Brothel Mix-Up and the Aspiring Writer
That's all for today, Seo Joo-hwan thought, a whirlwind of suspicions flooding his mind in an instant. How does this guy know I hooked up with So-ra noona? Did Captain Park Kyung-soo spot us together? Is that why rumors are spreading?
If that was really the case, it spelled trouble. He didn't care much about himself, but Jeong So-ra's position would be seriously compromised. Seo Joo-hwan played it cool, feigning ignorance.
"What are you talking about? Hooking up out of nowhere?"
"You didn't? I figured you jumped to Yeongyang for some action since you even changed into civvies."
"Jump where exactly?"
"Where else? The brothel."
Lee Jeong-hoon said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Seo Joo-hwan, on the other hand, froze in shock at the random bombshell. Then it hit him—the hushed rumor that had quietly circulated around the base around this time.
"Oh, that... Russia?"
"Yeah. You didn't go?"
Lee Jeong-hoon asked with the most nonchalant expression. Seo Joo-hwan realized he'd completely misunderstood and smacked his forehead.
For starters, Lee Jeong-hoon had no clue about his relationship with Jeong So-ra. What he was referring to was the new brothel that had popped up in Yeongyang. Word was they had Russian girls there, and it had been a joking topic for a while.
Seo Joo-hwan let out a deep sigh.
"Why the hell would I go there?"
"Dude, you put on civvies and jumped to Yeongyang alone. Of course I thought you were heading there. Weren't you?"
"...No. Not interested in brothels."
"Come on. Just a few months ago, you were asking me if I knew any good spots."
"...Me?"
"Yeah, you. Said you wanted to lose your V-card."
"Crazy."
Seo Joo-hwan muttered a curse under his breath, his face flushing with embarrassment. A memory surfaced.
In the army, guys killed time with dirty talk when bored, and aside from him, everyone around had gotten laid. Feeling needlessly inferior, he'd once pondered hitting up a brothel to pop his cherry. And the one he'd asked for info? Lee Jeong-hoon, who he was closest to.
Now it all came rushing back, and the wave of shame left him reeling. He hadn't gone in the end—good thing, no regrets there—but asking about a place he was too chicken to even visit? He banged his head against the guard post pillar.
Lee Jeong-hoon stared at him like he was nuts, then chuckled.
"Anyway, glad you didn't go."
"...Why's that?"
"Felt kinda gross recommending it. Most guys regret losing it at a brothel."
Seo Joo-hwan nodded. Yeah, doing it there first would probably lead to regrets later. Reality would hit hard. But his first time with Jeong So-ra? Pure good memories. One he'd cherish forever.
As he reminisced with a goofy grin, Lee Jeong-hoon piped up.
"Wanna go hunting together sometime after discharge?"
"Huh? Hunting with me?"
Seo Joo-hwan wondered if he'd heard right. Lee Jeong-hoon cleared it up.
"I'll take leave mid-February after you get out. Meet up then? Club hunting?"
"Hell yeah!"
Seo Joo-hwan bit the bait hard. With someone like Lee Jeong-hoon? Fun was guaranteed. Plus, maybe he'd finally score that one-night stand he'd only heard about.
Just like that, they mapped out February plans. Seo Joo-hwan was already counting the days.
"So, Joo-hwan, what're you doing after discharge?"
"After discharge?"
"Got any plans?"
"Hmm. Nothing super detailed, but yeah, some ideas."
Lee Jeong-hoon's question touched on what Seo Joo-hwan had been mulling since regressing—not just post-army, but his whole future direction.
His previous life had been utter misery, dragging everyone around him down too. Since he could think straight, he'd lived in fear, cooped up at home to avoid hurting others.
Maybe as rebound psychology. This time, he wanted to do everything he desired. Back from the future to the past, money-making options were endless. No financial worries meant diving into as many fields as possible.
I wanna live fun. Do whatever I want, whenever I feel like it!
A second chance at life. Might as well live it right.
The issue? He wasn't even sure what he wanted exactly. But with the sweet "acquire partner's talents through sex" ability, he could figure it out slowly.
First, though, finish what he'd left undone before regressing.
"Gonna write."
"Write?"
"Web novels."
Pre-regression, Seo Joo-hwan had worked in web novel management. Cursed luck barely let him last a year before quitting, then he freelanced writing his own.
Surprisingly, it suited him. He'd always loved novels, comics, anime, and devoured web novels across genres, so he had broad knowledge.
Especially helpful: finishing two as a hobby at twenty before enlisting. Not bestsellers—blame luck or skill—but he had some fans.
Dying without finishing for them? It gnawed at him. Even now, pre-serialization, it stuck like a thorn.
Finish them. Put real effort in.
He resolved. His personality wouldn't let unfinished business slide.
Lee Jeong-hoon, hearing this, gawked.
"You write novels too?"
"Started at twenty, finished one before enlisting. Nothing special, just fantasy."
"What's not special? That's huge! A novelist in my circle."
The intense reaction threw Seo Joo-hwan off.
"Just web novels. Anyone can do it..."
"What's wrong with web novels? I like 'em more than regular ones."
"R-Really?"
"Yeah. Love web novels. Tried writing a few chapters once, but story dried up."
Now Seo Joo-hwan's eyes widened. Lee Jeong-hoon into web novels? He seemed like a total extrovert normie, zero subculture vibes.
"Where'd you serialize, Joo-hwan?"
"Geulse sang."
"No way? I read tons there. Can you tell me the title?"
"Ugh, it's kinda cringy..."
"Who cares? I wrote one in middle school called Death's Deathside."
Death's Deathside? The chuunibyou energy hit hard; he burst out laughing.
"Pfft... sorry."
"You laugh? Spill yours and you're forgiven."
Despite his words, Lee Jeong-hoon looked unfazed. Shameless guy. Seo Joo-hwan lightened up and shared.
"Blaze Chronicles. Cringy, right?"
"...Blaze Chronicles? Hold up. You pen name 'Seo Hwan'?"
"Huh? How'd you know?"
Chills ran down Seo Joo-hwan's spine. Bad feelings never lie.
"...Author-nim. This the army you mentioned going to?"
Lee Jeong-hoon was a die-hard fan.
*
Seo Joo-hwan suffered through the rest of his shift. Who'd guess his army buddy was a reader of his novels?
But the real issue was deeper.
"Joo-hwan, loved Martial Erotic Emperor."
"...You read that too?"
Lee Jeong-hoon had devoured even the adult stuff under the same pen name. He'd never told family or anyone—yet here it was, exposed to an acquaintance! Mortifying.
Embarrassment faded quick; their shared hobby sparked endless chat. Seo Joo-hwan learned new sides of pre-regression Lee Jeong-hoon.
"Let's make a game from your novels later. Sound good?"
Lee Jeong-hoon tossed it out jokingly. Realizing zero writing talent, he'd pivoted to game dev, another passion. Apparently skilled—made simple Flash games, even profited from a mobile one with friends pre-enlistment. Impressive.
Guy's got it all. Hot, fit, great personality, game dev talent.
Wonder if he has a system too? Silly thought as they walked back to the command post.
"Good work, both."
"Thanks, Captain."
"Thank you."
Jeong So-ra greeted them. Dark circles under her eyes.
"Captain, you up all night?"
"Yeah. So?"
She shot back like it was obvious. Should cut corners sometimes, but she did full FM duty. For the record, no other officers stayed up on duty—napping face-down was lucky.
Seo Joo-hwan shook his head in dismay.
"Other officers snuck naps... You're the only one pulling all-nighters."
"...It's the right way."
Her rigid FM style was so her. Flexible with soldiers, brutal on herself.
"Captain Kang-cheol, guards returned!"
All guards back, rifles and ammo returned. Seo Joo-hwan headed to barracks for sleep but looped back to the command post.
"Not sleeping? Something to say?"
"Here, a gift."
He handed over a small canned drink. Looked like ordinary Parkx but was a fatigue recovery item from gacha.
Jeong So-ra blinked between the can and his face, expression shifting oddly until she let out a soft chuckle. Pretending nonchalance while offering it? Adorable.
Was kinda annoyed before.
Just two weeks ago. Post-leave, his lingering gazes everywhere unnerved her—too obvious, what if caught? She'd pulled him aside and snapped sharply.
After, no more weird looks. Relief, but guilt too—had she been too harsh?
Now, bringing a drink? Cute and sorry-making, heart tangled.
"Thanks, Joo-hwan. I'll enjoy it."
"Captain."
"Yeah?"
"Uh, well... rest a bit... no, never mind. Heading up."
He fumbled, turned away. Instinctively, she grabbed his hand.
"Captain?"
"...Sigh. Follow me."
She sighed, tugging him out the back. Night shift guys panicked.
"4th Company Captain? Where to?"
"Back soon. Wait here."
Her icy tone silenced them.
Outside, she scanned, then closed in sharply. Seo Joo-hwan panicked. Gave her the item 'cause she looked beat—why mad? Bad idea mentioning rest? Or snacks hidden? Ah!
She leaned in.
"Joo-hwan, you keep pushing it?"
"...Pardon?"
He responded a beat late. Before him stood not Captain Jeong So-ra, but So-ra noona.
She sighed deeply, pulling his face to her chest.
"Why so cute?"
"What? I was just... mmph."
"Noona's holding back too, y'know?"
What? He listened quietly.
"Noona didn't mean it outta dislike. Got it?"
"...Yeah."
"Once becomes twice, twice three times—get caught, disaster. First time's tough, not after?"
Referring to his post-leave signals. He grumbled back.
"I know. Stopped after you said."
"Yeah. Good boy, Joo-hwan."
"...Am I a kid? Creeping out suddenly."
"Oh? Noona's creepy?"
"Yeah. Dark circles killer."
He wriggled free, face twisted like he couldn't take it. Pretty noona babying him felt nice, but sudden? Cringe overload.
Jeong So-ra, unfazed, beamed confidently.
"These circles? Still pretty, right?"
"...That confidence."
"Heh. Not smiling? Guess no more with me?"
"Prettiest girl I've seen."
He flipped instantly. She eyed him absurdly, but he shamelessly pressed.
"Now?"
"Ugh."
"Ow! Why hit... mmph?"
Pinched cheek, he yelped—then silenced. Her lips sealed his.
"Mmwah. Smooch. Smack."
Her tongue darted in briefly, intensely, then withdrew. Grinning, she pulled back.
"That's it for today. Go sleep."
"...Noona, that's cruel."
Light his fire then sleep? But duty commander—no pushing.
She stuck out her tongue mischievously.
"Yeah. Still, today only."
"...Today only?"
Emphasized today. Curious and hopeful, he stared. Just a meaningful smile.
He shook his head, tricked again.
"Sigh. Others see non-military noona, they'd freak."
"Haha. Totally."
"Anyway, drink it. Panda eyes bad."
"Aw. Cute? Confess again?"
"Argh! Bedtime!"
Hands up in surrender, he stomped to barracks. Unbeatable woman.