Chapter 3

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 3

Chapter Title: 2nd Life Special Shop

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"Having to go through middle school twice in my lifetime."

A middle school building I hadn't seen in ages.

The moment I laid eyes on it, memories came flooding back.

Yeah, I always got shaken down for money right here.

Over there on the sports field, I was always forced to be the goalkeeper.

I got hurt so much that the school nurse would always grumble, "Why do you keep falling down like this?"

And over there...

No, why are all these memories shitty ones?

Are these even worth calling memories?

Isn't this just PTSD?

"But things are different now."

The reason I got bullied was simple.

I just looked like an easy target.

There was no deeper reason than that.

So, first things first—time to fix my posture.

Even if my status window only rates my Charm at a measly 3, confirming I'm a total loser.

This is where it starts.

"Hoo."

I take a deep breath and straighten my back.

One step, two steps.

Not too fast, not too slow.

I stride confidently through the school gate.

And just like that, I'm at the classroom.

Creak.

The classroom's front door suddenly opens, and a few heads turn my way.

"......"

"......"

"......"

Back in the day, those stares would've made me look away awkwardly.

But not anymore.

I don't ignore the ones eyeing me up.

Nor do I need to glare back aggressively.

Just like they're sizing me up, I size them up too.

Recalling memories from my first life.

This class looks exactly the same as back then.

That's the guy, and she's that one.

Familiar faces.

Vaguely remembered ones.

And even some I'd forgotten or are seeing for the first time.

I weave through them smoothly like water.

And sit in my favorite spot.

"Yep, the sweet spot's right here."

Last row, right by the back door.

Easy to hit the bathroom during breaks.

Perfect view to observe the whole class from behind.

Plus, the AC isn't too chilly, and that nostalgic ceiling fan blows just right—the prime seat among prime seats.

Thud.

I plop down.

The stares that were on me have already shifted elsewhere.

No one picked a fight on the first day or anything.

For guys, the first three days after entrance ceremony are scouting time anyway.

Girls might be different,

but boys use those three days to gauge the pecking order before making moves.

Someone who seems like a peer? Friend material.

Looks weaker? Fair game.

And if they seem like a player type, guys suddenly get polite—that's the iron rule of K-school life.

Mess up the hierarchy read, and you're in deep shit.

I learned that the hard way as exhibit A.

"......There he is."

That weird guy posturing like a tough guy—Lee Ho-kwon.

Even after 20 years, I still remember his name. He's the main culprit who ruined my middle school days.

Meeting that enemy again after over a decade.

"Honestly, I was pathetic back then."

Why the hell was I scared?

Looking at them now, they're all just little kids.

I let one punk like that ruin my fresh first year of middle school?

That's when.

"......"

My eyes met Lee Ho-kwon's.

But this time, I don't look away.

He's the one who breaks first with an awkward expression.

Even he doesn't have the guts to start shit right at the beginning.

The conditions aren't right for him to bully me yet.

Kids—especially middle schoolers—are deviously smart.

In some ways, sharper than adults.

"Oh."

Like in a game, completing the quest gave me the reward right away.

Just like in any game, it looks like the early game showers you with points.

This 2nd life game seems intent on handing them out generously too.

"Nice. This'll let me buy it quick."

That item from the special shop—the one that'll successfully turn my 2nd life around.

It was a bit pricey, so I needed more points. That's why I came to school.

I push aside thoughts of Lee Ho-kwon and the status window.

I make a vow.

"Yeah, becoming popular? Piece of cake."

Self-introduction went off without a hitch.

Sure, I was a total nerd in school,

but I'd spent nearly 20 years in the real world.

Honestly, being a professor was way more stressful.

Kissing up to officers who controlled the funding, playing the junior role among the rotten old profs.

In that light,

self-introducing in front of 40 little kids? Piece of cake.

"The real stuff starts now."

School ended early for the entrance ceremony.

The moment I got home, I opened the status window.

The 3p Life Points I'd gathered today.

"This is enough to buy it right now."

[Stamina Boost Potion x1: 1p]

[Intelligence Boost Potion x1: 1p]

[Charm Boost Potion x1: 1p]

.

.

.

I scroll down the shop window.

And there it is—my original target item.

Regular potions give 1 stat per 1p.

This one's a limited early-game special: 3p for +5 to any stat you want.

The kind of beginner booster every game has.

No hesitation—I buy it immediately.

"Alright, now which stat to boost?"

Intelligence?

I already have knowledge and experience that crushes everyone else's.

Charm then?

Escaping loser status sounds great,

but it's not urgent yet.

"Gotta build the body first."

I'll pump Stamina with this.

"We're juveniles, after all. Fists make the law."

I decide and go to use it right away, but then—

"Oh yeah, gotta test that first."

If there's a status window and this 2nd life really is like a game,

then that classic game fantasy cliché should work too.

"Mom, I'm gonna run a lap around the neighborhood."

The game fantasy staple.

Do stat-related actions, and stats go up.

What's more clichéd than that?

It's everywhere in those stories.

"Usually, the lower the stat, the easier it rises, so testing with low Stamina's best."

Even in game fantasies, low stats level up faster.

Of course, whether the status window reflects that is anyone's guess.

If it does, jackpot.

If not, whatever—I had a nice run.

"Whoa, it's exactly like 20 years ago."

I'd forgotten it for nearly 20 years.

By the time I came back later, it was all developed, so I thought I'd never see it again.

The scenery of Hwajeong-dong, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, from 20 years ago.

My first year of middle school was hellish memories I want to forget,

but up through elementary, this place was pure joy.

Huff, huff.

I glance around as I run.

Kids on kick scooters zoom by laughing.

Takes me back.

Later, they'll all be electric scooters,

but nothing beats pushing those old-school ones with your feet.

"Whoa, that playground too."

Sunsung Village Complex 21 playground.

As a kid, I dug there trying to reach the center of the Earth,

and that's where I first saw the cement under the sand with my own eyes.

That stationery store next to the snack shop too.

Cup stir-fry for 500 won, fish cake skewers for 200?

How much has inflation hit?

Those kids are definitely eating beer candies and the tongue-numbing ones.

"Let's head toward the school."

I pass through Sunsung Village Complex 21 toward my alma mater.

Sunsung Elementary School.

『Join church now↓↓↓』

『Cultural gift certificate 5,000 won!』

『Wind's Cliff 1 million won!』

『Maple Syrup Story Gold Standard Award & Icicle! 5 million mesos!』

"Whoa, nuts. Yeah, stuff like this existed back then."

Totally nostalgic.

Churches giving out game items if you attended.

They even lured kids with promises of tteokbokki.

Funny and oddly heartwarming then and now.

"Grandpa selling chicks next door, cotton candy too... Oh!"

I stop running abruptly.

With only 5 Stamina, I'm already winded and hurting.

"Whoa, the smell."

But that sweet aroma makes me forget the pain instantly.

Melt sugar, add soda, it puffs up.

Press it flat on a round griddle, then shape into stars, hearts, people.

Dalgona pulling right in front of me.

"Grandpa, one of these please."

The old man nods silently, hands me a needle and a star-shaped one.

Honestly, I prefer scooping the puffy stuff onto paper and eating it with a wooden stick before it hardens.

But might as well enjoy it now.

How long's it been since I did dalgona?

"No, Grandpa, the tip's a bit curved?"

"Break it, and it's 500 won."

The second he says that, it hits me.

"Ah."

I got no money.

He didn't even ask for payment upfront.

What if kids just eat and run?

Last era with real trust and romance, huh?

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Still, he won't let it slide for free.

I'm a middle schooler, after all.

"Hmm."

What to do?

Just admit I have no cash and say I'll bring it from home?

That's embarrassing...

Ah.

That's right.

Clunk.

I drop the needle flat on the dalgona.

"Tsk tsk."

Grandpa smirks smugly, prepping to take my money.

But Grandpa,

that smirk won't last.

"Hoo."

I recall a super popular drama from before regression.

Lick lick lick!

I start licking the star dalgona like mad.

"Y-You little...?!"

It melts surprisingly fast.

Just like that drama scene.

The star pops right out perfectly.

"Whoa, it actually works?"

I figured it would, but never tried it myself.

Obvious, but still cool.

Anyway,

Usually, success means you get another go for free—that's the rule.

But no money now.

"Grandpa, that's free now, right?"

"Y-Yeah...! You punk, that's cheating!"

The fun mishap with the dalgona grandpa wraps up nicely.

"Man, it's sweet and tasty after so long."

He grumbled but let me have it free anyway.

Last era of trust and heart, for sure.

Hanging with a random grandpa counted as popular-guy behavior, I guess.

Just +1, but valuable gain.

Assa Force dropped by 1 too.

"Good. I've got the system's feel now."

This confirms it even more.

So I keep running.

Reliving 20-year-old memories as I go.

Time flies by unnoticed.

By the time the sky turns orange,

Time to head home for dinner, and I finally see the status window I wanted.

The +1 Stamina effect hits immediately.

"Oh, my shortness of breath is way better now."

I'd been running at my limit until just now,

but the panting vanishes, chest feels light.

5 to 6 is a 20% jump in percentage terms.

Still way below average,

but now the real start begins.

"Hoo, run home too?"

Build the body without the special potion first.

Max out Stamina through exercise alone, no points spent.

No time to waste.

"Hope the day to use the special potion comes soon."

It will—soon enough.

That day came quick.

A bit after entrance ceremony,

the following Monday.

He comes straight at me and asks point-blank.

"Hey, you were staring at me earlier, right?"

"......"

Finally—the moment to use the special potion I'd been waiting for.