ATGRA 3

“Why aren’t you eating much? Is it because there are 100 days left until the college entrance exam?”

“…”

“The exam really isn’t a big deal. If you close your eyes and take it, you can get a first-grade score.”

“That seems possible because it’s you, hyung.”

“No, it’s not like that. My classmates said they just snapped out of it and got first grade too.”

“It’s probably because you graduated from oriental medicine school…”

Why isn’t he eating when I bought him beef?

In truth, Jung Pureum was eating well. He was just eating less than usual, but he was still devouring enough for several people.

However, his current eating level was similar to what Jung Saebom eats during her off-season.

Jung Saebom, a dance major who is strict about body maintenance, can’t eat as much as Jung Pureum, a swimmer, no matter how much food is stuffed in her mouth.

When eating roasted chicken, Jung Pureum could handle three chickens per person, while Jung Saebom could only manage two. I usually can’t even finish half a chicken. Unlike the Jung siblings, my stomach is that of a typical Soeumin.

“Seeing you eat less than usual makes me worried.”

“…”

“Is something going on?”

At that question, Jung Pureum hesitated, as if he wanted to say something, his mouth moving. It could be because his mouth was full of beef.

Anyway, seeing a guy who’d normally shout, “Beef is awesome! Protein is the best!” and empty my wallet without a word looking so gloomy made me feel bad too.

“Pureum-ah, do you trust hyung?”

“Huh? Yes…”

“Hyung will make you an amazing Gongjindan, so don’t worry about the exam. It’ll sharpen your focus, clear your head, and make answers appear even for questions you don’t know. I’ll prepare that kind of Gongjindan.”

“Okay…”

“Don’t you trust hyung?”

“…”

“You little… spit out the beef you just ate.”

Jung Pureum’s reaction was definitely off today.

Having been an examinee myself, I know how much the 100 days before the college entrance exam can affect a student’s mental state. Back then, I steeled my resolve by sticking acupuncture needles into my own pressure points.

I still vividly remember my grandfather collapsing, grabbing the back of his neck, when he found me looking like a porcupine with big needles stuck in me. I got scolded a lot for sticking needles anywhere without learning proper acupuncture techniques.

But Jung Pureum’s reaction didn’t quite feel like the melancholic state of an examinee 100 days before the exam. It was a bit strange.

This is a guy who’d normally agree, “Yes, yes, hyung is always right,” even if I said red beans make soybean paste. Their mom even said, “Pureum would die if Yeongha told him to.”

However, my worrying didn’t last long. To be precise, it couldn’t last long. Someone picked a fight with me, leaving me no time to worry.

“I thought the beef was tasting off because some weird smell was mixing in.”

I can somewhat understand Betas discriminating against me. It’s not that I actually understand, but I can accept it if I think they hold their heads high because they don’t have heat cycles.

But it’s absurd when an Alpha spouts nonsense at an Omega. “You jerk… you have rut cycles too, so why act all high and mighty? Should I grind your face on a potato grater to knock some sense into you?” That’s the kind of thought that comes to mind.

Believe it or not, about three out of ten Alphas discriminate against Omegas. I still don’t know why. Maybe they want to brag about their naturally strong core muscles.

It’s a pity that, despite both having to go through a beastly week once a month, they have no interest in uniting. Alphas and Omegas combined don’t even make up thirty percent of the Beta population, so why must we fight among ourselves?

I pulled out the acupuncture needle case I always carry.

There were three Alphas brazenly picking a fight with someone eating. Back in school, there were always cheap villains like these who’d ask, “You’re an Omega, right?” and start trouble.

They’re just idiots jealous of a genius like me, trying to find fault with my secondary gender. So what if I’m an Omega? Instead of nitpicking, go study. Instead of discriminating based on traits, work on your character.

“This is why you eat expensive beef in a private room. Hey, stop causing trouble and get lost.”

“That’s rich. Your side was the one releasing pheromones first, wasn’t it? I could smell them from across the room.”

“What? Are you an Alpha or a sniffer dog? My herbal medicine makes it hard to detect my pheromones.”

“Herbal medicine? What are you talking about?”

“What am I talking about? Don’t underestimate oriental medicine.”

I took a large needle from my case and stabbed it into the shoulder of the Alpha standing in front of me.

I told Jung Pureum, who was watching the clash between me and the Alphas with a startled expression, to keep eating since the beef would burn. The beef was more expensive than these Alphas.

“Argh!”

“This guy’s a total nutcase!”

“Did you just figure that out? Didn’t my pheromones tell you I’m a nutcase?”

“Are you insane?”

“Hey, think logically. Am I, who was quietly eating, the crazy one, or are you guys, who ganged up on me while I was eating, the crazy ones? The latter wins by a landslide, right? You’re the crazy ones.”

Then, one of the Alphas recklessly released his pheromones. Realizing he couldn’t win with words, he resorted to dirty tactics.

Ugh. I immediately felt nauseous. Even as a recessive Omega, it was hard to resist such a hierarchical trait.

But the herbal medicine I’d been taking to completely suppress heat cycles didn’t betray me.

That medicine might betray me with elevated liver levels, but it wouldn’t let me be swayed by Alpha pheromones. Who made this medicine? The genius oriental medicine doctor of the century—me.

I saw a restaurant employee notice our commotion and call the police. Subduing the Alphas with more needles would only put my license at risk.

I calmly stood up. One Alpha kept releasing pheromones at me, but I didn’t even flinch.

To be honest, my stomach was churning, and my body felt like it was breaking down, but I acted unfazed. A fight is all about momentum. That’s what my grandfather’s martial arts novels said.

If I were alone, maybe, but with Beta Jung Pureum beside me, I couldn’t back down.

I had my pride. If I went, “Ha!” and succumbed to the pheromones here, my pride as the next-door hyung would be shattered.

So, my plan was…

“Check, please!”

The thirty-sixth stratagem: run away. I had to escape as fast as possible before the police arrived.

Honestly, even if I was justifiably defending myself against Alphas who started the fight, this discriminator-filled world would surely threaten my oriental medicine license for sticking needles anywhere.

I handed a wad of cash to the employee, coolly saying to keep the change as a tip. Even I thought I looked like a rich heir just then.

The money hurt, but staying longer wouldn’t do any good. I pushed past the Alphas, who were cursing and unable to approach me, and grabbed Jung Pureum.

But then, what the heck.

Jung Pureum, without a hint of panic, knocked one of the Alphas flat.

“Argh!”

“…Oops. I misjudged my strength.”

“Hey, call the police!”

“You crazy bastards, you think you’ll get away with this?”

“Get away? You’re spouting third-rate villain lines.”

All I wanted was to eat some beef.

Is there a law saying Omegas can’t eat beef at a restaurant? Should I buy beef packs from a butcher and grill them at home? Do these Alphas even know how hard it is to clean a greasy cast-iron pan?

I hurriedly grabbed Jung Pureum as he knocked down another Alpha.

I was more flustered now than when the Alphas picked a fight. I didn’t know about anything else, but if the police came, this could leave a bad mark on Jung Pureum’s record.

I dragged Jung Pureum and quickly escaped the restaurant. A siren wailed in the distance. The police had arrived just in time. If the Alphas had any shame, they wouldn’t bother looking for us.

“Why did you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Why did you knock someone down? You don’t fight back in these situations—you just run.”

“Hyung.”

While hiding in an alley corner waiting for the police car to leave, a lecture slipped out of my mouth.

I was out of breath from running so much. My back was soaked. I was sweating coldly, and my body temperature felt low.

Still, thanks to my passionate sprint, we avoided getting caught by the police. Haha! I was faster than the people’s baton.

Anyway, this guy’s actions are too reckless, even if he’s overflowing with strength. Being a Beta, it might not be a huge deal, but getting involved in a violence incident as an adult could endanger his athletic career.

I shook my head a couple of times to clear the dizziness from the Alpha pheromones.

My body heated up quickly. Even as a genius oriental medicine doctor, enduring the direct hit of three Alphas’ pheromones while staying sane was tough.

“Hyung, your face is flushed.”

Jung Pureum’s warm hand grabbed my chin. I couldn’t tell if his hand was hot or my cheeks were.

As I blinked slowly, Jung Pureum’s face came closer. This guy, clearly a Beta, not an Alpha, was acting like some dominant Alpha from a drama.

When I instinctively tilted my head back, the ends of Jung Pureum’s eyebrows drooped. His muttering voice, saying it was just concern, lacked strength.

“Those Alphas were releasing pheromones at you, right?”

“Huh? Yeah. But it’s no big deal. My oriental medicine skills overcame everything. I’ve already transcended the Omega realm.”

“Another weird thing to say…”

“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m always logical.”

“You’re always like this, hyung. No matter how great an oriental medicine doctor you are, how can you say that? You’re sweating coldly right now…”

My pheromones were probably leaking out uncontrollably. I’d have to deal with it alone at home. Otherwise, I’d be sick for days.

It felt a bit unfair. My desire to feed my next-door little brother, with 100 days until his exam, was being mocked by my trait.

“Let’s go home. I’ll take you. You need support.”

“No, I’m fine. I’ll take a taxi. At least pretend to go to the study room. Your mom will worry if you go home this late.”

“Fine, my foot. You can barely walk… I should’ve hit them a few more times.”

“If you did, you’d never be able to compete again. You’re not an Alpha with lots of chances—you’re a Beta.”

“That’s true. Since I’m a Beta…”

Alphas often get leniency for causing trouble because of their trait, but the standards are strict for Beta athletes.

“There’s no scent at all.”

“Of course. Don’t underestimate my oriental medicine skills.”

“Haha, I wish I were…”

“What did you just say?”

“Nothing special.”

What a bland guy.

After that, I barely made it home with Jung Pureum’s support.

And then, I made a resolution. I’d make a Gongjindan so amazing it’d make up for the beef Jung Pureum couldn’t eat properly.