"Yes, import the memories."
After the command, an excruciating pain struck Mateus's head—now Hikaru's. The intense influx of information overwhelmed him, leaving Hikaru writhing in agony. It felt as though a torrent of memories was flooding his mind, clarifying who he truly was in this world.
Hikaru was a 17-year-old boy who, despite his good looks, had little to offer. His life had been marked by apathy, and after a tragic accident claimed the lives of his parents, he lost what little drive he had left. In a desperate act, he decided to end his meaningless existence.
Reliving these experiences through the memories brought a profound sadness to Hikaru. "What a pitiful life this poor boy had," he thought. Mateus, now inhabiting Hikaru's body, did not feel entitled to judge; giving up was never an option for him, no matter how heavy the burden. However, he didn't blame the previous owner of this body; after all, in moments of weakness, the human mind can go to great lengths to ease the pain.
Resolving to set aside the sorrow, Hikaru made a promise to himself and to the soul that once inhabited this body: "I promise to live my new life to the fullest, with no regrets. For the previous owner of this body, I will make this life a happy one." With this vow, Hikaru wished for the soul of his predecessor to rest in peace and prepared to move forward.
After some time, Hikaru began to reflect on his new reality.
"Now I'm 17 and need to return to school... If it weren't for this world's plot, I would never choose to go back to that place." The memories of his past school days sent shivers down his spine. To him, that environment was comparable to hell. However, Hikaru knew that hell, in this world, could be far more literal.
While lost in this inner conflict, the system's voice interrupted his thoughts:
[Mission generating…]
[New Mission - Strengthen Your Body!]
[In a world where the supernatural resides, a poor, defenseless teenager won't be able to survive!]
**[Complete the following tasks to finish the mission:
Run 5 kmDo 10 squatsDo 50 push-ups
Current Progress: 0%]**
[Time Limit: 12 Hours]
[Failure to complete: No reward earned]
[Reward: "Infinite Climb" skill]
[Description: This skill allows the user to surpass the natural limits of the body and achieve unimaginable levels of physical strength through training. Unlike linear growth, the skill scales exponentially, making each improvement significantly more impactful than the last.]
Startled by the information, Hikaru quickly recovered and couldn't contain his excitement.
"What a broken skill! It might not seem like much at first, but the harder I train, the stronger I'll get!"
With renewed enthusiasm, Hikaru prepared to begin his journey. However, before acting impulsively, he realized that although he possessed the world's memories, he wasn't yet familiar with his surroundings. He decided to explore the place he now called home.
Starting with his bedroom, Hikaru found a simple yet functional space. A bed, a wardrobe, a bookshelf, and a desk completed the setting. "Perfectly balanced."
Exploring the other rooms, Hikaru descended the stairs and found a spacious kitchen, a living room, and a laundry area. Everything in the house exuded an air of normalcy. "Gratefully normal."
With his surroundings mapped out, Hikaru dressed in suitable workout clothes and headed out eagerly to start his training. Beginning with a light jog, Hikaru ran through streets and avenues, covering about 2 kilometers before stopping at a convenience store to cool off.
Upon entering the store, he felt grateful for the air conditioning. While searching for a drink, he noticed a familiar figure. She was a short girl with pale skin and silvery hair. Her golden eyes radiated calmness and indifference.
"I didn't expect to run into Koneko here…" he thought, observing her as she hesitated in front of a shelf filled with snacks. Hikaru, meanwhile, faced his own dilemma: should he interact or ignore her?
"Interacting is out of the question. It'd be too weird to approach a random girl like that."
"Running away doesn't make sense either. She doesn't even know who I am."
"The best thing to do is mind my own business."
Resolving his internal debate, Hikaru picked his drink and went to the counter. As he paid, he felt Koneko's gaze on him. "What a weird guy... stared at me and then froze," she thought.
"Time to head back!" After completing the 5 km run, Hikaru moved on to squats and push-ups. With much effort, he finished the training and collapsed to the ground, exhausted. "I never thought this would be so hard…"
The system reappeared:
[Mission complete! Congratulations on finishing your first mission, Host!]
[Reward obtained: "Infinite Climb" skill]
Excited, Hikaru accessed his stats:
[Hikaru Tanabe - 17 Years Old]
[Strength (STR): E]
[Stamina (STM): F]
[Agility (AGI): E]
[Intelligence (INT): B]
[Dexterity (DEX): D]
[Vitality (VIT): D]
[Luck (LUK): SS]
Skills:
Infinite Climb: Allows the user to break through natural physical limits, achieving exponential growth through training.
Impressed, Hikaru decided to ask the system about the attributes. He listened intently as it explained, understanding how each characteristic would shape his progress.
With a solid foundation in place, Hikaru was ready to tackle the challenges of this new world.