18-144

EP.144 Season 2 Prologue 

It was around 7 PM, and the evening was slowly darkening. Five men were walking down the street, bickering with each other. 

"Damn it, how did you mess up there?" "What are you talking about? If you had just cooperated, we would have won." "Shut up, all of you. I'm furious because I lost the promotion match." 

Jun-ha, with his hands deep in his pockets, spat on the ground irritably. People around them walked away, fearing trouble might erupt. 

"Ugh, I'm in a terrible mood." 

Normally, Jun-ha would have picked a fight with anyone, but there wasn't anyone who seemed like an easy target. 

"Let's just go drink together. I'll pay." 

"Okay!" 

"Typical Jun-ha!" 

His friends cheered him on, as they always did when they hung out with him, the rich kid. They enjoyed the benefits of being friends with him, like getting expensive whiskey that ordinary college students would never get to drink. 

"Let's go!" 

"Whoo!" 

The friends followed Jun-ha to the bar, showing off exaggerated actions. 

--- 

"Is the Shared Facility System Okay as It Is?" 

A TV debate program was discussing the Shared Facility System, a hot topic. 

A beautiful female host explained, "Today, we're discussing the Shared Facility System. We have Researcher Lee Sang-ho from the facility and Kim Min-jung, the leader of the anti-Shared Facility protests." 

Sang-ho, a pale man with glasses, looked like someone who had spent his life studying. His strict expression intimidated others. 

Min-jung, on the other hand, was a young woman with a sharp jawline and cat-like features. She wore a simple ponytail and no makeup, which surprisingly drew many fans, even creating a fan cafe despite being a protest leader. 

"Let's hear from the pro-Shared Facility side first." 

"Yes, I'm Researcher Lee Sang-ho. Honestly, I don't have much to say. The reason for the Shared Facility System is well-known to everyone in Korea." 

Everyone nodded in agreement. The system was created to solve the low birth rate problem by enforcing the Sanryeok Act, which made childbirth mandatory for women. Initially, there was resistance, but it became a successful policy as birth rates surged after its implementation. 

"Okay, let's hear from the anti-Shared Facility side." 

"Yes, I'm Kim Min-jung. Honestly, if it could solve the low birth rate problem, I would support the system. But why do I oppose it?" 

Min-jung's passionate words made the atmosphere tense. She continued, "As women, we don't have human rights as female livestock, and we're forced to bear children for men. What kind of crazy woman would support that?" 

Sang-ho responded, "If you follow the Sanryeok Act, you won't become female livestock. The chance of being forced into it is only 1 in 1,000. Otherwise, it's either by choice for financial reasons or for serious criminals. Public toilets for semen collection are limited to criminals. While we can sympathize with these women, do we need to have excessive pity for them as they try to atone for their crimes?" 

Min-jung was 22 and had avoided mandatory conscription. Sang-ho wondered why she was leading protests instead of fulfilling her duties before turning 30. 

Min-jung argued, "I'm fine, so don't worry about me. It's this selfish mindset that keeps the Shared Facility System alive." 

Sang-ho acknowledged her point but questioned her motives. Min-jung stated, "I oppose the system because of its atrocities." 

The researcher's expression changed, and the host seemed tense. 

Min-jung mentioned stories of innocent women framed and turned into female livestock, along with numerous atrocities committed by the facilities. However, she lacked evidence to present. 

Sang-ho warned her about making reckless statements, but Min-jung was confident, slamming her hand on the table. The Shared Facility couldn't touch her because she had risen too high, and her claims could become true if anything happened to her. 

--- 

Jun-ha turned off the TV with the remote, annoyed by the program. 

"Damn it, what kind of broadcast is this? It's ruining the taste of our drinks." 

He downed his whiskey in one gulp, frowning. 

His friends agreed, criticizing the system and women who opposed it. 

Jun-ha and his friends were discussing the Shared Facility System when someone mentioned his father being the director. 

"Hey, have you heard any news? About our university goddess, Heo Seong-ah... There's still a video of her being taken to the Shared Facility naked on Sectube." 

Jun-ha's expression changed as he remembered Heo Seong-ah. He had seen her farewell ceremony just hours ago and smiled, thinking about her being his toy. 

The friends continued talking about Heo Seong-ah, but Jun-ha didn't reveal that she was now his property. He wanted to keep it to himself for a while. 

At 9 PM, Jun-ha received a text that a package from the Shared Facility had arrived at his home. 

"I should get going." 

"Why so early?" 

"I'm a busy person, you know." 

Jun-ha stood up, pulled out his wallet, and handed his friends 20 checks of 100,000 won each. It was a generous amount for five friends to drink with, but Jun-ha was in a good mood. 

"Take the rest and split it among yourselves. I'm leaving." 

"Are you really going? How about another round at your place?" 

"Sorry, but don't come to my house anymore. I've got a new pet, and it'll take some time to train it." 

"What kind of pet? A lion or a tiger?" 

"You don't need to know." 

Jun-ha left with a smile, giving his friends the middle finger. 

His friends continued drinking, enjoying themselves more without him. 

--- 

Jun-ha's house was a remodeled villa in a forest far from the city. He stumbled in, drunk, and found a large wooden box at the entrance. 

He had been waiting for this toy, and his face lit up with a smile. 

"Let's open it." 

There was no need to wait anymore. He blew air and opened the box.