Seoral University Freshman Orientation

In front of the bar announced as the freshman welcome party location, people were bustling about, apparently still finishing preparations since I'd arrived a bit early. With no one I knew, it felt awkward to just go in and sit, so I passed the time watching passersby on the street.

'Over half are Floor 1 or 2. Well, that's normal, I guess.'

Floor level was an indicator of one's social standing—the height of their position in society. If you were in the bottom 50%, you started at Floor 1. From there, floors rose with improvements in looks, abilities, wealth, and other social factors.

As I was people-watching, a guy came out from inside the bar and approached me.

"Hey? Aren't ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you Song Yunho hyung?"

"Ah, yeah. That's me."

"Whoa! Nice to meet you, hyung. I'm Gwanghyeok—Park Gwanghyeok."

Park Gwanghyeok. The guy who'd been the chattiest in the group chat.

"You look even more handsome in person??"

"Haha, thanks."

"Come on, hyung, the formal talk feels weird. Feel free to drop it!"

"Alright, casual it is then. You can drop it too."

"Nah, I take my time going casual with older folks. I'll switch once we're comfy, hyung!"

Park Gwanghyeok kept chatting as he led me inside.

"So, who you waiting for, hyung?"

"No one. Felt weird barging in alone since I don't know anyone, so I was killing time till it starts."

"Psh, we're all classmates or alumni now—what's there to be shy about? Let's head in."

Even in that short walk to the table, Gwanghyeok kept the conversation going nonstop.

'Sociable and likable personality. Yeah, he was the ultimate in-group guy in the chat too.'

I figured you needed that kind of vibe to be a true in-sider. I'd changed a lot since getting the Desire Fulfillment App, but deep down, I wasn't naturally outgoing.

'Kinda jealous of that personality.'

...Make that really jealous—enough to change the quest.

'The 1/10 means Gwanghyeok already sees me as a friend.'

He didn't seem like the fake-social, business-minded type. More like someone who genuinely enjoyed hanging out.

'That personality's gonna rake in benefits in the real world.'

I was already thinking I wanted to get close to him myself—case closed.

Gwanghyeok led me inside the bar and to a table where two girls who looked like freshmen were sitting.

"Dasul-ah, Jinju-ya! I brought Business major Kim Woobin hyung—no, wait, our Yunho hyung from Business!"

"Ooh, hi oppa. Way hotter than your pics, no cap."

"Hello! I'm Lee Dasul!"

"Yeah, hi."

Kim Jinju. Lee Dasul. Both regulars in the group chat banter with Gwanghyeok.

"I'll help with setup a bit more, so you guys bond with Yunho hyung. Be right back."

Gwanghyeok left, leaving a brief awkward silence, but Jinju and Dasul soon broke the ice.

"Don't we have to help like Gwanghyeok?"

"Nah, it's fine. He's just stamping his name early 'cause he wants to stand out in the department."

"Exactly. We're the stars tonight—let's just enjoy!"

As we chatted, Gwanghyeok returned.

"Department head's here. Should start soon."

Moments later, a middle-aged man with graying hair stepped onto the makeshift stage in the center of the room.

"Hello, freshmen. I'm Park Jungwon, head of Seoral University's Business Department."

The department head's welcome speech was short and punchy.

"A university is the golden tower of academia, where we absorb existing knowledge to create new things—that's our core duty. I hope you all remember that. Once more, congrats on joining Seoral University, and let's have fun today!"

"Wooo! Seoral! Seoral!"

"Business dept! Business dept! Department head rocks!"

The freshmen cheered wildly. Their shouts carried the joy and pride of entering the nation's top university—and one of the most promising humanities majors at that.

Suddenly, the profile windows of the seniors and classmates around me stood out, especially their floor levels.

'All Floor 10 or higher.'

Everyone in the bar was at least Floor 10.

'Just being a Seoral student gets you to Floor 10.'

It said a lot about Seoral's prestige in Korea.

As the speech ended and we ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠dug into food and drinks, the department head approached our table with what looked like student council members.

"Alright, this table next?"

"Professor, come on over!"

Gwanghyeok jumped up and offered his seat.

"Ah, Gwanghyeok. Thanks."

'Professor knows his name already?'

His eager prep work had paid off.

"Came to pour a round for my juniors and students."

"Yes, thank you. 19th class, Kim Jinju!"

"19th class, Lee Dasul."

"19th class, Song Yunho."

"Hm? Song Yunho? The 19th class top scorer?"

"Yes?"

Surprise flickered across our classmates' faces.

"Whoa, professor. You said Yunho hyung's the top scorer?"

The department head looked at me.

"You got perfect CSAT scores, right?"

"Ah... yes. That's right."

"Then it's you. Our department's top admit—the perfect CSAT kid who chose us. Had to memorize the name out of curiosity."

Admiration lit up Gwanghyeok's face.

"Whoa, hyung, that's insane. I missed two questions."

The student council senior next to the professor spoke up.

"Damn, our junior's not just hot-faced but hot-brained too. Thinking of joining student council?"

Our eyes met, and he backpedaled with an "oh."

"Bit sudden, huh? I'm Go Junsu, Business dept vice president."

Vice president, not president? Unexpected.

'Usually the president's the one shadowing the department head, right?'

The VP senior waited expectantly, so I paused my thoughts and replied.

"Ah, sunbae. I'll think it over and decide. I don't know how the department runs yet."

"Why not join first and think later?"

The department head cut in.

"Junsu, plenty of time—don't pressure him."

"Got it, professor."

As the VP senior smiled and stepped back, a status message floated above his head.

"Anyway, impressive. Most perfect scorers bolt for med school or whatever. Tsk tsk. What's with the obsession with professions anyway? Looks like you've got a real passion for business."

'Can't say I picked it 'cause it's less intense, fun for slacking, and useful for my ventures.'

"Truth is, I'm running a business already and felt gaps in the management side, so I decided to enroll."

"Oho, learning in the real world already."

The department head seemed to like me, keeping the chat going. What started as "one round" turned into three straight shots with just me before he moved on.

Even after he ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠left, I was still the center of attention.

"Whoa... oppa, you're running a business on top of getting into our school? Insane!"

That was Kim Jinju.

I could practically hear her affection level rising.

"Getting into our school while running a business? You're the real deal, hyung."

"Started after discharge. Super early days—no real sales yet."

The praise kept coming. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠A bit embarrassing, sure, but it felt good.

Not just our table—neighbors were leaning in too. We pushed tables together, making it eight of us partying.

These were top talents worthy of Seoral, after all. Soaking up their attention felt pretty great.

'In-Sider's Start quest at 6/10 and 11/20. Might clear this quicker than I thought.'

As we drank and chatted, everyone started getting a buzz.

"Guys, tipsy time—quick breather."

Gwanghyeok turned to me.

"Yunho hyung, bathroom run together?"

"Sure."

I followed him up.

"Smoke first?"

"You smoke?"

He grinned sheepishly.

"Haha, yeah. Learned the bad stuff early."

"What? Haha."

Witty, smooth, no rough edges. Likable guy through and through.

"You, hyung? Smoke?"

"Quit once. Gimme one, and I'll join."

"You smoke? Thought you quit?"

"It's fine. Didn't quit 'cause I wanted to."

I'd picked it up in the army after bombing CSAT and enlisting with a broken spirit. Quit post-discharge 'cause cigs were too pricey.

"Hits the nostalgia. Wanna light one up."

"Let's go then."

We stood side by side, cigs lit. Deep drag, exhale—white smoke pierced the cold air and spread.

The harshness made me cough lightly. He cracked up at the sight.

Back when life was toughest, cigs were my only comfort. I'd rationalized quitting for health when money forced it.

Those pathetic days were behind me. Now I stood here, confident.

The long-lost smoke was still bitter—and delicious.