Three days had passed since my awakening. Fortunately, I was in good health, with no serious injuries. However, since I did not exercise regularly, my body was not used to physical exertion. The sensation of muscle soreness was constant, a reminder of my lack of activity. In my mind, the system, my silent companion, was already at work.
His messages, though still with the odd robotic imitation of a manga he seemed to have processed, were concise and to the point. There were no more dramatic alerts, only instructions.
Mission received:
Objective: To reach your maximum physical potential.
Description: Perform a daily exercise routine, focusing on strength and endurance. Avoiding detection by medical personnel. Initiating physical optimization protocol. Planks: 5 repetitions of 20 seconds each. Remember to maintain correct posture to avoid injury.
Reward: Gift box, chance to get unique items and an additional skill point!
Penalty: -10 Favorability if detected.
The exercise routine was a response to the daily missions the system assigned me during my recovery. Although I was not injured, the muscle pain reminded me that my body needed strengthening. Trying to move fluidly was a challenge, every muscle protesting with a dull ache. But the mission was clear. I needed to improve my physical condition, and I would do it quietly.
My first mission: planks. With considerable effort, I managed to complete all five reps, feeling the burn in my muscles. The system, without additional comments, simply updated my stats. Mission completed! Gift box unlocked.
A small box, with the image of a golden box adorned with a red bow, appeared in my vision. opening gift box! Obtained items: a pair of training gloves that improve strength and endurance, and a basic training manual. At the same time, I felt a slight increase in my energy - enhanced skill! Choose a skill to increase by one point. The system showed me a list of my skills: Strength, Stamina, Agility, Reflexes, etc. I decided to increase my Endurance, so I could better withstand the training.
The following days were a constant challenge. The system, without alerts or unnecessary comments, assigned me new missions, gradually more difficult: burpees, push-ups, squats.... Each mission was a small step, a gradual increase in difficulty. Without drama, I, in turn, was learning to be efficient and increasingly adapting to pain and fatigue. With each completed mission, I received a gift box, containing useful items and the opportunity to upgrade a skill. Gift box unlocked! Obtained items: A resistance band and a video tutorial of advanced exercises. Improved skill! Increase one point of Strength.
Progress was tangible. My strength, endurance and agility increased with each mission completed.
I was also experiencing a growing sense of accomplishment.
Days passed at the hospital as I continued my system-assigned exercise routine. My body was slowly adapting, and although I felt the pain of each effort, I also experienced a growing sense of accomplishment. Each mission accomplished gave me rewards and the opportunity to improve my skills, which kept my motivation at its peak.
But, as with any game system, there was a risk. The penalty for being detected was clear: -10 in favorability with anyone. It was a caveat I had never seriously considered, but curiosity began to itch in my mind. What would happen if I failed a mission?
I decided to put this idea to the test. One night, while performing burpees in the hospital hallway, a nurse walked in unexpectedly. On impulse, I tried to hide behind a supply cart, but I wasn't fast enough. The nurse saw me.
"Young Miller! What are you doing?" she asked, her voice full of surprise.
In an attempt to extricate myself from the situation, I quickly replied, "Just...a breathing exercise, nurse."
She looked at me suspiciously, and in that instant, I felt the system react.
Active penalty: -10 on favorability with those you come in contact with for 5 minutes.
The nurse left, frowning, and just at that moment, the doctor who was attending me entered the room. He was a robust man, with a rather serious attitude. At that instant, the bad luck kicked in.
"Mr. Miller, it looks like you've been doing more than just resting," he said with a disapproving tone. "You need to recover properly, not strain your body."
The tension in the air was palpable. The nurse had informed the doctor about my little "incident." The doctor's disapproving look made me feel like I was on some sort of trial. Not only had I lost favorability with the nurse, but I was now in the doctor's crosshairs.
Current favorability: 55 (Friendliness) → 45 (Neutral).
"I'm sorry, I was just trying to stay active," I said, trying hard to sound convincing.
"I must insist that you follow medical advice. I don't want you to suffer a relapse by trying to exercise unsupervised," the doctor replied, crossing his arms.
His attitude annoyed me. Every word out of his mouth seemed as if every attempt he made was in vain. At that moment, the system showed me a new picture flashing in my vision.
During that time you'd better pay attention.
"Roger that, system," I muttered to myself, feeling the weight of the situation.
Not only had I failed my mission, but now I was facing a doctor who clearly did not hold me in high esteem. The sense of frustration grew in me. The combination of the penalty and the doctor's attitude was a toxic mix.
As the doctor walked away, leaving an uneasy feeling in the air.
I decided that, instead of letting this discourage me, I would use this experience as motivation. I needed to focus on my missions and possibly make up for the bad impression I had left. I needed to plan my next mission more carefully.