The city outside the hospital teemed with life, a stark contrast to the quiet halls Jake had grown accustomed to during his stay. Horns honked in the distance, the steady hum of traffic creating a chaotic symphony against the backdrop of the rising sun. People moved with purpose—rushing to work, meeting friends, living out their normal lives.
It all felt surreal, almost distant. For Jake, now fully inhabiting the body of Lee Joo-Hee, this bustling world was both a reminder and a wake-up call. This is my new life now, he thought, a life filled with dangers, challenges, and—if he was lucky—opportunities.
As he walked down the hospital corridor toward the exit, the weight of his responsibility pressed down on him. He had made promises—both to himself and to Jin-Woo. Be strong and protect those who matter. Find my place in this new world. But promises meant nothing without the strength to back them up. There was no time to relax. No time to waste. Gates, dungeons, monsters—they weren't going to wait for him to be ready.
The sunlight greeted him as he stepped outside, casting a warm, golden glow across the streets. There was something comforting about it, as if the universe was offering a small assurance amidst the chaos.
With a deep breath, Jake set off for the training center where Mr. Kang Ho awaited him. His path to strength would be long, and the road ahead perilous, but he was committed. He had to be.
When Joo-Hee arrived at the training center, the air buzzed with the sound of clashing swords and the thud of fists against padded targets. The courtyard was alive with activity—hunters and trainees, each pushing themselves to their limits. There was a shared understanding among them all.
In a world where danger lurked behind every corner, strength was not just a goal—it was a necessity. Every blow struck today could mean the difference between life and death tomorrow.
"Lee Joo-Hee!" Mr. Kang Ho's voice boomed across the yard. The man was a mountain of muscle and authority, his reputation for strict, no-nonsense training known far and wide. He stood at the center of the courtyard, his sharp, hawk-like eyes scanning the trainees as they went through their drills. He ruled the training grounds like a general overseeing his army.
Jake straightened, adopting Joo-Hee's trademark warm smile. "Good morning, Mr. Kang."
The older man gave a curt nod, his expression softening just enough to show his approval. "I see you've been discharged. Feeling better?"
Jake nodded, though inwardly his muscles tensed. The hospital had been a prison—a reminder of his fragility. But here, in the training grounds, he felt alive. "Yes, sir. I'm ready."
"Good," Kang Ho grunted, crossing his arms. "You'll be sparring today. But first, the basics." He gestured toward the center of the yard, where several trainees were already practicing their sword forms. "Warm up. Basic sword movements. Always remember—basics are the foundation of strength."
Jake exhaled slowly, thankful for the routine. Basic sword moves. That, I can handle. He made his way to the weapon rack and selected a wooden practice sword, feeling the familiar weight in his hand. It wasn't a real sword, but it would do for now.
He found an open space and began moving through the drills—simple strikes, parries, and counters. Each movement brought back the muscle memory he had gained during his previous sessions.
The sword cut through the air with a satisfying whoosh, but Jake could feel the strain in his muscles. He wasn't fully recovered, and the recent battles weighed heavily on him, both physically and mentally. I have to be better. Faster. Stronger.
With every swing, he focused on his footwork, his breathing, the flow of movement from one stance to the next. The body of Lee Joo-Hee was athletic, nimble, but it wasn't his own. He was still learning how to inhabit it fully.
"Lee Joo-Hee!" Mr. Kang Ho's voice cut through his concentration. Jake turned, spotting his instructor near a tall trainee with a cocky grin plastered across his face. "You'll be sparring with Choi Soo-Ho today. He's one of our old recruits. Don't hold back."
Jake nodded, walking over to face his opponent. Choi Soo-Ho was well-built, taller than Jake by at least a head, with broad shoulders and a confident stance. He gave a nod of respect, but there was a gleam in his eye—a challenge.
"It's good to have you back, Joo-Hee," Soo-Ho said with a smirk, raising his practice sword. "Let's see if that hospital stay softened you up."
Jake smiled politely, but inside, his mind was racing. I can't lose. Not today. He raised his sword, assuming a defensive stance as he faced Soo-Ho. The courtyard seemed to quiet as they prepared to spar, the other trainees glancing their way, curious to see how the match would unfold.
The fight began slowly, both opponents testing each other with light strikes. Soo-Ho was quick, lunging with a precise blow aimed at Jake's side. But Jake was quicker, parrying the strike with ease. The wooden swords clashed with a satisfying crack, and Jake felt a rush of adrenaline. I still have it.
But Soo-Ho wasn't going to make it easy. His strikes became faster, more aggressive, each one testing Jake's reflexes. The courtyard echoed with the sound of their sparring, the sharp clack of wood on wood growing more intense with each passing second. Sweat beaded on Jake's forehead, but he didn't let up. I can't lose here. Not to him. Not to anyone.
Soo-Ho's eyes gleamed as he launched a powerful overhead strike, but Jake saw it coming. With a quick twist of his wrist, he deflected the blow and countered with a strike of his own. Soo-Ho barely managed to block, the force of the impact pushing him back.
"Not bad," Soo-Ho grunted, but Jake could sense his frustration growing.
The match continued, a blur of motion and strategy, both opponents pushing each other to the limit. Jake's muscles burned with effort, but he refused to back down. Every strike, every block—it was all building toward something greater. This wasn't just a sparring match. It was a reminder. I'm not weak anymore.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Mr. Kang Ho called an end to the match. Both Jake and Soo-Ho stood, panting heavily, their swords lowered but still at the ready.
"Good," Kang Ho said, walking over to inspect them both. "You've both improved, but there's still a long way to go." He clapped Soo-Ho on the back before turning to Jake. "Especially you, Joo-Hee. I can see the fire in you. Keep that up."
Jake nodded, exhaustion weighing on his limbs, but a sense of accomplishment warming his heart. I'm getting stronger.
Little did he know, the system was quietly tracking his progress, monitoring every improvement in his swordsmanship and other skills during training. Despite his relentless practice, the advancement felt slow, each step forward hard-earned. Still, the system recognized his persistence, even if Jake himself couldn't see the progress unfolding as quickly as he hoped.
As the day came to a close and the sun began to dip below the horizon, Jake wiped the sweat from his brow and made his way back toward his apartment.
As he crossed near the hospital, his thoughts drifted to Jin-Woo. That guy is probably growing stronger every day. How both lucky and unlucky he is to be the main character of his own story. Meanwhile, I'm here, struggling to get used to this new life.
He stopped in front of the hospital, gazing up at the sky as a gentle breeze swept past him. "Take care, Jin-Woo," he muttered under his breath. "The days of chaos are coming… for both of us."
But even as he spoke, he knew—this was his story too. And he would be ready for whatever came next.