Shopping Spree and the Blonde Menace
We arrived at the shopping mall together.
True to its reputation as a place for the wealthy, a massive shopping center stood not far away.
As we pulled into the parking area, a neatly uniformed valet approached.
She stepped out of the car and casually tossed him the keys with a flick of her fingers.
The valet bowed deeply in respect before driving off into the shadows.
Then another staff member approached silently.
He greeted her with polite, efficient courtesy before pulling a luxurious case from his pocket and carefully handing her what looked like sunglasses.
Hmm...? That's...
A recognition jammer.
Well, she is a celebrity, after all.
She took the device with an indifferent yet graceful motion.
This flashy lifestyle felt utterly foreign and awkward to me.
Hmm? Didn't I have money too?
True.
Of course, nothing compared to her wealth, but I'd amassed a tidy fortune myself.
But I wasn't the type for this sort of thing.
Just grilling up a mountain of ham without whining about sides, or stocking the freezer with ice cream and eating it to my heart's content? Aaah... luxury, pure luxury.
A bitter smile tugged at my lips.
Well, that's all ancient history now.
She led me, lost in thought, into the mall.
The automatic doors slid open, bringing a cool, refreshing blast of air-conditioned air against my skin, mingled with the faint scent of high-end perfume and the lively buzz of bustling crowds.
Not just humans, but all sorts of sub-races too.
Anyway, she guided me straight to a clothing store first.
The moment we entered the store, the fresh scent of new clothes tickled my nose.
Her eyes sparkled as she asked me,
"Shina, honey, do you have any style or brand you like?"
"I don't really... know much about that stuff."
I scratched the back of my head awkwardly.
"Oh...? Then can Auntie pick out something that suits you?"
Her voice brimmed with an energy that was hard to refuse.
I nodded curtly.
"Yeah. Sure... go ahead."
"Okay, then... wait here just a sec!"
She bustled around the store, scanning the racks before approaching a staff member with a serious expression, asking something intently.
I sat on a nearby chair, waiting.
Soon, she returned holding a single outfit.
"How about this?"
A clean, no-frills black hoodie.
Even to my untrained eye, it looked fine, so I just nodded.
"Try it on and let me see the fit?"
"Okay."
Honestly, changing clothes over and over was a hassle, but I couldn't ignore her kindness as the one footing the bill.
I stepped into the curtained fitting room.
"......"
The instant I grabbed the hem of my t-shirt to take it off, I froze.
My silhouette in the mirror felt strangely alien.
I saw it yesterday, though. Nothing weird about it...
A queasy flutter in my chest made me squeeze my eyes shut as I hurriedly changed.
I pulled back the curtain and stepped out, only for her delighted gasp to erupt.
"Aaah...! Shina, it looks perfect on you!"
"R-Really...?"
She snapped photos nonstop, making a huge fuss.
Is it that good...?
Each shutter click made my face burn.
But the ordeal was just beginning.
The moment I changed back and emerged, she thrust another outfit at me.
"Try this one too."
"Okay."
And another, and another...
With every trip in and out of the fitting room, shopping bags piled up at her feet.
By the time my legs were wobbling, she held out the final piece with a cautious yet determined look.
"Last one... Shina, what do you think of this...?"
"This is..."
It was a frilly dress, completely unlike the others—clearly made for a "little girl."
"This one's a bit..."
A skirt? My mind wasn't ready.
As I leaned back to refuse, she grabbed my hand with pleading eyes.
"Shina... just once... please try it on? Just once?"
"Ehh... that's kinda..."
Seeing my clear reluctance, she played her trump card.
"O-Okay! If you just try it on, Auntie will grant one wish for Shina!"
"......!"
A tempting offer.
Something I'd been wanting flashed through my mind.
I hesitated, then sighed and snatched the dress.
"F-Fine... just once."
She thrust up her thumb triumphantly the second I agreed.
Moments later.
Swish—
The curtain parted, and I stood before her on tentative feet.
The soft fabric brushing my thighs and the emptiness below felt so awkward.
"H-How's it look...?"
But she didn't answer.
She just stood there, dazed.
As the silence stretched, I called out nervously.
"Um...?"
Snapping to, her pupils shook wildly, her face flushing with strange excitement.
"P-Perfect...! I'll buy ten—no, a hundred!"
"Huh? No, that's too much...?"
Bags heavy in both hands, she walked ahead with a beaming smile, as if she'd conquered the world.
"......"
I followed silently behind.
I'd even kept one of the outfits on.
"So... Shina, is there anything you want? Or maybe something you'd like to eat!"
She whipped around, eyes full of anticipation—a reminder of her promise.
I spoke carefully.
"Um... I want a cellphone."
"......Aaah! Right! Oh my god... Shina doesn't have one yet!"
"Can I...?"
"Of course! No, this isn't a 'wish'—I'm just buying it for you. Save your wish for something better!"
Her straightforward generosity made me bow my head slightly.
"Thank you."
We headed straight to the nearby electronics store.
"Here, Shina. Like it?"
"...Thank you."
Unlike the endless clothing ordeal, this was quick.
She pointed to the latest model without hesitation, and payment was done in seconds.
"......"
Taking the phone from its box, I realized something unexpected.
It used to fit perfectly in one hand, but my shrunken fingers struggled to hold it single-handedly.
Still, having a phone felt great.
Even after just a day in this body, going without one had been more unnerving than I'd imagined.
But something else nagged at me.
It's gotta be pricey...
Clothes and a device—the weight of this debt pressed on my chest.
"......"
I fiddled with the phone and powered it on.
The logo appeared, followed by the setup screen.
Then a fundamental question hit me.
"......?"
How do I activate it...?
I needed a carrier for a number, and a registry number for that.
But could I prove my identity like this? Did "Shina" even exist on paper?
"Uh...?"
Disbelief made my lips tremble.
She noticed my darkening expression and tilted her head, approaching.
"Shina? What's wrong? Is it broken?"
"N-No, it's not that..."
"Hm...?"
I glanced between the screen and her, then mumbled the core issue.
"I... don't have an ID."
"Huh...?"
Her eyes widened at my abrupt confession.
Silence hung over her blank stare.
The shocking revelation that Shina had no identity bleached Kim Jangmi's mind white.
A child who didn't exist legally.
"......"
Jangmi bit her lip, thinking.
How painful it must be to ask this frail girl about her past.
Shina had endured the loneliest times alone.
But to help her, she had to ask.
Jangmi spoke softly, cautiously.
"Shina... what happened to your mother...?"
"She..."
The girl's large eyes widened briefly before shaking unsteadily.
She's shaken.
Ugh...
The girl swallowed dryly and bowed her head.
"Mom... abandoned me and left..."
The fragile, halting words slipped from her small lips.
Before the heartbreaking confession could finish, Jangmi reached out and gently covered the girl's mouth.
"Mmph...?"
"Shina. That's enough. You don't have to say more."
She pulled Shina into her arms, enveloping her completely.
Her trembling hand stroked the girl's hair.
"......?"
Jangmi felt the girl's heartbeat against her chest and clenched her jaw.
How could a mother do that...? To this tiny, pitiful child...?
Hot fury surged within her.
"......?"
Her sudden question.
I gave a vague answer to hide the truth, but she hugged me right after.
"......"
Why...?
Leaving the shopping center, Jangmi's steps were heavier than on the way in.
Bags filled her hands, but her bright smile had vanished.
"......"
"......"
Silence filled the car.
Her profile as she gripped the wheel looked cold, a deep furrow between her brows.
The car sped toward the Awakener Association.
Thankfully, awakeners had simpler registration than civilians.
During the chaotic early Gate days, records were lost, systems collapsed, leaving countless with murky identities.
How do I know? I was an orphan with no roots~
Anyway, the state prioritized securing talented awakeners, ID or not.
That legacy remained: registration equaled a new identity.
Soon, the Association building loomed.
A towering skyscraper of gleaming glass reflecting the sun—like city hall or more, the heart of the city.
"Let's go in, Shina."
Following her lead, I entered.
The lobby teemed with high-rank awakeners radiating intimidating auras.
And she stood among them, not outshone—no, dominating.
Gazes fixed on us—her, and the shrinking me beside her.
Ignoring them all, she strode confidently to the registration counter.
"Here for awakener registration..."
The staff recognized her face and bowed sharply, hurriedly preparing forms.
After a brief exchange, it was my turn.
"Miss Shina? This way, please."
A kind female staffer led me smiling to the inner testing room.
I glanced back; Jangmi waved lightly.
Inside, cold metal machines gleamed.
"Just place your hand here."
"Okay."
I carefully laid my palm on the smooth plate as instructed.
A faint vibration hummed, blue light scanning my hand.
"All done. You can remove it now."
She eyed the monitor's graphs and numbers, then jotted results deftly.
"Definitely an awakener. Registration complete!"
She stepped into an inner office and returned with something.
A sleek plastic card for me.
ID Number: XXXXXX - 4XXXXXX
Address: ......
"Congratulations on your registration, Miss Shina."
I stared at the card.
The ID starting with 4.
Clutching it, I headed to Jangmi waiting outside.
"Ah, Shina! There you are."
Jangmi jumped up from the sofa.
"Yeah."
I handed her the freshly issued registration card.
She examined it closely, then gently stroked my hair.
"Tuck this in the back of that new phone so you don't lose it."
"Got it."
As we chatted crossing the lobby,
That moment.
"Well... if it isn't who."
A familiar yet eerie voice from behind.
"......!"
"......!"
The voice hit our ears, freezing us solid.
Chills raced down our spines, breath catching.
We turned slowly, creakily.
At the end of our gaze: a woman in black robes and a deep-brimmed hat, long raven hair cascading down, exuding a razor-sharp aura that could slice with presence alone.
But she wasn't the voice's owner.
Someone peeked from behind the black-haired woman, revealing herself.
Golden blonde curls, a petite frame in pure white mourning clothes.
Instinctively, Jangmi and I hunched.
Like prey before a massive predator.
The blonde girl spotted us, her thin eyes curving into crescents. She shot forward like an arrow—or folded space itself.
Without hesitation, she stretched her short arms toward Jangmi.
"Aigoo, my little mutt! Who knew I'd run into you here!"
"Euuugh..."
Jangmi groaned, crushed in the girl's embrace.
Her face was half-resigned.
I backed away stealthily, killing my footsteps.
But before three steps, the girl's gleaming golden eyes locked on me.
"And... who's this squirt? Her moves look just like someone I know... familiar face, familiar scent..."
Her childlike appearance belied an elderly speech pattern.
But I knew.
The truth behind that innocent smile.
The sole first-generation hunter...
The monster dubbed the strongest in hunter history.
S-rank hunter Cheon Do-hwa.
Doubt and intrigue swirled in her eyes.