Episode 144

While Yu Seha and Divine Light Garam were enjoying dinner, with Choi Mari secretly watching and munching on popcorn, another event was unfolding at the same time.

In the VIP dormitory provided by the <Academy> for its cadets, Ju Na-young leaned back in her chair, speaking on the phone with someone.

She scratched her cheek, feeling embarrassed.

She waved her hand, chuckling, “Yongehehe…”

“Oh, don’t make such a fuss. Team Leader sis.”

-As expected of the young lady, I believed in you. Being the daughter of the [Clan Leader], you were bound to succeed.

“Well, it’s just one ability unlocked… You’re overreacting.”

-Just one ability, young lady? You know how symbolic [Dragon Breath] is for our [Dragon Sword Mir Clan].

Ju Na-young awkwardly smiled at the words of the Team Leader sister she had known for a long time.

That was right.

She was currently informing a few trusted people—her mother, the Team Leader she was speaking to now—that she had successfully unlocked [Breath].

‘…Hmm.’

Ju Na-young gave a bittersweet smile at the Team Leader’s continued congratulations.

The woman she knew was always businesslike and quiet, rarely showing emotions.

For her to speak so joyfully was the first time in the ten years they’d known each other.

‘…However.’

This also implied that she was unknowingly quite worried.

Surely, the Team Leader was concerned about the successor rivalry in <Dragon Sword Mir>.

Just…
She was probably hiding her anxiety on purpose.

‘……’

Ju Na-young didn’t particularly want to mention it.
Currently, <Dragon Sword Mir> was in the midst of a successor battle.

Well, of course…

It wasn’t a violent factional struggle, though.

Initially, the claim for succession was merely incited unilaterally by the <Opposition>.

Ju Na-young was undeniably the legitimate successor of the <Dragon Sword Mir>, one of the Four Great Clans.
She was already a figure of valid authority and overwhelming position by her existence alone.

The problem was that there were quite a few relatives who found Ju Na-young distasteful.

The argument they presented was simple.

Ju Na-young was unfit to inherit the title of Dragon.

‘…Certain powers that every [Dragon] descendant should possess.’

Among these, two stood out: [Wings] and [Breath].

While the innate ability to manifest scales on the arms and legs was considered basic and overlooked, not having the other two abilities painted her as incomplete.

The <Opposition> claimed that she lacked the qualities to lead <Dragon Sword Mir>.

In truth, their objections were more of an excuse than a genuine concern.

What they truly wanted was to undermine Ju Na-young’s mother, the current clan master and one of the only five S-class hunters in Korea, Ju Yae-yong.

Ju Yae-yong despised corruption and had purged the clan of many rotten elements, earning the ire of these relatives.

Despite the pettiness of their grievances, they couldn’t be entirely dismissed.

The previous clan master, Ju Na-young’s grandmother, was aligned with the Opposition.

‘Grandmother often said.’

‘One without the qualifications of a dragon should not lead <Dragon Sword Mir>.’

In fact, Ju Na-young remembered her first meeting with her.

The older woman had looked visibly disappointed, clicking her tongue at the sight of her granddaughter, who appeared more like a lizard with scales around her limbs.

That’s why…

‘She must be looking at my cousin.’

Unlike Ju Na-young, her cousin had unlocked [Wings] at the age of ten—a remarkable achievement.

“Ugh, so annoying… Do they think I don’t want to unlock my [Wings]? It’s not like I can force it to happen!”

-It’s okay, Miss. You have gained a power greater than that.

Indeed.

Now it was different.

She grasped the power that would silence not only her relatives but even her grandmother.

It was authority so overwhelming it could tear the Opposition apart.

That was why the Team Leader was concerned.

*-Miss, I assume you know this, but you must keep this fact hidden. Now is not the time to reveal it. *

“I know. It’s about revealing it when the time is right and shutting everyone up… something like that, right?”

-That’s correct. However, just to ease my worries, I’ve heard that all your colleagues are aware of this. They are…

“It’s fine. Don’t worry.”

Ju Na-young cuts off the words firmly.

“I’ve asked them in advance… I assure you they’re not the kind to speak carelessly wherever they go.”

She swallowed the words, ‘Especially Yu Seha…’

-I apologize. It was presumptuous of me to doubt…

“Hey! Don’t say things like that. It’s natural to worry. Just keep an eye out in case the <Opposition> tries to approach them.”

-Understood.

‘Hoo…’ Ju Na-young let out a small sigh.

She sighed in relief as the conversation somewhat concluded.

As a side note, she vaguely expressed that Yu Seha had helped her unlock [Breath].

‘…Because I can’t exactly say, we unlocked it by making loud slurping sounds and deep kissing while mixing our tongues.’

Surely, the entire <Dragon Sword Mir> would be turned upside down.

Ju Na-young didn’t want the situation to get any more complicated than it already was.

Ju Na-young scratched her head.
She flinched at the words she soon heard.

-Ah, and… the Master was very pleased.

“…Oh, Mother? She didn’t show much reaction when I told her…”

-She maintained her composure in front of you, Miss. She even said, “Hmm, hmm… I see. Well done.”

Ju Na-young was genuinely surprised by those words.

Ju Yae-yong had a personality completely opposite to her daughter.

Taciturn and blunt.

Of course, that was just on the outside.

Anyway, Ju Na-young had never heard her talk like that before.

-And…

“Yes?”

-She wants to meet you soon to hear the full story… Specifically, she wants to meet with you and Yu Seha.

“…!”

A hiccup came out naturally.

Regardless, the Team Leader continued to speak.

-She mentioned that [Breath] isn’t something unlocked by mere handholding. She wants a detailed account of how it was achieved and would also like to meet Yu Seha.

Ju Na-young pressed her lips together.

As expected of her mother, this wasn’t something she could brush aside.

“Yes, got it. I’ll think about it…”

-Understood. Then, I will see you again during the [Midterm Exam]. Once again, congratulations, Miss. Have a good night.

“Yeah, you too, good night.”

Ju Na-young ended the call.
She let out a sigh, ‘Phew…’
Scratched her head.

This…
The conversation ended up being longer than expected, and she didn’t manage to ask the most important thing.

‘…Hmm.’

The main reason for the call.

Unlocking [Breath] was just a side matter…

The biggest reason was to ask what kind of clothes men liked.

The Team Leader, to Ju Na-young’s eyes, was a sophisticated beauty.

Given that she often received confessions from both men and women…

She must know better about these things than she did.

‘At the same time…’

She also thought of getting advice on the problem she was currently facing.

“Gulp…”

Ju Na-young swallowed dryly and sneakily took out her phone.

The name 【Yu Seha】 was written there.
It was none other than a ‘personal chat room’ he had invited her to.

Thump, thump, thump.

“…Ah, seriously, stop beating so fast!”

Just seeing the name Yu Seha made her heart start pounding uncontrollably.

Ju Na-young let out a slight grumble and carefully read the chat once more.

The content of yesterday’s conversation.

Although Ju Na-young would immediately flee in embarrassment whenever she saw Yu Seha in person—shouting things like “Yongwoo-ehhh!” or “Yong-ahhh!”—she had no problem talking to him in cyberspace, where they didn’t have to face each other directly.

[Yu Seha invites you to a personal chat room.]

【Yu Seha】: Ju Na-young. Do you have time now? Can we talk?

【Give Me a Nickname Please】: What’s up, Yu Seha? A personal chat room…? It’s not even a group chat. Is there something going on? If you need help, just let me know without hesitation.

【Yu Seha】: Oh, it’s just that I happened to get tickets to the <Entity> amusement park.

【Give Me a Nickname Please】: Really? Those are incredibly hard to get… How did you manage to snag them?

【Yu Seha】: A friend gave them to me. So, do you want to go?

【Give Me a Nickname Please】: I’d love to~ But why all of a sudden? Aha! Is this the after-party for catching the <Sea Dragon>? It’ll be fun if we all go. Oh, but Yu Seha. Isn’t Ma Hana too short to ride the attractions?

【Yu Seha】: No, no. Meowi and Moon Bora aren’t coming. It’s just the two of us.

【Give Me a Nickname Please】: …Huh?

【Yu Seha】: You and me.

We’re going to the amusement park, just the two of us.

“……”

Ju Na-young couldn’t reply for a whole five minutes to that message.

Of course, she eventually sent a reply in a hurry, but…

Ju Na-young stared intently at the word ‘just the two of us.’

Then, she asked herself again.

‘…This is that, right?’

Right?

‘A date invitation.’

Right?

Right?

‘It must be… right?’

Q: I have a guy friend who suggested going to an amusement park.

-We haven’t known each other that long, but he’s really cool. At first, I thought it was strange… but at some point, I found myself drawn to him… Ah, anyway! I digressed. Recently, he emphasized that we should go, just the two of us… I-is this what I think it is? Is it a green light? Should I wear pretty clothes?

A: [Shaman]’s reply.

-Of course! The suggestion of an amusement park date already shows intent, and just the two of you? It’s practically confirmed. Personally, if you’re willing to go that far… I highly recommend wearing your lucky underwear.

A: [Barrier]’s reply.

-Congratulations. After reading your explanation… it seems like you already have feelings for the gentleman. You can seal the deal this time.

“…Yong-eueu, Yong-eeehh, Yong-aaahhh!”

Yongaaa!!!
Bungbungbung!

White steam rose above Ju Na-young’s head.
A thick dragon tail that popped out swayed back and forth.
Dust rose, but the tail didn’t stop moving.

Wondering if it was just her imagination, she posted a question…

Unexpectedly, a very good answer was given.

‘…People online are so kind.’

Ju Na-young stomped her feet.
In the end, as if she couldn’t hold back, a Yong-aahhh sound came out, and she ran and leaped onto the bed.

True to its expensive nature, there was no noise at all, and the soft texture embraced her.

Ju Na-young flailed her limbs on it once more.

Thump, thump, thump.

Her heart felt like it was going to explode.

Yes, this feeling was…

‘What Ma Hana had told me about…’

It was a meow feeling, followed by a meow, then a meow mood.
In her own words, it was a yong-aah feeling, followed by a yong-aah, then a yong-aah mood.

“What do I do? What do I do?!”

Yu Seha…

That Yu Seha…

Always squeezing and releasing her heart. That Yu Seha from afar…

Had just asked her out on a date.

Yes, definitely!
No doubt about it!

“…Haa.”

Ju Na-young looked at the ceiling and laughed, ‘Yonghehe…’

It was hard to control the muscles of her lips.

Looking at the chat again, she sneaked a glance through the photo album.

There were pictures taken with everyone.

Among them, the one who stood out the most was Yu Seha, right at the center.

With a bright smile, he placed one hand on Ma Hana’s crown.
With both arms, he skillfully held herself and Moon Bora.

“…Handsome.”

A straightforward and clean evaluation devoid of personal feelings.

Yet… he was beautiful.
At the same time… she wanted to have him.

Thump, thump, thump.

Saliva pooled in her mouth.
It was the telltale sign of a dragon’s greed beginning to surface.

She forced herself to look away.

“……”

Ju Na-young, unable to even look directly at the photo, let out a ‘yong-aaahh…’ sound and lay down on the bed.

It was hot.

Too hot.

Her racing heart radiated a feverish warmth that seemed to engulf her entirely.

Then suddenly, she thought.
No, it felt new again.
The question she had from the beginning.
It was just that she hadn’t thought about it due to the chaos.

“……”

How did Yu Seha even know…

How to unlock [Dragon Breath]?