressed the relentless heat that threatened to blaze out of control, pushing it deep into the depths of my body.

Stifling.

It was so suffocating!

Even when I patted my chest, the unbearable pressure wouldn’t go away, and nausea twisted my insides.

I wanted to see the priest.

I wanted to ask if I was doing the right thing.

That time, the priest’s words had been so vivid.

“O great ancient being, a god is one who acts. Do not hesitate. Do as you will. If you do, this city will forever live for you alone.”

Even now, when I closed my eyes, I could clearly recall the moment those words were spoken…

‘If I took those words at face value, then it felt like unleashing my power as I wished was the right answer.’

‘If things kept going this way, sooner or later, I might end up losing control without even realizing it.’

Humans.

You better conduct yourselves wisely…

“Gyaoooo……!”

With an irritated growl, I shot up and checked on my plump little snake.

Its heart had completely stopped.

Foam at its mouth, eyes rolled back, skin pale.

Of course.

I looked up at the sky, and sure enough—

The plump little snake had already become a star in the lake’s reflection.

What the hell.

That star wasn’t there before.

Looking around, I spotted the soul of my plump little snake floating up towards the heavens with a wistful expression, tears glistening.

“Ancestor… farewell…?”

No.

I was not in the mood for this.

“Don’t annoy me.”

“Who gave you permission to become a star?”

I refuse.

I reached out and yanked the newly formed plump little snake star down from the sky.

“???!!!”

The soul of the plump little snake flailed wildly in the air, clearly bewildered.

I snatched its spirit with my other hand.

Don’t resist.

Struggling is useless.

There is no place for this star in the galaxy, and there is no place for you there.

Your place is here.

I sent that firm thought, and the plump little snake’s soul calmed down.

‘See?’ It listens well.

Good.

I was too tired to explain things at length, so this worked out perfectly.

I immediately shoved its soul back into its body.

Thump, thump.

Maybe because it had only just left, but without any extra effort, the plump little snake’s body regained its color.

Now then…

‘What should I do about this plump little snake star?’

‘Hmm…’

I probably wouldn’t ever use it again.

A star like this wasn’t necessary.

Besides, having it there messed up the aesthetic of the galaxy’s layout.

So…

I popped it into my mouth.

Crunch. Crunch.

The plump little snake star had no scent, only a pure, sugary sweetness.

Well.

It wasn’t quite enough to lift my mood…

But at least it wasn’t bad.

Recalling the priest’s wise advice to chew thoroughly before swallowing, I made sure to chew properly before swallowing.

Then, I looked down.

A weak, trembling beep came from below.

The fully revived plump little snake was staring up at me, tears welling up and rolling down its face.

‘Ancestor. Bad mood. Very…? Apology…?’

Its chubby body shivered, looking pitiful even at a glance.

‘Hmm.’

‘Did I look that angry?’

Well, I was about to explode with rage.

I hadn’t bothered to regulate the volume of my mental message when I sent it earlier…

‘Maybe it felt like I was yelling at it.’

But it wasn’t because of you that I was angry.

‘Why are you so scared and apologizing like this?’

Silly plump little snake.

I picked it up and stroked its head.

Still tense and shrunken in fear, the plump little snake soon relaxed and beamed as it accepted my touch.

Yeah.

Now that I think about it, I was the one being thoughtless.

There was no way the plump little snake could last a thousand years without eating, especially while trapped under my head.

I had naturally applied my standards without considering its needs.

It was such an obvious fact, but I failed to realize it.

This damn chronic fatigue of mine.

That familiar story—I closed my eyes for a moment, and when I opened them, they had aged and died—is only acceptable for people I have no attachment to.

This could have been a disaster.

Like hell I’d allow that.

There will never be another plump little snake star.

There’s no need for one.

Because I will make sure of it.

I am a magnificent dragon and the god of this lake.

I will do as I please.

Closing my eyes, I focused on the deep recesses of my body.

That sacred fire, the heavenly blaze I had forcefully suppressed deep in my belly.

—Kiiiiiiiing…

It was small enough to fit inside me, yet its energy was absurdly vast and scorching.

If I transferred it to the plump little snake as it was, I’d probably end up needing another star.

So, just this much.

I carefully extracted only the tiniest portion, refining it down to the very last speck.

Then—blegh—I pulled it up into my throat.

I let it sit on my tongue and rolled it around.

Warm.

‘Should I call this a “pseudo-breath”?’

Like a punctured balloon slowly deflating, it helped ease the suffocating pressure in my chest.

‘A balloon, huh?’

Now that I think about it, I don’t recall ever seeing such a thing.

Ah.

Must be a memory from my human days.

Irrelevant.

Moving on.

Right now, checking on the plump little snake was more important.

“Feels good?”

‘Affirmative. Very good. Extremely.’

Judging by its blissful expression, it really was enjoying itself.

It was so delighted that it didn’t even resist when I poked its belly.

‘If it were me, I would have convulsed from the ticklishness.’

“Your body’s okay, right? Your heart’s not burning up or anything?”

‘Affirmative. Correct. Negative. Not.’

“What… does that even mean?”

‘Why is it sending such weirdly structured thoughts?’

***

After deciphering the intent behind the message, I concluded that it was saying its body was fine and its heart wasn’t overheating.

Good.

I pretended to stroke its head while subtly covering its eyes.

“Open wide~”

—Beeep!

The plump little snake obediently opened its mouth.

I saw a small pair of upper and lower teeth and a forked, crimson tongue.

Glossy and smooth… It looked oddly tempting to pull.

‘Would it bite me if I did?’

Better not.

Instead, I carefully placed a fragment of the heavenly blaze beneath its tongue and gently shut its mouth.

“Marble.”

“What?”

“Warm.”

“Don’t swallow it. Just keep it safely under your tongue. Think of it as a reward for being good.”

“Reward! Good! Ancestor, the best!”

The plump little snake bounced around excitedly in my arms.

Its movements caused its soft body to bump into me repeatedly, but I let it slide.

That pure, unfiltered joy…

It was something no human could ever display.

Something genuinely pleasant to witness.

“Ancestor. Smiling? Happy?”

“Yeah, I’m happy. That’s why I’m smiling.”

Because the unexpected situation was resolved without a hitch.

The plump little snake was safe and sound.

…

And the culprits were gathered before me.

“So. Why did you do it?”

“I’ll give you a chance to explain yourselves.”

“Gyao.”

I sent that message while narrowing my eyes at the (former) humans.

“…Repo.”

“Why did you do that?”

“A second fall is unacceptable.”

“Loft, you’re the one who called me over in the first place…”

‘Why are they talking amongst themselves in front of me?’

‘Do they think they’re Kang Hana or something?’

“Gyaooo…!”

These damn ghostly foreigners!