Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Revealing the Dragon
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The time that should have been spent on orientation had somehow turned into a session to satisfy everyone's curiosity about me.
The others were pretending not to care while subtly listening in, so it seemed they were pretty curious after all.
"So, do you have any special abilities, by chance?"
"I do, but... I don't think I can show you. It's dangerous in a lot of ways."
"What kind of ability is it?"
"I can manipulate the weather. I can even call down lightning."
"Huh......"
"Whoa......"
The room filled with gasps of astonishment. Of course it did. Among all the confirmed mutants so far, none had such an extreme ability.
But why was I spilling all this so easily? I could've just brushed it off vaguely.
And yet, I felt some inexplicable sense of satisfaction filling me.
Especially when I sensed the shocked stares around me—the satisfaction was particularly strong.
Was this a racial trait? Dragon pride or something like that?
It was a pretty reasonable suspicion.
In media, dragons or wyrms—barring special cases—were almost always arrogant and brimming with pride.
No, but if that's the case, I'd look like a total attention whore to anyone watching.
No wonder my mouth itched every time someone asked......
"Ah, thanks for answering anyway. I just couldn't help my curiosity about dragons."
"No, it's fine. It was going to come out eventually anyway."
After that, the professor deliberately steered the conversation elsewhere. He must have realized that indulging their curiosity about dragons any further would never end.
He spoke for about five more minutes before nodding and wrapping up the orientation.
After class ended, as I was packing up, a familiar face approached.
It was Yoo Han-gyeol.
"You're really Yoon Seo-hyun, right?"
"Yeah, it's me. There's only one Yoon Seo-hyun from Korean Lit, class of '14, anyway."
"Man, I heard you'd mutated, but I thought it'd just be a minor change in appearance...... Can't believe that macho dude turned into this."
"I was shocked too."
"What happened?"
"I don't know the details either. We were wrapping up group project stuff, and I stepped out for some air. Then there was a flash of light, and I passed out. When I woke up? Turns out three months had passed."
"Three months!?"
"Yeah. They said mine was the latest mutation end among all confirmed mutants worldwide."
"What about your family?"
"I figured they wouldn't recognize me...... But they watched the whole mutation process."
"Lucky break amid the misfortune."
"Yeah. Imagine some random woman showing up saying she's your son—how freaked out would you be?"
"Right? So, you're the one who took down that Minotaur-type mutant the other day?"
"Yeah, that was me."
"That's when Senior Seo-hyun saved me."
"What? What's that about?"
"That Minotaur was rampaging right in front of my new place. Near Korea University Station. I was coming back from the department store with my little sister when the disaster alarm went off......"
"Wow, what are the odds. So you were together? I saw some stranger girl with you guys and thought, oh, new friend—had no idea it was Seo-hyun."
"Hey, anyway, what about the others?"
"They haven't hit campus yet. All have afternoon classes."
"Oh, yeah? Then...... wanna grab lunch together?"
"I already said I'd eat with these guys, but whatever. Let's go. You should wear a hat, though, right? Gonna go out like that?"
"I was planning to ditch the hat anyway. Doesn't matter if I wear it or not—the stares are the same."
"Fair...... Your face changed that much for the better. Why'd your gender change, though?"
"No idea. Figured good is good, so I'm rolling with it. My little sister kept dragging me to department stores over break—thought I'd die."
"Ahaha! Yeah, I get it."
"She told me to dress up like a gamer girl or some crap—I told her to cut the bullshit. Anyway, let's go, juniors. I never bought meals for juniors in my first semester, so I'll treat you today."
"For real?"
My words made Soo-yeon's eyes sparkle. Free food always tastes good.
Then Yoo Han-gyeol chimed in.
"What about me?"
"Figure it out yourself. You're not even a junior......"
"That's harsh, seriously."
"Have you ever bought me food?"
"Nope."
"You bastard. Oh, hold up. While I'm ditching the hat, might as well take these out too."
"What?"
"Color lenses."
"Why the color lenses?"
"My eyes turned golden. But now that I'm going full reveal, no point wearing lenses, right?"
As I said that, I pulled my eyelids open with my fingers, removed the lenses, and put them in their case. Hat went in the bag.
I'd already revealed myself as a mutant in front of tons of people, so I planned to just live openly from now on. No issues as long as I wasn't harming anyone.
* * *
"Whoa...... the stares are no joke."
"......Yeah."
"Maybe it'd have been better to hide it?"
"Nah. Once it's out, rumors spread like wildfire anyway. Better to just take it naturally."
And so we arrived at the first-year cafeteria.
The whole way there, I floundered under countless stares.
Jeez, you act like you've never seen a mutant before.
I could hear the whispers.
-Is that a mutant? Whoa...... what kind is that?
-Dunno.
-What's with the horns? Those?
-She's not gonna go berserk or anything, right......?
-But damn, she's gorgeous.
-Kinda scary, though......
Stuff like that kept coming. Berserk, really?
Too much.
Mutants had a bad rep, but there was nothing I could do about the wariness among people.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. Gotta get used to it. Still...... it's not as bad as I thought."
"What's not bad?"
"I figured a couple idiots would come up and talk shit to my face."
"Hey, plenty of people have gotten wrecked for messing with mutants."
"Really?"
"Yeah. That Minotaur you took down? Snapped some guy's spine who mouthed off, left him paralyzed from the waist down."
"......Huh. Should've beaten it harder when I subdued it."
"But Seo-hyun. What's your physical strength like? Mutants are no joke, and they can't control their power...... You seem fine in daily life, though."
"Me? Uh...... hold on. Check this out."
Perfect timing—I found a couple 100-won coins in my pocket. Oh, this'll do.
"Why coins all of a sudden?"
At Han-gyeol's question, I lightly pressed down on the coin, splitting it neatly in half like it'd been through a press.
"......"
"Ta-da. Coin-folding magic."
"Whoa, shit...... you absolutely cannot go berserk. How's the power control?"
"Pretty good. Day after waking up? I got the hang of it quick. That mutant hospital had everything. First time seeing alloy walls in a basement—like a movie scene."
"For real? Did you hit those walls?"
Right on cue, Sihyun asked me. The mutant talk had piqued her interest.
"Yeah. During the medical check or whatever, they had me hit it—not even full strength, and it dented."
"......"
"Anyway, never tried max power, so I don't know my limit. Heard Minotaur-types are super strong? But when I took it down, I caught its full-force punch one-handed and yeeted it."
"Uh, yeah. Kinda weird to say, but I'll be careful from now on."
"Hey, you think I'd use force on you guys?"
"I know, but I've heard mutants' personalities change sometimes."
"I'm more positive, if anything. Emotionally stable. You know I was a glass cannon mentally, Han-gyeol."
"Really?"
"Yeah. They say new mutants freak out and smash everything around them, but I just sat there listening to the doc—yes, yes. Super safe mutant, that's me."
"Good to know. Ugh, cafeteria udon tastes like ass. Hey, Yoon Seo-hyun. Treating the kids to cafeteria food? Come on."
"Uh...... is it?"
"First time eating food bought by a senior—in the cafeteria."
"Same here."
Soo-yeon and Sihyun teased me playfully.
I felt awkwardly sheepish and scratched my head a bit.
Their reactions eased my mind a little.
Even after telling them I'm a ridiculous mutant, they could joke like that—it meant I could relax around them somewhat.
"If you wanna eat something next time, just say. I'll treat again."
"For real!?"
"Then we'll pay separately today."
"Aw, come on. Cafeteria food's cheap."
"Nope. Can't mooch twice."
"Right."
"Got it, then. Call me when you're free. Weekend works."
"Hey, Seo-hyun. Where you headed after lunch?"
"Dunno. Schedule has a gap."
"Wanna hit the department lounge? Other classmates should be showing up soon."
"Sure. Easier to catch everyone at once than one by one later."
"Let's do it. You two coming?"
"Our schedules have gaps too...... Mind if we tag along?"
"I'm in!"
"Cool. Hold up—checking with the others. Oh, done. They're all at the lounge. Feels like a debut, huh?"
"What, I'm some idol now? Debut my ass......"
"Honestly, if you went idol right now, I'd stan hard. With that face, agencies would line up."
"Quit it. Idols need the spark—I’m a normie. Standing in front of people takes prep, you know."
"Kinda wasteful. With your looks, you'd crush as an actor."
"Actor? Anyone can just actor? Never acted in my life. No school plays in elem, mid, high."
"But you never know? Might have talent."
"Or model?"
"What’s with you guys? You want me out there in public that bad?"
"Uh...... wouldn't suck? I could use a celeb friend."
"Right! A department senior as a celeb? Can't pass that up."
"Enough nonsense—lounge time."
Like I'd want celeb life when I hate dealing with people. Make sense, people.