The sun rose far too early, to me who was still reeling in the ache from yesterday's torture.
Every muscle in my body screamed for mercy, but the system didn't care. Its cold screen greeted me like a relentless debt collector.
[Daily Tasks Generated.]
[Run 5 kilometers
Perform 100 pushups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats
Sword practice: 3 hours
Meditate: 1 hour]
No adjustments? No pity? I asked hoping to receive a response from who knows who.
Just pure, raw cruelty.
I groaned, forcing myself upright from my "3" by "6" bed in my little apartment like room. My arms felt like noodles. My legs like bricks. But there was no choice.
If I don't complete the tasks, I get weaker. Simple as that. What a cruel fate that is.
Somewhere deep inside, anger simmered like a volcano on the verge of erupting. It was so intense and crazy but all I could do was sit there and feel unjustified anger that I can't control.
I said to the system, knowing it won't respond
"Fine. If you're going to make me suffer, I'll suffer. But I won't quit."
The City of Eldra
I dragged my sore body into town, hoping to learn more about this world.
Eldra was vibrant and beautiful, a city built on glowing crystal roads, towering spires, floating airships, and bustling markets filled with strange creatures and powerful adventurers and merchants going about their business as usual.
"Enchanted magic sword available at low cost" said a middle aged merchant with hollow eyes that was a testament of many sleepless nights.
Many other merchants hawked their goods in the busy streets of Eldora.
A very glaring truth is that everyone had a system here and everyone flaunted it. Unlike my system, a lot of their systems follow the usual tropes; overpowered and cheat like skills from the go.
I overheard conversations as I walked through the street of Eldora:
"Did you hear? Marcus hit Rank C already. His system gifted him Elemental Swordsmanship Lv. 5."
"Tch. My system gave me Healing Aura right after awakening."
"Poor bottom feeders. Imagine having to actually work for your power." They snickered.
Their words stung like a bee.
Sadly, I was one of those bottom feeders. I continued my casual strolling.
The Ranking System
A large glowing board stood in the center of the plaza: The Adventurer Ranking Board.
This displayed names, classes, and ranks in Eldora.
The ranking system for the adventurers goes like this;
S-Rank: Supreme Guardians
A-Rank: Elite Masters
B-Rank: Advanced Warriors
C-Rank: Skilled Adventurers
D-Rank: Beginners
F-Rank: Bottom Feeders
At the very bottom of the list, a special category:
F-: Unranked / System-Defective
My name was there and it looked sickening to see my name on that list. Another reminder about my miserable existence.
Lian Carter F- (Foundation Protocol)
Some adventurers glanced at me, whispering.
"Look, another Foundation Protocol case."
"Poor guy. Might as well give up now."
"Yeah, no one's ever advanced with that trash system."
The shame weighed heavier than my aching muscles. I really do understand the saying 'let the ground open up and swallow me'
The Unexpected Ally
As I sat on a nearby bench, catching my breath, a voice called out.
"Hey. You're the new Foundation Protocol, aren't you?"
I looked up, expecting mockery.
Instead, I saw a girl around my age. Sharp amber eyes. Short-cropped black hair streaked with little blue strands. A training uniform clung to her athletic frame that looks as though they are about to burst open.
She extended a hand.
"Name's Lyra. Foundation Protocol. Class of last year."
"Wait there are others?" I asked in disbelief
"You… you have the same system?" I asked again in dumbfounded disbelief.
It was hard to believe others have the same system as I do.
She smiled.
"Yep. Been on it for a year. Still alive, still climbing."
I blinked in disbelief.
She made it through a year?
Lyra nodded toward the training grounds nearby.
And said
"You look like you're struggling. Come train with me. I'll teach you how to survive the grind."
I hesitated. My pride flared for a moment but reality was heavier than ego.
I had to choose between my ego or a chance at survival. I reluctantly replied
"Deal."
The First Lesson
Under Lyra's watchful eye, I began again.
We have been at this for the last 20 minutes. She has been training me to complete my daily protocols.
She corrected my terrible pushup form. Showing me the correct form to use to conserve strength.
Taught me breathing techniques to recover faster.
Showed me how to swing the sword properly without wasting energy.
By sunset, I was exhausted but this time, something was different.
I had actually finished my daily training for the first time since I awakened the system.
As if to congratulate me, the system interface blinked with it's usual beige transparent interface.
[Daily Tasks Completed: 100%]
[Attribute Growth: Strength +0.3 | Endurance +0.2 | Vitality +0.2]
[System Response: Acceptable. Progress logged.]
It worked.
For the first time since I arrived in this world, I smiled. A genuine smile having achieved something that I thought was impossible.
Progress. Although little.
'Progress was still progress'. I told myself
Lyra clapped me on the shoulder. A proud smile on her pretty almond shaped face.
She definitely looked proud of her mentorship showing result.
"You'll still suffer every day, Lian. But if you stick with it… you'll climb." She said.
I looked at her skeptical at first but seeing as I completed the daily tasks with her help.
And for the first time, I believed her.
We left the training ground after I got myself after the grueling training.
As we were strolling through the scenic view of Eldora, I couldn't help but glance at her occasionally.
She looked a little tense, probably from experiences with having a system scorned upon in the world, which is as useless as having no system to those with cheat like systems.
I wanted to ask how she was feeling and maybe share her experience with me but seeing as she seems lost in thought.
I gave up and focused on my on thought.
'Let's get grinding'