Anirban's body was sore. The accident had taken a toll on him, but even so, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was different. He had barely managed to finish his classes that day; his mind kept drifting back to the strange system he'd seen earlier. The one that had appeared right after his head injury.
After school, he walked home slower than usual. His arms ached from the accident, but he couldn't ignore the sensation that something inside him had shifted. His thoughts kept going back to the system's window — his status, and the quest that had come with it.
He had been given a chance. The chance to become stronger.
When he reached his room, he sat down and closed his eyes, trying to concentrate. He had to see if it was still there. And sure enough, just like before, a floating window appeared in front of his vision.
---
[System]
Status: Anirban Roy
Health: 45/100
Strength: 4
Endurance: 3
Intelligence: 4
Charisma: 5
Luck: 2
---
His heart raced. Everything was still the same. But then, another window popped up below his status.
---
[System]
Quest 1: Awakening
Objective: Complete basic physical training.
Task: Run 2 km, do 20 push-ups, and 20 sit-ups.
Reward: 10 XP, +2 Strength, +1 Endurance.
---
This was it. The first real challenge.
Anirban didn't know why, but he felt a surge of excitement. For the first time, something was offering him a way to break free from the monotony of his life. To be stronger. To stand out. He wasn't sure how he would do it, but he knew he had to try.
---
The clock ticked on, and as evening came, Anirban gathered himself. His arms were still sore from the accident, but he couldn't let that stop him. He had a quest to complete. A test of his strength, however small it might be.
Anirban slipped on his sneakers and stepped outside, his body stiff but determined. The air was cool, and the sky had a faint orange glow from the setting sun. He started with the run, pushing his legs to move faster. His chest burned, but he kept going.
He was panting heavily by the time he reached the 1 km mark. But he wasn't going to stop. Not now.
At the 2 km mark, his legs felt like lead. Every step was an effort, but somehow, he forced himself to finish. His breath was ragged as he slowed to a stop, sweat dripping down his face.
---
[System]
Quest Progress:
Run: 2/2 km
---
He wiped the sweat from his brow, a small sense of accomplishment creeping in. But now came the harder part — the push-ups. His arms were still sore from the accident. He hadn't even done 10 push-ups in years, let alone 20. But he had to try.
He dropped to the ground, setting his hands on the floor, and attempted his first push-up. It was slow and painful, but he pushed through the first one.
---
[System]
Quest Progress:
Push-ups: 1/20
---
He paused for a second to catch his breath, but the soreness in his arms only made it worse. His muscles screamed for rest, his arms were trembling and there was not strength left to do more but he refused to stop.
One more. He pushed himself up again, slower this time, his arms trembling.
---
[System]
Quest Progress:
Push-ups: 2/20
---
By the time he reached 5, he could feel the strain on his body. His arms felt heavy, like they were made of stone, and every muscle in his body seemed to protest. He knew he had to keep going if he wanted to complete the quest. But with each push-up, his movements grew more sluggish, his body weaker.
He collapsed onto the ground after reaching 10, breathing heavily, unable to lift himself again. The pain in his arms was unbearable, and he lay there for a while, trying to catch his breath.
---
[System Notification:]
Quest Failed
Penalty:
Strength -1
Endurance -2
---
Anirban groaned as he saw the notification. Strength -1, Endurance -2. His heart sank. He hadn't completed the quest, and now his stats had been permanently reduced. He'd hoped the system would be merciful, but it seemed there were no shortcuts in this world.
He sat up slowly, rubbing his sore arms. He could feel the frustration bubbling inside him. He had failed. But that didn't mean he would give up.
"I'll do it tomorrow," he muttered to himself. "Next time, I won't fail."
The system had given him a penalty, but it had also shown him the path. He had failed, but now he knew what he needed to do. His body wasn't ready, but he could feel the potential within himself. He would train harder.
---
As Anirban lay in bed that night, the soreness in his muscles was unbearable. But something inside him had changed. He couldn't go back to his ordinary life. Not anymore. The system had opened a door for him, and he wasn't about to let it close. He would keep pushing, keep training, and one day, he would become strong enough to uncover the secrets of the superhumans that hid among them.
And when that day came, he would be ready.
---
To be continued...
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