Chapter 328: Blind to Value

Just what was that?

Orien stood very still.

For a moment, he wondered if he had imagined it.

It was as if the world simply tilted when the delicate square in his hand had shattered the moment it met his teeth.

The sound it made couldn’t have been louder for the young dragon who was met with a soft, flaky crunch that finally melted into a sweetness that overwhelmed him.

But just when he thought it couldn’t get any better, he tasted something fresh. It was a different texture that must have been important.

This was it.

This was probably the flavor ancient texts spoke of when they described celestial feasts. And today it was his turn to try!

However, just when the dragonling was thinking about life’s possibilities, he was pulled back to land by something horrifying.

This was only one of the items offered by the store.

One.

Out of many.

He swayed slightly.

Beside him, Liam tilted his head. “Do you like it too?”

Orien turned slowly.

Did he like it?

What kind of question was that?

Like it?

He liked it enough to petition that the entire establishment be bought immediately and placed under dragon protection.

And he wasn’t even kidding.

Unfortunately, his current form betrayed him. He was small. Human-like. Round-cheeked and wide-eyed. His seriousness and the multitude of intimidating yellow ducklings on him didn’t quite translate into the image he wanted to portray.

The man behind the counter chuckled warmly. “You really like it, huh?”

Orien opened his mouth to make a formal declaration regarding acquisition rights.

Instead, he was handed another piece.

“…!!!”

The second slice was placed into his palm as if it were nothing more than a sweet gesture.

To Orien, it was divine providence.

His eyes sparkled.

These examiners should be blessed generously.

He was a dragon. He could definitely make it happen.

He mentally considered rainfall in favorable regions. Perhaps a slightly longer harvest season. A minor blessing of prosperity.

He bit into the second piece with even greater reverence.

But just as he was about to dedicate his eternal loyalty to this establishment, the little sprite beside him spoke again and he couldn’t help but pause.

He had heard an in-passing explanation by his aunt and now couldn’t help but twitch when the little sprite remembered to ask about important things.

“Promotions.”

“Deals.”

“Discounts.”

Who wouldn’t pause mid-worship after hearing that?

Now as a being from the mightiest and richest race in existence, no ancestor would have ever imagined that his descendants would one day stand in front of a pastry display contemplating such terms.

In the old days, it would have taken nothing more than the insinuation of breathing fire.

Negotiations would have easily concluded just as ownership transferred. In fact, it happened even when dragons didn’t wish anything to do with receiving offerings.

But these days, one golden dragonling was rewriting history by comparing the vibes between seasonal lucky bags.

Yes.

Originally, he had wanted to buy everything.

Of course he did.

But Liam, who had expertly spoken to the examiner, pointed out something dreadful.

“If you spend everything here,” Liam said reasonably, “what about the budget for the other shops?”

Budget.

Other shops.

The original goal of hoarding from the temple.

Gasp!

“!!!”

Orien stiffened.

This entire place was a massive test.

Clearly, his self-control was being evaluated.

He could buy as much as he could currently afford.

But that would mean he wouldn’t be able to buy anything else from the other stores.

A tragedy.

A true and undeniable tragedy.

So what was he supposed to do?

Was he meant to give up this conquest?

How could that be when he had worked so hard just to reach this sacred ground?

His small purse trembled.

Just as despair began to creep in once more, his aunt sauntered over.

He crouched slightly and said casually, “You might want to consider buying a lucky bag instead.”

Orien blinked.

“A lucky bag?”

He had seen those words earlier. It came in the best color there was and definitely had to be important.

Of course he wanted to try it out.

But in reality, he had a rather significant problem.

Because to begin with.

What the hell was a lucky bag?

__

Riley wasn’t sure if he had made the right decision.

Explaining the concept of a lucky bag to beings who definitely didn’t need an additional descriptor in their ever-growing list of titles might have been a mistake.

While this wasn’t the entire dragon population, the group he currently had with him could technically be considered representative enough. Literally.

So if that were the case, then it could be confidently stated that dragons were either the worst or best kind of gamblers.

See, a lucky bag was basically a literal bag filled with a random assortment of mystery goods. It was sold at what was supposedly a steep discount when compared to the total value of the items inside.

It used to be offered only at the start of the year.

But over time, it became popular.

Now it was offered seasonally. During mall-wide events. During holidays. During special occasions.

Whenever people felt like testing their fate.

“In essence,” Riley explained carefully, “if you’re lucky, then you’d be able to buy way more things for much less money. More than that, there are times they make products specifically for the lucky bags so you won’t be able to get them any other day.”

“!!!”

The reaction was immediate.

Perhaps it was also Riley’s fault that the next chain of events unfolded the way they did.

Because apparently, he could have switched careers and become a successful swindler if not an influencer. He would have gotten rich with the tongue he wielded mercilessly against the dragons who now found the entire concept extremely intriguing.

Kael, the great Dragon Lord, might have maintained his usual relaxed posture, arms folded and expression neutral.

But he had been affected.

Deeply.

Especially when his mate casually mentioned the rule.

“One bag per person per store.”

Silence fell as brows were raised.

Honestly, that didn’t sound like much.

Sure, to others gambling existed to give a different kind of high. And dragons actually partook in the act of what most would call “gambling.” But in reality, dragons very rarely gambled in the true sense of the word.

When they did, it usually involved the fate of Eryndra. Perhaps a prophecy no one could be certain would work. Or a last ditch method that most definitely seemed impossible.

But ordinary gambling?

They didn’t really experience that.

Their senses were too sensitive. Their abilities too powerful.

There was no use hiding objects from them. No point in shuffling cards. No purpose in misdirection.

They would detect the weight difference. Hear the slight shift of an object inside a container. Smell the material before it was even revealed.

So they would always win.

But apparently, not today.

Because it didn’t matter if they could see through the bag. Hear through it. Sense whatever lay within.

Even if they could.

They had absolutely no idea what the value of each item was. Heck, they couldn’t even name the items no matter how they tried.

They were blind in that way.

And how exhilarating that was.

__

While Riley had predicted that they would attract attention because of the eye-catching appearance of the people he was with, he regretfully didn’t predict how they would attract attention in an entirely different manner.

Like how people had started looking at their table from all over the place.

Because in their little corner of the store, everyone sat with large bags placed neatly in front of them.

And while it wouldn’t have been unusual to have such bags inside a shopping mall, such a haul didn’t usually come with seriousness.

Back straight.

Faces stern.

And it wasn’t every day that shoppers would see a group of stunning individuals gathered in solemn silence as they prepared to open lucky bags from a bakery of all places.

It was even less common to see them treating it like a council meeting.

They were sitting there as if the contents of those bags could alter the balance of the world.

And perhaps, to them, it could.

Well.

The onlookers weren’t alone in this predicament.

Because Riley had also never thought such a thing would happen to him. To them.

And yet there he was.

Staring at the zipper of the bag in front of him.

He didn’t really want to do it.

Yes, he had suggested it.

Yes, he had explained it.

And yes, he had described the mechanics and the appeal.

But he hadn’t expected to be appointed as the ceremonial initiator.

No one moved.

Unfortunately, even his father participated in this alarming event with the same seriousness as all the magical beings.

Kael might not have said anything, but the deference he gave Riley was obvious. Subtle. Absolute.

If Riley didn’t begin, no one else would.

And if anyone dared to randomly open their bag without his signal, it was quite clear they would be in for a world of pain.

So Riley, the ex-mortal instigator, sighed quietly.

He did it anyway.

His fingers reached forward and pulled the zipper.

And unknowingly, he started what would one day be regarded as the strangest and most solemn tradition ever unearthed in future dragon history.

But that was for much later.

For now, it was important to note that Orien had just experienced a roller coaster without ever riding one.

Because the moment Riley gave the go signal, the young golden dragonling tore into his very first lucky bag.

And nothing in his long and illustrious bloodline had prepared him for what happened next.

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