Dragon.
In the fantasy genre, if we exclude gods, they are the most powerful race.
Or rather, in some works, they can be so powerful that they surpass gods, and even place angels and demons beneath their feet.
Some say they’re monsters based on serpent deity worship.
Once a god, they fell from grace to become world-devouring monsters, or they referred to their descendants as dragons.
However, there are many types of dragons.
There was a dragon species.
These dragons didn’t have tough scales to protect their bodies like other dragons, nor could they pierce the world with sight, instead sensing their surroundings with sensitive feelers all over their bodies like insects.
Some referred to them scornfully as earthworms, and the dragons didn’t want to be associated with these lowly creatures, hence they were derogatorily called Surungi as they couldn’t fly and crawled on the ground.
Surungis weren’t embodiments of nature either, so they couldn’t naturally breathe fire.
They couldn’t gather cold, summon lightning, nor did they have the sturdy scales dragons were meant to possess. They were more like a lowly dragon moving with a pig-like large body, laboriously crawling on the ground.
In terms of attributes, they were monsters of nothingness.
Their insides were empty beasts.
Thus, Surungis lived in accordance with the flow of nature.
Due to their lack of strength compared to other dragon species, even though they had wings, they could not soar into the skies.
Dragons coveted gold.
Dragons ruled land and sky.
Amidst all dragons becoming terrifying beings to living creatures, Surungis merely lived hideously on the ground like cowards.
Surungis were too weak on their own. If they attempted to live individually, they could be hunted without anyone noticing, so they gathered similar Surungis together in herds.
Of course, compared to the great dragons with catastrophic levels of danger, the pitiful Surungis were still weak, and it was a blessing that they weren’t eaten by other monsters.
In the end, being weak meant they weren’t even allowed to eat meat, so Surungis would drink dew or peel tree bark to eat.
When that wasn’t enough, they sustained their lives by consuming mana that flowed from nature.
Then one day, a new door opened in the dragon’s world.
A Gate.
A door that allowed passage in both directions, ignoring time, distance, and dimensions.
However, the ruling dragons had no particular interest in this gate.
If dragons wanted something, they could already take it at will.
Since no one invaded from beyond the gate, they had no intention of going out just because it was opened.
Those trying to escape out of fear of dragons were low-level monsters, or some greedy dragons wanting to collect new gold ventured through the gate, but those greedy dragons never returned.
However, the Surungis’ situation was different.
In the world of dragons, Surungis were still treated as merely slightly larger lizards, being ignored and despised, and the door leading outside to an unknown world was something they didn’t know.
After all, Surungis had nothing to lose.
They were still avoiding stronger monsters just like in their own world. Going outside could potentially change their life at the bottom of the ecosystem a little.
Thus, Surungis migrated in herds to Earth.
Specifically, they traveled to North Korea.
There were some man-made structures scattered, seemingly artificial, but long abandoned and turned to ruins.
Just like in the dragon’s world, gates were opened everywhere, teeming with monsters they’d never seen before.
Among them were liches controlling skeletons that ambushed Surungis, and they were eaten by hordes of ghouls, who knew no pain or fear.
Ultimately, Surungis remained at the bottom of the ecosystem, both in the world of dragons and in North Korea.
Despite their large size, they could only cope with low-level monsters like goblins. Against higher-tier monsters capable of using mana or possessing intelligence, they would swiftly be overwhelmed or eaten.
Then, one Surungi found a peculiar space deep underground.
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[Eliminate the evil American commies and their cronies…]
[This facility was built in 2004 by our great people’s leader…]
[Danger! Danger! Danger…]
[Radiation hazard]
Strange writings filled with bizarre languages were scrawled around, but of course, the Surungis lacked the knowledge typical of dragonkind and couldn’t decipher the language. They simply thought they had found a new sanctuary and ventured deeper underground.
As they descended into the underground space, their skin tingled strangely, and their insides squirmed oddly, yet the space itself felt quite cozy and comfortable.
The caves were lined with metals seemingly made by humans, filled with various rooms and recesses, and odd materials surrounded them, but the Surungis decided to make this place their home.
There was no need to go outside to hunt anything.
Strangely, in this underground space, they felt a sense of fullness as if they had consumed plenty of mana even in its absence. As long as they weren’t starving, Surungis had no reason to go back outside.
Thus, one day.
One month.
A year…
And after ten years had passed since they first settled in this underground facility. After ten years, twenty years followed.
Surungis simply lived comfortably in this cozy space. They rested peacefully, forming their own underground kingdom without facing any threats from anyone.
However, at the moment when thirty years and seven months had passed, someone invaded the sanctuary of Surungis.
Get out of here, Surungis.
The invader was a dragon from the same world as them.
A dragon fond of gold, greedy, adorned with gems, moving as a living calamity with the title of Lord.
They didn’t know the name.
Lowly creatures like Surungis were treated not even as fellow dragons but merely as the everyday fodder of the street in the world of dragons.
The jewel dragon, having wandered out of the dragon’s world for fun, seemed to like the Surungis’ sanctuary it stumbled upon, deciding to take over the place. Faced with the emergence of a powerful dragon that could easily annihilate their herd, the Surungis were filled with despair.
However, some Surungis rejected the dragon’s demands and showed their reluctance.
They would rather die here than have their precious sanctuary stolen and be chased away.
Surungis thought the outside world had already become a domain controlled by fierce monsters, and losing the only place they could call home was not an option.
Hahaha! You’re inviting your own death!
Of course, the jewel dragon mocked the Surungis.
What power did mere large lizards have to confront it? Unlike true dragons, Surungis were just big lizards, lacking any real strength.
Even without any magic or dragon breath, merely swinging its tail and claws could wipe out the Surungis.
The jewel dragon reveled in scheming to re-construct the underground facility into its new lair, once it could dispose of the Surungi beasts.
Radiation Beam!
Radiation Beam! Radiation Beam!
Radiation Beam! Radiation Beam!
Radiation Beam!
Huh?
It was only until numerous Surungis directed their radiation breath towards it.
Originally, Surungis could not shoot breath attacks.
They lacked the dragon heart or suitable power sources to gather and store vast mana, let alone innate mana affinity to draw mana from nature.
However, the underground facility the Surungis utilized as a sanctuary was, in fact, a North Korean nuclear weapons facility.
Since human maintenance had ceased, nuclear weapons and power sources likely leaked outside, devastating the surrounding area.
Yet, as the Surungis dwelled there, instead of being exposed to devastation, they ingested massive amounts of radiation, ultimately preventing the obliteration of the North Korean region over the thirty years.
The typical dragon would have been unable to transmute this radiation into mana, nor could the scales that protect from all pollution withstand it.
However, Surungis, who were originally nothing more than empty vessels, began to fill their bodies with radiation and nuclear energy, allowing them to unleash massive physical power.
Certainly, even a regular nuclear missile wouldn’t inflict much damage against a dragon’s scales. But Surungis, despite their degraded status, had the innate capacity to imbue their attacks with mana, and the jewel dragon intruding into their domain was quickly defeated by the power of their radiation breath in mere seconds.
After so easily conquering the jewel dragon, the Surungis commented to themselves:
Hey, aren’t we super strong now?
The Surungis, formerly at the absolute bottom of the dragon world and scorned by other dragons, were awakening to a new world.
Thus, Surungis emerged from the underground nuclear missile facility after thirty years and began to crush and kill all entities opposing them.
Surungis weren’t inherently kind and gentle.
They had simply conformed to reality due to their weakness. Now that they had gained strength, their bestial nature started to resurface, and the monster ecosystem in North Korea began to be devastated.
Initially, mighty liches that would normally ease a walk merely killed Surungis as if swatting flies, and spider swarms towering over mountains were obliterated in radiation breath, too.
Lowly monsters like goblins or orcs began to bow down in terror before the new predator. Surungis soon realized their newfound strength derived from nuclear weapons and nuclear fuel created by humans. They then started rummaging through the underground facilities, mines, and various depots distributed across North Korea.
As they absorbed radiation, nuclear fuel, nuclear missiles, and materials like uranium, the Surungis naturally grew stronger. They also began appearing near the Chinese border, leading to them being named Uranium Dragons, a title that truly fit them, once devoid of a proper name.
Once weak in constitution.
Without hard scales.
With even their eyesight degraded, crawling like insects, unable to breathe fire or use magic—those scorned beings were now titled Uranium Dragons, having become rulers of the desolate land of North Korea.
Thus, the beings who were at the bottom had now become the apex of the monster ecosystem, ruling over the land…
But they pondered, What do we do now?
Humans refer to other beings like us as people or comrades.
During their time as Surungis, they were despised, but they weren’t lacking in intelligence.
In fact, living in groups had fostered sociality amongst them similar to that of humans. They developed their own culture, language, and even concepts of class and wealth.
Thus, they absorbed the language, script, and culture of North Korea like sponges.
What do you think about us using the term People Dragon as a way to refer to us, meaning kin dragons who share the same spirit?
I like it, comrade.
Feels pretty slick, doesn’t it?
Slick?
It’s the culture here. It just seems fitting, right?
I see what you mean.
Then we can be proud comrades of the dragon race. Perhaps we can call ourselves People Dragons!
This feeling is new and interesting…
Relax. We are all comrade dragons now.
Oh, and apparently, humans refer to their rulers as the Leader.
Is that so?
Then our ruler should be the Leader Dragon!
In that case, how about electing a leader comrade dragon?
That’s a good idea.
But who should be our leader dragon?
It’s best for the oldest comrade dragon to take the role, right?
I’d want to as well.
Ultimately, the oldest, wisest, and bravest Uranium Dragon was elected as the Leader Dragon by the People Dragons. As the Leader Dragon rose to their position, they turned their eyes toward the world of dragons, which had once scorned them.
We must not let the vile, treacherous, wicked American commie reptiles that disturb the bright future of our dragon comrades go unpunished!
What’s a commie reptile?
Seems to be an insult in this human tongue. For some reason, I heard it come up strongly while watching a video.
Sounds catchy enough.
So we can call the troublesome reptiles commie reptiles, huh?
Thus, the Leader Dragon, with his People Dragons and their proactive radiation breath, began an assault on the dragon world, their homeland.
The dragon world was caught off guard by the Surungi’s attack and proposed peace, but…
We must show these arrogant and disrespectful reptiles that they should watch their step!
Those trying to gloss over the past and shout for peace are just shamelessly rotten creatures!
Those shouting for peace are simply madly flailing about! No matter how you wrap up trash in a cloth and blow a mad whistle, it will always end up in the trash bin!
What on earth are those crazy Surungis talking about!?
Stop them! They’re completely out of their minds!
Eventually, the dragon world, alarmed by this new power called Uranium Dragon, sealed the gates to their realm. Currently, Uranium Dragons began fortifying their forces, ready to invade the dragon’s homeland at any moment.
During this time, the Uranium Dragon sensed something.
It was a human.
A Hunter Train had arrived in the long-ignored land of North Korea.
Had it been just a human intrusion, they would have simply warned and chased the introders away without concern.
However, the Hunter Train contained an immense power source and mana stones that were colossal beyond ordinary nuclear missiles. It was almost a miraculous object imbued with all of the returnee’s over-technologies.
Feeling numerous A-grade Hunters, 21 S-grade Hunters, and an unfathomable presence aboard the Hunter Train, the Leader Dragon commanded the People Dragons.
We’ve received a meal that will empower our proactive radiation breath! Attack immediately!
Did you hear that, Leader?!
Get down there now!
The Supreme Leader, the Leader Dragon, has commanded it!
Annihilate those human scums with our vicious radiation breath!
“Hey, Menelapie.”
“What is it, Black Witch?”
“Can I borrow some of your mana?”
“I don’t have mana, I’m a Aura Master, remember?”
“Mana or aura, it’s all the same to me.”
“Should I lend it to you, Teresa?”
“Borrowing mana from a Black Witch? Don’t make me laugh.”
Then Teresa forcibly grasped Menelapie’s hand.
As the lacking mana flowed out from Menelapie to Teresa, a gigantic summoning circle began to etch itself in the air.
Never seen dragon species before.
[Summon…]
The Uranium Dragons likely had no idea.
That the tiny violet-haired human girl…
[Void Dragon Doll]
Would indicate the countless dragons that had been slaughtered that crossed dimensions, reaching into the thousands.
How shall I dissect this one this time?
