After the intense workout of ten pushups and sixty situps, Jack was already panting heavily. He never realized he was in such bad shape that he would reach his limit so fast.
He went to the bathroom and took a shower to get the sweat off his body and got himself a frozen dinner from the fridge. As he went towards where his microwave used to be, he let out a sigh went to his sink put the frozen meal inside, almost completely blocked the sink strainer and opened up the hot water. Jack figured this would unthaw his food and he was right.
He used chopsticks which came from the Chinese delivery since even all his cutlery was missing. While Jack ate, he rechecked his status but it was still the same, and he could only let out a sigh.
"What did you expect, dumbass," he said to himself.
But he was still disappointed. Jack's body due to his sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet was in a downward spiral for so long that his muscles atrophied and he was far from a healthy grown up concerning fitness.
Jack knew he had to do something about it or he could not pass the next levels and would be stuck inside his brain. He kept thinking what to do, but he could not come to a solution especially since he only had a day's worth of time between the trials. It would take him at least a couple of months to raise his strength to a level of a healthy grown up.
Jack decided he needs a weapon and since everything resembling a weapon in his house was stolen in the robbery, he decided he needs to go shopping for one. He considered buying a pistol, but he would not trust himself with it. He was still sure he had a mental condition and having a gun could prove tragic.
He called a cab and went to Wallmart.
As they did not have any swords, he could only settle for a machete or an ax.
Jack thought about it and opted for the longest machete he could find there. It was 36 inches long including the handle Thai machete which to him was basically a sword.
He also bought some food and cutlery and got a cab to drive him back.
At home, he unpacked the machete and changed his clothes in sportswear with a bicycle helmet. Jack clutched his machete tightly as he looked at the time on his phone. He looked quite ridiculous wearing old green sportswear with a white bicycle helmet and holding a black sword.
He was not sure of the exact time his brain will work up again so he was agitated and his knuckles very white from gripping the sword so hard.
He was watching the time on his phone and waiting for something to happen. Just as he was about to stand up and get himself something to drink there was a flash as the scenery changed to that familiar metallic room with two exits.
He was still wearing the helmet and the old green sportswear, but his sword was gone. Jack checked around, and a spear and three daggers were on the ground. He went back to level two room and moved all the stuff to level three.
Jack didn't procrastinate and held a spear in his right hand and having a dagger in the other he went out of the room.
It was still shrubbery that awaited him, and as he got close to it, twelve kobolds walked out in a line each holding a spear. He tried the same tactic as before, but it was apparent to him it would not work against so many opponents. The kobolds formed a line at first, but soon the regrouped into a four by three formation so he could only run away.
They ran after him sticking close to each other. Jack saw he didn't have any option to knock over such a big group, so he kept the distance and circled the trial area.
The kobolds ran after him, but with their short legs he was significantly faster than they were, but he was soon panting. Due to lack of endurance, his stamina was depleted quickly. As they closed in on him, he regained his breath and kept running again until he was panting.
He kept repeating this and until he saw a notification floating in front of him. Endurance raised by 1 point. He quickly recalled his status window.
Name: Jack "Doggie" Russel
Strength: 3
Constitution:2
Endurance:3
Speed:3
Dexterity:3
Perception:7
Intelligence:9
Wisdom:9
Willpower:9
Charisma:5
Luck: ???
As he observed the new number for endurance, dumbass actually forgot he was in the middle of a battle and by the time Jack came to his senses he was poked four times in the back with spears.
After the initial pain and agony, he quickly found himself in the metallic room. He quickly retrieved the status windows which closed by itself as he died. The number showing his endurance was the same. Jack was happy even though he died. He figured out something new. Something which could help him immensely if this was not all a mental condition.
He picked up a spear and dagger and rushed out again. As he ran towards the bushes, the kobolds came out just as previously, and he kept running away from them. They followed him like a pack of rabid dogs as he circled the arena.
Pausing when he was tired and as they closed in on him, he started running from them. Soon he got another notification Speed increased by 1.
He kept running in circles, but the endurance and speed did not increase, and he was getting tired.
Jack got an evil idea. He rushed towards the level three starting room threw in the dagger, and the spear then turned around and closed his eyes as he rammed into the kobolds of which some fell like bowling pins.
Soon he was poked, endured the agony and ended up in the metallic room fully refreshed. He got the idea from his experiencing his previous death.
"Let's go for another run!" shouted Jack as he rushed out again, but this time he didn't even bother with a spear.