Chapter 2

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 2

Chapter Title: I Won't Eat You... Probably?

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I won't eat you. Probably...?

—Click!

Just before my tiny apartment was completely filled with the massive Venus flytrap.

I admired my own courage for snapping a photo with my smartphone without freaking out.

Of course, the moment I took the shot, I backpedaled all the way to the front door.

"Wh-what the...? Why are you coming toward me!?"

But the thing was heading straight for me.

Even without eyes, it was waving the part that caught bugs like a head.

Its closed leaves parted like a gaping mouth, and something hideous that no plant should have burst out from inside.

I've seen this before.

It looked just like the terrifying alien from that old movie the orphanage used to play.

If the leaves were the first mouth, then the thing inside was the second.

And there was even a tongue flicking between those razor-sharp teeth.

...No, why am I even taking time to appreciate this?

Isn't this dangerous right now?

Drip.Drip.

Sticky liquid dripped from its tongue.

Was it treating me like prey?

I pouted, suddenly feeling indignant.

No matter what, I'd raised it—how dare it try to eat its owner?

"You grew that big because of me, you know. So listen to me quietly!"

I shouted boldly, plastered to the front door like a gum stain.

I wasn't scared, okay? I was just wary because it looked so creepy.

—Screeech.

But the flytrap completely ignored me.

It immediately shoved its second mouth right up to my face!

"Eek!"

I'm done for. Was I about to get devoured?

I'd finally awakened, thinking my life was turning around with some lucky vibes.

I squeezed my eyes shut on reflex.

"Ugh...? Uh-heh. Eh-heh!"

...But the gruesome end never came.

"Stop! That tickles—cut it out!"

Instead, something sticky and warm tickled and tormented my face.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

I cracked my eyes open to see the Venus flytrap licking me with its tongue, then pulling its head back.

"Ugh... so sticky. Were you just trying to lick me?"

Nod nod.

The flytrap bobbed its head up and down in affirmation.

It understood me.

Though it ignored everything until it was about to lick me.

Infuriating.

I'd thought it before, but this thing was seriously infuriating.

I'd watered it diligently, cheered it on to grow well, and yet it ignored its owner just to lick me?

"I had no idea and got scared half to death. Do you feel bad? Or not?"

I glared at the flytrap with a zap.

It immediately wilted, hanging its head low.

This thing knew it was in the wrong.

No eyes anywhere, but it was peeking at my expression obsequiously.

"Don't ever do that again. Got it?"

Nod nod.

Even in its dejected state, the flytrap shook its head in agreement.

You little rascal. Kinda cute, actually.

Why not act this sweet from the start?

"Okay. I trust you? Do it again and you're in trouble."

Nod nod.

Its lowered head was within reach, so I patted it gently.

Unlike its looks, it was soft and velvety to the touch.

The flytrap meekly accepted my strokes.

Just like the old mutt the director used to raise long ago.

"Good. You did well. Reflection time over. You can get up now."

As I pulled my hand away, the wilted, head-hanging flytrap lifted its head.

And it stuck out its tongue, panting happily.

Like a dog wagging its tail in front of its owner.

"But this is a problem. How am I supposed to raise you at this size?"

It had grown so suddenly, filling the whole apartment.

If the apartment auntie saw this, she'd probably faint.

Pets weren't technically banned, but still.

"Huh...? What's up?"

As I pondered, the flytrap tapped my shoulder with its thin stem.

"I'm worrying about how we're gonna live together."

Shake shake.

The flytrap wagged its head side to side.

It wasn't speaking, but I understood.

Like it was saying not to worry about that.

"How, then?"

As if to show off, the flytrap curled its body in.

Gathering all the roots and stems that had spread across the apartment into one clump.

"Whoa? Oh... ooooooh!"

I gasped in admiration as the clumped flytrap shrank smaller and smaller.

Its scary, intimidating form diminished and vanished, transforming into a puppy-sized mini version.

It looked like one of those pipe monsters popping out in that plumbing game.

"Amazing! You're even smarter than I thought!"

As I praised it, I decided to give it a cute name instead of calling it "you" or "thing."

"Alright. From now on, your name is Chomper. 'Cause it looks like you could chomp anything down—Chomper!"

Spin spin.

Chomper seemed to love the name, doing a goofy little dance right there in delight.

.

.

.

A little later.

I opened Behind again, and the trolls were venting their complaints.

Sure, I was a bit late.

Chomper had trashed the place in its giant form, so I'd spent time cleaning up.

"Sigh. I even posted that I'd be late, but these kids have no patience."

Compared to the daily rants in the High School Grad Job Gallery, this was mild.

Once I posted proof, all that noise would vanish.

"Chomper. Time to show you off to these folks. Cool with that?"

Nod nod.

Great. Chomper approved, so up goes the authentication post.

Shocked by the size once. Then by the appearance again.

The reactions I'd half-expected rolled in.

But the comments that followed were off the charts.

Chomper's giant form was creepy, sure, but not that bad, right?

What was going on?

The comments turned into a brawl, like they were all seeing something different.

I hadn't posted for them to fight...

As I tried to post a calming reply—

"Huh...?"

My post vanished with that notice.

Angry rants calling it a gross pic. Confused folks wondering what the big deal was. And arguments flying.

AI suspicions since they hadn't seen it themselves.

The lounge exploded with posts, all buzzing about my authentication.

"What now...? This is tricky. Chomper, got any good ideas?"

Pat pat.

Instead of answering, Chomper did a silly dance in place.

Oh... maybe film this and post it.

The shrunken Chomper should be fine.

—Ding.

I recorded a short video of tiny Chomper dancing.

It was so cute watching it that I giggled, but no one would call this gross.

This one's fine.

Was the giant size the issue?

Can't keep it big in the apartment anyway, so small mode it is.

Seeing it so lively made me want to take it for walks even.

This part had me curious too.

I knew it sounded special from the name.

I clicked the link, and sure enough, an interview with that US hunter.

Handled an emergency gate at the White House, got a medal from the president.

Made bank too—became majority shareholder in G, N, A corps, apparently.

Hidden classes were way bigger deal than I'd thought.

Honey pot potential for real?

Chaos aside, I could finally dream of tomorrow with peace of mind.

—Ding.

Right on cue, my phone chimed amid those hopes.

"Urgh... Deleted it 'cause it was risky, but my stomach's still churning."

"That post from the new Behind user? I saw it fine. That bad?"

"Felt like encountering mental corruption monsters in a gate, from experience."

"Photo alone caused mental corruption-like symptoms..."

Hunter Management Bureau.

As the saying went about them lording over hunters, they managed the Korean server of the hunters' app, Behind, under delegated authority.

"Could it really be a hidden class?"

"Who knows. We'll see at National Hunter Registration. Plenty of fresh awakeners pull stunts to attract guilds, clueless about the danger."

"But if it's real..."

"Don't. You're tempted 'cause it's a plant, huh? Still eyeing a field return?"

A long silence.

The junior woman looked caught by her senior man's question.

"Could be a prank from a new illusionist. AI's everywhere now. Let's just do our jobs."

"Still... we gotta get Awakener Protection Program consent at minimum."

The senior man nodded, seeing the point.

"Yeah. Risky. Guilds biting now will double-dip if it's a bust. Get hooked clueless and you'll bleed."

As the senior sighed in frustration, the junior paused thoughtfully.

"Then, Senior, let me handle this case."

"You? Not calling in the leads?"

"...You know."

"Sigh... That desperate? Fine. You take it. But brace for whiff if no consent."

Junior Officer Bong Seonhwa nodded silently.

Her expression resolute, beyond mere duty.