Aldrich glanced at his system display. 8:15 p.m. flashed in the corner like a taunting reminder of time slipping away. He sighed. The 50-kilometer run loomed on his daily quest list like an unwelcome guest.
"Yeah, no way I'm pulling that off in here unless I suddenly develop hamster tendencies," he muttered, imagining himself spinning endlessly in a giant wheel.
He side-eyed the narrow confines of his room, where every movement risked knocking over a precariously stacked pile of books or his favorite lamp.
The very thought of trying made him snicker—he'd probably end up turning his room into a battlefield of toppled furniture and broken knickknacks. he muttered, side-eyeing his cramped room.
His parents would probably rush over here if they heard him pounding around like a deranged gazelle.
He shook his head and cracked his knuckles. "Alright, Plan B. Push-ups first."
Dropping into a textbook-perfect push-up form, he appreciated his enhanced physique.
The transformation was astounding—what once was a '7 year old's' , even though he is 2 years old, frame now boasted chiseled muscles that flexed with ease and precision.
His broad shoulders and defined arms looked like they belonged to a warrior sculpted from marble, and even the faint contours of his abs hinted at strength honed by relentless effort and growth.
He moved with the kind of fluid confidence that came only from knowing his body was no longer a limitation but a weapon.
A few hours ago, his short and stubby arms couldn't support a paperback novel, let alone his body weight. Now, with a frame that grazed six feet and muscles that belonged in a fitness magazine, he could probably bench-press a small car.
"1, 2, 3…" His counting turned into a rhythmic hum. His body moved like a well-oiled machine, barely breaking a sweat. By the time he reached 1,000, only a faint sheen of perspiration clung to his skin, catching the dim light.
He stood up, flexed his fingers, and inspected his arms. "I swear, I've hit Captain America levels of swole. Steve Rogers, eat your heart out."
Next, he tackled squats. Each movement was precise, his form impeccable. His thighs powered through the set like hydraulic pistons, and by the end, his heart rate had only risen slightly.
"I can do this all day," he declared, copying that Hero with the American shield, smirking as he puffed out his chest and struck an exaggerated heroic pose.
Internally, he couldn't help but marvel, pun intended, at himself—he'd gone from struggling to carry groceries to feeling like a demigod after leg day.
His confidence surged, a blend of pride and the faint, nagging thought that he might be underestimating what came next.
"Though I'm saving the 50K for later. Running circles in my room might inspire some abstract art, but it'll also break my floor."
He opened his Quest tab to confirm his progress.
DAILY QUEST
1,000 PUSH-UPS: ✔1,000 SQUATS: ✔50 KM RUN: Pending
"Now for the fun part," he said, rubbing his hands together like a villain about to unveil their evil plan. Two lottery tickets shimmered in his inventory, practically begging to be used.
Dropping to his knees, he clasped his hands in mock prayer. "Oh, mighty RNG gods, hear my desperate plea! Shower me with blessings—or at least, don't curse me with trash loot. I promise to dedicate my next level-up to your divine randomness!"
He pressed the first ticket.
DING!
YOU MAY NOW SELECT ONE PRIZE:
Wooden Shield (Item)Refillable Potion (Item, Container)Spectral Overdrive (Spell, Permanent)2,000 Experience PointsDefiant Echo (Skill, Permanent)
He leaned closer, squinting at the list as if the prizes might morph into something better if he stared long enough.
Defiant Echo
"Even in silence, his will roars louder than war drums."
Type: Passive
Effect: Upon death, your soul lingers for 6 seconds. During this time, you cannot be healed or revived, but your movement and attack speed are massively increased, and your attacks deal pure damage. Enemies killed during this state grant no experience, but generate echoes that reduce your death timer.
"Hmm, Defiant Echo, nope. Not planning to die anytime soon. Wooden Shield? Pass. I'm not here to cosplay as a walking turtle. Potion? Cute, but I'm not planning a career in alchemy. Also, the experience points, it's a lot but Now, Spectral Overdrive…" He tapped his chin thoughtfully.
Spectral Overdrive
"There are no walls for those who've already crossed the veil."
Type: Active
Cooldown: 300 seconds
Duration: 30 seconds
Effect:
Unleash the spirit within. Increases Agility by 300% for 30 seconds and allows the user to Spectral Overdrive through physical obstacles (walls, barriers, and terrain). While active, movement leaves behind ghostly echoes, and enemies within close proximity experience mild disorientation (-10% accuracy).
"Speed boost and obstacle-phasing plus the perverted note on it? That's like a cheat code for escaping and peeping. Sold!"
With a decisive tap, he chose the spell. The description popped up, and his grin widened.
Congratulations on acquiring "Spectral Overdrive" (Spell, Permanent)
He jumped up in excitement—only to slam his head into the ceiling.
THUD!
"Gods above!" He staggered back, clutching his head. "Why is my ceiling so low? Or is my strength too high? Either way, the ceiling's lucky I didn't break through it."
Rubbing the sore spot, he sat down and used the second ticket.
DING!
YOU MAY NOW SELECT ONE PRIZE:
Boots (Item)Kindlebeast (Bestowable, Companion)Teleport 1x (Spell, Consumable)Random ShardVertex Fang (Recipe)
His eyes immediately locked onto the Kindlebeast option.
Kindlebeast
Description:
A young creature wreathed in elemental fire, the Kindlebeast is a feral companion born from embers and instinct. Though small in size, its blazing spirit belies a powerful magical bond with its master.
"A pet? Are you serious? That's both adorable and badass," he said, biting his lip. "But… does it help me escape? No. Focus, Aldrich. The mission comes first."
He scanned the other options, mumbling under his breath. "Teleport? I'd probably end up stuck in a wall. Boots? I'm not here to join a fashion show. And Vertex Fang… as much as I'd love a shiny new recipe, I don't have the materials nor the experience to craft that."
His gaze drifted back to the Kindlebeast. "But come on. Look at it. It's a healer, a combatant, and a companion all in one. How can I say no to that?"
He tapped the choice, and the description appeared.
Kindlebeast
Description:
A young creature wreathed in elemental fire, the Kindlebeast is a feral companion born from embers and instinct. Though small in size, its blazing spirit belies a powerful magical bond with its master.
Effect:
Grants the Kindlebeast (Class) to a desired companion.
While in the wilderness:
Gain bonus mana regeneration (+10 mana/second).
Pet Attacks:
Your pet will automatically attack monsters targeting you once per second, dealing:
10 + 1 (Strength) + 1 (Intelligence) + 2 (Vitality) as magic damage.
Healing:
While the pet is attacking, the user regenerates 20 HP/second.
Aldrich's jaw dropped. "This isn't a pet—it's a walking cheat code!"
He slapped his knees and laughed. "It heals, fights, and scales with my stats? I'll take two, thanks."
Satisfied with his choices, he checked the clock. It was nearing 10 p.m.
Grabbing his wooden greatsword, he wrapped a blanket around his waist like a makeshift cloak, as if donning the mantle of a legendary hero about to embark on a perilous quest. It wasn't just for warmth; the gesture filled him with a sense of resolve, transforming his mundane attire into a symbol of readiness for whatever challenges lay ahead.
Pacing around the room, he glanced at the ceiling, the door, and his system display, his thoughts a swirling mix of excitement and trepidation.
"Alright, Aldrich. Two hours to go. You've got the spells, the strength, and now… the Kindlebeast. Tonight, you make history—or at least, you break out of this room without face-planting. Let's do this."
His voice was steady, but his heart raced. The stakes were high, and the night had only just begun.