Reality Quest: Lookism

Muhahahaha I'm back, what? You missed me!?

The addiction is real huh?

I'm telling yall that i kinda wrote some canon to make the readers who didn't read the manhwa understand.

But go and read Lookism cause it's peak

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After selecting the normal-level episode, my credits dropped by 500, leaving me with 34,500. I didn't pay much attention to the loss, though, it was a small price to pay for what I needed.

Suddenly, everything turned gray, just like the last time. Time itself stopped, and I felt my body float upward, weightless. Space stretched out before me, infinite and dark, as the now-familiar colossal wheel appeared, dwarfing the solar system in its sheer size and scope. Its glowing runes shimmered as if alive, and once again, the massive glowing button emerged, hovering in front of me.

I didn't hesitate. I pressed it without a second thought.

The wheel roared to life, rotating with incredible speed, the inscriptions on its surface blurring together as it spun. The power it radiated was overwhelming, but I didn't flinch. My eyes stayed locked on it, unyielding, as the wheel finally began to slow.

It stopped.

A glowing inscription appeared, the words forming clearly in my mind:

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Episode Selected: Rabid Dog (Ch 262-263)

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Before I could process the name or what it entailed, everything went dark.

....

The morning light streamed through the tall windows of the Cheongliang City redevelopment event hall. A swarm of reporters surrounded the venue, their cameras flashing relentlessly as they eagerly waited for the arrival of two significant figures.

Inside, the bustling chatter of journalists was interrupted when the doors opened, revealing Steve Hong, CEO of H Group, and Charles Choi, CEO of HNH Group. The two men exchanged greetings in front of the crowd, their handshake becoming the focus of countless camera clicks.

"Mr. Hong and Mr. Choi, please speak up! What's the agenda for today?" a reporter shouted from the crowd.

The two CEOs exchanged polite smiles, their public personas concealing the tension between them.

"It's been a long time, Choi." Steve Hong remarked, his tone casual but sharp. "The last time we met was over rice soup, wasn't it?"

Charles Choi chuckled lightly. "Indeed, it's an honor that you remember me."

Their conversation carried undertones of suspicion. Steve, ever the perceptive man, leaned closer. "Lad, you shouldn't like money too much. I'm getting a little suspicious of you… you're not getting your hands on kids' money, are you?"

Charles's smile faltered slightly, but he quickly masked it. "There's no hard evidence, just suspicions." he replied smoothly.

Steve didn't let up. "You know, I've been hunting lately. There's a beast I really want to catch, but he's too careful. And a beast that messes with kids… well, someone's got to teach him a lesson, right?" Steve smiled before going to the crowd.

Charles's expression darkened momentarily, but he shrugged it off. 'Well, it doesn't matter. The crew business? It was just a means to gather funds for the real business. It's about time I cut it out.'

As the cameras continued flashing, Charles turned to leave, signaling the end of the public display. His mind, however, remained preoccupied. 'That old man's sharp. Too sharp.'

Elsewhere, in the shadows of Cheongliang City, Johan Seong clutched his backpack tightly as he approached the venue. His steps were hesitant, but his resolve was firm. He needed to meet Charles Choi. For his mother's sake, he had to negotiate.

The hall had emptied by the time Johan arrived. He nervously stepped forward, his voice trembling. "E-excuse me…"

Charles turned, his sharp gaze settling on the young man. "Huh? Who are you? I don't think we've met."

Johan stood before Charles Choi, his breath unsteady but his resolve unwavering. His voice cracked as he clutched his backpack tightly, struggling to get the words out.

"My mother… her eyes…" he began, his tone pleading. "Money… and…"

Charles, dressed impeccably as always, raised a brow, his expression calm and unreadable. Johan's desperation was clear, but it didn't seem to move the powerful chairman in the slightest.

"There shouldn't be any crew in the future as well." Charles stated firmly, his tone cold and final as he walked past Johan without giving him a second glance.

The weight of those words hit Johan hard. He turned slightly, his voice trembling. "Sir!" he called out, hoping for even a sliver of acknowledgment. But Charles didn't stop.

"This is why they get caught." Charles muttered to his guards as he exited the hall. "They keep messing things up everywhere."

"Take care of him, Goo." Charles left these words before disappearing.

Johan's chest heaved, his anger threatening to bubble over. His fingers dug into the straps of his backpack as his head dropped. "Please…" he whispered, but Charles was already gone.

Those few moments had stripped Johan of any illusion of hope. For Charles, he wasn't even worth addressing. The message was clear: he was on his own.

After Charles had left, Goo Kim stepped forward, breaking the silence with his carefree demeanor, though the tension in the air was palpable.

With a single, almost lazy kick, Goo sent Johan's money flying into the air. The sound of the bills scattering across the floor was deafening, more humiliating than any insult. Johan's jaw clenched as he blocked the hit, but he refused to react outwardly. He knew better than to give Goo the satisfaction.

"Hey, copycat." Goo said, adjusting his glasses with a taunting smile. "You've got some nerve to come in here."

Johan's silence only seemed to amuse Goo more. He tilted his head, studying the younger man with a mixture of curiosity and condescension.

"Now you're planning to ruin our business?" Goo asked, his tone mocking.

Johan adjusted his grip on his backpack, his gaze unwavering as he prepared himself for what was coming. He didn't need to respond. His actions would speak for him.

Goo chuckled lightly, his expression turning more sinister. "You blocked that?" he remarked, impressed despite himself. "It was definitely Gun's mistake to abandon you."

Johan's breath caught for a moment at the mention of Gun, but he kept his face stoic. He wouldn't give Goo the satisfaction of knowing how much that comment stung.

"We should've killed you." Goo continued, his smirk widening. "Instead of abandoning you."

The words hung in the air like a noose, but Johan didn't let them tighten around him. He stayed silent, his body tense but ready.

Crunch.

Goo deliberately stepped on one of the scattered bills, grinding it under his expensive shoe. His tone turned light again, but the mockery was sharper than ever.

"Are you here because of your mom's eyes? You thought if you brought money, Mr. Choi would cure her?"

Johan's fists clenched tighter, his knuckles turning white. The insult was a dagger aimed at his heart, but he wouldn't let Goo see him falter.

"Hey.."

"Pick it up." Johan commanded, his voice low and steady. The sharpness in his tone cut through the air.

Goo paused, raising a brow. "What if I can't?" he taunted, pulling his jacket slightly open. "You gonna fight me?"

Johan's glare hardened, his resolve solidifying as he prepared for the inevitable clash. But before the tension could escalate further, a figure stepped into the scene.

The sound of footsteps echoed through the space as someone entered with a casual stride, their hands buried in their pockets. Johan and Goo both turned toward the newcomer.

The man's calm voice cut through the silence. "Goo." he said simply, his tone nonchalant. "I need to borrow your glasses."

Both Johan and Goo turned at the sudden intrusion, the atmosphere shifting once more as the tension reached a boiling point.

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Mr_Graythorn