A Reasonable Contract with My Master ♥ 001
Hero tales in novels or games are always portrayed beautifully.
But reality is different.
The path to becoming a hero is brutal.
You have reincarnated into a gender-reversed world.
In my original life, I lived in a society where men held all the sexual and social advantages.
But one day, I opened my eyes... and found myself in the exact opposite world.
Stop the collapse of Babel Tower.
Forced to choose the hero's path. There was no other way. I had to conquer the world-threatening Babel Tower and save humanity.
'Then at least reincarnate me in a sturdy body. What the hell is this?'
Short limbs, a baby-faced look.
Saving the world in a 150cm body was downright cruel.
At some point, massive black towers sprouted across the world.
Known as Babel Towers.
Unlike the tower humanity built to challenge the gods, these represented divine wrath.
The militaries fell first.
U.S. and Russian fighter jets sent to topple it were struck down by black lightning.
Even humanity's ultimate weapon, nuclear bombs, couldn't scratch it.
The only way to stabilize Babel was one: a select few chosen humans enter and fight the monsters directly.
'Enter Babel with a body like this?'
Ridiculous.
If I had a bodybuilder's ripped physique, maybe I'd consider it.
But this soft, squishy frame? Impossible.
"Haa..."
Still, I was starting to accept that these messages weren't hallucinations or tricks—they were real.
The psych meds hadn't made them vanish.
It had been a month since I became one of the chosen players who could enter Babel.
A month since arriving in this gender-reversed world.
I'd thrashed about trying to escape this fate, but the messages persisted.
"Why the sighs? You nervous about failing?"
"Ah, um..."
"Worried about flunking Ryu Master's interview? Pfft, that's not even funny."
The burly guy next to me spoke up. Handsome faces breed outgoing personalities, huh? Spot on.
"They say her disciple standards are insanely strict. Other rankers aren't like that."
"Heard she hasn't picked even one yet..."
For a weakling like me to get stronger, two paths: dive into Babel and grind levels, or...
Find a good master to pass on their skills.
The first was near impossible. Who'd party with a tiny, fragile guy like me?
'The other way...'
"Next!"
"Ah, my turn. Catch you later—hope we both make it as disciples."
"Yeah..."
High-level players could transmit power to others—master-disciple bonds.
"Next!"
As anxiety about my future gnawed at me, my turn came.
'Already? Someone just went in.'
Not mentally ready, but I took a deep breath and entered the interview room slowly.
'That's the Sword Saint.'
Sword Saint Ryu Ga-eul.
Unlike her fierce look, she exuded calm beauty. Her tied-back hair suggested meticulousness, her long legs drew the eye. A strange tattoo-like mark near her neck—what did it mean?
"H-Hello! I'm interviewee number 34, Park Hyunwoo!"
"Huh...?"
Did I screw up? She stared wide-eyed, dropping her cigarette.
Zip open? No...
"How old are you?"
"Twenty this year!"
"Ten-year gap... compatibility might be iffy..."
"Pardon?"
"Right. Got a girlfriend?"
Not complaining, but why the casual tone right away?
"No."
"Boyfriend?"
"What? Never had either."
"Me neither. Height?"
"About 150cm."
"Whoa... perfect height. C'mere, heh heh heh."
Now showing off empathy? No clue what she's getting at.
"Last, hobbies?"
"None really... napping?"
"I'll make sure you get one."
She shot up, striding over. Towering—late 170s cm. I shrank back instinctively.
"Accepted! Start tomorrow... nah, today! You're with me!"
Accepted. Me? Not someone else?
Am I dreaming? Unbelievable. No specs, yet disciple to the famous Sword Saint.
'But is this how interviews work?'
Usually, they notify later. Declaring on the spot? And solo interviewer?
"Interview's over! Send 'em all home!"
"Sword Saint, that's not—"
"Hey! I found my disciple—pack 'em off!"
Something's off.
Players are known for eccentricities. Her too?
"Hey! Get out! All of ya! No more disciples!"
Ryu Ga-eul bellowed, chasing out the rest. The show wasn't over.
"Park Hyunwoo, right? Cute name."
"Th-Thank you..."
"Good, good. Let's head to that room over there. Lots to do."
The office was spacious, with a break room inside.
"Call me Master from now on."
"Yes, Master."
"Yeah. My disciple."
I followed her in. But the sight wasn't what I expected.
"Let's do the contract first."
A king-size bed big enough for two sat there. She perched on it, sliding a paper over.
"You know these gotta be airtight, right?"
...Too much happening too fast.
1. Ryu Ga-eul (hereinafter Party A) shall sincerely transmit power to Park Hyunwoo (hereinafter Party B).
2. Party B shall pay Party A 5,000,000 won per month for lessons.
3. If Party B fails to pay lesson fees, Party A may demand physical labor from Party B.
4. Contract term: 5 years starting today.
⋯
"Good, read the whole contract?"
"Um... Master? There's a problem."
"What? Not backing out now, are ya?"
Her eyes sharpened like an eagle spotting prey.
"No! I just... don't have much money right now. Can I pay later?"
Players earn big risking Babel. With her training, 5 million won would be easy.
"That it? Don't sweat it. See that clause? Physical labor covers it."
"Ah!"
"Hey, sis has tons of cash. Want my bank deets?"
Park Hyunwoo could tell from her luxury gear it wasn't bluffing. Those alligator leather leggings screamed tens of millions.
'Then why charge at all?'
A twinge of doubt, but he brushed it off. Free lessons? Thief mentality.
"Last thing: one video. Got your ID?"
"Yeah, but why...?"
"No biggie. Hold it and say the script. Not weird stuff—relax."
Eccentric, but a Sword Saint wouldn't misuse his resident card.
"Like this?"
He held it awkwardly before the tripod camcorder, smiling stiffly.
"Perfect. Read the script."
"Got it. Um... From now on, I become the Sword Saint's disciple. I'll devote my body to please Master and work hard?"
"Heh."
"And... under Master's guidance, become a new man. Like a groom heading to his wedding."
Weird script. Finishing, Park Hyunwoo sensed something wrong.
"Heh heh heh."
"Uh, um."
"My disciple's so cute. Yeah? Let's do well from now on."
A frog in boiling water dies unaware it's cooking.
Park Hyunwoo was the same.