Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Health Checkup
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“We've arrived.”
Yu So-jeong's brief words felt like a death sentence. I'd come here without much thought, but standing in front of the Awakener Management Bureau building filled me with tension.
And rightly so. The Bureau knew more about me than anyone else, and they had more than enough power to lock me up and put me to work if they wanted.
The reason I'd come here today was none other than a health checkup. It was required for all heteromorphic awakeners—or at least highly recommended—and I'd scheduled it quickly to stay on their good side.
“This way.”
“Y-Yeah...”
I followed Yu So-jeong's lead, shuffling timidly into the Awakener Management Bureau building.
The moment I passed through the main gate, countless eyes locked onto me. The weight of their stares pressed down on my shoulders, stilling the flutter of my wings.
“No need to worry too much. The procedure won't be much different from a regular hospital checkup.”
“...Okay.”
I heard Yu So-jeong's words, but the tension didn't ease.
People passing by glanced at me and tossed comments my way.
“Oh my, she's so cute! I'd love a little sister like that.”
“She looks nervous... What do we do?”
“Ugh... I just want to pinch her cheek once.”
Anxiety drowned out the exact words, but their intentions—to devour me whole—were crystal clear.
After navigating several twisting corridors and moving to a connected building, the atmosphere shifted. From an office-like space to something more like a lab or hospital.
Amid people in white coats brushing past, Yu So-jeong stopped in front of a door.
“This is the examination room. Someone else will take over from here.”
“Ah... Okay.”
With a heavy heart, I pushed open the door. Inside was a vast room filled with all sorts of strange equipment and medical devices.
And there, sitting in a chair and looking at me, was a kind-faced woman with brown hair, dressed in a white coat.
“Hello~ Dayun. Have you been well?”
The Bureau's interrogation expert, Jang Hee-yoon, greeted me.
“...Just living normally.”
She rose from her seat and gently took my hand.
“Come on, sit over here first. You know why you're here today, right?”
“For... a health checkup?”
At my answer, Jang Hee-yoon smiled softly and stroked my head.
“Yes, exactly. You know it well. We're going to do a few simple tests today. Nothing too hard, so I believe Dayun can handle them just fine.”
“Okay.”
She added,
“And if Dayun behaves well, big sis has a gift prepared for you.”
“A gift?”
My ears perked up at the word. Like those chocolate cookies she'd given me during my interrogation before. If it was something like that, I could breeze through the checkup.
For some reason, they never taste as good when I buy them with my own money...
Maybe since she'd specifically called it a 'gift,' it'd be even tastier cookies?
“Yes. Something yummy and a toy, too.”
Expectations soared at 'something yummy,' and I nodded vigorously.
“Yes!”
Pleased with my reaction, Jang Hee-yoon smiled and helped me to my feet.
“Good. Then let's start with the easiest one. Come this way.”
She led me to a vision chart, identical to the ones at the eye doctor—but extending much farther down.
“Just read the shapes and numbers I point to. You can do it, right?”
“Yes.”
The test began at the top, with the 0.1 line, just like always.
“Do you know what this is?”
“A C shape open at the top.”
“And this?”
“An airplane.”
0.1, 0.3, 0.7... The test progressed smoothly, the stick pointing lower and lower.
But it didn't end even at 1.5 vision.
“7.”
“A.”
“A circle open on the left.”
The stick kept descending until it finally stopped at the bottom line: 3.5 vision.
Jang Hee-yoon looked slightly flustered for a moment but quickly recovered her smile.
“Great job! Dayun's eyes are amazing, huh? You did well, so have one of these before the next test?”
She opened a box of cookies from the corner of the desk and peeled one chocolate cookie, handing it to me.
*Crunch.*
Sweetness spread through my mouth as I popped it in.
Mm. This is the taste. Gifts from others really are the best. I chewed thoughtfully.
Come to think of it, I've been seeing better lately, but I didn't realize it was this good.
I'd known my eyesight improved after becoming a dragon, but eagle-level 3.5 vision? That hadn't crossed my mind.
Perception matters as much as ability, it seemed. Now that I was aware, everything looked sharper.
After finishing the cookie, Jang Hee-yoon led me to another machine.
“This is a hearing and reaction speed test. Sit in that chair and press the button for the side where you hear the sound. Simple, right?”
“Yes.”
Another easy one. As I sat, she fitted a headset over my head.
“Uh... hmm... This way should work.”
My horns made it fit a bit oddly, but at least it'd let sound through.
“Alright, starting now.”
A high-pitched *beep* came from my left ear right after she spoke. I pressed the left button immediately.
*Beep-beep. Beep.*
The intervals shortened, volumes varied.
This is basically a rhythm game.
My reflexes, honed by countless games, made it a breeze.
A few minutes later, the sounds stopped.
“Good work. You aced this one too?”
She removed the headset. Eyesight hadn't surprised me, but reaction speed piqued my interest.
Ever since this body, my gaming skills had tanked miserably. Was my reaction time slower now?
“How'd the results come out?”
“Hmm... Average reaction time of 0.07 seconds? Impressive.”
Pro gamers clocked around 0.1, so this was pretty fast.
Honestly, I was thrilled—but a bit downhearted too. If my reactions beat pros, then losing games was purely skill issue.
It's just small hands and lack of practice, I consoled myself.
Another sweet cookie as reward. Then more tests followed: blood pressure, grip strength, ultrasound, X-ray.
Once those wrapped up, Jang Hee-yoon smiled and said,
“Now for some tougher ones. Mind if we check your dragon parts and do a blood draw?”
“Huh? Oh... sure.”
Hearing 'dragon parts' sparked a ridiculous image in my head.
They're not gonna test durability by hammering my horns, right?
*Pfft.*
It was so absurd I laughed at my own thought.
Doing that to a heteromorphic awakener? The Bureau would face human rights lawsuits. No way a place like this would stoop to barbarism.
“Alright, lie face-down on this bed?”
I obeyed, settling onto the bed with a face cutout. Her soft hands caressed my back.
“Eek...!”
They brushed my wing membranes, followed the scales on my tail. My body twitched at the ticklish sensation.
“Such an interesting structure... I'm going to take some photos for the exam. Okay?”
“Y-Yeah.”
*Click, click.*
After the camera shots, I started to get up, thinking it was over—but she stopped me.
“A few more tests left. Can you stay face-down a bit longer? Don't turn around; you can even nap and count sheep if you want.”
“Okay...? Sure.”
A bit odd for a test, but I lay back down. What could go wrong?
Clinking metal sounds came from behind.
Guess this one needs tools.
Footsteps approached; she came to the bedside.
“Dayun, it might startle you a little, but it won't hurt. No peeking, okay?”
Her voice was still gentle, but chills ran down my spine.
Curiosity bubbled up. What test required no looking? Scary machine?
I peeked up slightly while face-down.
And saw something shocking.
A mobile table beside her, covered in metal instruments.
Scalpels, files for grinding metal, grinders, pliers, nippers, razors...
Weapons? Medical tools? Or workshop gear? They gleamed silver, menacing me.
Test subject? Dissection? Scale harvesting?
Horrific words flashed through my mind. Fur stood on end; my tail quivered.