Yeong-Su, proud owner of zero leadership experience and one (1) bag of cheesy puffs in his backpack, was now sitting on a giant, glowing throne... as a dragon.
Correction: as the Dragon King.
And not just any Dragon King. According to the crowd of extremely attractive, overly dramatic dragons in the room, he was the chosen one, the long-lost ruler of their realm, the dual-haired divine being summoned through sacred ancient fire magic to lead their people to glory.
But right now, Yeong-Su's only real concern was: "Can I still eat ramen with claws?"
The throne room was absurdly extra—flames dancing along the walls, golden banners fluttering despite no wind, and what looked like enchanted lava flowing through ornamental canals on the floor. Basically, it screamed final boss arena with a budget bigger than three Marvel movies.
Beside him stood a gorgeous, elegant humanoid dragon with long white hair and a stern expression. She looked like she ate etiquette manuals for breakfast.
"Your Majesty," she said with a slight bow. "I am Lady Kaelira, your Royal Flame Advisor."
Yeong-Su blinked at her, then looked down at his enormous dragon hands. Then back at her. Then at the crowd. Then back to her.
"I'm sorry, did I accidentally walk into a Dungeons & Dragons LARP with a fog machine and a cult budget?"
Kaelira tilted her head. "Your humor is... sharper than the prophecy foretold."
A second, taller dragon in human form stepped forward. This one had red eyes, crimson-black hair, and the face of someone who definitely hadn't laughed since the lava age.
"My King," he said, bowing, "the summoning was successful. However… the humans you were bonded to have also arrived."
Yeong-Su panicked. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN BONDED?! We were supposed to play Giant Robot Battlegrounds 2!"
And then, like fate decided to kick him while he was down, a voice shouted from the other side of the hall.
"YEOOOOONG-SUUUU!!"
It was Jaemin.
Trapped in what looked like a glowing golden hamster cage, he stood next to Haneul, who was furiously shaking the bars like he'd ordered chicken nuggets and got salad instead.
"You better not be the reason we got teleported into Dragon Disneyland!" Jaemin yelled. "What the heck are you wearing?!"
Yeong-Su looked down at his outfit. He had somehow shapeshifted into his human form—tall, muscular, hair split between red and white like someone hit "randomize" on a character creator. His robe shimmered with fire patterns and what might have been phoenix feathers. Basically, he looked like a walking K-drama opening theme.
He held up his hand dramatically. "Fear not, loyal subjects! I, the Dragon King, have summoned you for—uh—diplomatic purposes!"
Kaelira leaned in. "Your Majesty, you were unconscious for the last hour."
Yeong-Su whispered, "Yeah, well, they don't know that!"
Haneul groaned. "Please don't tell me this is one of those isekai becomes a monster king plots. You flunked gym class, how are you ruling an ancient fire-breathing race?!"
Yeong-Su turned back to Kaelira. "Okay, what exactly is the job description here? Do I get dental?"
Kaelira raised an elegant eyebrow. "You are to guide us to reclaim the ancient skies, unite the dragon clans, restore the Flame Crest, and perhaps bring about the reign of eternal dominance."
Yeong-Su nodded. "Cool, cool… yeah, nope. Hard pass."
The serious crimson-haired Dragon Advisor beside Kaelira stepped forward. "My King. The humans may pose a threat. Should we… devour them?"
"EXCUSE ME?!" Yeong-Su squeaked.
"Ritually, of course," the man said with a polite bow. "We'll make it classy. Lemon marinade?"
Yeong-Su flapped his cloak like a confused pigeon. "No eating my friends! That's rule number one of game night!"
Jaemin smirked. "Wow. One hour in a magical kingdom and he's already calling the shots. Still can't finish a side quest, but sure, let's crown him."
Yeong-Su turned and whispered desperately, "Lady Kaelira. Help. What do dragons do with summoned humans? Please tell me there's a handbook."
"There was," she said solemnly. "It was lost during the great Chicken Wing Fire of 1421."
"...I'm sorry, the what now?"
"Don't ask."
Just then, Haneul shouted again. "Oi, King Ding Dong! Let us out of this cage! We didn't sign up to be fantasy Pokémon!"
Yeong-Su turned, struck a pose that was 90% confidence and 10% pure panic, and pointed dramatically. "Release them at once!"
The two dragon guards saluted. "Yes, Your Majesty!"
The cage shimmered and vanished with a dramatic poof. Jaemin stepped out cautiously, eyeing Yeong-Su like he was trying to spot the zipper on a costume.
"So. You're a dragon now," he said.
"I guess?"
"And king."
"Apparently."
"And you summoned us with… fire magic?"
"I'd say 'accidentally,' but I'm starting to think the universe hates me."
Haneul crossed his arms. "You got a plan?"
Yeong-Su paused.
Thought.
Panicked.
"YES," he said with fake bravado. "We will… survive this fantasy world… together! With friendship! Snacks! And possibly… board games!"
There was a beat of silence.
Then Kaelira clapped her hands once. "Summon the royal board games!"
"What?" Yeong-Su blinked.
Another dragon rolled in a flaming cart with scrolls, dice, and something that suspiciously looked like Dungeons & Dragons… except everything was made of obsidian and lava stones.
"Let the Game Night begin!" Kaelira declared.
Yeong-Su stood dumbfounded.
He looked at Jaemin. Jaemin looked at him.
"…Dude," Jaemin muttered, "this is somehow both the worst and the best Friday night ever."