The pain never left.
Lucifer Morningstar stared at the hospital ceiling—white and sterile, like the remnants of his hope that faded more with each passing day. His body was frail, an IV line pierced his right arm, and the heart monitor beeped slowly, like it was counting down to the end. He was only sixteen, but his life felt like it belonged to an old man who had already lost the war.
He sighed softly. "Terminal cancer," he whispered to himself. "Not the end of the world… just the end of mine."
Lucifer chuckled, then coughed hard. A speck of blood appeared on his lip. "Classic. Even at death's door, my body still wants to put on a show."
No family stood by him. His parents had died in an accident years ago, and his relatives were too busy pretending to care. He was alone. The only thing that had stayed with him since the diagnosis was his humor.
"Hey, God," he said, eyes fixed on the ceiling, "if I get reincarnated, could you not give me a lame disease again? Give me something cool, like… magic powers or a pet dragon."
He closed his eyes.
And that's when the world fell apart.
Not literally. But a blinding light engulfed his body. He felt weightless, like the wind was carrying him somewhere soft. His heartbeat faded away... and then, he fell into nothingness.
When he opened his eyes, the hospital ceiling was gone.
The first thing he saw was a clear blue sky, dotted with clouds so fluffy they looked like they came from a dream. Fresh air filled his lungs—lungs that no longer hurt. He sat up slowly, realizing his body wasn't weak anymore. He looked at his hands, strong and whole. No tubes. No IV. No pain.
"I'm... alive?" he murmured.
Then came the thunderous rumble from above.
A dragon—massive, majestic, covered in shimmering silver-blue scales with wise golden eyes—lowered its head to face him. Its breath misted with magical energy. The creature looked at Lucifer like it had known him for years.
"Lucifer Morningstar," the dragon's voice was deep and echoing, "you are finally awake."
Lucifer stared.
"…Okay, this has to be a dream. Or a morphine overdose."
He gawked at the towering creature before him. A real dragon. Not a giant lizard, not a komodo with energy drinks—but an actual dragon, with shining scales, folded wings, and eyes that held the weight of centuries.
"Okay…" he said slowly. "So… if this isn't a dream, and not the meds kicking in… that means I died, and now I'm alive again? In a world with… dragons? Real dragons?"
"I am Velgarion," the dragon replied calmly. "Guardian of the East and protector of Eryndor. I've been caring for you ever since you arrived in this world—fifteen years ago."
Lucifer raised an eyebrow. "Fifteen years? You mean… I was a baby? You changed my diapers? Don't tell me you sang me lullabies too."
Velgarion snorted. A puff of blue smoke escaped his nostrils.
"You haven't changed. Your tongue is still sharp, even after reincarnation."
Lucifer shrugged. "If I changed my personality, the world might just implode."
He stood up slowly. His legs felt strong. His body light. He wore a robe made from beast hide—soft yet sturdy. Around him stretched an enchanted forest, like something pulled from a fairytale. The leaves glowed faintly, the air was warm and fresh, and the breeze carried the scent of something sweet.
Lucifer turned and looked up at Velgarion. "So… you're a good dragon?"
"I am a guardian of balance in this world. And I know who you truly are. You are not just an ordinary reincarnated soul."
Lucifer narrowed his eyes. "You know… the name Lucifer Morningstar usually has some... you know, devilish connotations. Don't tell me I'm… a demon child here?"
Velgarion's eyes darkened with meaning. "You… are the son of a celestial being and a great demon. Half angel, half demon. That is why your soul could survive crossing dimensions."
Lucifer blinked.
"…Seriously?"
"Seriously."
"So I'm some kind of half-and-half? Like… a hell-heaven hybrid bastard child?"
"Crude. But accurate."
Lucifer facepalmed. "Wow… my mom would be so proud."
Velgarion turned his massive body and began walking toward a large cave hidden behind a waterfall. The roar of the water mixed with the heavy steps of the dragon, creating an atmosphere that felt like the start of something epic. Lucifer, still confused, followed behind.
Inside the cave, a room shimmered with blue light. Crystals sparkled from the walls, and at the center stood an altar made of ancient stone. Upon it... a ring.
But not an ordinary ring.
It hovered slightly above the pedestal, rotating slowly, surrounded by glowing runes. On its surface, strange symbols pulsed like living things.
"This... a wedding ring?" Lucifer asked, eyes wide. "Because, uh, I'm not ready for marriage, Dragon."
Velgarion shook his head. "That is the Ring of Power. One of the Ten Infinite Rings. Ancient artifacts from the age of the gods. It grants its bearer unlimited magical energy—if you can endure the burden."
Lucifer swallowed hard. "Unlimited... but there's a catch, right?"
"There is always a price," Velgarion said. "And my time is nearly up. I have been wounded by a curse that cannot be undone. Soon... I will vanish."
Lucifer's eyes widened. "Wait... you're dying?"
"My time has come."
Velgarion bowed his head, his voice heavy but soft. "But you, Lucifer... you are Eryndor's final hope. This world teeters on the edge of ruin. Darkness rises in the East. The other nine rings are scattered—some guarded, some hidden, others... stolen."
Lucifer stood silent. The weight of those words sank into his chest.
"Let me guess... nine more rings. So ten total?"
"Correct."
"And if I collect them all… what, I summon Shenron and get a wish?"
"You may save this world... or destroy it entirely."
Lucifer scratched the back of his head. "No pressure, huh?"
Velgarion coughed. Not a normal cough. Black blood dripped from his mouth, evaporating before it touched the ground. His eyes were fading.
Lucifer stepped forward, placing his hand on the dragon's forehead. "Hey... hey, don't go yet. I just woke up, I just started to understand all this. Don't leave me in a weird world with ten rings that can end everything!"
Velgarion looked at him one last time.
"Trust your heart, Lucifer Morningstar. This world will try to shape you... but only you can decide who you truly are."
And in a soft burst of blue light… the dragon's body dissolved into stardust.
Lucifer stood still. For a long time.
Then, in a quiet voice, he muttered:
"...Okay. It's official. I'm the isekai protagonist now. And my dragon mentor just died in chapter one. Great. This is gonna be a long story."