Chapter 4: Princess, Whale, and System

The system is hyped for a long time. Our first plot, full marks! This is the first time I’ve ever gotten a perfect score, you absolute disaster. Just three more plots, get 100 points, and we can revive happily.

The system is thrilled, and I’m happy too. I tug at my lips in Derek’s arms—my lips go ashy, like I just saw a ghost. "Okay."

Suddenly, the world shakes. A giant whale swims over, smashing the water prison with its tail. This is the original novel’s female lead, Morgan, here to bust Derek out.

Seeing Derek, Morgan transforms into a human. High ponytail, black tight suit, cool and androgynous. She’s clutching a bag of Doritos, orange dust on her fingers.

"Dragon Lord, your subordinate is late."

Morgan glares at me viciously. "You’re a hot mess, princess! This witch, harming the Dragon Lord like this—now that she’s caught, you mustn’t be soft, my lord!"

She conjures a silver-white longsword, aiming to stab me.

I instinctively want to run, but my tail’s injured—I move so slowly, it’s like I’m stuck in a haunted house, swimming but never getting anywhere.

The system can’t help but remind me: "Stop squirming, the male lead’s already grabbed you by the back of the neck."

Derek lifts me by the neck, then pulls me back into his arms with one hand. With the other, he sweeps his sleeve to block Morgan’s sword. "Take Sierra back to Dragon Valley first."

Morgan assumes I’ll be used as a hostage to threaten the merfolk king. She nods: "Understood."

On the way—Derek reveals his black dragon form, puts me on his back, and shields me with his dorsal fin. He’s grown dragon scales all over, but hasn’t sprouted horns yet. He needs to go to Dragon Valley to absorb spiritual energy and break through to a full dragon.

The system is suspicious. "In the original plot, the male lead tied you to his tail and dragged you back. How come now you’re riding on his back? I even bought you sensory-blocking medicine—how did the plot change? Ugh, what a waste of points!"

Hearing this, I feel bad for his wasted points too. I gently tug Derek’s dorsal fin.

Derek looks back. "What is it?"

I whisper timidly: "Can you... drag me?"

Derek immediately turns his head away, his dragon body faintly red, even stammering. "Princess, your feelings... I already know."

His voice gets smaller and smaller. "But some things, there’s no rush."

I don’t get what Derek means, so I ask the system. But the system isn’t listening at all.

"This black dragon looks so fierce, why is he turning pink after just a little swim? So sensitive. What, did the saltwater burn his claws?"

Derek really seems burned by something, swimming at top speed. Afraid of falling off, I grip his dorsal fin tighter, hugging it to my chest.

Next thing I know, Derek crashes straight into a coral reef.

The system cackles wickedly. "Ha! The saltwater fried his brain."