Lookism: What If

If you all truly want this story to take priority over Reality Quest, I can make that happen. However, that means I'll be focusing on writing advanced chapters for Patreon while maintaining a regular update schedule here, one chapter per day, except on Sundays.

It's your choice, for me it's the same.

----

(Saturday, April 20, 2024 – 6:32 AM)

The morning air was crisp as Daniel stood outside their small home, his mother standing by the door with a worried expression. He had spent the entire night convincing her that he would handle the money, that she didn't have to worry, that she could just focus on work without stressing over him.

She had resisted, of course, how could a high schooler suddenly be financially independent? But Daniel had his ways.

"Daniel…" Seonhui sighed, reaching out to adjust the strap of his bag like she always did when he left for school. "You'll eat properly, right?"

Daniel smiled slightly. "Yeah, Mom. Don't worry. I'll be fine."

Her eyes lingered on him for a moment before she sighed again. "Alright… But if you need anything, call me, okay?"

"I will."

She hesitated, then gently ruffled his hair. "Take care of yourself, my son."

Daniel nodded, turning on his heel and walking away.

He didn't look back.

(7:12 AM – Electronics Store)

The small electronics shop was tucked between a laundromat and a convenience store, the kind of place that never asked too many questions. The owner, an older man with tired eyes, barely glanced up as Daniel entered.

"Need something, kid?"

Daniel placed the stolen phones on the counter. "I need these wiped. Completely reset. No traces."

The man raised an eyebrow. "And why would I do that?"

Daniel reached into his pocket, pulling out a small wad of bills and sliding it across the counter.

The old man hummed, rubbing his chin. Then, with a shrug, he took the phones and got to work.

Fifteen minutes later, the devices were clean.

Daniel grabbed them, thanked the man, and left.

(7:45 AM – Secondhand Electronics Store)

Selling the phones was a different challenge. The shop owner, a middle-aged woman, wasn't easily fooled.

"These are too new." she said, narrowing her eyes. "Where'd you get them?"

Daniel sighed dramatically, rubbing his face. "I work at a PC café, lady. Customers leave their stuff all the time. My boss tells me to get rid of them."

She squinted at him, clearly debating whether to believe it.

Daniel pushed further. "I'll give you a good deal. Just take them."

After some hard bargaining, he walked out with enough cash to last two months.

More than enough to start his new life.

(8:10 AM)

The first bus to Seoul arrived, and Daniel didn't hesitate. He stepped on, paid the fare, and took a seat by the window.

As the engine rumbled to life, he exhaled slowly, watching his old city fade into the distance.

This was it.

His real beginning.

(11:27 AM)

The shack was exactly as he remembered it.

Seeing it in real life, though, made it worse.

Daniel sighed as he stood in front of his new home, taking in the cracked walls, the patched-up roof, the exposed wiring. This wasn't a place someone should live in, it was barely standing.

[Image]

"I need to move out of here ASAP." he muttered under his breath before stepping inside.

The interior was just as bad. The cramped main area, which doubled as his bedroom, barely had enough space for him to stretch his legs. The kitchen was small, the washroom old and grimy.

[Image]

He tossed his bag onto the floor, then took out his wallet, stuffing all his cash inside before slipping it into his pocket.

First things first, bathroom.

(11:38 AM)

Daniel stood in front of the small, cracked mirror after washing his hands, his reflection staring back at him.

Puffy cheeks. Small, uneven eyes. A round nose.

His lips curled slightly in disgust.

"I'm so ugly." he muttered, tilting his head slightly. This face… this body… it didn't feel like him.

But it wouldn't last.

"This will change in a month anyway."

---

Name: Daniel Park

Height: 160 cm

Strength: |-{D}

Speed: |-{D}

Potential: |-{SSS}

Intelligence: |-{S}

Endurance: |-{D}

---

With that thought, Daniel turned away, grabbing his jacket.

It was time for a haircut.

(12:04 PM)

Daniel walked through the streets of Seoul, his hands tucked into his jacket pockets as he took in the sheer difference between here and his old town. The city was alive, buzzing with movement, cars honking, people rushing, vendors calling out to passing customers. It was a world apart from the cramped alleyways and quiet streets he had grown up in.

But Daniel wasn't here to admire the view. He had things to do.

Spotting a small hair salon on the corner of the street, he pushed open the door, a soft chime ringing as he stepped inside.

And then, he froze.

A young man with striking, two-toned hair stood near the counter, his sharp features and effortless confidence making him stand out immediately.

Daniel recognized him instantly.

Eli Jang.

[Image]

His mind flashed back to the original story, Daniel had met him at this time when he first got his haircut. But back then, the old Daniel had been clueless about who he was talking to.

This time?

Daniel knew everything.

But he wasn't about to let that show.

Keeping his expression neutral, he walked up and casually spoke. "I need a haircut."

Eli turned toward him, his gaze calm yet friendly. "Sure, take a seat." His voice was smooth, polite, professional. He gestured toward an empty chair, and Daniel sat down without hesitation.

Eli draped a black cutting cape over Daniel before running a hand through his hair. "Any specific style?"

Daniel met his eyes through the mirror. "Buzz cut."

Eli blinked. "Buzz cut? That's pretty short."

"I know." Daniel's tone was firm. "Just cut it."

He wasn't planning to look back on this version of himself. In a few months, he would be different. No more reminders of this body and this face, he was moving forward.

Eli studied him for a moment before nodding. "Alright. Let's get started."

The sound of clippers buzzed to life as he began to cut.

(12:36 PM)

Daniel stepped out of the salon, rubbing a hand over his freshly shaved head. The cool air brushed against his exposed scalp, a stark contrast to the weight he had just shed.

Now, it was time for the next step.

He pulled out his phone, quickly searching the best way to cut fat efficiently. No gimmicks, no shortcuts, just pure discipline.

The results were straightforward: fasting, high protein, low calories, clean food, no sugar. He nodded to himself and made his way toward the nearest supermarket.

(1:02 PM)

The supermarket was packed, the aisles crowded with shoppers pushing full carts. Daniel moved quickly, grabbing only what he needed.

Water, whole wheat bread, eggs, chicken breast, fish, vegetables, fruit, nuts.

No junk, no sugar, nothing unnecessary. This wasn't about taste, it was fuel.

By the time he reached the checkout, his cart was stacked. The cashier raised an eyebrow but didn't comment as he bagged everything up.

After stepping outside, Daniel realized a problem.

There was no way he was carrying all this home on foot.

Sighing, he hailed a taxi.

(1:40 PM)

After paying the driver and unloading the bags, Daniel looked down at his thinning wallet.

One month's worth of money, gone.

But that didn't matter.

For the next month, he wouldn't have to think about food at all, obviously the food that had short life will need to be bought again, so he bought little quantity of them.

He grabbed the bags and carried them inside, carefully organizing everything.

(10:21 PM)

Daniel sat on the floor, staring at the simple meal in front of him.

Bread and water.

It was bland, tasteless, but he ate it without complaint. Hunger was just another obstacle, he would overcome it like everything else.

After finishing, he stretched his sore muscles before settling onto the thin mattress. The ceiling of his small room felt almost endless as he lay there, staring up in the dim light.

His mind drifted.

'Tomorrow... That will be when it will happen.'

His second body.

He exhaled slowly, closing his eyes.

And then, he slept.

----

Please drop all your stones and leave a review, let's reach the top of the rankings! Let's reach 100 stones and i will drop a chapter!

But i need as many reviews you can give!

Patreon: Mr_Graythorn