That's Scary...
"What is that? That's scary...."
"Then I'll see you tomorrow evening, Writer-nim."
"Yes. See you tomorrow, PD-nim."
The two had made plans for a Sunday evening dinner.
Seo Joo-hwan scratched the corner of his eye as he stared at his smartphone, now silent after the call ended.
"Who would've thought that woman back then was Choi Mi-hwa the PD...."
Of course, he'd heard her name when he got her number, but he'd assumed it was just a coincidence—someone with the same name. He never imagined it was the same person.
Back in his previous life, he'd only ever heard her name in passing; he'd never actually seen her face.
"Well, whatever. It worked out great."
He'd been a bit flustered at first, but now he'd not only landed a capable editor but also built a personal connection with her. It was a win.
Choi Mi-hwa was already making waves in the industry. Thanks to the works she'd scouted, Punibooks—a fledgling platform barely a year old—was gaining serious traction.
He did wonder why a fourth-year editor like her had left her old gig at Red Novel for a startup, though.
Suddenly curious, Seo Joo-hwan wondered about Choi Mi-hwa's status window. What kind of talents did someone that exceptional have?
"Lucy, show me Choi Mi-hwa's status window."
He'd already made contact with her. The image of her clinging to him, sobbing uncontrollably after he'd saved her, was still fresh in his mind.
Her status window appeared.
Seo Joo-hwan let out a small gasp of admiration. A woman who loved naughty stuff? What else could top that for appeal?
"Oh... those are some delicious talents."
His eyes lingered especially on Insight and Speed Reading.
Insight was probably an eye for spotting potential in works. It might even extend to people or other things—a broad talent.
Speed Reading was self-explanatory: devouring text at high speed. No wonder she could scout even bottom-tier writers. She must plow through mountains of writing.
Sharp Tongue, on the other hand, sounded intimidating. Rumors from his past life surfaced: she was infamous for her brutally sharp feedback.
"Hmm. I really want those."
Snagging either Insight or Speed Reading would be a huge boost for his writing.
But talents required sex to acquire. Seducing a woman and sleeping with her in one day? That was way too high-level.
With Jeong So-ra, it had worked because his Pheromone skill and her fetishes for "fat bodies" matched perfectly—not to mention their year-plus together.
Choi Mi-hwa was a different story.
His only hope was that he was her savior, but would that be enough? A botched attempt could cost him his top editor.
After agonizing over it, Seo Joo-hwan shook his head vigorously.
"Tch. Might as well give it a shot."
Those talents were too tempting to pass up. He'd at least test the waters.
"Lucy, explain the fetishes."
Maybe the answer lay there.
Lucy's explanation followed.
"Oh...."
Seo Joo-hwan whistled softly. Lover of porn and dirty talk. Suddenly, he could see a path forward.
*
The night before and that morning, Seo Joo-hwan had bought gacha pulls.
Sex-related powerful luck intervenes!
[Item: Hair~Hair Nutrition Supplement granted.]
[Item: Charm-Boosting Lip Balm granted.]
The effects of the gacha items were as follows.
▶ Effect 1: Nourishes hair and improves texture. Consistent use might give you silky, flowing locks.
▶ Effect 2: Prevents and treats hair loss. Prevention is instant, but treatment time varies by severity.
▶ Effect 1: Boosts lip attractiveness. Women might find them irresistibly kissable?
▶ Effect 2: Prevents chapped lips and heals existing damage. Healing requires consistent use.
"Whoa! Hair loss treatment!"
Seo Joo-hwan got seriously pumped reading the supplement's effects.
Hair loss treatment! Forget nutrition or texture—the real game-changer was curing baldness.
Even cutting-edge modern science couldn't crack that yet. For M-shaped baldness especially, all you could do was slow it down.
Before regression, at just 24, he'd been forced into a wig from severe M-baldness. It hit hard and fast; watching his hairline recede daily had wrecked him with stress. It even progressed to circular bald spots, forcing him to shave it all off in defeat.
Sure, his karma fix probably reversed it now, but having tasted baldness terror, this item was a godsend.
He just wished he'd gotten more than ten supplements.
"...Gotta grind those points hard."
It was his firmest resolve yet. Gacha needed LP, after all.
*
He was set to meet Choi Mi-hwa at 7 PM. He could've gone earlier, but he'd deliberately pushed it back—for morning gym and a salon visit.
"Ugh... that was tough. Thanks for the hard work, Su-hee-ssi."
"Hehe. You too, Joo-hwan-ssi."
Im Su-hee, owner of Ribbon Fitness and his personal trainer, wiped sweat from her brow.
Even after moving to Anyang, Seo Joo-hwan kept hitting the gym—just the Anyang branch now instead of Gwangmyeong. Lucky break: he could still train under Im Su-hee there.
"Glad you shuttle between Gwangmyeong and Anyang. I was gonna ask if they could assign a new trainer."
"...Ahaha. Anyang's new, so I've been back and forth to check on it."
Im Su-hee paused awkwardly with a smile. When he tilted his head, she quickly added,
"And you're lucky. They usually just refund in those cases. Switching mid-way is tough."
"Ah, seriously lucky then."
"Hehe. You wouldn't want a trainer switch either, right?"
"Yeah. Familiar's best. Especially learning from someone like you, Su-hee-ssi."
"Oh? What's that mean?"
"Haha. Means you teach great."
"Pfft. That's it?"
"...Well, training under a beauty has perks too."
"Kuku. Flattery won't get you leniency in workouts."
"Ugh. Busted?"
He feigned dismay. Their ongoing PT sessions had gotten them close enough for this banter.
After showering, he said goodbye and left the gym.
"Let's see... plenty of time."
Post-workout, it was prep time. Plenty left till 7, but salon and shopping couldn't wait.
Just one casual outfit.
Tall and slimmed down, nothing fit except his workout clothes from before. But only one set? His body was still changing. Height had stabilized, but weight kept dropping—he'd hit 75kg recently.
175cm, 75kg. Slightly overweight still, but reborn compared to 92kg.
Seo Joo-hwan headed to his pre-booked salon.
He usually hit the cheap men's barbershop nearby, but today he'd splurged on Anyang's priciest spot.
A massive place worlds apart from the local joint. A female staffer greeted him with a perfect sales smile.
"Welcome~! First time? Write your preferred stylist's name here if you have one."
"Nah, first visit. Oh, I booked ahead."
"Ah, name please?"
"Seo Joo-hwan."
"Yes... Huh? Oh, you're the lucky one."
"Pardon?"
Random cryptic comment from the staffer.
She explained with her sunny smile intact.
"You booked with Stylist Sea, right?"
"Ah, yeah."
"She's our ace, always booked solid. Super hard to snag a slot."
"......"
"But recently, one spot opened up from a cancelation—and you grabbed it right away."
"...Ah, got it."
Chatty one. But "lucky" was good.
Soon, a stylist called his name.
"Seo Joo-hwan-ssi?"
Jeans and white tee: Shin Ha-neul, beaming.
"This way?"
"Yes."
"What'll it be?"
"Uh... not sure. Any recommendations? Keeping bangs natural, please. And style it after."
Ace at a big salon—figure she'd hook him up.
She pondered, then nodded.
"Cool sides, tidy bangs. Thin it out a bit... I'll show you styling after."
"Sure."
He nodded, thinking ace or not, sounds standard—like a two-block.
Cut began; she chatted.
"Customer, fresh out of service?"
"Ah, that obvious?"
He blinked. Helchang's Blessing grew his hair fast... still soldier vibes?
Shin Ha-neul laughed at his reaction.
"Hoho. Hair's long, but style screams it. Post-discharge growers get this look."
"R-Right. Pros know."
"Yep? This length says a month or two out?"
"Nah, just ten days."
"Huh? Wow, grows fast. See you often then."
Wide-eyed surprise, sly invite. Good sales.
Sweet-talker too—easy chat despite first meet. Usually awkward, but comfy now.
She kept talking while cutting.
"First time here? Pricey spot—date night?"
"Huh? No, no girlfriend."
"Really? Thought you had one. Surprising."
"Haha, thanks. First time hearing that."
"For real? Sounds fake...."
Mood-booster. Lip service on point. He'd come back.
Curious, Seo Joo-hwan pulled her status window. Another talent check—his new hobby.
Shin Ha-neul's status appeared.
The window popped up, followed by Lucy's inevitable explanation.
What is that? That's scary....