Got a Gallery in the Wild

When people think of an animal with wings.

The first thing that comes to mind for most people is a bird.

Creatures that, despite their small size, freely soar through the sky thanks to their large wings.

Insects also have wings, but they usually aren’t the first thing people imagine.

The exception would be bats, mammals with wings.

And, conversely, there are also birds that cannot fly.

This world wasn’t very different.

Especially since there were quite a few winged creatures here.

Pegasi, dragons, harpies.

There were many exceptions, but even so, most people still considered wings to be almost exclusive to birds.

“Peeeep…”

And right in front of me was a winged creature.

Its wings were small compared to its body, but they looked fairly sturdy.

And its body?

Its skin was cracked, like that of a reptile.

Though I wasn’t sure whether to call it skin or scales.

‘What the hell is this?’

A winged reptile.

As I observed it more closely, I noticed even more features.

The vertical pupils characteristic of reptiles.

The horns protruding from its head.

And after putting all those characteristics together, only one possibility immediately came to mind.

But I could be wrong.

So I simply looked at Ludwig to see his reaction.

“…..”

It seemed he had reached the same conclusion.

Although he maintained an extremely serious expression, he tilted his head slightly in confusion.

If our guess was correct, this was a very serious problem.

And even if it wasn’t.

It was obvious that this creature was anything but ordinary.

“Sir. Do you also think it’s a dragon hatchling?”

“…@#$%”

“I read in the Gallery that dragons are obsessively protective of their young, remember?”

What did that mean?

That there was a high probability the mother was searching the entire Forest of Four Seasons for her hatchling.

I had no idea how this little one had ended up here.

But this was definitely not good news.

‘If this goes wrong, we’re really screwed.’

What was a dragon?

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a walking catastrophe.

Wasn’t Kadir revered as the King of Mages because he had single-handedly slain a dragon?

Every individual dragon was most likely far stronger than Sloth or even the alpha gorilla.

“Peeep…”

The supposed dragon hatchling let out a pitiful cry.

Putting aside whether it was a dragon or not, it was covered in wounds from head to toe.

It was painful to look at.

It had probably made its way to the cave while desperately trying to survive.

I sighed inwardly.

‘Ha… I can’t just pretend I didn’t see it.’

It wasn’t brazen like that raccoon from before.

And besides, I was worried about the consequences later on.

I decided to treat it.

I still had the animal elixir StarlightPrincess had given me.

Ludwig looked at me as if asking whether I really intended to do this.

But I couldn’t just throw it out.

This was the best thing I could do.

‘Its scales really shine up close.’

Seen from nearby, they looked incredibly tough.

Meanwhile, the little one slowly raised its head.

Its vertical pupils stared directly at me.

“Peeeep!”

The moment it saw me, it spread its wings and took a defensive stance.

Although the membranes of its wings were also torn, so it wasn’t particularly intimidating.

Holding the bottle of elixir in one hand, I slowly approached.

The closer I got.

The louder it screamed.

“Peeep!”

Snap!

The moment I reached out my hand, it tried to bite me with all its strength.

Its mouth was filled with razor-sharp teeth.

But it no longer had any strength left.

And it was seriously injured.

I dodged several of its desperate attacks and patiently waited for it to lower its guard.

“…..”

Perhaps because of exhaustion.

Or because it had finally stopped distrusting me.

It slowly folded the wings it had kept fully spread.

Eventually, it lowered its head as well.

It seemed to have half given up.

This was my chance.

I slowly poured the elixir over its head.

Drip.

“…Peep?”

Feeling that strange sensation, it slowly lifted its head.

It seemed to realize something was changing inside its body.

Its small wounds began to disappear.

And the torn membranes of its wings also started to regenerate.

Apparently, the elixir worked on dragons as well.

Though it was probably because it was still very young.

Once all its external wounds had healed, I took out a small bowl.

I mixed some honey with a little elixir and brought it close to its snout.

“Eat this, then either leave or stay here if you want. Just don’t call your mom.”

“…..”

The little one alternated its gaze between the bowl and me.

Inside was honey mixed with a little elixir.

It gave off a sweet aroma.

People had always said you shouldn’t accept food from strangers.

“Chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp. Chomp, chomp.”

But when you’re starving to death.

The story changes.

It practically buried its entire snout in the bowl and began devouring the honey.

Seeing it eat so desperately made it obvious it hadn’t eaten anything in a long time.

‘Could it really be a dragon?’

While it continued eating, I made a post on the Gallery.

No matter how strongly my instincts told me it was a dragon hatchling.

There was still the possibility that it wasn’t.

Title) Is this a dragon?

WildGrills

(Photo of the injured dragon hatchling.)

(Photo of the dragon hatchling in a defensive stance.)

(Photo of the dragon hatchling devouring honey.)

(Video showing its full appearance.)

I was resting in the cave because it was raining when this little guy walked in.

At first glance, it looks like a dragon hatchling. Is it really a dragon?

ㄴHeavenlyDemon) How fascinating. The dragons in my land ascend from imugis, so dragons in your world actually lay hatchlings? This is the first time I’ve ever heard of such a thing.

ㄴSwordmaster) Then the dragons in your land don’t have offspring?

ㄴHeavenlyDemon) It’s the imugis that become dragons. That’s why they’re spiritual creatures. They’re different from dragons.

ㄴSwordmaster) But if you think about it, couldn’t dragons also be considered spiritual creatures? Their intelligence rivals that of humans.

ㄴHeavenlyDemon) A spiritual creature is an ordinary animal that evolves. Dragons are fundamentally different beings from the start. Yokai aren’t spiritual creatures either, are they?

ㄴIt’s weird seeing you say something intelligent.

ㄴWhen she talks about subjects she knows, she’s actually pretty knowledgeable.

ㄴBut is that really a hatchling? Because if it is, Grills is in the greatest danger of his life.

ㄴStarlightPrincess) Judging by its appearance alone, yes, it looks like a hatchling. But seeing all those injuries… I have a very bad feeling about this…

ㄴWildGrills) I also want to return it as soon as possible, but it’s raining and it doesn’t have the strength. I’ve heard dragons are extremely protective of their young. Is that true?

ㄴStarlightPrincess) Yes. If one of their hatchlings is in danger, they’ll search for it desperately. Long ago, the Iris Kingdom nearly disappeared because of something like that.

ㄴIf it hadn’t been for Kadir, it really would’ve been the end of the kingdom.

ㄴWhy did the dragon attack back then?

ㄴSome poachers captured a hatchling to sell it. But it was too weak and died.

ㄴTsk… They were worse than beasts.

ㄴNow that I think about it, have all the Dragon Slayers throughout history been humans?

ㄴYes. Neither elves nor demons have ever slain a dragon. Humans just have absurd potential.

ㄴIt’s because dragons are practically immune to magic. Both elves and demons specialize in magic, so they lose their greatest advantage.

ㄴAnd why are they immune? Because of their scales?

ㄴThat plays a part, but dragons themselves also use magic. Even the myths depict them casting spells.

ㄴBut those are just myths.

ㄴWait. Immune to magic? Then how the hell did Kadir, a mage, kill one?

ㄴThey say he dropped a Meteor on it. They’re immune to magic, not to having a gigantic rock fall on top of them. LOL.

ㄴMagic advanced enough is no different from brute force.

ㄴBesides, he defeated it by outsmarting it. When it came to magic, Kadir was several levels above the dragon.

ㄴSunForEver) Wow, now you’re even raising dragon hatchlings? I’ve never been able to raise one. I’m so jealous.

ㄴHey, aren’t you thinking about the fact that this could bring about the destruction of an entire kingdom?

ㄴSunForEver) Dragons are very intelligent. They don’t attack someone who saved their life. Besides, there’s also the possibility that it lost its mother.

ㄴI don’t know about the rest, but considering it’s the Forest of Four Seasons, that sounds pretty believable. LOL.

ㄴSo there are creatures capable of killing even a dragon?

Wow.

They just kept saying unsettling things.

And the worst part was that most of them were probably true.

If even a sloth was a monster in that forest.

Then what would a dragon be, a creature that was already powerful to begin with?

And on top of that, there were creatures capable of threatening even a dragon?

It was the worst possible combination.

If a dragon showed up right here and breathed even a single breath attack, we’d all end up perfectly roasted.

And now they were telling me there were creatures even stronger than that.

‘If I simply throw it out, the hatchling… no, the hatchling might hold a grudge against me.’

I looked at the hatchling.

It seemed to have calmed down and was now sleeping soundly.

Where?

“Peeep…”

“Kyuu?”

On Wonmo’s fluffy back.

Since he was smaller than Wonmo, he had curled up comfortably on top of him and was sleeping peacefully.

Wonmo wasn’t doing anything either.

Maybe he was still confused.

Or perhaps he had already realized that the little one wasn’t any danger.

“#%#”

“Yes?”

Once things seemed to have settled down, Ludwig quietly called out to me.

He looked at the hatchling sleeping on Wonmo and spoke with a complicated expression.

“%%##”

“You mean, isn’t it dangerous? Of course it is.”

“#%%#?”

Then why wasn’t I doing anything?

Shouldn’t I be trying to solve the problem somehow?

That seemed to be what he was asking.

And honestly.

I thought exactly the same thing.

But.

“What can we even do?”

“…?”

“What can we do against that underage dragon?”

Unfortunately.

There was absolutely nothing we could do.

That hatchling was even worse than a minor protected by the law.

The moment we did anything to him.

His mother would show up to beat us to a pulp.

Literally.

Even if the hatchling had been the one who started the trouble.

“…..”

Had Ludwig more or less understood what I meant?

With a dazed expression, he slowly walked over to the wall and slumped against it.

Even a former commander of the Holy Knights couldn’t help fearing a dragon.

“Hey, Sloth. Aren’t you afraid of dragons?”

Then.

What did Sloth think?

Was he afraid of them?

“…”

As always, he wore that calm expression.

Maybe it was because he’d never seen one.

Or because he didn’t even know what a dragon was.

It was impossible to understand what went on inside that creature’s head.

Though if there were any real danger, he’d probably warn me immediately.

‘It would be best if the hatchling recovered completely and left…’

But.

Could he survive alone in such a terrifying forest?

It was already a miracle that he’d managed to make it this far.

And above all.

Did he even know where his home was?

That was what worried me the most.

“Peep.”

About an hour passed.

The hatchling, who had been sleeping on Wonmo, stretched and slowly opened his eyes.

He looked much better now.

It seemed he had recovered completely.

“Peep?”

“…”

He was adorable.

But in a different way from Wonmo.

Wonmo awakened your protective instincts with his fluffy fur and owl-like face.

The hatchling, on the other hand, combined the charm of a baby with the innate charisma of a dragon.

It was like comparing a dog and a cat.

Both were equally adorable.

“Chu, chu, chu, chu. Come here.”

“Peep?”

I beckoned him over with my hand.

Behind me, Ludwig looked at me as if I’d completely lost my mind.

I ignored him.

After all, since things had already reached this point.

There was nothing wrong with trying to get along with him.

“Peep…”

Perhaps he understood that I was the one who had healed him.

Even with a frightened expression.

He slowly approached.

He kept his wings fully spread, ready to flee at any moment.

Slide.

“That’s it, that’s it… very good. Good boy.”

“Peeeep~”

But in the end.

No creature could resist being petted.

Once an animal stopped distrusting someone, it was very rare for it to reject being petted by a human.

He even wagged his tail slightly.

It was obvious he liked it.

‘How strange… the scales are soft and hard at the same time.’

Scales that combined softness and hardness.

His wings were the same.

I thought they’d be soft because of the membranes, but they were surprisingly sturdy.

Even if he was only a hatchling.

He was still a dragon.

Then another question came to mind.

‘Why did he come here?’

Had he left home out of curiosity, just like Wonmo?

Or had something happened to his parents?

I’d find out eventually.

Until then.

It was best to stay calm.

“Kyuu! Kyuuuu!”

Was he jealous because I was only petting the hatchling?

Wonmo stomped over in a fury.

He placed his tiny forepaws on my thigh and chin, as if ordering me.

“Pet me too!”

That adorable little face full of anger made it obvious he was dying of jealousy.

“Alright, alright. I get it.”

“Kyuuuuu~”

With two babies around.

Things had become considerably noisier.

“Sir. Would you like to try petting him?”

“…”

“You don’t get the chance to touch a dragon every day.”

“Ahem.”

After I insisted a little, Ludwig cautiously approached.

But perhaps because it was Ludwig rather than me.

“Peeeep!!”

The moment Ludwig came close, the hatchling suddenly opened his mouth and roared.

Fwoosh!

To make matters worse, a tiny breath of fire came out of his mouth.

The flame was no stronger than a candle, but the message was perfectly clear.

Don’t come any closer.

“…..”

Faced with such outright rejection, Ludwig lowered his shoulders and sat back down dejectedly.

Perhaps Wonmo felt sorry for him, because he quietly walked over.

And Ludwig ended up healing the wounds in his heart by hugging Wonmo.

‘I could’ve sworn this man used to be a very serious person.’

I didn’t know whether it was because he’d finally left all his worries behind.

Or simply because of Wonmo.

Either way, the hatchling had already let his guard down around me.

Now all that remained was to wait.

For his mother to appear.

Or for the hatchling to decide to leave on his own.

One of those two things.

‘As for food, fish should be enough.’

He was obviously a carnivore, so fish would be a much better option than fasting pills.

I was curious how much he would eat.

And although he was small, his appetite rivaled Wonmo’s.

It had been raining a lot lately, so our supplies were starting to run low.

‘Tomorrow, as soon as dawn breaks, I’ll head to the river first.’

That was how the day ended.

Since it had started raining in the afternoon, we hadn’t managed to accomplish much.

Even so, meeting such an extraordinary creature made it far from a bad day.

[We need to give the hatchling a name.]

[How about Alexander II?]

[Honestly, Little Dragon is the safest choice. Right?]

‘What is wrong with these people? They’re already naming him?’

And on top of that.

They all had terrible taste in names.

I closed the Gallery and went to sleep.

I’d have to get up early tomorrow.

And so the next morning arrived.

“Uuugh…”

As I stretched, I checked the time in the Gallery.

Six in the morning.

The first thing to do would be to head up to the river and set the traps.

So I slowly walked toward the cave entrance.

I’d covered it with cloth to keep insects from getting in.

It had rained all night, so I was expecting to find a clear morning outside.

“Grrrrrr…”

“…”

But instead…

The first thing that greeted me was a pair of ruby-colored eyes.

They were so enormous that they occupied nearly half the cave entrance.

And those vertical pupils were staring at me with a gaze that seemed intent on killing me.

“…Fuck.”

Had the legal guardian come?