Chapter 100
Chapter 100
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: The Verdict on Physical Fitness Measurement
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Seo Joo-hyung, an office worker at the Awakener Association.
Today, like any other day, he was diligently pumping iron at the association's gym.
"Hup! Hup!"
"Grraaah!"
The embarrassing grunts and sweat stench from the men weren't unpleasant; they were just one of the things that fueled his iron-pumping cravings.
In fact, today was his day off.
The association's gym facilities were on a whole different level from some neighborhood spot, so Joo-hyung had driven a full thirty minutes to the association just to use it on his precious vacation day.
It was worth every second, given how top-notch the setup was.
As an employee-only gym, everyone there was a familiar face.
Unlike other gyms where people kept chit-chat to a minimum, the Awakener Association's gym had a laid-back vibe—folks talked shop about workouts or work without a care.
There wasn't a single female employee in the gym today.
A few women did work out sometimes, but right now, it was a total sausage fest, thick with manly sweat.
"Urgh! Urgh! Hyaah!"
With no women around anyway, the guys went all out—no holding back on the battle cries as they dove deep into their sets.
This gym bro paradise of peace.
Shattered the moment the elevator doors slid open and two women stepped in.
Conversations that had been buzzing just seconds ago died instantly.
When a beautiful woman shows up, every guy's eyes naturally gravitate her way—it's just instinct.
Joo-hyung stole a glance at the newcomer too.
'Ugh.'
Then he inwardly clicked his tongue.
Damn it, he thought it was some other female employee, but it was Yoo Euisul.
Yoo Euisul's world-class bitchiness was infamous—every single Awakener Association employee knew about it.
Her looks were objectively stunning, way above average, a real knockout.
But that inhuman personality tanked her popularity among the staff to rock bottom.
As Joo-hyung tried to shift his focus back to his workout, ignoring her.
His eyes locked onto the pink-haired woman trailing behind her.
"Whoa..."
Not just him—every guy mid-set froze, staring at the pink-haired beauty.
She was definitely.
The hottest topic buzzing around the association lately.
Awakener and VTuber extraordinaire, Lee Jia.
Coordinated to perfection, maybe on purpose.
Her pink hair matched that pink sports bra, instantly snagging every guy's gaze.
That awkward expression and stiff movements on Lee Jia.
Total gym newbie vibe.
She radiated that fresh-faced noob allure gym vets crave.
...And honestly, she just looked hot all around.
Ah.
Wanna coach her. Bad.
Spot her form up close and personal!
That primal urge hit every guy hard.
"What the hell are you staring at?"
Until Yoo Euisul shut it down.
Aw, man.
Yoo Euisul, you rude bitch.
As long as that witch sticks to Lee Jia's side, any chance of coaching her is gone for good.
In the end, Joo-hyung and the other gym bros.
"Hyaack!"
Had to settle for sneaky peeks at Lee Jia's workout.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Torture.
Weight training was straight-up torture.
35kg squats, 10 reps, 3 sets.
45kg squats, 10 reps, 3 sets.
By the time I hit 50kg squats, 10 reps, 2 sets.
"Eek... Hah... Ngh..."
Embarrassing grunts started slipping from my lips.
My face twisted up, sweat pouring everywhere.
"I-I can't do it anymore!"
I finally called it quits at my limit.
But Yoo Euisul surprisingly nodded easy enough.
"Alright, that's enough."
"We're really done? For real?"
"Yeah. Squats are over. On to bench and deads."
"Oh."
Damn it.
Bench press and deadlifts were still coming up.
This wasn't strength testing—it was outright torture.
......
......
......
Bench press was the hardest.
Not just the lack of power.
That barbell pressing into my chest felt so damn uncomfortable.
I managed deadlifts up to 70kg, barely scraped 30kg on bench for the finale, and then strength testing wrapped.
"Heok, heok, heok..."
Running followed by iron—pure agony.
Every muscle screaming...
...Nah, not really.
No pulls or strains or anything.
Just felt a bit wiped out, that's all.
Weird.
They say overdoing workouts causes soreness.
Squats: 50.
Deadlift: 70.
Bench press: 30.
My big three total: 150.
"Not bad for someone who's never touched weights before. Puts you in the top 1% of regular folks."
"Oh, so I pass?"
"Nah. Stamina passes, strength fails."
"Why? 150 big three is top-tier for normals!"
"Sure. But. Y'know. Are you normal?"
"...No."
"How many items over 30kg do you think you have?"
"Uh, three... maybe?"
"Over ten. All useful ones too. And mark my words—as long as you don't drop dead suddenly, you'll be forced into situations where you gotta use 'em all within three months."
"..."
I bit back 'But can't you just tank it for me, Euisul unnie?'
Even I knew that was shameless.
I get it now—strength matters big time for handling anomalous phenomena.
But still.
Working out? Meh.
"House is close to the association anyway, so hit the gym at least four days a week. Home workouts the other three."
"Sure, sure."
I mumbled vague agreement to her verdict.
Yeah, no way I'm going.
Am I nuts?
Streaming daily keeps me busy enough—add gym commutes three-plus days a week?
Just kill me instead.
Seeing my half-assed reply—which she clearly predicted—Yoo Euisul spoke up again.
"Oh, and if there's no strength gains in a month, I'm never teaming up with you on anomalous zones again. Fair warning."
"Wha—y-you're joking, right?"
"Nope."
I glanced at her.
Dead serious face, more than ever.
Yoo Euisul is my lifeline.
Me soloing an anomalous zone without her?
I'd sooner get scrapped than try that insanity—I don't have the guts.
When she pushes that hard, I can't just blow off workouts.
"Fine... I'll do it. Work out. Happy?"
Damn it.
One more obligation piled on.
Is true freedom just a pipe dream in my life?
Seeing my crushed expression.
Yoo Euisul scratched her head like something bugged her.
"Ugh, annoying."
Then snapped irritably.
What now?
I said I'd work out!
"Never thought I'd say this. But it's all... for you."
"...Huh?"
"For."
"What?"
"I-I'm saying this for your sake, got it?"
"Oh."
First time seeing it.
Yoo Euisul stumbling over words.
Or sounding like she actually cared about me.
Brand new sight.
I'm not dumb.
That line she just dropped? Took real guts for her.
She's going that far for me.
Can't exactly throw a tantrum and skip workouts now.
"Thanks for looking out, Euisul unnie."
She whipped her head away, embarrassed at my positive reply.
"Anyway, do it right since you're doing it. Half-assing won't tear the muscle fibers."
"Got it... Wait. Huh? Holy shit!"
"What. Now."
Pause.
"Euisul unnie. About how human muscles grow—you work out, tear the fibers on purpose, they regenerate stronger and bulkier... That the principle?"
"Roughly. Force-tear muscle fibers with overload, then protein and rest rebuild 'em thicker."
"B-but I'm not human, so... workouts might not work?"
Her face twisted at my words.
I quickly clarified to avoid misunderstanding.
"Would my muscle fibers even tear from exercise?"
"..."
She looked shocked, then came over and started poking me everywhere.
"Hurt?"
"Nope."
"Here?"
"Th-that tickles!"
"This spot?"
"Nothing."
"For real? Zero soreness! Theoretically, your body can't grow muscle at all. Ugh, that explains it—no muscle mass, yet handling decent weights from the start? Total BS!"
Game terms: Fervent Devotee race starts with high base Strength like 20.
But no gains from level-ups... Kinda like that.
"So."
"...Forget workouts. Pointless if there's no growth—why waste time?"
God.
Finally cutting me some slack with your grace.
Shout it out, Reflecting Myriad Stars!