Noah's soaked sneakers squelched against the pavement as he trudged down the empty streets. His mind was racing. Was he losing it? Had the stress finally pushed him over the edge? But no matter how many times he blinked, the translucent screen remained in front of him, flickering faintly like a hologram.
[Quest Progress: 0/5,000 Steps]
"Okay," he muttered to himself. "Five thousand steps. That's just a couple of kilometers, right? I can do this."
The rain had eased into a drizzle, and the city around him was quiet, save for the occasional rumble of a passing car. Noah's usual route home felt different now, almost surreal. Every step he took seemed lighter, as if the energy he'd gained from the push-up quest was still flowing through him.
"This is insane," he whispered.
He passed by a dimly lit convenience store, his stomach growling again. The reminder of his hunger was sharp, but his pockets were empty. Noah shook his head and kept walking.
By the time he reached the park, the screen updated:
[Quest Progress: 2,134/5,000 Steps]
A strange sense of satisfaction washed over him as the numbers ticked up. It was oddly motivating. For once in his life, he felt like he was working toward something tangible.
That's when he noticed he wasn't alone.
A shadow moved near the swings. Noah stopped, his heart racing. "Hello?" he called out.
The figure stepped into the faint glow of a streetlamp. It was a man, tall and wiry, with a hood pulled low over his face. Noah's instincts screamed danger. The man's hands were shoved into his pockets, but his stance was aggressive, predatory.
"Got any cash, kid?" the man growled, taking a step closer.
Noah's breath caught in his throat. "I don't… I don't have anything," he stammered, holding up his hands.
"Don't lie to me," the man snapped, pulling a knife from his pocket. The blade gleamed in the dim light. "Empty your pockets. Now."
Noah's mind raced. He was no fighter. He'd never even been in a serious confrontation before. His eyes darted to the Grindstone in his hand, its faint blue glow pulsating steadily. Was it possible…?
"Combat assistance module initializing. Host is advised to remain calm."
The voice returned, startling him. Before Noah could react, a new translucent screen appeared in his vision:
[Combat Tutorial Initiated]
Objective: Neutralize the threat.
Tools: Improvised combat.
Reward: Basic Combat Skill Unlock.
"What the hell do you mean 'neutralize'?!" Noah hissed under his breath. The man took another step closer, waving the knife menacingly. Panic clawed at Noah's chest, but the Grindstone's voice cut through his fear.
"Host is advised to dodge."
The mugger lunged, the knife arcing through the air. Noah's body reacted before his mind could catch up, sidestepping clumsily but narrowly avoiding the blade. His heart pounded in his ears.
"Counterattack opportunity detected."
End of Chapter 2.