049. Mysticism #2
Kang Geon had never been one to hit women. Or, to be more precise, he wasn't the type to hit anyone.
He'd used violence a few times in his life, sure, but actual fights? He could count them on one hand. It was all thanks to his overwhelming build. Hardly anyone dared pick a fight with someone his size. Even people with anger issues suddenly got it under control around him—sometimes it even turned into a problem with controlling their bowels. Of course.
He hadn't lived his whole life without friction, though. Every now and then, some lunatic with nothing to lose would start trouble. But it never escalated to blows. Kang Geon just brushed off petty provocations with a laugh. He wasn't aggressive by nature, and his upbringing hadn't twisted him that way. Most people were intimidated from the start, forcing themselves to be polite.
So he endured most troubles, and as he got older, he grew even further from violence. This was all before he went to that other world.
That place was a deadly realm overrun by monsters. Death lurked around every corner, turning everyone—men, women, young, old—fierce by necessity, not birth. Those experiences were enough to reshape Kang Geon's personality.
He'd always been strong against the strong and weak against the weak—what folks called "strong-strong, weak-weak." Before long, it shifted to "strong-strong, weak-strong." The weak weren't always good; sometimes they were even more vicious. And distinguishing strong from weak wasn't easy. Unlike on Earth, age, size, or gender didn't guarantee weakness there. Magic, superpowers, all sorts of forces existed.
Big bodies didn't deter challengers either—plenty were all bulk, no bite. Kang Geon himself counted as weak back then, unable to wield magic or powers. That environment inevitably hardened him.
Then time passed. He luckily gained a certain ability, forged it into the ultimate physique, and his personality shifted again. Now it was "fierce-against-evil, gentle-to-good."
The moment Kang Geon returned to Earth, he witnessed something unpleasant. A tough-girl delinquent was bullying a frail classmate.
He intervened without hesitation, and somehow ended up slapping the bully's cheek. Thanks to his otherworldly experience, violence held no taboo for him. Hitting a woman? No issue. To him, she was just "evil." At least by his standards.
Shin So-mang might be weak but not good—at least, that didn't factor in. What he'd done wasn't to help her; it was just because those punks pissed him off.
"Hic, sob..."
The delinquent girl, who'd blacked out for a while, finally stirred. She picked up her knocked-out tooth from the ground, groaning in pain, then glared at Kang Geon with bloodshot eyes.
"Y-you... I'm su-suing you for assault!"
Kang Geon roughly translated her slurred words and replied with a satisfied grin.
"Do it. I'd appreciate that."
Going according to plan. At least it wasn't sexual assault. Lucky.
"...Th-thanks? Why?"
She couldn't know his inner thoughts and looked baffled. Why's he so smug? He just slapped a girl like it was nothing. Got backing? High status? And 'thanks' for suing? Her mind raced with possibilities.
Finally, she concluded: This guy wouldn't be fazed by a lawsuit—he had the power to ruin her life instead!
Normally, she'd scream irrationally. But that slap had awakened her. For the first time, she considered consequences. The world suddenly felt terrifying; her beastly mindset humanized. Her IQ even ticked up a bit. True fear and raw violence had transformed her completely.
In the end, she just shut up and cried.
Then...
"Uh... bro? Can we go now?"
A male delinquent asked timidly. Kang Geon glanced at the crying girl and nodded calmly.
"Yeah. Take her with you. Don't ditch her just 'cause you're split."
"Got it!"
Relieved to be alive, the guy followed with...
"Thank you!"
"Oppa, hit me once too?"
"Shut your crazy mouth and hurry up."
"Take care!"
The others bowed politely, dragged the sobbing girl away, and vanished down the alley.
Kang Geon watched them go and muttered softly.
"These days' delinquents are way more chill than before."
Delusion. Modern ones were just as bad—if not worse. They'd simply gone into "prey mode" on instinct. Kang Geon's body was even bulkier now.
Shin So-mang, who'd stood blankly, approached with quick steps and bowed.
"Th-thank you for helping."
"Didn't help. They just annoyed me, so I butted in. No need to thank me."
"Still... you did help. Thanks."
Kang Geon stared at her. She knew proper gratitude—good sign. Close enough to "good" for a small assist.
He wasn't a hero; he wouldn't save every good soul. He just wouldn't bully them. Unless death loomed, he stayed out. Judging good-evil was tricky, and he leaned neutral himself.
But here, she might suffer blowback because of him. Minimum responsibility.
"Hey."
"Yes?"
"Can I get your number?"
"Uh... my number?"
"Yeah. Not for weird reasons—just wanna help out. Those punks might retaliate over today."
"......"
"If you're uncomfortable, no worries."
"N-no, it's not that... Instead of me giving mine, can I get yours, oppa...?"
"Sorry, can't remember it. No phone anyway—would be cut off for unpaid bills."
She hesitated, then tore a page from her notebook and scribbled her number.
Anyone else? No way. But Kang Geon intrigued her massively.
Not just the rescue. She'd seen it clear as day: space tearing at the alley's end, him strolling out casually. Others hadn't reacted—only she saw.
What the hell is this oppa?
Human? Her curiosity ignited. That day marked the start of her stalking.
Shin So-mang researched what she'd witnessed. Internet search, naturally. Nothing solid—just fiction about other worlds, returners.
Otherworld returner? That was a portal?
Ridiculous. Reality wasn't a novel.
Normally. But she'd seen it with her own eyes. Reality could outdo stories. Her interest surged with every theory.
Stalking frequency ramped up. Asking directly? No.
They'd hide it. If they blabbed, everyone would know by now.
Kang Geon had no intent to hide. He held back only to avoid "crazy" labels. Booze loosened his tongue sometimes.
She didn't know. For years, relentlessly, she tailed him. Post-adulthood: all-day follows. Five-day streaks.
Two years passed. Discoveries: superhuman strength. Endless stamina. Art lover. That's it. No more portals.
Still, she followed. Thrill faded to addiction, routine. Just watching satisfied her. Stalking became life.
She pondered quitting the identity hunt for pure stalking when...
Kang Geon has requested support!
Labyrinth Explorer Kang Geon needs a Helper now!
Please become his Helper for this half-hearted request!
★ Heart-Pounding: Survive the Labyrinth! ★
♥ Now Broadcasting Live! ♥
Join now ▶ Click ◀ Hurry!
Request cancels in 24 hours if no Helper joins!
Shin So-mang was happy lately. Mysteries solved. Broadcasts fun. Labyrinth monsters cute, weird, cool.
Above all: entering Kang Geon's home? Bliss.
"Dust everywhere. Pruru should've cleaned when visiting Geon oppa."
She'd stalked without crossing lines. Home invasion? Crime. Stalking too, but anyway.
Today's visit: pure. Atonement for spying. Helper duty. Clean his neglected room. Like a snail maiden.
"Cleaning's done..."
She eyed the wardrobe, opened it cautiously. His clothes. She pulled one out, pressed it to her face slowly.
"This is from 42 days ago, last worn by Geon oppa."
Buried her face, inhaled deeply.
"Sniff, haa..."
His scent tingled her nose.
"No laundry needed yet."
Self-justification: checking if it needed washing. Not weird. Totally.
"And I've supported him tons... one shirt's fine, right?"
She pocketed it and left.
On the way home, nostalgia hit in the familiar alley. Their first meeting replayed.
He took my number saying he was interested... Still is?
As she strolled, savoring distorted memories...
[Kirik.]
"...Huh?"
An alien voice from the alley's end. Its owner rounded the corner: humanoid but off. Green-skinned monstrosity.
Shin So-mang's eyes widened.
"Psycho Clown?"
[Kiririk.]
Not. Just a regular goblin.
"Why's a monster on Earth..."
Panic short-lived. She swallowed, waved awkwardly at it.
Blame the broadcasts: monsters weren't scary. Kinda friendly. Maybe I can befriend one? Then ask why it's here.
"H-hi? You pregnant? Belly's huge."
Naive thought shattered.
[Kiririk!!!]
"Eek!"
Eyes glowing red, killing intent roaring, it charged with a lecherous grin.
She bolted, frantically typing in Kang Geon's open broadcast chat on her phone.
Thud!
She tripped, tumbling forward, phone flying.
[Kikikik.]
The small shadow closed in. On the ground, she looked up at the goblin. Terrifying. Chilling. Broadcasts hadn't prepared her. Real monster: pure dread.
Ph-phone... my phone...
No help called. Grab it, beg for aid—but it was too far. Goblin too close. Too late.
"Ah..."
Eyes squeezed shut. Its filthy hand reached out, drooling at fresh meat, full belly, healthy spawn.
Then.
Coordinates locked. Dispatching.
Dimensional barrier crumbling.
Dispatchee's power unleashed. Native strength restored.
Between goblin and Shin So-mang.
Space tore; a hedgehog hopped out.
[Duumba! Nice to meet ya-yot! Who's Mysti-yot!]
The hedgehog eyed the goblin.
[You-yot?]