Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Seoul Dragon
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I thought I'd handled that pretty smoothly... I did handle it well, didn't I?
Huh?
Lee Si-hyun was gazing at me, her eyes sparkling like a fan who'd just met their idol star.
That's when someone approached us.
I think I'd seen that friend during orientation... Her name was Nam Soo-yeon, right?
"Hey, Si-hyun. Do you know her?"
"Oh, yeah. She saved me once before..."
"Saved you? From what?"
"Later. I'll explain everything later. Sorry to interrupt. Um, are you free after class?"
"Of course. I was planning to hit a café since there's time before the next one."
"Th-then, could I join you after this class?"
"Sure. It's just OT, so it'll end soon... Let's go together."
"Yeah!"
Honestly, I wanted to shout no, but with what Professor Jeong-min said and her eyes sparkling like that, brushing her off felt off.
* * *
"Someone you know? Saved you—what's that about?"
Si-hyun was grinning ear to ear.
Today felt like a lucky day. Oh, saying that—does it jinx me?
But at least not as unlucky as Kim Cheomji. Unlike his tragedy-packed life, hers hadn't ended two months ago back then.
Si-hyun pondered where to begin before speaking up.
"You remember two months ago, that Minotaur-type Mutant wrecking the café where I work part-time?"
"Yeah, of course."
"I was right there."
"What!?"
"And working when the Minotaur smashed in."
"No way. You're kidding, right?"
"No joke. I really... almost died. That Mutant charged me to kill."
"But how'd you survive...?"
"The one we just saw saved me."
"What? How?"
Si-hyun debated how much to say.
She decided not to mention Seo-hyun was a Mutant.
It wasn't her place when Seo-hyun hadn't said so herself.
14th class.
Same name.
From orientation, Si-hyun had realized the scary-looking senior was the kind Mutant who'd saved her.
No desire to spread gossip about someone already unfairly feared.
Instead, Si-hyun tweaked the story a bit.
Lying to Soo-yeon didn't feel great, but she'd apologize and confess when Seo-hyun revealed it herself someday.
"I was just sprawled helpless when she grabbed my hand and yanked me up. Drew the Minotaur-type Mutant's eyes, bought me time to flee."
"Oh yeah, they said a Dragon-type Mutant showed up then? Was it her?"
"No, no. Before the Dragon-type arrived. Lightning hit after we escaped."
"Ah, gotcha... Wow, your lifesaver, huh?"
"Yeah. Never dreamed I'd run into her here."
"What department?"
"Dunno."
"Like a movie. Same class as your savior. Novel-worthy world."
"Ahaha. What? Anyway, wanna thank her properly—go to a café just us two after this? Cool?"
"Wanna tag along, but it'd cramp your style... Sure. Introduce later?"
"Yeah! Super kind. You'll hit it off quick."
"For real? Rare you hyping someone."
"Who risks themselves for others first can only be good, right?"
"Yeah..."
"See ya at lecture two after OT."
"Okay."
* * *
Luckily, the Department Head skipped my name on roll call on purpose.
She locked eyes with me, so... she gets my situation.
Respecting my choice. Gotta thank her later.
"Anyway, Understanding Modern Literature starts with modern poetry and novels..."
The semester orientation kicked off. I'd known since early year.
True to form, she wrapped it smiling soon.
"OT, so won't drag you. Syllabus on Paper Internet—print for next. Let's grind this semester. Got it?"
"Thank you!"
Bonus: no textbook push.
STEM and others gripe about profs hawking books... Not our dept.
Intro classes aside, all materials online—no needless spending.
Class ended; students streamed out in clusters.
Appointment waited, but gratitude first.
"Department Head."
"Oh, Seo-hyun. Skipped you just in case. All good?"
"Thanks for the consideration."
"So. When reveal you're a Mutant?"
"Came for that. No hiding forever—telling classmates today, full disclosure at opening assembly soon."
"...Hard call. Help needed, say so."
"Haha. Doubt it."
Her help? Nah. Profs meddling in student drama looks bad.
Trouble? Not major anyway.
"Good. Hit the books."
"Oh, Professor."
"Yeah?"
"Group projects this time?"
"Nope. Last sem so half-assed—solo better."
"Haha..."
Chat done, off to find Si-hyun.
Spotted her quick, waiting at room back.
Casual approach.
"Long wait?"
"Oh, no. Not really."
"Sorry. Dept Head chat—Mutant related."
"Ah."
"Your friend—know where?"
"Meeting later. Your situation as senior—didn't wanna trouble you."
Instant grasp why dept loves her.
Not mere appointment; spared outing my Mutant status to friend.
Plenty drag pals to meets.
Instinctive courtesy? Solid thinker.
My fave type.
"No need that much. Revealing soon anyway."
"Ah. Drop formal? I'm total junior."
"Post-closeness. I rough up casual—cautious."
Smile-nod; she got it.
"Ah. The rumored senior?"
"Yep. Only Yoon Seo-hyun Korean Lit 11th-18th."
"So originally guy...?"
"Yes. Scary mug. Troublemaker. Anyway—not lingering. Café?"
"Yes!"
Café hit: two coffees, seated.
"Questions? Not my style, but manners score big—special Q&A."
"You fought 4th-years, right?"
"Haha. That first? Figured Mutant talk."
"Curious too."
"Slow roll. Korean Lit hazing brutal—not jocks, but seniors drill calls... Loathed. Then thug 4th-year hit my classmate—boom."
"Ah."
"Then loner arc, you know. They ruled as 3rds. Me? Untouchable."
"Classmate says some 2nds wanna friend you..."
"Some yeah, uninterested. Drinking summons? Hate. Booze weak—no incidents. Ancient history. Junior treat? Eons."
"Haha. Honor?"
"Close enough."
"Brought solo—pass your bar?"
"Spot-on. Coffee-and-bail planned; no friend seals it. Mutant respect."
"Strict."
"Common gripe. Narrow-deep relations motto."
"Same."
"Popular tho? Classmates lost it your intake. OT too."
"3rds sweet... Folks kind-sighted. Your vibe basically."
"Thick with 'em? Good rep earned."
"Thanks."
"Lucky. My crew solid. Prickly me survived dept thanks them. No sleaze?"
"No."
"Proper lads, girlfriends all. Lone wolf? Me. Can't now."
"Ahaha... Ex-male—no identity mess?"
"Nope. Racial perk. Dating? Meh."
"Ah. News Dragon-type... Real?"
"Yup. Dragon. Wings."
"Wings!?"
Eyes sparkle max.
"No wings now. Base shreds clothes—back bare. Off-shoulder backless only."
"Ah... Huge?"
"Massive. Wingspan one side 2m? Total 4m."
"Wow."
"Closer later, demo. More?"
"Lightning strike? Other powers?"
"Yea. Fire control, rain too."
"...East-West dragon mashup?"
"Yup. Weather/clouds Eastern; fire/wings Western."
"Wild."
"Common take. Freshman bonds usually sem 1—late special: lunch me. Friend ok then."
"Thanks but... I owe life—my treat?"
"Loaded. Senior mooch? Nah. Coffee payback later—not today."
"Deal."
"Next class?"
"Uh... Classical Poetry and Culture."
"Match. Good news?"
"What?"
"Modern Lit—no groups."
Face lit. No uni kid digs group work.
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