Grab the Regressor by the Collar and Debut! Chapter 41
Chapter 41. Special Mission! Shine Brightly (2)
Instead of wasting energy reforming a team that didn’t want to move, Hajin chose a simpler path.
Secure himself first.
The first resolution he made was:
Rehabilitate Kang Hajin’s visuals.
Why?
Because the “Forced Resignation Duo” loves that kind of thing.
Looking at the current situation, their team had almost zero chance of receiving favorable editing. The first episode would clearly center around Team A.
Cherry boy Seo Taehyun.
The Lee Yugeon vs. Kim Wonho rivalry.
Han Seongwoo, already positioned as a challenger.
All the ingredients for attention were over there.
If Hajin wanted screen time, he had to force himself into relevance.
Climbing the maze walls had helped.
A few more memorable cuts would seal it.
And for that—
He needed to look good on camera.
Back when he worked under PD Kwon in his first life, she had screamed the same thing until her voice cracked:
“Authenticity? Structure? Innovative editing?
Who cares? If people don’t watch, it’s garbage!”
Episode one must gather trending elements.
The handsome one.
The crying one.
The angry one.
The unhinged one.
The absurdly talented one.
Kind heart? Hard work?
No.
What matters is the GIF that makes someone press “save” in three seconds.
It sounded insane.
It was correct.
“So hand it over. The item.”
Hajin spoke flatly to the system window hovering in front of him.
He needed more than what he currently had.
Among dozens of good-looking trainees, “decent” is invisible.
<System Alert: The system is not a plastic surgery clinic. Please stop.>
The refusal was unusually firm.
Hajin leaned back and rubbed his face.
“…Fine. I get it. Sorry.”
The system flickered.
“I panicked. Didn’t make Wings. My team ignores me. There are too many monsters here.”
He lowered his gaze slightly.
“I just wanted something to grab onto. Even if you said no, I kept pushing. That’s on me.”
The system paused.
<System Alert: …?>
He gave a tired half-smile.
“I shouldn’t take it out on you.”
The system crackled.
<System Alert: W-wait!>
A translucent window expanded.
<System Alert: Calculating…>
<System Alert: Calculating…>
<System Alert: The conflicted system responds.>
<System Alert: Base appearance cannot be altered.>
<System Alert: However, dormant stats may be excavated.>
<System Alert: Previous-life physical data may be partially restored within memory limits.>
<System Alert: Must be created as a skill. Penalty unavoidable.>
Hajin’s expression brightened instantly.
“…So you could do it.”
<System Alert: …Pardon?>
“You just didn’t want to.”
<System Alert: The system feels betrayed!>
“Who’s betrayed? I’m stuck in a disaster team under a devil producer. And my only ally refuses to cooperate? My heart is broken.”
<System Alert: You con artist! Who taught you acting?!>
“Compensate me.”
Negotiation principle #16: Make them pity you.
Success.
<System Alert: Skill <What Even Is Being Me?> successfully created.>
<System Alert: Not default authority. Error logged.>
<System Alert: Mental Care effect temporarily reduced as penalty.>
Additional conditions:
Cannot activate in front of Seo Taeil.
Prefer activation in low-population areas.
2,500 cash gone.
Worth it.
<System Alert: That was already half-price…>
Hajin opened his camera app.
“…Doesn’t look different.”
He started subtle adjustments.
First: reduce facial puffiness slightly—leave a hint of youth. Removing it entirely would look unnatural.
When he debuts, gradual change becomes a storyline.
Next: retrieve about 40% of his third-life physique—fresh out of military service. Lean. Balanced. Controlled.
Muscles didn’t magically appear.
But posture straightened.
Shoulders broadened slightly.
Neck line cleaner.
His body felt lighter.
“That’s enough.”
Too much change would look suspicious on camera.
<System Alert: Borrowed stats must be maintained by effort.>
“Yeah, yeah.”
His phone buzzed repeatedly.
He checked.
<Gong Seok: Hajin, where are you? I heard what happened. Let’s talk.>
He locked the screen.
No reply.
The trainees’ dorm occupied the third floor of the same building—temporary conversion from a lounge.
“…For temporary housing, this is ridiculous.”
He stepped into his assigned room.
“…Huh?”
“Hyung?”
It was Joo Eunchan.
“What are you doing here?”
“It’s my room.”
“…This is your room?”
“Yeah. Yours too?”
“…Yeah.”
Eunchan dragged his suitcase inside.
He folded down the safety rail of the bed smoothly.
Naturally.
Too naturally.
Hajin watched carefully.
“Hey, Eunchan.”
“Yes?”
“You got something going on with Han Seongwoo?”
“…What?”
“No? Then what’s your relationship with this high-end furniture brand?”
“…Excuse me?”
“You secretly a chaebol heir?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Of course you don’t.”
Hajin nodded seriously.
“Anyone can see you’re used to this brand-new safety rail model. And your apartment furniture is from the same brand.”
“….”
“I’m curious.”
“….”
“Confess your birth secret or I start spreading uncomfortable rumors.”
Hajin smiled sweetly.
Villain sweet.
Eunchan swallowed.
For the first time since entering survival, he genuinely missed his mother.