An Uninvited Visitor

“Uu—”

“What’s wrong, my Daisy? Why is that cute little face all puffed up?”

“Uu—uu—”

That afternoon, after Viola had used her tentacles to put on a shadow play about legends from the outside world, inside the vast cave lit only by daylight streaming in from the entrance, with rocky walls and dry grass scattered everywhere—

Daisy, having had her suggestion to go out adventuring in the outside world bluntly rejected by Viola that morning, was now sulking.

Wrapped in a fluffy fur blanket, she sat with her back to Viola, puffing up her soft little cheeks and making disgruntled noises.

“My little Daisy? Are you angry? Poke poke.”

Nearby, Viola—her slender, jade-like body completely bare—crawled over on all fours.

She reached out her long, delicate fingers and gently poked Daisy’s sulky, puffed-up cheek.

“Are you hungry? There’s still plenty of troll meat from earlier. Want some roasted meat?”

As a growing young dragon, Daisy had a huge appetite.

Even though she had eaten not long ago and didn’t actually feel hungry, the thought of that rich, fatty roasted meat still made her a little tempted.

But right now, Daisy was in full sulk mode.

She wasn’t about to abandon her dignity over a bit of food.

“Don’t want it…”

“Don’t want it?” Viola tilted her head slightly, then extended a glistening fingertip storing fruit juice. “Then how about something to drink?”

“Don’t want…” Daisy stubbornly refused again.

“No drinks either? Then shall we play something?”

“Don’t wanna…”

Viola looked slightly surprised that her food-loving little Daisy could resist food, juice, and even play.

After thinking for a moment, a subtle, sly expression appeared on her face.

Feigning seriousness, she stood up and turned toward the cave entrance.

“Then I’ll change things up for dinner. I’ll go catch some big fish from the lake by the forest. Stay here and be good.”

“Uu…”

There was still plenty of troll meat left from the morning’s hunt.

There was no real need to go out again.

At times like this, Daisy actually wanted Viola to stay with her a bit longer.

But remembering that she was still upset about Viola refusing to let her go out adventuring, she didn’t call out to stop her.

Viola’s tall, slender, completely bare figure gradually walked toward the cave entrance, her steps carrying her farther and farther away.

Suddenly, Daisy felt a strange sense of unease.

As if something bad was about to happen.

But she couldn’t explain why.

At this moment, in the ancient monster-infested forest where Daisy and Viola lived—a place rarely visited by outsiders for centuries—uninvited guests had already arrived.

Neither Daisy nor Viola knew yet.

The enemy was in the open, while they remained unaware.

“……”

Daisy sat on the soft bed of dry grass, staring blankly at Viola’s retreating figure—her long, flowing black hair cascading like water, her bare back fading into the distance.

And one thought lingered in her mind.

Going out like that without wearing anything… is that really okay?

Meanwhile, at the outer edges of the lush, endless forest where their cave was located—

Five human Adventurers had trespassed into the area.

Weapons drawn, they advanced boldly into the depths of the forest, their gazes greedy or vicious as they searched for any trace of dragons.

They clearly meant trouble.

Rustle… rustle…

The five-member party hacked their way through the dense forest, pushing aside branches and cutting through vines as they advanced fearlessly, unconcerned with the dangers lurking in every shadow.

“Stay sharp. Something’s there…”

At the front of the group was a blonde girl.

A special hairpin adorned her side, and she held a machete as she cut through obstacles.

Her blue eyes glowed faintly with magical detection as she stared into the seemingly still depths of the forest.

She had already sensed something approaching silently.

The hairpin she wore contained a small, faintly glowing translucent crystal—a magic stone refined from naturally formed magical ore.

It allowed humans with limited magical circuits to use magic and produce various effects.

Originally, the refining of magic stones was a dwarven technique.

Humans had stolen it long ago.

“Fifty meters… forty… thirty…”

The blonde girl focused intently, tracking the hidden target and relaying its position.

Thanks to her detection abilities, the team could move through this dangerous forest with reckless confidence.

“Twenty meters… it’s here!”

“Hissssssssss—!”

With a sudden rustle, a massive serpent-like creature burst from the bushes.

It lunged through the air toward the group, screeching.

From its fang-filled maw, it sprayed a large amount of glowing, magic-infused venom.

Each droplet, driven by magic, carried penetrating force—like a barrage of toxic pellets raining down on the five Adventurers.

Unlike humans, monsters naturally possessed dense magical circuits and organs, allowing them to wield magic instinctively.

“Child’s play!”

Though the ambush was swift, the Adventurers were ready.

A rugged man in heavy armor stepped forward.

Raising a large metal shield, he activated the magic stone ring on his hand, channeling magic into the shield.

A larger magical barrier unfolded, blocking the venom like a rain of arrows with a series of clinks.

“Hissssss—!”

The serpent’s attack failed, but it continued charging.

With a loud crash, it slammed into the glowing shield, claws and fangs striking as sparks and magical light scattered.

“Die, monster!”

Beside the shield-bearing warrior, a lean young man in light armor darted forward.

His sword, infused with magic through a ring, formed a sharp energy blade.

With a flash, he slashed across the serpent’s thick body.

The magically enhanced blade easily cut through its tough, metal-like scales.

Blood sprayed as the creature shrieked.

As it recoiled, a tall archer stepped forward.

Drawing his bow, he fired three magic-infused arrows at once.

They pierced into the serpent’s body, drawing more blood.

The heavy warrior and light swordsman pressed forward together, pursuing the wounded creature.

At the rear, an elderly mage in robes raised his staff.

He traced glowing magic lines in the air, forming a spell circle while chanting.

Beside him, the blonde girl retreated, preparing potions for support—some explosive, others for healing.

Human magic came from stolen knowledge.

From elves, dwarves, beastmen, and others.

Through deception and betrayal, humans had taken everything.

And built their civilization upon it.

“Don’t let your guard down!” the archer shouted. “We’re not here for small fry!”

“Our guild’s mission is classified. We’re here to find a dragon! Don’t waste time!”

In this chaotic era of monsters, war, famine, and disaster—

Humans still sought more.

Dragon slaying.

Every part of a dragon was priceless.

A single successful hunt could revive an entire kingdom.

Even knowing dragons were overwhelmingly powerful, humans still pursued them relentlessly.

Especially if it was a young dragon.

Even better.

Viola… why are you taking so long…

At dusk, golden sunlight stretched into the cave.

Daisy sat alone, waiting.

Viola was usually incredibly fast—able to travel dozens of kilometers in minutes.

But this time, she had been gone nearly two hours.

Daisy began to worry.

She stared at the cave entrance, thoughts drifting toward the outside world.

Maybe… I should go take a look?

She shook her head immediately.

No! This is our home! I have to guard it properly!

Just as she gave up the idea—

Clang… clang…

Strange metallic sounds echoed from outside.

Something was approaching.

Is it Viola?

Daisy’s sharp senses picked it up.

But something felt… off.

Clang… clang…

Armor.

A strange herbal scent mixed with blood drifted in.

A long, eerie figure appeared in the golden light.

Not Viola.

Before Daisy could hide, the figure entered the cave.

A person fully encased in heavy armor.

A sealed helmet obscured their face completely.

Two massive greatswords crossed on their back.

They smelled of herbs… and blood.

The armored figure walked in casually.

Like they owned the place.

Then—

Their gaze met Daisy’s.

Who is this?!

What do they want?!