The Failed Rebellion of the Terraforming Trainees

The rebellion of the Terraforming trainees had failed. Beyond the fact that they played some game, I had no idea exactly what had happened. Even in the original novel, there was no detailed description of what went down between Ri Shaolin and Gwangnyeon-i. I just knew it as something like, "Gwangnyeon-i played a crazy game with them."

Thinking about it, the suppression of the trainees' defiance had been far too clean. In truth, their demands weren't unreasonable at all. The training intensity was that brutal. But Gwangnyeon-i didn't listen to their "reasonable requests"—she crushed their very will to rebel outright. If she'd tried talking it out logically with them, it never would've ended this neatly. Whether through negotiation and compromise or brute force suppression, there would've been backlash either way.

Gwangnyeon-i acting like a madwoman had actually worked in the instructors' favor.

"It probably wasn't intentional... but what an incredible coincidence. Is it because this is a novel?"

In fact, Gwangnyeon-i's actions often weren't great for mental health, so I wasn't particularly curious about the "game" itself. As long as things followed the original plot without variables, I didn't care how it played out. Ri Shaolin had lost to Gwangnyeon-i, and per the original story, she wouldn't rebel against the instructors much from here on out.

No one badmouthed Ri Shaolin. No matter who stepped up in her place, they lacked the confidence to withstand that insane game unbroken.

Even after lunch ended, the trainees wore listless expressions, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠their motivation drained.

"Today's goal was individual fitness verification. We've confirmed enough, so we'll wrap up day one here. Afternoon is free time."

Rather than grinding the demotivated trainees harder, the instructors opted for a half-day rest. Unlike the morning chatter in clusters, few groups formed now. Everyone seemed lost in thought, sorting through their feelings.

I, too, focused on clearing quests during this rare free time instead of chit-chat.

'Good thing clearing the quest counted with Lee Kangin helping clean up the vomit.'

Of course, I had zero complaints.

*

Before long, the sun dipped low. Quest refresh times were random, so I'd worried about gaps, but they popped up immediately upon completion. Thanks to that, I racked up more karma than expected.

The quests were basic: run a few meters, do some squats, a few sit-ups, that sort of thing. I got some odd looks for exercising during rest time, but I ignored the stares. This would happen plenty more in the future.

"Impressive! You have way more stamina than you look."

I wiped sweat from my brow after jogging 100 meters and glanced sideways. Unlike me—evoking juicy braised pork belly—a fresh-faced handsome guy grinned.

Damn... we're both sweating, but this guy smells like fresh fruit, not BO...

Lee Kangin had stuck by me the whole free time, chatting nonstop. ...The morning talk must've hit him too hard.

I wouldn't mind getting closer to Lee Kangin, but...

Just leave already... I wanna spend this karma...

I couldn't pull up the Status Window. I just waved my hand through empty air to confirm quest completions.

Was swiping at nothing suspicious? No way. Any sane person seeing that wouldn't think, "Whoa, is he using a fantasy novel status window?!" They'd assume fly-swatting. Plenty of bugs around the bushes and trees here.

But yelling "Status Window!" aloud? That could raise eyebrows from imaginative types.

"You're the impressive one, Kangin-ssi. I'm nowhere near your level—you don't even look tired."

"Nah, no. Have you trained before? Your squat form is spot-on for a full-body move."

"Haha, I watch videos and lectures online since I'm interested."

Sharp as hell... A chill hit me; I nearly stammered. He'd zeroed in on something I hadn't prepped for.

Lee Kangin knew me as a workout newbie—I'd said so at our first meeting. But the truth? I knew my way around fitness.

Luckily, I kept my face straight. He didn't seem suspicious.

"Wow... nailing form from old videos? You've got talent."

"Thanks."

Of course, those were forms corrected by a personal trainer back when I was Baek Hamin. Now they're muscle memory.

Anyway, Lee Kangin showed no signs of leaving.

If you won't go... I'll have to.

Dinner time approached. I could use karma at night—no, that'd be safer—but ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my body itched to spend it now.

So far, I'd only used karma on height-growth meds for the big picture. But now, height was covered. In a month: 169cm, nearly 170!

The biggest fire was auto-extinguishing. Next up: stats. Those rock-bottom numbers not even scraping average.

I wanna dump karma in and feel the change!

My heart raced. But to open the Status Window, I needed rid of Lee Kangin.

"Planning more training, Kangin-ssi?"

"You stopping?"

"Yeah. Gonna bathe before dinner."

"Huh? Isn't bedtime better? Feels refreshing."

"It'll be packed then... I like solo baths for contemplation."

"I see! Then I'll join—"

Persistent.

"Ahaha... like I said, I want it solo, that's why this time... "

I made an ultra-sorry face and nodded toward a gaggle of girls eyeing handsome Lee Kangin.

Two guys bathing alone might spark weird rumors.

Lee Kangin got it and backed off cleanly.

"Ah! I didn't think that far. Sorry."

"My bad too. It's one of my few hobbies and stress-relievers... Dinner together later?"

"Sure! See you at dinner!"

*

Splash!

Expecting just showers, I found a proper soaking tub. Perks for promising combatants? The training camp outclassed average Shelter facilities. Breakfast and lunch proved it.

"It was edible, right?"

Even MSG-spoiled modern tongues approved. Plenty of volume for muscle-building, always chicken.

So dinner had me hyped—universal truth: dinner's the feast.

"Status Window!"

"Heh heh heh..."

I'd calculated mentally, but seeing four digits satisfied me with a grin. Free time like today might not come again—use it wisely.

Appearance edit? Ignored. Useless pre-weight loss, even celebrity looks.

Spending on fat loss? Wasteful. It'll melt naturally here—no rush. Time's frozen on Earth anyway; play the long game.

Over 1000 karma tempted skill buys, but... I shook my head.

"...Think rationally..."

No skill shines without a decent body. This sub-average wreck can't max any skill. First: reach Lee Kangin level... or at least consistent gym-goer fitness.

Test: touch to up one stat, see karma cost.

[Canceled.]

[Canceled.]

Fixed 100 per stat? Doubtful... Probably jumps every ten levels. Otherwise, no need to show costs each time.

"Wanna dump into one stat bad... ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠but early game, balance 'em out."

What about Dexterity, Intelligence, Charm? Strength, Agility, Vitality were obvious. But others? Vague—games/novels vary.

"No help menu? Guide! HELP! Manual!"

It read my intent perfectly. After reading, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I skipped all three. Dexterity/Intelligence skill-tied; Charm... later.

Huh? Charm's -23—maybe negatives cost less? 5-10 karma per point might tempt.

"What?! Way below average, but more karma?!"

[Canceled.]

Dang, wrong. Stick to Strength/Agility/Vitality.

"Guide book."

Just in case system differed from my knowledge, I checked all stats. Overkill worry—karma's irreversible—but caution first.

Matched what I knew. Pumped with anticipation, I tapped away.

Vitality only to 5. Natural Healing made 2 feel fine vs. others; 5 should exceed average.

"Would've been screwed without the trait... Alright, really empty?"

The tub fit 20 easily; I'd checked on entry—empty. I stood, did light gymnastics to test.

"Oh? Oh! Way smoother!"

Movement felt effortless. No longer crushed by fat, I could even do push-ups without knees.

Only one rep before, but...

Quick recovery meant that first rep's power mattered most. Plus, Agility 1→9... 9x boost? Body felt flexible.

"Ugh!... This pose still sucks."

Flexible, sure, but fat clung to joints too. 9 points beat average... but weight loss key too.

*

"Something good happen?"

"Huh? That obvious?"

"Yeah. Bath de-stresses you? You look brighter."

Stat gains' rush, obviously. I brimmed with motivation now.

Whispers... Eating with Lee Kangin drew stares, naturally. Handsome and ugly side-by-side.

Birds of a feather... or whatever the saying is. Didn't know if other countries had it, but average guys look uglier next to him. Me? Disaster.

Envy. He'd get confessions galore in training. Hell, his looks made overt seduction plausible.

'Wanna fuck.'

Pre-full makeover, no sex for me... Memory flashed: failed hunt right before swapping to Park Chanyoung, blue-balled.

Should've solo-hunted! Regret burned.

Huh?... Forgot something important... Not a loss if forgotten, but feels crucial...

What?

"Ah!"

I shot up. Lee Kangin eyed me puzzled mid-bite. But no time for that.

Original novel glossed over it in lines, but exploit this and...

Sex... might happen.