The Foreigner on the Periphery

Jenkinson was evidently in a very happy mood. This was because the stress that weighed on him to the extent that his worries took over had largely disappeared. 

The most likely cause was the removal of his rival, Changcheon. Most of the appetizing businesses she ran were in Jenkinson’s hands. There were voices of condemnation from the anti-dragon-oriented opposition party and the progressive media, but of course, it only had a faint repercussion. 

Also, a close friend who called once when bored and urged him to pay off debts or run several errands had been quiet these days. He began to wonder why, but he didn’t bother to contact him and ask. There was nothing in there that would require his strength, anyway. So, instead of voluntarily stabbing himself with his thoughts, Jenkinson found himself enjoying the peace that had come after a while. 

At the extent that he was relaxed, the urge to binge-eating from the stress that had haunted him for a while had disappeared. Thanks to this, it was said that the cattle of the elephant farm had escaped the fear of the dragon, which attacked them day and night, and the managers barely sighed. 

Jenkinson was slowly thinking about returning to his old diet, a clean one that cut off meat and absorbed only purified mana.

“Chairman, I will be giving my report.” 

A happy Jenkinson smiled warmly at his secretary. Blair then stopped breathing for a moment, taken aback, then lowered his gaze to the paperwork, and spoke in a stern tone. 

“The progress of free health checkups, blood sampling, and genetic analysis for goblins across the country is close to 90%. Excluding those who cannot be traced for reasons such as boarding a deep-sea fishing boat, being sold to a foreign country, or being imprisoned as slaves, it is judged that this is practically close to a full investigation. Therefore, from now on, we will plan to continue to collect serum and collaborate with foreign aid organizations using the Jenkinson Foundation network.” 

Upon hearing these, the dragon nodded leisurely. Minjun didn’t seem to have any particular interest in this side of things these days, but for now, this was all that had been going on. Even if this was the case, one would never know when they would come to the office and urge you to present the results. 

“A genetic map?” 

“The estimated proportion of demonic goblins mixed with even trace amounts of blood was about 3% of the subjects. It will take more time to put those genes together to create a complete DNA map of the pure-blood demonic goblin.” 

“I see. Continue to report.” 

“Ah, next….” 

This time, the report consisted of news that could touch the heart of the boss. Blair carefully chose his words. “This is a report on the progress of research on the test subject ‘Spider’.”

The paper he held out was filled with various tables and complex graphs. The dragon, who was scanning the contents, soon pierced the core. “In fact, I found very little.” 

It was a report about the monster Minjun had captured, a hybrid between a dragon and an Ober spider. She had said that the skill level of those who “produced” her was far beyond what could now be reproduced and analyzed on Earth. It was significant. 

The dragon then asked, “What children did she give birth to?” 

“This time, another person has awakened this ability.” 

“Yes? It’s already the third. What this time?” 

“It is quite spirit-friendly.” 

The polymorphic dragon’s eyebrows twitched. There were very few dragon tribes that displayed spirit affinity. It didn’t converge to zero like the Holy Power, but this was very rare. 

The reason was simple. Ghosts and spirits were all just demons from the dragon’s point of view. It was difficult for dragons to accept the concept of seeing such a ghost as a companion and respecting them on an equal basis with themselves. 

Therefore, even if a dragon that commanded spirits appears, he would be treated as a psychopath. “Dragon blood mixed, but you summoned a spirit?” 

It must have been possible because it was a hybrid with a half-elf that could not occur in nature. “If the remaining one is the awakening of the divine power, it will be news that will astonish the entire universe.” 

Of course, that fact wouldn’t leak out. “And···” Blair looked at the documents before continuing. “It is said that all the children who have awakened this ability are very talented.” 

Jenkinson nodded for a moment. “The dragon’s genes were mixed, so it’s strange that it isn’t.” 

“Even to an outsider in this ability, it seems like a great level. My skills are improving at a fast pace, so I sometimes make mistakes, and sometimes I can’t control it. It was suggested that if possible, it would be good to hire manpower who can provide professional training.” 

“What are the intentions of the children?” 

“There seems to be a great desire to learn properly.” 

Jenkinson paused for a moment before asking. “How long do those children have left?” 

“The next 10 months or so.”

The dragon didn’t think long. “Let me do whatever you want. so as not to leave any regrets. So let’s get a teacher with the right ones.” 

After getting permission, Blair promptly moved on to the next thing. “This is the news that Rod’s housemate has successfully spawned eggs.” 

Thanks to this, the postponed and delayed meeting of the Balaur would be announced soon. Jenkinson felt another long-held worry vanishing. “Now let’s talk a little bit.” 

“What should I send as a gift?” 

“What did you send as a congratulatory gift when the old man got divorced last time?” 

“You have given me a lychee from Medemos Dimension Mountain.” 

It was only then that he could recall. The original butler had said that it was taken from his ex-wife when the property was divided. Jenkinson spoke while contemplating a gift that would not overlap with that time. “Get an appropriate amount of Orihalcon and Mythral from my rar and send it to me. If he inherited that yangban blood, he would hatch quickly and thus get sick just as fast. You’ll need a toy to play with.” 

After he had finished reporting, Blair then checked the next schedule, which was an interview with the ruling party leader. It was just about time to move.

“Mr. Blair.” The door opened and the secretary entered. The elf’s eyes widened as he reviewed the paper he had received. He then handed it over to the dragon. 

“I think you should see it for yourself, Chairman.” 

Jenkinson’s expression hardened for an instant as he looked at the documents. “············!” 

Soon, he found himself drowning in dismay “No, it’s been vacant so far, so why not!” 

He re-read the document over and over again in shock. The letter delivered by the committee was explained in a concise tone. The position of the head of the committee’s district representative office, which had been vacant for several years, was finally filled. That alone was bad news, but the moment the dragon saw the human being, the dragon felt fear. His lips tremble thinly. “…Endelion?” 

Moreover, this time, even the identity of the subject was clearly specified. “It’s also a princess?!”

A horrifying shock created a rift within him. Jenkinson felt a hole in his chest, and he desired to fill that void with something. The Red Dragon immediately felt a strong urge to fill the hole with elephant meat. 

*** 

“Brother, are you really going to seal it?” Jeongpal, who took the steering wheel, asked carefully. When he opened the door to the office, he had been about to collapse at any moment, but now his complexion had completely changed. 

Instead of paying attention to the fact that the fatigue was gone, he looked at Minjun’s expression. Minjun asked about the origin of the frying pan that revolutionized their eating habits and immediately stood up saying that they should go to Cathy’s house. Jeongpal also followed him around in an awkward way and carried him with him. 

Instead of answering the question, however, Minjun said: “Jeongpal, think carefully. Have I ever forgotten what I was going to do after I declared it?” 

“…No, you haven’t.” 

“I tend to get rid of things I decide to do quickly. My personality is like that. Do you know how much work can be ruined if you miss the time?” 

His habit had been better these days, but in the early days, it was difficult to pay the survival tax on time, so he struggled…

“By the way, how long has it been since I decided to seal the frying pan? I mean, how many times have I forgotten, then recalled, and forgot again?” 

“…It sure is strange.” 

Minjun pointed out one more thing. “Didn’t we talk about the ego sword earlier? It’s even weirder when you compare what I said back then to what I said about frying pans.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“When I was talking about the ego sword, I decided like this. There is no way artificial intelligence could use such advanced speech and abilities. There must be a soul in it.” 

“It does.” 

“But about the frying pan, I decided for the opposite. It is suspicious to have such eloquence and so many functions, but … I have to assume that there is absolutely no soul in it.” 

Minjun had no choice but to conclude this after further observation. “It’s too hasty and unfounded. Still, I didn’t have any doubts. Naturally, I thought frying pans were just artificial intelligence. Even though there is plenty of evidence that this is not the case. And if my suspicions are correct, that frying pan has one more function than we know of. Can artificial intelligence control such abilities? That’s pure nonsense.” 

Jeongpal seemed to be able to predict what another ability he was talking about.

However, he quietly took the wheel and headed for Cathy’s house. 

“Oh? What are you doing without contact?” The door opened and Cathy greeted him. 

A bewildered gaze passed Minjun and Jeongpal in turn. “I’ll go in for a moment.” 

“Yes, come in. I was eating, and it tasted pretty good.”

“Ah, the rice is ready.” 

“Oh? Agent… Hello.” Ha Eun-seong, who was swiping her tempura in her mouth, gave an awkward greeting. Minjun did not know that the two had started a regular lunch meeting some time ago. 

He then glanced over the table. It was too much for just the two of them to eat, and the table held a feast that was capable of breaking stomachs. 

“Isn’t it strange?” 

Cathy responded, “What?”

“What a great frying pan. Having said that, is it possible that every dish you make has such a crazy smell? No matter what kind it is.” 

Upon hearing this, Jeongpal recognized Minjun’s intentions. However, Cathy and Ha Eun-seong still look puzzled. “Besides, everyone has their own preferences. One can be picky about eating. However, there’s no such thing as food made with that frying pan. Even food that you normally hate becomes a delicacy you’ve never experienced before if you go through that. even···” 

He pointed to Ha Eun-seong and said, “You say you can taste food cooked in a human way, even if you eat it in the flesh of a dragon? That’s impossible. There is no dragon like that in the world. I know.” 

He then pointed out one more thing. “And if you repeatedly eat no matter how delicious a dish is, you will inevitably develop tolerance due to a decrease in dopamine secretion in the brain or a decrease in receptors, whether human or Orc. But there is no such limit to the dishes made with it. There is no threshold change. It is biologically impossible to feel the same level of pleasure every time you eat.” 

At this, Minjun headed to the kitchen. There was a frying pan covered in oil. He repeated what he had just said. “Yes, it is impossible. But even if… there is only one way for this to happen.” 

The moment he heard the ‘powers’ of the ego sword found at the scene of Kwak Do-chul’s murder, and the moment he remembered the connection between the sword and the frying pan… “You touched the minds of those who ate it.” 

Minjun grabbed the handle of the frying pan. Whoops! 

Sparks began to fire out. The oil boiled and vaporized, and then it began to burn up again. Minjun growled as he stared at the frying pan with its flame disappearing soon, and the clean surface was exposed. 

“What is your identity?” 

After a moment of silence, a wave of a pleasant tone echoed through his hand. = Oh, did you notice?=