Anirban groaned as he tried to raise his arms.
His biceps screamed. His shoulders throbbed. His legs felt like jelly every time he stood up. Every little movement reminded him of yesterday's quest.
It was just basic strength training, or so he thought —
30 push-ups, 30 sit-ups, 30 squats, and a 10-minute jog.
Simple.
But for a guy like him who barely walked fast, it was hell.
He managed the first 20 push-ups, then dropped like a pancake. The rest took him an hour. And by the time he finished the last squat, he was crawling to bed.
He didn't complete it within the system's implied time.
He opened his eyes the next morning hoping it wouldn't matter.
But the system didn't care.
---
[Quest Incomplete]
Strength Training: Basic Routine
Time expired.
Penalty Applied: -1 Endurance
Updated Stats:
Endurance: 1
---
"Ugh... screw you," he muttered, lying flat on his bed.
The soreness was real. His body wasn't used to this.
He looked at his arms. Thin. Weak. His legs didn't even feel like his anymore. And yet, he didn't feel discouraged.
In fact, he was kind of... excited.
Because the system wasn't coddling him. It was treating him seriously — like someone who could become strong, not someone who already was.
And that made it real.
He sat up slowly and checked his status window again.
---
[System Status – Anirban Roy]
Level: 1
XP: 32/100
Strength: 3
Endurance: 1
Intelligence: 4
Charisma: 5
Luck: 2
---
"Okay," he muttered, "no more skipping."
He limped toward the bathroom, splashed his face, and stared into the mirror.
His reflection didn't look any different. Still the same messy hair, the slightly baggy eyes, the average face.
But now... there was a spark in his gaze. Like he had a secret. A goal.
And he did.
He was going to find more of those superhumans.
Not to team up with them. Not to make friends.
To watch them. To study them.
And one day... show them just how terrifying someone beneath the ordinary could be.
His hand reached toward the floating system screen again. A new quest had popped up.
---
[New Quest Available]
Recovery Training – Light Movement
Details: Light stretches and 15-minute walk to regain flexibility
Rewards: +5 XP
No penalty on failure
---
He smiled.
"Alright, I'll do it. Just… don't expect me to run today."
He grabbed his old hoodie, slipped on a pair of sandals, and stepped outside. The sun was bright but not harsh. The streets had the usual weekend calmness. He walked, slowly, feeling the pull in his muscles with every step.
But he didn't complain.
Every bit of soreness was proof he wasn't standing still.
And while the world believed he was just a regular schoolboy—
He knew.
He was training.
---
To be continued…