Chapter 25
Chapter 25
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: The Arachne Designer
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I never intended to become a designer from the start. No, I had been living in a world completely detached from design.
Seo Jin-ha was originally that kind of person.
The daughter of a wealthy family with a father who was a member of the National Assembly.
She was someone who lived by moderately reading the public's mood and maintaining adequately impressive specs.
She had no particular dissatisfaction with her own life, enjoying a leisurely and happy daily routine.
That changed in her life early this year, the moment she became a mutant.
Arachne-type Mutant.
The mutation period lasted one month.
Jin-ha, who had mutated relatively early compared to other mutants, soon realized a new impulse arising within her.
It was the urge to create something with the special thread she produced from her fingertips.
This impulse was irresistible, so she would spin thread from her fingertips and make something every time.
Whether it was due to enhanced aesthetic sense from the mutation, the pieces she created were masterpieces worthy of the name.
Her father even asked her outright.
“Shall I set up a clothing store for you?”
“Sure.”
And so, she ended up owning a clothing store.
Word about her store spread far and wide.
It was only natural. Clothes made from thread directly spun from an Arachne-type Mutant’s body.
Could there be anything more unique in the world?
Countless people coveted her clothes for their rarity and beauty.
Moreover, the spider silk she produced was unlike ordinary spider silk—it was so tough that a normal person couldn’t break it, and it didn’t burn in fire or get soaked in water.
Additionally, if Jin-ha wished, she could imbue the clothes with desired properties. At least with her own spider silk, she could layer on all sorts of attributes.
Even the ability to restore the clothing to its original shape, like shape-memory alloy.
What scientific knowledge? She didn’t need any of that.
Like a divine power, her spider silk obeyed her will as she desired.
It naturally became the perfect fabric, and its value soared accordingly.
Her clothing store was no longer just a simple boutique but treated as a luxury brand, with reservations booked solid for an entire year.
No matter how rich the tycoon, they had to wait a year to get her clothes.
To begin with, the people placing reservations with her were mostly from the upper echelons of society.
Yet despite this success, Jin-ha suffered from an inexplicable sense of lack.
She could produce excellent garments with her superior aesthetic sense, but every time she looked at the results, something felt missing.
‘Is this what they call a lack of inspiration?’
Jin-ha couldn’t help but think that, and she desperately wanted to fill that void.
‘In that case, let’s make something unique.’
The unique clothes she thought of were outfits for mutants.
Since mutants of all shapes and sizes had appeared in the world since their first emergence… she believed clothes for them might resolve the deficiency tormenting her.
From then on, Jin-ha began making clothes for mutants as well. And for these, she didn’t charge a fee.
If rare mutants visited her store and helped alleviate her lack, she didn’t mind forgoing the money.
Thus, she had made clothes for numerous mutants, and she wanted to make even more in the future.
For such a woman, the sudden appearance of a Dragon-type Mutant was bound to pique her interest.
A dragon, of all things?
Outwardly, it was just the form of a dragonkin… but as a mutant of a similar lineage, Jin-ha could tell.
Just as she hid her eight true legs on her back, Seo-hyun was likely the same.
And that guess hit the mark exactly. The massive dragon wings displayed in the park.
Seeing them, she couldn’t help but be captivated.
How wonderful it would be to dress such a being in her clothes.
Inspiration flooded her mind, and she obsessively envisioned outfits suited to Seo-hyun, as if possessed by madness.
Once the designs were somewhat complete, she contacted Jeong-ho, asking him to arrange a meeting because she wanted to make clothes.
* * *
“…And so, Arachne-type Mutant Seo Jin-ha wishes to meet Seo-hyun. If you have no intention of agreeing, please let me know.”
“That’s fine. But… does she have a specific reason for wanting to meet me?”
“It seems she plans to make custom clothes for you. She makes outfits for mutants.”
“Clothes for mutants? That’s intriguing.”
“She’s a world-renowned artisan. Her clothes feel like they’re enchanted with magic.”
“Wow… But why me, of all people?”
“Probably because she got inspired seeing you. She always tries to make outfits for new mutants that appear. Even Sia already owns several pieces made by Jin-ha.”
“Wow, really?”
“Yes. So there’s no downside to meeting her. She’s friendly to all mutants… and the improved treatment of mutants is largely thanks to her, in a way.”
“Huh? What does she have to do with better treatment for mutants?”
“She’s the daughter of a National Assembly member. A pretty influential one, too… So indiscriminate oppression of mutants became impossible because of her presence.”
“Ah, yeah… Laws change when powerful people get affected, after all.”
“It’s an uncomfortable truth, but yes. Anyway… would you like to meet her?”
“Yes. I’m curious what inspiration I sparked in her… and personally, clothes for mutants sounds interesting.”
“Understood. I’ll arrange the details soon.”
* * *
And so, I had arrived at the boutique run by Arachne-type Mutant Seo Jin-ha.
However, the boutique’s atmosphere felt somewhat grotesque.
…Is this really okay?
As I opened the door and entered the boutique, a beautiful woman greeted me.
But eight spider legs protruded from behind her back.
Despite the appearance that could be called creepy at first glance, I didn’t feel that way at all. Should I say she exuded a strange elegance?
That elegance covered even the creepy aspects of her form.
“Welcome. Dragon-type Mutant Seo-hyun, right?”
“Yes. Nice to meet you. I’m Yoon Seo-hyun, Ms. Jin-ha.”
“Hehe, yes. I’m glad you came. I thought it was a bit of an imposition, so thank you.”
“Um, may I ask what this is about…?”
“Ah, Agent Jeong-ho didn’t explain in detail, did he?”
“He only gave a rough idea. Something about making clothes for me…?”
“You’re spot on. Yes. The reason I wanted to meet you is to make outfits perfectly suited to you.”
“Thank you…? But I heard your designs cost astronomical amounts…”
“Don’t worry. I give clothes to mutants for free.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Honestly, I already have more than enough money. I was raised without ever knowing material poverty… and now it’s overflowing to the point of rot. I don’t want to charge mutants, who are precious sources of inspiration for me to begin with.”
“Ahh…”
“Instead of charging, though, could I take photos of you in the outfits for the magazine? Like a fitting model.”
“A model? I’ve never done any modeling, is that okay?”
“Of course. The photographer will handle all the direction, so just follow their instructions. But you’re fine with being in the magazine?”
“I might have hesitated before, but I’m already kind of famous now. That much should be fine.”
“Good attitude. So, do you have any preferred styles? I plan to make quite a few custom pieces.”
“Uh… really?”
“Yes. Personally, I think a mutant’s charm comes from their uniqueness compared to humans. Could you show me your wings, by any chance?”
“I can, but… won’t it mess up the store?”
“That’s fine. I designed the second floor fitting room with plenty of extra space.”
“Ah. Then it should be okay.”
“What about other parts besides the wings?”
“I have a tail… but I’ve never brought it out before.”
“That’s delightful news. To be the first witness of a dragon’s tail. Could you show the tail too, if possible? I want to make clothes that stay perfect no matter when or where you transform.”
“Ah, sure.”
“Then let’s head to the second floor.”
* * *
Upon reaching the second floor, I immediately brought out my wings and tail.
Somehow, it felt embarrassing. I had worried about tearing my clothes, so I was in my underwear when I did it.
By the way, this was my first time with the tail… It was exactly as I imagined.
The about one-meter-long tail was covered in scales, with a smooth texture. And it moved at my will, so it seemed like it could wrap around things as needed.
“Wow… This is beyond imagination. So beautiful.”
Suddenly, Jin-ha’s expression turned a bit dangerous. She stared at my wings and tail with enchanted, ecstatic eyes, giving me chills.
“Seo-hyun.”
“Yes?”
“Are you free for the whole day today? I have so, so many outfits I want to make.”
“Uh… Well, yes.”
“Great. Then let’s make everyday wear, suits, sporty looks, everything…”
“Can that be done in one day?”
“Of course. Nothing’s impossible for me.”
Jin-ha said this with a bright smile.