Dragon World.

This is a vast cavern, with stalactites of varying lengths hanging naturally from the ceiling. Suddenly, accompanied by a tremor, a long, slender stalactite broke off and fell toward the ground, ultimately landing on a peculiar, oval-shaped egg that stood a meter tall.

With a cracking sound, the slender stalactite shattered into several pieces. Clearly, the egg was quite sturdy! Nearby, a variety of eggs were neatly arranged, differing in shape but roughly the same size. They were carefully stacked on a cone-shaped pile of stones.

Just then, another tremor shook the cavern, and from around the corner, a massive creature appeared. Towering several hundred meters tall, its immense body was a breathtaking sight. Dark red, diamond-shaped scales covered its entire body, and with each step of its two thick hind legs, the entire cavern quaked. Its long, powerful tail dragged behind it, effortlessly smashing any rocks in its path to powder. Its thick arms hung by its sides, swinging naturally, brimming with untold strength, and its sharp claws were as deadly as blades. On its back, its leathery wings were covered in a layer of fine red scales.

Atop its short, thick neck was a head also covered in red scales. Its cheeks protruded slightly, and its gaping maw was filled with razor-sharp teeth. The heat from its breath was so intense that it distorted the air around it. On its head were two spiraled horns curving backward, and below them, a pair of golden eyes gleamed with intelligence.

The massive creature entered the cavern and headed straight for the pile of eggs. "Hmm... I wonder if any of you little ones are eager to come out and see the world!"

Muttering softly, the enormous creature stood by the stone pile. Although it spoke quietly, the sound was astonishingly loud, causing the stalactites above to sway slightly. Strangely enough, despite its terrifying and fearsome appearance, its voice was unexpectedly pleasant.

Looking down at the eggs beneath her—each of which seemed no bigger than pebbles to her—the massive creature bent down, bringing her golden eyes closer to them. Although her face couldn’t form any expression other than ferocity, there was an odd sense of gentleness and focus about her.

“Wow! By the Creator Dragon above, there are five little ones this time!”

As she spoke, the searing breath from her mouth washed over the eggs on the stone pile. The heat, intense enough to warp the surrounding air, had no effect on the eggs—it was as if they were merely being brushed by a gentle breeze.

After closely inspecting the eggs, she selected five and gently took them from the pile, placing them on the ground. Then, she laid herself down, her eyes filled with anticipation as she watched them.

…

“Hmm... Where is this place?”

He opened his eyes, but all he could see was darkness. A sense of confusion flickered in his golden, slit-shaped pupils.

So cramped!

As he moved his body slightly, this thought came to his mind. It seemed that he was enclosed in something now.

Suddenly, his pupils contracted sharply, and then a flood of memories rushed into his mind. As he processed these strange yet fascinating memories, countless questions began to rise within him.

"What are those moving things?"

"They are humans!"

"The ones with four legs too?"

"No! Those are dogs!"

"And what are those square things that can run?"

"Those are cars!"

"What about the square things that don't run?"

"Buildings!"

...

One question after another surfaced in his mind, and a mysterious voice answered each one. Gradually, a world full of both wonder and danger unfolded in his thoughts.

It was a world controlled by creatures called humans, filled with all kinds of other beings and things created by them.

So...

"Is that the outside world? When I get out, will I be living in a world like that?"

“No, that was my world once. Your world—you must see it for yourself!”

“Who are you?”

“Me? I am your father!”

“Where are you? Why can't I see you?”

“I am among the stars. If you want to see me, you’ll have to find me yourself!”

“The stars? Where is that?”

“Stand on the earth and look up—what you see above is the starry sky!”

“Why are you there?”

“We come from the stars. The stars are our dreams, our ambitions, our future, and our home. We are star dragons, and the stars represent freedom. That is why we are born free!

Remember your name, Falbre Vette!

Remember... I will be waiting for you in the stars!”

“The stars... freedom...”

Vette softly repeated these words, his golden slit-pupils shining with the light of dreams!

Suddenly, a faint cracking sound reached his ears!

…

“Duh-O!”

With a young roar, a golden, shining little life burst into the world!

Then... he turned and started munching on his eggshell!

Beside him, a small creature covered in red crystals watched the scene, gulped, and then cautiously walked toward the golden little one to join in.

But a sudden gust of wind flipped the little creature covered in red crystals over!

Then, a thunderous voice boomed through the air.

"No! Billy! That's not yours!"

The red crystal-covered dragon, known as Billy, withdrew his gaze reluctantly. He noticed that the golden dragon, the one who had just hatched, now looked at him with a hint of hostility. Sizing up the golden dragon’s strong physique, Billy wisely took a few steps back.

From his inherited memories, he knew that this golden creature, a so-called Gold Dragon, was a dragon with more muscle than brains.

What a shame—of the four others that hatched, none were of his own kind!

As he thought this, Billy glanced briefly at the other two dragons who had turned to see what was happening. Then, his gaze shifted to the last unhatched egg.

He hoped it would be one of his kin!

However, when he looked at the gleaming silver eggshell, he could only sigh in disappointment.

If his inherited memories were correct, the one inside that egg was even more closely related to the golden dragon next to him.

Suddenly, the sound of cracking filled the air.

All five pairs of eyes immediately focused on the last remaining egg.

Under their eager gazes, the egg finally cracked open. But instead of interacting with them, the silver hatchling that emerged took one look at them and then simply started eating, showing no interest in communicating with the others.

Watching this scene, Winter's once-loving gaze immediately darkened.

"A drake!"

...

Upon hearing this, the other four young dragons watching below couldn't help but show some sympathy in their eyes. With their inherited memories, they understood exactly what it meant to be a drake, and they also knew the fate that awaited a dragon who had become one.

While the others were momentarily stunned, Vette had already instinctively swallowed all the eggshells that had once protected him. After licking the egg fluid from the corners of his mouth, he turned to look at the towering creature.

He had a feeling that when the creature mentioned "drake," it was referring to him. But he didn't know what a drake was.

So...

"What is a drake?"

The little one, who had just been labeled a drake, spoke up, surprising Winterst.

"By the Creator Dragon! You can speak!"

Vette looked at Winterst, confused.

"Why wouldn't I be able to speak? Also, what is a drake?"

Before he could get an answer, Vette suddenly saw the enormous creature reaching its claw toward him. Realizing what was happening, he quickly tried to run away.

However, with his tiny legs, barely a meter tall, even if Winterst let him run 99 meters ahead, she could still easily catch him without moving a single step.

So, Vette's attempt to escape was doomed to fail. He was caught!

Yet, his stubborn nature wouldn't allow him to just be taken like that. In desperation, he bit down on a nearby scale!

"Ow!"

After a pained cry, Vette clutched his mouth and rolled on the ground.

Watching this scene, Winterst's golden eyes flashed with a hint of amusement.

This little dragon might have something wrong with him!

The difference in their sizes was obvious, and it should have been enough to make the little one realize the gap between them. Yet, he still bit her anyway.