CHAPTER 72

I Didn’t See Anything, Though?

✦ ✦ ✦

Minjun was already well aware that when two people from different worlds fell in love, complications were bound to arise. After all, his own relationship with Sia had been a continuous series of crazy, unexpected challenges.

However, as he listened closely to the heavy silence in the room, he realized something even more troubling. In this world, the very act of two different species loving each other was seen as a fundamental impossibility.

It wasn’t as if a human was trying to fall in love with a wild animal. Dragons and humans were both highly intelligent, sentient beings. Was it really that bizarre for feelings to bloom between them?

Besides, dragons frequently disguised themselves as humans, elves, or other races to travel the mortal realm during their Amusements.

If that’s true, then there shouldn’t be anything wrong with Sia and me… right?

Because neither Sia nor Rokan had ever delved into the dark cultural taboos of dragons, Minjun had always assumed their bond was just a matter of overcoming distance and magic. But watching the grave, pitying expressions around him, an icy lump of anxiety settled in his stomach.

“What do you mean when you say it’s impossible to maintain a normal relationship once a dragon’s identity is exposed?” Minjun asked, his voice tight.

“I mean exactly what I said,” Langs, the fox beastfolk, answered calmly, his usual playful banter entirely gone. “Other races—including humans—cannot truly love a dragon as an equal.”

Langs leaned forward, resting his forearms on the sticky wooden table.

“While hiding their identity, a dragon can play the role of a sweet, ordinary lover. But above all else, dragons despise having their true nature exposed during an Amusement. Once their secret is out, the magic is broken. They abandon the relationship, cut all ties with the mortal world, and return forever to their isolated lairs.”

He paused, offering a faint, sorrowful smile. “Your girlfriend was human in her past life, so perhaps her heart is slightly different. But that doesn’t change the biological reality. You two cannot share the kind of simple, quiet love that normal couples take for granted.”

Kutun looked at Minjun with deep, heavy pity.

“At least, that’s how dragon society works,” the dwarf added gruffly. “For a dragon to acknowledge another as their true, absolute mate, they must perform a ancient Soul Pact. And that pact can only be forged between two dragons.”

Without that sacred bond, Kutun explained, a human and a dragon might share a passing romance, but building a real, lasting life together was impossible.

Grasping at straws, Minjun swallowed hard and asked, “Even without that pact… can’t we still just live together peacefully?”

Kutun wanted nothing more than to offer the young man comfort, but he couldn’t bring himself to lie.

“Perhaps… assuming your world has no other dragons,” Kutun replied carefully. “If she is truly alone there, maybe it’s possible. But we know very little about the laws of the Great Ones.”

Minjun’s face turned deathly pale.

Saying it might be fine if there were no other dragons was just another way of saying that if other dragons existed, his life would become a living hell.

What are the odds that Sia and Rokan are the only dragons on Earth?

Dragons went to extraordinary lengths to conceal their presence while living among humans. Finding them was almost impossible unless they wanted to be found.

Earth is massive. There’s a high chance others are already living hidden lives there.

Minjun immediately thought of Lia Black—the SSS-rank Hunter who had suddenly flown in from the United States, aggressively pursuing him and trying to seduce him with an almost unnatural intensity. Considering her terrifying presence and bizarre behavior, the odds were high that she was a disguised dragon.

If Lia is a dragon… then others definitely exist on Earth.

If other dragons already knew about his relationship with Sia, what would happen?

The longer he pondered the consequences, the darker his thoughts became. If what these veteran warriors said was true, other dragons could step in at any moment to tear them apart. Even worse, Sia might already be facing intense shame and hostility from her own kind just for loving him.

Sadly, every single one of Minjun’s fears was spot on.

Though Minjun remained silent, staring blankly at the wooden surface of the table, Langs, Kutun, and the surrounding soldiers could easily read the anguish written across his face.

The poor kid is carrying a heavy burden… Langs thought, feeling a sudden wave of genuine sympathy.

Unable to stomach the heavy atmosphere while completely sober, Minjun picked up his full mug and drained it in one long, desperate gulp.

“There’s… one more thing I could tell you,” Langs hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. “But honestly? I recommend you don’t ask.”

“No,” Minjun said instantly, setting the empty mug down with a dull thump. “Please. Tell me.”

“Are you sure? You won’t regret it?”

“I’m sure.”

The damage was already done. Minjun figured that hearing one more harsh truth couldn’t possibly make him feel any worse than he already did.

He was dead wrong.

“You and your lover will never be able to have a child,” Langs said softly.

Minjun froze.

In hindsight, it was an obvious biological fact. But hearing it spoken out loud by someone else felt like a physical blow to the chest.

“You belong to completely different species,” Langs continued gently, trying to soften the blow. “No matter how deeply you love each other, the laws of nature won’t allow it. A child can never be born from a human and a dragon.”

Minjun’s breathing grew heavy and ragged as the reality washed over him.

“Minjun? Are you alright?” Estelle asked anxiously.

“See? I told you not to bring it up!” Kutun snapped, turning angrily on Langs. “Why the hell would you say that to him right now?!”

“He asked me directly!” Langs barked back defensively. “It’s better to take the hit now than be crushed by it years later! He was going to find out eventually!”

“You started this whole mess by rambling on about ‘normal relationships’ in the first place!”

As the table descended into a heated argument, Minjun raised a trembling hand, forcing a hollow, strained smile. “It’s… it’s okay. I’m fine, really.”

Deep down, Minjun knew there was a solution to every single one of these painful realities.

If he succeeded in his ultimate goal—if he shed his human skin and evolved into a dragon—everything would be fixed. They could forge the Soul Pact, quiet the judgment of other dragons, and create a family together.

That was the very reason he had been pushing his body to the absolute limit every single day.

Yet, even knowing there was a way forward, hearing the harsh reality laid out so plainly still tore at his heart.

“I think… I’m going to step outside for some fresh air,” Minjun muttered, pushing his chair back.

“Go on,” Kutun said gently, his loud voice softening. “Elysium has a beautiful night sky. Take your time, clear your head, and come back whenever you’re ready. We’ll be drinking until the sun comes up!”

Langs gave Minjun’s shoulder a quiet, supportive pat.

Minjun nodded numbly and walked out of the noisy tavern into the cool night air. Long after he left, the tavern remained filled with quiet, sympathetic murmurs about the young man’s heartbreaking romance.

✦ ✦ ✦

The moment I stepped out of the warm, noisy tavern, I sat down on a quiet wooden bench nearby and tilted my head back to look at the night sky.

Just as Kutun had said, the sky above Elysium was breathtaking—a sea of brilliant, swirling stars Framed by glowing cosmic dust. Yet, my mind was such a tangled knot of worry that I couldn’t bring myself to appreciate it.

“Sia knew all of this… and she still came for me.”

She knew that loving a human would bring judgment from her own kind. She knew the biological impossibilities. Yet, she had spent two thousand painful years tirelessly researching forbidden dimensional magic, driven solely by her devotion to me.

Alongside an overwhelming wave of love and gratitude, a suffocating ache bloomed in my chest.

How terrified must she be right now, knowing I was swallowed by a Gate?

Just imagining Sia weeping alone in our empty apartment made my throat tighten until I could barely breathe.

“How am I supposed to get back to you?” I whispered to the night air.

In the center of this strange, ancient city stood a massive dragon statue that radiated an unmistakable, mystical aura. There was no way that statue had randomly yanked me across dimensions for no reason.

At the very least, you could’ve asked for my permission before dragging me here, I thought bitterly.

Letting out a heavy sigh, I stared at the distant silhouette of Lord Bellium’s statue. Standing beneath the radiant full moon, its majestic, stone wings were clearly visible even from across the city.

It was too late tonight to do anything, but first thing tomorrow, I would investigate that statue top to bottom.

Realizing I needed to ground myself, I reached into my pocket out of sheer habit and pulled out my smartphone.

As expected, the top corner read No Service.

I hadn’t pulled it out expecting a signal. Instead, I opened my photo gallery and slowly scrolled through the pictures of Sia and me. Seeing her bright, beautiful smile instantly soothed a fraction of the heavy ache in my chest.

I should take a picture of the sky, too, I thought. When I get back home, I can show her what the stars looked like in her old world.

I snapped a quick photo of the night sky and went back to admiring Sia’s face when the rustle of light footsteps caught my attention.

I looked up to see Estelle walking toward me, her arms laden with a wooden basket of food.

“Mr. Minjun, may I sit with you?” she asked gently.

“Of course. But… what are you doing out here?”

“I didn’t want you wandering around and getting lost,” she said with a warm smile, sitting down on the edge of the bench. “And… you looked so sad earlier. I thought having some company might help, even just a little.”

Her genuine kindness warmed my bitter mood.

“Plus, I brought food!” she added, holding up the basket. “You barely touched your dinner earlier, so I figured you must be starving. Here.”

Inside were thick, juicy sausages, freshly baked bread, and skewers of seasoned meat.

“Thank you, Estelle.”

“Don’t thank me,” she shook her head earnestly. “We’re the ones who owe you our lives. If you hadn’t been there today, I dread to think how many of us would have died on those walls.”

“You’re giving me too much credit.”

“Not at all. You were incredible.” Estelle smiled, pulling a skewer from the basket and taking a hearty bite. “I know your head must be spinning with complicated thoughts right now, but eat first, think later. Just let your mind rest for a little while, okay?”

Watching her chew contentedly, I picked out a delicious-looking skewer and took a bite. The savory flavors filled my mouth, and for a moment, the tension in my shoulders eased.

Then, a sudden realization struck me.

“Wait… Estelle? Don’t elves strictly avoid eating meat?”

Sia had mentioned before that elves considered eating meat a sacred taboo, living entirely on herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Yet, the skewer Estelle was happily devouring was packed with grilled meat.

“Oh, this?” Estelle chuckled, looking down at her skewer. “You’re right. Traditional elves are strict vegetarians. I used to be one, too! But one day, I secretly took a bite of cooked meat… and discovered it was the most delicious thing in the world.”

“What happened when the others found out?”

“The moment they caught me, they completely lost their minds,” she laughed softly, though a flicker of old sadness crossed her eyes. “They dragged me straight to the High Elders. Honestly, I’m lucky they didn’t execute me—they settled on permanent exile instead. After wandering the wilds for years, I finally found my home here in Elysium.”

She spoke about it with a light, easy breeze, but I could only imagine the immense terror and loneliness she must have endured back then.

Right… Lord Bellium built Elysium as a sanctuary for exiles.

I had assumed Estelle was born here, but she had her own painful history of being rejected by her own kind.

Hearing her story gave me a strange sense of comfort, but it also made my heart ache. How much hidden pain are the other cheerful people in this city carrying?

In that moment, Estelle and the residents of Elysium overlapped with Sia in my mind. They were all individuals who were different, misunderstood, and cast out by the world—or the children of those who were.

Suddenly, the psychological distance between these strangers and me felt much smaller.

Not wanting the atmosphere to become gloomier, Estelle flashed a bright, cheerful smile. “Besides, I love Elysium way more than my old home anyway!” she declared, taking another big bite of meat.

She glanced over at my hands. “By the way, Mr. Minjun… what is that strange object you’re holding?”

“This?” I held up my phone so she could see the screen. “It’s called a smartphone. Almost everyone in my world carries one.”

I gave her a brief, simple explanation of how it worked.

Estelle’s eyes widened in sheer amazement. “That’s unbelievable! I can’t feel a single trace of mana coming from it, yet it can send messages, play moving pictures, and capture light? All in this tiny black box?”

“Pretty cool, right? It can take photos, too. Here, I’ll show you.”

I opened the gallery and displayed a clear photo of Sia smiling beside me.

Estelle gasped softly. “Is this your girlfriend?”

“Yeah,” I smiled, unable to hide the pride in my voice. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”

“’Beautiful’ doesn’t even do her justice… She looks like a goddess.”

Her praise instantly unlocked my inner romantic. Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe I was just desperately missing Sia, but I couldn’t resist showing off a bit more.

“Wait, I have an even better one right here.”

I popped off my phone case and pulled out the physical, instant photo Sia and I had taken together at a picture booth. I handed the glossy paper to Estelle.

She took it delicately, holding it like fragile glass as she marveled at the physical print. “The way you two are looking at each other… it’s completely filled with love.”

“Of course,” I said softly, staring at Sia’s glowing smile in the photo. “Neither of us can live without the other. That’s why no matter what it takes, I have to find a way back home to her.”

Talking about Sia only burned the fire in my chest hotter.

“Is there… really no way for you to travel back on your own?” Estelle asked gently.

“It’s going to be extremely difficult,” I sighed. “Like I mentioned earlier, dimensional magic is so complex that even Sia—a dragon standing at the pinnacle of magic—needed two thousand years to figure it out.”

I had asked, hoping against hope for a miracle answer, but reality remained harsh.

Seeing my expression darken, Estelle leaned in, her eyes shining with determination. “Well, if there’s anything the people of Elysium can do to help you, just say the word! You’re our honored guest—and our hero!”

“I’m really grateful to hear that, Estelle.”

It seemed my reckless fighting during the wyvern attack had earned me the eternal gratitude of this city.

“In that case,” I said, looking toward the glowing center of the city, “I’d like to thoroughly investigate Lord Bellium’s statue tomorrow. Do you think you could help me get permission?”

I had a strong gut feeling that the statue held the key to my return.

“Of course!” Estelle agreed without a second of hesitation. “I’ll introduce you to Adil tomorrow morning! He’s the official caretaker of the statue.”

She took another skewer from the basket. “Adil is also our chief historian. He knows every single detail of Elysium’s history, so I’m sure he’ll be a huge help to you.”

“That’s amazing news.”

“If you don’t mind me asking… why are you so focused on the statue, Mr. Minjun?”

“I have a feeling that if I examine it, I’ll find a clue to get back home,” I explained honestly. “I don’t know the exact details yet, but I feel like… the statue and I are somehow connected.”

Estelle tilted her head in confusion.

From her perspective, my logic probably sounded completely absurd. Sure, the city was built by a dragon, I possessed a dragon’s power, and my girlfriend was a dragon—but that was hardly concrete proof of a connection to a specific ancient monument.

“You saw it during the battle earlier, right?” I asked, trying to clarify. “That long, thin strand of light connecting my chest directly to the statue?”

Estelle blinked, looking utterly bewildered. “Strand of light?”

“Yeah, during the wyvern attack. Didn’t you see it? It looked like a thread of shimmering Aura. It was thin, but the glowing color was so distinct that it should have stood out to everyone on the battlefield.”

Estelle stared at me blankly for a long moment, her hand freezing halfway to her mouth.

“…Was there really something like that? I didn’t see anything, though?”