The dormitory was already alive with activity when I woke up. The sound of muffled footsteps, running water, and Gabriel Cruz's overly enthusiastic voice echoing in the hallway greeted me. "Rise and shine, folks! First day of the rest of our lives!"
I groaned, pulling myself out of bed. "Does he always have this much energy in the morning?" I muttered to no one in particular.
Darren Vargas, my quiet but efficient roommate, was already up and dressed, his bed perfectly made. "He's been at it since 5 a.m.," Darren said without looking up, focused on tying his boots with military precision. "Better get used to it."
I chuckled, grabbing my gear. "Thanks for the heads-up."
By the time I shuffled into the hallway, Gabriel was leaning against the wall, grinning like he'd already won the day. "Morning, Ji! Ready to get our butts kicked by Coach Remo?"
"Can't wait," I replied dryly, earning a laugh.
---
The mess hall buzzed with conversation, the clinking of plates and the hum of voices creating a surprisingly comforting atmosphere. Trainees were grouped in clusters, chatting animatedly or scarfing down breakfast like their lives depended on it.
Gabriel waved me over to a table near the window, where Darren was already seated, methodically cutting his food into precise bites. I grabbed a tray, loaded it with whatever seemed edible, and joined them.
"Alright," Gabriel began, grinning as he shoved a forkful of eggs into his mouth, "who do you think's going to puke first today?"
"Probably you," Darren replied without missing a beat, earning a laugh from both of us.
"Hey, I've got stamina!" Gabriel protested, pointing his fork dramatically. "I'm just saying, this conditioning thing is going to separate the warriors from the wannabes."
I raised an eyebrow. "And which one are you?"
Gabriel smirked. "Obviously a warrior. What about you, Ji? Think you can handle it?"
I shrugged, taking a sip of coffee. "I'll manage. It's just physical conditioning. How bad could it be?"
Darren set his fork down, his expression calm but serious. "Coach Remo's reputation isn't just talk. Stick to the program, don't slack off, and you'll be fine. But if you try to coast through…"
"You'll be puking with the rest of them," I finished, nodding. "Got it."
As we ate, the conversation shifted to lighter topics—rumors about the training schedule, guesses about who might stand out, and Gabriel's ongoing theory that the cafeteria food was secretly laced with performance enhancers.
By the time we finished, the atmosphere felt lighter, the nervous tension from earlier replaced with a sense of camaraderie.
---
The gym was a fortress of fitness, filled with advanced equipment that looked equal parts intimidating and impressive. AR projections displayed simulated terrains, and the air was thick with anticipation as the trainees gathered around Coach Remo.
"Alright, listen up!" he barked, silencing the murmurs. "Physical conditioning isn't about looking good in a mirror. It's about surviving. Out there, your stamina and strength decide if you make it back or not."
He began pacing, his sharp gaze sweeping over us. "Today's session is simple: warm-ups, drills, and endurance tests. Push past your limits, or don't bother showing up tomorrow."
The warm-ups started easy enough—dynamic stretches, light cardio. But that was just the calm before the storm.
---
Remo had us running weighted laps around the gym, dragging sandbags, and alternating between push-ups, squats, and burpees in relentless circuits.
Sweat poured down my face as I pushed through the exercises, my muscles burning with every rep. Around me, trainees grunted and gasped, some faltering but quickly getting back up under Remo's sharp gaze.
Gabriel, ever the performer, tried to keep pace but stumbled during a sprint, earning a loud whistle from Remo. "Cruz! Move your ass, or I'll make you do double laps!"
"Yes, Coach!" Gabriel yelled, scrambling to his feet.
Darren, on the other hand, moved with quiet efficiency, his movements calculated and deliberate. He wasn't the fastest or the strongest, but he never wasted energy, a stark contrast to Gabriel's more chaotic approach.
---
By the end of the session, most of us were sprawled on the floor, drenched in sweat and gasping for air.
Gabriel flopped down beside me, groaning. "I think I saw my soul leave my body."
I chuckled weakly, wiping my face with a towel. "Better get it back before the next session."
As we rested, a faint chime echoed in my mind:
Ding!
"New Side Quest: Physical Conditioning Challenge."
I pulled up my System, reading the details:
Objective: Complete daily physical conditioning drills for the duration of the training program.
Reward: XP and incremental stat boosts based on performance.
Glancing around, I noticed other trainees checking their Systems as well. Gabriel groaned louder. "Great. As if surviving the session wasn't enough, now my System wants me to do extra?"
I smirked, closing the notification. "Welcome to the grind."
---
The classroom was a welcome reprieve from the gym, its cool air and organized setup a stark contrast to the chaos of conditioning.
Marco stood at the front, radiating confidence as he began his lecture. "Kali and Silat," he announced, writing the names in bold on the holo-board. "Two martial arts that will become your best friends—or your worst nightmares."
He explained Kali's emphasis on weapon-based combat. "Sticks, knives, machetes—Kali teaches you to use anything as a weapon. It's about precision, speed, and control. In a Malice Zone, a broken pipe can save your life if you know how to use it."
Then he moved on to Silat. "Silat is all about adaptability. Whether you're armed or unarmed, it combines strikes, grapples, and joint locks to turn your opponent's strength against them."
The demonstrations were mesmerizing. Marco's movements were sharp and fluid, his strikes precise. Gabriel watched with wide eyes, trying to mimic the motions in his seat. Darren, ever the analyst, asked pointed questions about practical applications.
I stayed quiet, absorbing every detail. My mind buzzed with ideas, imagining how I could integrate these techniques with alchemy.
---
After the classes were done for the day, I directly went to the dorm gym.
It was quieter than I expected. Most likely, the trainees either passed out in their rooms or dragging themselves through the recovery process. I, however, had a routine to maintain. After all, my System didn't exactly offer any rest days.
Before starting my workout, I opened my Quest Log to review the updates. The faint glow of the new entries caught my eye, and I selected them one by one to study their details.
---
Side Quests:
1. Physical Conditioning Challenge:
Objective: Complete daily physical conditioning drills throughout the duration of the training program.
Progress: 1/37 Days Completed.
Rewards:
Incremental stat boosts for Strength, Agility, and Endurance based on performance each day.
Completion Reward: 5,000 XP, 5 stat points (allocated manually), and a Minor Energy Recovery Elixir.
Details: This quest adapts dynamically to the user's performance, with higher intensity leading to greater rewards.
I nodded thoughtfully, considering how this aligned with my daily grind. The incremental boosts might seem small, but over the course of weeks, they'd add up. The completion reward wasn't bad either.
---
2. Saitama Workout:
Objective: Perform the following exercises daily:
- 100 Push-Ups
- 100 Sit-Ups
- 100 Squats
- 10 km Run
First Phase: Normal: 1/14 Days Completed.
Completion Reward: 3 free stat points.
Second Phase: Enhanced (Weighted): 0/7 Days Completed.
Requirement: Complete the First Phase.
Completion Reward: 6 free stat points.
Third Phase: Enhanced (3x Weighted): 0/14 Days Completed
Requirement: Complete the Second Phase.
Completion Reward: 12 free stat points.
Details: Each phase increases the difficulty by adding weights, with x3 introducing heavier resistance. The rewards scale proportionally to the effort required.
A small smile tugged at my lips. This quest had been running in the background since the tutorial dungeon, but now it was ramping up. The rewards were worth the pain.
---
3. Complete Hunter Training:
Objective: Successfully pass the weekly assessment.
Progress: 0/6 Completed.
Completion Reward: 50,000 XP and a Basic Combat Kit.
Details: This quest tracked my overall progress in the training program, providing steady rewards for consistency and participation. The completion reward hinted at practical tools for the mission ahead.
"Straightforward enough," I murmured. This quest was tied directly to my daily schedule, so it wouldn't require any additional effort—just focus and participation.
---
4. Explore the Malice Zone:
Objective: Investigate the suspected Malice Zone during the upcoming mission.
Progress: Locked (Mission not yet started).
Rewards: 40,000 XP, 15 stat points, and a Mystery Key (use unknown).
Details: The quest description remained vague, offering no hints about the nature of the mission or the challenges awaiting me.
I frowned slightly, the mention of a "Mystery Key" catching my attention. Was this tied to the Book of Disciples or something entirely different?
---
5. Seek the Book of Disciples (Unique Quest):
Objective: Locate the Book of Disciples.
Progress: 0%.
Rewards: 100,000 XP, Unlock Cultivation Tab.
Details: No information was provided about the location or method for completing this quest. It was a puzzle shrouded in mystery, and the System offered no guidance.
This quest still intrigued me the most. Its connection to unlocking the Cultivation Tab made it crucial, but the lack of details was frustrating.
---
As I closed the Quest Log, the notifications blurred together in my mind, each one a thread leading to something bigger. My System was clearly designed to keep me on a tightrope, balancing immediate tasks with long-term goals.
I moved to the center of the gym, starting my Saitama Workout. The exercises were relentless, each rep a test of endurance and willpower. The Enhanced Phase's added weight made every motion heavier, each push-up and squat requiring more effort than before.
Halfway through the routine, I noticed Darren walking by, his expression one of quiet amusement. "You're really pushing yourself," he commented.
"I don't have a choice," I replied, not breaking my rhythm.
Gabriel joined a few minutes later, collapsing onto a bench nearby. "What are you, a machine? Remo already killed us today!"
"Just sticking to my quests," I said, hardly flashing a grin.
By the time I finished, my arms trembled and my legs felt like lead. But the faint chime of progress in my System made it all worthwhile.
---
As I returned to my dorm, I couldn't help but reflect on the layers of challenges ahead. The training, the mission, the mysteries of the Malice Zone—and the looming enigma of the Book of Disciples.
"Alright," I muttered, shutting off the System for the night. "Let's see how far we can take this."
---