As the gravity of his newfound status as a Hunter settled upon him, Jae-Ho wasted no time in initiating his rigorous training regimen. With an unwavering determination gleaming in his eyes, he set out to push his body beyond its perceived limits, commencing with an arduous run that stretched the boundaries of his endurance.
"Damn it... ha... This is... excruciating!" Jae-Ho exclaimed between labored breaths, his lungs burning with each desperate gasp for air. The sheer exertion was evident in every fiber of his being, his muscles screaming in vehement protest with each punishing stride. Yet, despite the overwhelming urge to succumb to exhaustion, he pressed on, driven by an indomitable will to surpass his current limitations.
Upon completing his grueling run, Jae-Ho's legs finally gave way, causing him to collapse unceremoniously onto the unforgiving ground. His chest heaved violently as he struggled to regain his breath, each inhalation feeling like a monumental effort. In this moment of weakness, doubt began to insidiously creep into the recesses of his mind, manifesting as a nagging inner voice that questioned, 'If this is the extent of my capabilities, how can I possibly hope to become stronger? Am I truly cut out for this daunting path?'
However, just as swiftly as these negative thoughts had surfaced, Jae-Ho summoned the mental fortitude to banish them from his consciousness. "No! I refuse to entertain such defeatist thoughts," he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible but laden with resolute conviction. "Strength is not a gift bestowed upon the fortunate few; it is a reward earned through relentless perseverance and unwavering dedication. I will become strong, no matter the obstacles that stand in my way!"
Fueled by this renewed sense of determination, Jae-Ho forced his trembling body to rise once more, deliberately ignoring the protests of his aching muscles and joints. With a fierce intensity burning in his eyes, he launched into a series of grueling exercises, pushing himself relentlessly as the day gradually gave way to night. Sit-ups that left his core burning, push-ups that tested the limits of his upper body strength, and squats that threatened to reduce his legs to jelly - he tackled each exercise with grim determination, refusing to yield to the exhaustion that clawed at the edges of his consciousness.
As the last vestiges of daylight faded from the sky, Jae-Ho finally allowed himself a moment of respite. His body, drenched in sweat and quivering with fatigue, bore testament to the intensity of his efforts. Yet, despite the physical toll exacted by his grueling regimen, a small, satisfied smile played upon his lips. "This actually feels good."
This day of intense training, he realized, was merely the first step on a long and arduous journey. The road ahead would be fraught with challenges, each more daunting than the last, but Jae-Ho found himself welcoming the prospect with open arms. With unwavering resolve, he silently vowed to face each new day with the same fierce determination, knowing that with each passing sunrise, each grueling workout, he would inch ever closer to his ultimate goal of becoming a formidable Hunter - a force to be reckoned with in this perilous new world.
…
The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across Jae-Ho's small apartment. As consciousness slowly crept back, he became acutely aware of the dull ache permeating every muscle in his body. Groaning, he attempted to sit up, his joints protesting with each movement.
"Did I go too far yesterday? Ugh, whatever," he muttered, grimacing as he finally managed to swing his legs over the side of the bed. As he surveyed his spartan living space, a sobering realization hit him: his kitchen was devoid of any food.
'Do I even have money to buy food?' The thought had barely formed when his stomach let out an audible growl. Jae-Ho looked down at his midsection with a wry smile. "Don't worry, buddy. I'll get us some food."
With determination born of hunger, he pushed himself to his feet and went through a quick morning routine. As he exited his apartment, fate intervened in the form of an elderly neighbor emerging from her own doorway.
"Oh, good morning, grandma," Jae-Ho said, mustering a polite smile despite his discomfort.
The old woman's face lit up with a warm, welcoming expression. "Good morning to you too, young man. Are you new here?" she inquired, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
"I am," Jae-Ho replied, then hesitated for a moment. 'Should I ask her where I could get some food?' he pondered, weighing his options. Hunger won out over pride, and he decided to take a chance on the kindness of his new neighbor.
"Excuse me, grandma," he began, his voice tinged with a hint of embarrassment, "I hate to trouble you, but I'm afraid I'm not familiar with this area yet. Would you happen to know where I might find a good place to grab some breakfast?"
The grandma's eyes twinkled with amusement as she regarded Jae-Ho, a warm smile spreading across her weathered features. "Indeed, I do know just the place," she replied, her voice filled with motherly warmth. "Come along, dear. We'll head to the community cafeteria. It's a wonderful establishment, you know. They serve two hearty meals each day, and they have a special policy for newcomers like yourself. You'll be able to enjoy free meals for your first week here before you need to start paying. It's their way of welcoming folks to our little corner of the world."
As they made their way down the bustling street, Jae-Ho found himself wrestling with a question that had been plaguing his mind since he first arrived in this unfamiliar place. Finally, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, he cleared his throat nervously. "Um... grandma," he began, his voice tinged with a mixture of hesitation and eagerness, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but... where might someone like me find work around here? I'm keen to start earning my keep, you see."
The grandma glanced back at Jae-Ho, who was trailing slightly behind her, his eyes wide with anticipation. She couldn't help but chuckle at his earnest expression. "Well, my dear," she began, her voice taking on a sage-like quality, "there are quite a few options available to someone with your... unique talents." She paused for a moment, as if carefully considering her next words. "Hunter-related jobs are quite popular these days, you know. There's always a need for brave souls willing to venture beyond the city limits. But don't let that limit your horizons," she added quickly, noting the flicker of uncertainty in Jae-Ho's eyes. "This city is full of opportunities if you know where to look. My advice? Take some time to explore every nook and cranny. You'd be surprised at the diverse array of jobs you might stumble upon. From artisans seeking apprentices to merchants in need of strong arms, there's something for everyone here."
As they finally stepped into the welcoming warmth of the cafeteria, Jae-Ho found himself overwhelmed by a curious cocktail of emotions. Relief washed over him at the prospect of finally sating his gnawing hunger, the aroma of freshly cooked food already making his mouth water. Yet, intertwined with this immediate comfort was a spark of excitement, a thrill of anticipation at the myriad possibilities that awaited him in this strange new world. As he followed the grandma to the serving line, his mind was already racing, formulating plans and strategies. He made a silent vow to himself: once he had regained his strength and filled his belly, he would set out to explore every inch of this city. Who knew what opportunities, what adventures, what destiny might be waiting for him just around the corner? With renewed determination, Jae-Ho squared his shoulders, ready to face whatever challenges this new life might throw his way.