Jin woke up to the faint sound of his alarm buzzing on his phone. He groaned, rolling over, his body still aching from the relentless grind of the past few days. Every muscle felt tight, like it was slowly being reshaped, which wasn't far from the truth.
He sat up, stretching as the system notification appeared before him, as it always did in the morning.
[Daily Quest: To Become a Formidable Combatant]
- Jog 10 kilometers: 0/10
- Perform 300 sit-ups: 0/300
- Perform 200 squats: 0/200
- Practice weapon combat: 2 hours
Failure to complete the daily quest will result in a penalty.
Jin blinked, sitting upright immediately. "Penalty? What penalty?"
Another notification popped up, as if the system could hear his thoughts.
[Warning: Failing daily quests will result in consequences ranging from physical degradation to deduction of Ascension progress.]
His stomach sank. "So this thing isn't just pushing me—it's threatening me too. Great."
Rubbing his face, Jin got out of bed and pulled on his running shoes. There was no way he was going to find out what "physical degradation" meant.
The streets were still quiet as Jin jogged through his neighborhood. His hoodie was pulled low over his face, as it always was, but the chill morning air helped to wake him up. The past few days of training were already making a difference. His body felt stronger, his movements less clumsy.
But it wasn't just his physical state that was changing. Jin could feel something deeper shifting within him—a determination he'd never had before.
As Jin rounded a corner, he spotted someone up ahead. A girl, jogging just a few paces in front of him. She was tall, with a slim build, her hair pulled into a tight ponytail that bounced as she moved.
He recognized her immediately. She was the same girl he'd seen a few days ago, the one he'd exchanged a few awkward words with.
Jin slowed his pace slightly, debating whether or not to say something. He didn't have time for distractions—not with the system breathing down his neck.
But then, as if sensing his presence, the girl glanced over her shoulder. Their eyes met for a split second before she slowed her pace, letting him catch up.
"You're out here early," she said, her tone casual but curious.
Jin hesitated. "Yeah. Trying to get in shape."
She raised an eyebrow. "You? You don't really look like the type to care about fitness."
Jin felt his cheeks flush. "I wasn't. But… things change."
The girl gave him a long, appraising look before nodding. "Fair enough. I'm Sae Rin, by the way."
"Jin," he replied.
"Nice to meet you, Jin. Don't push yourself too hard," Sae Rin said with a small smile before picking up her pace and leaving him behind.
Jin watched her go, feeling a strange mix of embarrassment and curiosity. There was something about her that seemed… familiar. But he couldn't place it.
By the time Jin returned to his apartment, his legs felt like lead, and his lungs burned with every breath.
[Task Progress Updated: Jog 10 kilometers – 10/10 (Complete)]
He collapsed onto his couch, gulping down water like his life depended on it.
"That's one down," he muttered, wiping his mouth.
After a short break, Jin forced himself to the floor and started on the sit-ups. His abs screamed in protest, but he pushed through the pain, focusing on the image of Tae Joon's smug face.
[Task Progress Updated: Perform 300 sit-ups – 300/300 (Complete)]
The squats were next, and by the time he finished, Jin was drenched in sweat, his legs trembling.
[Task Progress Updated: Perform 200 squats – 200/200 (Complete)]
He slumped against the wall, his chest heaving. "How do people do this every day?"
Later that afternoon, Jin headed to the abandoned lot near his apartment. It was quiet and isolated, the perfect place to practice without anyone noticing.
He picked up a wooden stick he'd found the day before, gripping it like a sword. It wasn't much, but it would have to do until he could afford something better.
For the next two hours, Jin swung the stick through the air, practicing the stances and movements he'd learned from the videos. His form was still rough, but it was improving.
By the time he finished, his arms were sore, and his hands were blistered, but the notification made it all worth it.
[Task Progress Updated: Practice weapon combat – 2/2 hours (Complete)]
Back in his apartment, Jin stared at himself in the cracked bathroom mirror. His reflection was… different. His face looked sharper, his skin clearer. Even his posture had changed—he stood straighter, more confident.
"Is this really me?" he muttered, touching his face.
The system notification appeared again, breaking his thoughts.
[Daily Quest Completed: To Become a Formidable Combatant]
[Ascension Progress: 8%]
Jin smiled faintly. "Eight percent. Still a long way to go."
But then, another notification appeared, sending a chill down his spine.
[Ascension Trial Initiated]
Prepare yourself.
"What?" Jin said, his heart racing.
The room around him began to shift and blur. The walls melted away, replaced by jagged rocks and a dark, ominous sky. The air grew heavy, filled with the stench of sulfur and decay.
Jin's stomach turned as he realized where he was.
"No… not again," he whispered.
But the system had already decided.
[Ascension Trial: Survive the Valley of Shadows. Objective: Eliminate the Shadow Pack.]
Jin's hands trembled as he stared at the notification. The ground beneath him shook, and in the distance, he could hear the low growl of something inhuman.
His first trial had been a nightmare. This one felt worse.
Jin clenched his fists, forcing himself to steady his breathing. "If this is the path I have to take, then so be it."
The growling grew louder, and Jin turned toward the sound, his heart pounding in his chest.