At the time, there are things that don’t seem like a big deal.
But when you face them again, you freeze up—those kinds of memories.
“Mujae, wasn’t it? It’s been a while.”
Your body reacts before your mind can register it.
“Hel…lo.”
Back then, the truth was, he’d really been struggling, though Mujae hadn’t realized it.
With an inexplicable tension, Mujae swallowed hard.
“You look quite different from before. In a good way.”
“Do I?”
“Back then, every time I saw you, you were a headache. And now you’re the Promotional Officer of Seocheon Flower Garden. What a turn of events.”
It was a conversation where you seemed to know each other, but also didn’t.
A strangely uncomfortable exchange.
Just then, Hallakgoong slipped between Mujae and Supreme King Cho-gang.
“Greetings. I am Hallakgoong, son of the Ggotgam Officer, here to pay my respects to Supreme King Cho-gang.”
“Greetings.”
Zack also bowed his head in greeting and conveyed a message in sign language.
‘Hello.’
“This is an exchange student, Zagreus. But please, just call me Zack.”
“Nice to meet you, Zack. Well then, shall we all take a seat?”
Following Supreme King Cho-gang, they entered the conference room, where a massive table awaited them.
One wall of the room was a full-length window, revealing a rocky cliff with magma flowing down its surface.
It was, quite literally, a magma-view.
Once everyone took their seats, the External Cooperation Department Negotiator stepped forward.
“I trust you had a pleasant trip. First, let’s take a look at our channel’s current status.”
When the Negotiator manipulated the tablet, a neat summary of Boiling Hell’s SNS statistics appeared on the screen.
The Negotiator introduced each aspect one by one.
“We do run a number of channels, but the main ones are GoddoG with 520,000, and SoulTock with 780,000. Especially, the response on SoulTock is scorching.”
The Negotiator opened Boiling Hell’s SoulTock channel.
Compared to GoddoG, this channel featured shorter, more primal videos. The titles were also much shorter and punchier.
[Plank on Magma 3-Minute Challenge]
[1,200-Degree 100 Squats]
[Jump Rope Between Fire Pillars]
“Wow….”
Mujae let out an exclamation, forgetting all about his earlier nerves.
Each video varied in popularity, but on average, they racked up hundreds of thousands of views.
After watching the audience reactions, the Negotiator operated the tablet again, this time bringing up the Seocheon Flower Garden GoddoG channel.
“When I checked the Seocheon Flower Garden GoddoG channel, I noticed a lot of lengthy live streams and high-quality documentaries.”
“That’s right.”
“So far, your subscribers have especially gone wild for the live streams.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“How about trying some content aimed at SoulTock this time?”
He wasn’t just good at working out—this Grim Reaper was also smooth with words.
The way he kept rubbing his hands together, he looked like he’d be a natural at sales too.
“SoulTock is all about short, punchy, primal fun. Quite different from GoddoG.”
“Absolutely, I agree.”
The brain of Seocheon Flower Garden’s promotions team, Hallakgoong, nodded in agreement.
Boiling Hell’s content was indeed quite different from the sentimental vibe of Seocheon Flower Garden.
It wasn’t that one was better than the other; it was more about the difference in user demographics.
SoulTock’s main users didn’t seem to match Seocheon Flower Garden’s vibe—there weren’t even 20,000 subscribers yet.
“So what can Seocheon Flower Garden’s promotions team do?”
Supreme King Cho-gang’s tone still somehow felt like he was speaking down to them. But the Negotiator took it in stride, smoothly continuing.
“Ah, we happen to have someone who looks just like the Iron Bachelor here.”
“…?”
Zack looked up, meeting eyes with the Negotiator.
When he realized the Negotiator was referring to him, his eyes grew as wide as lanterns. The Negotiator double-checked to be sure.
“You’re the Iron Bachelor, aren’t you?”
Nod, nod, nod. Zack’s rapid head movements made the Negotiator burst out laughing.
“I knew it! The moment I saw those muscles, I could tell you were one of us!”
“Whoa….”
Hallakgoong shivered, forgetting the formality of the situation.
But the ‘Iron Bachelors’ seemed thrilled to have met a kindred spirit, chattering away, mixing workout jargon into their speech even without any sign language.
“How much can you lift? Wait, is there even a place in Seocheon where you can work out that much?”
Zack had become the representative Iron Bachelor of Seocheon Flower Garden.
Up until now, Zack hadn’t been able to properly work out in his rural hometown.
As he shared his struggles, the Negotiator nodded along, face full of sympathy.
“Incredible—you’ve really gone to such lengths for your training.”
But for Mujae and Hallakgoong, who were hearing this for the first time, there was nothing to do but roll their eyes.
They had no idea when or how their friend had ever exercised.
As the Negotiator watched Zack’s every sign in awe, he suddenly leaped to his feet.
“We can’t just sit around! Your Highness, may we do an impromptu fitness live stream?”
“Where? Why?”
“I can’t just ignore a young man working this hard! We should open up our Hwatang Bath, shouldn’t we?”
“Wait, that sounds terrifying….”
Hallakgoong muttered fearfully at the ominous name, but no one was listening. Supreme King Cho-gang nodded.
“Alright, open it up. Call in all the Messengers, too.”
Supreme King Cho-gang’s gaze flickered briefly toward Mujae.
“Let’s show them how hot things can get.”
Mujae suddenly felt like a rabbit about to have its liver stolen.
He was nervous because of the intimidating name, but the Hwatang Bath was just the magma beach that the promotions team had gotten used to.
Instead of a sea, magma boiled and erupted—noisy and intensely hot.
The excited Negotiator led the promotions team down the stony path.
“Hey there!”
“You’re here!”
All the Messengers working in Boiling Hell gathered, each with their own unique set of muscles and expressive eyebrows, backpacks slung over their shoulders.
Not to be outdone, Zack dragged the suitcase he’d brought with him.
“?!”
“Uwooooo~!!”
Amazingly, inside were workout tools transformed from farming implements: Mongae, Jeolgu, Jeolgutgong-i, Jaenggi, Gwaengi, Muljige…. It was a side of their friend that Mujae and Hallakgoong had never known.
“Zack, how did you use all these?”
In response to the Negotiator’s question, Zack picked up the Muljige. He placed the Jeolgu and Jeolgutgong-i inside the Water Buckets attached to both sides, then lifted the whole thing overhead.
The Boiling Hell Messengers burst into wild applause.
“In Seocheon Flower Garden, he said he used them to carry water….”
“This guy’s got real passion!”
Mujae interpreted Zack’s sign language, but among the Iron Bachelors, words weren’t really necessary.
Each began pulling out straps and gear from their own bags, assembling the workout tools.
Some of the equipment was massive.
“Left side here!”
“Right side over here!”
“Cros—sssss~!!”
The shouts of the Iron Bachelors echoed through the cave.
In no time, the huge workout machines were assembled along the magma shore.
Their bags were literally full of gym equipment.
Hallakgoong reeled at the sight.
“Aren’t those things hot?”
“Huh?”
The Messengers laughed heartily at Hallakgoong’s question.
But it was a fair point.
Everything they had looked like metal wrapped in leather; in this 800-plus-degree heat, you’d think you’d burn your hand just touching it.
The Messenger closest to Hallakgoong held out a Dumbbell.
“Here, try holding this.”
It was a smooth, shiny black Dumbbell, clearly well-used and well-maintained.
Only the leather handle wrapping bore the marks of time and endurance.
Hallakgoong, face tense with fear, reached out a finger.
Mujae cheered him on.
“It’s fine! We’ve got our Insulation Suits on!”
“Shut up!”
But his expression said otherwise.
Just as Hallakgoong’s hand touched the gym equipment, he squeezed his eyes shut.
But at the unexpected sensation, he opened his eyes wide.
“?!”
“How is it?”
“Why—why is it cool?”
Too surprised, Hallakgoong asked again, prompting more laughter from the Iron Bachelors.
Mujae, who had been filming the scene with his camera, reached out a hand too.
“Whoa, it’s cold!”
“This isn’t iron.”
The Messenger reclaimed his Dumbbell and knocked it against another piece, producing a sharp clang.
“It’s called Cold Steel Stone. Usually, we call it Black Iron. The higher the surrounding temperature, the colder it gets.”
“That’s amazing!”
“Then, shall we start the workout live?”
By now, the Iron Bachelors had finished their preparations and shouted their battle cries.
Zack, his heart pounding, took his place among them.
Mujae and Hallakgoong, filming with their cameras, couldn’t help but laugh at the absurd yet amusing sight.
“How did he manage to hold back with all that cool equipment?”
“He didn’t—he did whatever it took.”
“We’re starting the live!”
Boiling Hell’s Camera Director announced the live stream in a booming voice.
He adjusted the camera, checked the live feed, and then smoothly found his workout spot.
Meanwhile, the Negotiator greeted the subscribers with practiced ease.
“Hi there, our ‘Burners’! Today we have some special guests joining us!”
He approached Zack. Zack beamed, greeting everyone in sign language.
‘Hello, I’m Zack from Seocheon Flower Garden’s promotions team. Did a lot of Flower Keepers come today?’
It was the first time Zack had stepped into the spotlight like this. Comments welcoming him started pouring in.
@OnFire: It’s been a while since we’ve had a full-on gym session!!
@MagmaD: Even the youngest is showing off his muscles today
@HotGuy_4: What’s with this guy, why’s he so sexy
@TiredOfFlowers: Wow, it’s Zack!!! This is the first time I’ve really seen his face
“Oh wow, Zack. Is this your first debut? That won’t do. We’re going to have an even more intense muscle time now!”
The Negotiator responded naturally to the comments, radiating the ease of a manager with 2.8 million followers. His words sent a ripple of laughter through the chat.
@KetoDieting: lmaooo how much more are you gonna make them do lol
@MoonBelly: This is gonna be an epic debut session
@8LivingWithDragon: Go easy on our kid lolllll
Soon, the Negotiator returned to his spot at the center.
At his command, everyone started working out together.
All these muscular men heaving the weights at once—Zack was keeping up with them, not giving an inch.
“One!~Two!~”
“Breathe!~Time to change!”
After five sets, everyone switched places.
Hallakgoong muttered, either awestruck or exhausted, sighing for what felt like the hundredth time.
“Is five sets just the basic here…?”
“Let’s go again! Begin!!”
Once more, the command rang out.
One! Two! Three! Even viewers felt the sweat as muscles bulged against the backdrop of magma.
Their eyes burned with passion, and the comment section was on fire too.
@6MuscleRoutine9: Today’s hotter than ever
@RetirementLog: This is crazy lolol the youngest isn’t losing today
As the stream went on, conversation faded, replaced only by the commands and sheer intensity. Who knew how much time had passed.
Even Mujae, inside his Insulation Suit, was dripping with sweat.
Once they hit thirty sets, the Negotiator finally announced the end in a voice torn by exertion.
“This is the final set!!”
“Heeyaaah!!”
“Zack, you okay?”
The Negotiator kept checking on Zack throughout, maybe because it had been so long since Zack last did a proper workout.
He seemed short of breath, but he shook his head.
“Then here we go, the last one~!”
One! Two! Three! Just like the first round—no, even stronger—the final set came to an end.
The musclemen collapsed, sitting or lying on the floor, gasping for air.
The Negotiator wrapped up the live broadcast.
“Haah, it’s been so long since we did a full-on workout like this. Our special guest did an amazing job today! It was a truly hot and delicious session.”
“Did he just say delicious….”
Hallakgoong muttered in disbelief at the Negotiator’s words.
“Well then, thank you for watching our live, Burners. We’ll be uploading some special shorts later, so you know the drill—like, comment, subscribe, and turn on notifications! Thank you!”
“Thank youuu~!!”
Zack, sprawled on the floor, waved his hand.
His refreshingly bright smile looked so genuinely happy.
As most of the musclemen remained floored, Hallakgoong approached the Negotiator.
“So, shall we go for a second round of the live?”