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Chapter: 21
Igyeol placed a hand over his chest, exhaling a short breath of relief.
“I thought you’d never tell me.”
“Don’t change the subject.”
Hadam straightened his expression.
It was such an important topic that he could willingly overlook the incident of turning into a rabbit in front of Igyeol.
Igyeol adjusted his posture and sat up straight.
“I mean it literally. Every beastman I’ve seen has transformed into a bear, a wolf, a snake, or something like a goshawk. All of them were fierce predators.”
Hadam narrowed his brows and looked at Igyeol, then slowly shook his head from side to side.
“I just can’t understand it…”
“What can’t you understand?”
“You’re saying there really are beastmen who turn into bears or wolves?”
He couldn’t believe that there were other beastmen besides himself who could transform into animals.
This time, Igyeol tilted his head slightly.
“You can transform too, don’t you?”
The way he said it so nonchalantly was rather shocking.
Hadam wondered if he was joking, but the complete lack of playfulness in his expression made him stop that thought immediately.
The frustration Hadam had been feeling disappeared, leaving his mind in a whirl.
“Are you serious right now?”
“Why would I lie?”
Igyeol’s gaze at Hadam was intensely serious.
Honestly, even if it were a joke, he almost wanted to believe it.
“So, does that mean… you too…”
“I transform as well.”
Igyeol answered without the slightest hesitation.
Hadam repeated the question, stunned.
“…Into a tiger?”
He watched Igyeol quietly nod and drew in a deep breath.
So, the things he had heard at the artifact museum weren’t just hallucinations.
If it weren’t for the sedatives, his heart rate would have already been through the roof.
“Of course, you wouldn’t get to see it. It’s too dangerous.”
Igyeol added calmly, but Hadam only grew more impatient.
“Why? Why is it dangerous?”
“When I transform, my rationality fades. It’s not gone completely, but… sometimes I really become a beast.”
Hadam covered his mouth with both hands.
Yuna had been telling the truth.
Igyeol continued.
“That’s why it’s also fascinating. You seemed to stay rational. Right?”
“Yeah…”
“How is that possible? Always like that?”
“I’m not really sure. Anyway, I originally thought your story…”
Hadam took a deep breath. Each word trembled as it came out.
“I just can’t believe what you’re saying. No one’s ever told me anything like this.”
The pounding of his heart echoed in his ears.
Igyeol, seeming to ponder for a moment, finally spoke.
“If I were to give a reason, it’s top secret.”
“Top secret?”
“Yes. At Taebaekgwan… the beastmen there, myself included, are special management subjects.”
“Because it’s dangerous?”
“Not exactly dangerous to others, but the Taebaekgwan beastmen themselves could be in danger.”
“What kind of danger?”
“Imagine this. Suddenly transforming from a normal human into a mindless predator—people might attack you, and that alone would be reason enough to annihilate you immediately.”
“I see…”
It made sense. News of wild animals being shot in the city was not uncommon.
Curiosity kept spiraling.
“Then shouldn’t you also keep this from me? You said it’s top secret.”
“You’re in the same situation. If anything, I don’t understand why it should be a secret from you too.”
“Hm. As you said, it’s top secret, so no one at the main branch knows…”
Hadam hesitated even as he spoke.
Seeing Hadam trailing off, Igyeol smiled slightly.
“If you’re going to work at school, shouldn’t you know about the school?”
“You mean the teachers?”
“Yes. At least all the teachers know about the Taebaekgwan beastmen.”
“That’s not true. You’re mistaken.”
Hadam shook his head firmly.
Auntie wouldn’t have hidden this from him.
Inhwa knew Hadam’s struggles better than anyone.
“Auntie, why can’t I become a complete human like the others?”
“That’s the wrong question, Hadam. You’re not failing to become human—you can also become a rabbit. There’s a word called ‘unique.’ It means there’s only one in the world. Someone like you is one of a kind, making you precious and valuable.”
Those warm words that once comforted young Hadam suddenly felt hollow.
Had Igyeol lied?
He shrugged lightly.
“I don’t know why you’re so sure, but don’t trust it too much.”
“Don’t trust what?”
“The school.”
“That sounds really weird, you know? Trust the school or not? We just study and graduate, that’s it.”
“You’re not wrong, but we’re a bit special.”
We.
Who would have thought such an ordinary word could sound so strange?
“Well, maybe it’s different at the main branch… but at Taebaekgwan, it’s not just about studying and graduating.”
“What’s it like at Taebaekgwan?”
“You don’t need to know that.”
Igyeol, who had been answering willingly the whole time, refused to answer sharply.
He either didn’t want to say it or couldn’t say it.
Hadam nodded and changed the subject, having plenty to ask.
“I want to see it with my own eyes. That I’m not the only one who transforms into an animal.”
He gripped the blanket tightly. His trembling didn’t subside.
Even if it was dangerous, he wanted to meet them—the truly kindred beings.
“…Someday.”
Igyeol spoke slowly.
“When the opportunity arises. I’ll let you see. Doesn’t have to be me.”
Hadam looked at Igyeol quietly.
His eyes, dark as night, were endlessly calm—like the night sky Hadam loved.
He swallowed questions like when that ‘someday’ would be, or who else he’d meet if not Igyeol.
Instead, he offered his pinky.
“Okay. Promise me.”
Igyeol’s calm gaze fell upon the outstretched finger.
He smirked and lifted his hand. His long, strong finger gently looped around Hadam’s small one.
Warmth passed instantly through the touch.
His face felt hot, but he pretended not to notice.
Fortunately, Igyeol quickly let go, and before awkward silence could settle, he spoke again.
“I’m curious about something too.”
“What is it?”
“Can you smell pheromones from me?”
“Pheromones?”
Hadam twitched his eyebrows.
Even though they could transform, pheromones? It sounded ridiculous.
If anyone else had asked, it might have been offensive.
But it was Do Igyeol.
“I’ve never noticed anything like that.”
“Both as a human and as an animal?”
“Of course. I’m basically human. How could I detect the information signals animals use?”
“Pheromones don’t just communicate information.”
Igyeol immediately corrected him. But from Hadam’s perspective, it still sounded meaningless.
If he couldn’t sense them in the first place, what use is knowing their function?
“Why so serious? Have you smelled them?”
It was an almost reflexive question, like returning a greeting automatically.
His reaction, however, was unexpected.
After a brief hesitation, Igyeol nodded.
Hadam’s eyes widened.
“…Really? Seriously? No joke?”
“Why bring it up now?”
Igyeol touched his chin.
“I sometimes lose rationality, so maybe I seem more animal-like than you.”
“Are you talking about real animal pheromones? Or just beastman pheromones?”
“Beastman.”
“Just you?”
“No, all the Taebaekgwan beastmen can sense it.”
“Wow… insane…”
Hadam instinctively covered his mouth with both hands. Igyeol tilted his head.
“Your reaction is extreme. Is it really that surprising?”
“Ah, sorry. Did I offend you?”
“Not really.”
Igyeol spoke as if it was nothing, but Hadam scolded himself.
Treating someone like they were strange or unusual was rude.
As he had learned over the years.
Hadam, wary of Igyeol’s reaction, carefully spoke again.
“Then… can you sense my pheromones too?”
“Yeah.”
The immediate answer left him speechless again.
Even among the same kind, they could be so different.
Trying not to reveal too much curiosity, he continued.
“Is it different from a human scent? What about mine?”
“Totally different. Your pheromones…”
Igyeol paused mid-sentence.a
