Ingrit, who had just returned home from school, changed into his casual clothes—a crisp white t-shirt paired with black shorts.
Suddenly, two notifications popped up before him in quick succession:
[Reminder: You are running out of time to participate in 'Daily Training Quest']
[You must participate now or you won't be able to finish your quest in time, which would result in a heavy penalty]
A new interface materialized:
===
[Training Quest]
[Participate] [Delay]
===
Ingrit stared blankly at the screen and muttered to himself, 'Guess it's time I participated in the training.'
Without hesitation, he tapped on the 'Participate' button. Almost immediately, his entire body began to glow with a faint purple hue. His vision blurred as though a mist was shrouding his eyes. Thinking it might just be temporary, he shut them tightly.
Moments later, he cautiously reopened his eyes, only to be greeted by an intense brightness that made him squint in discomfort. It took a few seconds for his sight to adjust, and when it did, he gasped at the breathtaking scene before him.
'Wow.... What is this place?'
Stretching out before him was a vast, tranquil ocean glittering under the sunlight. Its surface shimmered like a million tiny diamonds dancing on water. As he turned his gaze slightly, his eyes were drawn to a colossal crimson wall towering at least 60 meters high. The massive structure split the azure sea in half, extending indefinitely in both directions, as though serving as a boundary that separated the world itself. On the other side of the wall lay a lush, green expanse of land that contrasted starkly with the endless blue of the ocean.
Ingrit was stunned. All his life, he had only known a vast, endless ocean, devoid of any shores or greenery. This new landscape was completely alien to him.
He tilted his head back, observing the unblemished sky overhead. The expanse was painted in a rich, blue hue, with scattered white clouds lazily drifting by. There were no floating "Cloud States"—a phenomenon that was ever-present in his own world.
'Where the hell am I? This can't be my world' he thought, his chest tightening with a mix of wonder and unease.
"Hello? Mr. Screen or something? Can you tell me where I am?" he asked aloud, hoping the system would respond.
But, the system silence.
Irritated, he sighed, but just as he was about to give up, a series of notification windows flickered into view.
[Notification: Your training will take place here]
[The first phase of the training is called Strength Training]
Another window expanded, displaying his objectives:
===
[Goal]
Push-ups -- 00/100
Sit-ups -- 00/100
Squats -- 00/100
Running -- 00/100km
[Note: This week's routine requires you to complete these tasks. Starting next week, you will increase to 200 push-ups, 200 sit-ups, 200 squats, and 20 km of running per day.]
===
Seeing this made his jaw drop. It was simply overwhelming—far beyond anything he'd ever attempted. He had never done such an intense workout in his life. And now, the system was demanding he complete all these exercises at once! He wasn't sure he could even survive the first task.
"Come on. You can't be serious! Are you really asking me to do 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and run 10 kilometers in a single day? How is this even fair?"
[Notification: After each workout, you will receive a 10-minute break]
There was no escape. If he failed to finish everything today, he'd face a severe penalty. Wearing a long face, he reluctantly began the grueling training.
First, he dropped to the greenish ground and attempted push-ups, but after just ten, his arms gave out. Gritting his teeth, he pushed forward because there was no other choice. Failure wasn't an option.
Minutes later, he sprawled out on the grass, utterly breathless. Yet somehow, he had managed all 100 push-ups.
[Congratulations: You have completed one of the tasks]
[Next: Do 100 sit-ups]
He was given a precious 10-minute break and used every second to recover before his next exercise or more precisely torture.
When the time came, he began the sit-ups.
As before, it was a grueling battle with his limits. After failing numerous times, he finally managed to complete the exercises assigned by the system.
Panting heavily, he lay on his back, staring at the bluish sky. Sweat streamed down his body as exhaustion consumed him.
'I take it back. I thought this training quest would be easy.'
He regretted ever underestimating the challenge.
Then, a few notifications appeared.
[Would you like to craft a 'Fatigue Removal Potion' using the blood of the merman monster in your storage?]
Completely drained, he needed that potion now more than ever.
'Yes, craft it.' he thought.
[Crafting of Fatigue Removal Potion is in process.]
In a moment, a small flask filled with blue liquid materialized in his hand. Uncapping it with his other hand, he drank the potion. The liquid was tasteless, leaving no reaction on his face. Suddenly, a soothing blue light enveloped his body, lingering for a few seconds before vanishing. He immediately felt re-energized, as though his exhaustion had been erased entirely.
'I can even create Fatigue Removal Potions!' he thought, astonished.
Fatigue Removal Potions were as valuable as magical energy potions, often sold at exorbitant prices in magic shops. But now, not only could he avoid buying energy potions to grow stronger—he could craft his own. All he needed was to fight monsters and train to climb the ranks and create various potions.
Feeling reinvigorated, he jumped to his feet, certain that the training was finally over.
Relief washed over him as he prepared to return to his original world. But his joy was short-lived.
[The second phase of your training will begin immediately]
"Second phase?! Come on, I thought I was done for the day! Damn it!"He groaned, his earlier happiness turning to frustration.
"What kind of training is this going to be?" he muttered, but the system offered no response.
It frustrated him to no end. The system never provided clear answers. It didn't explain which world he was in or even whether it was real. Exasperated, he shoved his hands into his pockets and began walking slowly toward a towering red wall.
Reaching the wall, he placed his hand against its cool surface. Suddenly, a soft, high-pitched sound startled him. He turned around, eyes wide.
Behind him stood a small creature resembling a cat, but clearly different. It was the size of a kitten, with a fluffy white body, long pointy ears, small grayish nose, floppy wool, puny wings, and bright blue eyes.
It was, without a doubt, the cutest creature Ingrit had ever seen.
Despite the eeriness of finding a living being in this desolate world, he couldn't resist its charm. He crouched down, extending his hand cautiously. Unable to resist, he began petting the little creature under its chin.
For a moment, everything seemed fine. But then he noticed the creature trembling. Its tiny body began to expand, growing larger and more menacing by the second.
Ingrit leaped to his feet and stumbled back, horror etched across his face.
The once-cute creature had transformed into a monstrous beast. It now stood over a meter tall, its fur turning gray and matted. Its eyes gleamed an ominous crimson, its teeth elongated into jagged fangs, and saliva dripped from its gaping maw. Large, leathery wings unfurled from its back as its claws grew long and razor-sharp.
The adorable creature was gone—replaced by a ferocious predator.
Ingrit's heart pounded as he stumbled backward, his legs unsteady beneath him.
"Shit", he muttered under his breath, dread coursing through him.