episode_0007

“Is there anything special you’re working on these days, Noona?”

“Like that’d be possible? You know better than anyone how society views Variants.”

“So, you’re officially unemployed then.”

“Well, yeah. Honestly, what else am I even qualified to do right now?”

“Tch. Anyway, point is—you’re free?”

“For now. What about you?”

“Probably tutoring later.”

“Damn. You really have a knack for finding ways to make money.”

“It was part of the deal with Mom and Dad. They said if I live here, I have to cover my own personal expenses. So I don’t get an allowance.”

“That’s just a fancy way of saying you’re working under parental dictatorship. What’s with the bravado?”

“It’s not like that. There are things I need to pay for myself, right? Essentials are non-negotiable. And now that you’re here, groceries are double the cost.”

“…Fair point. Guess I should find a job too. Speaking of which, when do you think that bounty’s coming in?”

“Bounty?”

My sister gave me a puzzled look.

“For catching that Variant yesterday. Heard there’s a reward.”

“From who?”

“An NIS agent.”

“…Why would counterintelligence be involved all of a sudden?”

“Ah, you really are my sister. Your thought process is exactly the same.”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

“Probably because Variants causing trouble leads to bigger issues, so they got involved…”

“But for that logic, aren’t there way too many incidents?”

“Maybe it’s because of people like them that there aren’t even more.”

“Huh, true. Anyway, how much is the reward?”

“No clue. Once it hits the bank, let’s go eat something.”

“Nice.”

“Think about what you wanna get.”

She let out an impressed noise while shoveling the breakfast I’d prepared into her mouth.

Not long after, the clatter of dishes signaled she was done cleaning up.

“Leave the dishes. I’ll handle them. Don’t you have tutoring?”

“It’s at 7 PM. Still ages away.”

“Then you do it.”

“Was already planning to, no need to tell me.”

After finishing the dishes, I could feel her staring at me.

“What’re you looking at?”

“Got eyes on the back of your head now?”

“I told you. I’ve got clairvoyance. I can sense when people stare at me. So, what?”

“You didn’t dry your hair properly, did you? Why’s it such a mess? Come here. I’ll dry it for you.”

“What’s gotten into you? Weren’t you the ungrateful brat who never lifted a finger?”

“It’s just annoying seeing someone with blessed looks not take care of themselves, that’s all. Not interested? Fine by me.”

“Who said I wasn’t? Just weirded out. You never do stuff like this unless you’re dying…”

“You psycho. There’s no line you won’t cross with me, is there?”

“Says Ms. Insults-Me-24/7. Anyway, quit digging at my horns while you’re at it.”

“Why, sensitive?”

“Shut up. Doesn’t feel like anything. Just mildly irritating.”

“Yeah?”

“You’d like it if someone randomly touched your body?”

“Obviously not.”

“Exactly.”

“Ohhh. So, any thoughts?”

“About what?”

“About styling yourself.”

“Hey, it hasn’t even been that long since I turned into a girl. The psychological hurdle’s too high right now.”

“Eh, think about it slowly~ No rush. Just seems like a waste, personally. Done. Seriously, your hair’s unreal. Clichéd as it sounds, it’s like silk.”

“As I always say…”

“…it’s all thanks to the Dragon’s blessed body, right? Anyway, what’re you doing until semester starts?”

“Dunno. Maybe streaming?”

“Out of nowhere?”

“You don’t know the unwritten rule yet? When your gender changes, streaming is mandatory.”

“What kinda national rule is that, you damn otaku? Whatever, do what you want.”

“Never mind. Just talking nonsense. You know how it is—sometimes things slip out unfiltered. After all these years, you still don’t get me?”

My sister sighed at that.

What, like, what?

Come evening, as my sister left for her tutoring gig, I checked my phone.

Specifically, the group chats.

The group project chat was already dead, so no surprises there. The real issue was the one still buzzing—my only remaining social lifeline: the college guys’ chat.

The four guys there had been asking about my whereabouts ever since my disappearance due to the variant incident.

[Han Tae-hoon: Where the hell is Yoon Seo-hyun? Lol dude ghosted the group project and screwed over his entire team]

[Yu Han-gyeol: If a team fails just ’cause one guy dipped, it was doomed anyway.]

[Jo Min-hyuk: Still pissed tho—our team’s a disaster too. Told those bastards to turn in the paper, and they just slapped together plagiarized crap]

[Heo Ji-hwan: Makes me wanna choke ’em every time lol.]

[Yu Han-gyeol: Anyway, Seo-hyun messed up enrollment last year, so this semester he’s got six majors—and he’s team leader for all their group projects. Six logs on his back, and knowing him, he probably tried carrying them all before bailing.]

[Han Tae-hoon: So wait, Seo-hyun—you good? Like, seriously?]

[Yu Han-gyeol: He ain’t even reading the chat.]

[Han Tae-hoon: For real tho, anything happen? Anyone check his place?]

[Yu Han-gyeol: Not there.]

[Jo Min-hyuk: Just vanished? Weird. Not like him.]

Further down, more recent messages:

[Heo Ji-hwan: At this point, is Seo-hyun dead?]

[Han Tae-hoon: Wouldn’t there be an obituary?]

[Yu Han-gyeol: Getting worried. None of us have his family’s contacts, and the department just says he’s on medical leave.]

[Jo Min-hyuk: Maybe some chronic illness flared up?]

[Han Tae-hoon: Or he variant-ed? Makes sense—his disappearance lines up with when Variants started popping up.]

[Yu Han-gyeol: Could be… Maybe he’s in a bad state? Lost control or something?]

[Heo Ji-hwan: Wouldn’t surprise me…]

I admit, it was kinda touching they still cared. If I’d gone radio silent for three months, most would’ve moved on… But they still remembered me. Guess I owed them a check-in.

[Yoon Seo-hyun: Sup.]

The moment I posted, question marks flooded the chat.

[Han Tae-hoon: YOU’RE ALIVE?]

[Yoon Seo-hyun: Yeah… Thanks for worrying.]

[Yu Han-gyeol: What the hell happened? Did you actuallyvariant?!]

[Yoon Seo-hyun: Yep.]

[Heo Ji-hwan: WHAT.]

[Jo Min-hyuk: When’d you wake up?]

[Yoon Seo-hyun: Uh… Four days ago?]

[Han Tae-hoon: Isn’t that crazy late? What’d you turn into?]

[Yoon Seo-hyun: I’ll show you when semester starts lol. Going out’s kinda awkward right now. Can leave, but it’s uncomfortable.]

[Yu Han-gyeol: Alright, alright. Just glad you’re alive.]

[Yoon Seo-hyun: Anyway, see you all next semester.]

Time flew shockingly fast.

And—surprise—nothing happened.

No Variant rampages, no irregularities in my check-ups… Nothing.

Even the bounty for that Minotaur was hefty enough that no one could criticize me bumming around. A true shut-in NEET life.

My sister tried dragging me out plenty, but I only gave in once or twice.

Being one with home suits me best.

Next thing I knew…

A month left until semester start.

Most wouldn’t move till classes began, but I had stuff to handle early—like submitting my retake applications to the department.

I pulled my cap low.

Public perception of Variants kept worsening.

Sure, some troublemakers existed, but stigma always spreads from the minority. Better not give anyone ammo, so wearing a cap outside became routine.

Also, golden eyes stood out too much, so black contacts it was. So much effort just to step outside.

Documents prepped, bag packed, I headed to the department office. Timing it right as doors opened at 9 AM meant empty streets.

Perfect for running.

One perk of variant-ing? No more wasting money on transit to campus—just jog.

Took about ten minutes.

The speed was insane, and zero fatigue made it fun.

Only caution? Avoiding pedestrians. Crash into someone, and they wouldn’t walk away with just bruises. Not that crashes were likely… But “what-ifs” exist.

Part of me wanted to unfurl wings, but that’d draw way too much attention—so I resisted. Still remembered my sister’s horrified face the first time I did.

Over the past two months, I’d awakened all sorts of abilities—effortlessly, like breathing.

Flight. Lightning and fire manipulation. Even weather control—rain on command.

Before I realized, the humanities building came into view.

Walked straight toward the Korean Literature department office.

But hesitation kicked in.

The TAs inside knew me.

This’d be my first time meeting someone familiar—outside family—since changing.

Gently, I knocked.