Desire Fulfillment App

In a classroom at a civil service exam prep academy in Noryangjin.

"Alright, the key point we need to focus on here is the Northeast Asian historical perspective in the 15th century..."

A third-time test-taker who'd botched his exams, dodged into the military, and was now prepping for the civil service exam after discharge. Even though I had to pour every ounce of focus into the lecture, my blank stare was sneaking peeks at the instructor's figure.

She's wearing that again.

Leggings that hugged her lower body's lines perfectly. A clingy short-sleeved tee that blatantly outlined her perky chest. Inappropriate on multiple levels for a civil service academy instructor.

Lee Seonyeong, the Korean history teacher. Famous among male students for her revealing outfits. She drew plenty of leering stares, but she was just as notorious for her personality. High-handed and rotten to the core, Lee Seonyeong was known for openly shooting down any male student who approached her.

Why does she dress like that for class? I wondered. Probably her way of surviving. Her face was just a smidge above average if you were being generous. Her body was well-maintained, but her frame was ordinary. To me, her clothes screamed overcompensation for what she lacked naturally.

I wonder what face she'd make during sex.

A crude, vulgar thought bubbled up. Had it started three years ago, after bombing the college entrance exam? Now, any woman triggered lust first. The more unattainable she seemed, the stronger the urge.

This is pathetic. Know your place.

Where the hell did my life go wrong?

I already knew the answer. From birth. The moment I was born with mediocre—or worse—talent and massive desires I could never achieve.

24 years old now, the only childhood memory still etched in my mind. In one of the fairy tales Mom read me, a boy gave a wildflower to the girl he liked, and she was overjoyed. The next day, I mustered the courage to offer a single dandelion to my first crush.

—Hey, XX. This is a gift for you.

—Uh... thanks.

A bit later, staring at the discarded dandelion in the playground corner, it hit me. I couldn't just follow the stories Mom read.

That childhood realization sharpened through school. If life was a movie, I was relegated to extra. Classmate C in a teen drama set at school. Not even Classmate A. Just background.

That's not inherently bad. Ordinary people have their ordinary lives. But for some reason, I couldn't accept it. Couldn't resign myself.

So I prepped for the college entrance exam. Studied steadily while others played, pouring in three full years.

Goal: Seoral University. At least SKY. That's how I change my fate.

First exam. Poor results. No disappointment. I knew my limits. Never expected success on the first try.

Second exam. Was it 'fate's help'? I hit top 5% percentile. A miracle. Ecstatic, but bittersweet. Could this really rewrite my role in life?

No way.

Against my parents' wishes, I went for a retake. This momentum could get me into Seoral!

And I crashed harder than my first try, despaired, and fled to the military.

What I'd thought was fate's aid was just a prank. My escape ended with discharge. After the army at third-time status, I was 23. Only skill: test prep. So civil service exams it was.

And now. Still a prep student.

"Ah, what a fucking shitty life."

A strong premonition hit. I'd never pass the civil service exam. But even knowing that, I couldn't quit. Like fate demanded I sink into deeper despair.

My unfulfilled desires piled up, rotting like crumpled leaves. All that remained: twisted lust.

They say stress makes you sleepy? Drowsiness crept in. I should fight it, but I lacked the discipline.

Worthless talent. Life's spark extinguished, ashes left. No will to resist sleep. I drifted off.

I dreamed.

A man appeared. In another world, Tarmata. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Hero blessed by the oracle of creator god Tarmasia. Trusted by beautiful, capable companions. Beloved by all, a once-in-a-generation prodigy. Living the life I'd dreamed of.

Scene shifted. The world sank into darkness. Backed by people's hopes and the goddess's power, the hero fought with allies to save it. Immersed like it was my story, I gripped my hands in sweat, watching his journey.

After endless trials, the hero's sword pierced the dark god's core like lightning.

The divinity built on evil began to crumble.

The dark god's dying scream. A vicious curse struck the hero.

Black energy coiled around the hero's soul as it left his body, mission complete.

A life crushed by one's own desires. A grudge-filled curse forced ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the hero's fate.

Thus, the hero's soul plummeted into a wretched cycle of cursed reincarnation.

".....Ahhh."

Only then did I realize. Why I couldn't give up, kept craving impossible desires.

I was the hero.

The dream continued.

In that moment, something settled into my soul.

A voice rang in my ears. Unfamiliar, yet achingly nostalgic and tender, bringing tears.

"...Student!"

I jolted. The voice cut off, darkness everywhere. The dream ended.

"...Student!!!"

"...Huh."

I looked up. Through the haze, the instructor's face loomed. Lee Seonyeong, brows furrowed deep.

"Student! Sleeping openly during class—what the hell are you thinking?"

I recalled she hated sleepers in her classes. Normally, I'd apologize, but my head wouldn't bow.

The dream... it's over.

That beloved voice—gone forever. Rage surged. I met her eyes dead-on.

She looked incredulous.

"Oh? Get up front. Now!"

Overpowered by her fury, I was dragged to the podium.

"Is the academy a joke? This isn't free public school—you pay to be here, and you sleep?"

She shoved my shoulders.

"Looks like you couldn't hack college, wasted time playing, now aiming for civil service? Give up."

Her final words stabbed.

"With your level of willpower, it's impossible."

I wanted to retort, but I couldn't. No eloquence.

"Wasting your parents' hard-earned cash on academy fees—do you have a brain or not?"

Something boiled over. Eyes squeezed shut.

"...Fuck."

"What? What did you just say?!"

That moment.

My smartphone buzzed. Without checking the screen, the notification hit my mind.

Then I recalled the dream.

Not just a dream.

Transparent text floated in my vision. Either the dream was real, or I was crazy. So, why not act on impulse?

Words I'd bottled up spilled out.

"Guess your parents popped you out just to be a part-time instructor at a cheap academy like this?"

"W-what?!"

Lee Seonyeong's face paled with rage.

"Have you lost your mind?! You're insane!"

"Why? Did I say something wrong?"

"Student, do you even grasp the situation—"

I cut her off.

"I get it fine. Got caught by a pervert teacher who wears slutty clothes to bask in students' stares."

No chance for rebuttal.

"Right? No other instructor dresses like 'please look at me.' While we're at it—those leggings today. Think this is a gym?"

Rage? Or hitting too close? She was speechless.

"Anyway, I'm quitting the academy today. Take out your anger on someone else."

Grabbed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my bag, headed for the door.

"Hey! Stop right there!!"

I ignored her, kept walking.

My vision shifted.

Like game characters, translucent status windows hovered over people's heads.

"Not a dream after all."

I sensed it. My life was about to change big time.