Upon hearing Seok-woo's declaration, a wave of surprise swept through the car's occupants. Seok-woo's father, in particular, was taken aback by his son's unexpected ambition to pursue higher education.
While pleased, there lingered a hint of confusion regarding Seok-woo's sudden decision.
"What prompted this desire for schooling? Your decision to serve already caught me off guard," his father inquired, curious about the newfound aspiration.
Seok-woo's response resonated deeply with those present. "I want to complete my education. I don't wish to rely solely on you to define my worth as a man," he explained, earning a newfound respect from his audience.
Seated beside Seok-woo was Sung-Hee, a longtime friend from their childhood days before Seok-woo's family achieved success in business. Their fathers' friendship had bound them together since kindergarten, fostering a shared journey through school.
In their earlier years, Sung-Hee had viewed Seok-woo as somewhat of a loser due to his indecisiveness and timid demeanor. However, the transformation before her eyes was undeniable; Seok-woo now exuded confidence and reliability.
She decided to accompany Seok-woo to his send-off, recognizing that aside from his family, there would be no one else there to bid him farewell.
"Is this the same person I once knew?" Sung-Hee wondered to herself, astonished by the remarkable change in her childhood friend. She pondered the events that had catalyzed such a profound transformation, intrigued by the newfound change she saw in him.
Sung-Hee playfully nudged Seok-woo's arm, a wry smile playing on her lips. "Since when did you become so eloquent?" she quipped, amused by his sudden display of maturity.
Seok-woo glanced at her with a smirk. "Surprised, are you?" he retorted, his tone laced with mock humor.
Taken aback by his sharp comeback, Sung-Hee chuckled in response, not expecting such a quick retort from her usually reserved friend.
In the front seat, Chae-Yoon observed the playful exchange between the two with a warm smile, finding joy in their camaraderie.
Chae-Yoon's acquaintance with Sung-Hee had begun during a visit to Seok-woo's home, where Sung-Hee had initially been taken aback by her presence. Accustomed to only Seok-woo and his father residing there, she was surprised to encounter another woman in the household.
Seok-woo's timely appearance had dispelled any confusion, and he promptly introduced Chae-Yoon to Sung-Hee, facilitating a friendly exchange of greetings between the two.
As they conversed, Sung-Hee couldn't resist flashing a mischievous grin at Seok-woo, prompting a nervous reaction from him.
A shared moment of embarrassment between them resurfaced in Sung-Hee's memory, a reminder of a past incident where she had caught Seok-woo viewing explicit content on his phone, much to his chagrin.
Reacting swiftly, Seok-woo seized Sung-Hee's arm and whisked her away to his room, leaving Chae-Yoon momentarily puzzled by his sudden urgency.
Observing their departure, Chae-Yoon couldn't help but offer a playful reminder as they ascended the stairs. "Remember to be safe," she called out, a subtle hint laced with humor. "Don't forget your contraceptives."
The unexpected advice nearly caused the pair to stumble, leaving Sung-Hee blushing furiously as they disappeared into Seok-woo's room, their embarrassment palpable in the air.
The journey eventually led them to the destination where Seok-woo would embark on his military service.
Exiting the car, they were greeted by a poignant scene: soldiers bidding tearful farewells to their families, loved ones, and significant others.
A somber atmosphere permeated the air, laden with the weight of goodbyes and the anticipation of long separations in service to their country.
Seok-woo wasted no time, retrieving his bags from the back of the SUV, knowing they would contain his essentials for the foreseeable future.
With the weight of his belongings resting on his shoulders, Seok-woo forged ahead, his resolve palpable in each step. His father, no stranger to this scene, watched with understanding, having undergone his own military service years before.
Chae-Yoon, unsure of what to say, lingered behind, the bond between them still nascent due to their limited time together as a family.
Meanwhile, Sung-Hee's demeanor betrayed a sense of discomfort, her arms crossed tightly as if grappling with unspoken emotions.
Seok-woo, ever the joker, attempted to lighten the mood with a wry smile. "What, are you going to cry?" he teased, but his words seemed to have the opposite effect.
Sung-Hee's reaction was sudden and unexpected. Grabbing his clothes, she fixed him with an intense glare. "Who would cry for you? A loser like you could never make someone cry," she spat, her eyes betraying the tears welling up within.
Despite their infrequent meetings, the realization dawned upon Sung-Hee that this would be the first time they would be apart for an extended period. An unexplainable sense of loss crept over her as she gazed at Seok-woo standing before her.
Clutching his clothes tightly, she refused to release her grip, her emotions swirling within her.
Seok-woo, noticing the tears welling in Sung-Hee's eyes, instinctively reached out to wipe them away, only to have his hand swatted aside by hers.
"Don't play the gentleman card. Why not focus on bulking up those skinny arms of yours?" Sung-Hee deflected, steering the conversation towards Seok-woo's physique.
Observing himself, Seok-woo tilted his head before responding, "I'll give it a shot if I can manage."
Turning his attention to his father and Chae-Yoon, Seok-woo prepared to bid them farewell. However, before he could speak, a shrill whistle pierced the air, signaling the commencement of the recruits' assembly, heralding the imminent start of his military service.
Seok-woo glanced towards the source of the sound, where recruits were filing through the gate into the boot camp.
With resolve in his voice, he addressed his father and Chae-Yoon. "I must go now. I'll be on my own, but wish me luck," he declared, steeling himself for the challenges that lay ahead.
"Goodbye, Father. Take care of yourself while I'm away," he added, his tone light yet sincere, before turning his gaze to Chae-Yoon.
Summoning his courage, albeit awkwardly, he addressed her with a hint of hesitation. "And to you, Mother. Take care," he uttered before swiftly turning away, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment but a sense of relief washing over him for having spoken the words at last.
Chae-Yoon was deeply moved by Seok-woo's words, seeing it as a small yet significant acknowledgment of her role in his life, despite her not having fulfilled her duties as a mother yet.
As Seok-woo prepared to enter the enlistment area, Chae-Yoon waved at him, her voice filled with genuine warmth. "Good luck, my son. Give it your all in there!" Her words prompted Seok-woo to glance back, their eyes meeting for a fleeting moment.
In that brief exchange, Seok-woo nodded in acknowledgment before continuing on his path.
The trio lingered until Seok-woo's figure disappeared from view, the gates slowly closing behind him, sealing him off from the outside world until the day of his discharge.
Sung-Hee, unable to contain her emotions any longer, felt tears cascade down her cheeks. "Why am I crying for that loser?" she mused her tears a mixture of confusion and genuine sentiment.
Had Seok-woo witnessed her tears, he might have been taken aback, questioning whether they were genuine or merely superficial—a reflection of the complexities of their relationship.
Eventually, the trio departed from the area, each returning to their respective homes.
For Seok-woo, this marked the beginning of his transformative journey. The months ahead promised to be filled with challenges that would mold him into a stronger individual.
Starting with a scrawny physique, Seok-woo initially struggled, but with each passing day, he showed remarkable improvement.
Interest from his fellow recruits served as a catalyst, gradually accumulating the Interest Points he sought, albeit mostly from male peers—an outcome that left him somewhat disheartened.
While grateful for their support in boosting his Interest Points, Seok-woo couldn't help but wish for more female admirers.
Fast-forward a few months, and we find Seok-woo seated in a chair within the confines of his assigned building. His appearance has undergone a dramatic transformation, reflecting the growth and resilience he has gained during his time in service.
He had made modest gains in muscle mass, a step in the right direction towards his physical goals.
Currently, he is assessing his status, and checking his current Interest Points and available Rolls.
"Interest Points: 7.8/10"
"Available Rolls: 8"
"Acquired from the Gachapon: 10,000 KRW, A fruit knife, Acting[+1]"
"Applied Modifiers: Acting Skills[+1]"
Seok-woo observed the data, resting his chin in his hand. These had accrued before he entered the military, largely thanks to Chae-Yoon and Sung-Hee, with additional contributions from curious passersby.
"After a few months, is this all the Rolls I could obtain?" Seok-woo pondered. While not insignificant, it fell short of his expectations.
"Well, considering the majority here are males, it's understandable," he reasoned to himself. He anticipated accruing more Interest Points once he completed his service and entered college.
Glancing at his Applied Modifiers, Seok-woo didn't hold high expectations. However, to his surprise, his Acting Skills[+1] proved beneficial, enhancing his poker face and boosting his ability to persuade others.
With renewed hope, he set his sights on acquiring more modifiers today. Seok-woo navigated mentally to the Gachapon machine.
Gazing up at the ceiling, he closed his eyes and whispered softly, "Please grant me a valuable modifier." He repeated the plea five times while rubbing his hands together, desperate for a stroke of luck.
Finally, he ceased, taking a deep breath, and expended all of his Rolls in a single instance.
With a press of the button, the Gachapon machine whirred to life.
Balls of prizes emerged one by one, prompting Seok-woo to wait eagerly, intending to unveil them all simultaneously.
After a brief moment, the Gachapon halted, signaling the conclusion of the Rolls.
Seok-woo gazed at the eight balls of prizes before him, closed his eyes, and murmured, "Open."
At his command, the prizes burst forth simultaneously.
Opening his eyes, Seok-woo examined his acquisitions.
"Congrats, you gained 100,000 KRW!"
"Congrats, you gained an XL-Sized Condom!"
"Congrats, you gained 1,000 KRW!"
"Congrats, you gained Cooking Skills[+1]!"
"Congrats, you gained a Banana Peel."
"Congrats, you gained a Vibrator!"
"Congrats, you gained Nothing!"
"Congrats, you gained Strength[+1]!"
Seok-woo surveyed his gains, finding satisfaction in the modifiers obtained, though puzzled by the miscellaneous items like the XL-Sized Condom, Banana Peel, Vibrator, and especially the Nothing.
He transferred these acquisitions to his inventory within the system, where he could store them with a mere thought, ready to be summoned into reality when needed.
He accessed his inventory and reviewed its contents:
"Inventory: 110,000 KRW, Fruit Knife, XL-Sized Condom, Banana Peel, Vibrator, Cooking Skills[+1], Strength[+1]."
Without hesitation, he transferred all the modifiers to his Applied Modifiers list:
"Applied Modifiers:
Acting Skills[+1],
Cooking Skills[+1],
Strength[+1]."
A surge of warmth enveloped him as he applied the modifiers, dissipating after a few seconds. Seok-woo rose to his feet, lifting his shirt to inspect the changes in his physique.
His body had indeed undergone enhancements, though he remained lean rather than becoming bulky. His muscles felt denser than before, hinting at the potential for further improvement with dedicated effort.
In his mind, newfound cooking knowledge from the modifiers stirred. Though not yet a culinary expert, he now possessed the skills to prepare decent meals, a valuable addition to his repertoire.
Lost in contemplation, Seok-woo found himself immersed in thoughts of the potential modifiers he could acquire. His mind wandered through various possibilities until he was jolted back to reality by a loud call.
"Private Seok-woo! Are you slacking off?" The booming voice of his officer snapped him out of his reverie, reminding him of his duty.
Seok-woo snapped to attention immediately. "No, Sir!" he replied firmly, his voice resolute.
The officer scrutinized him briefly, assessing whether his response held true. Satisfied, he issued a stern directive. "Ensure I don't catch you in that state again, understood?"
Seok-woo affirmed his understanding, promising to remain vigilant. With a nod, the officer moved on, leaving Seok-woo to refocus on his tasks at hand.
Seok-woo exhaled a breath of relief as he realized his officer had moved on without reprimanding him. With that momentary scare behind him, he resolved to dedicate himself to earning more Rolls during his service, all while striving to enhance his physical condition.
As days turned into months, Seok-woo remained steadfast in his efforts. He persevered through the challenges of military life, gradually refining both his physique and his resolve.
Finally, the day arrived for Seok-woo to complete his military service, marking the end of this chapter in his life.