Lookism: What If

(Monday, May 13, 2024 – 7:03 PM)

Daniel reached the bank, his steps quick but controlled as he entered the cool, air-conditioned space. The interior was modern, lined with neatly arranged booths and a few potted plants for decoration. Several people were already waiting in line, so Daniel took his place behind an elderly man slowly filling out a form.

His mind was still grieving.

The 329 million Won he had celebrated was already a distant dream. The platform's 20% cut had slashed a massive chunk, then the Korean income tax came in to strip away more. And he knew it wasn't over, the progressive tax rate would hit even harder the more he earned.

His soul was in pain.

After about ten minutes, it was finally his turn. He stepped up to the counter, greeted by a pleasant-looking female bank worker in her late 20s. She had a warm smile, a professional air, and a slightly too-interested look in her eyes as she saw him.

"Hello, sir! How can I help you today?" she asked, her voice a bit too enthusiastic.

Daniel forced a smile. "I'd like to open a bank account."

"Of course!" She handed him a form. "Please provide your identity documents, and we'll get everything set up for you."

Daniel nodded, pulling out the necessary paperwork and sliding it across the counter. The worker glanced down, her eyes flicking to his full name.

Park Hyeonseong.

Her smile widened. "Oh! That's a strong name, Mr. Park. It suits you well."

Daniel gave a polite nod, pretending not to care while internally cringing at the fake name.

The process was smooth, with the worker treating him with extra warmth. Whether it was because of his looks or just good customer service, he didn't know.

Sike! he deadass knew.

Either way, he didn't care. In just 30 minutes, he had a fully functional bank account, complete with an app, online banking access, and everything he needed.

The moment she handed him his bank card, he grabbed it and rushed out.

(7:52 PM)

By the time he arrived home, Lil Daniel was lying outside, resting with a towel draped over his shoulders. He was massaging his arms and legs, sore from the insane workout earlier. But what stood out the most was the tears pooling in his eyes.

Daniel didn't need to ask why.

It was the same reason his own heart ached.

One consciousness. One shared pain.

They had suffered a financial massacre.

Big Daniel shook his head, walking inside without saying a word. He had business to finish.

Sitting at his desk, he flipped open his laptop and immediately downloaded the bank app, since his flip phone couldn't handle apps.

It took only a few minutes to set everything up, and then came the real moment of truth.

He connected the bank app to the webtoon site, watching as his earnings transferred.

And then, another tax.

The Korean financial system took its share, slashing even more from what remained.

A single tear rolled down his cheek.

'I should've been a criminal instead.'

'Mahbe gang fights aren't that bad.'

'I should have robbed that rich lady..'

'Should I become a terrorist?'

Standing up without a word, he grabbed his things and walked outside.

It was time to buy things.

(8:12 PM)

Daniel walked briskly through the streets, his mind set on one goal. If he was going to suffer from Korea's merciless taxes, he might as well enjoy what little he had left.

He arrived at one of the biggest electronics stores in the area, its bright LED signs advertising the latest devices. The moment he stepped inside, the cool air-conditioning washed over him, and the faint scent of new plastic and metal filled his nose.

Rows of shiny, high-end gadgets lined the store, laptops, gaming monitors, and shelves filled with the latest flagship smartphones.

A sales associate, a young man in his early 20s, approached him with a polite smile. "Welcome! Are you looking for anything in particular?"

Daniel nodded once. "I need the best Android phone you have. Latest model. Highest specs."

The salesman's eyes lit up. "Oh, great choice! Right this way!"

He was quickly led to the premium section, where multiple high-end models were displayed. The most recent Samsung Galaxy Ultra and a few other top-tier brands were showcased with sleek glass panels and massive storage capacities.

Daniel took one glance at the specs, saw the insane processing power, massive battery life, and perfect camera setup, then nodded.

"This one. I'll take it."

The salesman beamed. "Excellent choice, sir! Would you like any accessories with it?"

"No."

"Would you like to check out Apple's latest."

Daniel stared at him.

The salesman froze.

"Never mind, sir. Let's get you checked out."

(8:16 PM)

Outside the store, Daniel opened the box, unwrapped his new phone, and powered it on. The screen lit up instantly, smooth and responsive as he quickly ran through the setup process. His fingers moved effortlessly, transferring data, securing his accounts, and installing the necessary apps.

The difference between this and his flip phone was night and day.

Next, he headed to a nearby store to purchase a new phone number. After setting it up, he finally had everything in place.

Now came the final task.

He pulled out his flip phone, which now felt like an ancient relic in his hands, and started calling his friends one by one.

First up was Zack.

The call rang twice before Zack picked up. "Yo?"

Daniel wasted no time. "New number. Save it."

Zack yawned on the other end. "Took you long enough to upgrade from that prehistoric brick."

"Yeah, yeah. Just save it."

Next, he called Mira.

"Hello?"

"New number. Save it."

"Oh! Okay, got it. You finally got a smartphone?"

"Yeah."

"Good! Now I can finally add you to group chats."

Daniel hung up before she could say anything else. 'She's a Yapper.'

Then, Zoe.

"Hey, Daniel~!" Her voice was cheerful, and he could already tell she was going to be annoying.

"New number. Save it."

"Wait, wait, wait! That means you finally got a-"

Click.

Finally, he called Jay.

There was no answer.

Daniel sighed, shaking his head. He shot a quick text instead.

[New number. Save it.]

After finishing the calls, he took a deep breath. His finances had suffered today, but at least he was now properly connected.

With his new phone in hand, he started heading home.

(8:43 PM)

As Big Daniel approached home, he immediately noticed Lil Daniel in the open training area behind their shack. The first body stood in front of a thick iron plate, about half an inch thick, mounted against a solid wooden post. His right fist was red and bruised, but he continued throwing precise, controlled punches at the cold metal surface.

Each impact echoed in the quiet night, a dull, heavy sound vibrating through the air. His knuckles had long since gone numb, yet he didn't stop.

'Iron is perfect for conditioning. Not as unyielding as steel, but still tough enough to strengthen the bones and harden the fists.'

Lil Daniel exhaled sharply, resetting his stance before driving another punch into the plate. His body no longer hesitated. Two weeks ago, this would have sent pain shooting through his fingers, wrists, and forearm. Now? His body had adapted.

Big Daniel stood there for a moment, watching. Their eyes met.

Nothing was said. Nothing needed to be.

After a few seconds, Big Daniel simply turned and walked inside. Training was important, but right now, food came first.

Inside, the kitchen was simple, barely enough space for two people, but Daniel made it work. He moved quickly, grabbing ingredients, heating the pan, and preparing a simple yet nutritious meal.

He kept it balanced. A mix of lean protein, fiber, and carbs, making sure it aligned with both Lil Daniel's fat-burning regimen and Big Daniel's maintenance diet.

By the time the food was plated, Lil Daniel had stepped inside, his hands slightly red but otherwise fine.

The two bodies sat across from each other, picking up their chopsticks at the same time.

They ate in silence, but the moment felt natural.

This was routine now. Training. Pushing limits. Recovering. Then doing it all over again.

And he wouldn't stop here.

----

Time for the time skip ✍🏿

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