Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Even at Dawn, the Cult Comes Calling (2)
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"...Nngh."
A rattling noise pulled me from my sleepy daze, forcing my heavy eyelids open.
"Mi-ra Owner...?"
I climbed out of bed, rubbing my eyes as I shuffled into the living room. There was Mi-ra Owner, apron tied on, preparing breakfast.
"Morning, Lua. You're up?"
"Hauum.... Good morning..."
"Good morning to you too, Lua. I'll make you a burger, so have a seat and wait."
Mi-ra Owner's bare face, free of makeup and utterly defenseless, was breathtakingly beautiful.
"Thanks for the fooddd..."
I plopped down in the chair with a wiggle, then chomped into the burger she'd whipped up in no time flat.
"Hauum..."
...I'd pored over that flyer from last night, but there wasn't much to show for it.
All I could really glean was that "Arhat" and "Nirvana" pointed to some Buddhist knockoff cult.
Still, I had a hunch Grandpa might know something. I'd ask him later.
.
.
"Grandpa. Do you know what these people are about?"
"Huh? What's this all of a sudden?"
I showed him the flyer as he helped open up the store.
Grandpa took it and scanned the contents quickly.
"Hm? Arhat Nirvana Cult?"
"Yeah. They showed up last night."
"Hold on a sec."
He pulled out his phone, searched something, and showed me a news article.
"Anomaly reincarnation theory? They believe you turn into an anomaly after you die and come back?"
"Yep. They crave rebirth as anomalies, babbling about reincarnation and all that. It's a weird cult."
That explained the "abandon the mortal world and return to anomalies" bit on the flyer.
...Kinda sounds like me, in a way? Hm...
"Best to steer clear of those guys."
"...Why?"
"They'll toss morals out the window for proselytizing and rituals. Short version: they're nuts."
Even Grandpa, who never compromised when it came to his granddaughter, kept his distance from the Arhat Nirvana Cult.
There's a world of difference between a lunatic you can reason with and one you can't.
"Wouldn't they get busted as an illegal group? Why do they keep popping up?"
"Heard there's some big event coming up—er, saw it in the news. Probably recruiting believers for that."
"Hmm..."
I rubbed my chin with my tail, taking in Grandpa's intel.
This cult's doctrine lined up too neatly with my own situation, giving me a headache.
...All I want is to eat burgers and live quietly.
But these weirdos keep ruining my peace.
"Kyarrng.... Won't let 'em get away with it..."
My pupils narrowed to slits as I vented my rage, scrubbing the floor furiously with the mop.
"Lua. Let's go shopping for clothes after work today."
"Ming?! Clothes!"
Right in the middle of my furious cleaning spree, Mi-ra Owner patted my head and suggested shopping.
For me, nothing mattered more than my daily life with her—cults be damned. I leaped up, eyes round again.
"We'll close early today and hit Yongsan Department Store. Got it?"
"Yongsan Department Store...!"
The surprise shopping date lifted my spirits, tail thrashing side to side.
...One tiny issue: I wasn't your average girl. I was a Dragon.
"But... can I really go out like this?"
Horns, wings, tail—normal folks didn't have those.
Parading around like this was out of the question.
"It's fine. I've got a way."
"...Weung?"
She stroked my head with sparkling eyes, easing my worries.
.
.
"Our Lua is just too cute..."
Her "way" was simple and straightforward.
"Why does dinosaur pajamas suit you so perfectly?"
She dressed me in what was basically a dinosaur onesie costume.
It easily covered my horns, wings, and tail. Now I could strut down the street, and no one batted an eye.
I wasn't embarrassed about being a girl, but somehow, this outfit made me flush.
"Just one photo?"
How could I say no when Mi-ra Owner looked so delighted?
Her tastes were my tastes.
"Kyaoh!"
Click! I struck a cute dino pose for the shot.
"Gotta make this my wallpaper..."
...The photogenic Dragon.
We entered the bustling Yongsan Department Store, hands clasped tight.
A beauty and a cute dino girl strolling together drew stares, but no one imagined the dino was real.
The pajamas' camouflage was shockingly effective.
"Let's head in."
We soon reached our target: the kids' clothing section.
"Shopping for clothes? Oh my~ What a cute dinosaur! Hi there~!"
"Hello."
I bowed politely to the friendly clerk.
"What's hot right now?"
"Dresses are trending these days~."
While Mi-ra Owner chatted with the clerk, I browsed the racks.
"...Oh."
Tucked in the corner was an outfit that caught my eye.
Gray base with blue gradient top and bottoms.
Hongdae street fashion vibes. I wanted it bad.
I sidled up to Mi-ra Owner and tugged her pant leg.
"Lua? Found something you like?"
I pointed it out, but she shook her head.
"That's way too grandpa-style. No."
"Hwek...?!"
Grandpa style?!
This was peak trend in Year 25!
...We're in Year 71 now.
Fashions change over half a century. What did I know?
Mi-ra Owner knew better...
"I'll get you something way cuter. Don't be sad."
Tail drooping, I followed her lead with a pout.
"Got any hoodies that look like dresses? The kind that go almost to the knees."
"Yes! One sec!"
Mi-ra Owner smoothly requested it, and the clerk fetched a massive hoodie in a flash.
"Might be big on your little sis, but okay?"
"Yeah, perfect. We'll take this, another one just like it, and two plain boxy tees."
"Right away!"
Two oversized hoodies—tail hole considered—and two plain tees.
Mi-ra Owner nailed the perfect picks for me.
"Owner... that one..."
"Nope. Too tacky."
"Hiiing..."
I pointed again, pleading softly, but got shot down as expected.
Farewell, my Hongdae fashion... I'll miss you.
.
.
After grabbing the kids' clothes, we wandered the department store plaza.
"Like the outfit?"
"Yes! Love it!"
I didn't get my pick, but it was still from Mi-ra Owner.
I'd treasure and wear it forever...
Passersby smiled at the girl in dino pajamas hopping along.
"Alright, home time?"
"I'll carry this!"
"Pfft... Okay, Lua's got it."
I hugged the shopping bags to my squishy muscles, and she took my hand with a smile.
"Quick bathroom stop before we go."
"Yes!"
She led me into the women's restroom—maybe to freshen up.
"..."
My first time in a women's bathroom felt... stuffy, like the air was thick.
Less musty than the men's, though...
"Wait by the mirror."
She patted my head and stepped away.
Left alone, I stood awkwardly by the sink, clutching the bags.
Swish—
"Myeng...?"
A shadow fell over me.
"...Little one, lost?"
I looked up to see a hunched old lady.
Her wrinkled face radiated kindness.
"No. Waiting for Owner... I mean, sis."
I pointed to Mi-ra Owner's stall. The grandma's eyes narrowed for a split second.
...Bad vibes.
"Come with Granny just a bit? I need help."
"......"
Kidnapping?
The classic: frail elder asks kid for help, accomplices nab 'em when they follow.
Straight out of school safety lessons. I stayed silent.
"Child? Listening? Granny really needs help."
She pressed, lips parting.
Dilemma time.
Follow, and Mi-ra Owner worries. Don't, and some other victim suffers.
Other victims meant fewer potential Lua's Hamburger customers.
One choice left.
"I'll help."
"Good child! Thank you!"
Quick finish, back fast.
I set the bags on the sink and trailed the old lady innocently.
Despite her looks, she walked briskly, leading to the quiet rooftop parking lot.
"Can't get heavy stuff from my car. Help?"
Who asks a kid for heavy lifting?
If real, she'd ask a burly adult.
"Heavy things in that car. Help me, dear."
She pointed to a black van in a CCTV blind spot, windows tinted pitch black.
"Here, I'll open it. Help out."
She gestured inside with her wrinkled hand as the door swung open.
"Big catch!"
As I neared, a man's arm yanked me in forcibly.
Thud! Door slammed, four hidden guys jumped out.
"Stay put! Run and you're dead meat!"
"Leader's gonna pay top dollar for that face."
"Heh heh... Scared? You got kidnapped."
They mistook my silence for panic, cackling menacingly.
...Not scared at all.
Too predictable. Just pondering punishment.
"What's with the dino getup? Department store ain't a theme park."
Swish— One sneered, yanking off my hood.
Sharp horns poked up where the hood fell.
"Wh-what? Horns?"
He panicked at my inhuman features.
"Okay, everyone freeze!"
I clapped, pupils slitting, beaming innocently.
"Guess who I am~! Wrong answers get penalties!"
The quiz show vibe hit the van like a stun grenade. Dead silence.
Five eternal seconds later...
"...F-fuck."
First to clock I wasn't normal spat a curse.
"Bzzzt! Wrong!"
Crack! His jaw snapped at an unnatural angle, eyes rolling back as he crumpled.
"Anomaly! Weapons out!!"
Granny reacted fast, drawing a cleaver and yelling at her crew.
"Correct!"
Prize time.
I sprang, dodging the cleaver and slamming my fist into her solar plexus.
"Long-Life Punch!"
"Guhk?!"
Solar plexus caved, she spewed blood and flopped onto the seat.
"Die!!"
Baldy in back swung a hammer at my opening. I leaned back, evading easily.
"Dinosaur Punch!"
"Graaak!"
Splat! Spun around, tail-smashing his nose. Cartilage imploded, blood spraying comically.
"Open, damn it...! Why won't it!!"
Front passenger panicked, yanking the door. Locked structure—no dice without driver help.
"Relax~."
I gripped his jaw and crown with dino paws, smiling impishly.
"H-hiiiiaa—!!!"
Crunch! Neck twisted 180, face-planted into the dash with a final screech.
"Fuck fuck!! Freak!!"
Under ten seconds, crew wiped. Lone driver bolted from the unlocked door.
"...What? Guessing game?"
His bald crown screamed "put something there."
I snatched Granny's dropped cleaver and hurled it at his fleeing back.
"Yah!"
Whiiish—!! Thunk!!
"Blughk!?"
Cleaver nailed his crown perfectly. He yowled cartoonishly, sprawling big-X on the pavement.
"...Hmph. Not even worth a punch."
One-sided sweep complete, I dragged the bodies back into the van.
"...Hm?"
Rustle. A scrap fluttered from the last guy's pocket.
Tail-snagged it for a peek.
"Ghost Helicopters?"
Sounded like some odd anomaly name, but no—it was infamous slang for organ trafficking.
"...These creeps kidnap for organs too? Sheesh."
Prime intel for my Arhat Nirvana Cult research. Couldn't ignore.
Didn't expect them to be this vile.
No mercy for human-snatching scum.
Especially kids.
"...Mi-ra Owner's waiting. Better head back."
Hood down, I left the corpse-packed van and returned to her.