GIJS

Chapter 7

Crazy scholar is such a real-life heartthrob

[User: Yu Gunja] [Appearance: B] [Singing: D] [Dancing: C] [Charm: A] [Select an item to invest points in.]

"Hm-."

Looking at the status screen in front of him, Gunja fell into deep contemplation.

He was already familiar with enhancing abilities through the status screen. Even 300 years ago, completing tasks assigned by the status screen had significantly improved his singing and dancing skills.

However, this was the first time he had been given a choice. It seemed that the operation of the status screen had changed as he jumped through time.

Since he had already received a high rating of 'A' for charm, he decided not to prioritize it for now.

His appearance was rated 'B,' but he was uncertain about this evaluation. Just recently, a nurse had rated him as 'S.'

S, indeed. Him, S...

Thinking back, it was disheartening. To be an 'S,' he would have to be nineteen grades below 'A.' Standing in front of the mirror, Gunja inspected his appearance from all angles.

"Am I really that unattractive..."

His facial features didn't seem particularly flawed. Maybe it was due to his excessively straight eyebrow bones and nose. Or perhaps, in this era, large and clear eyes might be considered unattractive. Or it could be because of his pale and smooth skin.

Even though he had chosen the path of a talented singer, being considered unattractive was rather upsetting. Gunja shook his head and tried to clear his mind.

"There must be a path for the unattractive too."

He resolved to focus on music.

In that case, improving his singing, rated as 'D,' would be the most sensible choice.

Through this audition, he realized why his singing was rated as 'D.'

Yu Gunja's voice wasn't suited for idol music.

Trainer Jang Minhyuk had clearly stated this.

The singing style he knew and the music of the idol world were different. Since he had been listening to idol songs from the hospital to the present, Gunja vaguely understood the difference.

"If we use idol standards, my skills are still lacking."

Music belongs to those who listen to it. If serving people is the way of the scholar, then their needs should be considered first.

If he wanted to become an idol, he needed to learn the ways of idols.

The first step was to improve his singing rating.

Determined, Gunja moved his finger towards the status screen.

[Selection Complete.]

* * *

[User: Yu Gunja] [Appearance: B+] [Singing: D] [Dancing: C] [Charm: A]

Yu Gunja, who decided to become a talented idol.

His choice was appearance.

"Hmhm, ahem."

Standing in front of the mirror, Gunja appeared quite satisfied. Although minor, something had definitely changed.

"Singing can be improved with practice. But appearance? There's no answer."

Although he had heard that there was cosmetic surgery in this era, he had learned that the body was a precious gift from one's parents.

How could he mar the precious body given by his parents with a scalpel?

"Hm, that's absolutely unacceptable."

Gunja had already learned the art of mental victory.

Seeing his improved appearance rating lifted his spirits. He burst out of the door immediately.

The original owner of this body had spent too much time cooped up in a room, neglecting physical training. That's why even singing a short song left him breathless.

If it were 300 years ago, he would have trained his stamina by carrying water and climbing mountains.

But the training methods of this era were different. He had heard that there were trainers in gyms who could efficiently train the body.

Since a month from now the training camp would start, he needed to get in shape before then.

Without hesitation, Gunja headed to the gym.

"Wow..."

The gym was filled with strange metal objects that Gunja had never seen before. There was even a woman screaming on a contraption that looked like a torture device.

"Ahhh-!"

"More, more, more-!"

"I can't do it!"

"No, you can!"

The pitiful screams gave him chills. Eating tteokbokki at night must be a sin. He vowed never to do it.

Deeply engraving this in his mind, he approached someone who seemed to be in charge.

"Excuse me."

"Oh, yes. Welcome."

"I heard that I could train my body here."

"Oh, you're here to register for personal training. Please wait a moment."

After filling out some paperwork, the staff introduced Gunja to the personal trainer. A burly man with a broad chest walked over with a big smile and extended his hand.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Lee A-rong!"

A-rong, such a lovely name.

Lee A-rong shook Gunja's hand vigorously with his huge hands and laughed heartily.

"You're incredibly handsome! I'm jealous!"

"W-well..."

He was glad he had improved his appearance rating. Gunja felt a sense of pride from A-rong's praise.

Before starting the actual workout, A-rong asked Gunja various questions. It seemed he wanted to know about Gunja's exercise background.

"Yu Gunja, what is your workout experience?"

"Experience, huh..."

Since he was five, he had handled swords. The next year, he began shooting crossbows. People might not know, but shooting a crossbow required quite a bit of strength. Once, he even defeated three of his uncle's guards with his bare hands.

Anyway, Gunja had never been beaten in physical training.

"Well, about twelve years."

"Really? You have more experience than me?"

A-rong looked surprised as he examined Gunja's body.

"Hmm, I guess you've been training lightly..."

"Well, that's my experience."

"Okay, got it. Do you have any three major records?"

"Three major records?"

Three major records. Is he asking about his direct ancestors' records?

Of course, there are records. As a family with a pedigree, they should be among the top in the province. Though it's unclear what this has to do with exercise, Gunja answered faithfully.

"Yes, of course."

"Oh, then what are your three major records?"

"What?"

This time, Gunja was somewhat displeased.

His father, Yoo Juwon, and grandfather, Yoo Seong-ryong, were reputed scholars with outstanding talents.

Although they died young and didn't reach high official positions, their records would certainly be among the best in the province.

"I'm sure they are the best in Gyeonggi Province."

"Really? In all of Gyeonggi Province?"

"Don't you believe it?"

"No, it's not that... Wow, you must be a real muscleman."

"Hmhm."

"Alright, let's start working out right away."

A-rong adjusted the workout level to match Gunja's abilities.

With twelve years of experience and top records, Gunja might end up teaching A-rong himself.

"First, let's start with a simple warm-up on the machine."

"Wait, isn't that a contraption?"

"Haha, you're quite the joker. Just sit down."

"Eh?"

Sitting on the contraption as exercise. Gunja couldn't understand, but he was confident.

He had never been outdone in physical tasks. Modern exercise methods probably wouldn't be too different.

"Alright, let's begin!"

"Good!"

* * *

Ten minutes later.

"I'm committing a terrible sin—!"

It didn't take long for Gunja to repent.

"Oh, how many have you done?"

"Ugh, ugh..."

Gunja, collapsed on the floor, groaned in pain. The scholar's dignity and everything else aside, this was truly unbearable.

"Wait, just a moment..."

"Come on, faster!"

He should have realized when he saw the woman being tortured for eating tteokbokki that the gym was essentially the modern-day equivalent of the torture chamber.

The confusion over the 'three major records' was also Gunja's misunderstanding. According to Trainer A-rong, 'three major records' in the gym referred to the three fundamental exercises.

He almost misjudged a good person...

"Well, aren't you getting up quickly?"

No, it seems it wasn't a misunderstanding after all. Trainer A-rong was definitely a devil.

After barely finishing the workout, Gunja was informed that Trainer A-rong would also manage his diet from now on. If this wasn't the incarnation of a devil, what could it be? Gunja sighed deeply.

"Haah."

Still, as he left the gym, his whole body felt sore, definitely indicating that he had undergone intense exercise. Since his body was far from fit, it might be a good idea to build it up quickly this way.

On his way home, while strolling through the subway corridor, Gunja noticed a large poster.

"What's that...?"

[Happy Birthday to You, Always Shining!] [THE GAME Yoo Haeseong Gallery]

A smiling face on the shining board. Gunja recognized it. Yoo Haeseong, who had become an idol after passing the final round in [Idol Simulation> was a senior to Gunja by one generation.

It was a birthday congratulation device. For a moment, a bitter smile appeared on Gunja's face.

To the men of the Moonwon Yu family, birthdays were a countdown to death. They all died before their thirtieth birthday.

Each time his birthday came around, Uncle Hyungwon would sternly admonish him.

You have only fifteen birthdays left.

You must become a noble scholar before then.

That is your only worth.

Perhaps due to such a past, Gunja did not find joy in birthdays. It was a day for interrogation rather than celebration.

Would he ever be able to genuinely celebrate a birthday? Thinking this, he felt a little envious of the smiling face in the shining board.

"I'm envious..."

[Perhaps it might be possible if he appears on [Idol Simulation>. Of course, he would need to gain popularity.

But right now, he has neither popularity nor recognition.

Starting from the bottom, he must work even harder.

If he perseveres, he might one day receive such wonderful birthday wishes.

Gunja, thinking this, noticed something.

"Huh? Hey, isn't that the person...?"

"Isn't he the one who came riding a white horse to the [Idol Simulation> audition?"

"There was a commotion on the community."

"Oh, that crazy scholar?"

Contrary to his expectations, Gunja was already building a subtle level of recognition.

"I saw that photo on Twitty too."

"Hey, open it again."

"Wait... yeah, it's him!"

"Wow, he's incredibly handsome."

On the day of the general public audition, Gunja had ridden a white horse down the road.

In a modern society with extremely developed social media, such outrageous behavior would inevitably attract attention.

Especially if he appeared on a program like [Idol Simulation>, where passionate fans were present at the filming site.

"Hey, he looks even better in person!"

"But why is he in front of the Yoo Haeseong billboard?"

"I don't know, maybe practicing for a photo op."

"What should we do? Should we get an autograph?"

"Isn't that a bit strange?"

At that moment, the girls' eyes met Gunja's.

"Hmm?"

Why are they looking at him? He wondered, unsure of the reason.

However, as a habit, Gunja gave them a light smile. Though he didn't know who they were, he wished them a good day.

"Eek!"

But the girls, seeing Gunja's smile, approached him with a flutter.

What is this, and why are their faces so red? Are they sick?

Finally, Gunja and the girls came face to face at close range.