The moonlight bathed the rooftop in silver glow as Sangcheol flicked his cigarette off the edge. It spun once… twice… then vanished into the night.
"Tomorrow," he said to himself, stretching out his massive arms. "We start slowly building a monster."
Behind him, a soft voice called up from the living room balcony.
"Come down and sleep. You've been brooding for an hour. What are you, Batman?"
He smirked. "Only richer."
--
"I'm gonna die."
Daniel collapsed on the floor, drenched in sweat. His shirt clung to him like an emotional support blanket. His arms trembled. His soul had left the group chat.
Beside him, Sangcheol stood like a mountain, completely unfazed.
"That was the warm-up."
Daniel looked up in betrayal. "WARM-UP?! I just did 15 squats. That's 14 more than usual."
"Son, I've seen old cats move more explosively than you."
"Then go train the cat!"
Back in his mind, Sangcheol summoned the System Store and browsed through the health category.
[ITEM: Gene Unlock Pill – $0.01]
A temporary boost to genetic potential and physical growth. Results stack with effort. Safe. Organic. Tastes like pineapple.
He bought three.
One for Daniel. One for himself (because why not). One for his wife.
--
"Daniel, take this."
Daniel held up the pill. "What is this, dad?"
"Vitamin G."
"What's the G stand for?"
"GOD."
Daniel took it. Ten minutes later, he was sweating like he ran a marathon just from walking to the bathroom. He passed out for two hours, woke up 2cm taller.
Each day after that, they trained:
Morning: Jogging up building staircases, carrying sandbags, and push-ups until Daniel saw heaven.
Afternoon: Boxing drills. Muscle toning. Dad-style insults for motivation.
"Remember, if you faint, I'll just sell your PC and call it a funeral."
Night: Protein-packed meals. No more instant noodles. Seonhui cooked healthy food while Daniel sobbed over grilled chicken breast.
Weekly Progress Report:
Week 1: Daniel grew 5cm. Started losing his round cheeks. Could do 10 proper push-ups.
Week 2: Muscles forming. Cardio improved. Nose bridge actually visible.
Week 4: He stood at 175cm (5'9"). Still chubby, but now intimidatingly chubby.
"One day, I will casually do it on one hand," Daniel wheezed during planks.
"One day, you'll do it in your dreams," Sangcheol replied.
--
Sangcheol didn't just train his son.
He pampered his wife too.
Daily skin spa sessions (thanks, system store).
Collagen boosters and vitality tea.
Massages from a machine blessed by Buddhist monks (store item, of course).
Fresh clothes. Elegant. Stylish.
--
By the end of the first month, Seonhui looked 20 years younger.
Her skin glowed, her wrinkles faded, her smile came back.
She looked in the mirror and gasped.
"I… I look like I did when we first met."
Sangcheol walked behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and whispered:
"Nah. You look even better."
She blushed like a schoolgirl and smacked his arm. "Yah! Cheesy old man!"
"You're 54. I'm 58. But baby, we're aging like fine kimchi."
--
Back to Daniel
By the end of the second month, Daniel stood tall at 6'1".
His abs were starting to peek through. His punches sounded. His bullies at school noticed—but didn't know what hit them.
"I don't know what's scarier," Daniel muttered, flexing in the mirror.
"The fact that I look good now, or that my dad owns a suit made of snake leather."
---
Sangcheol and Daniel stood in their private gym. Sweat. Adrenaline. Power.
"Alright," Ian said, cracking his knuckles. "Next 5 months, we hit 6'4". You'll outsize Gun and look down on Goo. Ian said."
Daniel nodded. "Who's gun and goo? Anyway let's do it."
Ian smirk.
Then they bumped fists.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: DNA POTENTIAL – 70% UNLOCKED]
[NEXT GOAL: 6'4" – PROJECTED IN 5 MONTHS]
[STATUS: FUTURE MONSTER IN PROGRESS]
On the rooftop that night, Sangcheol smoked silently.
Behind him, Seonhui leaned on his arm, radiant as ever.
Daniel was inside doing push-ups voluntarily.
[TO BE CONTINUED]