ALL NOVEL Chapter 5.1
– “Bear beastman tears family apart… ‘Who told them to wander the mountains alone?’ Brutal murder of an entire family.”
– “Increase in ‘man-eating’ incidents by shark beastmen during summer.”
– “Unprovoked assault on a Seoul street by a ‘kangaroo beastman.’”
“Wow.”
I was slurping down a bowl of ramen while scrolling through beastman-related crime news. After seeing Choi Uma’s extraordinary physical abilities firsthand, I had to look up more about beastmen.
The stories where beastmen were the perpetrators were all terrifying. Carnivorous beastmen were often involved in murders or cannibalism, while more aggressive types frequently caused violent street altercations.
It had been 100 years since furries first entered Korea, and thanks to their infamous breeding capabilities, the beastman population was now significant. Naturally, this had led to an increase in interspecies conflicts and incidents of discrimination.
“Choi Uma might be a rabbit beastman, but she’s still scary.”
I couldn’t forget the image of her outrunning the elevator to the 5th floor like it was nothing.
According to my research, rabbits can rotate their eyes 360 degrees, have powerful hind legs capable of reaching speeds of 60–80 km/h, and possess a unique skeletal structure that allows them to roll without injury.
Apparently, when fighting, rabbits can deliver dozens of punches per second with their forelegs. “Doesn’t this just confirm that Choi Uma is a monster?”
“Rabbits are supposed to stay quiet unless they feel threatened or upset. So why does Choi Uma talk so much?”
The only memory I had of rabbits from my childhood was them constantly whining and trying to hump things. Turns out they’re terrifying animals in disguise. Considering how Choi Uma had asked for my help earlier, it was less a request and more of a command, wasn’t it?
“Ugh. I’m cursed to live as a pushover.”
As I wallowed in my misery, a KakaoTalk notification popped up. It was from Momyammi.
[Momyammi: Are we friends or something?]
“Huh? What’s her deal now?”
We’d never even spoken before, and now she was texting me with sharp words that could practically cut through the screen.
She wasn’t trying to challenge me to a text-based duel, was she? I decided to probe further.
[Me: What do you mean?]
[Momyammi: You made me vice president.]
“Oh, that’s what this is about?”
I thought she’d been staring at me so intently because she wanted to be picked, but I guess not. Still, asking if we were friends? It’s not like I got the president role because I’m besties with the TA!
[Me: Sorry, I was overwhelmed and just picked someone at random, haha.]
Even though I felt wronged, I chose to be the bigger person. Besides, cat beastmen are known to be the most sensitive and irritable, according to CC Inside’s Beastman Gallery forum. It’s better to avoid unnecessary drama.
[Momyammi: No apology.]
“What the hell?!”
I went out of my way to apologize, and she hits me with ‘No apology’? How rude!
[Momyammi: Churu.]
?
[Momyammi: No apology. Bring me Churu.]
“Do I owe you something?”
No, no, no. It’s not worth picking a fight with a classmate so early in the semester. Fine, I’ll just buy her a Churu and call it a day. Maybe it’ll help smooth things over.
“Plus, Momyammi is kind of cute.”
She was the prettiest of all the feline beastmen in our year. If I had to swallow my pride to get her a Churu, at least I’d get on her good side.
“Genius plan!”
Momyammi’s a cat beastman, and Choi Uma’s a rabbit beastman. In the food chain, cats are predators to rabbits. If I get close to Momyammi, maybe she’ll naturally push Choi Uma away for me!
Alright, decision made!
I, Joo Ji-hyuk, will become a pushover to shake off the infamous lecture hall rabbit!
[Me: Meet me at the convenience store now.]
[Momyammi: Ok.]
Her reply is so blunt!
Wallet in hand, I headed to the convenience store. As soon as I stepped outside, I could feel the eyes of the beastmen on me. But it didn’t matter. This time, I wasn’t alone!
“You’re here?”
“…”
Momyammi arrived not long after. She walked confidently while glued to her smartphone, her steps elegant and deliberate.
“She looks like the type to be late, but she’s surprisingly punctual.”
Not only was she the prettiest in our year, but she also respected appointment times. Impressive.
“Of course, the fact she’s on time is probably because of the Churu, but still.”
Momyammi stopped in front of me, her jewel-like blue eyes staring up at me. The way she gazed at me so intently made me feel strangely mesmerized. There was something oddly captivating about her.
“Shall we go in?” I asked, gesturing toward the convenience store.
The campus convenience store had glass walls all around, designed so the interior could be viewed from the hallway—for safety reasons, apparently.
Thanks to the design, the shelves stocked with Churu were visible even from outside. Momyammi glanced at the display of Churu inside, then shook her head.
“Not that.”
“Huh?”
“This.”
“What?!”
She suddenly showed me her smartphone screen.
Displayed on the screen was a website selling a box of Churu—15 packs for a whopping 100,000 won.
No way… this can’t be serious.
“This one.”
“What kind of Churu costs 100,000 won?! And you want me to buy this?”
“Yeah. Buy it for me.”
“Like hell I will!”
What kind of nonsense is this?!
I was ready to buy a convenience store Churu to foster good relations with a classmate, but now she pulls out some luxury 100,000-won Churu? Turns out she’s not a pedigree beastman; she’s a kimchi beastman!
“Why? You said you’d buy it. Keep your promise.”
“The Churu I was going to buy is the one in the convenience store, not this 100,000-won gourmet nonsense! I’m not buying that! What are you trying to do, extort me?!”
“Liar.”
“Unbelievable.”
Momyammi’s triangular black ears tilted back. Was she actually mad? Why was she angry when I should be the one pissed off?