Family (1)
Family (1)
I was an S-X Carrier too.
As is commonly known, the symptoms of the S-X Virus involved a explosive surge in testosterone levels inside the body, leading to skyrocketing sex drive, aggression, and physical abilities.
My parents, who were the heads of the massive Seogwang Group, didn't want to lose their one and only son.
So I hid away inside a Cryogenic Device until a cure could be developed.
It was a secret weapon that the corporation was developing on the down-low.
But at the time, the success rate was uncertain.
It was a risk for them—and for me too, in our own ways.
Only my little sister knew about this, aside from my parents.
I still remember her final moments, those teary turquoise eyes of hers.
'That guy who always grumbled like that...'
And then 400 years passed.
Now here I was, buck naked in front of a woman who was something like my 11th-generation granddaughter—or maybe my niece?
Rina's eyes were that same turquoise as Seo-yoon's, sure enough.
Her expression was a bit chillier, though—not because she was a bad person, but probably due to the heavy burden of leading the organization that had changed its name from Seogwang to 'Eden Genesis'.
If Rina really was Seo-yoon's descendant,
and she'd inherited that bloodline, constitution, and personality,
then she'd definitely hate to be a burden and feel a strong sense of duty toward her responsibilities.
"As I mentioned, Head of the Family-nim's case isn't... a full recovery. If it were, those massive muscles wouldn't still be there. Of course, we've completed the scientific tests, including the in-body virus activity scan."
Kang Rina said.
"It's hard to believe, I know, but the virus in Head of the Family-nim's body is tightly intertwined with your organs. And it's not just in the bloodstream—it's even been detected in the brain."
"And I can still be alive with that?"
"We need more research, but yes."
"......"
My head was spinning.
That damn virus in my brain too, huh.
But honestly, for waking up after 400 years, things felt shockingly calm.
My body's condition was great too—if Rina weren't right there, I could've stood right at attention no problem.
No orthostatic hypotension or anything, and I had enough vigor to sprint 100 meters flat-out right then and there.
"Why'd you wake me up? After 400 whole years?"
If a cure for the S-X Virus was still impossible at a fundamental level, there had to be a reason for thawing me out.
But Rina's answer was a letdown.
"To be honest, Head of the Family-nim being found was an accident."
"An accident...?"
"It's a crude way to put it, but no one saw it coming. We assume there were instructions passed down from previous generations, but over 400 years, the meaning must've gotten fuzzy. At the very least, I wasn't informed that Head of the Family-nim had entered the prototype Cryogenic Device 400 years ago and that the family had been secretly storing it. If I didn't know, no one else did either."
"......"
"Call it good luck—or maybe someone's desperate wish saved Head of the Family-nim."
Kang Rina, dropping some rare warm words.
It was her way of comforting me, I guess, but I had no clue what expression to make.
Someone's desperate wish.
That had to be my parents, or Seo-yoon.
The idea that their will could still take effect after they were dead—and 400 years later—was straight-up superstitious.
'So that's how it is. Mom and Dad are gone now, and so is Seo-yoon. I'm all alone.'
Setting aside my bitter mood, Kang Rina got down to business.
"The symptoms that have already manifested can't be fully cured. That's why the nation decided on genetic modification from the fetal stage. But in Head of the Family-nim's case, it can be suppressed with medication, so don't worry."
Rina—my 11th-generation granddaughter—crossed her arms, her gaze sweeping over my body before eventually flicking downward.
I felt a weird vibe.
Even wrapped in the blanket, I somehow felt embarrassed.
No matter what, Rina was Seo-yoon's descendant, but she was also a woman exuding some pretty mature allure.
"So how exactly did I wake up? It wasn't you who did it, right?"
"The Cryogenic Device company went bankrupt."
"That's a concise answer."
"I only found out after checking the records. There were twists and turns, but midway through, the subsidiary handling the Cryogenic Device got sold off to someone else. So honestly, we weren't managing it. Then it got 'unearthed' by accident."
"You said 'un', right? Don't talk about it like some ominous alien waking up."
"...Anyway, after checking the Cryogenic Device and the various ledgers, the details reached me. It was news-worthy on multiple fronts—the unearthing of a primitive... past male with the S-X Virus. We've hushed it all up with money by now, though."
"You can just say you bribed them outright like that?!"
This girl—I thought she was a straight-laced businesswoman, but here she was bragging about payoffs.
I was a bit thrown, but hey, thanks to her, the spotlight on me scattered. Gotta be grateful.
When I put it bluntly, Rina shook her head.
"I'm the Chairperson of Eden Genesis, but I'm also an advisor on social stability policies... I wanted to prevent any chaos. For many women, the unearthing of a primitive male—especially an S-X Virus Carrier—is no different from a nightmare. Even if the in-body activity has stopped."
I had no idea what she was talking about.
I'd never been one for heady stuff anyway.
Plus, an 'unforeseen unearthing'?
The shock was too big; it wasn't sinking in.
Was waking up getting treated like that?
I was pissed, but I changed my mind quick.
Being alive was something, at least.
Better alive in a dogshit field than dead in heaven, as they say.
For Mom and Dad, or Seo-yoon, at least—I had to muster some will to live.
'Can I adapt?'
The S-X Virus's biggest risk was the abnormal manifestation of testosterone.
Irresistible sex drive, endless stamina, excessive focus on specific tasks, freakish muscle growth, and demands for massive nutrients upfront—the symptoms.
I'd already experienced the peak of it.
So I could say for sure:
Overcoming the disease with sheer 'willpower' was basically impossible.
At least being able to control it with drugs was hopeful.
I could adapt to this 2430 future city.
"For now, put some clothes on."
Kang Rina said.
Her tone was super businesslike.
The researchers who'd been listening to our chat draped clothes over me.
Draping on an overcoat-like outer layer without any underclothes felt awkward as hell, but with my junk dangling, I couldn't ignore the female researchers' sneaky glances.
*
"Follow me."
Me, suddenly dropped into the 2430 future city.
It was like a monkey escaping from the zoo— that thought hit me automatically.
I'd woken up in the Cryogenic Device and heard all sorts of explanations,
and they'd taken their time being nice about it, but it still wasn't enough.
"What are you thinking about? Follow me."
Maybe it was my imagination,
but Kang Rina's tone got subtly colder once we left the lab.
She was guiding me to my quarters right now.
She wasn't alone.
I could feel quiet but bustling glances from behind.
Researchers, all women.
They kept their distance but trailed us like it was an escort, not quite.
Honestly, no clue why they were following.
They were acting all prim and proper, though.
Kang Rina at the very front.
Me following behind her.
And the researchers watching that.
Their stares were relentless.
Were all scholars this curious by nature?
The S-X Virus sharpened the senses, but that wasn't the only reason.
Part of me wanted to strike up a chat, but the vibe wasn't right.
I had a quick gut sense for this stuff.
If I turned around and tried flirting, those folks would bolt for sure.
They weren't following because they wanted to talk to me.
I shifted my gaze to the front.
Rina was walking several steps ahead.
She hadn't said a word to me, so I'd been solo the whole time.
'Suddenly full-on ignoring me?'
Just as I was about to get butthurt at my 11th-gen granddaughter, she stopped me in front of some elevator.
Then she turned—not to me, but to the researchers following us.
"Go on ahead, everyone. I'll handle anything regarding Kang Do-yoon-ssi."
It was that calm-to-the-point-of-icy tone that suited her usual style.
The researchers turned back without much fuss.
By the way, Kang Do-yoon-ssi?
She'd been calling me Head of the Family-nim, and now Kang Do-yoon-ssi?
Full name and all?
This was exactly the kinda thing I hated most.
My mood soured instantly.
"......"
But I could read the subtle glance she shot me, like it was meant to calm me down.
Yeah, guess as the adult here, I had to suck it up.
Our Rina descendant must have her reasons, her circumstances.
Our family line down the generations weren't the type to blurt out whatever without thinking.
I was the mutant, the outsider, the irregular.
Especially if it was Seo-yoon's... bloodline, they'd be good at hiding their true feelings.
And right on cue, once we boarded the elevator, Rina apologized straight away.
"Please forgive me, Head of the Family-nim. I had my reasons too. No matter our personal connection, showing deference to an inferior male would ruin my dignity. Think of me as a pathetic descendant who minds others' eyes—you can't help it. I ask for your understanding again."
Ah, yeah, that whole setup...
Not a setup—this was the real-deal world.
A society where 90% of the population was female.
Males were ousted as symbols of violence and crime, or biologically castrated.
Treatment of guys in a place like this? Obvious.
"No, don't bow like that—it's awkward. The Chairperson bowing... hot damn..."
I bowed back in time with Rina's greeting.
Figured I should make her feel at ease around me.
Even as a 400-year ancestor, in my book, she was probably older in actual years.
"No, please stand. Head of the Family-nim."
"Nah, this feels right."
"......"
"......"
Truth be told, my eyes were wandering elsewhere.
'Whoa, cleavage... pretty hefty, huh?'
It had a bit of a mechanical vibe, but that bold dip in her waist.
I fixed my gaze on the top of Rina's head, but damn, women's boobs are the ultimate scene-stealers.
If there'd been an eye tracker, no stopping it.
Rina, straightening up, had her usual no-smile eyes.
'Did she notice?'
Nah.
She showed zero concern for that cleavage she'd just flashed.
Her politeness earlier felt purely like formality, and I couldn't shake the suspicion.
Maybe from the perspective of a 'superior female', some random guy's gaze didn't register.
Come to think of it, those researchers earlier—lab coats and all—had inner outfits that sneakily showed off their chests, and a few even had nipples poking through noticeably.
Not just a lack of formality—it felt like they had zero awareness of how sexual it looked.
'Can't pin this place down.'
I thought.
'Is this heaven or hell...?'