The Great Primordial Labyrinth, 49th Floor

"I want to go back to sleep," I thought wearily as I trudged toward the only monster left alive on this dungeon floor, having slaughtered every other creature here.

I was swarmed by thousands of these creatures—beastman with grotesque faces, long spiked tails, and massive, muscular bodies. Each stood nearly ten feet tall, exuding a raw, terrifying strength. Some wielded spears, hurling them at me with astonishing speed. But in the presence of a great primordial dragon, it was all for naught, even if I was just a cub.

Ten days of relentless fighting had worn on me. Sure, my dragon body didn’t tire, but I just want to be lazy and sleep. But my master, Grandma, would punish me again if I didn’t complete my assignment on time. (Her punishments were nothing short of terrifying.)

As I moved through the chaos, memories of my rebirth flooded back. I had found myself in a vast, temple-like structure surrounded by towering dragon statues, one reaching about fifty meters high. All their eyes were fixed on me, and I was utterly freaked out. I screamed at the top of my lungs, but what came out was only a small growl before I fainted.

When I regained consciousness, I hesitated to open my eyes. Instead, I pondered what had happened. Had I really died? Was this hell? Or was I in a hospital, dreaming? So many questions swirled in my mind, and I knew I would find the answers if I opened my eyes, but fear held me back.

"I know you are awake, brat, so stand up. I don’t have all day to wait for you," a cold, clear female voice interrupted my thoughts. Despite its icy tone, I felt an odd sense of familiarity, as if an elder were speaking to me. The voice sounded youthful yet carried a weight that was hard to ignore. Annoyed by her words, I opened my eyes and retorted, "I am not a brat!"

"Well, you are a brat in front of me, as you are not even a fraction of my age," the woman replied, a small smile playing on her lips, clearly amused by my outburst.

"Wow, so you are a grandma," I shot back, hoping to provoke her further. To my surprise, she responded, "Well, I am your grandmother."

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Her answer left me speechless. I turned toward the source of her voice, and instead of fear, I felt a mix of awe and confusion. The majestic dragon statues that surrounded me, which I had thought were mere figments of my imagination, loomed large and imposing. Beside me stood a translucent figure that gradually transformed into a beautiful woman.

Just as panic began to rise within me, she sensed my distress and reached out, her presence calming me. "Calm down, brat."

I found myself oddly compelled to obey her, as if her voice had a soothing power that cut through my rising anxiety. I tried to rub my eyes, hoping to dispel the bizarre scene before me. But when I opened them, I was met not with my slender, delicate fingers but with sharp claws. I looked down at my body and gasped; it was no longer my beautiful form but a body covered in small, white scales.

Panic surged through me once again, and I shouted, "What the hell?!"

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I still think my panic was justified. I had just become a dragon, after all. My master and the other dragon statues, who somehow retained a bit of consciousness, always make fun of me because primordial dragons don’t fear anything and are very prideful beings.

Yet, being a dragon isn't so bad. In fact, it is even better if you are a Royal Primordial Dragon with supreme talent and power. Grandma often reminded me that the outside world was dangerous, and one had to be powerful to do as they wished—or risk being at the mercy of those stronger.

I didn’t remember my personal details when I arrived here; I had sealed them away for a reason. I knew generally everything about my previous world but couldn’t recall who I was. Every attempt to remember brought forth dark feelings, suggesting I had good reason to keep those memories locked away.

So, I readily accepted my identity as the princess of the primordial dragon clan.

Suddenly, a spear whizzed past my head, snapping me back to the present. I ducked instinctively, my instincts kicking in. "Focus!" I chided myself. I had a job to do.

"What do you want from me, Grandma?" I muttered under my breath, recalling the countless lessons she had drilled into me about strength and responsibility. I could almost hear her voice echoing in my mind, reminding me that power came with purpose.

The labyrinth around me felt alive, its ancient stones whispering secrets of those who had come before. I could sense the history embedded in the walls.

Taking a deep breath, I felt the power of my dragon form surge within me. I narrowed my eyes, locked onto the source of the attack, and prepared to retaliate. With a powerful leap, I charged toward the beastman, ready to show them the strength of a primordial dragon.