Chapter 15

The next day, my prediction that reporters might set up camp in front of the College of Humanities at Hankuk University didn’t come true.

Meaning, while a few students came to see me, not a single reporter was in sight.

“Hey, wasn’t that obvious?”

“What’s obvious?”

The guy next to me, Yoo Han-gyeol, spoke up. He looked at me like I was asking the most ridiculous question.

“Do you even know what might happen if someone pisses off a mutant? Especially you, who managed to take down that terrifying Minotaur-type Mutant.”

“…Is that true?”

“Yeah. I doubt anyone would dare point a camera directly at you. They might try to secretly photograph you from the shadows, but not openly.”

“But when did Korean paparazzi become so gentlemanly? Last I heard, three months ago, they didn’t care about stuff like that.”

“Ah, right. There was an incident where a tabloid pissed off a mutant, and three of their reporters died on the spot. Oh, and guess what? That mutant was the same Minotaur you buried.”

“…Really?”

“It’s not for nothing that you’re on the wanted list. The journalists who witnessed the Minotaur’s terrifying power firsthand won’t come near you easily. You turned it into nothing but pieces.”

“It must’ve been quite the mess.”

“So, probably there’ll be some articles circulating around about the ‘Hankuk University Mutant,’ but I doubt anyone will dare ask you for an interview.”

“Thankfully. Speaking of which, my younger sibling told me yesterday that the gossip about me has already spread to the business department.”

“Really? So, does that mean your sibling is also at Hankuk University?”

“Yeah, Hankuk University Business. Didn’t I mention that?”

“You didn’t. Is she pretty?”

“What kind of answer do you expect from me, someone who is her older brother? And I already have a girlfriend.”

“I’ve been out of the game for a long time.”

“Oh, really?”

“My heart hurts, so don’t ask anymore.”

“Alright. Anyway, I thought journalists would be swarming around the humanities building since everyone on the university forums is talking about me. I was braced for endless handshakes.”

“Ha, good for you.”

“What do you plan on doing after this?”

“I don’t know. I’m free today.”

“Wow, so jealous.”

“What about you?”

“Well, I have to catch up on my major courses. I should’ve finished them last semester.”

“Aren’t you taking any general education classes this semester?”

“I’ve pretty much finished my gen-eds. I pushed them to the back when I was focused on playing around in the first and second years. I wouldn’t have if I knew this would happen.”

“Guess you’ll be a great example for the underclassmen, right?”

“Why?”

“You should warn them to take care of their major requirements even during their freshman and sophomore years, using you as a counterexample.”

“Anyway, aren’t you at all curious about what your female classmates are up to? They were asking about you.”

“Why would I care? They were the ones who sided with those jerks and tried to drag me down, or the ones who stayed silent and let it happen.”

“True…”

“It’s not like they’ll ever graduate now anyway. I’d rather they just graduate quickly. Honestly, if I meet them around campus, I might really kill them.”

“I’m actually kind of scared because I think you might really do it.”

“I said it metaphorically. And you knew exactly what I went through!”

“True…”

“Especially Ahn Ye-in. If I ever meet her, tell her to never cross my path. She should count herself lucky that I’m trying to control my urges. Even if I don’t kill her, I can easily leave her with disabilities that make life miserable. As for others, I could let them slide, but her? If I see her, I’ll roast her alive.”

Ahn Ye-in. It’s been a while since I last thought about her.

She was a senior’s girlfriend who I was set against, and after that incident, she went around spreading all sorts of nasty rumors and false accusations about me.

If it was just the rumors, I wouldn’t be this angry, but…

She and her senior plotted to frame me as a sexual assaulter.

Thankfully, with the help of Professor Shin Jeong-min, who knew I had nothing to do with her, I avoided trouble…

But just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine.

My first-year academic life completely fell apart because of her. In fact, I consider myself lucky that it only ruined my studies and didn’t destroy my whole life.

“Was that a joke?”

“Does it sound like one?”

Suddenly, my hair began to catch fire at the ends.

I clicked my tongue. Guess my emotions got out of control.

“Wow! What’s wrong?”

“Sorry. Emotions got the better of me for a moment…”

“I see. If I ever see her, I’ll tell her what you said. Honestly, you guys probably won’t meet anyway.”

“Ask the others too.”

“…Alright.”

It’s not a matter of society’s perception of mutants. She almost ruined my entire life. I’m restraining myself now only out of good luck.

If she ever shows up in front of me… I’m not sure how long my sanity will hold.

The place Si-hyun recommended was definitely worth it. I didn’t expect the food to taste this good.

Dipping naan into chicken curry was pure bliss.

Would you say this is value for money?

The plain yogurt we had for dessert was subtle yet rich, making it perfect.

It was, in short, a thoroughly satisfying meal.

“Wow, that was amazing.”

“Great to hear, senior. Thank you so much. Let me get us coffee next time.”

“Sure. Do you want to come again? We have similar schedules after Tuesday lunch anyway.”

“Heck yeah, that’d be great.”

As we walked towards the College of Humanities, chatting cheerfully, I could feel people’s gazes. Even at the curry shop earlier, I noticed many stares.

It’s understandable; mutants aren’t exactly common, and the Dragon-type Mutant has been a topic of hot discussion on the Hankuk University forums.

If someone tried to talk to me, it might be awkward, but no one did.

It’s only natural for people to gossip among themselves. I’ll let it slide.

How many people wouldn’t feel uneasy around someone like me now?

Given the current distorted public perception of mutants…

“Be careful with that professor’s class. I’m not sure if there’ll be a group project this semester, but there probably will. He seems to enjoy watching students suffer.”

“Oh no…”

“If you can manage to team up, we should work together. Before I became a mutant, I used to carry my group projects. While my ppt skills might not be perfect, every group project I did during my second year got an A+. My classmates can vouch for it.”

“Hmm… I don’t want to seem like a freeloader…”

“I’ll definitely assign you research tasks. That alone will be enough. You’re a freshman after all. Or, if you want, we can practice making ppt presentations at my place later?”

“Yes! Thank you so much!”

Si-hyun is just a really nice person to be around. I’m naturally talkative when I’m comfortable, and Si-hyun seems to appreciate it as well.

Maybe our personalities really do mesh well.

After the classes ended, I sent Si-hyun home and headed toward mine.

Up until this point, it looked like I was having an uneventful yet fairly satisfying day.

Why satisfying?

Because, well…

I ran into someone I never wanted to see again in my university life.

Ahn Ye-in.

The woman who tried to drag my life into the abyss.