Chapter 77
"Nothing special."
Han Yaseong had expected Apgujeong to be dazzling and glamorous, but it wasn't. There were just a lot of sleek, upscale shops. The men and women didn't look all that extraordinary either. He'd imagined the place crawling with celebrity-level hotties, but nope.
A little disappointed, Han Yaseong headed to the gym.
"Whoa..."
But when he saw the gym building, he was floored. This wasn't some neighborhood hole-in-the-wall. The entire massive structure was a fitness club. There was even a swimming pool in the basement.
Han Yaseong gaped as he stepped inside. A stunningly beautiful woman stood at the counter, greeting him with a warm smile.
"Welcome!"
She looked like she'd been hired for her looks alone—gorgeous, probably around 20. She flashed a coy eye smile, clearly trained for customer service. Still, she didn't hold a candle to Choi Yujin, so Han Yaseong felt no pull.
"Um, I'm here to sign up."
"First time?"
"Yeah. But I was referred by someone I know. They said just drop the name."
"And your name is?"
"I'm Han Yaseong, and the referrer is Choi Yujin."
"Choi Yujin, the member?"
The counter girl seemed a bit surprised, like she knew the name.
"We got a call this morning. Han Yaseong, right?"
"Yes."
"I'll get you registered now. Please fill this out."
She handed him a form, and Han Yaseong grabbed a pen to jot down his name, age, address, and so on. When he handed it back, she typed rapidly into her monitor. Moments later, a membership card popped out.
"This card gives you access to all the facilities in the fitness club."
"Got it."
Han Yaseong pocketed the card and headed up to the gym on the 2nd floor. Inside, it was huge—like staring at an aircraft carrier. Dozens of top-of-the-line treadmills lined up in rows. His local gym had maybe 5; this place looked like it had at least 40. The entire 2nd floor was dedicated to the gym.
It was still early afternoon, so it wasn't crowded. No buff hunks or sleek beauties in sight. Han Yaseong approached a muscular guy who looked like a trainer.
"First time here today."
"Ah, got it. Let me show you around."
As he followed the ripped trainer, a tall, slender female trainer walked by. Trainers had distinct uniforms, easy to spot. Hers was cut to show off her ample chest—probably intentional. He'd have preferred a busty female trainer, but he'd run into the guy first. Bummer.
The trainer guided him through the locker room, showers, and more. Changed into workout gear, Han Yaseong learned the machines under his instruction. The trainer checked his arms and legs, nodding approvingly.
"Not much body fat. You'll shape up quick at this rate."
"How long to get those defined muscles?"
"Depends on your dedication and intensity. Start with body management for now."
He must've thought it was funny, a newbie talking big about ripped muscles right off the bat. Han Yaseong felt the same, so he followed along, learning each machine. He planned real hardcore training for the other world anyway—just body sculpting here at the gym.
About 40 minutes later, he'd finished a full set on every machine without breaking much of a sweat. The trainer looked surprised.
"You work out before?"
"Nah, just a bit at my local spot."
"Start light and ramp up the weights gradually. I'll show you when you're ready."
"Sure."
Han Yaseong did a bit more solo before hitting the showers. Thanks to a year of training in the other world, it hadn't been too taxing. He figured 1 or 2 hours daily would do.
After a shower in the spacious facilities, he got the pretty counter girl's goodbye wave and left the building. Too early to head home, so he wandered Apgujeong a while before grabbing a simple meal at a restaurant.
Then he subwayed home to prep for the other world—convenience store snacks bought, attic door open, waiting for 7 p.m.
Right on the dot, a white light bloomed in the attic center. Han Yaseong grabbed his bags and leaped in.
Thud crash!
"Ow...!"
He tumbled every arrival. A howling wind hit, freezing cold.
"Whew, winter already."
His light clothes were no match; snow blanketed everything. Han Yaseong hustled to the root-space shelter with his gear. Long absence meant dust everywhere. He lit a fire first, unpacked his plastic-wrapped bedding, and sealed the entrance with plastic sheeting against the chill.
Flashlight on, bundled in blankets by the crackling fire—it was toasty. Coming back after over a week felt different here, time dilated to maybe 2 or 3 years.
Han Yaseong boiled and scarfed a cup ramen. Bored at home, but this place spiced things up.
He mapped his plans: First, build those defined muscles—2 months. Too fast, and Choi Yujin might suspect. Pace it right.
Second, escape this vast forest. Head to new lands. All in 2 months other-world time.
Ramen down, he reviewed special forces drills and muscle-building tips before heading out.
Ritual on arrival: detox. Wrapped in blankets against the biting wind, he reached the stream. Surface ice, but flowing underneath. He broke it, drank a few cups—signal hit fast.
Dashed aside, dropped trou, and unloaded. Repeat till drained. Exhausted but clean. All that MT barbecue purged—guts clear, mind sharp. Best part of this place. Bottled stream water could make him rich.
Lightened, back to shelter. Studied drills and muscle guides hours till sleep took him.
Next morning's walk: familiar wild animals greeted him, hopping for chocolate bars. He fetched some, paused at the entrance crowd.
"Hey, you gotta give me something too. Can't just be me feeding you freeloaders. Bring trades."
Kept giving felt like a loss. Repeated, they seemed to get it—scattered. A few dummies kept bouncing.
Stragglers returned with fruits. Barter begun. Han Yaseong rewarded only traders. Beggars noticed, bolted.
Fruits edible, ones he knew. Rinse, mix with rice—tasty boil. Bean- or walnut-like.
Last guy brought weird: red fruit.
"What's this?"
Looked poisonous. But the bearer pitched a fit for chocolate. Han Yaseong gave a piece, took it. Almond-sized, no smell. First time seeing it here. Bright colors scream toxin, but wild animals wouldn't mouth poison—they'd avoid it deadly.
Curious, he washed all fruits at the stream. Animals conked out post-chocolate, snack coma in burrows. No Q&A.
Evening after light special forces drills, they returned. Han Yaseong held up the red one.
"What's this? Edible?"
Stared blankly. No yes, no no. Just eyed the boiling ramen pot. Arrivals turned them omnivores—rice, ramen, kimchi, nothing off-limits.
Testing, he pretended to toss it in. They squeaked and freaked—clear "don't."