YEOMRA said that this world was the same as the world he had lived in, with just a bit of difference here and there. Now, with the memories that entered his brain, he was certain that this 'difference' that guy was pertaining to was the so-called secondary genders.
Here, when a person was born, they would be assigned their primary genders, which was either male or female. Then, when they entered puberty, some of them would experience the process of manifestation. It's the term used when a person's body changed to become either an Alpha or an Omega. Those who didn't experience this in their teenage years would naturally then be considered as Betas.
These three, Alpha, Omega, and Beta, were referred to as the secondary genders.
Alphas and Omegas made up 30% of the world's population, with Alphas being slightly higher in numbers. Both Alphas and Omegas had glands on their nape that produced pheromones. And that's the only similar thing about them.
Alphas had a stronger physique than most people. According to some studies, their IQ also tend to be higher compared to others. If the society had a hierarchy, then they would be at the top of the pyramid. Male and female Alphas were mostly the same, aside from the very, very small probability that female Alphas could get pregnant.
Omegas, on the other hand, had weaker physiques and tended to have petite and slender bodies. Both male and female Omegas could get pregnant. In fact, they were much more fertile in comparison to female Betas. According to one information in Haneul's memory, that fact presented a lot of problems to Omegas in the past.
After they manifested, Alphas and Omegas had to undergo 'cycles' throughout their lives.
For Alphas, this cycle was called a 'rut'. It was a period where they felt an overwhelming need to have sex. An Alpha would generally go into rut every three months. This rut might last for 3-5 days.
For Omegas, the cycle was called 'heat'. It was also a period where they felt the need to have sex. But unlike Alphas, Omegas would go into their heat cycle every month and it usually would last for 4-7 days. It was like a menstrual cycle, except that Omegas were very much fertile during their heat instead of the opposite.
In the past, when there was nothing that could stop the rut and the heat cycles of Alphas and Omegas, their presence together could bring total chaos. They would act like animals whose mind was only filled with the thought of 'breeding'.
But now, with the advancement of medicine, a drug was developed to stop, or rather to suppress, these cycles. These were called 'suppressants'. An Alpha or an Omega had to take them on the first day of their scheduled rut or heat cycle. They could be in the form of an injection shot or a pill.
Male and female Betas could be considered as the normal male and female in Haneul's original world. They made up the majority of the world's population. They didn't have glands that could release pheromones. Thus, they also couldn't smell it. They also didn't have cycles, so they had no need for any suppressants.
After summarizing everything in his head, Haneul only felt like cursing. Particularly cursing a certain king of the underworld.
"Damn Yeomra..." he cursed under his breath.
How could he just refer to this as a 'bit' of difference? This should be considered a major difference! No wonder that guy had that expression after he found this world. He probably knew this concept of secondary genders would challenge Haneul's world-view.
And the worst part of it was, he was an Omega! He could be an Alpha. Heck, even being a Beta would be better. Why did he have to be an Omega, of all things?
He could actually give... give birth— no, he couldn't say it. But thinking about it, those unique biological traits of Alphas and Omegas just started to flash in his mind. Especially the ones about male Omegas.
Then there were also those things about marking, and k-knotting--
No! He shook his head vigorously to erase the images that began to appear in his mind one by one. He didn't want to think about those things. Right now, they were the last thing he should worry about.
Haneul took a deep breath once again. It didn't matter. What's important for now was the fact that his parents and younger sister were all alive and well. Since this was his second chance at a new life, he should cherish it no matter what.
Maybe now he could finally fulfill the dream he hadn't been able to before.
To be... an idol.
***
Author's words:
Authors who write Omegaverse usually have their own take on this genre. There are some set rules, like having a rut and heat cycle, etc.
But for the most part, authors tend to put their own spin on it. Like Fargo, for example (author and artist of the webtoon 'Love is an Illusion'). In their Omegaverse, Betas could not impregnate Omegas. Some Omegaverses don't follow this rule. Or in the manga 'Kashikomarimashita, Destiny' by Sachimo, everyone there could get pregnant, including male Alphas and Betas.
So, for this story, this is my own take on this genre. It's mostly the same as other Omegaverses. But if you find some terms or things that are not similar to what you are used to, just think of it as my own spin on the genre. ^^