Women's Bathhouse (1)
Come to think of it, there was a heavy weight under my eyes. Like a lump of lead hanging there, dragging down the bottom of my vision.
"…?"
I, Han Yujin, reached up and touched around my eyes. A cold, smooth texture.
"Hup."
I held my breath and carefully peeled off the crystal. A brief sting. The weight settling into my palm was substantial.
"Whoa…."
It was crystalline. Like compressing a shard of the Milky Way—what would that feel like? A mystical blue glow poured out, more enchanting than any Heteromorphic Crystal I'd seen before.
"That's a remarkably fine crystal," Jeong Gongbeop murmured in admiration, tying on an apron.
"I've never seen one of that purity in such a size. A-grade... no, perhaps even beyond."
Which meant.
"I'm... rich?"
The corners of my mouth twitched uncontrollably. Every sparkle lifted my mood. How to describe it? Just staring healed the soul. This might be the pinnacle of financial therapy.
"Be careful. Something that size could draw anomalies sniffing it out."
Jeong Gongbeop warned as he handed over a small box. It looked made of special material, with shielding properties.
"Store it here for now."
"Ah, got it."
Regretfully, I tucked the crystal inside.
What to do with this.
My mind raced. First thing that popped up: the Universal Shop.
This could let me sweep the place clean.
I subtly pulled out my phone.
◈ Current Assets: A-Grade Crystals x2 (Appraisal Needed)
◈ Promoted to VVIP! Shop discounts adjusted.
The product list on screen was on another level from before. One item grabbed my eye.
That one.
Because.
This thing looks like it could rewrite rules!
The overpowered money bag summonable anywhere was discounted to 13g. And this pen-and-note set at 157g discounted? Had to be cheat-tier!
Combine the fountain pen and parchment visuals with "liar"—probably twists rules or deceives them!
With this... even bullshit horror stories get wrecked.
But.
Couldn't buy right now.
Universal Shop delivery isn't safe.
Unique Company had already mapped their routes, or could hack them. Order now? Ten seconds later, not the delivery guy knocking—Unique Company's elite squad.
"……Hah."
I smacked my lips in regret and closed the window.
"Something wrong?"
Jeong Gongbeop asked.
"Nah. Saw something I want, but delivery costs my life."
"Wise choice. External trades are risky now."
He nodded, standing.
"Let's eat first. You must be hungry."
Only then did my stomach growl loudly. Tension gone, hunger crashed in like a wave.
Bubble bubble.
Ramen boiling cheerfully in the pot. Classic with kimchi, green onions, egg! Washed away the blood and mold stench from the horror.
"Whoa, smells insane."
I sat primly at the table, slurping noodles.
Jeong Gongbeop, apron on, deftly portioned two bowls. Then grabbed a third, hesitating.
"...What's that?"
I followed his gaze. Dark under the sofa. An ass facing us.
"F... Fear me…!"
Solemn threat. But the voice? Pathetic whimper.
Jeong Gongbeop eyed me like what the hell.
"Human?"
"Uh... sorta my companion."
His brow furrowed. He despised anomalies—gallery vet fact. But not one to mistreat allies.
"Come out, great Kruru. Ramen's ready."
I reached under, grabbed her scruff, dragged her out.
"Nyaang! Let go! This body is the ruler of darkness…!"
"Ruler or not, eat."
Forced the squirming Kruru to the table. She eyed Jeong Gongbeop warily, fur-puffed cat—or black-haired girl—hissing.
"...As long as she behaves."
He sighed shortly, chopsticks up. No eviction planned.
"Dig in."
I scooped ramen to my plate, blew, slurped. Hot, spicy broth down my throat—every cell cheered.
"Haa... feels alive."
This was bliss.
Then, grunts beside me.
"H-Hot! What is this red magma?!"
Kruru lolled her tongue, panting. One sip of broth burned her bad.
"Oh, right, cat."
"Who're you calling cat?!"
Ignoring her huff, I rummaged his cabinet, grabbed a tuna can.
Pop.
"Here, not hot."
Sniff sniff. Kruru's nose twitched. Oily tuna scent. Her yellow eyes moon-wide.
"Th-This is…!"
She shoveled it in greedily. Cheeks bulging—kinda cute.
"Good?"
"Mhm! Delicious! Humans hid this delicacy?!"
Simple girl. I petted her head fondly.
Jeong Gongbeop watched, odd expression.
"...Yujin, you adapt fast."
"Praise?"
"Yes. Most humans fear anything horror-related."
He sipped broth, asked quietly.
"Feeling better?"
"Yeah, sorta."
I twirled my arm. Shoulder less sore.
"Sudden changes tense the body unconsciously. Glad no injury."
He nodded relieved. Paused, then serious.
"Yujin."
"Yeah?"
"A proposal."
His eyes sharpened.
"Run."
Chopsticks froze mid-bite.
"...Run?"
"Unique Company won't drop you. They're tenacious. Even here... not guaranteed safe."
He paused, added.
"I have another hideout. Remote, fully sealed safehouse. Hide there awhile."
Hide away. Tempting. Honestly exhausted. Dragged by horrors, chased by people. Hole up alone, gallery-lurk? Heaven. Unravel my plot threads too.
But.
I glanced at the room corner. Box etched with strange runes. The mother's life-trade gift.
"...Pass."
"May I ask why?"
"Can't impose more."
I set down chopsticks, met his eyes straight.
"And... places to go."
"Places?"
"Yeah. Promise to keep. Deal struck."
I pulled the battered USB from my pocket, set it on the table. Blood-and-dust crusted, crude thing.
"Coords inside. 'Cozy and safe like nowhere else.' Women only... something like that."
His brow twitched. He picked it up, examined, muttered low.
"...That woman?"
"Who?"
"Named pain-in-ass woman... Never mind. If her, you're female— she'll treat you well."
His gaze complicated.
"Women survivors' community. If right, safer than my spot."
He stood, fetched a huge hiking backpack.
Thud. Heavy on table.
"Take it."
"...What's this?"
"Food, meds, survival gear."
Like a parent sending a kid off, he double-checked zippers.
"That anomaly girl, the box. Risky, but your path. Won't stop you. Wouldn't listen anyway."
"Hehe."
"But... don't die. You're hope for more people than you think."
Hope.
Me?
I hid fluster with sass.
"Whoa, Blue Badge too sappy? Pressure."
"Quiet. Dishes, then go."
He slipped out. I rough-washed, then he returned with laptop, car keys.
"Check the USB."
Plugged into his laptop. Post-scan, file showed map coords and cryptic code.
Seoul, Jongno-gu, XX-dong 132-1, 4th Floor Above Ground
Entry Code: On a moonless night, in a place without shadows, whisper the false truth.
"Jongno-gu... closer than thought."
"Maze of alleys there. Good for shaking Unique Company. Let's go."
Naturally hauled the bag to the car.
"Get in."
And took the wheel.
◆ Seoul Jongno-gu back alleys.
Behind glitzy towers, a rundown hidden zone. Wandered the labyrinthine paths 15 minutes. Reached destination.
[XX-dong 132]
Long-shuttered bathhouse. Sign gone, entrance tagged "Demolition Pending" in red.
"Here…?"
No way livable. Ghost-haunted vibe.
Deeper in, split: men's and women's baths.
Men's: [132-0]
Women's: [132-1]
Jeong Gongbeop reached for women's handle. Red blood dripped from letters above.
He backed off quick.
"Guess this is my stop."
I nodded agreement.
"Good luck, Yujin."
"Thanks again."
Waved to nodding Jeong Gongbeop.
"Whew."
Deep breath. I turned the women's bath door.
— Creeeak.
Rusty groan as it opened. I stepped inside.