Seoul Dragon

What should have been an orientation session had now become a time to satisfy everyone’s curiosity about me. Seeing how others were pretending not to be interested while secretly listening in, they must have been quite curious.

“So, do you have any special abilities?” “I do, but… I don’t think I can show you. It would be dangerous in many ways.” “What kind of ability is it?” “I can manipulate weather. I can also call down lightning.” “Wow…” “Whoa…”

The surroundings are covered in astonishment. Of course. Among all confirmed mutants so far, none had possessed such extreme abilities. But why am I freely talking about this? I could have just made something up or refused to answer. Yet somehow, I feel an inexplicable satisfaction filling me. Especially when I sense the astonished gazes around me, the satisfaction grows particularly strong.

Could this be a species trait? A dragon’s inherent pride, perhaps? It seemed like a perfectly reasonable suspicion. Most dragons or wyrms in media, excluding special cases, were arrogant and overflowing with pride. But wait, this makes me look like an attention-seeker to anyone watching. No wonder I’ve been itching to answer whenever someone asks…

“Ah, well, thanks for answering. I just couldn’t help myself due to curiosity about dragons.” “No, it’s fine. It would have come out eventually anyway.”

After that, the professor deliberately changed the subject. Apparently, he knew that if he indulged his curiosity about dragons any further, there would be no end to it. He spoke for about five more minutes before nodding and concluding the orientation. After class ended, as I was packing up my things, a familiar face approached. It was Yoo Hangyeol.

“Is that really you, Yoon Seohyun?” “It’s me. There’s no other Yoon Seohyun in Korean Literature, class of 2014.” “Huh, I heard you mutated, but I thought only your appearance had changed a bit… It’s hard to believe that the macho man turned into this.” “I was shocked too, you know?” “How did it happen?” “I don’t know the details either. I just finished up some group project work and went outside for some fresh air when there was a flash of light, and I passed out. When I woke up, guess what? Three months had passed.” “Three months!?” “Yeah. They said I had the longest mutation process among all confirmed mutants worldwide.” “What did your family say?” “I thought my family wouldn’t recognize me… but they said they watched the entire mutation process.” “That’s a blessing in disguise.” “Right. Honestly, how awkward would it be if some woman suddenly showed up claiming to be their son?” “Exactly. So, was it you who subdued that minotaur-type mutant from before?” “That was me.”

“That’s when Senior Seohyun saved me.” “What? What are you talking about?” “The place where the minotaur was rampaging was right in front of my new rental room. Near Hanguk University Station. I was returning from the department store with my sister when suddenly the disaster alert went off…” “Wow, what a coincidence. So that’s why you were together? I saw an unfamiliar woman with you and thought she must be someone new you’d met. I had no idea it was Seohyun.” “Hey, what about the others?” “They haven’t come to school yet. They all have afternoon classes.” “Oh really? Then… would you like to have lunch together?” “I was going to eat with these two, but sure. Let’s go. But don’t you need to wear a hat? Are you going out like that?” “I’m just going to take the hat off. Whether I wear it or not, I feel people’s stares all the same.” “I guess… since your face changed so dramatically. But why did your gender change?” “I don’t know. I decided to just go with it. My sister kept dragging me to department stores during the break, I thought I was going to die.” “Haha! That’s true.” “She told me to dress up like I was creating a game character, and I told her not to talk nonsense. Anyway, let’s go, juniors. I never treated juniors to meals during my first semester, so I’ll buy you lunch today.” “Oh, really?”

At my words, Suyeon’s eyes sparkled. Free food always tastes better. Then Hangyeol chimed in.

“What about me?” “Figure it out yourself. You’re not even my junior…” “That’s harsh, seriously.” “Have you ever bought me a meal?” “No.”

“You jerk. Oh, wait. Since I’m taking off my hat, I might as well remove this too.” “What?” “My color contacts.” “Why contacts?” “My eyes turned golden. But now that I’m going to show everything, there’s no need to wear contacts, right?”

As I said this, I pulled my eyelids open with my fingers, removed the contacts, and put them in their case. The hat went into my bag. Since I had already revealed that I was a mutant in front of many people, I planned to continue living openly. As long as I didn’t harm anyone, there shouldn’t be any problems.

“Wow… people’s stares are no joke.” “…Yeah.” “Wouldn’t it have been better to cover up?” “No. Once it’s out, rumors spread instantly anyway. It’s better to just accept it naturally.”

And so we arrived at the university cafeteria. The entire way, I had to struggle through the gazes of countless people. Seriously, is this the first time they’ve seen a mutant? I can hear all the whispers.

-It’s a mutant. Wow… what kind of mutant is that? -I don’t know. -What kind of horns are those? -I hope it doesn’t go on a rampage… -She’s incredibly beautiful though. -Kind of scary…

And so on. Rampage? Really? Isn’t that too much? Though the perception of mutants had improved, I couldn’t do anything about the wariness people still showed.

“Are you okay?” “I’m fine. I need to get used to it. Still… it’s not as bad as I thought.” “What’s not that bad?” “I thought at least one or two people would come up to me and say something stupid.” “Hey, more than a few people have died for doing that to mutants.” “Really?” “Yeah. That minotaur you took down left someone paralyzed by folding their spine after they provoked it.” “…Is that so? Maybe I should have hit it a few more times when I subdued it.” “But Seohyun, how’s your physical ability? They say mutants generally have incredible physical abilities and can’t control their strength… but you seem to have no issues with daily life.” “Me? Um… wait. Look at this.”

Just then, I noticed a couple of 100-won coins in my pocket. Oh, this would work.

“Why the coins all of a sudden?”

In response to Hangyeol’s question, I gently pressed a coin in half. The coin folded cleanly, as if pressed by a machine.

“…” “Ta-da! The magic trick of folding a coin in half.” “Wow, shit… I definitely shouldn’t mess with you. How’s your strength control?” “It’s good. After I woke up, it only took about a day to learn to control my strength. The hospital that handles mutants had all sorts of things. I’d never seen an alloy partition in a hospital basement before. It was like a scene from a movie.” “Wow, really? Did you hit that partition?”

Just then, Sihyun asked me. The mutant-related stories seemed to have piqued her interest.

“Yes. During the medical check, they made me hit it. I didn’t put much strength into it, but it still dented.” “…” “Anyway, I’ve never used my full strength, so I don’t know what my limit is. I heard minotaur-type mutants are quite strong, right? But when I subdued it last time, I caught its full-power punch with one hand and threw it away.” “Uh, well. This is awkward to say, but I’ll be good from now on.” “Come on, why would I use force against you guys?” “I know you wouldn’t, but they say some people’s personalities change after becoming mutants.” “I actually became more positive. Emotionally, I was very stable. Hangyeol, you know I used to be mentally fragile, right?” “Really?” “Yeah. They say mutants usually panic when they first transform and destroy everything around them, but I just quietly listened to the doctor and kept saying yes, yes. That’s how safe a mutant I am.”

“That’s a relief. Ugh, the cafeteria udon is disgustingly tasteless. Hey, Yoon Seohyun. Even if you’re treating the kids, cafeteria food is a bit much, isn’t it?” “Um… is it?” “This is the first time I’ve had cafeteria food from a senior treating me.” “Me too.”

Suyeon and Sihyun spoke to me with a slightly playful tone. I felt a bit embarrassed and lightly touched my hair. Their reactions made me feel somewhat at ease. The fact that they could joke around even after I told them I was a quite formidable mutant meant that I had become a bit more comfortable.

“If you have something you want to eat next time, let me know. I’ll treat you then.” “Wow! Really?” “Then I’ll pay for myself today.” “Come on, that’s a bit much. How expensive can cafeteria food be?”

“No, it’s not right to freeload twice.” “That’s right.” “Okay, then. Call me when you’re free later. Weekends are fine too.” “Hey, Seohyun. Where are you going after lunch?” “Let me see. I have a bit of free time according to my schedule.”

“Want to go to the department lounge? It’s about time other classmates start showing up there.” “Let’s do that. It’s more convenient to talk to everyone at once rather than meeting them separately later.” “Alright. Do you two want to come too?” “We have some free time in our schedule… Let’s go together!” “I’d like to join too!” “Great. Just a moment, let me text the other classmates. Oh, they’re already at the lounge. How about it, doesn’t it feel like you’re making your debut?”

“What idol am I? What debut…” “Honestly, if you went out as an idol right now, I’d be a devoted fan. With looks like that, agencies would be lining up for you.” “Stop it. An idol needs talent to be an idol. I’m just an ordinary person. Someone who needs special preparation even to speak in front of others.” “It’s a bit of a waste. With Senior Seohyun’s face, you could be a hugely successful actor.” “Actor? Not everyone can be an actor. I’ve never acted before. I didn’t even participate in a single play during elementary, middle, or high school.” “Oh come on, who knows? You might have a talent for acting.” “Or how about modeling?”

“What’s wrong with you people? Do you want me to be in the public eye that badly?” “Well… it might not be bad? I’d like to have a celebrity friend for once.” “That’s right! Wow, a department senior becoming a celebrity? I can’t resist that!” “Alright, alright, stop talking nonsense and let’s go to the lounge.”

What celebrity? That doesn’t make sense for someone who finds it bothersome to mingle with others.