Chapter 78: I'm Sorry, Noona
The next morning.
Seo Juhwan left his house for a workout.
"The blessing period doesn't have much time left."
Both the Blessing of Dream Demon and the Blessing of Gym Enthusiast had only about two weeks left. He had received many benefits during this time, and thinking about them disappearing made him feel regretful.
"Lucy, will I get this later too?"
[You will if your level goes up. But I can't tell you at what level.]
"Hmm. Does it come out from item lottery too?"
[Yes. But the probability is a secret.]
"Then I'll need to level up to use it confirmed."
The Desire System grows by absorbing various desires, true to its name. It wasn't just about collecting a lot of LP but about absorbing diverse desires that mattered. Those desires could be his own or someone else's.
"The gym really should be close by."
The Ribbon Fitness in Anyang was just 10 minutes away from his home.
As he habitually scanned his membership card and entered, he saw people working out as always.
Today was a PT session day.
Trainer Lim Soo-hee, whom he had grown quite close with, greeted him upon seeing him.
"Hey, Juhwan. You're here early again?"
"It's my habit to leave with plenty of time before appointments."
This was also a habit created because of his misfortune before regression. Even when he left on time, he often ended up late due to unexpected circumstances, so leaving 20 to 30 minutes early had become his habit.
"Haha. That's a good habit. Diligence is important in exercise."
Lim Soo-hee nodded approvingly at what sounded like the proper mindset of a fitness enthusiast.
Seo Juhwan shrugged his shoulders at her demeanor. She was truly consistent in her dedication to fitness.
"By the way, didn't you say you're a university student?"
"Yes."
"Your semester will start soon then?"
"I guess?"
"Hmm. You'll keep coming to work out even after the semester starts, right?"
"Uh... I'm not sure?"
"Don't tell me you're planning not to come? You lose muscle fast if you don't work out consistently. Muscle loss, you know."
"Does muscle loss really happen that easily?"
Gym enthusiasts always talk about muscle loss half-jokingly and half-seriously, but as far as he knew, muscle loss doesn't actually come that easily. If it were someone who trained to their absolute limit, then there would be a lot of muscle to lose, but beginners, on the other hand, have so little muscle to lose that he thought it was less of an issue.
However, Lim Soo-hee nodded firmly.
"Of course! Especially people like you, Juhwan, who haven't worked out much—you lose it quickly."
"Hmm. I'll try to come consistently if possible. But since university is my first time, I'm not entirely sure."
"Ugh. I'm really disappointed because of that. You, Juhwan, have a naturally gifted body, and if you just keep at it consistently, I think you could compete in competitions within a few years."
"Haha. Competitions are a bit... My goal is fashion muscle."
Seo Juhwan scratched the corner of his eye as if troubled. He had no intention of competing at all.
It wasn't that he had any particular aversion to large, thick muscles. Of course, he'd pass on muscles so bulging they'd be burdensome, but that required so much time and money that you'd need to invest your entire life that it was beyond discussion—not without drugs accompanying it, anyway.
Then he'd have to compete in natural competitions held domestically, but competing in a natural competition didn't sit right with him.
'In fact, I'm essentially doing legal doping.'
The current 'Blessing of Gym Enthusiast' was doping with effects better than most drugs.
His digestive system had normalized and his body had undergone many changes, but would such significant changes have been possible in such a short time without the blessing?
No, absolutely not possible.
For him, blessed with this advantage, to compete in health competitions would be an insult to other natural fitness enthusiasts.
At least, that's what Seo Juhwan thought.
For the same reason, he had no intention of participating not just in fitness but also in sports like ball games, boxing, and UFC fighting—competitions where people trample over each other and compete for rankings.
'Writing is... just because I'm doing well doesn't mean I'm pressing down on others. And this isn't doping; it's talent.'
Looking at the bigger picture, it might not be different, but this was exactly the line Seo Juhwan had drawn for himself.
Lim Soo-hee nodded slowly with a regretful expression at his words.
"That's a shame... Okay. But maybe your thoughts will change as you keep working out. When they do, tell me. I'll help you with all my might."
"Haha. Thank you."
Instead of refusing, Seo Juhwan expressed his gratitude.
It wasn't something that would happen if he didn't do it anyway.
After she said this much, it felt bad to repeatedly decline firmly.
At that moment, Trainer Lim Soo-hee stepped forward and spoke with a playful expression.
"But how long are you going to speak formally? We decided to be friends."
"Haha…."
During the PT sessions, Lim Soo-hee had never revealed her age, but when he asked her age not long ago, he guessed around 25 years old, and she jokingly said something similar.
'Look, miss. Let's be a bit more honest. There's a 7-year age gap between us.'
Of course, if he counted by his age before regression, he was older.
'Should I stop speaking formally?'
As relationships become closer, the difference between speaking formally and informally is bigger than one might think.
After finishing his thoughts, Seo Juhwan replied playfully.
"Not noona... but you're still my noona, so being friends is a bit much, but I'll speak informally. Is that okay?"
Though she said to speak informally, he confirmed once more. Some people dislike it if you immediately start speaking informally when they tell you to.
"Yeah. I told you to speak informally."
It seemed she meant it, and fortunately, Lim Soo-hee nodded with a smile.
"Then let me go prepare a bit?"
"Yeah."
As she said that and turned her body... she seemed to turn her head halfway back toward him and said,
"What if you call me noona one more time? Will you get scolded?"
She said it with a smile, but it was scary.
Was this the bearing of a woman who had reached thirty years old?
Without realizing it, Seo Juhwan answered respectfully.
"...Yes."
"Informal speech."
"Yeah."
I'm sorry, noona.
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