Substitute-Chapter 37

He figured it was just talking to himself and tried to ignore it, but the guy lightly tapped Jiwon’s shoulder.

“You know me, right? What are the odds we’d meet here.”

It was the young customer Jiwon had driven back when he was doing gigs around Gangnam Station.

Normally, in situations like this, people asked, “Haven’t we met before?”—but this guy was straight-up sure Jiwon knew who he was.

“Nice to see you.”

The guy smiled softly.

“If it weren’t for this, I almost wouldn’t have recognized you.”

He pointed to his right pinky.

He meant the scar that stretched all the way to Jiwon’s own pinky.

“Ah... yeah.”

Jiwon let out an awkward smile.

“Feel free to just call me Number 3, Sailor-nim.”

Number 3 tapped Jiwon’s name tag with his finger, his body barely covered by a towel, and walked over to his locker.

The guys who had already been mocking Jiwon seemed to hate him even more now that the hottest guy in the crew was acknowledging him.

Jiwon worried the mood might sour, but luckily they were all just balls of desire. Instead of wasting time on Jiwon’s useless dick, they were too distracted ogling Number 3’s absurdly perfect body.

“Did you see that? Fucking huge.”

“For real? Fuck, I didn’t get to see. Was it really that big?”

“Not just big. Fucking huge.”

Apparently he was packing too.

“His thighs are as big as my face.”

“Just his thighs? His calves are insane too. Look.”

Seemed like his muscles weren’t normal either.

Jiwon glanced at Number 3’s back.

Yeah. That’s insane. Tch.

He couldn’t help feeling jealous.

Then his eyes met Park Gunwoo’s. Park Gunwoo gave him a knowing smile and mouthed, “He’s insane.” Seemed like he thought Jiwon was interested in Number 3 in that way.

Well, maybe that was better.

Jiwon gave a forced smile.

“Alright, bros. Let’s go eat.”

Son Gunwoo slung his arms around Jiwon and Park Gunwoo’s shoulders and practically dragged them out of the training room.

The muzzled guys wearing those not-quite-pants that fully exposed their dicks and balls weren’t wearing any underwear, so it was quite a sight. But they were giggling to themselves like it was all fun and games.

“Jesus, my eyes are being assaulted.”

Son Gunwoo grumbled, but he looked like he was enjoying the view.

The group of young men headed toward the cafeteria with spring in their step. Made sense—it was their first meal in two hours since waking up.

Jiwon was the exception. He felt like something was stuck in his chest. It seemed stupid to be this stressed over a dick, but he couldn’t help it.

He was a man too, after all.

It was instinct.

But skipping a meal wasn’t allowed.

Guess I’ll just pretend to eat.

That was the plan, anyway.

But it didn’t work.

Trainers were blocking the cafeteria entrance. They held tablets and assigned meal plans to each crew member entering. They didn’t just say what to eat—each person’s tray was already prepared.

Since Jiwon had to gain 7kg, his plan included not only three full meals but also two snack times.

A meal that should’ve been enjoyable was turning into torture. He felt drained already.

But the tray he was handed was surprisingly normal. Since it was right after a workout, it was protein-heavy, and the foods were balanced in terms of macros—clean, nutritious, and not entirely bland. He’d worried it would be too much, but the portion was manageable, and dessert was pudding.

“Damn, I’m jealous. I wish we could switch.”

Park Gunwoo, sitting beside him, looked genuinely envious.

And for good reason—his tray had about half the amount of food as Jiwon’s.

Unlike Jiwon, who had lost weight, Park Gunwoo had gained 3kg before coming in and had been given a diet order.

“It’s not like I have a belly. Just a tiny bit of fat sticking out of my sides, and they’re starving me for it. Makes sense, huh?”

Park Gunwoo, who’d been doing mostly cardio workouts, was clearly pissed.

“Well, 77 kilos is a bit much...”

Jiwon trailed off, half-defending the trainer, and Park Gunwoo pretended to glare at him but then grinned.

“Kim Jiwon-ssi actually saying stuff like that? I must be growing on you.”

Turned out, he was a pretty decent guy, despite his loud first impression.

“Thanks for earlier. Hyung.”

Jiwon finally expressed his gratitude and, feeling awkward, stuffed food into his mouth.

Park Gunwoo leaned his head toward Jiwon and said,

“Well, well. Now I’m ‘hyung’ just for sticking up for you?”

Then he reached over and tousled Jiwon’s hair.

Jiwon had no intention of making friends...

After all, in this place, he was completely alone.

He couldn’t call for help or run away—this was a deserted island in every sense.

Still, maybe having one or two people on his side wouldn’t be so bad.

For now, he allowed himself to think that way.

****

Starting tomorrow, wake-up time had been moved an hour earlier to 6 a.m.

Complaints came from every corner, but since they’d chosen to stay, they had no choice but to comply.

“This is literally the fucking military.”

Park Gunwoo, still draft-exempt, grumbled as he stared at his tablet.

Wake-up at 6 a.m. Report to the gym within 15 minutes.

Twenty minutes of stretching, 60 minutes of personalized workouts, 20 minutes of cardio, and 20 more of final stretching. After two hours of exercise, they’d shower and then eat breakfast.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., there was scheduled education. Then lunch and a break from 1 to 2, followed by more education.

At 5 p.m., swimming was listed for the first time.

After swimming, dinner at 7:30, and more education starting at 8.

From 9 to 10 p.m., each person had different activities. For example, Jiwon had a full-body massage tonight, while Park Gunwoo had a skincare appointment. Tomorrow, they’d swap.

Only two days of schedules were shown to the crew. The rest could be changed at any time, according to the team leader.

“Fuck this. Who does classes at night?”

“No kidding.”

The tablet just said “Education”—there was no info on what kind.

“If it’s like yesterday, I swear I might kill myself. I’m not kidding.”

Park Gunwoo mimed strangling himself in disgust.

Jiwon let out a dry laugh.

“So how do you know him, anyway?”

In the middle of talking about schedules, Park Gunwoo asked out of nowhere.

“Who?”

“Who do you think? Pretty boy over there.”

Park Gunwoo scanned the auditorium and gestured toward one spot with his chin.

It was Number 3, sitting right behind Son Gunwoo.

Even with his police hat pulled down, he stood out.

“Oh. He was a customer when I was doing gigs.”

“Did you fuck?”

He asked with a surprisingly coy expression.

“I just drove.”

“Oh come on. Be honest. You totally did, right?”

He gave Jiwon a look that was too casual to be joking.

“I swear I just drove.”

“You met that guy and you’re telling me it was just driving?”

He looked like he didn’t believe it.

Jiwon didn’t know how to respond, so he just smiled.

“Okay, let’s say that’s true. But what about him? What did he do? Just sat there? Saw you and did nothing?”

“Hyung, I was a fucking mess back then.”

He meant it.

“Dude, do you not own a mirror?”

Jiwon appreciated that Park Gunwoo thought well of him, but he figured it was just his personality—he liked to exaggerate.

He did resemble him, sure, so of course his face wasn’t bad. But compared to the others here—especially Park Gunwoo—he was average. That’s all he meant.

Park Gunwoo, fixated on Jiwon’s connection with Number 3, looked like he’d go ask him directly if the instructor hadn’t come in just then. The guy was absurdly enthusiastic about the weirdest things.

BEEEEEP—

A sharp electronic tone rang out as a new instructor entered. It wasn’t the same guy as yesterday. Though he also wore a suit and a black mask, this one had a bigger build and a younger voice. He wore a wireless earpiece like a bodyguard.

The instructor was the type you’d call “intense” in their world. He looked like he’d done this kind of lecture hundreds of times. He was smooth.

“Beautiful. Just beautiful.”

“It’s like I’m in a flower field. Mind if I take a sniff? I’ve been starving for fresh young blood.”

“Maybe it’s all that healthy cum you’re carrying, but your skin is glowing.”

“God, you all look delicious. Slurp.”

Aside from the gross uncle jokes, the lecture was actually kind of fun.

After about twenty minutes of that comedy routine, the instructor’s expression turned serious.

“Alright, that’s enough fun. Time to get started for real.”

He threw off his jacket. His assistant picked it up from the floor.

“So, everyone. What is sex? Anyone wanna answer?”

“Sex is sex.”

A bored response.

“Don’t state the obvious.”

The instructor scolded him in a mock-haughty tone.

“What does sex mean to you?”

As the guys tossed out basic answers—sucking, fucking, getting fucked—the instructor sighed deeply and shook his head.

“So that’s it? You fuck, get fucked, suck, and it’s over? That’s sex? And you like that?”

“Mutual connection.”

It was Gwak Hyesung.

“Smart as he looks. Anyone else?”

“Give and take.”

“Half right, half wrong. Next? What, none of you’ve had sex?”

The instructor scanned the room.

“Stop pretending to be innocent. You think we don’t know you’re all twisted little perverts inside?”

He pointed around the room.

“Sex, my friends, is giving. You give. Unconditionally.”

That got some boos.

“Aw, come on. I’m serious. If you give your whole body—your everything—you’ll experience the ultimate climax. Don’t believe me? You really don’t? Well then!! That’s why we started this project!”

He spread his arms wide.

“Welcome to the Paradise Project, everyone.”

He made eye contact with every single crew member, like he was moved to tears.

“It’s Day 2 since your arrival, and as you know, that means no jerking off for six more days. That’s for your sake.”

He didn’t mention the chastity cages or the electric shocks from yesterday.

“Manager Kim might not be great with words, but he’s more devoted to this project than anyone. The man’s a fucking genius.”

Then he started praising Manager Kim.

Just as Kim had said, the instructor emphasized that they were “precious assets.”

“Have you ever heard the Bible phrase, ‘A land flowing with milk and honey’? Doesn’t matter if you haven’t. I’m not here to talk about God. I’m here to talk about the milk, honey, and land.”

According to him, this was the Promised Land.

“You were chosen to water this sacred ground. I know most of you came here thinking it was just another sex party. But this time, you’re wrong. Whatever you imagined—this’ll blow past it. Why? Because we’re paying you a fortune and giving you the best food, clothing, and shelter for a reason. That food you ate today? Made by a Michelin chef. That water you drank? Costs over 5,000 won a bottle. That bracelet on your wrist? Not plated—real 18K gold. After the program, take it to a jewelry store. You’ll make serious money. And the little stones in it? Not crystals. Real diamonds.”

The auditorium buzzed at the mention of real gold, and erupted in cheers at “diamonds.” Everyone started examining the bracelets on their wrists.

Hearing the instructor keep saying the best made Jiwon feel strange.

“You know why we do this for you? Why else? Because you’re the best! Because you’re the most beautiful people in the world! You’re worth it. That’s why we’re investing in you.”

He kept repeating words like best and beautiful.

“Remember what I said when I walked in? That you’re beautiful. That you smell divine. I meant it. You are beautiful and fragrant. And your greatest weapon—youth. You think it’s a joke when people say age is king?”

The praise didn’t stop.

I’m gonna lose it. This is nuts. Just looking at you makes me smile.

The instructor practically worshipped them.

At first it gave Jiwon goosebumps. It felt disgusting. But after a while, it started to sound sincere. Like maybe he really was special.

I’m the chosen one, getting luxury treatment.

Young and beautiful.

Exceptional.

Maybe it was the compliments, but he couldn’t help feeling something stir inside.

The instructor looked ready to bow to them.

I wonder if he heard this too.

At just twenty-one, clueless about the world—did he fall for this speech, too?

Probably.

Living in a villa worth a fortune, wearing designer clothes, eating whatever delicacy he wanted... He must’ve lost his grip. Started thinking he deserved it all. And when he got dumped, it must’ve felt like the whole world turned against him. Like his worth had plummeted to nothing. Probably drove him to the edge of madness.

Jiwon felt both pity and disgust.

Falling into ruin chasing pleasure.

In the end, it was his own fault.

Still, he was Jiwon’s brother.

Of course his heart leaned inward.

How lonely he must’ve been.

How scared.

Twenty-three.

Too young to die.

Jiwon swallowed the fury bubbling up in his chest.