ATGRA 7

“You scammer.”

“Yes, next loser.”

“Does a medicine that turns someone into an Alpha even make sense?”

“Why wouldn’t it? Herbal medicine helps with weight loss and relieves accident aftereffects, so why can’t it make an Alpha?”

I didn’t get sued.

The best possible outcome. Jung Pureum was indeed a man of integrity. Even though he shed some tears after becoming an Alpha overnight, he didn’t have it in him to ruin his next-door hyung’s life.

Sure, I ended up signing a contract on the spot to prove I’d take responsibility, but that’s no big deal.

Unlike with a Beta, all I had to do was guide him a bit on how to live as an Alpha.

There were some tricky clauses like going on dates, but overall, I could handle it smoothly with some smooth talking.

For Jung Pureum, who suddenly went from Beta to Alpha and was now the center of attention from nearby Omegas, I prepared a few doses of herbal medicine. That should be enough to say I’ve done my part.

“What’s your deal with that kid you turned into an Alpha? What kind of relationship do you have to pull off this national scam together?”

“Hey, the guy really became an Alpha, so what scam? Just admit it! I’m a bigger genius than you, who just rebrands and sells diet pills.”

“No way I’m admitting that!”

“Why not!”

Baek Wonhee is a real nutcase. I’m a bit crazy myself, but I think I’m less so than him. That sly jerk. He used to go on about traits being talent, and now he’s calling me a scammer.

It’s true I don’t remember exactly how I made that Gongjindan. Maybe Jung Pureum’s secondary gender manifestation just happened to be delayed by bad luck. In extremely rare cases, some people don’t get their test results until adulthood.

But so what?

The important thing is that Jung Pureum became an Alpha after taking my Gongjindan, didn’t sue me, and the Korea Food and Drug Administration even approved it. It was the cherry on top.

I immediately started working on media exposure. A doctor who makes good money needs to appear on TV regularly. Especially someone like me, trustworthy and handsome to boot, could gain plenty of buzz with just one or two appearances.

That’s why plain-looking Baek Wonhee is pointing fingers at me, calling me a scammer out of jealousy and envy.

So what if it’s a scam? I seriously wanted to ask. Isn’t a scammer better than someone who gleefully spreads that another’s trait is Omega?

Ms. Kim Miyoung gave me a look to kick him out quickly, so I barely held back from saying that out loud. No need to stir up trouble.

“Hey, Baek Wonhee. I’m genuinely curious—why are you so desperate to get me? Are you that mad I opened my clinic near yours? I sent you a nice wreath when you opened, didn’t I? We’re university classmates—let’s stop pulling each other’s hair. Our real competition isn’t each other; it’s Western doctors. Think about it.”

“What kind of crazy talk is that? Why would we compete with Western doctors?”

“Because we live in an era of endless competition…”

“…”

“Whatever, just go. I almost went under because of you, but the Omega god saved me. If you’re so upset, eat my Gongjindan and become an Alpha yourself.”

Baek Wonhee’s face turned tomato red. It seems my “if you’re so upset, become an Alpha” comment hit a nerve.

That guy has consistently hated me since our university days. Our relationship wasn’t always the worst, but after he found out I’m an Omega, that narrow-minded jerk started distancing himself.

In the days when he mistakenly thought I was a Beta, he was pretty nice to me. It didn’t last a year, but when he was nice, I thought Baek Wonhee was a decent guy.

[‘You’re a recessive Omega pretending to be a Beta—aren’t you embarrassed?’]

He was just one of countless discriminators out there.

Recalling old memories left a bitter taste in my mouth. Not only did a guy I thought was a friend stab me in the back, but after entering society, he spread rumors that the doctor at this clinic is a recessive Omega, interfering with my business. What was I supposed to do?

When someone raises a middle finger at me, the best I can do is raise one back.

“…You just wait.”

“Oh, a third-rate villain line.”

“I’ll make you go bankrupt again.”

“Wouldn’t it be more productive to dream of your own success?”

As I countered without missing a beat, Baek Wonhee’s face turned a sickly green.

Meanwhile, Ms. Kim Miyoung was watching our verbal sparring with keen interest. If she could, she’d probably have popped instant popcorn.

I secretly hoped Baek Wonhee would throw a punch at me. I don’t enjoy getting hit, but if he landed even one, I could use it as leverage to demand compensation.

But Baek Wonhee didn’t have the guts to hit anyone. Instead, he just spouted his usual “Omega, know your place!” line and stormed out, slamming the clinic door. The bell on it rang loudly.

“Your university classmate has some nerve. ‘Omega, know your place,’ what’s that about?”

“He’s been like that since college. Unfortunately, he opened a clinic across the street, so we’re still entangled after graduation.”

“By the way, will it be okay? People like that can get obsessive when they hold grudges.”

Unfair. Shouldn’t I be the one holding the grudge, not Baek Wonhee?

He’s a Beta making good money with diet pills, yet he’s the jerk trying to ruin our clinic. In terms of grudge points, I’m the overwhelming winner.

“What’s obsessive?”

Just then, the bell above the door chimed again. Jung Pureum walked in, looking back and forth between me and Ms. Kim Miyoung.

“What, school’s already out?”

“I’m a senior who finished the exam.”

“Don’t you have training? You said you couldn’t swim for a while because of exam prep.”

“Oh, I’m switching pools. They say it’s hard to train in a regular pool now that my trait’s changed. I need to register for an Alpha-only pool, so I’m just doing basic strength training until next month.”

“Alpha-only pools, what the heck.”

I trembled with frustration, and Jung Pureum laughed softly. He didn’t seem to realize he’s now included among the Alphas I’m cursing.

A faint soap scent came from Jung Pureum. His body scent mixed with pheromones gave a refreshing vibe. Even his pheromones are so like him.

“Hyung?”

“Yeah?”

“What’re you thinking? It seemed like you didn’t hear me just now.”

“Oh, what did you say? I was dealing with a jerk until just now, so I’m a bit out of it.”

“The head of Wonhee Clinic was here. By the way, student, are you really an Alpha now? The test wasn’t wrong?”

“I got tested three times at a big hospital, and all three said Alpha. If something’s wrong, it’s not the test—it’s me.”

“Oh, my. Good job. You’re a walking lucky charm for our clinic. The doctor may not have luck with classmates, but he’s got luck with his next-door brother.”

“Why would you say that, nurse? Turning from a Beta to an Alpha isn’t exactly good news.”

“Why not? It’s better than becoming an Omega.”

“…”

“…”

“Oh, my goodness, look at me. I misspoke.”

Ms. Kim Miyoung glanced at me, then got up to make Jung Pureum some barley tea. I didn’t forget to tell her green tea is better for a Taiyangin than barley tea.

I’m used to comments like that, so it’s not surprising. Ms. Kim Miyoung is decent—she quickly realizes her mistake and apologizes like that.

Left alone at the reception desk, Jung Pureum rubbed his cheek awkwardly. I was fine, but he kept glancing toward the break room, as if Ms. Kim Miyoung’s words bothered him.

“…I said we should go on a date.”

“Huh?”

“It’s in our contract. We agreed to go on a date once a week.”

“You were serious about that?”

“…”

“Hold on.”

I’m getting lawsuit vibes.

“Of course I was serious too, Pureum-ah. Wow! I’m excited for our first date!”

“…”

Jung Pureum looked at me with suspicion at my quick pivot. It’s the first time this kid, who’d believe me even if I said red beans make soybean paste, gave me such a skeptical look.

With an awkward smile, I backpedaled into the director’s office.

I planned to just give some vague Alpha-Omega sex education and claim I fulfilled the contract, but Jung Pureum beat me to it. Coming to me for a date before I could even try anything.

Even if he’s a senior who finished his exam, isn’t he too free? Korea’s education system has too many gaps. Don’t let examinees slack off! Force them to stay busy so they don’t do this to me!

In the director’s office, I pulled out the contract I’d stuffed into a desk drawer. Maybe rereading it would reveal some loophole to slip through. Contracts are documented to exploit loopholes, right?

I carefully scanned the crumpled contract in my hand.

[Contract

Moon Yeonghwa (hereinafter Party B) and Jung Pureum (hereinafter Party A) bear responsibility for damages caused by the provision and consumption of Gongjindan. The responsibilities are detailed below.

1. Party B must actively participate in Party A’s secondary gender education.
2. Party B shall provide full support and assistance for Party A’s adjustment and life as an Alpha.

(Omitted)

5. To fulfill the above clauses, meetings (including dates) must occur at least once a week.
6. This contract expires upon Party A’s declaration of termination or the establishment of a romantic relationship.

…If the above terms are not adhered to or unilaterally breached, Party A may hold Party B legally accountable.]

Even on re-reading, it wasn’t a big deal.

Party B, Moon Yeonghwa, who turned Party A, Jung Pureum, into an Alpha, is responsible for supporting and assisting Jung Pureum’s life as an Alpha—that’s all.

Of course, that full support includes educating him on what it means to be an Alpha and going on regular dates to learn how Alphas and Omegas date, which is a bit inappropriate.

I stared at the signature line. No matter how I looked at it, that’s definitely my signature. I thought for a moment about why I signed this. Why? To avoid a lawsuit, obviously. I planned to flexibly gloss over the burdensome clauses.

It felt like when a relative in insurance suckered me into signing a universal life policy after starting university.

Dates included? Is Jung Pureum seriously planning to go through with this? Does he have that much time?

“Hyung?”

“…”

“You okay?”

Jung Pureum, who followed me into the director’s office, asked with concern, unable to hide his worry at my flustered state.

I’m not okay at all. Going on a date once a week isn’t hard. I’ve been buying him meals for years.

But back then, he was a Beta, so it was fine.

Spending a lot of time with an immature Alpha who can’t control his pheromones is a bit risky, even for a recessive Omega like me.