Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Going Home
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‘It's already the day to head back home.’
Time flies.
‘Gotta switch up my workout routine today.’
He usually jogged in the morning and hit the gym in the evening.
Today, he'd flip it.
Gym in the morning, then a late-night jog.
He had to head home in the evening. No energy left for the gym after that.
‘First time at the gym this early.’
He arrived at the gym.
“Welcome! Good morning. You're out early today.”
Park Man-bok greeted him with a smile.
“Hello? Good morning. Yeah, I've got to go back home tonight, so I came to work out in the morning.”
“Kuh, that's some real dedication. Excellent.”
Park Man-bok gave him a thumbs-up.
“You're pretty dedicated yourself, boss. Running this place every day.”
“Heh heh, gotta be diligent to carry the weight of the family, right?”
“That's cool.”
He was starting to take after Park Man-bok.
All that praise from him every time was rubbing off, turning into a habit of complimenting others without realizing it.
Achievement 46 unlocked.
‘60 points, huh...’
Today's reward was 60 points.
‘Looks delicious.’
60 points?
Enough for six doses of the Handsome Potion.
‘Knock out the toughest one first.’
Today, burpees first.
No matter how he sliced it, finishing burpees upfront was best for his mental health.
“Haa... Whoop... Haa... Sss...”
He powered through them one by one.
He was nearing the end.
“Excuse me.”
A familiar male voice called out. Jin-seong paused his burpees and turned around.
A man in his early forties, by the looks of it. Impressive jet-black glasses. He had a cool, intellectual vibe.
‘Where do I know him from?’
Jin-seong tilted his head.
‘Definitely seen him somewhere. Where was it?’
Fuzzy.
The memory teased but wouldn't surface.
“Weren't you the one who gave up your seat on the bus the other day?”
“Ah?!”
It clicked.
There was a guy on the bus whose leg seemed to be bothering him.
No one had offered him a seat.
Only Jin-seong had gladly given his up.
It was just a small gesture, but the man had been overly grateful, leaving Jin-seong with an awkward smile.
“How's your leg?”
“Just as I thought. I wasn't sure, but it was you. Yes, as you can see, it's all better. I was really grateful back then.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“Small world. Who'd have thought we'd meet again here at the gym? Since fate brought us together twice, let's introduce ourselves properly. I'm Lee Myung-ho.”
“Yoo Jin-seong.”
He checked Lee Myung-ho's profile.
‘Impressive.’
Lee Myung-ho's stats were sky-high.
Four A-grade talents.
A-grades were rare—one was tough enough, two was the max for most, three was extremely uncommon.
‘A total brainiac.’
The epitome of an intellect-focused talent.
‘And...’
He was shocked for another reason too. That face at 31? Early thirties? No way. Unbelievable.
Anyone would peg Lee Myung-ho at early-to-mid forties. Pure old-man face. Zero chance of passing for thirty.
God had given him brains but snatched his looks.
Inner Thoughts: Jin-seong seems like a good guy. Clear eyes. Soft features. Right mindset.
Inner Thoughts: His complexion looks even better. Lost more weight too. More confident now.
Lee Myung-ho asked.
“How long have you been working out?”
“Day 46.”
“When did you start coming to this gym?”
“Same for the gym.”
“46 days? Longer than I thought.”
“Yeah.”
“When do you usually work out?”
“Jogging outside in the morning, gym in the evening.”
“Ah, twice a day. Oh, I've been at it for about three years. Been here at Manbok Gym for just over five months.”
Jin-seong flashed an awkward smile.
He scratched his cheek with his index finger.
“Sorry, I'm in a rush. Gotta finish up and head to work—time's tight. Let's chat next time.”
“Oh? My bad, I interrupted. Have a great workout. Next time we get a chance, coffee on me.”
The conversation was dragging.
Workout and work came first, not chit-chat. He cut it off decisively.
Back to burpees.
Today, reverse order.
Usually running → jump rope → squats → burpees.
Today: burpees → squats → jump rope → running.
‘Tough.’
Workout done. On the verge of collapse. Brutally exhausting. Without the Stamina Booster Pill, he'd have dropped.
He sat on a chair, catching his breath.
‘Oops, out of water.’
The PET bottle that was full was now empty.
“Here, have some.”
He looked up at the voice.
Lee Myung-ho was handing him a bottle of water with a kind gaze.
Inner Thoughts: His workout volume... Running for an hour, 1,000 jump ropes, squats, burpees...
Inner Thoughts: Day 46? No way. How's a 46-day newbie grinding that hard?
He didn't show it.
But Lee Myung-ho couldn't believe Jin-seong's workout volume. Shock beyond words. He was floored.
Jin-seong got off the intercity bus.
‘Gotta pick up something tasty.’
He took a city bus to the big mart.
‘Mom and Dad love beef... Min-seong likes pork belly... Little one's into fruit...’
He bought what the family liked.
Especially loaded up on fruit. The little one was a fruit goblin.
‘Some chocolate too? For headaches during study sessions.’
The little one was a study whiz. Medical school was her goal.
‘Nice.’
He grabbed items without a care.
With finances loose, shopping freely felt great.
Worlds apart from before.
Used to want to buy stuff but couldn't due to money.
‘Been a while.’
He arrived home. Three months since last time. A rundown villa, as always.
Opened the door. Entered. Set down his bags.
“Big bro?”
A pretty girl emerged from her room.
The little one. Yoo Seol. 16 years old. Middle schooler. Nothing like her ugly brother, but blood siblings for real.
“Is that really you, big bro?”
Yoo Seol approached.
“For real? Nah, can't be. You've changed so much in just three months?”
“It's me, the big bro you know. Been dieting hard.”
“Liar. The big bro I know was super ugly and super fat. Not just a little ugly and a little fat like you.”
“......”
No wonder Yoo Seol couldn't believe it.
Three months ago, Jin-seong was a pitiful sight, no question.
In that short time, massive improvements.
Weight: 95.0kg → 78.4kg
Looks: +0 → +6.6
Mom fashion → Buying his own clothes
Messy hair → Neatly trimmed
“How much did you lose?”
“16.6kg.”
“Whoa? 16.6kg? Insane.”
“You? Studies going well?”
“Nah, I'm doomed. Studying and me just don't mix.”
Yoo Seol shook her head.
“Why? You're great at it.”
“I'm not. I just look good because I grind like crazy. Zero talent for studying.”
Jin-seong couldn't relate.
Couldn't understand.
Yoo Seol had never once missed perfect scores.
The only one in the family with med school potential.
And she says no talent? Doomed? Absurd. No way to empathize.
He checked her profile.
‘Huh?’
Unexpected.
Jin-seong was stunned by Yoo Seol's profile.
Studying talent: F-grade.
‘F-grade...’
Bottom of the barrel.
‘In Era of Success, D, E, F are straight-up debuffs...’
A glaring weakness.
‘Our little one really had no study talent. Just covering with Effort.’
Yoo Seol's Effort was S-grade.
Sheer grit made her shine.
Inner Thoughts: Hate studying. Hate med school. But it's Mom and Dad's hope. Me getting into med school is their hope.
Inner Thoughts: Hate cram school. Hate studying. Hate doctors. Wanna play. Wanna hit karaoke. Wanna eat yummy stuff.
Her bright face hid it well.
Yoo Seol's insides were a wreck.
‘Had no clue.’
Jin-seong scratched his cheek.
He'd never known her thoughts.
Never even thought to peek.
“Seol-ah, karaoke?”
“Huh? Outta nowhere? You hate karaoke, bro. Can't sing to save your life. And Mom and Dad'll be home soon?”
“Karaoke? Yay or nay?”
He asked again.
Her pupils quaked.
“...Yay! Love it! Let's go!”
Karaoke?! Karaoke?! Karaoke?!!
Couldn't say no.
As they prepped to head out.
Jin-seong checked Yoo Seol's status.
Inner Thoughts: Wanted karaoke. Hated studying. House felt stuffy.
He took Yoo Seol out.
They found a coin karaoke spot.
‘First time.’
He'd done regular karaoke, but coin ones were new.
“You come here a lot?”
“Yeah, whenever I'm stressed.”
“Studying tough?”
“Yeah, brutal. Honestly, hate it.”
“...We don't need a doctor in the family.”
“...?”
“...Don't stress too much.”
Yoo Seol's eyes went wide.
Jin-seong averted his gaze.
He'd just said something that could earn him a beating from his parents, dust in a storm.
“...Thanks, bro.”
“Let's sing.”
“...Yeah.”
Yoo Seol sang amazingly.
Beyond expectations.
“Juice?”
“Yeah!”
“Chips too?”
“Yup!”
“Drink up, sing loud.”
“Yup! Thanks.”
He pulled out 50,000 won from his wallet.
“Pocket money. Come sing whenever you want.”
A bit closer to the little one.
“You're back? Where'd you two go?”
Mom welcomed them.
“Took Seol out for some air.”
He shrugged.
“Yeah, big bro and I got some fresh air!”
No mention of karaoke.
