Dan Bei is a shell spirit. On his first day entering human society after taking human form, he follows the address his big brother Cod gave him and goes to find a merfolk to be his boss.
Back when he lived under the sea, Dan Bei had always admired the merfolk most.
Legend had it that merfolk had human bodies and fish tails, noble character, beautiful features, and lovely singing voices... Most importantly, their tears could turn into pearls.
Dan Bei, on the other hand, had to spend ages raising just one beautiful pearl.
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When Dan Bei arrives at the merfolk's home, he finds that the merfolk really are just as the legends say: good-looking, capable, and thriving in human society.
This is clearly the boss fate has chosen for him!
Without a second thought, Dan Bei recognizes him as his boss.
The boss has a bad temper and a domineering personality, but he's still a good person.
He gives Dan Bei food and a place to live, and even goes to the trouble of helping him raise pearls.
There's just one problem:
Every time Dan Bei sees his boss, he reflexively wants to hide under the bed. He's afraid of him on a purely physical level.
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Dan Bei puts in every effort to raise a beautiful pearl. His pearl is smooth and round, with a lovely sheen.
The family motto says: Pearls are the most precious things. You may only give one to the person who matters most to you.
So as soon as the pearl is ready, Dan Bei presents it to the most important person in his life: his boss.
His boss is very pleased and asks what reward he wants.
Dan Bei boldly makes three requests.
Dan Bei: "Boss, I want to hear you sing."
His boss sings Dan Bei's favorite song.
Dan Bei is a little shocked. It doesn't sound very good. His boss must have had a hard time growing up among merfolk, who are known for their singing.
Dan Bei: "Boss, I want to touch your pearl."
His boss tosses him a shining golden pearl.
Dan Bei is a little dazed. It's so big. His boss must have been in real trouble back then, crying terribly.
Dan Bei: "Boss, I want to see your tail."
His boss reveals his true form before Dan Bei, and a golden-scaled dragon tail sweeps past him.
Dan Bei is dumbfounded.
His beloved boss isn't a merfolk at all, but the most evil and mysterious great golden dragon under the sea!
Legend says the great golden dragon is depraved and wicked, killing fish without mercy and able to wipe out an entire underwater clan with a snap of his fingers.
And everyone who has seen his dragon pearl has died.
...Dan Bei has just seen it and even touched it several times.
With a bang, Dan Bei turns back into his true form, shuts his shell, and rolls under the bed.
The great golden dragon catches him effortlessly, taps his tightly shut shell with a finger, and says irritably,
"Open up. Where's my pearl?"
Dan Bei timidly opens a crack and reluctantly pushes out the pearl.
The great golden dragon presses down on the soft flesh inside the shell and rolls the pearl between his fingertips. "It's mine now."
Huddled inside his shell, Dan Bei watches him play with the pearl he worked so hard to raise, furious but not daring to say a word.
...Damn evil dragon! Give back his beautiful pearl!!
2026.7.30
Theme: Don't do to others what you wouldn't want done to yourself!
