Serialization Begins!
Tadadak! Tadak!
Faster than ever before, a flood of diverse sentences sprang to mind, and the narrative fell neatly into place. His fingers danced across the keyboard at least twice their usual speed.
Let's organize the plot as I serialize. I've already got a rough outline and setting, so I just need to refine it...
The Concentration Blessing didn't just boost focus—it enhanced thinking power too. For a creator, it was an unparalleled boon. Seo Joo-hwan's mind raced at unprecedented speeds, filling gaps in the setting and drawing out varied phrasing.
That was the issue readers pointed out before, right here? If I tweak it like this... perfect. Now it flows naturally.
The piece he was writing now was the one he'd been serializing right before his regression in the previous world. Titled The Possessed Master is a Martial Arts Public Enemy.
The Possessed Master is a Martial Arts Public Enemy had been his best-performing work. But it was also the only one left unfinished due to his death.
He wanted to complete it in this life. It was a matter of responsibility as an author.
No one knows it hasn't been serialized yet...
Even so, his sense of duty didn't vanish. Readers who had enjoyed his work existed in this post-regression world too. They might not remember it, but if fate brought them back, they'd devour it with joy again.
Seo Joo-hwan lost track of time, immersing himself in writing.
"Ah...!"
They say entering a deep state of concentration induces a trance-like state. As the blessing's effect faded, Seo Joo-hwan snapped out of a hazy dream.
Drip, drip.
"Huff, huff. What the—sweat everywhere..."
He'd only been writing, yet sweat poured off him like after an intense workout.
"This takes a toll on stamina."
Just a blessing to sharpen focus, but the stamina drain was unexpectedly massive. It felt like he'd exercised, not written.
Wiping off the sweat, Seo Joo-hwan checked what he'd produced in four hours.
"How much did I write?"
Normally, he'd save after each chapter and open a new page. But this time, he'd written nonstop without even that, so he had no idea how many chapters.
Usually, four hours got him about 16 pages—with a solid plot. A full chapter, including revisions, took him six hours total.
"...34 pages?"
Seo Joo-hwan let out a startled gasp.
"Haha..."
A dazed laugh escaped him. At 10.5pt font in the word processor, 34 pages meant two full chapters. And not skimpy ones—the kind fans called "hefty."
"The effect is insane."
He'd thought the fatigue too much, but the results were beyond imagination. Two chapters in four hours! One every two hours!
Even accounting for the pre-existing setup and plot, it was phenomenal speed.
I didn't look away once.
Human focus has limits; distractions creep in. But the Concentration Blessing let him pour every pure four hours into writing.
Hence the results.
If I use it right, it'll revolutionize serialization.
Not just serialization. Its versatility made it useful for all daily tasks. But proper use demanded serious stamina and LP backing.
LP especially—he worried about running dry if he used blessings like water.
Then Lucy chimed in reassuringly.
There are plenty of ways to acquire LP. The Lust System was designed for the user's convenience, so with a little effort, gathering enough LP is entirely feasible.
"Hmm. Really? Well, it gave points just for losing weight with effort. Wonder if it'll give more once I'm out of obese territory?"
Sorry, I cannot answer that.
"Tch."
Seo Joo-hwan clicked his tongue in disappointment.
Seo Joo-hwan's vacation routine was simple. Mornings on an empty stomach at the gym for PT, lunch at the family snack bar. Then home to write for serialization. This monotonous daily loop was pure bliss for him.
Was his constant grinning unexpected? Han Su-ah eyed him and said,
"Hwan oppa."
"Yeah?"
"Oppa, you got some good news lately?"
"Huh? Why?"
"Your face looks so happy. Like the old oppa."
"Old me?"
"Yeah! When we were little kids!"
Han Su-ah nodded vigorously. Seo Joo-hwan inwardly agreed but let out a hollow chuckle. "Kid" from her sounded awkward.
"You're still a kid."
"...Not now, I mean when we were total kids."
"149cm is total kid height..."
"Ugh! Seriously?! You gotta say that?"
"Puhaha. Sorry, sorry."
Seo Joo-hwan burst out laughing and apologized. Her bouncy reactions made teasing irresistible.
Han Su-ah, who'd been annoyed, now gazed at the giggling Seo Joo-hwan with a peculiar look.
Something's definitely changed.
She'd stake her 19-year childhood friend honor on it. Vacation Seo Joo-hwan was different. Just look at how he treated her and Joo-hee.
Glimpses of his old playful, lively self peeked through. What good fortune had lifted the shadow from his face?
Then a hunch flashed.
Her puppy-dog eyes widened as she said,
"Hwan oppa, did you get a girlfriend?!"
"Huh?"
"You did! That's why you're so happy, right? Ara auntie! Hwan oppa got a girlfriend!"
"What? Really, son?!"
"Our mom's son has a girlfriend?"
No sooner asked than she blurted it out without waiting. Seo Ae-ra, mid-serving, startled. Seo Joo-hee, entering the snack bar, gasped. Father Seo Jae-pil turned, knife in hand.
All eyes in the snack bar locked on them, naturally.
Seo Joo-hwan floundered wordlessly, shaking his head frantically. Only after vigorous head-shaking that might snap his neck did the mood calm.
Moments later.
"Hiiing."
Han Su-ah clutched her sore head from the knuckle-rap.
"Ow... So not a girlfriend?"
"No, you dummy. Girlfriend? I haven't even discharged yet."
"Hmm. Then what? Why's Hwan oppa so happy?"
She glared, demanding answers. Her naturally gentle eyes weren't scary, but Seo Joo-hwan played along.
"A soldier on vacation is obviously happy."
"That's it?"
"What else? Hmm. Maybe the workouts. Been doing PT a week now. Notice the weight loss?"
"Well... yeah, definitely slimmer. Honestly, oppa's a bit handsome now."
"Oho, handsome?"
"A bit! And only in my eyes!"
"...Hey, got it. Why hurt me like that."
"Hehe. Just warning you so you don't get flak strutting around handsome."
"Thaaanks..."
They bantered warmly. Seo Joo-hee watched with deadpan eyes and shook her head.
Can't watch this.
Handsome my ass. Han Su-ah said that because she was biased. Slimmer or muscled, to her he was just "our mom's son."
Though his face is brighter.
The shadow had lifted. Even as a sister, she could see the improvement.
Then Seo Joo-hwan's fork speared her plate's egg—the one she'd saved for last.
"Not eating? Mine then?"
It vanished into his mouth. Seo Joo-hee glared daggers, raising her gripped fork.
"Hey! Want me to shadow your face again?"
"Eek!"
"Joo-hee's scary!"
Never poke a dog while eating—or a little sister.
Evening, the family gathered cozily watching TV.
"By the way, son, what about university?"
"Huh?"
"You'll reenroll, right?"
That jogged his memory—he was on leave. Reenrollment forgotten, he equivocated.
"Uh... thinking about it."
"Really? Mom wants you back before it's too late. Still first-year; delaying more'll be tough."
"Haha..."
At twenty, he'd taken leave right after enrollment to write. Wrote a year, then enlisted.
Should I reenroll?
Now twenty-three. Late for first-year even if immediate.
What to do?
Money-wise, no need. His invested Bitcoin rose steadily.
Yet quitting outright didn't sit right.
I'll mull it over in my room.
"Gonna head to my room first," he said, retreating. Seo Ae-ra panicked, wondering if she'd said too much.
Door shut, silent Seo Jae-pil spoke softly.
"Support whatever he chooses. Let him do what he wants."
"...But to make a living, doesn't he need a degree?"
Motherly worry. Who could argue?
But Seo Jae-pil shook his head firmly.
"Look how bright his face is now."
"True, much better. So glad. But why bring it up?"
"Soldier's on vacation and still writing. Means he loves it. People should live doing what they love."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"But didn't you oppose his writing?"
"That was... thought he was escaping."
When Seo Joo-hwan took leave for writing, Seo Jae-pil had raged. Thought he was holing up using novels as excuse.
Actually, he'd challenged web novels—but feared relationships too. True enough.
Now's Seo Joo-hwan was different. Seo Jae-pil sensed it.
Recalling two days ago: "Went to talk, but he didn't notice, so focused. Felt bad interrupting, just left."
Seeing his son that day shocked him anew. Son who'd grown avoidant from misfortunes now challenged deathly.
Actually the Concentration Blessing, but Seo Jae-pil misunderstood deeply, vowing unconditional support.
Convinced by her husband's resolve? Seo Ae-ra nodded resignedly.
"Fine. If you say so."
"Don't worry. No degree needed these days. Times changed from ours. Worst case, inherit the snack bar."
"Hoho. Wish Joo-hwan knew you think that."
"Ahem. Enough."
Seo Jae-pil coughed awkwardly. Listening quietly, Seo Joo-hee spoke.
"Dad, then can I skip uni too? I'll run the snack bar."
Seo Ae-ra's brows shot up. Before Seo Jae-pil could reply,
"You little shit. No bullshit—study in your room!"
"Why always pick on me?!"
"Ramen-fumbling twerp running a snack bar?"
"Tch. Mom can't cook either. Dad does it, not you."
"You brat?! No concert the day after. Give back the ticket!"
"Eek?! What?! Unfair! Mom dummy! Dad, help!"
Seo Jae-pil coughed again, eyes on TV. Loved his daughter, but wife scarier... no, more lovable.