Hyun Woo stood at the edge of the path, attuning himself to the tranquil ambiance of the park. The symphony of birdsong, the rustling of leaves stirred by the wind, and the steady rhythm of his own heartbeat all converged to create an atmosphere of profound peace. He drew in a deep breath, rolled up his sleeves, and began to run.
The initial strides felt instinctual, as though his body had already ingrained the memory of each movement. He maintained a steady cadence, allowing his breathing and stride to synchronize seamlessly. In the periphery of his vision, the system projection flickered, tracking the distance he had covered and how much remained.
System Notification:
Run - 4 km / 10 km
After completing several laps along the trail, Hyun Woo began to feel the creeping sensation of fatigue. However, this only fueled his determination. The echo of his promise — to grow stronger for his sister — reverberated in his mind. With renewed resolve, he quickened his pace, feeling his pulse race, his temples throb, and his leg muscles burn with each demanding stride.
Finally, as he crossed the last few meters, the system flashed brightly before his eyes.
The system's display in the upper corner expanded, transforming into a larger window with glowing letters:
Daily Quest Completed!
Rewards:
• 5,000 Experience Points
• 10 Attribute Points
• 5 Recovery Potions
Bonus Reward Selection:
• Full Recovery
• 1,000 Crystals
• 1,000 Souls
Hyun Woo, exhausted, sank onto a nearby bench, exhaling deeply. His muscles were fatigued, but there was a distinct sense of fulfillment blooming within him. He glanced at the system's pop-up window, contemplating his options carefully.
"Full recovery... that sounds tempting," he muttered, his finger brushing over the first option. "But those crystals and souls could prove invaluable for future purchases and repairs. What should I choose?"
He recalled the mention of souls in the "Repair" and "Shop" sections. This recollection ultimately tipped his decision. After a moment of contemplation, he chose the third option — 1,000 Souls.
Once he confirmed his selection, the system flickered again, displaying a new notification:
Level Up!
The numbers next to his name shifted. He watched as the progress bar moved from Level 1, filled up again to reach Level 2, and then advanced to Level 4. A fresh notification blinked alongside.
Hyun Woo stared at the rapidly shifting numbers, surprised. Reaching Level 4 so suddenly had been unexpected, but it was certainly welcomed.
"Alright," he muttered to himself. "Four levels from a single quest... this system keeps surprising me."
System Notification: Congratulations! You have reached Level 4. You have earned: 4 Skill Points.
Hyun Woo narrowed his eyes, processing the information. He focused intently on the message.
"Skill points? What kind of skills are we talking about?" he murmured, tilting his head slightly.
System Notification: "You can unlock initial skills using skill points. Please select a category."
Hyun Woo recalled one of the system's tabs, marked with an icon resembling a book, labeled "Abilities." Feeling a growing sense of anticipation, he concentrated on the icon, and the corresponding window opened instantly.
Inside, he found three sections, each bearing a distinctive title: "Active Skills," "Passive Skills," and "Profession." However, the last section, "Profession," was grayed out, labeled "Locked." Hyun Woo frowned for a brief moment but quickly shifted his focus to the two available sections.
Active Skills
First, Hyun Woo accessed the 'Active Skills' section. The interface revealed a comprehensive list of icons, each marked as 'Unavailable,' save for one exception at the very top: 'Dash (Level 1) – requires 1 skill point.'
"Dash?" Hyun Woo murmured, examining the description with a pensive expression. "This might prove useful."
Without further deliberation, Hyun Woo chose to unlock the skill. Immediately, the icon illuminated, and the label 'Active' appeared beside it. A subtle warmth spread through his body, as though the system itself acknowledged the new ability as part of him.
Passive Skills
Next, he navigated to the 'Passive Skills' section. Similar to the previous list, most of the skills were locked, but there was one option available at the top: 'Evasion (Level 1) – requires 1 skill point.' After a brief moment of contemplation, Hyun Woo decided to unlock this skill as well, understanding its potential value in combat situations.
The system confirmed his selection, leaving Hyun Woo with only two remaining skill points. The 'Abilities' tab now appeared much more populated, and the newly activated skills gave him a small but significant sense of progress and pride.
Assessing Attributes
Choosing to reserve the remaining skill points for future needs, he closed the window and returned his focus to his attributes. The display was now more impressive — he had reached Level 4 and still had unallocated attribute points and skill points that could be distributed as circumstances demanded.
He cast a quick glance at the 'Profession' section, noticing it was still grayed out, and shook his head.
"Still locked. Perhaps it will unlock later... if I survive that long."
With these musings, he closed the window and returned to the primary attribute screen. His current level and skills now projected a far more formidable profile.
Inventory Examination
Afterward, he accessed the 'Inventory' section. A new item appeared in the inventory grid — a potion bottle glowing with a rich, violet luminescence. Hyun Woo concentrated on the item, prompting a supplementary window to open with additional details.
Recovery Potion
Effect: Restores full health. The effect is gradual, occurring over the span of one minute.
Quantity: 5
Hyun Woo reviewed the details, feeling reassured by the newfound resources at his disposal. With these potions, he knew that his chances of survival in upcoming challenges were slightly improved. He closed the inventory screen, feeling a mix of anticipation and readiness for whatever awaited him next.
Hyun Woo sat on the bench, his eyes locked onto the inventory window that hovered before him. His attention was fully drawn to the icon of a violet potion, softly glowing with an inviting luminescence. Slowly, he raised his hand, focusing entirely on that specific slot without diverting his gaze elsewhere.As soon as he mentally confirmed the action, the slot in the projection flashed, and right before his eyes, the potion began to materialize in mid-air. Initially, a faint outline appeared, resembling the shape of a small bottle, which then gradually solidified, as if forming from countless minute particles of light.
Before long, the violet potion hovered in front of him, shimmering with a gentle glow. The bottle was composed of transparent glass, and within it, a dense liquid swirled, reflecting faint, magical glimmers. The potion seemed to pulse slightly, emanating a soft warmth that added an almost lifelike quality to it.
Hyun Woo extended his hand cautiously, brushing his fingertips against the bottle. It felt warm, almost alive, with a faint vibration, as though it harbored its own intrinsic energy. He gripped it firmly in his hand, immediately sensing that the potion had fully transferred to his grasp. The inventory projection updated accordingly, indicating that one potion had been removed.
He turned the bottle over in his hands, inspecting it with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
"So, this is how it works," he murmured, rolling the bottle between his fingers. "System... you're becoming more enigmatic by the day."
Taking a deep breath, he removed the stopper and brought the bottle to his lips. The liquid looked viscous, almost like honey, but it flowed smoothly as he took his first sip. Its taste was unusual — a combination of freshness with a sharp tang — but it was not unpleasant.
Hyun Woo closed his eyes as warmth began to spread through his body. It wasn't an abrupt surge; rather, it was a gradual, comforting wave that grew stronger with each passing second. The tightness in his muscles began to dissipate, his breathing slowed and became more even, and he felt a steady resurgence of energy, as if his body was recharging layer by layer.
When he opened his eyes again, he realized that all traces of fatigue had vanished, leaving him feeling lighter and revitalized.
"Now I see why you call this a recovery potion," he said, holding the empty bottle. "It's more than just magic. It's... something deeper."
The bottle in his hand began to fade, dissolving gradually into the air, as if reverting to the very particles of light from which it had been created. Within moments, it was gone, leaving no trace behind.
Hyun Woo leaned back against the bench, a slight smile forming on his lips. The system was full of surprises, but now he felt that with each step, he was beginning to understand how to navigate its complexities.
"Alright then," he muttered, clenching his fists. "System, it seems you don't just want me to survive. You want me to grow stronger. Fine... I accept your challenge."