5 AM, the war against muscle loss

by Outsider · 2026-04-02

I passed the first hurdle of dinner and returned to my room.

But the real boss monster was yet to come.

[Quest: Wash up and change into pajamas.]

I recalled the three rules established at the hospital.

This body is not mine. I will not look. I will only do what is necessary.

I turned on the shower and washed, counting the ceiling tiles. Twelve across, twenty-four down.

Still, I couldn't block the information conveyed through my fingertips.

Seol-ah: Ugh... I have no muscle at all. Is this a human body, or a chopstick?

Trainer Kim Cheol-su's occupational habit came out first.

After finishing my shower, I found the pajamas the helpers had prepared laid out on the bed.

...As expected. A pink lace one-piece pajama.

Seol-ah: Can't this household make clothes without lace?

I grumbled, but I had no choice.

I put on the pajamas and lay down on the bed.

The blanket was cozy, but my mind was a battlefield.

I muttered, looking at the ceiling.

Seol-ah: I am Baek Seol-ah.

Seol-ah: From now on, this is me.

Seol-ah: If you can't avoid it, enjoy it... I can't go that far, but I have to adapt to survive.

After repeating it dozens of times, fatigue washed over me.

The soul of thirty-six-year-old Kim Cheol-su fell into a deep sleep within the body of an eighteen-year-old girl.

* * *

Flash.

My eyes opened.

There was no alarm. Outside the window, it was still a bluish dawn.

I checked the clock; it was exactly 5:00 AM.

Seol-ah: ...This is driving me crazy.

The memory of this damned body. No, is it the memory of the soul?

The habit of running roadwork every morning for 15 years as an athlete remained, even after my body changed.

I closed my eyes to try and sleep again, but my heart pounded, shouting, 'Hey! Aren't you going to work out? You'll lose muscle!'

Seol-ah: Ugh, seriously!

In the end, I kicked off the blanket and got up.

My body was itching, I couldn't stand it. I had to run.

I opened the closet.

Seol-ah: Workout clothes, workout clothes…….

None.

Only frilly dresses, frilly blouses, and frilly skirts.

Adidas? Nike? Those were not brands in this princess's dictionary.

Seol-ah: No workout clothes? What kind of absurd closet is this!

Just as I was about to despair, I saw a piece of clothing shoved in the corner.

A navy outfit with a school emblem.

[Item acquired: High school gym uniform (top/bottom)]

Seol-ah: Yes! This is it!

I quickly changed into the gym uniform.

...But an unexpected problem arose. It was the size.

Since Seol-ah's body was so emaciated, just skin and bones, I naturally thought the clothes would be loose, but I overlooked one thing.

This kid is taller than I thought.

The width fit, but the length was woefully insufficient.

The top became a forced crop top where my belly button would 'peek-a-boo' with just a slight lift of my arm, and the pants were practically shorts, revealing my thighs.

Checking the label provided the answer.

It seemed to be a new outfit bought when she entered high school, but never worn and shoved aside because she couldn't go to school due to illness.

Because she had grown tall like a bean sprout while lying in bed all this time, the perfectly good gym uniform had suddenly become children's clothing.

It's December now. The middle of winter.

If I went out like this, I'd die of hypothermia before a heart attack.

Seol-ah: Urgent measures for warmth are needed.

I rummaged through the closet again.

In a corner of the drawer, I found thick black fleece-lined stockings.

Oh, what a find. Without hesitation, I pulled on the stockings and layered short gym shorts over them.

'Hmm. To immediately think of finding stockings because it's cold.'

Have I really completed my high school girl patch? It felt very natural. Good job, Kim Cheol-su.

Seol-ah: ...Well, as long as it's functional, that's all that matters. Warmth is the best.

I tied my shoelaces tightly and slightly opened the door.

The quiet mansion where everyone was asleep.

Like a cat burglar, I tiptoed down the marble stairs and went out into the garden.

Whoosh.

The dawn air was as cold as a blade.

I wanted to go out the main gate and take a refreshing lap around the neighborhood, but I decided to hold back.

Given the current atmosphere in this house, if the daughter who had just barely survived were to vanish in the early morning? My aunt would faint, the police would be called, and the house would surely be turned upside down.

'Right, the house is as big as a sports field, so there's no need to go out.'

I can just run around this spacious garden as a track.

Seol-ah: Hoo...

My breath scattered in white.

I started stretching lightly.

Crack.

Seol-ah: Aargh!

I turned my neck once and thought my bones were going to separate.

Zero flexibility. Zero muscle strength. This body is simply a 'total disaster.'

After thoroughly warming up, I caught my breath and started running.

The mansion's garden was so vast that running to the main gate and back would probably make for a 400m track.

Tap, tap.

Light footsteps broke the silence.

The first minute was good. My body felt light, like I could fly. Wow, I thought, this must be why people lose weight.

But exactly three minutes later.

Gasp... gasp... ugh...: Gasp... gasp... Ugh...

My lungs felt like they were tearing. My legs trembled, and stars flashed before my eyes.

[Warning: Stamina depleted.]

Seol-ah: Ugh… this… rotten body…!

I ran, hitting my thigh with my fist.

My heart screamed, "You can run more! The engine is fine!" but my leg muscles and lung capacity shrieked, "Master, we're going on strike."

Kim Cheol-su's mental strength vs. Baek Seol-ah's poor physical fitness. It was the battle of the century.

Seol-ah: I won't stop! Aaaah! If a man draws a sword, he must at least slice a radish!

(You're not a man.)

I ran with all my might.

Sweat poured down like rain, and my bangs stuck to my forehead.

My heart was pounding as if it would burst.

This pain. This breathlessness. It was proof that I was alive.

It was then.

Mina: Kyaaaah!

A scream came from somewhere.

I turned my head and saw Mina, who had come out for morning cleaning, sitting down in shock, looking at me.

She looked like she had seen a ghost.

Well, a sickly beautiful girl with disheveled hair, eyes rolled back, and drooling while running. It would be a horror, indeed.

Seol-ah: Huff… huff… Hello…?

I waved my hand, but Mina didn't have time to respond and ran into the house.

And a minute later.

The mansion's front door slammed open! Someone ran out barefoot.

Aunt: Seol-ah!!!

It was my aunt.

She ran towards me, almost wailing.

Aunt: You, what are you doing right now! Are you crazy?!

Seol-ah: Haa… haa… Exercise… I'm… exercising…….

Aunt: What kind of exercise are you talking about! You'll collapse! Your heart will stop!

My aunt smacked me on the back (that hurt a bit) and grabbed my arm.

Seol-ah: No… I still have… two more laps… left…….

Aunt: Shut up! Get inside right now!

In the end, I was dragged away, like a cow being led to the slaughterhouse.

My precious morning cardio...

I was forcibly repatriated to my room.

My aunt threatened, "If you run one more time, I'll tell your dad!" and left.

I lay sprawled on the floor, covered in sweat.

Seol-ah: Huff, huff.

I'm still out of breath. But... it felt strangely unsatisfying.

Seol-ah: This is neither exercising nor not exercising.

I don't have that feeling of my muscles pumping. Just a feeling of exhaustion.

If I stop now, I won't be able to stand the discomfort all day.

Seol-ah: This won't do.

I went to the soft rug on the floor.

I checked if the door was locked and got into position.

Push-ups.

Seol-ah: One.

Trembling.

My arms shook like branches. My chest was almost touching the floor.

Seol-ah: Ugh...!

Barely managed one.

Is this for real? I'm Kim Cheol-su. The me who used to bench press 120kg!

My veins feel like they're going to burst from just one push-up!

Seol-ah: Two... Ugh...

The reflection of myself in the mirror was straining with a red face. It was a sight to behold. Anyone watching would think I was being disciplined.

Seol-ah: Three...!

Thud.

I collapsed on the third one.

I buried my face in the floor and gasped for breath.

It was pathetic. My physical stats, not only reset, but became negative.

I turned my body and lay on my back, looking at the ceiling.

This time, it was sit-ups.

Seol-ah: At least... I'll make... abs...

I struggled to raise my upper body. My stomach felt like it was tearing.

But the funny thing was, there was no belly fat to grab. It was just skin and organs.

Seol-ah: Seol-ah... did you just breathe your whole life...?

I gritted my teeth.

Alright, good.

Starting from the bottom, that's my specialty, isn't it?

I crawled my way up from the bottom even before I won the championship belt.

Seol-ah: Just you wait. I, with this body...

Ugh-cha! (Two successful)

Seol-ah: ...Even if not a six-pack, I'll make 11-line abs.

Inside the room, only rough breathing and the desperate grunts of the old man possessing the girl's body echoed.

Seol-ah: Aja! I can do it! Kim Cheol-su! No, Baek Seol-ah! Agh!

* * *

I checked the calendar and cheered.

Mid-December. The SATs were over, and the final exam season had concluded.

In other words, it was now winter break.

Seol-ah: Nice. God doesn't abandon me completely.

What if I had gone straight to school after being discharged from the hospital? I probably would have searched for 'dropping out' within three days.

Commuting to and from school with this poor physique? Impossible. Dealing with bullies with this fragile mental state? Annoying.

God gave me a three-month grace period.

During this period, my goals were clear.

[Main Quest: Secure Physical Strength & Political Influence for Survival]

First, build my body. Upgrade this paper doll-like body to at least the level of a 'wooden doll'.

Second, conquer my family. Create allies (or neutrals who won't interfere) in this cold household.

Now, the [Kim Cheol-su Style Hell Winter School] begins.

Seo-jin: Seol-ah student... Um, are you really going to drink this?

Seo-jin unnie made a tearful face and placed a cup in front of me.

Inside the cup was a dark, murky liquid.

My special recipe, made by blending chicken breast, banana, almonds, and broccoli.

Seol-ah: Yes. I told you to blend it all thoroughly, without leaving anything behind.

Seo-jin: B-but... the smell...

Seol-ah: Good medicine often tastes bitter. I'll eat well!

I held my nose and gulped it down in one go. Gulp, gulp.

Seol-ah: Ugh...

The briny, thick taste going down my throat.

Yes, this is it. The taste that makes my muscles scream with joy.

When I set the empty cup down with a thud, the kitchen lady looked horrified.

Mi-na: Oh my, Seol-ah drank that in one go.

Mina: Haven't your tastes changed too much?

Just then, my aunt rushed over.

Aunt: Seol-ah! Did you eat something weird again? I told you I'd make you a sweet strawberry smoothie!

Seol-ah: Aunt, strawberry smoothies are too high in sugar. I'll lose muscle.

Aunt: Mus... what? What kind of nonsense is that?

My aunt slapped my back and massaged my hand.

Aunt: You're already skin and bones, you should eat something delicious to gain weight. Why do you keep eating only tasteless things?

Seol-ah: This all turns into flesh and blood. And for lunch today, I'd like beef tenderloin. Exactly 300g, please.

I raised my arm, which had no biceps, and mimicked Popeye.

Seol-ah: Look. See that tiny twitching here?

Aunt: Ugh, I don't know! It's like our Seol-ah is possessed by a fighter ghost!

My aunt jumped, but I just grinned.

Actually, I am possessed.

Aunt: And Seol-ah, why is your way of speaking always like that? What's "exactly measured"? Like a tomboy.

Seol-ah: Ah, hahaha. Sorry, Aunt.

I scratched my head, realizing my mistake.

It's hard to change a habit of 36 years overnight.

At first, the family members were horrified, but after a week or two, they gradually changed.

When I came in after running in the yard every morning, Seo-jin unnie would have a towel ready and hand it to me.

Seo-jin: Seol-ah, did you shorten your record today?

Seol-ah: Oh, Seo-jin unnie. I cut 30 seconds today.

Seo-jin: Oh, awesome! That's really cool!

From being a 'burden' who was sickly and required a lot of care, to becoming a 'source of vitality' who sweats and greets people cheerfully.

My reputation was changing, little by little, but surely.

One dawn in January.

Heavy snow was pouring outside the window.

A winter wonderland, with the whole world covered in white.

A typical high school girl would probably have posted pictures on social media, saying, "Wow~ it's snowing~ how romantic~" but...

Seol-ah: ...my lower body is weak.

I clicked my tongue as I looked at my legs in the mirror.

My upper body had started to take shape, but my lower body was still poorly built.

Seol-ah: Running in the snow is the best way to strengthen your lower body.

I put on the Nike long padded jacket I bought with Dad's card (I was curious about Dad's expression when the payment text message popped up), pulled a wool hat over my head, and went out into the garden.

Crunch, crunch.

My feet sank deep. My thighs felt twice the usual load.

This is it. This is exactly the style of special forces cold weather training.

Seol-ah: Hup! Whoosh! Hup! Whoosh!

I circled the garden, exhaling white breaths.

One lap, two laps. I started to sweat, so I slightly lowered the zipper of my padded jacket.

Just then, the second-floor terrace door burst open.

Yu-ri: Hey! Baek Seol-ah!

It was my younger sister, Baek Yu-ri.

She had come out in thin pajamas and was horrified.

Yu-ri: Are you crazy? It's minus 10 degrees Celsius right now! Are you insane?!

Seol-ah: No, I'm not cold! This is all good for blood circulation! You come down too! Let's run together!

When I waved my hand and shouted, Yu-ri grimaced and made an X with her arms.

Yu-ri: Oh, crazy... she must be really crazy! Get inside! If Mom finds out, I'll get scolded too!

Seol-ah: I won't die! My heart is strong! Thanks for worrying about me, little sister!

Yu-ri: Wh-who said I was worried!

Yuri's face turned red, and she slammed the window shut.

But I saw it.

The shadow fidgeting behind the curtain.

That she was watching me until I finished running and went inside.

'Is she perhaps waiting to call 911 if I collapse?'

...She's quite a commendable younger sister.

And one more thing.

That Chairman Baek, my father, was silently looking down at me running in the snowfield, drinking coffee by the study window.

Usually, he would have told me to "come in," but for some reason, he was just watching.

Perhaps it was because my footprints in the snowfield looked like my will to struggle to live.

My body was being built up like this.

But the biggest hurdle remained.

Next Monday. The top instructor from Daechi-dong is coming.