Lopang, the House Cleaning Slime
These days, pretty much every home in Kyung-gi Province has a washing machine, fridge, gas stove, electric oven, and water purifier. They're such everyday essentials now that it's hard to imagine how people lived without them back in the day. No matter how poor the family, as long as the place was over 100 square feet, those five appliances were a must. And now, another powerhouse item was staking its claim: the robot vacuum. Once you get a taste of that convenience, you'll find yourself firing it up at the sight of a single speck of dust, cleaning the whole house on autopilot. It starts with a cheap 200,000-won Chinese model, and before you know it, you've upgraded to a million-won high-end one. The devil's gadget, for sure.
Of course, Lee Suyeong's house had one too—which meant it was gone now. The day the old robot vacuum started shaking like crazy less than a year in and turned the living room into a flood zone. She tried for repairs, but with that origin country, it was predictably denied. As she pondered buying a new one, her son sneaked up and held out a blue jelly blob.
『Kyuu-』
The thing squirmed the moment she lifted it with both hands—she nearly hurled it across the room. If it hadn't looked like a kid's toy, she might have.
"Let's go! Lopang M1! Show Mom what you can do!"
『Kyuu!』
It slithered off fast, not just sticking to the floor but squeezing into cracks, clinging to walls and even the ceiling for a spotless clean. The whole house gleamed in seconds. Thanks to that, Lee Suyeong had completely given up on housework since. It didn't always obey others, usually sticking to her son, so she couldn't use it every time—but getting help every other day kept the place immaculate.
"Good. From now on, you're our house cleaning slime."
『Kyuu!』
The weird stuff around their son had gotten the parents somewhat used to it by now. As long as it wasn't a threat to him, they'd decided not to interfere. Honestly, ordinary folks like them had no other options. Even with a wobbly jelly blob coming alive, they just treated it like an unusual pet and let it be. At least it didn't trigger any visceral disgust.
Dododododo-
『Porong- Porong- Pororong-』
'Huh?'
Lee Suyeong turned from the dishes at the faint oddity. A blue blur darted through the living room, vanishing into a narrow gap. It was Lopang, familiar now from all the cleaning help.
'Did it always have legs?'
It used to crawl like a proper slime. Looking closer, it had a stubby body and even a head.
"Lopang, come out! Argh— I told you not to eat that."
『Pororong-』
The late-arriving son chased it, but Lopang dodged with flashy flair—pitiful yet oddly cute.
"Everything okay?"
"Nah, it's just sulking 'cause I haven't played lately. Being a brat about it."
He'd ignored it for days gaming, and now it was full of mischief. Look at that—crafting a head just to glare with venomous spite.
But running off with his phone? Come on, Lopang. Can't do OTP without it.
Wait... this little shit, did it plan that?
Staring in shock, its glare twisted into a smug sneer.
『Kak- Ptoo!』
Seeing the spit on the floor slink back and merge with its body, he had no choice but to kneel.
"You win... just don't digest it."
Checkmate. A phone wasn't cheap, and replacing it took a week. This thing followed through, so no bluster possible with a hostage situation. Best to play nice and get it back quick.
Sigh, fine. Host gotta manage the customer.
"So, what do you want?"
『Porong-』
It mumbled, then spat out a thick string. A fancy leather belt with a heart pendant on a gold chain—familiar shape. A dog collar.
"Where'd you even get a collar? And it's expensive too."
Feeling it, the craftsmanship was top-notch.
"You're not a dog—what am I supposed to do with this?"
『Pororong!』
"What? New playstyle?"
Probably got curious watching people walk dogs.
"Does it think it's a real pet?"
Lately, it'd been mimicking humans and animals more, padding around like that. But this hybrid wasn't dog or human—what was it?
"Mom, gonna take a walk."
"A walk?"
"Yeah, play with it a bit and be right back."
She wanted to protest a kid out at night, but the parents had accepted reality by now. This wasn't new; blocking it wouldn't work. Was nighttime strolling even risky? If anything, worry more for anyone bumping into her son. Plus, he self-regulated to avoid worry, building trust.
"Uh... okay. Don't stay out late."
"Let's go, Lopang. See you later."
『Kyuu!』
The Park Seongmin family's home was an old apartment complex. Once the neighborhood's pride, now overshadowed by high-rises, it awaited redevelopment. Interiors were worn despite remodels; the narrow elevators were a classic flaw. They took forever.
By the time hallway lights dimmed, the doors finally opened.
Doors opening.
"Alright, let's go."
『Porong-』
A passenger was already inside.
"Hey, sis."
Nod-
The girl huddled in the corner, staring at the wall, gave a small nod to my greeting. We'd been bumping into each other in the elevator lately—enough faces to warrant hellos. But she only nodded, never spoke, so we kept it light. Seemed super introverted, shy with strangers. Gotta respect that. Her reactions said extreme introvert, not annoyed—just no bad vibes.
"Man, every time, this place is a dump. No maintenance?"
Faded fluorescent unknown age, mirrors on three sides. Rusty walls and floor reeked of piss.
"Piss and don't clean up? No manners. Right?"
Nod-
『Porong- Porong-』
Everyone in the elevator nodded at my rant. Dog, cat, human—accidents happen in a pinch, fine. But no cleanup? Not human decency.
"Sucks for everyone else. Ruins the mood. Lopang, over here—deal with that."
『Kyuu? Kyu!』
Lopang tilted its head at my words, then hopped into my arms. True to slime form, absorbing and digesting everything, its body was spotless despite roaming naked.
"I just said come over, not cuddle."
As it nuzzled my face, my clothes got spot-cleaned in real time.
『Pororong~』
And so began the impromptu breath-holding contest. I breathed slow to endure the stench until first floor—bolted out the second doors opened.
"See ya. Catch you next time, sis."
Nod-
With a timid wave goodbye, I left the shy student behind. Lopang and I crossed the alley.
『Porong!』
"Lopang, stop!"
I got it was excited for our first outing in ages, but the stamina gap made chasing tough.
"It's dark, can't see well—dangerous. Slow down. Slow."
Dim back alley, sparse streetlights, motel glows only. But ahead, big road linked to commercial strip—busy with people. No one expects runners in a narrow lane like this. Dark road plus sudden pedestrian? Accident waiting.
Sure enough, screams erupted as it weaved through crowds.
Plump rear. Sultry gait. Innocent eyes—plenty to freak folks out.
"Argh—fuck! What the hell?!"
"What is it? A dog?"
"Oh, I know this. Saw it on a Japanese hidden cam show. Robot dog with a human head—even has a Kim Jong-un one."
"Whoa... scared me good."
"Kids these days are wild. Parents buyin' toys like that."
"Must be loaded."
『Pororong-』
Hide a tree in the forest, they say. World's so advanced, weird sights get rationalized. Those who can't see won't, even up close. Best to strut confidently then. We ignored the spotlight shower and headed for the park.