Chapter 15

It’s so embarrassing when strangers tell me I’m cute.

It was as embarrassing as accidentally making a lisp in front of everyone.

My face turned bright red, and I was trembling, trying not to wriggle around while clutching my tail. Then, from far away, Seorin’s cheerful voice reached my ears.

“Hae-un!”

Even though she was waving and running over like this during training, is that okay? But since no one seemed to stop her, it must be fine. So, with a wiggly body, I greeted Seorin as she approached.

“Look at that! She’s wagging her tail so much meeting her sister.”

“Wow, she’s so cute. If she keeps wagging that fast, it might fly off!”

“But, is it okay for babies to enter the training grounds? It seems dangerous…”

Only then did I realize my tail was wagging after hearing the comments around me. I mentally pleaded with my tail to stop because it was embarrassing, but it kept wagging wildly, happily greeting Seorin.

“Han Arin Hunter had fun playing?”

“… Woof.”

“Really? That’s good. Thank you so much for watching over the kids, Han Arin Hunter.”

Han Arin gave a slight nod to Seorin’s thanks and crossed her arms. Seeing her overly cold reaction, I wondered if she disliked Seorin…

“Whoa, big deal. Han Arin Hunter actually responded to Lee Seorin.”

“Eh? Really? Didn’t I hear she mostly ignores people unless they’re close friends?”

“Yeah, even sometimes ignoring her close friends too.”

From the unexpected conversation, it became clear that Han Arin’s response was unusually friendly.

“Hmm?”

That statement made me disagree entirely, squirming to argue how active Han Arin really is—but I couldn’t move due to holding the dessert box, leaving me pouting awkwardly.

As I calmed my “I’m mad!”-wagging tail and approached Seorin, she petted my head and smiled warmly.

“Sis, I’ll be back in an hour after finishing my free training, okay?”

Considering eating during intense exercise could upset the stomach, we agreed to give the desserts afterward, and I nodded. With a bright smile, Seorin waved goodbye and left.

I stood there dumbfounded, watching Seorin’s retreating figure until Han Arin called out softly beside me, inviting Chae-a and me.

“Sis will show you around the training ground, follow along. Oh! You can leave those boxes here.”

Though the boxes weren’t heavy, they were cumbersome to carry, so I carefully placed them where Han Arin pointed. Feeling relieved with my hands free, Chae-a tugged on my clothes and whispered.

“Contractor…! Look, those scarecrows are walking around!”

Curious about the “scarecrows,” I turned my head and saw golems resembling scarecrows wandering about. Fascinated by their strange sight, Han Arin chuckled, picked up Chae-a and me, and said.

“Young ones, follow sis closely.”

“Alright!”

Embarrassed by my own clumsiness despite Chae-a’s enthusiasm, I thought I keep making weird mistakes and apologized. In response, Han Arin rubbed her cheeks against mine and grinned contentedly.

Feeling flustered by her actions, I didn’t know what to do until Chae-a pointed at the empty training ground and suggested.

“It looks big enough to play hide-and-seek!”

Judging by her cheerful tone, she wanted to play hide-and-seek. Thinking it wouldn’t cause trouble, I nodded in agreement.

“Shall we?”

“Yes!”

Han Arin smiled at Chae-a’s answer, placed us gently on a nearby mat, and explained.

“I’ll go rent this area for us. Wait here, alright?”

“Mm-hmm…”

“Good girl.”

While trying to calm my wagging tail, Chae-a suddenly gestured frantically and spoke to me.

“Chae-a wants to see sparkles…”

“Sparkles…? Is that what you mean?”

Pulling out my phone just in case, Chae-a’s eyes lit up brightly as she nodded quickly. Wondering why she suddenly wanted to see my phone, I handed it over. She bowed deeply like I did during my broadcast before.

“Hello there…!”

Of course, since the phone was off, only a black screen appeared. Confused, Chae-a shook her body and stared intently at the phone, then greeted louder.

“…”

With still no response, Chae-a immediately looked disheartened. Wanting to explain why there was no reaction, I hesitated but decided not to shatter her innocence. Instead, I praised her intelligence by patting her head.

“Hehehe.”

Happy to receive praise, Chae-a clung to me. As I continued patting her head, I slowly turned on the phone and spoke.

“So, let me wake the people up for you. Chae-a, greet them again?”

“Wowww!”

Excited about the chance to greet, Chae-a nodded enthusiastically, shaking her hair.

Thinking she was adorable, I pressed the start button more skillfully this time.

[SeorinSeorin – Ah, Hae-un started broadcasting!]

Seorin appeared as soon as the broadcast began. Though she clearly left for training earlier, I wasn’t sure how she was watching. Turning around, I spotted her fiddling with her phone behind us.

‘Is this allowed?’

Uncertain but thinking it shouldn’t be, I remembered this world being based on Seorin’s original “Saengaji” story and shook my head.

‘She’ll handle it herself without me saying anything.’

Deciding to encourage rather than nag, I calmed Chae-a, who was pressing her cheek against the phone, when a chat popped up.

[RichAndSuspicious – A training ground, huh? This reminds me of the old days when the Hatchlings used to train.]

Hearing about hatchling training sparked interest, prompting me to ask calmly.

“How does one train?”

[RichAndSuspicious – Mostly involves learning magic or developing abilities suited to individual traits, like foresight or purification.]

The mention of traits intrigued me, widening my eyes. Curious if I could learn too, I asked.

[RichAndSuspicious – Of course, it’s possible. Half-dragons are dragons after all.]

Receiving a positive reply delighted me, and I glanced at Chae-a next to me.

‘If my ability turns out amazing, I could earn lots of money. I want to give gifts to those I’m grateful to and buy Chae-a delicious treats.’

Received favors must be returned as favors.

This was basic human decency and essential social common sense. Determined to repay kindness, I vowed silently and asked RichAndSuspicious again.

“Then, how exactly does one awaken their abilities?”

[RichAndSuspicious – Since each dragon awakens differently, exact methods aren’t known. However, strongly wishing for something usually triggers the awakening.]

The method felt vague.

After pondering for a moment, I thought repeatedly wishing might create strong desires. Clasping my hands together, I wished for the first thing that came to mind.

“Please let me become someone needed by others.”

Though abstract and vague,

It was a deep-rooted desire within me, embarrassing but heartfelt.

‘Of course, it’s too embarrassing to say aloud to others.’

Still, I hoped it would come true, closing my eyes.

At that moment, a soft, warm sensation enveloped my shoulder.

‘Warm…’

Though possibly a mere illusion caused by concentration,

A persistent feeling urged me to continue. Filled with earnest wishes, I kept praying.

After a few minutes of wishing,

Just as I was about to tell RichAndSuspicious it failed,

My body suddenly shimmered blue, and an alien sensation swept through me.

“What’s happening?”

Confused by the unfamiliar phenomenon,

Chat messages rapidly appeared celebrating something.

[RichAndSuspicious – Never seen a hatchling awaken their trait so quickly. Very impressive.]

[ChapssalDdeokMochi – Hae-un, congrats on your awakening! You looked super cute doing it!]

[MintPineappleRamen – ccccccccc]

[UnknownUser – First time seeing a dragon awaken their power, it’s cool.]

Could it have succeeded?

Embarrassed, I hugged my tail and fidgeted nervously while calming down. Meanwhile, Chae-a clung to me, repeating “Wow, amazing!”

Patting the giggling Chae-a clinging to me, I fell into thought.

‘So, what exactly is my trait?’

Even though I awakened, I wasn’t sure what it was.

‘Since it reacted to my wish of wanting to be needed by people, it must be related to that…’

Still, it felt too abstract to understand fully. Deciding to test various things, I resolved to figure it out.

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