Heroes and Dragons

14

The room was as neat and tidy as ever, with the large dragon sitting in the center, its entire body a grayish-white, holding a big bowl of instant noodles, slurping away.

My laughter grew even louder.

It recognized me, its expression first one of joy, then shifting to a look of dismay as its gaze fell on the golden coin at my chest, "Are you here to fight me?"

I nodded, simultaneously drawing my long sword.

"I've waited so long, and you still haven't saved enough to retire. It's time to settle the score for breaking our promise."

It set down the bowl and stood up, its back seemingly hunched, a bittersweet smile on its face, "I've tried so hard, but it wasn't enough."

There was no hero's aura above its head. In the corner, the little treasure chest was open, starkly empty without a single gold coin, just a small, rusty lamp inside, pitifully bleak.

Suddenly, I couldn't find the humor in the situation anymore.

I threw away my sword.

"I'm not a hero." I removed the gold coin from my chest and approached it.

With each step, the hero's aura above me grew fainter, eventually fading away.

But I didn't care anymore.

The dragon, confused by my approach, remained still and silent.

Until I held up the coin, and it suddenly exclaimed, "The Fire Dragon Token!"

"This is a gift I brought especially for you," I said. "Gigi, can you forgive the foolish things I've done in the past?"

"I forgave you a long time ago!" Gigi, clutching the coin with its tiny arms, was crying, "I regretted it the moment you left!"

Then, the massive dragon lunged at me for a bear hug, nearly crushing my ribs, causing me to grimace in pain and demand it get off, too annoyed to tell it about the full chest of gold coins I'd left in the delivery box at the entrance, ready to make this the day it could retire.

Eventually, I told Gigi, and we both burst into laughter.

Perhaps because I helped Gigi cheat again, the world's overseer imposed a new punishment, erasing my hero's aura completely.

But what did it matter?

I just wanted to show Gigi that the world is truly fascinating, and it could join me to broaden its horizons.

That was our promise.

The next moment, I saw a new aura appear above both me and Gigi.

It wasn't as dazzling as a hero's aura, even somewhat modest, but it felt intimate and warm, as if with it, we could walk steadily forward without the need for dramatic highs and lows.

It was these ordinary people, along with Gigi and me, who made up this wonderful world.

The world I cherish, filled with the auras of supporting characters.

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