It was a Saturday afternoon, the sky painted with warm shades of orange as the sun began to set. Arin, Lyra, and Kai were on their way back from the park after a tiring day of play. Mira and Raghav walked a little behind, carrying snacks and chatting happily with Lyra's parents.
The path home was familiar, a straight stretch of road lined with small shops and a narrow crossing ahead.
Arin was walking beside Lyra, laughing as she told him about a silly story she had read in class. For a moment, everything felt peaceful, almost perfect.
Then—
BEEP! BEEP!
The sharp blare of a horn shattered the air.
Arin's head snapped toward the crossing. A delivery truck was speeding down the road, swerving as if the driver had lost control. And right in its path was a little boy chasing after a ball.
Time seemed to freeze.
The boy's parents screamed, frozen in horror. Lyra gasped, clutching Arin's arm. Raghav dropped the bag in his hands, his face pale.
The truck was too close. There wasn't enough time.
Arin's mind raced. His body moved before he could think.
Run.
His legs pounded against the ground. The world blurred around him as adrenaline surged through his veins. The truck roared closer, the child unaware of the danger.
"Move!" Arin shouted, his voice breaking.
But the boy was frozen in fear.
Arin lunged forward, his arms wrapping around the child just as the truck's shadow swallowed them. With all his strength, he threw himself sideways, rolling onto the pavement with the girl clutched tightly in his arms.
The truck thundered past, missing them by mere inches before screeching to a stop further down the road.
Pain shot through Arin's body. His knees and elbows burned where they scraped the rough ground. His chest heaved as he gasped for air, clutching the girl who was now crying loudly against him.
"Arin!" Mira's voice cracked as she rushed over, dropping to her knees beside him. She pulled him into a trembling embrace, tears welling in her eyes. "Are you hurt?!"
Raghav's hands shook as he checked his son over, his cheerful face twisted in fear. Lyra was crying, holding onto her mother's hand while Kai stood nearby, fists clenched, his jaw tight.
Arin tried to speak, but before he could—
[Ding!]
The system's voice rang in his mind.
Your actions have surpassed your current limits.Hard Work has responded to your determination.Skill Evolving…
Arin's eyes widened as a golden glow flickered deep within his soul.
[Hard Work has advanced to: Advanced.]
For a moment, he forgot the pain, the fear, everything. He felt something shift inside him—a power born not just from training, but from throwing himself into a moment where giving up was never an option.
The foundation of his system had changed again.
And he knew, instinctively, that something new had awakened.
But what exactly had Hard Work unlocked this time?
That answer would come soon.
For now, Arin held onto Mira tightly, his voice soft but steady."I'm okay, Mom… I promise."