*

Rumble~~~

Adorably cute, incredibly kawaii.

A voice as sweet as the girl’s appearance broke the forest’s silence, where only two remained.

Illuminated by the orange-red firelight, Jikuhir’s pretty little face was visibly flushing with a rosy hue.

Clearly, the little girl was genuinely starving.

“So you were hungry after all,” Cang Xiaoxi sighed slightly, setting his food aside.

Under Jikuhir’s occasional sideways glances, he pulled out the empty water bottle. As she tilted her head in confusion, his eyes shifted to a cyan-silver glow.

“Dragon’s Eye…”

This wasn’t the first time Jikuhir had seen Cang Xiaoxi wield the Dragon’s Eye—she’d witnessed it while he prepared dinner. But never this close.

Up close… just as she’d suspected…

“So beautiful~.”

Though the silver leaned cool, Jikuhir felt not a hint of coldness. Up close, the magic felt warm, familiar, gentle—as if she’d known it forever.

Had she? She couldn’t say.

All she knew: Cang Xiaoxi’s off-the-charts power had rewritten her entire understanding.

After all, even the simplest low-tier Arcane Artifact usually took weeks to craft, often requiring a team. His method? Truly off the charts.

Wrapped in warmth, curiosity about the boy deepened.

She didn’t even notice when he’d finished.

“I left it here. Help yourself.”

He set the plastic bowl of steaming meat broth on a stone right beside her. Mission done, Cang Xiaoxi returned to his own meal.

“W-Who’d accept charity from a human like you? Are you an idiot?!”

Pouting stubbornly in true tsundere fashion, Jikuhir’s little-girl pride refused human charity—it was Dragonkin principle. Even as her resolve wavered, she clung to it desperately…

Rumble~~~

Her traitorous stomach betrayed her again, loud and untimely.

Jikuhir’s face burned crimson. *She’ll laugh at me for sure…*

But Cang Xiaoxi didn’t. He ate on, acting like she wasn’t there—despite the petite, adorable girl inches away.

“Mmm… you…!”

Jikuhir snapped. When had *anyone* treat the Dragon Sovereign of the World Tree like air? All day, barely a handful of words—names exchanged only before dinner!

Fury simmered. Was she truly so unappealing? Among Dragonkin, she was a celebrated beauty! Petite, yes—but still!

This time, even if she couldn’t win a fight, she’d annoy him into submission.

But—

“I’m not the ‘human’ you think I am. Soup’s here. Drink it or don’t.”

Before she could protest, Cang Xiaoxi set the empty pot aside and began crafting weapons from scavenged materials.

“Not human? Then what…?”

Jikuhir frowned. He looked exactly like an arrogant little human brat. She didn’t believe it—but his tone left her confused.

Then her stomach rumbled again. Unbearable.

*Fine. Not charity. Just… borrowing his words.* She took a sip.

“Ew~! What is this?! No flavor at all! How are your taste buds wired?!”

She spat the barely-chewed meat out, tongue stuck out like an overheated puppy—utterly ridiculous.

Cang Xiaoxi didn’t even glance up. “I’ve got no seasonings. Expecting a lavish banquet?”

“A lavish banquet? What’s that?”

She tilted her head, eyes wide with genuine curiosity.

He just muttered, “A dish name,” and turned away.

*No explanation…* She wanted to rage—but had no choice. Resigned, she chewed the dry meat.

“Not tasty… mmm… I want sweet Spirit Peaches… something sweet… mmm…”

Bite after bite, she muttered to the air.

Once or twice? Fine. Repeated whining? Even Cang Xiaoxi snapped.

He set down the half-finished dagger. “Dragon Sovereign, eat quietly. Can you stop whining?”

“You think I *want* to?!” she retorted. “I love sweets! Missed my daily honey today… Do you know how miserable I am?!”

“Sorry. I really don’t.”

Honestly? He suspected the “two-hundred-year-old” Dragon Sovereign was closer to five.

Fed up with her buzzing complaints, he tossed over the bread meant for his breakfast. “Here. Stop whining. Keep it up, and I’ll tie you up.”

Threat delivered.

After nearly a day together, Jikuhir knew—he meant it.

“Damn it… Once I uncover your power’s secret, you’ll pay,” she muttered pettily, reluctantly taking the bread.

Familiar shape—bread existed in her world too. But this? Worlds apart.

So soft. So fragrant. Just the scent promised sweetness. She’d pay *gold coins* for this.

*Who IS this boy?* His clothes were ragged, yet exquisitely made.

Clutching the bread, she stared at him.

“What’s wrong? Not eating?” he asked.

“Eh? I am! I am! Who said I wouldn’t?!”

Terrified he’d take it back, she stuffed half the loaf into her mouth.

“Hey, slow down—you’ll cho—”

“Mmph?! Mmmph mmph…!”

Too late. Choking, she flailed and hopped like a panicked chick.

*Sigh… Am I raising a daughter?*

“Here. Water.”

He poured river water into her used bowl.

“Gulp gulp… Phew~ Thought I was a goner.”

Face cleared, breath steady—then she noticed his face, *truly* close. The one who saved her.

“Eep! Why so close?! You dirty-minded brat! Don’t you know it’s improper for an unmarried boy to get this near a girl?!”

“Is that so?” Cang Xiaoxi paused, then muttered, “The woman’s intel didn’t mention this… Local custom?”

“Hey! What’re you muttering?! Planning something? Watch out—”

“Relax. Not interested in kids. Or adults. Zero interest. Rest easy.”

“Hah?! Kid? You’re not— Wait! I’m NOT a kid! Don’t you dare!”

Again—called a child by someone who looked like one. She hopped in frustration.

“Yeah, yeah. If nothing else, I’m working.”

True to his word, zero interest shown, he resumed crafting.

He had immense magic, affinity for fire/earth/lightning—but no clue how to use them. Only Dragon’s Eye and basic magic control were imprinted in his mind. He’d realized it trying to light the fire.

Initial excitement made him overlook things. But that was fine. Learn as you go. Growth came from learning. Sudden, unearned power? That’d be unsettling.

Knowing Dragon’s Eye from the start was already luxury. His old life offered no care, no help…

“Guess I’m remembering unpleasant things,” he murmured with a wry sigh as the dagger finished.

In this reborn body… could he truly live well here?

He questioned himself. Found no real answer.

“Maybe.”

No guarantee. Memories of this world were fragmented. His shrunken body? Another puzzle.

As he pondered—

Jikuhir, a head taller, suddenly appeared beside him.

“Hey! Got it now! Your Dragon’s Eye modifies objects and infuses magic. Actually… pretty complementary to mine.”