“Ah–!”
Crashing down from the sky through the dense pine needles, he landed in the snow.
Covered in leaves and snow, Genasa stood up, shaking his head and looking around in confusion.
“Hey, damn it, where the hell did you drop me this time? Is this even my home country anymore?”
By a river floating with chunks of ice stood several simple but sturdy wooden huts.
Judging by the rough architectural style and their sudden appearance here, it was clearly a gathering spot for intelligent monsters.
Most likely some kind of beastman territory.
But there was no one moving around outside—maybe everyone was hiding indoors from the bitter cold.
Geli appeared beside him, glanced Genasa up and down, then replied:
“This is the Lizardman tribe that showed up here a while back. Judging by the species, they’re Wetland Lizardmen. If they’re here, their original homeland must’ve had trouble, and they escaped here as refugees. Since they didn’t have time to store up food for winter, they’re on the brink of starving.”
As she spoke, she took out a bottle of pink potion, her eyes burning with crazed excitement and a twisted smile fixed on the small wooden huts before them.
“You psycho! You know they’re refugees and you still have the heart to mess with them? Put that potion away!”
Annoyed by Genasa’s outburst, Geli pouted.
“They’re all nearly dead anyway. I’m just helping them repopulate—what’s wrong with that, hmm~”(J^L)
“Don’t make your nasty hobby sound so noble, you lunatic!”
Reluctantly, Geli put away the dubious potion and placed her hands on her hips in exasperation.
“So, what do you plan to do now?”
“What do I plan to do? Nothing! The effect of those slimes’ potion should be wearing off soon, so let’s go get some ice cream.”
“Huh?”
After Genasa went back and dealt with the Ice Slimes that had knocked him here, he ate some ice cream and returned.
“These Ice Slimes really don’t have any flavor. Luckily there are some wild berries nearby. I’ll have to make something better myself when I get the chance.”
The wild berries didn’t taste great, but at least they had some flavor.
Geli was holding an Ice Slime too, but looked utterly disgusted, then suddenly turned to Genasa with a strange question:
“So, what are you planning to do about those Lizardmen?”
“You’re asking me? How should I know? This is your territory. Either drive them off, take them as subordinates, or just ignore them and let them fend for themselves. What else can you do?”
“Hmm… That is a problem.”
Geli tossed the Slime aside and rested her chin on her hand, thinking.
But her gaze drifted unconsciously toward Genasa.
She stared at him for a moment, then her face twisted into a mischievous expression.
“Let’s just let them stay for now. Maybe they’ll be useful in the future. Go hand out this food to them, and introduce yourself. It’ll make it easier to ask them for favors later.”
Genasa couldn’t be bothered to guess what Geli was thinking. Right now, he just wanted to finish the errand and get back—no way he was getting tricked again.
Geli handed over a box, placing it on Genasa’s back. Inside were several cuts of fresh meat.
Carrying the box, he walked up to the biggest hut and raised his claw to knock.
“Open up, community relief delivery.”
He used the continent’s common language as he knocked, but no one responded after a long while.
With his sharp hearing, Genasa could tell there were people inside, but they didn’t dare open the door.
“No one home? Preparing to blast the door.”
“Wait, wait! We’re here, we’re here, don’t blast it!”
A frail, elderly voice shouted nervously. The common language was awkward, but still understandable.
With a creak, the rough wooden door opened. An elderly white Lizardman, leaning on a staff of raw wood, stooped over and shaking so badly he could hardly stand.
Before he could speak further, Genasa tossed the box over.
“You all look like you’re starving, so I brought you some food.”
The old Lizardman stared in confusion at the box Genasa had thrown, his eyes wide in disbelief.
“Why would you help us?”
Genasa paused, considering the question.
“I don’t know. Guess I’m just a good person, alright?”
Whatever—just feeding them for the old hag anyway. Who knows what she’s planning? Maybe she wants to use them as test subjects.
After handing over the food, Genasa turned to leave. Behind him, the old Lizardman called out again.
“I don’t know your intentions, but as the tribe’s priest, on behalf of my people, I thank you. May I ask your honored name?”
Turning around, he saw the old man kneeling on the ground, bowing low in worship.
From the surrounding huts, other Lizardmen began to emerge—mostly brown and black, with a few green ones.
But there weren’t many; a quick glance showed barely a dozen, and almost all were elderly, women, or children.
They watched Genasa with curious eyes, gathering around him.
“Name, huh? I’m Genasa. Alright, see ya.”
Without another word, Genasa left coolly.
Behind him, the old Lizardman whispered Genasa’s name.
“Genasa… Is he a dragon? Why would he help us?”
They stared after him blankly, not moving until Genasa disappeared from view.
Back at Geli’s side, she waved a hand dismissively.
“Let’s go home.”
“Okay.”
Suddenly, Genasa jolted. Once again, that message appeared in his mind:
[Recognized by the Lizardman Priest. Skill acquired: Stealth Ambush]
Huh? The priest counts too?
Noticing something strange, Geli spun around, tilting her head at Genasa.
“What just happened to you?”
“Huh? Nothing, why?”
Genasa looked at Geli in confusion, realizing she’d already noticed something.
But he didn’t dare tell her about it. He knew all too well the danger of “treasuring a jade in your bosom.” Besides, as a Red Dragon, he was seen by other races as naturally evil.
If he racked up too many buffs and Geli started thinking he was getting out of her control, she might just decide to get rid of him. That’d be the end.
“Hmm… Tch, that’s strange. Whatever, let’s talk about it back home.”
“Alright.”
The two dragons, one big and one small, each kept their own thoughts as they walked.
Another strange fluctuation like that… Why? Just now, by delivering meat, he earned the Lizardmen’s gratitude… Gratitude? Couldn’t be that simple. But he definitely gained something from it, probably knows exactly what, but is hiding it from me—or maybe he doesn’t know himself… Whatever, there’s plenty of time. I’ll test it out on him again later.
As for Genasa:
It’s confirmed. If you get the approval of a leader-level creature, you get one of their racial talents. No idea if there’s a limit. This Lizardman’s talent isn’t much use anyway. I already know how to ambush; now it’s just taking up space. Sigh… I’ll experiment with it more later.
After that, Geli didn’t mess with Genasa further and took him back to the Crystal Palace.
“Ah, finally, I can get some real rest.”
Dragging his tired body, he was about to head to his room to relax, but his claws just scratched at the floor, his body not budging an inch.
Speechless, he turned around. Sure enough, Geli was gripping his tail, refusing to let him go.
“What do you want now?”
“We just got back from outside. Shouldn’t you take a proper bath? What if you brought back something dirty?”
“Ugh.” (一一)
He was speechless for a moment, but figured a bath couldn’t hurt. Besides, since his reincarnation, he’d never actually had one.
“Fine. So, how do we do this bath thing?”
Geli gave a mischievous grin, stuck out her tongue, and drew closer to Genasa.
“What does a dragon need water for? Just a good licking and you’ll be clean. Hold still, your master will handle your bath personally.”
“Wait—no, what are you doing! I don’t want a bath, not like this! Stay away from me!”