"Yes," Jesse murmured under his breath.
[--Quest--]
[-Daily Quests-]
[Build up your strength - 50 push-ups → 0/50]
[Increase your protein level - Consume 1 kilo of meat]
[Complete daily quests for daily rewards.]
[Failure to complete daily quests will incur a punishment.]
[16 hours to daily quest completion deadline.]
[Failure to complete daily quests will incur a punishment.]
Taking everything in more calmly than before, Jesse lay down on the carpeted floor and started his quest. With each press, his hands shuddered, and after a while:
[Build up your strength - 50 push-ups → 13/50]
"Thirteen?" He scowled, wishing he had used the AP point for his strength instead.
Placing his hands back down, he closed his eyes and pressed himself down, pushing himself back up with his arms. No matter how much his lanky arms shook, he didn't stop until a silent "ding" rang out in his head.
[Build up your strength - 50 push-ups → 50/50]
[Build up your strength - 50 push-ups → Completed]
He rolled over, falling on his back as he panted heavily.
[Willpower - 10 + 2]
[Willpower - 12]
A smile flashed across his lips.
"How lovely."
Picking himself up yet again, he took out the small bank card from atop his television. Rushing out of his apartment, he bought a kilo of meat from a nearby butcher shop, then rushed back in.
Ripping off the bag, he dug his teeth into the piece of meat. The sweet smell that wafted into his nose took away all his senses, leaving him dazed. He only realized what he had done after consuming the entire piece of uncooked meat. However, this time, Jesse didn't need steel mentality or the system's reminder to tell him that he was no longer human, and he no longer had the need to act like one. It was hard to accept; he would do anything to change it if there was a way. Meanwhile, all he could do now was calmly accept it so as not to lose his mind.
There was an even bigger problem at hand.
[Increase your protein level - Consume 1 kilo of meat → Completed]
With how little money he had on hand, he couldn't afford to buy that much meat every day. Hence, enrolling in school would be the best option.
[Daily quests completed]
[-Reward-]
[105 EXP]
[EXP - 105/100]
[You have leveled up.]
[Level - 2]
[EXP - 5/200]
[AP - +3]
[HP - 150/150]
[Steel Mentality - 20 + 5]
[Steel Mentality - 25]
[Would you like to assign your AP points to your attributes?]
"Not yet," Jesse murmured. A satisfied grin spread across his face.
Staring at the bank card in his hand, Jesse realized that the amount on the card wouldn't even buy him enough meat for the next two weeks. It would have been enough if his classmates hadn't stolen his money a few weeks ago, of course, and they had beaten the PIN out of him.
He wore a proper coat this time and stepped out of his room for the second time that day. He was someone oblivious to the cold that most people were talking about; however, he wore a coat to prevent the nosy old gatekeeper from asking questions and unnecessarily worrying himself.
"Hello, sir."
"You passed by twice earlier without saying a proper greeting, you rude kid." Immediately stating his grievances, the old gatekeeper, Mr. Enhui, placed his entire weight on his old stick as he walked over to Jesse.
"I'm sorry." Scratching his head awkwardly, Jesse broke into a genuine smile.
"Don't run like that next time," old man Enhui warned. He looked down before slowly looking back up. "Did you grow taller?"
"Me?" Jesse frowned. Now that he noticed, his pants seemed a bit shorter than usual. "No." He bit his lip, barely stopping a grin from stretching across them.
The old man squinted before looking away. "Sure, sure. By the way, a DED man came by this morning. Ah, no! EDD, yes, EDD." He nodded as if reassuring himself. "Be careful of such people. Don't force it. You are normal, weaker than most people, but it's no big deal. I'll have you marry my granddaughter." He waved, not a single hint of playfulness in his voice, bashing Jesse with both concern and hard truth.
"Yes, Mr. Enhui," Jesse answered half-heartedly, already itching to run past that old gate.
The old man, whose name had been altered from Hui to Enhui, had no problem with his new name; however, he despised it when the children he watched grow up called him by his supposed new name. Hence, he took action like he always did.
However, Jesse, whose eyes were focused on the gate, failed to see the wooden cane that was swung toward him. Yet, he could see a visible blur from the side of his eyes. He reflexively caught it mid-air and only let go when the old man shivered in horror.
"Sorry, Grandpa." Perplexed by his own reflex, Jesse ran out the gate with wide eyes, ignoring the yells of the old man.
Passing through the rundown streets, Jesse noticed everything he had failed to notice when he passed by earlier. The strong stench of cigarettes in the air, the slightest gust of wind, and even the dripping water from a random broken pipe—his sense of everything was heightened like never before.
He reached the phone booth in a short time. Staring at the business card in his hand, his frown deepened. He had absolutely no idea when that strange man had slipped a business card through his door. He dialed the number, placing a call to the EDD agent.
"Yes, kid." Like a sorcerer, the agent seemed to have immediately guessed who was at the other end of the phone, or he had probably waited, knowing Jesse would call eventually.
"I—"
"Before you say anything, kiddo," the agent interrupted, "You can't walk up to the academy and ask for admission without any ability. But with the testimony of an agent, you can—"
"That's exactly why I called," Jesse interjected, frowning at the agent's mocking tone.
"Oh." A slight exclamation was heard from the other side of the phone before the agent spoke again. "Then we will come pick you up at the old bus terminal tomorrow. Only selected students know this location. Good for you?"
"Perfect for me," Jesse replied, disconnecting the call.
---