Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 2: Tutorial Quest
It was strange.
There were no registered members anymore, but even so, something odd had been added to the management program that I checked every day. A tab I'd never heard of before: [Joo Seong-hyeon's Happy Dojang Raising]. And below it, the quest window I'd seen floated there.
"What the hell is this?"
For a moment, a foolish thought crossed my mind: that the homeless old man from yesterday had turned out to be a hidden programming expert who'd pulled a prank before leaving. No way. I even set a password on the computer... I quickly realized that was impossible.
Besides, my instincts told me this was... what should I call it? It felt like something 'alien' that didn't exist in reality.
"...Am I still not sober?"
But as a modern person full of common sense, I couldn't just accept it at face value. So I rubbed my eyes a few times and immediately headed to the bathroom to splash cold water on my face. For a neighborhood dojang, it was rare to have a shower room, and the bathroom was spacious and clean—a key selling point... Not that it mattered right now.
Wondering what was really wrong with me, I washed my hair while I was at it, dried it, and returned to the office feeling refreshed.
[Fun and happy dojang raising for Dojang Master Joo Seong-hyeon! Let's get started!]
"To develop your dojang, you'll need members first, right?"
(!) [Invite one 'woman' as a trial member]
Reward: ???
But the quest window was still there, asserting its presence right in front of my eyes.
What is this, seriously? Did I get hacked? I cautiously grabbed the mouse. I closed the management program and logged back in, but...
"It's not going away."
Nothing changed. Logically speaking, whether it was hacking or something else, it made sense to assume this was due to some physical, real-world cause. But every sense in my body, my gut feeling, denied it.
Click.
I clicked in the center of the screen with the mouse. I wasn't really expecting a reaction. I'd just pressed a line of text absentmindedly, and a popup appeared above it.
[This is Dojang Master Joo Seong-hyeon's first quest!]
"The deadline is today at 23:59. If you miss it, the 'Joo Seong-hyeon's Happy Dojang Raising' quest system will terminate."
"The success rate for the tutorial trial invitation is 100%. Challenge it with confidence."
"Complete all tutorial quests to receive rewards and unlock the full system."
"What the hell is this saying?"
No matter how I looked at it, this was some elaborate prank by someone clever with nothing better to do. So the right move was to shut down the computer, rest a bit, and start cleaning up the dojang. Seriously think about how I was going to make a living from now on.
That's what I thought.
"......"
Yet, like I was entranced, I picked up the promotional flyer on the desk. It was as if my body was being controlled. I left the office and headed outside in my dobok. The wind was cool, but the sunlight was warm—a bright spring lunchtime.
Even as I descended the stairs, questions swirled in my head. Is it right to play along with this nonsense? I should be packing up and handing over the dojang by now. Maybe I was mentally exhausted. I'd done an unusually kind deed helping the homeless old man, drank with him, and now in the morning, I was getting swept up in some weird prank program. I was out of my mind.
But. Still. What if. What if something special, like out of a comic, novel, or game, was really happening to me?
Then. It could turn my failed dojang into a huge success...
'Live enjoyably.' 'Invite one 'woman'.'
"......"
Wait a second. Something felt a bit off... A strange image flashed through my mind. It felt like a novel, but not a modern conglomerate story—more like 19+ adult content...
"Oh, Seong-hyeon."
"Yes?"
Just as my body stiffened for a moment, a high-toned, cheerful voice called my name from the side.
"How's it going? Any members yet?"
I turned my head, and there was a woman with a bright smile. Her silky long hair and seductive eye smile were captivating. Her slender yet perfectly curved figure. She hid her aggressively large breasts inside her apron.
Lee Da-mi.
As far as I knew, she was nearly thirty and a married woman. At the same time. The owner of the building where my dojang was. The cafe owner on the first floor. She only showed up occasionally, maybe as a hobby.
The moment I recognized her, my waist bent 90 degrees.
"Hello! The dojang is still going strong!"
"You're full of energy today. How come no one appreciates such a reliable and diligent dojang master? Hehe."
"Business has been tough lately... But is there anything I can help you with?"
"Really~ Do you think I only call you when I need something? I just saw you passing by and said hi."
"Haha... Oh, right, the rent..."
"Ah! I got this month's already. Anyway, good luck, Seong-hyeon! Swing by the cafe when you're free. I'll treat you to a drink."
"Y-Yes... Thank you."
She ended the brief chat, scattered a pretty smile, and went into the cafe. Her alluring waist and firm hips swaying in her wake made her an incredibly seductive married woman, but to me, she was just an intimidating landlord.
Besides, she was kind because I paid the management fees and rent on time. But I'd seen her deal with problematic customers; she cut them off sharply. Having her own building and cafe, she unhesitatingly kicked out anyone harassing her or her sole female employee, sales be damned. Being so beautiful, even that side of her drew the eye.
Man, Da-mi's figure from behind...
'Invite the owner... No.'
I immediately dismissed the fleeting thought. She was easier to talk to than strangers, but if she joined, it'd be awkward. Moreover, that quest felt... oddly risky for a married woman.
So I shelved thoughts of Lee Da-mi and headed to the main street. Countless people hurried by.
...Alright. Let's treat this as one last promo attempt. If it fails, I'll fold.
I decided not to dwell on whether it was a prank. With that, I scanned the surroundings. There were plenty of people around. Lunchtime rush, and it was a decently busy area anyway. I stood in a corner, carefully observing.
Someone who looks approachable... who might at least hear me out...
Facial impressions weren't an exact science, but they were worth considering. Some faces looked like they'd listen even if refusing; others seemed ready to brush you off coldly. Not 100%, but picking accordingly usually worked. Plus, someone who might be into fitness... Hapkido wasn't known for dieting, so I skipped the plump ones...
While scanning like that.
"Oh."
One figure caught my eye. Short, black layered cut—not too short, highlighting her femininity. Sharp eyes and an expressionless face gave off a cool beauty. A tight t-shirt accentuating her figure and casual high-waist pants suited her perfectly. Her vibe suggested maturity, but her youthful look put her at maybe 21 at most. Still, her sharp aura meant I normally wouldn't approach her for recruitment.
She passed by indifferently, thumbing her smartphone. I hesitated. Should I?
The debate didn't last long. I thought it was perfect, actually. If it worked, great; if not, clean cutoff. She looked like she'd reject coldly and decisively, sweeping away any lingering regrets.
With that in mind. I approached her, tension building.
Damn.
The closer I got, the more impressed I was, even from behind. Not as explosive as Da-mi, but a beautiful figure fitting her height of about 165cm. Small head, perfect proportions at a glance. The closer I got, the better her scent tickled my nose.
I took three deep breaths and cautiously spoke.
"Excuse me."
"......"
"Mind if I have a moment?"
"......"
"Excuse me..."
"......Haa."
I called from a slight angle; at first, I thought she hadn't heard, but her sigh showed she'd ignored me on purpose. It stung a little. But soon. She stopped, turned to me.
Her snow-white skin. Upswept eyes. Small nose. Pretty lips with a red tint. This perfect woman's gaze fixed on me.
"......"
I was speechless. She was humanly too beautiful.
"What... is it? Annoying."
Did she think I was hitting on her for her number? Irritated as she started speaking, she noticed my dobok and her eyes lit up. But her voice still held annoyance. I snapped to attention and spoke as calmly as possible.
"Um... I was wondering if you might be interested in Hapkido..."
My voice trembled a bit despite that. Overwhelmed by her beauty. Even at 27, it'd be pathetic, but no excuses—she was too pretty. To the point where just seeing her up close felt satisfying. Quest or whatever, getting this close, facing her, chatting briefly? Total win.
That's when.
"Hapkido? Out of nowhere..."
From that short sentence. I half-believed the absurd tutorial quest. Having pitched to countless people and been rejected. This cool-looking woman hadn't ignored me. She'd stopped properly. Her tone wasn't as negative as expected.
Hope glimmered. And I realized I needed to tweak my pitch. Right. If she wasn't into martial arts, straight Hapkido might not click. If the system was real, 100% success regardless, but teaching someone uninterested would suck for me too.
"It's Hapkido-based... but I teach self-defense techniques you can use in real fights, not just martial arts."
"Self-defense?"
I'd planned to hand her a flyer with the intro, but it was all Hapkido academy stuff anyway, so I skipped it. I pitched plainly. To this woman clearly turning toward me, ready to listen.
"Of course, no need to sign up right away. We're doing a one-day free trial event. Try it for a day, and if you like it, register then."
"...Hmm."
I had no idea why. Why she furrowed her brow at 'Hapkido' yet started considering. Why she eyed me, signaling positive interest. If it was really the quest. No clue.
"Eh, might as well try the trial... See what it's like."
"D-Does your schedule work?"
"A bit is fine."
"Yes! This way then..."
She wasn't coldly rejecting—instead, coolly nodding, matching my stride.
Thump thump thump thump...!
My heart pounded relentlessly.
Back at the dojang, I left her there briefly and dashed to the office. I checked the computer, and...
"Nice choice on self-defense! Hapkido wouldn't fly for a 20-year-old college girl! Looks like a great match for you, Dojang Master Joo Seong-hyeon!"
(!) [Teach self-defense to trial member 'Jeong Ye-sol']
Reward: ???
"This is the second tutorial quest."
"Teach self-defense to trial member Jeong Ye-sol."
"When guided by Dojang Master Joo Seong-hyeon, the member's learning ability and exercise effects increase by 300%."
"Jeong Ye-sol's current satisfaction level is Stage 0. Allowed touch areas exclude [Special Areas]. Special areas are [Buttocks / Breasts / Genitals / Mouth]."
"Touching outside allowed areas will bring consequences you're well aware of, Dojang Master Joo Seong-hyeon."
"But she will never question [Allowed Touches]. Feel free to touch!"
"Her registration depends on satisfaction level."
Name: Jeong Ye-sol
Age: 20
Training Satisfaction: Stage 0 [0 / 100]
Allowed Touch Areas:
Sexual Sensitivity: 0
Physical Arousal: 0
"Ha, haha."
The real-time updated system popups, forcing me to accept this phenomenon as reality, greeted me.