The Red Dragon set off toward the Ten Thousand Mountains to meet the black lizard that Namgung Yeon had mentioned.

A creature of such skill, almost comparable to the head of the Volcano Sect, naturally attracted attention. With someone as powerful as her moving, it was inevitable that she would clash with the Heavenly Demon Cult.

But the cult leader made an unusual decision.

He allowed the Red Dragon entry, albeit with a few conditions.

The Red Dragon was a spiritual creature that had reached her current state in the Ten Thousand Mountains.

Thus, she had some ties with the Heavenly Demon Cult and was also acquainted with Baek Yeon-Yeong.

One might think that the permission was granted due to these ties, yet Baek Yeon-Yeong’s conditions were rather peculiar.

It wasn’t to use the Red Dragon’s power or force her into the cult. Instead, it only related to a certain lizard.

The Red Dragon found it amusing and a bit surprising that Baek Yeon-Yeong had figured out that the lizard was her purpose.

What could be so special about this lizard that even the leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult would intervene?

And not to outright deny her but instead set conditions allowing the meeting?

Of course, those conditions weren’t exactly light.

There were restrictions aplenty, but they could be summarized in one sentence:

“Do not cross the line.”

That was the essence of the conditions.

Such stipulations only fueled the Red Dragon’s curiosity further.

The black lizard that Namgung Yeon had spoken of and that Baek Yeon-Yeong protected.

It made her wonder if this lizard might truly have the potential to become a dragon.

But her doubts would only be settled by seeing it herself.

The Red Dragon then made her way to Yongmun.

More precisely, to the peak of the volcano.

The Volcano Sect’s volcano wasn’t naturally rich in lava.

It was the Red Dragon herself who had drawn it up, by force.

Thus, this overflowing lava pool became her favorite place.

After casually shooing away a small guardian of the place, she was warming herself in the hot spring when something unusual occurred.

She spotted a creature battling the fire rat.

Countless beasts had challenged the fire rat, the guardian of the volcano, over the years.

So, she watched as she soaked in the lava, enjoying the sight of the fire rat in combat.

The fire rat, skilled in controlling volcanic heat, didn’t easily yield its ground, burning every challenger to ashes.

Though it couldn’t compare to her own strength, it wasn’t a beast that just any opponent could defeat.

But what was this?

A lizard she’d never seen before had taken down the fire rat.

A mere lizard standing on two legs, naturally wielding martial arts with its hands.

It awkwardly mimicked the Tang Clan’s technique, the "Thousand Blossoms Rain," even using poison.

What’s more, she noticed the presence of both cold energy and a deeply embedded fire within it.

This was no ordinary lizard.

It was a lizard with the presence of a spiritual creature.

Its dark scales, so exquisite they could be called dragon scales, were a sight to behold.

The Red Dragon instinctively realized that this lizard was the one she’d been searching for.

Was this fate? She’d merely come to warm herself, and now she’d found her target.

The desire to claim that lizard as her own was strong, but Baek Yeon-Yeong’s conditions restrained her. Even for her, direct conflict with the cult leader was something to avoid.

Before coming here, she had considered her stance on this lizard.

If Namgung Yeon’s words were lies, she’d devour it in a single bite.

If it were a lizard that only looked pretty with no real potential, she could keep it around for amusement.

If it had the qualities of a dragon and those exquisite scales?

Then she’d find out if it could melt her frozen heart.

Thus, without approaching, she released her killing intent toward the lizard.

If it were only outwardly impressive, it would flee immediately.

It could simply be satisfied with defeating the guardian and descend from the volcano.

In that case, it wouldn’t be the creature she sought.

But the black lizard, despite sensing the killing intent, reached the peak of the volcano.

How could this not be fate?

The Red Dragon sensed that this lizard might become more precious than any treasure she had amassed.

Though still young and barely able to speak, if it matured, it could perhaps stand on par with her one day.

Maybe it could even become a true dragon and thaw her frozen heart.

Even if not, claiming it might set her back on the path of the dragon.

Nothing was certain yet.

Except one thing: that lizard was hers now.

No one would take it from her.

"Then again, keeping it with me all the time might be a problem," she said as she handed over the food, as usual.

"Gek?"

"Considering it managed to defeat the fire rat, maybe I’m underestimating it."

"Gek, gek."

Underestimating it, huh?

A life like this wasn’t all that bad, though.

"My little one probably has things it wants to learn from me, so it wouldn’t run away."

"Ge-eeek!"

Did she have a dragon’s insight?

How could she read my mind so well?

"Since I rarely come to the volcano, I’d like to warm up here…."

The Red Dragon glanced up the mountain.

"It’s not bad here, but it does get chilly at night."

Chilly here?

The place is hot even while I’m standing still.

Surprisingly, though, the Red Dragon wasn’t entirely wrong.

She’d installed a mechanism to store her treasures here, so the temperature had dropped to a level where a lizard could survive.

For me, it was still too hot, but for a dragon accustomed to soaking in lava, it probably felt lukewarm.

"Or would you like to come in with me?"

"Ge-eek!"

I shook my head fiercely.

She was speaking of something terrifying, like turning me into lizard soup.

"Hm, a bit disappointing."

Disappointing, huh?

A normal lava pool alone would kill me if I fell in.

And yet, here she was, looking up.

If this was nearly the peak, what could she be looking at above?

She must mean the volcano’s crater.

"Alright, let’s do it this way."

"Gek?"

"Let’s stay together during the day. I can endure it then."

"Gek, gek."

"But when night falls, I’ll head to the crater."

"Ge-kek?"

I looked at her with suspicion.

For someone who never left my side, why the sudden change?

Maybe it’s because of the cold breeze that had been blowing recently.

"Ah, this way you’ll have time to train alone, and during the day, you can learn from me. Isn't that a win-win?"

The Red Dragon yawned broadly.

Seeing her yawn, she seemed as carefree as ever.

Still, I felt a twinge of doubt.

"If you feel lonely, I could brave the cold and cuddle you."

"Ke-ge-ge-ge-ge-ek!"

That would make me the perfect roast lizard.

But personal time was something I could use, so there was no reason to refuse.

It seemed legitimate enough, and I needed some time alone as well.

Maybe she really wasn’t trying to keep me chained here. Would she just let me go if I told her I wanted to leave one day?

"Of course, you know what would happen if you tried to sneak away, right?"

…Apparently not.

After the Red Dragon declared her intention to sleep separately, I finally got to savor some freedom.

A limited freedom, but it was freedom nonetheless.

Since I planned to stay here until I found a clue on how to evolve into a Fire Dragon, this was more than enough.

The Red Dragon disappeared into the crater.

I heard her muttering something like, "Ah, refreshing," but I’ll erase that from memory for the sake of preserving her dignified image.

Finally, my own time!

With the Red Dragon gone, I could now freely do things I hadn't dared while under her watchful eye.

Is this what a married man feels like when his wife isn't around?

"Gek, gek, gek."

Just as I was about to indulge in my newfound freedom, a cool breeze swept through.

“…Hey.”

Of course, the one behind it was White Wolf.

I’d spotted her from a distance a few times, trying to catch the Red Dragon's attention, putting her head in her paws as if she were trying to make herself invisible.

Seeing her now, I felt a surprising sense of relief.

"Gek, gek."

White Wolf slowly approached me.

Whap!

She batted me across the chest with her paw.

“Ge-ek?”

"What, no greeting for an old friend?”

She seemed a bit miffed that I hadn’t come to see her since taking down the fire rat.

But it wasn't as if I'd had a choice—I’d been stuck with the Red Dragon.

"Gek, gek."

"Is that the face of someone who's been held captive? You looked like you were having a grand old time."

"Gek…"

"Don't even try to deny it. I saw everything."

...Was she really understanding me?

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Gek!”

“…Anyway, let’s go.”

White Wolf gave my front leg a gentle nibble and tugged.

I couldn’t take her to the cave I’d been staying in, but we could wander around together for a while.

It would be unwise to linger too close; the Red Dragon might notice.

White Wolf led me to a secluded cave on the volcano’s slope.

I suppose her instincts as a wolf helped her find these spots—there was less volcanic heat, and a cool breeze occasionally swept through.

“So, how have you been?”

“Gek, gek.”

How have I been?

Living as a captive of the Red Dragon, obviously.

I traced patterns on the ground to explain my situation to White Wolf.

“So you managed to take down the fire rat, huh?”

“Gek-ek.”

“So, can’t you go back now?”

“Geh…”

I wanted to go back, but the Red Dragon wouldn’t let me.

You never know what she might do.

Besides, there are things I want to learn from her, and this place—the volcano—is where I might find clues for my next evolution as a Fire Dragon.

“Gek, gek, gek.”

Explaining it all wasn’t easy, though.

Not knowing how to write, and my drawing skills were nothing to boast about.

“…So, you’re planning to stay here?”

“Gek?”

How did she guess that?

"I've watched you enough to figure it out just by looking."

Funny, I didn't think we’d seen each other that much.

“So, you have to stay with that red lizard during the day?”

“Ge-eek.”

“And at night, you get a bit of freedom?”

“Gek.”

Come to think of it, how did White Wolf even manage to reach this place with all the volcanic heat?

"Those strange guys with two horns helped, so I can manage for now."

Ah, those two-horned gentlemen again.

It’d be nice if they could do the same for me.

"Things have certainly become complicated, with a creature like that suddenly appearing."

“Gek, gek.”

Tell me about it.

"Oh, don’t get the wrong idea. It’s not like I came here just to see you. I was just being pestered by Chirang."

"Ge-kek-kek."

“…What's with that sly expression?"

"Gek."

What did I do?

“Anyway, I’ve confirmed you’re fine, so I don’t have to worry about you anymore.”

“Gek.”

White Wolf offered a very straightforward conclusion.

Alright, let Chirang know that I’ll return once I’ve achieved something meaningful here.

“That’s enough. As long as you’re alive, that’s all that matters. We’re not exactly… close or anything.”

For some reason, White Wolf turned her head away, as if upset.

A sudden silence fell between us.

Maybe it was just my imagination, but it felt like the air had gotten colder.

"…Hey."

Breaking the silence, White Wolf spoke again.

Still looking away, she nudged me gently with her paw.

"…Did you really enjoy that so much?"

What’s she talking about?

"Why, you were practically melting, lounging on her lap with your tongue hanging out."

She saw that?

"Gek, gek."

It was just a natural instinct for a lizard, I couldn’t help it.

“…Hey.”

She called out to me again.

"You do realize… I was the one who did that first, right?"

…A lap pillow?

"…Just keep that in mind."

She was acting strangely.

She seemed restless, then angry, then sighed, as if feeling sorry for me.

She looked at me as if she couldn’t understand her own feelings.

"I really don’t get why anyone would like a creature covered in nothing but scales."

Was she talking about her fellow wolves?

Well, they did seem to like me.

"Come here."

“Gek?”

Was I supposed to go to her or stay?

A white light shone, and White Wolf’s appearance changed.

Now, with snow-white hair and golden eyes, she gently reached out and pulled me closer.

“Is this what you like?”

She softly stroked my head.

"…Honestly, I just don’t understand."

But a slight smile crossed her face.

"Hey."

White Wolf called to me once more.

"…I can’t stay here forever, you know. I need to be with my pack."

Her cheeks flushed slightly, as if embarrassed.

"So, come to this spot after dark."

I stared at her.

"After all, I need to check if you’re alive or not. Not that I care, but Chirang keeps pestering me…."

She continued to mutter excuses to herself, though I hadn’t said a word.

Her babbling was so amusing that I couldn’t help but chuckle.

I wondered how she'd react to seeing a lizard laugh.

"…I really don’t understand."

I suppose it’s hard to comprehend a lizard smiling.

Maybe it looked a bit creepy.

"What’s so charming about a creature covered in nothing but scales?"

White Wolf really seemed to be grappling with some complex feelings.

Considering that her fellow wolves were drawn to a strange lizard like me, I guess she had a lot on her mind, too.

Thinking about that, I felt a little guilty.