(1st POV)
Another day, another headache.
I wake up early—way too early for my age—and stretch out like a lazy cat. My body is still small, my limbs not quite fully grown, but at least I'm not a helpless blob like I was when I first opened my eyes in this world. For a 5-year-old, I'm pretty strong. Well, for a kid in this world, anyway.
"Seo, breakfast!" Mom calls out from the kitchen.
I sigh, rubbing my eyes. I wonder if the food here is as good as the food from my past life—ah, what's the point of wondering? I'm stuck here for the long haul. A normal 5-year-old doesn't get to choose what's on the table.
I pull myself out of bed and walk to the dining room, my feet dragging a little. The same white tiles, the same bland walls—yep, nothing's changed. Still no sign of my "golden finger," no mysterious system asking me to slay monsters or save a kingdom. What's the deal?
"Eat up, Seo. You need to grow strong!" Mom says, pushing a bowl of rice and kimchi towards me.
I glance at it. Yeah, it's food. But it's not like it'll give me any superpowers. The System was supposed to give me something, right? A sword, a cheat ability—anything!
Instead, I just get this boring life.
Sigh.
I eat my breakfast in silence, wondering if something's wrong with me. I've read enough fanfiction to know that people usually get their powers or some kind of special ability when they reincarnate into another world. But here I am, living the life of an average 5-year-old. The only thing out of the ordinary is the occasional feeling like I'm being watched, like there's someone lurking around, waiting to hand me the keys to some godly power.
I finish my meal quickly. If I'm going to spend my time stuck in this world, I might as well make the most of it.
[Ding!]
Huh?
[System Activated.]
Wait, what?!
[System Online.]
I freeze, my chopsticks halfway to my mouth. This is it. The thing I've been waiting for. I immediately drop the chopsticks and nearly knock the bowl off the table in my excitement.
"W-what's this?!"
[The system is now activated. Please, Seo Kwan, prepare for your journey.]
I blink a few times. Did I just hear that correctly? The system was real? And it's talking to me?
[Welcome, Seo Kwan. You are now bound to the 'Path of the Ancients.']
Ancients? What does that even mean?
[Path of the Ancients: A journey to unlock your true potential. The road to power is long, but with determination, you will overcome all obstacles. Your first task will be given shortly.**]
"Finally!" I shout in my mind, trying not to look too crazy. But I can't help it. After all this time, I finally have something to look forward to.
[Task 1: Learn basic martial arts.]
Wait, martial arts? Oh come on, that's the first task? I thought I'd get something more exciting, like a sword or a magic spell or—no, wait, it's not that bad. At least it's something.
I'm about to ask the system for more details when I hear a voice in my head again.
[System Query: Are you ready to begin your training, Seo Kwan?]
"Training?" I mutter, a little skeptical. "I'm five, I can barely walk properly, and you want me to start martial arts training?!"
[Your body is capable of learning quickly. The more effort you put in, the stronger you will become.]
I laugh at that. It's not like I have anything better to do, right? Might as well give it a shot.
"Alright, system," I whisper, standing up from the table and walking to the side of the room, "Let's see what you got."
The moment I focus on the system, a blue holographic screen appears in front of me. It's like something straight out of an anime.
[Training Mode: Activated]
And just like that, my body moves on its own. My limbs—previously clumsy and awkward—begin to perform basic stretches and movements I've never done before, flowing like I've been practicing martial arts for years.
I can feel the power starting to build, even though I'm just starting out. The more I move, the better it feels. Maybe martial arts isn't such a bad task after all.
I laugh softly.
"Alright, let's see how far this thing can take me."
[Task 1: 0% complete. Keep training.]
I smile.
This could be the start of something big. And maybe, just maybe, I'll find out what else the system has in store for me.
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