34-13

Chapter 13: Pyeon Minhee (End) 

“....” 

She arrived at ‘that place.’ 

It was a bit far from home, but fortunately, it was in Seoul, so she could take the subway. 

‘This is definitely the place...’ 

Checking the map, the building matched. But it wasn’t a plastic surgery clinic, pilates studio, or beauty salon. 

[ Ja-Ae Cult ] 

Yes. It was the headquarters of the controversial cult that had been in the news lately. 

They owned a roughly 20-story building, not in the heart of Seoul but still impressive. 

‘...Should I just go back?’ 

As usual, she seriously considered running away. 

Online, she was as fierce as any keyboard warrior, but in reality she shrank back immediately. Without the shield of the internet, she was endlessly timid. 

‘No, those bitches have to pay!’ 

But her anger was enough to swallow her fear, and she pressed on. 

There was nothing on the first floor, so she took the elevator to the second. 

Ding  

[2nd floor.] 

“Welcome! What brings you here today?” 

“...Um, I, uh, I came because of the reviews...” 

“Oh, you saw the reviews our sisters left! One moment~? Please fill out this form and have a seat~” 

“.......” 

Like at a doctor’s office, the receptionist handed her a form to fill with her personal information. 

She awkwardly filled it out, then sat nearby. Looking around, she noticed everyone bustling about looked just like the “slutty” women she’d seen at Hyehwa Station. 

‘Forcing women to dress like that...’ 

She didn’t know who “Director Lee Jinwoo” was, but she thought he must be ruthless. 

The only “normal” people here were her and another woman nearby looking at her phone. 

Out of habit, she evaluated the woman next to her as she always did with male celebrities. 

‘...She could totally be a “gat-chi.”’ 

She felt a sense of affinity. If only she were more outgoing, she could have recruited her as a feminist warrior... Too bad. 

“Pyeon Minhee~!” 

“...Yes?” 

“Are you Pyeon Minhee?” 

“...Yes.” 

“Hello, I’m counselor Kim Mijin~ Please come this way~” 

“.......” 

The counselor led her to a consultation room: a desk, a monitor, and seats facing each other. 

“Ah, yes! According to your form, you’re here for a consultation about your appearance, right?” 

“...Yes.” 

“Our leader er, director is a plastic surgery specialist, but not the usual kind of surgery~.” 

  The director has a superpower related to beauty, so if you’re worried about belly fat or looks... our director can solve it instantly! No side effects~ Actually, most sisters say they feel healthier afterwards! In my opinion... your appearance potential is just hidden right now! With our director’s power, you can maximize your hidden beauty! 

“Ah... um...” 

  But our director is the only one in the world with this power, so it’s a bit pricey... Are you a student, by any chance? 

“......Yes.” 

  Oh, that’s great~! We actually have a special event for hardworking students! Today’s the last day, so you came just in time! Students are usually broke, right? So we’re offering a full discount! Our director isn’t just about money~! Some people are suspicious because it’s free, but we see it as an investment for the future, so we help students! If you book now, you’ll see a new you in just a week! 

“...I just wanted a consultation...” 

  Oh, come on! Today’s the last day of the full-discount event, you might never get another chance! I call you “customer,” but you feel like a little sister to me! Honestly, I don’t know how we make money on this, but the director insists and wants us to spread the word! If you come back next time, you’ll have to pay 20 million won! That’s how amazing this event is! Isn’t it better to do it now? 

“R-really?” 

  Of course! You saw all the reviews, right? Everyone maximizing their appearance potential! Isn’t it beautiful? You can do it too! People say the best plastic surgery is dieting, but... we do diet + surgery at the same time! No pain or side effects! It takes less than five minutes! Isn’t our director’s superpower amazing? 

“Then... how...” 

  Great decision! You don’t have to do anything special, just read and sign this contract! Wow~ you’re really lucky! I had the surgery myself and was so grateful I started working here! 

Scratch, scratch  

“I... I signed it...” 

“Great job! Go to the counter and they’ll tell you your next appointment!” 

“...Okay.” 

Step, step  

“Yes~ Ms. Pyeon Minhee, can you come at this time next week?” 

“...Yes.” 

“Okay~ All set! See you next week!” 

“.......” 

[1st floor.] 

...What just happened? I came here to dig up information... 

It all went by in a blur. Like time sped up. 

‘The time...’ 

Huh? Only five minutes passed? 

It felt like much longer... 

‘Was it just my imagination...’ 

A week later  

‘.......’ 

Sigh  

‘I can’t believe I’m coming back here...’ 

Maybe something had changed in her heart. 

She’d sworn she wouldn’t come back, but found herself in front of the Ja-Ae Cult building. 

Ding-dong ... [2nd floor] 

"Uh... um... appointment..." 

"Ah, your name?" 

"Pyeon Minhee..." 

"Okay, come this way~" 

"...Yes." 

Strangely, she couldn’t say anything here. Was it the people’s energy? Or... 

‘Elevator?’ 

There was another elevator on the second floor. 

"Now, you’ll meet the director~ You’re the last one today." 

Huh? The last? Don’t these places usually run until evening? It’s only about 2 p.m... 

Ding-dong  

"Okay, getting off~" 

"......Gasp!!" 

The elevator opened into a space that defied the building’s limits. 

Hundreds of people were lined up to enter a single place. 

It looked like... products on a conveyor belt. 

[Next, please come in] 

Shuffle  

People moved, but despite the hundreds, there was no sound. 

‘...Is this superpower too?’ 

It was bizarre. 

Superpowered people are respected in society. 

But they’re not usually free enough to use their powers for trivial things like this. 

Especially not on such a large scale. 

And in my line, there were all kinds of people. 

Old women, young women, ugly, pretty, average, fat women. 

Only women were here. 

Even if men avoid plastic surgery, could the ratio really be this extreme? 

"......." 

What do I do? Should I run? 

But I was overwhelmed by the strange atmosphere and couldn’t move. 

All I could do was accept my fate like a pig being led to slaughter... 

"...Don’t worry too much, okay?" 

Smile  

  It’ll all work out. 

A warm, reassuring voice. 

But I still couldn’t calm down. 

Time passed  

Eventually, everyone before me went in, and it was finally my turn. 

'...?' 

It was a single room. 

"...Huh?" 

A studio-sized room, somehow familiar, with a kitchen, a computer by the bed... 

"This is... my room." 

But unlike my real room, there wasn’t a mountain of trash. 

Was it a hallucination? Or a dream? When did this happen? 

  Welcome. 

"?!" 

Someone was there. 

"You’re Ms. Pyeon Minhee, right?" 

He knew my name. No way... 

"Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Jinwoo, here to help you transform." 

...So this is Lee Jinwoo... 

He’s pretty handso no, no. 

  You must have suffered a lot. 

He’s ugly! And he looks like he smells! 

  But now, it’s okay. 

Wait... looking again, he seems normal... 

"I’m going to save you." 

Ssssss  

‘...I don’t think I’m in my right mind...’ 

Puff  

...Spray? 

"......." 

  How do you feel? 

  How does it feel to be reborn? 

‘Ah...’ 

The man’s thing in front of me looks so delicious. Like my favorite hot dog. 

As if hypnotized, I approached Lee Jinwoo... 

And, like old lovers reunited, we started having sex without a hint of awkwardness.