By Zephyria Yumin wanted to run towards the man immediately. But it was too embarrassing to approach him with his cock hard. What should I do? Should I just walk past him like this? The most handsome man of the century?
It was the moment he was contemplating grabbing the hem of his sleeve and speaking to him.
He strode into the entrance of
Gasp. Yumin’s small mouth dropped open to four times its usual size.
Even as he watched the handsome man walk into
Once he could walk, Yumin emerged from behind the utility pole and started running towards the chicken place.
“Hup!”
Yumin’s ancestor was from Africa. Though small in stature, they were a nightmare-like, ferocious predator: the Black-footed wildcat.
It’s a strong wild animal with a success rate of over 60% once it sets out on a hunt.
Yumin took great pride in his lineage.
Do you know why our paw pads are black?!
Yumin asked himself.
They evolved deliberately with black paws to withstand the hot desert sand. Ordinary cats are utterly weak. They long ago bowed their heads to humans. Naturally, cats’ paw pads stopped at a pale pink.
But we are valiant hunters. We possess black paws forged by wild DNA.
Therefore, I will hunt that man….! You are now my prey.
As Yumin ran quickly and flung open the bar door, he saw the handsome man’s back as he ascended the stairs. Yumin followed his movements, carefully maintaining a suitable distance but not losing sight of him.
The man entered the second-floor hall first. Instantly, a hundred students turned to look at the single individual. Short screams, cheers, and murmurs erupted all at once.
‘Gasp.’
‘What is that!!’
‘…Ah, damn it, who is he.’
The reactions from the freshmen and the sunbaes were varied. Many gushed about how handsome he was, and some were moved by his beauty, like a miraculous work of art. Of course, many males, sensing the appearance of a superior male, became wary and grumbled.
“Tae-jun! Why are you so late?”
“Beom Tae-jun. All the drinks got cold waiting for you.”
The people sitting at the innermost table called out to the man. Yumin had heard earlier that the table was for alumni from the foreign language high school. So, he guessed the man named Beom Tae-jun was also their classmate.
“Yeah.”
Beom Tae-jun lightly waved his hand and then walked towards that table. Behind him, with his long legs striding, Yumin trailed along.
“I got a bit delayed, you know.”
“Just sit down already.”
Beom Tae-jun’s friends chided him with smirks. And the moment Beom Tae-jun sat in the only remaining seat, Yumin pushed his way in.
“Hi! I’m Go Yumin. I’m a freshman and active duty.”
“Uh…? Yeah. I’m Beom Tae-jun.”
“Nice name. Shall we hang out?”
Yumin grinned and picked up a plastic chair nearby. Then, he squeezed it into the narrow space next to Tae-jun. There was no room for a person to sit, but Yumin was a persistent beastman. He forcefully shoved the chair into the corner and sat down.
Beom Tae-jun’s friends reacted with confusion to Yumin’s sudden intrusion.
‘…Isn’t that the guy who was stumbling around earlier, drinking a lot? Why is he sitting here all of a sudden?’
They tilted their heads, but Tae-jun smiled naturally. As if welcoming a new acquaintance, as if happy to meet someone new. It was hard to discern if that smile was an expression of deep and sincere emotion, but Yumin’s heart trembled as if hit by an earthquake.
“Sure. Let’s hang out.”
Wow… I thought he’d be arrogant because he’s so handsome, but he’s kind. And how can his smiling face be so beautiful?
Yumin was mesmerized by Tae-jun’s beauty. He was like a handsome youth from Greek mythology, with a captivating and alluring smile. Or like a flower in full, glorious bloom.
He’s dazzling. I’ll have to wear sunglasses next time I see him.
The second floor of the old bar wasn’t very comfortable, and the lighting was dim. Amidst it all, Beom Tae-jun shone alone like a chandelier. As Yumin stared blankly at Tae-jun, a gruff voice was heard.
“What are freshmen doing? You should come find your sunbaes and buy them a drink.”
“Kids these days are different from when we were around. They’ve lost their discipline.”
Yumin recognized them immediately. The two men were third-year students who had returned after their military service. They had been loudly recounting their army stories earlier, so the surrounding freshmen were avoiding them.
“Ah, yes. Sunbaes.”
Tae-jun’s friends bowed their heads perfunctorily. Their intention to assert dominance was obvious, and they wanted to wrap things up quickly and get rid of the sunbaes.
“Since you’re precious freshmen, your sunbae will mix you a drink. Have one each.The shorter student returning from military service poured about half a glass of beer and filled the rest with soju. As he stuck a chopstick into the soju-beer mix, prepared in a 1:1 ratio, it foamed up. Tae-jun’s friends looked slightly displeased but still drank it down.
“You said your name was Beom Tae-jun, right? You have one too.The returning student wearing horn-rimmed glasses placed a glass in front of Tae-jun with a loud clatter and mixed a soju-bomb. It clearly had a much higher soju content than his friends’ drinks. The implication was that he should undergo a proper initiation. Tae-jun’s friends, and even the next table, watched with concern.
Tae-jun looked up at the sunbae, then, after a short pause, replied simply.
“I drove here today. Unfortunately, I can’t drink.”
“What?”
“Please understand.”
Tae-jun smiled smoothly. His face was too polite to curse at or spit on. That polished face only provoked the returning students further.
“Hey, if your sunbae tells you to drink, you drink.”
“Walk or take a taxi. That’s how freshmen are supposed to be.The returning students shook their drinking glasses. In truth, they were angry that Beom Tae-jun wasn’t obeying them, but the fact that a twenty-year-old was driving was even more irritating. Judging by his expensive-looking clothes and well-groomed style, he didn’t seem to have stolen his dad’s car. He must surely own an expensive sedan. With that thought, the returning students began to fume.
“Drink up, Hubae.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Drink it!”
Just then. A white hand snatched the drinking glass. It was Yumin, sitting next to Tae-jun, who had grabbed the glass. His hand movement was so fast, it was like watching a wild animal hunt.
“What the hell are you?”
“I am Tae-jun’s black knight.”
“What knight? Hey, what are you doing!”
Yumin didn’t even give the other person time to answer. He opened his throat and poured the alcohol down. Both the watching students and Tae-jun stared at him in surprise.
After draining the last drop into his small mouth, Yumin roughly wiped his lips with the back of his hand.
“Hoo…!”
Since he had already gotten drunk once about thirty minutes ago, the alcohol spread through his entire body as soon as it entered. But Yumin instinctively felt it. This was the moment to leave a strong impression on Beom Tae-jun.
“Why are you drinking it?”
“You said you couldn’t drink. That’s what friends are for. I’m your black knight tonight, Tae-jun!”
Yumin patted his chest, reassuring Tae-jun.
“Hmm… Really? I’m grateful, but is that okay?”
Tae-jun asked with a slight furrow in his brow, looking worried. Seeing his face filled with awkwardness, apology, and embarrassment, Yumin felt a surge of protectiveness.
“It’s more than okay. Bring it on, all of you!”
Yumin shouted in a clear, ringing voice. The returning students let out disbelieving laughs.
A wild drinking party ensued. While Yumin engaged in a drinking battle with the returning students, Tae-jun occasionally fed Yumin snacks. He even fed him french fries directly with his hand, not using a fork or spoon.
Tae-jun’s wrist emitted a remarkably elegant and enchanting scent. Yumin swallowed the french fries, enduring the lump in his throat.
“Eat while drinking water.”
Tae-jun’s voice was deep and resonant, contrasting with his beautiful and striking appearance. And his tone was gentle, so Yumin ignored the fact that he had reached his limit and kept drinking.
Hmm… Beom Tae-jun seems to have a good disposition. He looks gentle and calm. It’s hard to evaluate accurately because I’m not sober right now… but my first impression is pure sexiness.
Beom Tae-jun. I personally must meet you. I will take you on a sweet date, just the two of us. When would be a good time for sex? If you’re okay with it, I want to do it as soon as possible….
Yumin accepted another french fry, dreaming of a rosy future. Then, Tae-jun, who had leaned close to Yumin, briefly lost his balance.
“Oops.”
Tae-jun’s large hand landed on Yumin’s left thigh. Yumin flinched, startled. He had landed precisely where he shouldn’t have.
“Yumin-ah, sorry.”
“It’s okay. It was an accident.”
Yumin smiled like a magnanimous man. Though objectively, it looked like a happy cat purring.
Yumin felt embarrassed by the situation but thought it couldn’t be helped.
Beom Tae-jun. Sorry for surprising you. I’m quite… substantial, aren’t I?
My true form weighs only 2kg, and even as a human, I have a frail build, but I have no shame when it comes to reproduction.
Yumin straightened his shoulders and puffed out his chest.
Tae-jun looked at his proud profile, then his gaze fixed on his smiling lips.
Yumin’s lips were very small and slightly plump. They were glistening with frying oil around the edges, and there was even a drop of ketchup on one side.
As Tae-jun chuckled, Yumin turned his head.
“Huh?”
“No, nothing. Want more fries?”
“Yeah!”
Yumin bit into a long french fry, smiling brightly. The moment he bit into the french fry, Yumin’s lips brushed against Tae-jun’s index finger. It was a firm, mature hand. Yumin felt a jolt at the sudden contact, but Tae-jun’s face remained serene.
Ahem. Get a grip. I shouldn’t be trembling over such a small bit of skinship.
However, Yumin was gradually losing self-control. His eyes darted to the beautiful Beom Tae-jun, and his hands were busy holding his drinking glass. The stimulating elements numbed Yumin’s mind.
Alcohol was something he had only experienced once before, a bowl of dongdongju as a snack while helping with farm work, so Yumin didn’t know his tolerance. And he hadn’t expected to drink this much.
Even though he was mature and sensible for his age, the alcohol made him slack-jawed. At some point, Yumin consumed more alcohol than his permissible limit.
So, he completely forgot the ‘absolute warning’ that the adults had given him.
Wildcat beastmen have a fatal weakness. They are congenitally unable to control acute animalization well. Therefore, they had to be careful not to lose consciousness suddenly.
‘Yumin-ah. No matter what, you must not faint. Your true form could be revealed at that moment.’
His uncle had told him this until his ears bled while Yumin prepared to study in Seoul.
However, Yumin, whose rational judgment was impaired, couldn’t recall the advice. All he could think about was how to impress Beom Tae-jun.
Hmm. Tae-jun seems a bit bored. In dramas, at times like this, they go out alone to buy ice cream and tell jokes. Or they go for a walk while drinking beverages… Should I try it too?
“Tae-jun. Don’t you want a drink?”
“Me? Why all of a sudden?”
“I’m going to buy a drink at the convenience store just ahead. Want to come out?”
“Hmm….”
Tae-jun hesitated to answer. Please fall for it, Yumin prayed inwardly.
But then, Kim Hye-mi, a second-year student and a student council executive, approached their table.
“We need to do an interim settlement. Can someone help count the empty bottles?”
“I’ll do it.”
“You will? Thanks, Hubae Tae-jun!”
Yumin was a little upset that Tae-jun volunteered to help with the cleanup. But he understood. Of the eight people sitting at the table, Tae-jun was the only one who hadn’t been drinking, making him the most suitable person to count the bottles.
Yumin was now seeing three bottles, then five.
“Tae-jun, I’ll buy you a drink too.”
Yumin stood up from his plastic chair. He stumbled, making a scraping sound between the floor and the chair.
“Whoa. He’s drunk.”
“Go Yumin, are you okay?”
His peers at the same table, who had been drinking with him, expressed concern.
But the truly drunk person never thinks they are drunk.
“Yeah. I’m totally fine!”
Even if he walks in a Z-pattern, even if he can’t even gather his belongings, he believes he’s fine. It was a typical symptom of someone who had gone too far.
Yumin left the drinking party, leaving his phone, wallet, and even his jacket exactly where they were.
“Con…venience store… was definitely here…”
Yumin accidentally came out the back door of the bar instead of the front. The convenience store was visible if he went out to the main road on the opposite side, but he was too drunk to think logically.
It’ll show up if I look carefully. I’ll search every nook and cranny. The second floor, the third floor… it might be on a higher floor!
Yumin, gripped by absurd thoughts, wandered through the back alleys. The streetlights were all broken, making the surroundings dark, and there were few people, giving it a desolate atmosphere.
The early March night air was cold. Yumin regretted coming out in just a thin t-shirt and hunched his body.
And at that moment, goosebumps prickled all over his body. Yumin felt a dizzying sensation, as if falling off a sheer cliff.
“Gasp.”
His vision instantly turned yellow. Not figuratively, but as if a yellow filter had been placed before his eyes, everything in his sight appeared in shades of yellow. His head spun, and he couldn’t stand up straight. Yumin swayed and then collapsed in an instant.
He knew it with his beastman’s instinctive intuition.
I’m screwed.
I can’t lose consciousness like this… Ugh. I can’t regain my senses. If this continues, acute animalization will come… I’ll turn into a wildcat right here.
His eyes kept closing, and his consciousness became hazy. In his blurred vision, black, plump paws finally appeared. He had become a wildcat.
Then, Yumin blacked out like a unplugged electronic device.
Thirty minutes later, someone emerged from the back door of the bar. It was Tae-jun.
He took a cigarette from his trench coat pocket and put it in his mouth. Then, as he reached for his lighter, a cold raindrop landed on the bridge of his nose.
Tae-jun frowned and held out his palm to the air. A drizzling rain was falling.
He chewed on the filter without lighting it, then threw the cigarette into a trash can. As he turned to leave with a bored expression, his eyes caught sight of a black, round object.
The object was lying at his feet. Tae-jun bent down, looked at the black thing, and immediately recognized its identity.
“Ah.”
It was a cat lying on its side, eyes closed. Its body was a deep brown overall, with dark spots, making it resemble a leopard at first glance.
“Oh dear. Are you hurt, kitty?”
To Tae-jun, the cat seemed to be suffering. Its whole body was limp and listless, and its plump, long, whip-like tail trembled incessantly.
“…It’s raining, too.”
As if on cue, the raindrops grew heavier. It looked like the drizzle was turning into a downpour. Tae-jun carefully picked up the cat. It was small enough to be lifted lightly.
“Let’s go to my place.”
He held the cat, wet with mud, in his arms and wrapped it well with the hem of his trench coat. Feeling the warmth, the small cat twitched its black paws. Tae-jun firmly secured the collar of his coat to protect the cat from the rain and then headed straight for the main road. It was a ten-minute walk from the five-way intersection behind the bar to Tae-jun’s officetel.
“We’ll be there soon, kitty. Just wait a little.”
Tae-jun moved with long strides and started walking towards the neighborhood where the officetel was located. He wasn’t driving the car mentioned earlier. He hadn’t brought it. The car had been sitting in the officetel parking lot all day.
Why bother bringing the car when I live only a ten-minute walk away? Those fools who believed me literally, pathetic.
Tae-jun chuckled briefly, hugging the cat tightly.