The corners of his lips wore a gentle smile, but his eyes were as cold as a winter wind.
From that moment on, Izrael did not object to anything. He obediently followed whatever I told him to do.
If I told him to try on clothes, he tried them on. If I told him to turn around, he turned.
I seized the opportunity and made him try on every outfit that would suit him. Out of everything in the shop, only one outfit fit his size.
Most of the clothes he had tried on would need alterations or new orders. As I took Izrael’s measurements for ordering, I shook my head repeatedly.
‘We really need to fatten him up soon.’
I knew he would shoot up like a bean sprout later, but still…
While Izrael went to change again, I turned and called over a servant.
“You.”
The servant hurried over, bowing deeply.
“Yes, yes, young lady.”
“You heard what I said earlier, didn’t you?”
The servant’s eyes darted nervously. He clearly had no idea what I was referring to.
“I told you to take good care of him so he doesn’t bring shame to our family’s honor.”
“…Understood.”
In other words, if anything goes wrong in the future, it’s your fault.
I had phrased it vaguely, but the meaning was clear enough. This way, he wouldn’t dare ignore Izrael again.
Finally, I held out my palm toward the servant.
“Give it.”
“P-pardon? W-what do you mean?”
“The money the butler gave you to buy Izrael’s clothes. You’ve got it, don’t you?”
“…!”
The servant’s face turned pale. Trembling, he pulled a pouch of gold coins from inside his clothes.
I glared at him once, then snatched the pouch away.
A moment later, Izrael came out after changing.
Seeing him neatly dressed in refined clothing, I felt a surge of satisfaction—like I had finally done something right.
As I finished shopping with contentment and paid for the clothes, a bell chimed and words appeared before my eyes.
<<Quest conditions have been fulfilled!>>
<<As a reward for completing the quest, 100 coins have been 지급ed.>>
<<Current coins: 100 coins>>
Coins…?
That currency wasn’t unfamiliar to me. This Life With a Dragon was a daily web novel.
Readers could read one free episode per day. But to read the latest chapters, you needed to spend 100 coins.
‘It feels like just yesterday I was slowly burning through 100 coins per episode…’
The strange sensation I had been vaguely feeling since entering this body shook me again.
This wasn’t just possession of a novel. There were warnings and quests. And now, even rewards.
Whatever entity was sending me these messages, there had to be a reason.
‘If they’re giving me coins… that means there’s something to spend them on.’
Right on cue, a notification chimed.
<<Wait-for-free OR special draw (one-time only)>>
<<Selecting this will consume 100 coins.>>
I read the message slowly.
‘Wait a second.’
Wait-for-free wasn’t free—it was “wait and still pay”?
As if reading my confusion, another explanation appeared.
<<Wait-for-free: You may consume 100 coins to read the latest chapter.>>
‘Latest chapter?’
I searched my memory. This Life With a Dragon had already been completed.
Readers were in denial. They begged for a second season, saying it ended too soon.
But then the author’s final note sealed everything.
[Thank you to all readers who loved This Life With a Dragon.]
The last part of the note, however, was strangely meaningful.
[If Izrael had someone precious to him, would he have made a different choice? If so… the ending of this story might have changed completely. I hope everyone finds an ending that suits them.]
For a completion note, it was oddly suggestive.
In truth, I couldn’t even bring myself to read the chapters after Izrael’s death. Even trying to read them made my chest feel hollow.
In the end, I had only gone to check the ending note after hearing it was complete.
And now the author had blatantly mentioned Izrael like that.
‘Could there be a Season 2 where Izrael is the protagonist?’
From that moment, my imagination ran wild. But as time passed, there was no news of a sequel.
I frowned, snapping back to reality.
‘Don’t tell me they started Season 2 after I died or something?’
I clenched my fist tightly.
“That’s not allowed…!”
“Y-young lady?”
Only then did I realize I was still in the clothing shop. A maid looked at me cautiously.
“Shall we return to the manor?”
Whatever the reward was, the quest was over. I’d think about it at home.
For now, the priority was returning without incident. I composed myself and nodded.
“Alright.”
A servant called the carriage. The servants sat outside with the coachman, while Izrael and I entered the carriage.
I looked across at Izrael.
His side profile, gazing out the window, was straight and composed. A sharp nose bridge, clear eyes. Though painfully thin, his features were striking.
Sensing my gaze, he turned.
Even half-hidden by his hair, his violet eyes were clear. He asked with a faint, chilling smile.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
I stared blankly at my favorite character and spoke without thinking.
“Because…”
Before I could say “you’re beautiful,” a bell rang.
Ding!
<<Warning! Action does not match assigned behavior.>>
<<Accumulated warnings: 3>>
<<Auto Mode will activate for 5 minutes.>>
No way!
I screamed internally, but my body was already moving on its own.
I crossed my legs and folded my arms. The arrogant posture felt disturbingly natural, as if it belonged to me.
A mocking voice slipped through my lips.
“Be honored just to ride in the same carriage.”
I tilted my head toward the window where hoofbeats and whip sounds echoed.
“If I felt like it, I would’ve made you walk beside the horses and whipped you along the way.”
Not again…
I wanted to cover my mouth, but it was too late. Despite my insulting words, Izrael responded immediately.
“Please do.”
“…What?”
I froze completely.
What is wrong with him?
I glared at him while panicking inwardly.
I was genuinely afraid I might end up holding a whip myself.
But Izrael continued calmly.
“Do whatever you want to me.”
A picturesque smile formed on his lips.
‘Has he lost his mind?! What is he planning?!’
I resolved firmly that I would stop myself even if it triggered penalties.
Fortunately, Suen in auto mode wasn’t completely gone.
Instead of asking for a whip, I spat out something else.
“Hmph. Forget it. A whip would be a waste.”
He always had to respond like this no matter what.
<<Auto Mode will end after a certain time.>>
<<Remaining time: 4 minutes 21 seconds>>
I prayed for time to pass quickly.
As if my prayer worked, the carriage soon arrived at the manor—but one obstacle remained.
“Suen. Izrael.”
Marquis Felicita, who had just returned from outside, greeted us.
Seeing us step down from the carriage, he nodded.
“Back from shopping together, I see.”
Auto Mode was still active. My legs moved on their own toward him.
Standing beside him with a bright smile, I said,
“Of course. I’ll treat him like my own younger brother.”
Even I felt sick at my own behavior.
In the original story, Suen Felicita only bullied Izrael when the Marquis wasn’t around. In front of her father, she acted like a kind daughter.
Of course, that didn’t mean the Marquis didn’t know. He simply chose to look away, unable to discard his only daughter.
Their relationship, despite appearances, was deeply rotten.
But the Marquis was busy, and the manor was often empty. When he was gone, the Felicita estate became Suen’s world.
“Good. Continue getting along well.”
He patted my shoulder dryly.
I turned to look at Izrael, smiling with a raised corner of my lips as if to show off.
It was so blatantly malicious it was almost ridiculous. But Izrael only looked at me with cold eyes.
At that moment, Auto Mode ended. I muttered something about being tired and locked myself in my room.
After locking the door and telling everyone not to enter, my strength drained away. I slumped into a chair and took a deep breath.
‘At least I didn’t do anything insane.’
When Auto Mode had activated in the carriage, I had been terrified I might push Izrael out or actually whip him.
I shook my head.
‘It’s a miracle it ended like this.’
Then I looked at the reward text still floating in front of me.
<<Wait-for-free OR special draw (one-time only)>>
<<Selecting this will consume 100 coins.>>
The “wait-for-free” was strange enough, but the “special draw” below it was even stranger.
What am I supposed to draw?
Then a guide sound chimed in, adding an explanation.
<<Special Draw (one-time only): You can summon a dragon.>>
<<As a first reward bonus, draw tier has been upgraded.>>
