"Dracosect, how do you feel?"

"Like I've been reborn into a new body, my god."

Eh? Why so different this time?

"What's changed since last time?"

"Many things. Above all? I've changed species, my unfathomable god; my Chronomet."

*fwooosh*

*tunn*

Raha, he's always kneeling. How the heck did he change his species, though? I can't do that.

"This must be a reward for your many years of dedication to your desires, Dracosect. I'm admittedly unable to do that myself."

I hear Temp.

"My god, I helped him evolve! You're my creator, so this too is your power!"

That... Makes sense, I guess? First it was kaizen, which are like proto-dragons. I evolved from one. But— an entirely different species?

I'm a bit worried things are getting out of hand. If I end up with millions of dragons, I won't have any clue what to do. With the typical dragon's work ethic, this whole planet will be rebuilt into one big magical city within weeks.

I remember my inflated stats.

I thought those were getting out of hand too. No, without what I had, more people would've died. Far more.

I feel downcast at the thought of my compelled massacre. Yet, I cannot shy away. I should try to remember that day vividly, and often. I must do this so I'll never repeat it.

A female dragon's voice shocks me from my thoughts.

"Remillia reporting. Your enviable claws soar toward proudly into the heavens, my god."

She's looking up at Dracosect. She says 'enviable,' but I took care of her rather large envy vice. Perhaps she doesn't realize it, but her envy has been replaced by enamoring and adoration. I can see it displayed upon her scaly face.

"Indeed, he's a most deserving dragon. He deserves much more than this, in fact, but I've chosen to repay my debt to him slowly. Perhaps the interest will build, and my debt will become impossible to repay. I don't feel shame. Owing him too little is an offense all its own."

She looks at me, surprised.

Yes, I owe him a lot. Not solely in terms of the treasure he's personally given me, but in terms of the advancements he will help bring to his draconic brethren merely by existing.

Dracosect is a beacon of draconic inspiration. That property of himself is a treasure all its own. A feature of his being which cannot easily vanish. Yes, an emotion cannot be a treasure! A solid Will, however, may gleam and persist to become one. That is precisely why sapients can and should be added to a dragon's hoard.

We all innately possess intrinsic value. The question, then, is like reading a treasure map. 'Where does that value lay?'

Remillia turns to face me fully.

"My god, I'm disheartened to report a major crime. By one of our own, no less."

Rah. Speaking of values.

"Do continue; I've not heard of this."

"Yes, my god. He killed several sapient monsters who were trying to worship you. It's truly a pity, some of them were promising. However, this one here was lucky—"

The little creature speaks.

"My god! My god! I was not lucky! I blocked his attack and stopped him like a proper dragon!"

Remillia rebukes her.

"Ithlodia, you can't—"

I wave my arm.

"Ithlodia can do exactly what she just did. I expect nothing less. Had she killed that dragon, I'd reward her further. We must not exist as dragons in mere form. Far, far above that calling, is being draconic in spirit. Acting as what we srive to become. In this, Ithlodia has succeeded brilliantly."

I turn to her.

"Tell me, Ithlodia, what is your wish?"

"I want to become a dragon! Raa!"

She's some kind of fox-beast. Rather small. I'm not concerned, though. If this undersized creature blocked the full power of a—

I'm suddenly stunned. Even mentally.

Her entire front side is covered.

Is all of that... BLOOD?

"Ithlodia, did you block the dragon with your body? It appears you suffered a grievous wound."

Cleanliness isn't cleaning it yet because it's still somewhat alive. Once the cells within the dried blood die, it'll vanish.

Remillia shakes her dragon head.

"My god, this is why I said she's lucky. She jumped in front of a bird-like monster to save him from the dragon's wrath. The dragon tore Ithlodia into two separate halves. She was saved only by virtue of being near the temple."

Holy friggin'... She definitely deserves a reward.

"Oviously, I must reward you to the extent most reasonable, Ithlodia."

I try to mentally communicate with Temp again.

Hey, Temp. Can you evolve her into a dragon? I know Dracosect was closer, but—

"Absolutely, my god! Can you send me information about what changes to make, plus extra Mana for those changes, just like before? That made my job so much easier!"

Reh, what?

Temp, are you saying the reason Dracosect grew those rockets on his spine...

I mentally trail off.

"Yes, my god! I received a diagram and Mana through your Origin, so I followed your orders! It was a brilliantly inspired work!"

I mentally contact Dracosect through my Origin.

"Dracosect, are you satisfied with those rockets?"

"Absolutely, my god. You are unfathomable. I only thought a grand feature should be there, and then like the god you are, you invented one beyond my wildest imagination. My body has evolved beyond merely 'draconic.' I am of your design."

Roh, crap! Is my mind managing my followers subconsciously? I think of the improvement inscriptions. Are they improving my lineage, which is somehow improving my mental faculties beyond what I can understand? Or... This— I don't know what to make of this.

...

I decide to ignore it.

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

I speak aloud.

"Come over here, Ithlodia. You must be rewarded for embodying the spirit of a dragon. Which is, of course, by allowing you to embody your spirit. You are a dragon."

"Yes, my god!"

She's shaking with excitement. Having seen fear so many times, I can easily tell the difference. Especially after having seen Dracosect also get excited.

I place my huge clawed hand down. She climbs onto my palm like I'm a dragon-themed jungle gym.

"Everything okay?"

"My god, I'm in your grasp. I feel totally safe!"

Whelp, alright.

Many around the temple are looking at our group. I suppose it's hard to miss the multiple huge dragons chatting amongst themselves. Regardless, I should record this for replay later. I start the recording inscription. I put my other hand over her head, easily enclosing her within my huge dragon hands.

I speak to Temp mentally.

Temp, are you ready?

"Absolutely, my god!"

I flood her body with my power, as well as Temp. I don't need to do it so quickly, but I'm somehow reassured by my previous experience.

Plus, the fact Temp is helping.

I've realized: I'm not fighting alone.

I open my clawed hands. Like the magic it is, a much larger, fox-inspired dragon stands tall. Her body was even a bit compressed in my hands due to her dramatically increased size.

I wave my hand around her as she stands in my palm. Just a bit of theatrics! Then, I lower her to the floor.

She steps off.

I flood her body again with power, but this time without touching her. She scales up quickly; both in terms of size and strength.

Normally, I like to do this directly, but that's for no reason other than wanting to make the event more personal. I am, after all, their god. But I don't yet know Ithlodia's personality, so I'd rather not to be too invasive. Though, I do note an Origin Thread has automatically snapped itself onto her Will. That's as far as I'll go— the same standard I've set for every dragon who becomes a part of my hoard.

Once she reaches roughly my height, I slow, then stop the transfer. She's become a fully-fledged dragon. Perhaps not as sleek or impressive as myself or Dracosect— but I must be fair about how much she's earned.

I put my clawed hand on her shoulder.

"You saved another creature's life. A bird, whom your kind favor hunting, no less. This too, by nearly sacrificing your own. You, Ithlodia, were already a dragon. I've merely changed your body to match your true self."

I nod my dragon head to her.

She drops to one knee.

*tud*

"Thank you, my god! God Chronomet!"

Ups, she's crying.

"Go now. Bring glory and wealth with your every action. I know— this you'll do exceedingly well."

"YES, MY GOD!"

She stands, does a double-handed fist pump across her chest like she's getting ready to roar, then walks away. Her wings grow from her back as she walks, before taking off.

I stop the recording. Where the heck did she learn to do all that? Rawh, whatever. She was probably practicing like a fanatic. Even though my religion came into existence yesterday. Never underestimate a fanatic.

This is a religion, I suppose. I mean, I'm an actual god.

Dragon. I'mma dragon.

"Rawr."

Remillia speaks again.

I look toward her.

"My god, do you want to see the murderer?"

I turn to face her.

"A note, Remillia. Unless we have overwhelming evidence, all accused shall be considered innocent until proven guilty. The most important feature of fairness is reserving judgement upon those who are not clearly known to have committed a wrong."

"Like the former president of Eritromi, my god?"

How does she know about him?

"Did you hear that from somewhere?"

"From him, my god. He came here to give a sermon about fairness and responsibility. You may want to watch it."

Roh, good. They aren't deifying my temple itself. I was worried only I would ever be a speaker.

"I'll do that later. Please do present the accused."

Remillia signals to Temp. Unlo appears.

Reh? Did they use that Engraving inscription to build a holding cell? I want to facepalm, but... It makes sense.

Unlo is shaking with fear. But he's also glaring at me with unbridled fury. Why?

"Unlo. I'm surprised to see you standing here. You're the first dragon I met other than myself."

"You! You're the one judging me?! Why?!"

That's what I was asking. I realize I'm not feeling his thoughts or emotions, even though he's clearly thinking about me right now. What's going on with my Origin?

I peer into his mind; it's dark and corroded. My Origin Thread is unbothered, but it's also not fighting back at all. It doesn't need to since the black stuff isn't affecting it even slightly. I order it to touch the corrosion—

It all vanishes instantly.

Hruh?

I whip up an Origin Program to detect and prod similar corrosion. The program spools out a few dozen orders to my Origin, then goes silent.

That was too easy. I hope this isn't caused by my Origin Threads themselves.

I check, only to find that Unlo's the only dragon. Hreh?

"NO! HOW COULD YOU TAKE IT FROM ME?!"

I search his memories.

Roh, no.

It's not my Origin Threads. He was praying at a statue, trying to get the favor of... Something. That's not a deadly sin or false virtue.

I don't know what that is, actually. It looks like a weird blob. Rehm.

"Unlo, state your plea."

"I killed them, of course! You should know why. I did it because these disgusting creatures don't—"

"Enough, Unlo. We all possess equal intrinsic value. Have you forgotten so quickly?"

"I have forgotten NOTHING! YOU have forgotten what it means to be a dragon by spreading our whole species' pride around willy-nilly! YOU are a FRAUD!"

Remillia gasps.

*kssssss*

I'll just say it outright; after all, I believe it to be true.

"Unlo, I'm more than a mere god. I'm the Origin of the dragon species. You may think this as arrogance, but remember: I'm also a god of time."

His expression swiftly changes from anger to confusion, loss, then finally regret. Until it suddenly twists back to rage.

"Such grand claims! Such noble goals! But it's all in service of yourself! You pretend to care, while sitting on top! ACTING impervious!"

I shake my dragon head.

"I am impervious, Unlo; I'm a god. What I decide is my divine Will. You cannot know my Will better than I. Cease this foolishness, or your end shall be swift."

"Hah, you act with false righteousness to the end. I will never bow beneath such—"

I silence him.

"Fine. If I find you guilty? You perish."

His eyes widen. I check his memories.

He's continued cursing me mentally.

Damnit, Unlo! The corruption didn't drive you to this, did it? I check his Will more carefully.

There's something else in here. Not so much 'corruption' but a clear layer of... Something. All his memories are quite thickly covered. However, its transparent color is why I'd missed it on my first search.

I use my Origin Thread to examine a very densely covered memory. Two things immediately become apparent.

First, that memory is flickering, somehow. It's weak, but putting out random pulses of itself. It looks similar to a seizure.

Second, putting my Origin Thread near this memory is making me hungry. Ravenously hungry. I feel saliva, or... Some kind of clear goo building up in my maw. No, this definitely isn't saliva. I don't... I don't know what it is. My mind flickers back to the web of clear goo, but I push the memory away.

Regardless of what this is, why are Unlo's memories, of all things, making me hungry? I've never felt hunger before. Not as a dragon, anyway. As a dragon I've solely felt sated. What's going on?

I check Unlo's brain tissue; he's not having a seizure. That memory is, however, repeatedly triggering his neurons. That's causing an irregular increase in neuronal activation. From my previous world's science, I know that's typical of mental illness, but—

I go back to examining his Will.

— that doesn't explain why this memory is flickering. Let's try to read the memory's contents.

I tap the memory with my Origin Thread. The memory flows smoothly into my Origin.

It's the moment we first met. Specifically, when I humiliated him in Rictor's so-called 'housekeeping closet.' When I suppressed Unlo with my Will. However, it's distorted and... Wrong, somehow.

No? Not wrong. Unlike all the other memories I've eaten, this one has emotions attached to it. Emotions from his mind have invaded his Will.

Again, no. Not emotions. It's merely one emotion: negativity. Hate, anger, rage, sadness... Nope, none are there. It's just the most pure, unadulterated negativity I've ever felt. But unlike the negative side of a magnet, this negative is akin to a black hole. It's a single-minded negativity that seeks to consume all.

Disgusting.

I try to edit it, but against my expectations, the memory defies my attempt. Instead, the negative emotions grow stronger. The memory's flickering intensifies.

I note that even though I've already taken this memory from Unlo, his brain's activity quickly climbs higher. His thoughts are turning into a scattered mess.

Rokay, this isn't good. I need to completely erase this memory. I'll recreate it later, if only so I'm not unduly altering his thoughts.

I shouldn't try to 'destroy' it since I already know editing it didn't work. Also, rather than risk Parasitic Body and Mind worsening the situation, I'll instead use Devour on the memory directly.

It shreds and vanishes as expected.

Suddenly— hundreds, then, thousands of other memories within Unlo's Will also begin flickering. The flickers rapidly intensify and spread around like a plague. It's so incredibly fast that even I can't keep up.

I have no idea what to do.

Worse, I feel my hunger rising exponentially. I'm forced to withdraw my Origin Thread.

FUCK!

"SHRAAAAAGHAAA!"

Unlo drops to the floor and flails wildly.

*skrch*

*skrr*

*skrh*

He screams and tries to tear apart his own head.

"NUGAHGGHHHGGHH!"

*skaff*

*schlif*

*sklop*

Surprisingly, it works— his scales are ripping off. Underneath, I see a black color identical to my own spatial black. His fingers are losing their scales, his claws falling off one by one. His head isn't faring any better. He can't escape because he's pinned by Temp. I don't know what inscription Temp's using.

"HUAGHAHAHHHHHH!"

*shkruf*

*shrtuf*

*fhrush*

It almost looks like Unlo's melting. Like he's turning into a horrible monster. Like he's turning into...

...

...

Me?

"HUKKKKSNSHSBWNN!"

*hlorp*

*fhglrp*

*klrup*

Temp speaks loudly, in a panicked tone.

"My god, something really bad is happening! I can't undo it! His body isn't responding to my Improvement arrays! No, it, uh, they made it worse, my god!"

Did. Did I do this? How?

"NEOWKBWDKXMJAHB!"

*flrpsh*

*glurpsh*

*florg*

"He was on the edge, and I pushed him over. Damnit! This is all my goddamn fault!"

I wipe my drooling maw. I'm sorry, Unlo. There's nothing I can do for you. I already know; it's all over.

I Devour his body instantly.

"JSISBXUF?×—"

Unlo ceases to exist.

My feeling of hunger vanishes too; it's replaced by a powerful stated and satisfied feeling.

Disturbing.

All the surrounding dragons bow their heads, silently mourning the loss of a brother.

Time has claimed one more victim.

I.

I've killed one of my own.

Except— this time?

Willingly.