I Became a Mom
I'd become a mom. In 2041, South Korea's strongest hunters had gathered in one place. The leaders of the four great guilds and the Hunter Association president. Those five were appearing on a talk show right now.
"Alright, we've got these five special guests here with us!"
The host shouted in an excited voice. "Everyone in Korea knows who you are, but could you each give us a quick introduction?"
"Greetings."
The first one was a girl flashing a playful smile.
"Yes, you're famous by the epithet 'Progenitor' too!"
Next—
"Hello~ I'm Forest Guild leader, elf Yuisol."
A soft smile. An elegant tone.
"Ah... h-hello... I'm Darkness Guild leader, demon... Yuian..."
A voice thick with tension. Her face was already beet red.
"Hi everyone! I'm Lightning Guild leader, angel Yusia!"
Bright and lighthearted, despite her position as guild leader.
"Greetings."
Finally, a calm, curt voice. "Hunter Association president, azure dragon Yumir."
The host prompted applause. "Well then, let's get into the main topic!"
The camera panned across the five of them.
"All of you are famous as South Korea's Otherworlder Hunters."
"There are a few overseas too, but it's still a rare case."
"Could you tell us why you've sided with humans, despite being otherworlders?"
"Thanks to Mom, it seems."
"It's all thanks to our mother."
"Um... thanks to Mom..."
"Me too! It's all because of Mom!"
"Because it's what my mother wished for."
"Ooh~ So you've all been deeply influenced by your mother."
"Then, what kind of person was your mother to each of you?"
"Our mother was a truly wonderful person. And above all, she loved me the most."
Yuisol said, subtly glancing at the others.
"Hold on, there's a fatal error in that statement, it seems. Mom loved me the most."
Judain's words carried clear displeasure.
"What are you talking about, sis? Mom liked me the best!"
Yusia shot to her feet.
"N-no... Mom took care of me the most...!"
"My, were you all such handfuls for your poor mother?"
Yuisol flashed a mocking smile. "The child who never causes trouble is always the favorite, after all."
"Ha, I remember you rotting Mom's insides plenty with that arrogant attitude of yours when you were little."
"Th-that was..."
Yuisol averted her eyes from Judain.
"I'm the eldest, so I've received the most of Mom's love all this time, it seems."
"Then stop clinging to Mom and get independent already!"
"Y-yeah! You're too old to be this pathetic without Mom—you can't even sleep!"
"Isn't that the same for you two?"
"Um... everyone? Why are you suddenly..."
The host, at a loss, shot a pleading look at Yumir, who was glaring terrifyingly at the bickering four.
Yumir opened her mouth. "All of you, shut up. Mom likes me the best."
The mom those kids were obsessing over so fiercely was on the verge of dying from secondhand embarrassment right now.
How did I know? Because I'm their mom.
"You brats! If you act like this, what does that make me, the one who raised you?!"
And lately—
"They even treat me like some worldview's strongest being?!"
...This was so unfair.
May 2026. Even though I hadn't done anything special, more than a third of the year had flown by.
"Family Month, huh..."
As an orphan, Family Month always hit me extra hard. When everyone bragged about spending time with their parents, I couldn't say a word.
So my dream had been to build a family of my own. Whether receiving love or giving it, I craved that warmth.
Of course, I was still a 28-year-old solo who'd never even dated.
Honestly, even I thought no woman would want a guy who'd spent his life hopping between part-time jobs.
Was building a family really this hard?
"Haa..."
Every winter has its spring, but my winter felt endlessly long.
"Maybe if I wish hard enough, it'll come true."
I'd read something like that once. Awakening happens when you desperately want something.
I knew it was nonsense, but like grasping at straws, I stared out the window and made a wish.
"I want to have a family."
Of course, nothing happened. It was only natural.
The next morning, I woke up feeling unusually refreshed. It was the most invigorating morning of my life.
Which could only mean one thing.
I must've overslept for my part-time job.
There's no other reason mornings feel this good.
I hurriedly checked my phone. 6:36.
What? I woke up even earlier?
Maybe today was my lucky day. Feeling light on my feet, I headed to the bathroom.
The moment I looked in the mirror.
"Wh-what the hell!?"
Some unfamiliar girl was standing there.
A dream?
Now that I noticed, my voice wasn't mine either. It was much higher and softer.
Thinking it was a dream, I pinched my cheek hard.
"Ow!"
It hurt like hell. I examined my body again.
Jet-black short hair, blue eyes, a petite beauty. My clothes were baggy now.
And—small but unmistakably perky mounds on my chest.
I'd really turned into a girl.
"Crazy...! This can't be real!"
What about my job? Would I need a new ID? How?
My mind raced.
Wait, could this be... awakening?
It was the only reason something this absurd could happen.
Half doubting, half hoping, I shouted.
"St-status window!"
Name: Yoo Sungwoo
Mana: 100/100
Rank:L-rank
Unique Skills:Life Creation, Housework Max Level, Child Power Proxy
L-rank? I'd never heard of it before. Above S-rank? If so, this was a total life reversal.
I quickly read the skill descriptions.
Infuses the user's emotions to create new life.
Requirements: One drop of user's blood, 100 mana, strong emotion.
New life, huh? Like a familiar? With an L-rank, it had to be pretty powerful.
Should I try it? I'd just awakened, so my mana was exactly 100.
But what if something huge popped out and wrecked the house?
Hmm... use it or not?
Gurgle.
My stomach growled loudly.
Oh right, I skipped breakfast. And dinner last night too. No wonder I was starving.
Food first, think later.
I rummaged through the fridge in the kitchen. What was in here?
I grabbed some ingredients I couldn't even remember buying.
Then my hands moved on their own.
Pulling out ingredients, grabbing a knife, slicing naturally.
Into the pan, fire on, seasoning just right.
My body reacted before my brain could catch up.
When I came to, doenjang jjigae was complete.
...Wait. I can't cook?
I'd never made anything like this before.
I took a spoonful, puzzled.
"Did I make something this delicious?"
I was a total kitchen noob.
Maybe this was a skill too.
I opened the status window again.
Exerts maximum effect and efficiency in all housework-related tasks.
Caution: Activates regardless of user's will.
So that's a skill too. TV always showed flashy, cool ones.
Huh, even S-rank hunters might have stuff like this? Like a water user who's insanely good at cleaning.
It was kinda funny, like peeking into awakeners' secrets.
Best meal of my life.
"Alright, back to the main point."
"Should I use this skill or not?"
Times like this, the internet has answers.
I knew someone would have the same dilemma. Clicked it and checked the comments.
A few more comments, but everyone recommended trying it ASAP.
"Alright, let's do it."
"Mana's full, blood's easy—just prick a finger."
I jabbed my finger with a needle. A prick, and red blood beaded up.
The issue was emotion.
"...Strong emotion."
I pondered, then naturally recalled one thing.
What I'd longed for so long. A warm bond, a family that wouldn't leave, someone to stay by my side, a life not alone.
Just thinking it made my chest ache oddly.
"Activate skill."
Skill activation beginning. Please infuse strong emotion.
It was already enough.
Beginning Life Creation.
Suddenly, everything brightened. A warm sensation, like something leaving my body.
When I opened my eyes again, what appeared before me was far from what I'd expected.
A girl with long, jet-black hair cascading down and blood-red eyes.
Human...? But her fangs were too sharp for that.
So this was creating new life. I'd never imagined a humanoid like this.
I stared blankly into the child's eyes, which were gazing at me.
Then she spoke.
"Mommy...?"
Mo-mommy...?
My mind went blank.
No way...
I'd wished for a family, but not like this.
"Mommy!"
She smiled brightly and hugged my leg. That's when it hit me—this was real.
It... it's real...
Then absurdity washed over me.
Who could've guessed I'd become a mom instead of a dad?