Seoul Dragon - Chapter 25

She never intended to become a designer from the start. No, she had been living in a world completely detached from design.

That was the kind of person Seo Jin-ha was.

The daughter of a well-off family with a father who was a National Assembly member.

She lived her life being moderately mindful of public opinion and maintaining reasonably impressive credentials.

A person who wasn't particularly dissatisfied with her life, living comfortably and happily.

The change in her life came early this year, from the moment she became a mutant.

An Arachne-type mutant.

Mutation period: 1 month.

Jin-ha, who mutated relatively earlier than other mutants, soon realized she had developed a new urge.

Specifically, to create things using the special thread she produced from her fingertips.

This urge was the kind that couldn't be overcome, so she constantly made things with the thread from her fingertips.

Whether her aesthetic sense had naturally improved with her mutation or not, the pieces she created were at the level of masterpieces.

So Jin-ha's father outright asked her:

'Should I set up a clothing store for you?'

'I'd like that.'

And that's how she came to own a clothing store.

Word of her store spread widely.

It was only natural. Clothes made from thread directly produced by an Arachne-type mutant.

Couldn't they be considered the only ones of their kind in the world?

Many people coveted her clothes, captivated by their rarity and beauty.

Moreover, unlike ordinary spider silk, the web she produced was so sturdy that it couldn't be torn by normal human strength, didn't burn in fire, and didn't get wet in water.

Additionally, Jin-ha could imbue her clothes with any properties she desired. She could attach all sorts of qualities specifically to her spider silk.

Like shape-memory alloys, even the ability to restore clothes to their original form.

Scientific knowledge? None of that was necessary.

Like a divine power, her spider silk obeyed her will if she desired it.

Since it was made with fabric of truly perfect quality, naturally its value could only increase.

Her clothing store naturally came to be treated not just as a simple store but as a luxury boutique, with a year's worth of reservations fully booked.

Even the wealthiest of the wealthy had to wait a year to obtain her clothes.

After all, those who placed reservation orders with her were mostly from the upper echelons of society.

Yet despite such success, Jin-ha was suffering from an inexplicable sense of deficiency.

Though she created excellent clothing with outstanding aesthetic sense, she felt something was lacking every time she looked at the results.

'Is this what they call a lack of inspiration?'

Jin-ha couldn't help but think that way, and wanted to somehow resolve this deficiency.

'In that case, let's try making unique clothes.'

And the unique clothes she thought of were clothes for mutants.

Since the first appearance of mutants, all kinds of various mutants had emerged in the world... so she thought clothes for them might resolve whatever deficiency was troubling her.

From then on, Jin-ha began making clothes for mutants as well. And for such clothes made for mutants, she didn't charge separately.

Because if the rare mutants of the world would visit her clothing store and help resolve her deficiency, she didn't need to charge that petty money.

Thus, she made clothes for many mutants and wanted to make clothes for even more mutants in the future.

For someone like her, the sudden appearance of a dragon-type mutant couldn't help but be an object of interest.

A dragon?

Judging by outward appearances, it was distinctly a dragon's form, but... Jin-ha, being a mutant of a similar category, could tell.

Just as she concealed eight real legs on her back, Seohyun would be the same.

And that prediction hit the mark precisely. The massive dragon wings she spread in the park.

Seeing that, she couldn't help but be captivated.

How wonderful would it be if she could dress such a subject in her clothes?

Inspiration flooded in, and she continuously envisioned what kind of clothes would suit Seohyun. As if possessed by madness.

And so, having finished the design to some extent, she contacted Jeongho. Asking to arrange a meeting because she wanted to make clothes.

"...So, the Arachne-type mutant, Seo Jin-ha, would like to meet you. If you're not willing, please let me know."

"That's fine. But... does she have a specific reason for wanting to meet me?"

"I think she wants to make custom clothes for you. She makes clothes for mutants."

"Clothes for mutants? That's interesting."

"She's also a world-renowned craftsman. It feels like she casts spells on her clothes."

"Wow... But why me of all people?"

"I believe she was inspired when she saw you. She always tries to make clothes for new mutants when they appear. Even Choi Sia has several outfits made by Jin-ha."

"Wow, really?"

"Yes. So there's nothing to lose by meeting her. She's also friendly to all mutants... and when you think about it, the improved treatment of mutants is largely thanks to her."

"What? What does she have to do with improved treatment of mutants?"

"She's the daughter of a National Assembly member. A quite influential one at that... so because of Jin-ha's existence, indiscriminate oppression toward mutants became impossible."

"Ah, I guess that makes sense... Laws tend to change when they affect important people."

"It's an uncomfortable truth, but yes. Anyway... would you like to meet her?"

"Yes. I'm curious about what kind of inspiration she got from seeing me... and personally, I'm intrigued by the idea of clothes made for mutants."

"I understand. Then, I'll provide you with detailed scheduling information soon."

And so, I now found myself arriving at the boutique run by the Arachne-type mutant, Seo Jin-ha.

However, the atmosphere of the boutique was somewhat grotesque.

...Is this really okay?

As I opened the door to the boutique, a beautiful woman greeted me.

But behind her back, eight spider legs protruded.

It was an appearance that could be considered creepy at first glance, but I didn't particularly feel that way. Should I say there was a strange dignity emanating from the person herself?

That dignity seemed to cover even the potentially creepy appearance.

"Welcome. You're the dragon-type mutant, Seohyun, correct?"

"Yes. Pleased to meet you. I'm Yoon Seohyun, Ms. Seo Jin-ha."

"Hehe, that's right. Thank you for coming. I thought it might be an unreasonable request, but I appreciate you coming."

"Um, but why did you call for me..."

"Ah, Agent Jeongho didn't explain in detail, did he?"

"He only told me the general reason. That you might be making clothes for me..."

"You guessed correctly. That's right. The reason I wanted to meet you is because I want to make clothes that perfectly fit you."

"Thank you...? But from what I've heard, the clothing made by you comes with astronomical prices..."

"Don't worry. I give clothes to mutants for free."

"Really?"

"Of course. Actually, I have enough money already. Since I grew up never experiencing material poverty to begin with... and now I have such an excess that I didn't particularly want to charge mutants. Besides, you're precious beings who inspire me."

"I see..."

"But, in exchange for providing the clothes for free, I'd like to take photos of you wearing them for magazines. Would that be possible? Sort of like a fitting model."

"A model? I've never worked as a model before, would that be alright?"

"Of course. The shooting director will handle all the direction, so you just need to follow their instructions. But, do you mind being featured in magazines?"

"I might have been reluctant before, but I've already become a public figure. So I suppose that much should be fine."

"That's a good attitude. Then, do you have any preferred clothing styles? I'm planning to make quite a few custom pieces for you."

"Um... really?"

"Yes. Personally, I think the charm of mutants comes from their uniqueness, different from humans. Could you perhaps bring out your wings?"

"I can bring them out, but... wouldn't that make a mess of your store?"

"That's fine. I designed the second floor as a fitting room with plenty of extra space."

"I see. Then it should be okay."

"Besides your wings, do you have other parts as well?"

"I do have a tail... but I've never brought it out before."

"That's really exciting news. To think I'll be the first to witness a dragon's tail. If possible, could you bring out your tail too? I want to make clothes that remain perfectly intact no matter when or where you bring out your appendages."

"Ah, yes."

"Then, let's go to the second floor."

Upon reaching the second floor, I immediately brought out both my wings and tail.

Somehow, it's a bit embarrassing. I brought them out while in my underwear, concerned that my existing clothes might tear.

This is my first time bringing out my tail, and... it's exactly as I imagined.

The tail, about 1 meter long, was covered in scales with a smooth texture. It also moved according to my will, so it seemed like I could wrap it around anything I wanted.

"Wow... this is beyond my imagination. How beautiful."

For a moment, Jin-ha's expression became slightly dangerous. She looked at my wings and tail with enraptured eyes, as if captivated by something, which gave me slight chills.

"Seohyun."

"Yes?"

"Do you have time for the whole day today? I have so, so many clothes I want to make."

"Um... for now, yes."

"Great. Then casual wear, formal attire, sporty looks... let's make everything I can."

"Can that be done in just one day?"

"Of course. Nothing is impossible for me."

Jin-ha said that with a bright smile.