Nightfall. Favna found a deserted spot to transform into her dragon form and fly back to her lair deep in the remote mountain valley—mainly to grab some gold to compensate Alte.

She knew she was socially anxious, but she wasn’t the type to dodge debts or refuse to admit fault.

Even as a so-called “wicked dragon,” she had her principles.

(Though her second-eldest sister would definitely argue she didn’t live up to the title.)

But no matter~ Once the money was paid, she and Alte would be even. No debts, no future meetings—everything settled!

She’d even mentally calculated how many days she’d need to stay holed up at home afterward.

The journey was too far for her human form’s speed to cut it; only dragonflight would do.

That’s exactly why she chose this abandoned park in the dead of night.

Wasn’t convenience the whole point?

“Dragon transformation…”

Favna took a deep breath. A surge of immense magical energy swirled around her, kicking up dust that swallowed her form. In under two seconds, the girl vanished. Where she stood now loomed a Silver Dragon, massive as a small mountain, alone beneath the silent sky.

“ROAR!! …Mmph!”

Returning to dragon form after so long felt like a cathartic release—a joyful roar burst out before she snapped her jaws shut, remembering this was no place for noise.

Crouched low, the Silver Dragon glanced around nervously. Confirming no witnesses, she spread her wings—roc-like at first glance, no, *dragon*-like—and shot skyward.

Unbeknownst to Favna, inside the Dragon Knights Order headquarters in Naro City, Philo stared solemnly out the window.

A faint resonance trembled in her soul—like wolves sensing the alpha’s silent call.

Though no sound reached her ears, instinct pulled her gaze toward a specific direction: the abandoned park, nearly empty at this hour.

One glance made her eyes widen.

Against the pitch-black, moonless sky, a massive silhouette shot straight upward.

If her eyes weren’t lying… that was unmistakably a *dragon*!

“Bro!” Philo called urgently to Alte, who was mid-gaming. “Get out here—there’s a dragon!!”

“A dragon? Where?” Alte set down his mouse and keyboard, voice laced with skepticism. “Creatures like that don’t just show up.”

Still, he shuffled slowly toward her—much to his sister’s frustration.

“Bro, hurry! It’s getting away!”

“I think you’re seeing things. How could there be a—huh?”

His eagle-sharp eyes finally caught the distant silhouette. Too dark to confirm details, he hedged: “Could it be a wyvern?”

“Impossible!” Philo insisted. “I feel the soul-deep resonance—it’s a bloodline instinct.”

As a Dragonkin, reverence for a pure-blooded dragon was innate, even toward a stranger.

“It’s gone… vanished into the dark. Tch.”

Alte reached for binoculars too late. Frowning, he muttered, “Why would a dragon appear in Naro City? Aren’t they supposed to stay in remote areas?”

“I don’t know,” Philo replied, theories swirling in her mind. “But it’s been hiding here all along.” A wistful note crept in. “If only it would contract with you, Bro…”

“We don’t even know its identity. I couldn’t tell its color, let alone its attributes.”

“I have a feeling…” Philo’s thoughts settled. “It’ll return. Not every dragon prefers solitude.”

She had proof: a dragon living among humans served as head of the Oversight Bureau, fearlessly investigating government misconduct—even confronting the Emperor.

So why hadn’t Alte sought *that* dragon? Simple. Ancient. Proud. Approaching her would be futile. Better to find a younger, more… gullible—no, *suitable*—dragon.

“Let’s hope so,” Alte said, undiscouraged. He’d spotted a target. Now he just had to find it.

***

Meanwhile, Favna had already returned to her mountain lair.

Perched halfway up a towering peak, the cavern entrance was sealed by enchanted runes and massive boulders.

Remote location? Thief-proof.

And even if intruders came, the draconic rune traps would handle them.

After shifting back to human form, she stepped into the dim cavern.

Stuffy from poor ventilation? No issue for her.

She approached the large chest—her final savings, her secret stash. Stored here specifically to curb her urge for in-game purchases.

Never thought it’d actually come in handy.

“I think there were still 200,000 gold coins in here?”

Exact amount fuzzy, but repaying Alte’s 120,000 was covered. The rest? Pocket money.

“Whatever’s left is whatever’s left~”

Joy bloomed at the thought of gacha spending again—until she lifted the chest.

Her smile froze.

Why… was it so light?

A sinking dread seized her. She flung it open.

Empty. Not a single coin. Not even dust.

“WHERE’S MY MONEY?!”

Staring into the void, despair swallowed her. She collapsed limply to the stone floor.

What now?

Flee?

Work it off?

One thing was absolute: selling herself was *completely* out of the question.