The air trembled. A low, thunderous boom rippled through the crystalline cavern. Dust and glowing shards rained from above as the echoes shook the chamber.
Ragno blinked, his sharp golden eyes narrowing.
"An explosion?" he muttered, his voice echoing faintly against the luminous walls.
He spread his crimson-and-blue wings, crouching low. "That didn't sound like a monster… that was magic."
His instincts screamed at him to stay hidden, but the curiosity of a human mind refused to obey. Cautiously, he crept toward the sound, his claws barely scratching the glittering floor. The crystals reflected his scaled form in hundreds of tiny mirrors — a reminder of what he had become.
"Man… I'm really a dragon now. Guess there's no point worrying about getting caught—well, unless it's by something that can slay dragons," he whispered dryly.
As he reached a larger chamber, he ducked behind a tall cluster of azure crystals. Peering through the cracks, his breath hitched.
Humans.
Four figures fought against a massive serpent — scales black as midnight, fangs dripping with green venom. The Black Viper. Its movements were swift, its body smashing against the walls as the cavern quaked.
Ragno's eyes widened. How did humans even make it this deep? The monsters here would tear them apart… unless they're seriously strong.
The first adventurer — a young woman with a blue cloak — raised her hand, chanting with fluid grace.
"O tranquil stream, sharpen thy edge and sever all in thy path! — Aqua Severance!"
A crescent blade of water surged forth, slicing through the air. The viper twisted, its tail slamming against the attack. The watery edge splashed harmlessly against the cavern wall.
"Tch," the girl gritted her teeth, preparing another spell.
From the left, a man with fiery red hair charged forward, a longsword blazing with heat.
"O flame that devours the heavens, ignite and spiral! — Blazing Wheel!"
A swirling fire encircled his sword as he leaped and slashed. The viper hissed, scales sizzling, the cavern lighting up with red-orange glow.
Then — a flash.
An arrow whizzed past Ragno's hiding spot, embedding itself in the viper's eye. The beast shrieked, its venom splattering the ground. Ragno turned his gaze toward the shooter — an elf, silver-haired, emerald eyes glowing with mana.
"Whispering winds, converge into a storm of fangs! — Gale Fang Barrage!"
A flurry of arrows shot forth, twisting midair into a cluster of glowing wind-blades that shredded the serpent's scales.
Damn, Ragno thought, his tail flicking. These guys aren't pushovers.
The viper's jaw opened, venom swirling in its throat — but a figure descended from above, slamming down with a war cry.
"Steel that shatters mountains, grant me might! — Titan Breaker!"
A warrior with rabbit-like ears and a massive battle axe crushed the viper's jaw, forcing its poison back into its mouth. The creature thrashed violently, its screeches shaking the ground.
"Rai! Finish it!" the rabbit-eared warrior roared.
The red-haired man, Rai, nodded. His sword flared once more — hotter, brighter.
"O inferno god who scorches all beneath the stars, reduce my foe to cinders! — Flame Meteor Slash!"
The sword erupted into molten energy. He leapt high, cutting down through the viper's body in a blazing arc. The serpent howled before collapsing into three smoldering pieces.
Smoke filled the cavern, the glow of the crystals dimming slightly.
Ragno's jaw hung open. "Holy hell… that was anime-level magic if I've ever seen it."
He tilted his head slightly, watching the group from behind his cover. The elf retrieved her arrows while Rai wiped his blade clean. The mage examined the viper's corpse, muttering something. The rabbit-eared man laughed heartily.
For a moment, Ragno felt something stir inside him — admiration? Or perhaps nostalgia.
"These people… they remind me of adventurers from the RPGs I used to play," he whispered, smiling faintly. "Guess even dragons can get fanboy moments."
But his fascination was short-lived.
"Now then," the elf said suddenly, her gaze scanning the cave. "I sense another presence."
Ragno froze.
The red-haired swordsman, Rai, turned toward the crystal cluster where Ragno hid. "Yeah. You feel that too, Siren?"
The elf nodded, arrow nocked. "Something powerful… hiding behind that crystal."
"Oh, crap." Ragno instinctively flattened himself against the rock.
The mage raised his staff. "Let me handle it."
He began chanting, his voice cold as frost.
> "O spirits of eternal winter, forge your spears and pierce the unseen foe! — Frost Javelin Rain!"
Ragno's eyes widened as dozens of icy spears materialized, shooting straight toward him. He leaped away just in time, the crystal cluster exploding into shards.
"Damn it! That was too close!" he hissed, running deeper into the cavern.
"Something's fleeing!" the rabbit-eared man shouted.
"After it?" Rai asked, sword already drawn.
The elf shook her head. "No… it's too fast. And besides—" she paused, looking at the trail of molten footprints left behind by Ragno's heated claws "—I think we've already found what it was."
Rai's eyes narrowed. "A dragon…?"
The mage lowered his staff, unease flickering in his eyes. "Possibly. But too small to be an adult. Still, if a young one lives here… its parent must be near."
The rabbit-eared man chuckled nervously. "Then we better not overstay our welcome."
They gathered their gear and left quickly, but not before Rai glanced back once, muttering under his breath.
"Why do I feel like that dragon will become trouble someday?"
Ragno didn't stop running until he reached the familiar warmth of the inner cavern — the crystallization nest where he was born. His heart pounded, his claws trembling slightly.
He exhaled, smoke puffing from his nostrils. "That… was too close."
Moments later, a massive shadow descended from above — the familiar crimson-blue form of Ruby, his mother. She landed gracefully, eyes glowing with concern.
"Ragno," she said, her voice stern but gentle. "Where were you? I sensed a surge of mana and your scent mixed with human steel."
Ragno hesitated, lowering his head slightly. "Sorry, Mother. I… saw them."
Ruby tilted her head. "Them?"
"Humans," Ragno replied. "Four of them. They were strong — strong enough to kill a Black Viper. Their magic was nothing like I've ever seen."
Ruby's eyes darkened. "Adventurers. They must've stumbled into our domain."
Ragno nodded, wings twitching. "They almost found me. If I hadn't moved fast, I'd be ice sculpture right now."
Ruby's claws dug into the ground, molten heat spreading from her body. "Those humans dare enter my nest…"
Ragno stepped forward. "Mother, wait! They already left. Don't go chasing them. They'll bring others if you do."
The dragoness stared at him for a long moment — then sighed softly, her fury fading. "You are wise for one so young, my son. Your soul carries the calm of an elder."
Ragno chuckled quietly. "You could say I've… lived before."
Ruby blinked. "What was that?"
"Nothing," Ragno said, grinning faintly. "Just… glad I wasn't roasted by humans this time."
Ruby leaned down, touching her snout to his head affectionately. "You've done well to survive. But remember — humans are greedy and curious. If they learn a dragon nest exists here, they will return. You must be careful."
Ragno nodded. "I understand, Mother. I'll train harder. Next time, I won't just hide."
Ruby smiled gently. "That's my son. Now, rest. Tomorrow, we'll begin your next lesson — the art of dragon concealment."
Ragno's eyes widened slightly. "Concealment?"
Ruby chuckled. "Yes. There will come a day when you must walk among them unseen. You will learn to hide your presence, even your form."
The dragoness turned, her massive wings folding elegantly. "For now… sleep, my little flame."
As Ragno curled up beside her, his thoughts wandered.
Humans, elves, beastkin… all of them living in the same world as dragons. Magic, battles, incantations—it's all real now.
He stared at his claws, the faint glow of fire flickering between them.
If I'm going to live as a dragon, I'll live my way.
A small smile crossed his face. "Farewell, human fears… hello, dragon life."
The crystals above shimmered softly, painting the cave in hues of blue and red — like the dual elements of his blood. Outside, the wind whispered through the caverns, carrying the faint scent of adventure.