A Boy with a Mighty Kick
You couldn't tell just from that powerful kick! It's a boy! He's got a pecker!
Death wasn't as frightening or painful as I'd imagined. Quite the opposite—it felt peaceful.
As my vision blurred, even with people calling out to me desperately, I could drift off to sleep just like that.
"……."
Not long after surrendering to the darkness, a faint sound reached me. Muffled like it was coming through thick vinyl, yet echoing deeply.
"……Aaaah!"
The moment I realized I was trapped in a soft, cramped space, that agonized scream rang out again.
"Aaaaah!"
It was a woman's voice. She wailed like a beast driven mad.
"Push! Mak-chun! Push!"
Another woman's voice chimed in. Unlike the screamer, this was a middle-aged woman, seasoned by years.
"Mak-chun! Push! If you don't push harder, the baby'll die!"
"Ugh, aaak, aaaaaah!"
As the young woman let out another guttural cry, the space around me clenched like a vise, squeezing tight.
"Good! Mak-chun! One more!"
"Aaaah!"
Whoa, what the hell is this?
"Mak-chun! The baby's head! I see the head!"
Suddenly, my scalp felt cool air, and the voices sharpened crystal clear.
"Last one, Mak-chun! Breathe! Breathe! Now push!"
"Ugh, ugh, aaaaaah!"
Schluuuurp!
Whoa, fuck! The already narrow confines gripped me and I slid out slick as could be.
The outside world was blindingly bright, cold winds howling unlike the cozy warmth within.
"It's out! Mak-chun! It's out!"
Huh? What? Some giant?
Call Sergeant Lee?
In the chaos, some auntie grabbed my legs like it was nothing and hoisted me upside down.
Dangling in midair, I kicked like mad, screaming to be put down.
"Aigoo! Look at that strength!"
"A-Auntie. Wh-what...?"
"Kicks like that? No doubt—a boy! Pecker and all!"
"B-Boy? Ugh, kuhk...!"
"Already bawling. Why cry on a day like this! But why's this one so quiet?"
Smack!
Ow! This damn auntie!
Her butt-slap packed more sting than Mom's ever did—I opened wide in protest.
"Waaah! Waaaaaah!"
What am I? Why am I doing this?
"Whoa! What lungs! He'll make something of himself! Won't get scorned for being worthless, at least!"
"Kuhuhk...!"
"Quit it! You'll tire yourself out! As if the master'd toss him just for being male!"
Back then, I had no clue. That I'd just been born the son of a concubine—and that a modern soul had beaten me to this Joseon world.