I'll Become the Scumbag (2)
-Ring ring ring ring ring!!!!
The alarm blared, and I turned it off with a sigh before dragging myself out of bed. After washing up, I grabbed the breakfast that was naturally laid out and ate it before plopping down in front of the computer.
But is this really okay?
Lately, I'd been holed up in my room nonstop, just watching streams, and a nagging guilt was creeping in. Shouldn't I be going out and having some fun?
Where would I even go, though?
Escape rooms or arcades felt like worlds away. Before I had money, I was too busy with part-time jobs, and now that I was rich, I never left the house.
Maybe I should hit the gym.
I poked at my body—it jiggled. Not quite pig-level fat, but definitely not the picture of health. Remembering there was a free gym in the apartment basement didn't sound half bad.
Hmm.
I didn't boot up the computer. Instead, I got up, left the apartment, hopped in the elevator, and headed downstairs.
If it were far, I wouldn't have bothered.
No matter how I sliced it, the gym was the devil's lair. I'd never felt so intimidated by an atmosphere before stepping inside. These days, they called it a holy site for tetonom.
-Ding~
The automatic door chimed as I entered, and the staff greeted me with a bright smile.
"Welcome~"
"...Hi. Here to work out."
"Apartment resident or outsider?"
"Resident."
"Need to verify your ID, cool?"
"Sure."
I handed over my ID.
"Kim Suhyun... 25 years old. You're young!"
"Nah."
"Here you go. All verified. Need PT? It's free for residents."
"Got it."
I changed into the basic gym clothes they provided and hopped on a treadmill, setting it to a light speed of about 3. Easy walking pace.
-Thud, thud, thud. Thud.
Huh... why's this kinda tough already? I had stamina from all those part-time gigs. Manly pride kicked in, so I cranked it to 7, and soon my breath was catching in my throat.
"Huff, huff."
Ten minutes. That's all I lasted before stumbling off the treadmill. Short if short, long if long.
How long have I been a shut-in...?
I hadn't even checked the stock market since confirming my coins weren't a scam—over half a year ago. So at least 180 days of zero productivity, just eating and watching videos...? Surviving ten minutes was a miracle.
Damn, muscle memory is real.
Not top 10%, but maybe average? I chuckled to myself.
"Heh heh."
A little exercise, and at least my back wouldn't ache from computer slouching anymore, right? With that tiny hope, I stood to head to the showers.
"Excuse me."
A voice from behind made me turn.
"Yeah?"
"Leaving already?"
It was the staff guy.
"Yeah, planning to take it slow."
"Ten minutes won't do much."
"It's fine. Just maintaining health."
"How about PT? You could look great with some muscle."
"...PT's a bit."
I waved him off. Not going hardcore—just basic fitness.
"...Alright."
He sighed regretfully.
"See you tomorrow."
I nodded, rinsed off quick, and headed home.
Like that, a week passed. I hit the gym daily, no skips.
"Aigoo, hyungnim~ You're here!"
"Ugh, no PT thoughts."
"I haven't even said anything yet."
"You've been at it for a week straight."
"Hyungnim's base is too pretty. Just train, and you'd be pro-level."
The staffer, Hyun-woo, eyed my body hungrily, even licking his lips like he was customizing me in his head.
"...Stop staring. It's creepy."
"Aw, hyungnim. Got a girlfriend. Not like that—just envious."
"Why so few customers? Place okay?"
"Folks at this price point build home gyms. No bankruptcy worries—it's covered in maintenance fees."
"Good to know."
Makes sense. Gym buffs probably don't schlep downstairs. I'd buy a machine for home too. Coming here just gave that "gym vibe."
One month, and I'd probably run at home?
"Honestly, it's sweet for me. Get paid to chill."
"Must've been tough getting in."
"Dad's the director."
"Nepo baby."
"This spot? All nepotism."
Hyun-woo nodded, eyeing me like you too, right? Lately, he'd been buddying up. Similar ages, he kept chatting, and I humored him—now we're pals. Quick to back off if I noped, polite honorifics always.
"Self-made here."
"At your age? What do you do?"
"No comment."
I shrugged. Can't say "sponsor VTubers while watching streams"—too embarrassing.
"Secret, huh... Figures. Can't spill the secret sauce."
He nodded wistfully.
"What do you do normally, Hyun-woo?"
"Stream."
"Stream?"
"Content uploads, really. With my sister."
"Oh."
Hyun-woo showed his channel on his phone. 5K subs. Not huge.
"Hyun-woo and Hyun-seo, fitness-focused but we game on stream. Total hakko life—hobby for now."
"Family collabs ain't easy."
"Girls eat it up...?"
"You're such a sellout."
"Kidding. We're close. Age gap helps."
"How old?"
"22. Hyungnim."
"...? How old are you, Hyun-woo?"
"Me? Thirty-two."
...Hold up. That babyface is 32? Even generously, he looked like a fresh 20s college kid.
"Wait. You're the hyung then. Why call me hyungnim?"
"Hyungnim, hear me out. Core philosophy."
He got serious, lips parting carefully.
"Rich folks? Just call 'em hyungnim, right?"
"Still, seven years younger—hyungnim?"
"Don't sweat it. Just a title."
True? Like calling a high schooler hyungnim at my age.
Shameless or realistic?
From watching him, latter. Charmed everyone—aunties got "noona." Innate passive skill.
"If hyungnim bugs you, back to 'member-nim.'"
"Whatever's comfy."
Fine, just a label. Like that MC calling everyone "you guys."
"Hyungnim it is. Workout now?"
"Yup."
"Go get 'em!"
He handed workout clothes; back to counter.
Post-workout, home, computer. Searched Hyun-woo's channel. Subs up to 5031. 30+ vids—serious hakko grind.
Doesn't scream failure potential.
Vids were cleanly edited. No jumps, smooth. Nitpick: too vanilla, no personality?
Fitness channel—personality secondary.
Some gymtubers do mukbangs, but core's education. Clean edits can't hurt.
Channel linked to stream site: a VTuber, 11 viewers.
Why VTuber?
Vids showed faces plain. Now a tacky avatar? Voice hit as I puzzled.
"Shit! This is such bullshit!!!"
AOS game—black death screen, folk-game vibes.
"Fuck!"
...Same person? Vids: cool ice queen. This? Rage machine.
Avatar's a crime.
Claymation-level. Even hakko-vet me shook my head.
Why this quality?
Killed stream, hit Gallery, searched "Hyun-seo."
Four posts. Barely dodged 0-1 post curse, all avatar roasts.
Entry barrier. Spot on.
Sponsored from burner:
[Dude. Why VTuber like that?]
"What?"
Cold voice.
"You little shit, scammed so that's why! GTFO! No normies!"
Tough nut.