CHAPTER 2

Transformation

“Ugh.”

Ivan felt cold. There was a salty taste in the air as he felt the sand sticking through his skin. Hearing the roaring waves, it seemed that he had been washed ashore.

‘I’m still alive?’

He was still breathing but felt weak. ‘Amazing… I really thought I was going to die,’ he thought, trying to move his numbed finger. It was slow but with patience, he gradually was able to move his body.

Thinking of his comrades at the base, “I should… Get going,” He whispered, sitting up with difficulty. Wait, there’s something wrong. Ivan furrowed his brows. Was his voice this… Soft?

Looking down, Ivan noticed his hands looked slender. No scars and as smooth as a woman’s hand.

“What the hell?” 'Did my hands become so thin and pale after my energy was overused?' But, his hands looked healthy and fine like… A woman?

His eyes trail to the long strawberry-blonde hair dripping down on his shoulder. “This is?” Then, to his chest which seemed to be bulging.

There was a thought. A thought which is impossible but in this world where superpowers are real, it made him unable to refute his guess. This made his heart sink as he slowly raised his hand to his chest.

The sensation on his chest made his throat roll, almost breathless as his eyes widened in disbelief. Impossible. Absolutely impossible! How could he…

“What the hell is this!” He shouted.

With frantic eyes, he struggles to get up to his feet and head to the water. Gasping as he fell to his knees and hands. In front of him: through the reflection in the water, he saw what shouldn’t have been his face. Big bright eyes dotted with light blue dots. Delicate facial features that felt otherworldly with the strawberry-blonde hair that fell on the shoulder.

‘Is this me?’ A look that is superior to most of the beautiful women he knows… He breathe heavily, and sweat formed on his forehead as he almost faint on the ground.

“How could this be?” He mumbled with shaking shoulders, “How could I become…”

Was this the famous reincarnation? No, the sign with the written Sandy Clover Beach over there made it guessed that he’s in Clover City.

That means he didn’t die. He survived the self-destruct… But, could he really survive such a state?

Something must have saved him… And, made him like this.

Pausing, he slowly looked at his thin wrist where a watch was wrapped around it. He stared at it with a blank expression before his pupils tightened. This watch. “Isn’t this my father’s watch?” He muttered. Before the battle occurred, he saw this exact watch on his father’s wrist.

Raising his trembling hand, “Did this save my life… Father?” He whispered with lowered lids.

His light blue eyes were teary. He tried to suppress his tears but somehow he felt more emotional than before as his shoulders tremble and his voice let out a feminine sob. Father. The thought of his father was like a string being cut in his mental state. Tears gradually fell and Ivan felt glad no one was on this beach to see such a scene. It would have been embarrassing.

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

“I’ll make them pay,” He then spoke darkly, “Every single one of those bastards.”

With his resolve strengthening, he wiped his tears and stood up.

“Even if my sex changed, I will make sure they will be hunted!”

----------------------------------------

/=/

“They’re going to think I’m a pervert.”

Ivan despaired as he held his head. Oh, he was a she now. But, how the hell can he just accept that?!

This body is awkward to move. It is flexible compared to when he was a man but how could he get used to the fact that the thing that had grown up with him down there is gone, replaced by the traits of a woman?

What would his comrades think when their captain. The King they respect becomes a woman!

Rebellion. Mockery. Disgust. And worst of all what would she think of his change? Would she also look at him in disgust?

“I can’t go back,” She muttered in a daze.

Her mind rolled to the countless scenarios of what may happen.

“I can’t let them know my current state.”

Because there will be those that will oppose. Even if her closest comrades protect his status and identity. His weakened state is too weak to hold the position of captain and membership of the organization. And others may even use her situation to cause trouble.

“I need to regain my strength,” She told himself, clenching her slender fist as she stared at her reflection in the window.

“Though, I would need to cover… My face,”

As a man before, she knew very well how lethal this face was to men. Ivan looked slightly helpless at her own alluring reflection before thinking to use the worn-out collar to cover half of her face and use her hair bangs to cover the rest. It was fortunate that her body was thinner than her previous male body.

Almost nighttime, she looked at her covered face in satisfaction, she walked through the stone path. The bustling town made her emotion calm. Relaxed as she observe the crowd before heading towards the area that have many buildings dilapidated.

Occasionally, while walking in the area that has few street lights, she saw some people and children dressed a bit shabby.

I need to take shelter soon. She thought, looking at the three-story building that was away from the other buildings and looked abandoned. Maybe I could use this for now. She thought, walking in.

As expected, no one was there.

Until.

"Stop! You are intruding!"

A child’s voice echoed behind her. Making her pause but not threatened by a child. Looking at the owner of the voice. It was a tall and thin boy with a slightly wild style and a cautious look on his face as he hold a baseball bat.

"This is our base, no outsider is allowed!."

The other boys around him tried to look threatening by raising the ‘weapons’ in their hands.

But, she didn’t feel threatened by this sight. More embarrassed to intrude in their place. And it’s not like she can just beat them up right?

“Eto, can I… Have a rest for the night here?” Her gentle voice reached the ears of the boys, and they looked surprised. Blinking as they glance at each other.

"Wow, her voice is so nice,” Someone commented.

“Yeah! This woman's voice is angelic!”

In the midst of their admiring expression, the leader of this group blinked his eyes, glancing at her covered face with a slightly blushing cheek.

"Can I see your face?" He said trying to look as if he wasn’t interested and was tough even against her angelic voice that seemed to make their hearts beat faster.

Ivan who saw this was slightly speechless and amused. It’s not like she can blame them as even herself can be fascinated. Besides, they were just children.

With a slight smile, she slowly pulled down the collar and moved her bangs to the side, revealing a face more beautiful than the models they had seen on TV.

"Beautiful!"

"Woah!"

“Fairy!?”

Seeing their blushing looks as they stared at her face in a daze, Ivan smiled wryly. Unable to receive their admiration as she was supposed to be a tall handsome man… Not a beauty.

"So… Can I stay for a night?”

The group snapped out of their daze and glance at each other.

“W-wait a minute! We w-will hold a meeting!”

With that, they went to the corner and started whispering, much to Ivan’s amusement. He waited for them to finish.

“Ahem!” The leader cleared his throat, standing in front of her while trying to stand tall, "We have decided to let you stay for the night!."

“Yeah!”

“Yeah!”

Looking at them trying to look cool, Ivan just sigh with a smile on her face as she followed them.