Sudden Status Window

Suddenly, as he left the guard area, a status window popped up.

"Gasp!"

He was so startled that he sucked in a false breath.

"What's wrong?"

"Are you hurt anywhere, sir?"

Jeong So-ra looked at him with puzzled eyes, while Lee Jeong-hoon fretted with concern.

"Ah, it's nothing. I'll go ahead and tidy up first."

Seo Joo-hwan brushed past the two of them and slipped away. He needed to head somewhere quiet to sort out his thoughts.

He moved to the smoking area and took a deep drag from his cigarette.

Who would've thought I'd see someone else's status window.

And Jeong So-ra's status window was markedly different from his own. It had items he couldn't see on his—like favorability, lust, and fetishes.

The Incubus God, huh...

The skills and blessings were one thing, but even the status window lived up to the name. It was... perfect, really. With this, even a lifelong virgin like him might not find it so hard to charm a woman.

Though Jeong So-ra still loomed like an impossibly high peak.

One thing puzzled him, though—why had Jeong So-ra's status window appeared out of nowhere?

Does it only show for women?

That could be it. The biggest difference between her and others was gender.

But why now, and not earlier? That was odd too.

There must be some condition.

It wasn't contact. If it were, it would've popped up when she applied the pain-relief patch or when he caught her fall earlier.

So what was different now?

As he pondered, one thing came to mind.

"Paper cup?"

The status window had appeared right when he brought the paper cup to his lips. That was the only anomaly in that moment.

Is it activated by saliva?

He wasn't certain, but the odds were high. If his guess was right, it was a pretty tricky condition.

But that's not the priority right now.

He had no one else to test it on anyway. He'd leave the activation condition at that for now.

His top priority was the favorability, lust, and fetish listed on Jeong So-ra's status window.

Favorability B, Lust C+, Fat Admirer Low?

He got favorability and lust. But Fat Admirer under fetishes... did that mean exactly what it sounded like?

"Fat admirer? What the hell..."

He was curious about the other fetish marked with a question-mark error too.

*

Maybe because it was the day after training ended, the officers left the soldiers alone. Thanks to that, he could finally relax in the barracks.

As lunchtime approached, the announcement calling for those on leave blared out.

Seo Joo-hwan greeted Lee Jeong-hoon beside him and left the barracks.

"Hyung, I'm heading out."

"Yeah. Oh, don't forget to grab some Sajae smokes!"

"Got it."

He gave a vague reply and headed to the first floor. Time to head out on leave.

There were five guys heading out on leave today, including Seo Joo-hwan. After a perfunctory briefing at the command center, they stepped out past the sentry post.

The moment they were outside, the soldiers made a huge fuss.

"Man, outside the sentry post feels totally different! Just one door away, but wow!"

"Tell me about it. Sniff. So this is civilian air."

The privates and lance corporals—lowest in rank—were especially rowdy. Meanwhile, the sergeants and corporals casually unlocked their phones and called taxis.

One corporal caught his eye and approached.

"Joo-hwan, out alone?"

"Yeah. Looks like Min-gu's out with his platoon mates?"

"Haha, yep. All from the same squad. Taxi alone to the city'll cost a fortune—wanna ride with me?"

Taxis were necessary to get downtown, and solo rides ran over 10,000 won. Guys on leave usually shared.

But four could fit in one cab easily. This seemed like consideration.

Seo Joo-hwan shook his head with a smile.

"Thanks, but I'm good. Ride with the juniors."

"You sure? It'll cost a lot..."

Nice guy.

Not close, but he was looking out for him anyway. Seemed like a good dude—would've been buddies in the same company.

But today, he really was fine.

"Joo-hwan, kept you waiting long?"

"Captain—nope, just stepped out."

Jeong So-ra was picking him up.

"Hop in."

"Roger. Min-gu, I'm off first."

"Uh, yeah..."

The four soldiers gawked at civilian-clothed Jeong So-ra.

"Did the 4th Company commander always look that pretty?"

"Knew she was pretty, but..."

"Whoa..."

The car pulled away, leaving them behind.

*

Seo Joo-hwan glanced sideways with just his eyes.

Damn, she's stunning up close.

Even barefaced, she'd struck him as a beauty, but made-up? She could pass for an actress. Jeong So-ra was 27 now, right? Almost 28 by year's end.

How does that face look late twenties?

Career soldiers usually aged beyond their years, but she looked mid-twenties at most.

Seo Joo-hwan marveled inwardly and pulled up her status window.

Seo Joo-hwan's eyes widened at the status window. Was it the pheromones working in the enclosed space? Shockingly, Jeong So-ra's lust had risen a rank from yesterday.

"Joo-hwan?"

"Y-yes? Yes!"

He snapped out of it at her voice. She eyed him curiously.

He quickly changed the subject.

"Uh, Captain. Got some important errand today?"

"Huh? Why ask that outta nowhere?"

Jeong So-ra sounded visibly flustered. Outside base, her tone was higher, more feminine than usual. Her speech felt softer too.

"Never seen you like this. You look amazing today—like, actress-level."

"Haha, you're too kind. But thanks."

She didn't deny it much—clearly knew her own looks. Though no intention of spilling her plans.

I know anyway.

Jeong So-ra had a blind date today. Or maybe a boyfriend—who knew? It was hearsay from his past life.

Either way, she was meeting a guy somewhere, and it wouldn't go well.

Rumor had it, she got dumped today. Seo Joo-hwan planned to exploit that gap.

Didn't they say the heartbroken had open hearts? No idea if true, but worth a shot.

"Joo-hwan, where to drop you?"

"Ah, right at the intersection, turn right and straight to the mart."

"Sarang Mart?"

"Yes."

"Got it. Five minutes."

"Roger."

Conversation died there.

Seo Joo-hwan racked his brain for more topics. Nothing sprang to mind. He'd barely talked to women—or anyone besides work stuff. Total hikikomori.

Then Jeong So-ra glanced at him.

"Joo-hwan, got a question."

"Sure, ask away."

"What cologne you wear?"

"Pardon? Didn't catch that."

"Hmm. Wondering your cologne—brought it on last leave? Smells great."

Her cheeks flushed faintly. Breathing a tad quick too.

Sure enough, status check: favorability and lust up to B+.

The pheromone skill was more potent than expected.

"No cologne, really."

"Huh? For real?"

"Yeah."

"Body lotion or shampoo changed lately?"

"Same old."

"Weird... you didn't smell like this before."

Jeong So-ra tilted her head, genuinely puzzled. Her nose twitched—she was sniffing.

Her nose is unreal. Pheromones that strong? Can't smell it myself.

He sniffed his arm. His own scent, so no big change.

Five minutes later, they arrived. She parked and cautioned him earnestly.

"You're a corporal—don't need telling. No trouble."

"Got it. No worries."

"Good. Enjoy your leave."

"You too, Captain. Have a great weekend."

"See ya."

The car sped off. Her face was still a bit flushed at takeoff.

He worried if some faceless dude was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠about to luck out undeservedly. Once her car vanished, he hailed a taxi quick.

Can't let the dog eat the meat I hunted.

In the taxi, he said firmly,

"Sir, to Yeongyang County."

"Yeongyang? Huh?"

"Yes!"

"That's off-route—extra fare'll be ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠steep..."

"Ugh."

He hesitated. Taxi from Uljin to Yeongyang already pricey; extras could hit 100,000 won.

No choice—public transit from Uljin's crap options took six hours minimum. Taxi: two.

"Damn. Still, take me."

Money'd take a hit.

*

In Yeongyang, Seo Joo-hwan hit a clothing store first, then booked a motel. Reported to battalion he'd stay in Uljin town— no one's checking personally. They'd never know he jumped bounds.

Cap hiding his buzzcut, casual clothes: convincingly civilian.

"Whew, how much did I blow?"

Taxi alone nearly 100,000. Clothes and room: over 200,000 gone.

Good thing he borrowed Lee Jeong-hoon's jacket—another 50,000 saved.

"...So now what?"

Nothing to do. Lunch done while shopping; venturing out risked running into Jeong So-ra or officers too early.

Low odds, but caution for the what-if.

He rolled around bed blankly when—

Vrrr.

Unexpected call. Incoming: Seo Joo-hee, his little sister.

Shit. Forgot—promised to call post-training, but Jeong So-ra brain occupied him.

He snatched the phone. Familiar yet fresh voice:

Much younger, perkier than remembered. The ten-year rewind hit home.

Seo Joo-hwan replied with a grin in his voice.

"You called me, so I answered. Who else?"

"Fine?"

"'Hey' what to your big bro four years older?"

Tease, and she bit—perfect reactive little sis.

He quit messing, gave straight answer.

"Heh. On reward leave. Why call this phone? Got the receive-only one."

That gradient rage he'd only heard of? Her usual snippiness escalated to yells. But not really mad—fighting words masking worry.

"She worry much?"

"Thanks anyway."

"Am, so quit that. Hear Mom chiming in. Put her on."

Crack of her back resounding through the phone. Seo Joo-hwan chuckled happily.

"Yes, Mom. Sorry for not calling sooner. She worry?"

He smiled bitterly. She downplayed, but he knew better.

This was pre-his full misfortune streak, but bad luck signs showed young. Parents raising him 20+ years knew.

Thus, Mom always anxiously awaited training-end news.

Knowing, he pepped up.

"Mom, aced training—reward leave for it!"

"Haha, who am I son of? Zero injuries. No worries."

"How's Mom? Business good?"

His pre-regression tumble left bruises, but no need for full truth. White lie kicked off joyful family chat—Dad joined too.

As long talk wound down,

No way his blood sis called that affectionately. This voice—cherished like a sister, now trauma-rooted.

His childhood friend from before regression—the one who'd killed herself.