Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: The Cherished Gift
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Jin-seong looked down.
White color. Nike logo. Neatly tied ribbon laces.
New shoes on his feet. Sneakers Park Ha-yeon had gifted him.
The corners of his mouth, soaring high toward the heavens, showed no sign of coming down.
"You like them that much?"
"Yes, yes, I really, really love them. Thank you so much for the gift. I'll treasure them."
"Aren't you overdoing the happiness? I've never seen someone act like they own the world over just one pair of shoes."
"I really am happy. Truth is, I've wanted sneakers like these. I just never had the spare cash to buy any. Getting them as a gift makes it even better."
Thank you.
Receiving mid-range sneakers as a gift for the first time doubled his joy.
Since they came from the goddess Park Ha-yeon herself, it tripled it.
"Never thought I'd live to see the day a beauty gifts me sneakers."
"You're exaggerating."
"Heh, getting a gift from a beauty?! What a successful life. I'm so fulfilled now, I could die without regrets."
"Pfft, you're hilarious."
Ha-yeon's lips curved upward ever so slightly at the sight of Jin-seong, who wasn't just pleased but outright ecstatic.
It made the gift worthwhile. She was glad she'd given it.
Her mood lifted too.
"Take it as an honor."
"Yes, ma'am. An honor—no, a treasure."
"Ah... seriously..."
Ha-yeon covered her mouth with the back of her hand.
A soft laugh escaped her.
[Favorability: 51]
[Favorability: 52]
[Favorability: 53]
[Favorability: 54]
[Honestly, he seemed like the worst pig at first.]
[But the more I get to know him, the more he seems like a pretty decent pig.]
[I think I get why Dad favors this pig so much.]
He wore the sneakers at the gym.
A satisfied smile spread across his face.
'These shoes are great.'
Perfect fit, excellent cushioning.
'Real purchases really are the best.'
Before working out, he checked his weight first.
He logged it in his phone's notes app.
[Week 5]
[Day 29: -0.2kg]
[Total: -11.1kg]
[Current weight: 83.9kg]
His weight was down again today. He'd finally dipped below 84kg.
Lately, he was steadily losing at least 0.1kg to 0.2kg a day.
That meant over 1kg per week minimum.
'Heh, nice.'
He opened his status window.
His Athletic Talent was on the verge of promoting to C-rank.
At latest, three days and it'd be C-grade.
'Wonder how much it'll help. I'm really looking forward to it.'
He wished it'd happen sooner.
D-rank had helped more than expected already.
C-rank would surely be a massive boost.
And stamina.
[Stamina: +7.0]
He'd bought and consumed Stamina Booster Pills with every point earned.
That let him take 70 of them.
Stamina +7.
That was 35% of an average adult male's stamina.
Base stamina + gains from exercise + 7.0 from pills.
'I'm a stamina monster now.'
The old Jin-seong, wheezing from chronic fatigue, was gone.
Even full days at work followed by nighttime workouts didn't wear him out much anymore.
He even had some energy left over.
'Hmm, maybe stop the Stamina Booster Pills? Got so much stamina now, don't really need them.'
He pondered.
'Exercise will naturally build more anyway. Losing weight will slash stamina drain too.'
Stamina would rise on its own.
Time would turn him into a full stamina monster.
'Alright, exactly 100. No more, no less.'
Two big reasons.
One: Stamina is power. More the better.
Two: 70 felt awkward. Wanted a clean 100.
Some might call it wildly inefficient.
Choosing stamina over hair...
Stamina over height...
Height over handsome looks...
'What a waste.'
But what could he do?
People weren't always efficient. Often foolishly so.
An achievement unlocked.
[Achievement 29]
[1. Run for 1 hour or more.]
[2. Jump rope 500 times or more.]
[3. Squats 300 times or more.]
[Reward: 40 Points]
Achievement difficulties trending ever upward.
Rewards creeping up too.
'Time to start.'
Stretch to warm up. Run hard. Jump rope. Hammer squats. Finish with light strength training.
Such was Jin-seong's routine, watched intently by a gaze.
'...Pig, are you even human?'
It was Park Ha-yeon.
'...Makes no sense. Stamina skyrockets in just a month?'
Jin-seong had lived estranged from exercise.
Fatigued to the bone. Couldn't even run three minutes. Body stiff as a board.
Yet no trace of fatigue now. Casual one-hour runs. Jump rope without a hitch.
'...Looks like two months—no, three—of solid training.'
To Ha-yeon, Jin-seong's stamina surge was unnatural.
Like a dry sponge greedily sucking up water.
'...But I'm worried. Is he okay? Seems like he's pushing too hard.'
Overdoing leads to ruin. Good to be diligent, but what if he hurts himself?
Pushing too far wrecked the body.
Of course, needless worry. With Era of Success, used right, no mishaps.
'But I keep rooting for him.'
Ha-yeon was Park Man-bok's daughter.
Man-bok adored the diligent, sincere, passionate, hardworking.
Ha-yeon inherited her father's genes and mindset fully.
Her eyes drawn to Jin-seong, worrying subtly, cheering unconsciously—it was natural.
"Dial back the intensity. You'll hurt yourself."
"Huff, huff, I'm fine. I can do it."
"Idiot. Overdo it and you'll regret it. Moderation's key in workouts."
Jin-seong gazed at Ha-yeon.
"Are you actually worried about me right now?"
"What? No? I'm not worried."
"Thanks."
"Tch, why the grin all sudden? Don't smile."
"Got it. I'll take it easy."
Total lie, of course.
Take it easy?
'Gotta push harder.'
Not even a speck of that intent.
'Still, thanks.'
It touched him.
Someone fretting over him felt oddly nice.
Especially when it was Ha-yeon.
"Thanks for caring."
Just voicing his gratitude.
Those simple thanks.
[Favorability: 55]
Clearing achievements netted 40 points reward.
Bought four Stamina Booster Pills from the shop and downed them.
[Stamina: +7.4]
He smacked his lips in mild regret.
'If only I could clear two or three achievements a day...'
Unfortunately, achievements generated only once daily.
'Anyway.'
After hitting 100 Stamina Booster Pills?
'What item next?'
After stamina, what to boost?
Hair? Looks? Skin? Strength? Agility? Height? Endowment? Weight? Brain? Luck? Talent? Recovery?
Endless options.
'No clue.'
Not an easy pick.
'All things I need.'
Wanted them all.
'Plenty of time. Think it over slowly.'
A KakaoTalk from Lee Ji-seong.
Lee Ji-seong: Busy?
Me: No. Just finished workout and got home.
Lee Ji-seong: Cool. Got a woman's number for you. Hit her up.
Me: Ooh, got it. Thanks!
Me: But it's late. Okay to message now?
Lee Ji-seong: Yeah, she said it's fine.
Lee Ji-seong: Good girl. Make it work.
About to type 'Thanks' when photos arrived.
Lee Ji-seong: [Photo]
Lee Ji-seong: [Photo]
Lee Ji-seong: [Photo]
Lee Ji-seong: Pics of her.
Lee Ji-seong: What do you think? Pretty, right?
Lee Ji-seong: Honestly, if I weren't married, I'd go for her.
He tapped the photos. Checked her looks.
"Whoa? Oh?!"
Honestly shocked. As Ji-seong said, quite pretty.
Puppy-faced girl. Cute, pretty, innocent vibe.
Light makeup enhanced the pure cuteness.
"Wow, adorable."
Me: Hyeongnim, she's really pretty. Totally my type.
Me: But will a girl that pretty like me?
Me: Bet she's popular. No reason she'd go for me.
Sent.
Lee Ji-seong: Don't worry.
Lee Ji-seong: Confidence is key for guys. Be confident. Girls don't judge looks as harshly as you think.
Lee Ji-seong: Dress clean, respond well, be polite—half the battle won.
Me: Got it. Thanks.
Lee Ji-seong: Good luck. ^^
Closed the chat.
Messaged the woman.
Me: Hi.
Me: I'm Yoo Jin-seong.
No read receipt.
10 minutes passed.
"..."
30 minutes.
"..."
1 hour.
"..."
Still unread.
'What's up? Busy? Or blocked before even replying?'
Closed the chat.
'She'll reply eventually.'
Set phone down.
'Bedtime.'
Lay on mattress. Cozy, comfy world.
Eyes closed. Reflected on the day.
Lived fiercely. Living expenses up. Raise, daily bonus. Ha-yeon gift.
'Pay her back when payday hits.'
Gift appreciated. Felt bad just receiving. Return the favor for peace of mind.
'Sleep. 5 AM wake-up from tomorrow.'
Lately, 6 AM riser.
Planned one hour earlier.
'Gonna jog.'
Heard morning cardio aided dieting.
One hour outside run.
'Stamina Booster Pills are unbeatable.'
Without them, jogging a pipe dream.
Fell asleep.
Woke one hour early.
'Condition perfect!'
Sound sleep. Mind clear. Body light as a feather.
Took vitamins first.
"Hoo, gulp, hoo, gulp."
Ran the park. Cool breeze on hair. Fresh air filling lungs.
'Way better than expected?'
Ran a full hour.
'Feels amazing. Morning runs every day.'
World, mind, body—all refreshed.
Took a sip of water.
'Hm?'
KakaoTalk chimed.