Days blurred into each other. Charlie worked out at the gym, awkwardly shadow-boxed in the park (the old man had given up questioning his antics and now just greeted him with a resigned, "Morning, kid"), and he continued to get mercilessly beaten in his sleep fights.
He made dinner every evening, slowly perfecting his craft, earning both the trust of the System and the approval of his parents. But after six relentless days, Charlie was in Zombie Mode.
The Breakdown
His eyes were lifeless, dark circles etched beneath them. The emotional strain of feeling broken ribs, a shattered nose, crushed hands, and snapped legs every night in his dreams weighed heavily on his mind. While his body didn't carry the physical scars, his psyche bore the brunt of it.
"Charlie, are you okay?" his mother asked, her voice trembling with concern as she watched him stir a pot of soup with robotic precision. "You should stop this! Why are you doing this to yourself, son? I don't like seeing you like this!"
Charlie, his face devoid of emotion, continued cooking like a machine. "I'm okay, Mom. Don't worry."
She clenched her fists, her maternal instincts screaming at her to pull him away from the stove. "But… ugh! Go sit down. Let me make dinner—your favorite—just for today, okay?"
"No!" Charlie snapped, his voice firmer than usual. "Mom, leave me alone. Let me make dinner! It has to be healthy!"
His dad, sitting at the table, glanced up from the newspaper. "Honey, let him cook."
"But—"
"Honey!" his father said, cutting her off gently but firmly. "He's our son. We need to support him. Let him cook."
With a defeated sigh, she relented, sitting down at the table, though her worried gaze never left Charlie.
They ate dinner in silence. After a while, his father cleared his throat. "Is it going well, son?"
Charlie nodded, chewing mechanically. "Yes, Dad."
His father offered a small, encouraging smile. "Good. If you need anything, just ask—or text us, okay? We'll support you."
Charlie's lips twitched into the faintest smile. "Thanks, Dad."
The Hell Continues
That night, the faceless opponent in the dream ring awaited him again. The fight began, and as usual, Charlie was outmatched. Every punch he threw felt like a mosquito bite against the man's iron skin, while every hit he received sent shockwaves of pain through his dream-self.
By the end of the night, Charlie collapsed in the ring, groaning. "This… sucks…"
Progress Over Two Months
Despite the brutal regimen, progress came slowly but surely. Two months in, Charlie had lost a noticeable amount of weight. His torso was now hairless thanks to the laser sessions, and the Pumped Perk was doing wonders—burning 20% more fat and building muscle. While he still carried a bit of a belly, he could see definition starting to form in his arms and shoulders.
He checked with the System about his evolution progress.
"Progress: 5%."
Charlie stared at the number, slack-jawed. "Five?! All that work, and I'm only five percent?!" He groaned. "This evolution thing better be worth it..."
Cooking dinner every night had earned him Cooking Mastery Level 2, and his meals were now not just healthy but genuinely tasty.
Small Wins in the Ring
At night, the battles in the dream ring began to shift ever so slightly. Charlie wasn't just getting beaten anymore—he was starting to fight back. He managed to land a few punches here and there, though they hurt him more than his opponent. The faceless man's skin was like iron, impervious to Charlie's clumsy blows, and he didn't even bother dodging.
Still, Charlie's determination paid off. After one particularly grueling night, the System rewarded him with a Better Genes Potion, promising it would enhance his looks as he grew stronger.
Monetary Rewards
Thanks to his consistent efforts—making dinner, hitting milestones at the gym, and his progress in shadow boxing—Charlie had accumulated significant rewards. After deducting his gym fees, protein powder, and other expenses, he still had around $8,000 saved up.
To his parents, he explained it away casually. "Oh, I won the money playing games online."
They were skeptical but didn't push further, thankful for the extra support. Charlie even handed them a small amount, watching their surprised smiles as they accepted it.
A Star in Boxing
One night, as Charlie stood in the dream ring, the System delivered unexpected news:
"Congratulations, Charlie. You have achieved Boxing Level: 1 Star."
Charlie stared at the notification, his chest swelling with pride. "Finally! One star! Take that, faceless dude!"
The faceless man didn't seem impressed and proceeded to beat Charlie into the mat again.
As Charlie woke up the next morning, mind exhausted, he sighed, staring at the ceiling. "This better be worth it..."
"It will be worth it," Charlie muttered to himself, staring at the ceiling. A small smile crept onto his face. "I can't believe I'm starting to get used to this rhythm of life."
Rising from his bed, he stretched and shuffled into the bathroom. With a deep breath, he peeled off his shirt and stood in front of the mirror.
For a moment, he just stared.
His belly was still there, a stubborn reminder of the work he had left to do. But despite that, he was... impressed.
His upper body was smooth and hairless, his skin free of the rough patches and redness that used to cling to it. Thanks to the Better Genes Potion, the little imperfections on his face had begun to fade. His jawline looked slightly sharper, and his complexion was clearer.
He leaned closer, turning his head from side to side. "Huh... I still have the same face, but... I actually look kinda nice."
For the first time in years, he didn't avoid his reflection. He stood taller, flexing awkwardly in the mirror.
"One more month," he said, determination flickering in his eyes.
He stepped back, clenching his fists. "System, can you make this last month tougher? Push me harder. I can take it."
The System responded, its voice carrying a hint of satisfaction.
"Charlie, you've changed. I remember when you used to cry about going up the stairs."
"Ugh, come on, System!" Charlie groaned, his face turning red. "Don't bring up the past!"
"Acknowledging the past is part of growth, Charlie. But very well. Prepare for the final push."
He stared at the mirror one more time, a smirk forming. "Bring it on."
---
Charlie entered the gym, his oversized XXL clothes hanging loosely on his frame. He hadn't bothered to buy new clothes yet, even though his body had changed significantly over the past two months. He preferred the loose fit—it kept people from staring too much, or so he thought.
The girl at the counter, the one who used to ignore him entirely, greeted him with a bright smile. "Good morning, Charlie!"
"Morning," he mumbled, waving awkwardly.
This had been happening for two weeks now, ever since he started taking the Gene Enhancing Potion.
Yesterday, she had even approached him mid-workout and offered to help him with his form.
He had politely declined. "I know how to do it, but thanks."
Charlie sighed, walking toward the lockers. "Women are so superficial, System."
The System chimed in, its tone neutral as always:
"That's normal, Charlie. Just as you look at beautiful women, they look at attractive men."
"Yeah, well, I'm a guy. I can't help it," Charlie retorted, pulling his towel from his bag.
"Women are the same, Charlie. The difference is, they can choose. You, historically, could not."
Charlie paused for a moment, processing the System's blunt statement. "Yeah, you're right. Doesn't make it any less annoying, though."
"Focus, Charlie. The workout plan for today is ready."
A translucent screen appeared in front of him, detailing the day's routine. It was intense—far harder than anything he'd done before.
"Seriously?!" Charlie groaned, rubbing his temples. "You really aren't holding back, huh?"
"You requested a tougher month. Complaining now would be illogical."
He sighed, cracking his neck and grabbing a set of weights. "Fine. Let's do this."
Warm-up:
10 minutes on the rowing machine (moderate to high intensity).Dynamic stretches (arm circles, leg swings, torso twists).
Strength (Full Body):
Barbell Deadlifts: 3 sets of 10 reps (start with light weight, focus on form).
Dumbbell Bench Press: 3 sets of 12 reps.
Weighted Squats: 3 sets of 12 reps (bodyweight if necessary, then progress).
Bent-Over Dumbbell Rows: 3 sets of 10 reps per side.
Plank-to-Push-Up: 3 sets of 10 reps (keep core engaged).
Core & Conditioning:
Hanging Leg Raises: 3 sets of 8-10 reps (use captain's chair if grip strength is an issue).
Russian Twists: 3 sets of 20 twists (10 per side, add a light weight if possible).
Cooldown:
Foam rolling (target back, legs, and arms).Static stretches:Hamstring stretch (30 seconds per leg).Child's pose (30 seconds).Shoulder stretch (30 seconds per side).Cat-cow pose (1 minute).
Notes from the System:
Hydration Reminder: Drink water during breaks.
Focus on Form: Bad form leads to injury, which hinders progress.
Recovery Time: Rest 60-90 seconds between sets for strength exercises.
---
Midway through his grueling workout, Charlie was drenched in sweat, his XXL shirt clinging awkwardly to his back. He was just about to start his next set of squats when the blonde girl from the counter approached him, her smile radiant and slightly playful.
"Hey, everything okay?" she asked, holding out a chilled bottle of water.
Charlie froze, his hand mid-reach for the dumbbell. "Uh, yeah. I'm fine," he stammered, taking the bottle cautiously. "Thanks."
She watched him for a moment, her gaze lingering. Wow, this guy's really changing fast. Just two months ago, he looked like he barely knew what a gym was, and now… She bit her lip slightly. How much more could he change in a year? A smart girl would invest now, before someone else notices him…
"I brought you a bottle of water," she said, flashing him a bright smile.
Charlie looked at the bottle like it was some kind of rare artifact. "Oh, uh, thanks," he mumbled, his face flushing.
She giggled, brushing a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "You've changed a lot, you know. Honestly, you should be my trainer instead."
Charlie blinked, his face turning even redder. "Me? A trainer? Nah, I'm just... following what works for me," he said, trying to downplay her compliment.
She leaned casually against the nearest machine, her smile playful. "Well, whatever you're doing, it's working. Seriously, you look great. I'm impressed."
What if he keeps this up? she thought, watching him scratch the back of his head nervously. Lose a little more weight, build some muscle, and with his skin already clearing up, he could end up… really attractive.
Charlie's grip tightened on the bottle, his heart racing. Part of him wanted to dismiss her words, but another part—one that was starting to believe in himself—felt a flicker of pride. "Thanks... I guess," he muttered, awkwardly looking away.
"Don't sell yourself short," she teased. "Anyway, keep it up.
You're inspiring more people than you think." With that, she gave him a wink and walked back toward the counter, her mind buzzing.
He's awkward now, that much is obvious. He probably hasn't talked to many girls, and, well… it's clear why. Her grin widened slightly. But that's what makes this my chance.
Charlie stood there for a moment, staring at the bottle in his hand like it had just sprouted wings.
"System," he muttered under his breath. "What just happened?"
The System's voice was calm but tinged with amusement.
"A social interaction, Charlie. You are receiving positive reinforcement for your efforts. Proceed with your workout."
Charlie sighed heavily, clutching the water bottle like it might explode. "It doesn't feel good, though. I don't like getting nervous like that."
He took a swig of the water, glancing briefly toward the counter where the girl was now chatting with a coworker. "And I don't like her. When I go to the grocery store, the workers there always say hello and goodbye—even when I was huge. She ignored me for months, System."
"Then tell her what you think, Charlie. After you finish your workout."
Charlie blinked, staring down at the floor. "What? No way. That's... weird, right? You don't just walk up to someone and—"
"You dislike her behavior, correct? Confrontation—delivered respectfully—can be a tool for personal growth."
He groaned, wiping sweat from his brow. "Respectfully, huh? Great. Just what I needed: life lessons from the Captain Obvious System."
The System remained silent as Charlie finished his workout, his mind racing. Did he really want to say something? Could he even do it without tripping over his words? He clenched his fists as he racked the weights, staring toward the counter where she stood.
"Fine," he muttered to himself, "but I'm blaming you if this gets awkward."