Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Family Reunion
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“This is truly surprising.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen someone so emotionally stable.”
“The doctor said the same thing...”
“Haha. That makes sense. He’s probably seen more Mutants in Korea than anyone else.”
“Really?”
Yeah, that doctor definitely seemed like he’d been through situations like this a lot.
“Yes.”
“But... what brings you here?”
“Oh, I’m here to provide various conveniences for Mutants. No need to be on guard.”
“Conveniences?”
“Normally, Mutants don’t change gender, but since you did, Seo-hyun, you’ll need a new resident ID.”
“Oh.”
Right. Resident ID. With my appearance completely changed, all my identifying documents are basically worthless now.
“And I see you’ve completed military service. There are reserve force issues too...”
“You’re not saying I still have to go to reserve training, are you?”
“Haha. Technically yes, but Mutants can cause accidents, so they’re usually exempted. But as the doctor said, you’re incredibly calm. Most who change gender are in total chaos.”
“Jackpot.”
“Huh?”
Hearing I was exempt from reserves, I muttered “jackpot” without thinking.
“Oh, nothing. Anyway, even in this situation, it feels... familiar somehow.”
“Good things are good, right? If your mind had been unstable and you’d gone berserk... it would’ve been a disaster.”
The agent’s face showed pure relief, like ten years had been shaved off his life. His reaction suggested something serious had happened.
“I was unconscious for three months, right? Did something go down then?”
The agent nodded solemnly.
“A lot happened. Many Mutants panicked over their new racial traits, leading to tons of incidents. Injuries were common, and in severe cases, fatalities.”
“...That sounds bad.”
“It was a storm of rapid change. Lucky modern weapons worked on Mutants, or casualties would’ve been massive.”
“So social views on Mutants must suck.”
“Unfortunately, yes. Not all Mutants are like that, and many live peacefully among people, but crimes by Mutants do happen. Public perception is shaped by the extreme few.”
My head hurt. From an ordinary college student anyone could spot on the street, to being treated like a quasi-terrorist.
“Anyway, for now, stay here and continue training to control yourself. It’s necessary to live normally among others... sorry about that. Here are the forms.”
The agent handed me some documents.
“What are these?”
“As I mentioned, for your resident ID and related IDs. You’ll need a passport photo later too.”
“Okay.”
I carefully reviewed the forms from the agent, signed where needed.
I worried I’d snap the pen... but consciously thinking not to use force made my grip relax naturally.
It felt like power control came automatically, unlike my earlier concerns.
No real training needed at this rate?
“Wow. You might not even need much training.”
The agent was impressed watching me.
He said I adapted to power control faster than expected—most break about ten pens first.
...After reviewing all forms, taking the photo, and finishing procedures, the agent packed up.
“Alright, that covers everything. I’ll head out. Good work. If you need help, tell the doctor. Here’s my contact just in case—call if anything feels unstable.”
“Okay.”
Once he left, I returned to my room. The doctor cheerfully asked if procedures were done; I said yes.
A new resident ID would arrive soon, and my personal info would update.
Name... keeping it the same. Seo-hyun.
It’s used for both genders anyway.
No need to change just because of gender.
I’ve been Seo-hyun my whole life, and I’ll stay that way.
I lay on the bed. If I could use my smartphone, I could catch up on news, but no dice.
Family took it.
So, I just stared blankly at the ceiling.
I thought idly.
Mutants gain traits of their mutated form.
Mine’s probably Dragon, or Dragonkin, high chance.
In fantasy novels or media, Dragons are depicted as incredibly strong physically and mentally.
Sure, sometimes as tyrannical brutes, but anyway.
I pictured the typical Dragon image.
Maybe that’s why I’m more mentally stable than other Mutants—Dragon trait.
Honestly, yeah.
Most Mutants freak out, go half-mad, or berserk right after mutating. Me staying chill is weirder.
I feel confusion, but that’s it. No sense of denial or going insane.
...At least that’s a relief.
My mental state was already fragile as glass, but mutation made it ironclad, I guess.
The old me might’ve ended up wanted.
* * *
Family’s coming.
Makes sense since I woke up.
Should’ve notified sooner, but untested Mutants are extremely dangerous, so they delayed.
Timing weirdly coincided with family’s unavailability, so we met three days later.
Their faces lit with joy.
“...Seo-hyun?”
“Yeah.”
“Thank goodness. Really.”
Frankly, I was just dazed.
To me, it was like sleeping and waking; their reaction made sense.
Even my bratty little sister looked relieved... they must’ve worried sick.
“But how’d you recognize me?”
“We watched you mutate. How could we not? How’re you feeling? Woke up today?”
“Nah, about three days ago.”
“What?”
Mom looked ready to grill the doctor over not notifying immediately, but I stopped her.
“Calm down, calm. It took time for tests.”
“What tests...”
“You know Mutants are dangerous. Even I was no joke.”
“What happened?”
Then my sister chimed in. Yoon Seo-ah. My little sis.
Pretty face, but still Mom’s daughter.
We fought almost daily as kids.
Less since I did military, but still like annoying guy nearby.
Anyway, she asked bluntly.
Family curiosity about my Mutant status, I guess?
“One wrong punch now, and I’d kill someone.”
“...What?”
“During first physical test, casual swing dented alloy partition.”
“Seriously!?”
“True. We only called family because Seo-hyun’s emotionally stable. Any instability, and it would’ve been disastrous.”
Sis freaked to the doctor, who chuckled heartily. Though his words would terrify most.
“Oh my god...”
Mom and Dad were shocked too.
Can’t blame them.
Horns or animal ears are common Mutant traits, but denting alloy barehanded? Rare.
My son... no, daughter now?
Anyway, their kid became that—shocking.
Doctor added they’re relieved.
Unlike typical new Mutants, I’m stable, no confusion, no aggression—so daily life won’t be hard.
Parents relaxed.
“Mom, gimme my phone.”
“Huh? Oh, Seo-ah. Your sister’s phone.”
“Not brother anymore? Whatever. Here.”
“Thanks.”
Gender identity aside, I quickly checked my smartphone.
...Yep. Ton of messages. Horrifying amount.
Group chats for six projects: teammates venting fury at vanished leader, then all left.
They probably trashed me elsewhere too.
I laughed. Serves you right, idiots.
Duh—guys who just rubber-stamped, how to fix late assignments? Never even ran a PPT.
Schadenfreude pure.
But beyond glee, dread hit.
Six subjects to retake... can’t now, right?
Lucky early semester—leave of absence means retake next time.
“Mom. Big problem.”
“Huh? What?”
“Was I put on leave of absence?”
“Yeah. After you collapsed, we requested it—just in case. Said unavoidable due to serious illness.”
Mom’s thoroughness let me sigh in relief.