Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: I Like Stir-Fried Pork
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"Um... I'm truly sorry."
Bong Seonhwa, the officer, bowed her head deeply.
I was the one who brought it up, but now I felt awkward too, just opening and closing my mouth for a while.
But still. King still.
My parents were never around since I came from an orphanage.
And I'd already graduated from there with my ID and everything.
My body had changed, but my brain was the same.
I felt like I should say something like that, but I wasn't some genius detective from a comic who could pull it off smartly.
"Ahem... Once again, I apologize for the misunderstanding. Could you please show me your ID?"
"Ah, yes... My ID."
I fumbled around.
Trying to pull out the wallet from my skirt pocket.
'Wait a sec...'
But the moment I went to grab it, my body froze.
Wasn't my ID still showing me as a guy?
Cold sweat started pouring out.
What would the officer think when she saw it?
A thief who stole some guy's ID?
Or a weird kid showing off mom and dad's ID?
Either way, it was the worst...
"Is something wrong?"
"I... left it at home..."
Thud.
In my panic, the wallet slipped from my inner skirt pocket and hit the floor.
It had been halfway out from when I tried to grab it earlier.
"You have your wallet right there. And your ID's inside."
Officer Bong Seonhwa's eyes were fixed on the contents of the fallen wallet.
I'm screwed.
Truly screwed.
How do I talk my way out of this?
I woke up as a girl this morning, but my ID still says male? Yeah, like she'd believe that.
"I didn't mean to peek, but I've confirmed your identity. No issues."
"Pardon?"
I finally picked up the wallet.
And checked the ID inside.
Yeon Chorok ( )
060405 - 4xxxxxx
The first number that jumped out was 4.
It used to be 3, so clearly it had changed.
And the 06 up front? That got pulled forward a whole four years.
Earlier than when the orphanage would've let me out.
I'd gotten younger and perkier?
Shouldn't I be happy about that? The thought hit first, but then realization sank in late.
Why had all the info on my ID changed?
I couldn't make sense of it. What the hell was going on?
"Is something wrong...? Were you uncomfortable?"
Officer Bong Seonhwa looked at me pitifully.
She'd been giving me those eyes nonstop since earlier.
"Ah, no. I must've been mistaken."
I scratched my head, embarrassed.
Anyway, no problem, so lucky me, right?
"Due to the nature of the procedures, we'll need to verify your ID several more times. I appreciate your understanding. And may I ask a few questions?"
"Sure. Ask away."
Anyway, one big worry down.
The biggest hurdle had vanished into nothing.
"Have you always lived here?"
"Yes. Basic assistance and odd jobs here and there."
"So you're on welfare. Any job?"
"Nothing steady... Day labor and part-time gigs to fill the gaps. Get fired a lot, though..."
Did I ramble a bit?
I was just being honest, couldn't help it.
"Oh dear..."
But Officer Bong Seonhwa looked at me even more fondly now.
Why was she staring like that...?
I was just describing my normal life.
"You don't have to worry anymore. The Awakener Protection Program will ensure a better life for you."
Squeeze.
She grabbed both my hands.
It was warm and all...
But I had no idea why, so it felt a bit overwhelming.
"Hm... Normally we'd head to HQ right away, but the timing's off. Want to grab a meal together? My treat."
"Ah, no need. I'm fine..."
—Grrrooowl.
My stomach growled right on cue, oblivious.
Makes sense. No breakfast. Met Chomper and everything went crazy.
"Let's go with whatever Yeon Chorok likes. No need to feel burdened."
"Then... stir-fried pork."
"Pork stir-fry?"
Officer Bong Seonhwa tilted her head.
I picked something cheap and safe.
And pork stir-fry is delicious.
The treat I make once every three months.
"Haha. Reminds me of a senior who scarfs it down the same way. Sounds good. Pork it is."
She smiled faintly.
I didn't quite get her reaction.
Pork stir-fry really is tasty, though.
'Fooled...'
Not quite. I did eat delicious pork stir-fry, and then she said let's get new clothes too, so I was thrilled...
But free lunch makes you bald, huh? Not totally bald, more like my bear-patterned head.
"Ugh..."
My cheeks burned.
How did I end up like this?
I said no skirts and barely picked pants, but looking in the mirror? Mortifying!
Even the underwear underneath.
Why do girls wear that stuff?
Back when I was a guy, it was just boxer briefs, done.
Avoid frilly? Bear prints. Or bright colors everywhere.
Compromised, and now cute bears are dancing against my skin.
Yeah. These bears. Bear-y bears.
And outer clothes too. Why must everything have cute animal crap?
"Yeon Chorok, don't like the clothes? Want something else?"
"Ah, no. These are fine. Don't want to pick more!"
Fiddling with the bear patch like it wronged me, and she thought I hated the outfit.
No. Hate picking more.
Takes time to adjust to this stuff.
I wanna go home...
Feels like all my guy essence got stripped away.
"Anything you want, just say. Think of it as a gift from your big sis."
"N-No, really fine."
I get it. Pitying me, helping out big time.
Burden, but grateful, so no complaints.
But why does nothing in this mall fit me right? Only cute kid clothes suit me!
"Then this for today. Come back later."
"Uh... Yeah... Later..."
Again?
No. Stop. Picking these took over an hour.
Officer Bong Seonhwa was starting to scare me.
"How's this? That one?" Teaming up with the clerk, sucking my energy dry.
"Outfit suits you. See? Chomper approves too."
👍()👍
Chomper, hugged in her arms like a doll, gave thumbs up.
Had to bring Chomper for registration too.
At the mall, played doll perfectly—no weird looks.
"Alright, now to HQ for registration."
"Yes'm."
...Anyway, Chomper, you punk.
Gonna punish you hard tonight.
.
.
.
Heading to Officer Bong Seonhwa's car in the mall parking lot.
I followed behind her, cradling Chomper.
"Oh right. Thanks. Food was great. Clothes too..."
Still, gotta say thanks.
She paid for everything.
"Glad you liked it. You ate so heartily, I got full just watching."
I do eat heartily.
Even the orphanage director praised that.
"Now to the Hunter Management Bureau for registration, right?"
"Yes. Short drive to HQ. Buckle up tight."
Click.
She kindly opened the back door for me.
Sank into the plush seat, buckled up as it whirred.
With this body, feels loose unless hugging Chomper...
"Yeon Chorok, we touched on this in chat, but curious why the Bureau supports like this?"
"Yes. Curious."
She got in front, started the engine, and asked.
Yeah. Lots I don't know. Better to learn.
Gonna be a hunter now—knowledge is power.
"As mentioned in chat, National Hunter Registration can be done through guilds when you contract. They usually have the gear."
She paused a beat.
Next part seemed delicate.
"But I said it was fortunate I hadn't talked to guilds yet. Remember why?"
"Guilds do unfair contracts?"
Still gives me chills remembering.
Got burned by shady door-to-door sales before—nightmare to cancel.
"You're unverified as a hunter, right? Status Window's just for you."
True.
She said ranks come out at registration?
"Approaching you like that seems off, no?"
"Hmm... On Behind, everyone hyped hidden class."
"That's why they swarmed. But point is, even if hidden class, verify first? Rushing contracts is suspicious."
Flinch.
Chomper thought she meant it, turned to her.
I flinched too. Different reason.
Behind said no instant contracts even then?
"If tests show no hidden class, they might just drop it—best case. Worse if you are."
Imagining it gave me goosebumps.
Door-to-door was hell; hunter contracts? Twisted nightmare.
"Sometimes they bill insane fees for tests."
"Eek..."
"Worse, guilds tricking awakeners into hunter roles, forcing dungeons—busted for that. Good I talked first."
Got it.
Without her, guilds first? Disaster.
No wonder Behind said filter guilds, check lists.
"Believe me so far?"
She eyed me via rearview.
Genuine worry.
"...Yes."
"Good. If hidden class, avoid those guilds especially."
A bit much, but...
She's sincerely helping.
Should trust her.
"Thanks, Officer."
"No need. Bureau's job. Almost at HQ... Traffic jam."
Car stopped.
Long line ahead.
Tap. Tap.
"Huh? Chomper, what's up?"
Chomper tapped the window.
Like desperate to escape.
"Ow! Behave."
Tap. Tap.
Pry from window, sticks fast, keeps tapping.
Huh?
Sunshine earlier, now dark?
Peek out...
"Huh? Officer, sky's black."
"Pardon...?"
Why's the sky pitch black?
Squirming like it's alive...
Emergency! Emergency! Emergency Gate Occurrence!
Civilians evacuate to shelters immediately per guidance! Emergency! Emergency!
—Waaaaoooo!
Sirens blared wildly, and I realized what we'd stumbled into.
Drip. Drip.
And Chomper, already acting weird...
"Eugh... Sticky. Chomper, soaking the seat!"
Panting like it found treasure, drooling viscous goo all over the seat.