Dev tightened his fists and nodded to himself. The hospital room was quiet, save for the rhythmic beeping of the monitor beside him. If the system demanded strength, then he'd earn it with sweat and effort.
Looking around, he quickly identified a space near the corner of the room where he could work undisturbed. Stripping off his hospital gown to his undershirt and pants for better movement, he began with the basics.
Strength Training Routine
Dev dropped to the floor, beginning a series of push-ups. The first ten were steady, his muscles moving with ease, but by the fifteenth repetition, his arms started to tremble. Gritting his teeth, he pushed through, his body already protesting.
"Eighteen... nineteen... twenty..." he grunted, collapsing to the ground. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but he didn't stop. After a few seconds, he flipped onto his back, pulling himself into a crunch position and attacking his core.
The hospital room became a makeshift gym as Dev pushed himself past his limits. Every movement burned, but that fire was fuel. Squats, planks, even shadowboxing—he cycled through exercises until his body gave out.
By the end, his muscles felt like jelly, his breaths came in ragged gasps, and the world seemed to blur around the edges. Still, he felt an odd satisfaction, as though each drop of sweat was one step closer to reclaiming his power.
[System Notification]
Strength Training Complete. Temporary Fatigue Status Applied.
Attributes Slightly Improved from Repeated Effort:
Strength: +0.5
Stamina: +0.3
A small, triumphant smile broke across his face. It wasn't much, but progress was progress.
He managed to crawl back into the hospital bed, his body protesting every movement. Exhaustion soon claimed him, pulling him into a deep, dreamless sleep.
The Next Morning
The sunlight streaming through the blinds stirred Dev awake. He blinked groggily, the soreness in his muscles a stark reminder of the previous night's efforts. A chime greeted him the moment he opened his eyes.
[System Notification]
You have recovered from fatigue.
Training gains have been applied.
Feeling reinvigorated, he stretched, rolling his shoulders to work out the stiffness. A nurse entered shortly after, bringing paperwork for his discharge.
"You're free to go today," she said with a cheerful smile. "Just take it easy, alright?"
Dev nodded, a flicker of gratitude crossing his face. He quickly signed the forms, dressed in the fresh clothes the hospital provided, and stepped outside into the cool morning air. The city buzzed with life, but for Dev, it felt like stepping into a new world.
He paused, looking up at the endless sky. The quest's timer still ticked in his peripheral vision. "Defeat your first monster within 36 hours."
He had a long way to go, but he wasn't the same person who had collapsed in that dungeon.
As Dev made his way through the bustling streets toward home, his mind swirled with thoughts of his stepmother and stepsister. They must have been worried sick after his disappearance. His fingers tightened around the strap of his bag, determination growing to assure them he was okay—and stronger than before.
Suddenly, the sounds of chaos cut through the city's usual hum. The distant rumble of panicked shouts and the occasional crack of energy jolted him from his thoughts. He turned the corner and froze.
A massive crowd of reporters, onlookers, and emergency personnel had gathered near a barricaded area. Cameras flashed as reporters scrambled to capture the unfolding scene. Beyond them, Dev caught sight of the source of the commotion—a hulking, E-rank monster thrashing amidst the wreckage of a shattered market street.
The creature was a Stonehound, a quadrupedal beast with jagged stone-like scales covering its body. Its glowing red eyes scanned its surroundings as it let out a guttural roar, its spiked tail lashing out and smashing into a nearby streetlamp. The few remaining F-rank hunters, armed with basic weapons and modest gear, struggled to hold their ground. Leading them was an E-rank healer, a young woman with glowing hands, who was doing her best to sustain her team.
The sight was chaotic. The hunters' attacks barely scratched the beast's rocky exterior, and their movements were slow and uncoordinated. The healer shouted, "Focus on the legs! We need to bring it down!" Her voice cracked under the pressure, her own stamina waning as she poured healing energy into her comrades.
The reporters continued to film from a safe distance, their commentary buzzing through the air.
"This is the last monster from the dungeon collapse nearby," one of them announced into the camera. "The E-rank hunters have managed to subdue most of the creatures, but this Stonehound is proving to be a challenge!"
Dev's blood ran cold. A dungeon collapse—one of the most feared scenarios in their world. It meant monsters spilling into the city and wreaking havoc until subdued. The fact that this was an E-rank dungeon meant that higher-ranked hunters likely hadn't been dispatched, leaving the weaker ones to handle it.
His system chimed softly in his mind, its tone sharper than before.
[System Notification]
Opportunity Detected: Prove Your Strength!
Optional Sub-Quest: Defeat the Stonehound
Rewards: +100 EXP, Increased Reputation, and Potential Item Drop.
Dev stared at the notification, his heart pounding. The quest's timer ticked ominously in his peripheral vision. This was his chance—a way to complete the quest and prove his strength not just to himself, but to the system. Yet, the scene before him was grim. If he failed, it could cost him his life.
He clenched his fists. He didn't feel ready, but when would he ever be? The decision loomed, the tension thick in the air.