Chapter 185: Lucky

Chapter 185: Chapter 185: Lucky

Seraphina Sinclair froze, but she didn’t pull her finger out from its claws.

Seraphina Sinclair stared at the Dragon Whelp for as long as the mobile cabin remained silent.

The Dragon Whelp began to tremble, its body shuddering as it pressed itself closer to Seraphina Sinclair’s finger, apparently drawn to her warmth.

Only then did Seraphina Sinclair realize the little creature hadn’t shaken off all the egg fluid. Its entire body was sopping wet; it would be a surprise if it *wasn’t* cold.

It was so small and drenched, looking utterly harmless—even a little pitiful.

’That huge creature outside... besides the curse, did it foist this egg on me because it was looking for a babysitter?’

"...Can’t be helped."

Seraphina Sinclair muttered under her breath. In the end, she still bent down and carefully scooped up the tiny creature with both hands.

It felt sticky in her palms, and she could clearly feel its uncontrollable shivers.

The little one seemed to feel the warmth of her palms. It immediately tried to curl up tighter in her hands, letting out a soft whimper from deep in its throat.

’It must be feeling better.’

Supporting it with one hand, Seraphina Sinclair used the other to pull out a few tissues and wipe the egg fluid from the Dragon Whelp’s body.

Once dry, the Dragon Whelp perked up considerably.

It shook its downy fuzz, making it even fluffier, then tilted its head back and cried out at Seraphina Sinclair: "AWOO!"

The sound was clearer than before, carrying a distinctly demanding tone.

Seraphina Sinclair’s momentarily gentle expression froze solid. She paused, her face turning grim, then raised her hand and delivered a swift, clean slap to the Dragon Whelp’s face.

She held back, of course.

The Dragon Whelp was stunned by the sudden blow. Its tiny head flopped to one side, and its entire body froze in place, having even forgotten to shiver.

Its ruby-like eyes instantly filmed over with moisture as it gazed at Seraphina Sinclair in disbelief.

"Ooo..."

A choked, incredibly pitiful whimper, thick with tears, escaped its throat—more heart-wrenching than any sound it had made before.

Seraphina Sinclair felt a pang of regret the moment she hit it, but it was mainly out of fear that the parent outside would see.

She didn’t let it show on her face. Keeping her expression stern, she poked the Dragon Whelp on the forehead and lectured it in a low voice, "If you’re going to follow me, you’re going to follow my rules. I am your master, not your servant. The sooner you recognize our respective places, the better, or you’re going to have a rough time."

She was beginning to understand. Though this little thing was weak now, it had likely inherited its parents’ arrogant disposition deep down.

’That "AWOO!" just now was its way of urging me to continue serving it.’

’Whether this thing is a burden or a boon, I absolutely cannot indulge this rotten habit!’

The Dragon Whelp seemed to understand her, which only made it look more aggrieved. Its tiny mouth trembled, and fat tears looked ready to spill from its eyes.

It curled itself into a ball, turning its now-fluffy white back to Seraphina Sinclair. Its tiny silhouette practically screamed, "I’m angry," "You need to cheer me up," and "Or this isn’t getting better."

Seraphina Sinclair: "..."

’Quite the temper.’

But she didn’t have the patience for it.

Seraphina Sinclair walked over to the broken eggshell. A blanket was spread out beneath it, which for the time being would serve as the Dragon Whelp’s nest. As for the specifics, she would have to wait until tomorrow and ask a waiter.

But as for this little guy, she was done waiting on it.

Seraphina Sinclair unceremoniously tossed the Dragon Whelp back into its nest. She took out the Invitation Letter for The Coliseum again, but just as she was about to use it, she suddenly remembered something.

She looked up and used Insight on the sullen Dragon Whelp.

The first thing that popped up was a naming page.

Seraphina Sinclair had no desire to name the creature. She tried to close the prompt a few times to no avail. After staring at the panel for a moment, she casually typed in a name.

The Insight page finally loaded:

[Newly Hatched Cursed Dragonkin (Lucky)]

[Status: Hatchling. Current Affinity with Binder "Seraphina Sinclair": 100%]

[Description: An heir to the bloodline of an ancient and powerful Dragonbeast, currently in the most fragile and critical stage of its life. It will see the first living being it lays eyes on (Seraphina Sinclair) as its one and only kin, possessing immense loyalty and dependency. But take heed: this species’ coming-of-age rite is "The First Cry’s Feast Must Be of Dearest Kin." Upon reaching adulthood, it will be unable to resist the most primal, most intense craving rising from the depths of its bloodline! It will devour the one it has recognized as its only kin, using this act to attain its full Strength and as a cruel overture to its true entry into the world.]

[Growth Requirements: Must be continuously fed meat, kept in a warm environment, and have the companionship of its binder.]

[Binder: Seraphina Sinclair]

As Seraphina Sinclair read the information from Insight, everything finally clicked into place.

"The First Cry’s Feast Must Be of Dearest Kin."

Those ten simple words revealed what a "congenital curse" truly was, and it also explained why that Great Dragonbeast had tossed its young to her to raise!

’So that’s what this was all about.’

’I’m not some owner, nor some babysitter. I’m this hatchling’s first proper meal upon reaching adulthood! And the hatchling isn’t some specially cursed being! The curse isn’t on the whelp—it’s this twisted ritual embedded in their bloodline!’

It was probably because Seraphina Sinclair was powerful enough, the human most likely to survive until this Little Dragon reached adulthood, that the colossal Dragonbeast had sought her out.

It had made her, a human forcibly bound to the creature, the Little Dragon’s new "dearest kin!"

A perfect, expendable sacrifice!

To avoid its own death, this species was willing to give away its own unhatched young.

Natural selection, survival of the fittest.

A phrase from her past life’s textbooks was being demonstrated here with brutal clarity.

A chill shot down Seraphina Sinclair’s spine. She took a sharp step back, away from the "nest" on its soft cotton blanket. Her eyes, now completely cold, fell upon the small, white ball of fluff that was still sulking with its back to her.

Whatever shred of softness she’d felt for it because of its weakness and dependence was now completely gone.

The little one seemed to sense the change in the atmosphere. It cautiously turned its head back, its ruby eyes still glistening with unshed tears and hurt. But when it met Seraphina Sinclair’s merciless gaze, it visibly recoiled and let out an uncertain, "Ooo...?"

The little thing was young, but it already knew how to read expressions.

’If not for the bloodline curse, raising this thing would probably be quite easy.’

Seraphina Sinclair took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

’There’s no benefit to making a scene right now. That giant beast outside is still watching.’

’I can’t provoke it, and I can’t dispose of this little disaster immediately.’

’But sitting back and waiting to be killed is absolutely not an option.’

Seraphina Sinclair didn’t know how long this creature’s life cycle was, but one solution became crystal clear.

If she became strong enough—strong enough to kill the Dragonbeast flying outside.

...then all her problems would be solved.