Heading Out for the MT
The Publishing Content department at Da-an University was split into A and B classes, with about forty students per class. Dividing them into groups came out to roughly eight groups. Then they tossed in one or two upperclassmen from the second- and third-year student council, plus some returning students, per group, bumping it up to a final nine groups. Seo Joo-hwan was in Group 7.
"Unnie Ha-yeon, you're so pretty. Do you have a boyfriend?"
"Thanks. But no boyfriend. What about you girls—got boyfriends?"
This was Jeong Ha-yeon and the girls buttering each other up.
"Hyung Kyung-jun, you said you did active duty, right?"
"Huh? Yeah. Ninth Division."
"Ninth Division—that's the White Horse, isn't it? Is the salute really as badass as they say?"
This was Jo Kyung-jun and Jang Deok-hoon chattering away.
And Seo Joo-hwan was muttering, "Fuck...."
Just like in his previous life, he was sitting alone. Group 7 had eleven people total, which meant one person had to sit solo. The girls numbered exactly eight, so they paired off among themselves. That left Seo Joo-hwan, Jo Kyung-jun, and Jang Deok-hoon—the three guys. They decided pairs with rock-paper-scissors, and without any blessings kicking in, Seo Joo-hwan drew the short straw and ended up alone.
"PTSD incoming...."
He remembered how, back in college before his regression, whenever he had to take the bus for school stuff, he was always alone. That empty seat next to him felt so damn lonely....
Then his smartphone buzzed.
Seo Joo-hwan chuckled softly, thinking at least something was different this time. He wasn't being shunned like before. He replied Got it, and Yoo Ji-kyeong fired off another KakaoTalk.
Seo Joo-hwan replied casually and changed 'Yoo Ji-kyeong' in his contacts to 'Yo Ji-kyeong.' Perfect fit for her.
Bzzz~. Another KakaoTalk popped up. It was from his editor, Choi Mi-hwa.
Yellow Pages gift box bumped your rankings way up. At this rate, we might push more promo after 200 chapters based on performance.
But it's not exclusive, so don't get your hopes too high. We'll promo more on other platforms instead.
Hit me up anytime if you have questions about the work.
Seo Joo-hwan opened the app after reading it.
9. The Possessed Master is a Martial Arts Public Enemy - Martial Arts
37. The Possessed Master is a Martial Arts Public Enemy - Overall
A smile crept across his lips as he checked the overall rankings. He'd been a bit anxious before the gift box, but just hours after, it had cracked the top 10 in the martial arts category. Hell, it might even snag a brief number one in martial arts.
Top spot overall might be a stretch?
Yellow Pages was weak on martial arts compared to other genres. Even if it hit number one overall, it'd probably spike quick and drop fast. And non-exclusive works got less promo push, so holding top ranks long-term was tough.
But with other platforms too.
Combined launches across sites should bring decent income. Plus, his ongoing series on the original platform was already raking it in.
When this month's payout hits, what to get Mom and Dad first? Swap out the snack bar's AC before summer, then a new bag for Mom, kitchen gear for Dad....
Filial piety first. He'd held back before because explaining bitcoin profits felt sketchy, but a legit payout? They'd be surprised by the amount but get it.
He was browsing the launched platforms, lost in thoughts like these, when—
"Seo Joo-hwan!"
"Gah! Shit, you scared me!"
He jumped and glanced over—Jeong Ha-yeon was sitting there. No clue when she'd slipped from the front.
"Ugh, my heart. Ha-yeon, give some warning when you move."
"You scared me more. Who ignores you calling three times?"
"Huh? You called?"
"Three times. What had you so zoned?"
"Oh? Uh... just reading web novels."
Seo Joo-hwan scratched his eye corner, brushing it off. Admitting he wrote them felt embarrassing.
Jeong Ha-yeon tilted her head. "Web novels? Fun?"
"Never read any?"
"Nah. I binge webtoons and manga, but novels? Can't get into 'em. Recommend a good one."
"Sure, but... why ditch the girls to come here?"
Just moments ago, the four girls had been chattering excitedly. Why switch seats now?
Wait... could it be?
Friday night flashed back—the odd question and smile at the smoking area. Did Jeong Ha-yeon like him?
She sighed wearily. "Don't even ask. Exhausting as hell talking to girls."
He figured as much. If she really liked him, she wouldn't have kneed him for trying to kiss her, yelling not to pull that shit.
Seo Joo-hwan chuckled. "Can't handle girls? You're a guy now?"
"You seen a guy this pretty?"
"Personality says drill sergeant... Ow!"
Her elbow jabbed his solar plexus.
"Wanna get hit?"
"Hey, warn before swinging!"
"Punch first, ask later."
"See? Total... girl. Sky's the limit."
"Oho, quick on your feet?"
Jeong Ha-yeon eyed his flustered face and giggled softly.
"Heh. Way more comfy with you than girls. Same age maybe?"
"Dunno? Deok-hoon and Seok-chan feel easy too."
"True. Honestly, more fun with you guys than girls. Should've been born a dude."
"Nah, can't have that."
Seo Joo-hwan said it firmer than usual. She blinked.
"Why?"
"You'd have me, Seok-chan, and Deok-hoon as minions, dragging us around."
"What the hell, dude!"
"Nah?"
"Nah? It's basically that now."
"...Fair."
At school, she hung mostly with girls, but after classes, she joined Seo Joo-hwan's crew to unwind from the stress. And when she did, she was the boss. Even bickering Lee Seok-chan lost in the end.
Seo Joo-hwan grinned at her laughing. "That rough? Just roll with us. Why force it with the girls?"
Long-standing question. She'd said she wanted a quiet college life, but if so, lay low. Yet she subtly stood out even among girls—makeup softened her look, but her vibe shone through.
Jeong Ha-yeon shut up briefly, then sighed deeply. "Just wanna make some friends."
"Hey, rude. Am I not?"
"Of course you are! But getting too tight with guys early? Puts me offside with girls... Anyway, guys don't get it."
Ex-bully victim Seo Joo-hwan got the gist. Girl cliques differed qualitatively from guy ones.
"Life's complicated."
"Tell me about it."
She frowned, eyes narrowing—recalling something irritating, her softened makeup vibe turning fierce again.
Seo Joo-hwan waved her down. "Get the reason, but... if it's that bad, hang with us. Hiding your personality'll stress you to death."
"Gets me most when you sneak off for smokes."
She smirked.
"It's tough, but fine. Girl talk's fun too. And you gotta stay on my good side?"
"Why?"
"Get in good with the girls, I can vouch. Who knows? Might hook you up."
"Whoa. Smart. Sis, pretty please!"
He rubbed his hands like a beggar. She recoiled.
"Eww, lost interest. Figure it out solo."
"...Joking."
He dropped the act, chuckled, and patted her head.
"Fine, I'll manage. You do you. Our crew's always open."
Flitting groups usually led to isolation, but he, Lee Seok-chan, and Jang Deok-hoon didn't care. They'd welcome her anytime.
Jeong Ha-yeon glanced up, touched maybe.
"Hands that rubbed like a fly on my head? Die?"
Nope. He blocked quick as she swung. She looked baffled.
"Anyone'd think I beat you daily."
"What? Where's your conscience?"
"Might really hit you. Here, girls said give you this."
She tossed a snack pack and stood.
"'Girls'? You bought it."
"Then just say thanks and eat."
"Thanks, milady."
*
They hit the MT site at 1 p.m. Everyone was starving, so they dumped bags in the hall and scarfed lunch first. Post-meal, Publishing Content folks and students gathered back in the hall to haul gear to assigned rooms. Groups got the same room, but sleeping quarters split guys and girls. Though boozed-up later, they'd probably crash mixed.
Jeong Ha-yeon piped up in the room. "Guys, wash feet first? Gonna stink otherwise."
"Unnie's right."
"Yeah, change socks too."
Foot funk didn't discriminate. Seven in a room? Bound to reek.
"Roll call in thirty. Rest, head out five minutes early," said Group 7 leader Jo Kyung-jun.
Three-plus hours on the bus had everyone wiped, sprawling on floors or crashing on sofas. Him and Jang Deok-hoon fiddled phones on the floor.
"Deok-hoon, any fun anime or manga lately?"
Seo Joo-hwan asked. Speed-reading post-regression meant he'd blitzed most novels. Might revisit world lit classics soon.
Jang Deok-hoon lit up. "Ooh, perfect question. Lately...."
True otaku, rattling off comics, anime—knew this quarter's and year's lineup cold.
Time passed.
Ahh, mic check. Everyone here?
"Yes~!"
Alright, Da-an University Publishing Content Department MT starts now! Let's have a blast!
"Woooah!"
The MT kicked off for real.