The Handsomer You Are, the Stronger You Become

‘Wow, they really transferred the money today?’

My eyes widened as I stared at the amount displayed on my phone screen.

Although Jin Seoyun had mentioned the payment would be processed today, I hadn’t expected it to actually arrive within less than 24 hours.

‘That’s some seriously fast work.’

As expected of the Samcheon Guild.

Even though guilds are businesses with lengthy processes involving reporting, review, and approval, it usually takes at least two weeks to finalize payments.

The larger the guild, the more people involved in decision-making, which only delays things further.

It’s especially rare for large sums to be transferred quickly, yet Samcheon managed to deposit 100 million won in just one day.

‘Well, I suppose having Jin Gijun directly involved helped speed things up.’

In my previous life, even when collaborating with the Samcheon Guild, payments had never been this fast.

I figured the reason for this swift transaction was likely because Jin Gijun, the deputy guild master of Samcheon, had witnessed everything firsthand.

When we emerged from the D-rank open dungeon, Jin Gijun, Choi Jiwoo, and a team of hunters—including government-affiliated ones—were surrounding the portal with their weapons drawn.

They had assumed Jin Seoyun and I had been defeated by the masked hunters, and had formed a tight perimeter as a precaution.

The situation had been dire enough that Jin Seoyun had ordered her team to retreat.

Given the extended time we spent inside, they probably thought we’d been killed.

But instead, we had taken down the masked hunters.

The delay in our emergence was simply due to us searching for clues about the masked hunters’ identities and the mysterious violet aura.

‘Of course, seeing your niece return alive would make anyone ecstatic.’

Even in my previous life, Jin Gijun had been extremely protective of Jin Seoyun.

So it made sense that he expedited the payment process this time.

For me, this was a fortunate turn of events.

Not only did I get the satisfaction of saving Han Sungbin, who had lost his life in the previous timeline, but:

‘Hmm, with this money, I can move on to the next phase.’

The compensation from Samcheon Guild was enough to fund my acquisition of the next hidden piece and further my growth.

My current goal was to surpass the strength I had attained in my previous life and prepare for the coming crises.

While the variables of the masked hunters and the violet aura had emerged, my overall objective remained unchanged.

To achieve this, I needed to reach the peak I had once attained even faster.@@novelbin@@

Though my focus had been on cultivating the Beauty Talent so far, I now had to accelerate my progress toward becoming the Sword Emperor again and reclaiming the 10 or so hidden pieces I had used alongside Seo Jieun and Choi Taehun in my previous life.

I’d already obtained the first hidden piece, the Trust Bracelet, and the second, Dual Swordsmanship.

Now it was time to pursue the third.

The problem was:

‘That dungeon requires at least level 200 to clear solo. Plus, I’ll need fire-resistant equipment.’

With my current stats, it would be nearly impossible to tackle it.

However, the sudden influx of 100 million won had changed the situation.

This money would allow me to purchase equipment with decent fire resistance, even if it wasn’t perfect.

As I mulled over my next steps while staring at the deposit notification, a voice interrupted my thoughts.

“Time’s up.”

“We’ll rinse your hair now and proceed with the cut.”

Cha Yoojin and her assistants returned to finish the styling.

They washed the solution out of my hair at the shampoo station, dried it with a blow-dryer, and then began trimming with scissors.

The sides were neatly tapered to frame my face, the top was given some volume, and the bangs were trimmed to just above my eyebrows.

Then, suddenly:

Ding!

[Your hairstyle has improved.]
[You now have a hairstyle that complements your appearance.]
[Appearance Power +2.]
[Appearance Power: 20.]
[Support Beauty Quest 10 completed.]
[Reward: Intelligence +2, Magic Power +3, Charm +22.]

Completing the Support Beauty Quest brought a massive boost to my Charm stat.

As a result:

[Condition met.]
[Absolute Beauty Quest 4 unlocked.]

[Absolute Beauty Quest 4]
"To achieve true beauty, standing on your own is essential."
[Clear a C-rank or higher dungeon without the assistance of the Beauty Assistant (0/1).]

The Absolute Beauty Quest 4 was now available.

And then:

[Charm: 0.]
[Your Charm has reached 0.]
[Your title has been upgraded.]

Finally breaking out of negative Charm, my title changed, bringing significant effects.

[Title: ‘Ugly Swordsman’ has been upgraded to ‘Ordinary Swordsman.’]

[Title: Ordinary Swordsman]

• Effect: Appearance Power +10, Sword Attack Power +10%, Attack Speed +10%, Movement Speed +10%.
• Additional Effect: Experience gained from defeating monsters +150%.

With the change from “Ugly” to “Ordinary,” my Appearance Power and sword attack power increased. Attack and movement speeds also gained a 10% boost.

Furthermore, the additional experience bonus rose from +50% to a staggering +150%.

In my previous life, the swordsman title had only granted a +3% attack power bonus, but now it offered +10% and included various other benefits.

And breaking out of negative Charm didn’t just enhance my combat capabilities.

[Your face has become slightly more attractive.]
[Facial Proportion Grade upgraded from D to C.]

Even my facial features improved. Looking into the mirror:

‘What…? I look… not bad?’

My reflection revealed a significantly different face.

Where once I resembled something like a gorilla or a thug, now I simply looked like an ordinary neighborhood guy.

And it wasn’t just my perception.

“Wow, sir! Your features really stand out now!”

“You look so much cleaner and polished! No wonder Hunter Han Sungbin recommended the down perm and dandy cut!”

Cha Yoojin and her assistants marveled as they looked into the mirror alongside me.

While my face was still average by conventional standards, the improvement was stark compared to how I’d looked before.

This wasn’t surprising.

The hairstyle had helped, but the upgrade to my Facial Proportion Grade had genuinely transformed my appearance.

Still, I downplayed it.

“It must be because you did such a great job with my hair. Thank you.”

I credited Cha Yoojin and her assistants for my improved looks.

After all, I couldn’t exactly explain the effects of my Beauty Talent to them, and it was true that their styling had helped me complete the Support Beauty Quest.

Cha Yoojin, clearly pleased with her work, beamed as she adjusted my hair again.

“Your hair is in great condition, so everything turned out well. You must take excellent care of it! May I ask what products you use?”

Haircare…

I had no real answer for that.

Until recently, I’d struggled with hair loss, and it was only thanks to the Hair Enhancement Trait that I’d finally regained a full head of hair.

I smiled faintly.

“I don’t really do much to maintain it.”

“Really?”

“Wow, they say being naturally gifted is the best, and it seems to be true in your case.”

Cha Yoojin and her assistant gawked, their eyes wide with surprise at my response.

Was it really that impressive? Or was this just the standard flattery reserved for clients?

Either way, I didn’t mind.

In my previous life, I had never heard such words, even as a courtesy.

But judging by their reactions, it seemed genuine this time.

“When someone’s hair turns out this well, it’s really satisfying and makes me happy,” said Yoojin.

“Hehe, me too,” her assistant chimed in.

The two smiled brightly as they exchanged small talk, finishing my style with wax and a spritz of hairspray.

“All done, sir! You look amazing!”

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I’ve found a hairstyle that suits me. I’ll definitely come again.”

“Please do! Have a wonderful day!”

I left their cheerful goodbyes behind and headed toward the front desk to pay.

However—

“How much do I owe?”

“Oh, you don’t need to worry about payment. Hunter Han Sungbin has already covered everything for you.”

“Han Sungbin… paid for this?”

“Yes, he said he owed you and insisted on paying. He also asked us to let you know he plans to visit you again soon.”

“I see.”

I didn’t even need to pull out my wallet.

Han Sungbin had taken care of everything when he made the reservation, including the cost.

‘Well, there’s no need to stubbornly refuse his gesture.’

While it felt a bit excessive, there was no point in vehemently rejecting it either.

After leaving the salon, I walked down the street, catching glimpses of my reflection in the windows of buildings and cars.

Indeed, there was a noticeable difference.

With just a new hairstyle and an upgrade to my Facial Proportion Grade, the change felt almost like a complete transformation.

Even more surprising:

‘No startled glances from people.’

The reactions of passersby on the street had shifted.

In the past, people would flinch or steal wary glances at me. Now, they didn’t seem to pay me any particular attention.

It appeared that the rise in my Charm stat had finally erased the repulsive impression I used to give off.

‘It’s incredible how much people’s gazes change based on appearance… This is amazing.’

I found it fascinating.

In my previous life, walking through crowded streets would often result in people glaring or deliberately avoiding me. Now, none of that was happening.

This wasn’t some baseless assumption or insecurity.

Back in a restaurant, even rookie hunters had openly mocked my appearance. These were real experiences I had endured my entire life.

As my Facial Proportion Grade and Appearance Power increased, the negative attention I attracted had significantly diminished.

It felt like the unpleasant stares I used to get had gone from a glaring negative to a neutral zero—just like my Charm stat.

‘This Beauty Talent… It’s absolutely incredible.’

It wasn’t that people were admiring me or treating me like a celebrity.

But simply having one less thing to ignore or endure filled me with an inexplicable sense of relief.

Perhaps that’s why, instead of heading to the item exchange as planned, I decided to continue strolling through the streets.

And as I walked, I marveled to myself:

‘So this is why people care about their looks.’

The change in my face was fascinating, and seeing people’s neutral gazes instead of disdainful ones felt deeply refreshing.

For a moment, I considered summoning Swallow to share this newfound joy.

‘No, let’s not.’

I quickly dismissed the thought.

If I brought him out, he’d undoubtedly say something like, “Hoho! Finally, Master, you’re realizing the true power of the Beauty Talent!” and proceed to grate on my nerves.

Moreover:

[Absolute Beauty Quest 4]
"To achieve true beauty, standing on your own is essential."
[Clear a C-rank or higher dungeon without the assistance of the Beauty Assistant (0/1).]

The quest prohibited summoning Swallow until it was completed.

As if to confirm, I tried summoning him while walking, but:

[Summoning unavailable.]
[The Beauty Assistant cannot be summoned at this time.]

It was impossible.

I’d only unsummoned him earlier because he was being noisy, but I hadn’t expected not to see him for a while.

Not that it made me feel sentimental or anything.

“What a relief. It’s so peaceful without him.”

I chuckled, enjoying the rare tranquility as I continued my walk, savoring the thrill of change.

Eventually:

“Oh right, I need to buy some supplies.”

I snapped out of my daze.

Caught up in the excitement of my transformation, I’d nearly forgotten that I needed to prepare for finding the next hidden piece.

And then:

<OnlyYoung Gangnam Branch>

I spotted a familiar beauty store nearby that carried the items I needed.

It was a well-known store tied to a future celebrity.

In my previous life, I’d avoided such places entirely. Now, having visited it a few times, I felt no anxiety stepping inside.

With a light stride, I entered the store.

“Welcome to OnlyYoung…!”

A clear, pleasant voice greeted me.

It was Yuhana.

Years from now, she would become a world-famous hunter.

For now, she was crouched down, organizing products on a shelf, and looking up to greet me.

But her reaction was peculiar.

As she stood up and noticed me, her eyes widened in shock.

“Let me know if there’s anything you’re looking fo—oh…? Oh?! What the…?!”

Covering her mouth with one hand, she stared at me, completely flabbergasted.