The doctor concluded his explanation with a sigh, nodding as he gathered his instruments.
Physician: "We need to conduct some further tests. I'll be back in a few minutes. Please be prepared."
Hyun Woo nodded silently as the doctor left the room, leaving him alone. He sank back onto the bed, leaning against the cold metal railings. Taking another deep breath, his gaze wandered across the room. The setting was minimalistic — white walls, the sterile scent of antiseptics lingering in the air, and the muffled sound of footsteps echoing from the hallway. Inevitably, his eyes were drawn back to the system interface, which seemed almost alive, flickering persistently before his vision.
Suddenly, a new window materialized at the center of his field of view, accompanied by a soft, bell-like chime. Hyun Woo froze, narrowing his focus onto the translucent blue screen.
[System: Daily Quest.]
Level Up.
Description: Enhance the User's physical condition.
Tasks to Complete:
• 50 physical exercises (push-ups, squats, sit-ups).
• Running: 10 km.
Rewards:
• 5,000 XP.
• 10 attribute points.
• 5x Recovery Potion.
Optional Rewards:
Full Recovery.
1,000 Crystals.
1,000 Souls.
Hyun Woo's eyes darted quickly over the text. His lips moved soundlessly, repeating the words on the screen as if to verify that he was truly seeing them. He stared at the display for several seconds, then let out a slow exhale.
Hyun Woo (thinking): "This... it feels just like a game."
He scrutinized the quest description again, his fingers tightening into a fist unconsciously. Running ten kilometers and performing exercises seemed like an unrealistic expectation for someone who had just spent two weeks in a hospital bed. Yet, the listed rewards intrigued him, especially the one labeled "Full Recovery." What could that possibly entail?
Hyun Woo (whispering): "If this functions as I think it does..."
His eyes shifted to the top left corner of the interface, where the "HP" and "MP" bars glowed faintly. He then returned his gaze to the quest description. Taking a deep breath, he tried to clear the disarray of thoughts swirling in his mind, but somewhere deep inside, he felt a surge of excitement.
Hyun Woo (determined): "Alright... I'll give this a shot."
His fingers instinctively touched the window displaying the quest, and he pressed "Accept." Immediately, the screen shifted, displaying a brief animation accompanied by a soft sound. A progress bar appeared at the top of the screen, currently sitting at zero.
[Quest Activated.]
Progress:
• Push-Ups: 0/50.
• Squats: 0/50.
• Sit-Ups: 0/50.
• Running: 0/10 km.
Hyun Woo let out a small chuckle, feeling a strange sensation spreading through his body — a blend of exhilaration and apprehension. His hands instinctively moved to his chest, where there used to be an aching pain, but now he felt remarkably fine.
Hyun Woo (thinking): "Since I can't just sit here idle..."
Slowly, he rose from the bed, experiencing a slight tingling in his legs as he started stretching. His movements were cautious, as if he feared his body might fail him again. But with every passing second, he grew more confident. It felt as though the system had tuned his body to a new rhythm, making each movement fluid and assured.
Hyun Woo lowered himself onto the floor, assuming the position for push-ups. Exercising in a hospital room was far from ideal, but it did not diminish his determination. One push-up. Then another. And another. His breathing settled into a steady rhythm, his arms moving in perfect harmony with his body. Each time he completed a push-up, the quest progress updated, and the small number next to "Push-Ups" increased.
[Quest Progress Updated.]
Push-Ups: 10/50.
After completing his set of push-ups, Hyun Woo transitioned onto his back, preparing for the next exercise — sit-ups. His abdominal muscles contracted as his breathing quickened, yet he maintained a steady rhythm, fully focused on each repetition. With each movement, he felt his body coming alive, as if every cell was being reinvigorated, pulsing with renewed energy and vitality.
Following the sit-ups, he moved seamlessly into squats. His legs tensed and released, forming a natural cadence. As he finished the final repetition, a notification appeared before his eyes, clear and crisp:
[Quest Progress Updated.]
Push-Ups: 50/50.
Squats: 50/50.
Sit-Ups: 50/50.
A slight smile tugged at the corner of Hyun Woo's lips as he glanced at the screen. Only one task remained — running ten kilometers. However, the confines of the hospital room and adjacent corridor made that an impractical endeavor for now. He sat back down on the edge of the bed, his gaze distant as he contemplated where he could carry out the running portion to complete the quest.
Hyun Woo's internal monologue: "Alright, the running can wait. For now, the most pressing matter is understanding how this... system works."
At that moment, the door to the room swung open with a soft creak, and the doctor entered, holding a tablet in his hands. The doctor's eyes widened slightly at the sight of Hyun Woo — sitting upright, alert, and with no signs of fatigue. A frown formed on the doctor's face, his confusion evident, but he refrained from voicing his thoughts. Instead, he gestured silently for Hyun Woo to prepare for the upcoming medical assessments.
The physician reviewed his tablet, his finger tracing the screen as he enumerated the requisite procedures. Despite his composed demeanor, a subtle but discernible concern underpinned his gestures.Physician: "We need to conduct a sequence of essential diagnostic evaluations. We will start with a general assessment, followed by more comprehensive analyses. Please remain calm; this will take some time."
Hyun Woo nodded, striving to maintain his composure. He rose from the bed and followed the physician down a long corridor that led deeper into the Association's medical facility. The sterile white walls, soft ambient lighting, and muted echoes of footsteps evoked an atmosphere of detachment and isolation. Medical personnel moved with precision, each absorbed in their respective duties.
1. Blood Analysis and Physical Examination
The initial procedure involved a blood test. Hyun Woo was guided into a compact laboratory, where he was seated in a cushioned chair. A nurse, clad in a white coat, skillfully inserted a needle into his vein, extracting several vials of blood with practiced ease.
Nurse: "This will take just a few minutes. The results will be transmitted directly to the attending physician."
Hyun Woo observed the process, feeling a slight prick in his arm but without significant discomfort. His gaze occasionally drifted to the system interface intermittently flickering within his field of vision. Once the blood samples were collected, he was escorted to the next examination room.
2. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
The subsequent procedure required Hyun Woo to lie on an examination table. The nurse, with practiced dexterity, affixed electrodes to his chest, arms, and legs, all connected to an adjacent monitor.
Nurse: "Please remain still and try to breathe steadily."
The monitor began to display his cardiac rhythm — a steady, unbroken line. The nurse furrowed her brow, as if noting something out of the ordinary.
Nurse (murmuring to herself): "Unusual... The rhythm is extraordinarily regular, like that of a trained athlete, yet the recovery indicators are unusually accelerated."
She quickly completed the procedure and gestured for Hyun Woo to proceed to the adjoining examination room.
3. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
The physician awaited him in the next room, dominated by a large MRI machine surrounded by an array of sophisticated equipment. The machine itself was an imposing structure, with a narrow cylindrical tube running through its core.
Physician: "Please lie down on the table. Try to remain still. The imaging process will take approximately twenty minutes."
Hyun Woo positioned himself on the sliding table, which gradually moved into the narrow bore of the machine. The resonant hum of magnetic waves filled the room, creating a faintly unsettling sensation. He closed his eyes, trying to focus elsewhere, seeking to distract himself from the mechanical drone of the machine.
The System, to Hyun Woo's ongoing frustration, refused to leave him in peace. In the corner of his vision, the phrase "Status: Stable" blinked persistently, vying for his attention. Yet, the steady, overwhelming hum of the MRI machine repeatedly pulled him back to the tangible, disorienting present, making it nearly impossible for him to focus.
Physician (through the intercom): "Everything appears normal; the results are being processed. Just a little longer."
As the imaging procedure concluded, the physician approached the monitor displaying three-dimensional reconstructions of Hyun Woo's body. He scrutinized each slice with meticulous precision, occasionally pausing to zoom in on particular sections.
Physician (murmuring to himself): "This cannot be... there's no trace of trauma. The tissue integrity is immaculate."
Without further comment, he switched off the display and gestured for Hyun Woo to proceed to the next examination room.
4. Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
The next diagnostic procedure — a CT scan — progressed more swiftly. The apparatus, resembling an immense ring-like scanner, evaluated his internal organs. The physician observed the images as they rendered on the monitor, his expression growing increasingly perplexed.
Physician: "Muscle composition... skeletal structure... Everything is flawless. You appear to have undergone complete recovery within just one day, though I have never encountered anything like this."
The weight of the physician's observations bore down on Hyun Woo. He attempted to maintain his composure, but internally, tension brewed. How could such a transformation be possible? Could the System have fundamentally altered his physiology to this extent?
5. Ultrasonography
The final assessment involved an ultrasound of his internal organs. Reclining on the examination table, Hyun Woo felt the cool gel spread across his skin as the physician maneuvered the ultrasound transducer over his abdomen. The monitor projected crisp images of his organs, and the physician grew visibly more contemplative as the procedure progressed.
Physician: "All organs are in pristine condition. Liver, kidneys, heart... There isn't even a residual sign of prior damage."
Powering down the ultrasound equipment, the physician wiped away the gel from Hyun Woo's skin and stood up, gathering his notes.
Physician: "We're done here. The comprehensive results will be available within a few hours. I will submit them to the main diagnostic facility for further analysis."
Hyun Woo got up from the table, still struck by the surprising vitality coursing through his body. He struggled to reconcile what had just transpired, but one conclusion was undeniable: something within him had fundamentally changed — something beyond conventional understanding.
Physician: "Also, don't forget — your sister has been visiting regularly. She left something for you."
He handed Hyun Woo a small bundle and exited the room, leaving him alone. As Hyun Woo unwrapped the bundle, he discovered a small container of homemade food accompanied by a note from Yuna.
Note: "Big brother, I know you're strong. Don't give up."
Hyun Woo returned to his room, closing the door softly behind him. As soon as he crossed the threshold, the exhaustion from all the medical procedures began to dissipate. Taking a deep breath, he settled at the small table by the window, placing the container of food Yuna had left for him in front. His fingers trembled slightly from a mix of anticipation and fatigue as he opened the lid.
The meal was simple yet deeply meaningful: rice, kimchi, and a few slices of fried meat. He picked up the spoon and began eating, feeling warmth spread through his body with each bite. The flavors were rich and comforting, embodying his sister's care in every morsel. Once he was finished, he carefully resealed the container and set it aside.
Just as he was about to rise from the table, his eyes caught the faint flickering of the System projection in the corner of his vision. Hyun Woo paused. Attribute points. The recent memory of the reward screen resurfaced, reminding him of the decisions that still lay ahead.
Slowly, his hand moved upwards, but before he could touch the projection, it expanded on its own. A window with the title "Attributes" appeared before him.
Hyun Woo (in shock): "What... How is it doing this?"
He leaned back, momentarily disoriented. His eyes scanned the newly opened window. As usual, it displayed the six primary attributes: "Strength," "Agility," "Intelligence," "Willpower," "Endurance," and "Vitality." Next to each attribute was its current value, with a line at the bottom that read: "Available Points: 10."
Hyun Woo moved his finger in front of the projection, as he had done previously to interact with it. But the window remained unresponsive. Then, focusing on one of the attributes — "Strength" — he watched as the value next to it began to flicker and change.
Hyun Woo (thinking): "So... it responds not just to touch but to eye contact as well?"
He paused, contemplating the window. Perhaps the System was more sophisticated than he initially imagined. Now it seemed he could navigate it not only through physical interaction but also through concentration. This discovery made his heart race with a mixture of excitement and curiosity.
Hyun Woo (thinking): "Alright... Let's start with the essentials."
He directed his gaze at "Strength" and added two points. As soon as he did, a subtle tingling sensation spread through his muscles, as though his body was already adjusting to the augmentation.
Hyun Woo: "Incredible... It actually works."
Next, he focused on "Agility," allocating four points. Almost immediately, his body felt lighter, as if the weight he'd been carrying had suddenly diminished. With four points still left, he deliberated where they would best serve him.
His eyes landed on "Willpower." He recalled the moments when he had faced the terrifying presence of the infected hunters and how his fear had nearly overtaken him. Steeling himself, he assigned the remaining points there.
System (Notification): Attributes Updated:
• Strength - 12
• Agility - 14
• Intelligence - 10
• Willpower - 14
• Endurance - 10
• Vitality - 10
Once the changes were confirmed, the window closed on its own, replaced by a new one: "Buff Selection." Three options stood out, each glowing softly: "Accelerated Regeneration," "Enhanced Defense," and "Increased Endurance." Without much hesitation, Hyun Woo selected "Accelerated Regeneration." He sensed it would be the most advantageous choice in the immediate future.
After the windows disappeared, the System left only a small, unobtrusive panel in the corner of his vision. Hyun Woo exhaled deeply, feeling a renewed surge of vitality flow through him. He looked down at his hands, clenching them into tight fists.
Hyun Woo (thinking): "This is just the beginning. But with this... I know I can become stronger."