Morning came faster than expected.
"Ujjwal! Get up!"
"I'm up…" I groaned, not moving at all.
My body felt… off.
Not exactly tired, but not fresh either.
Like I had used too much—my brain, my body… everything.
"…So that warning wasn't a joke."
[Daily Quest Available][Run 1.5 km][Reward: +1 Endurance, +1 Vitality][Penalty: Increased Fatigue]
I stared at it.
"…1.5 km? Yesterday was 1."
[Host Condition: Overweight (88 kg)][Recommendation: Increase physical activity]
"…You really don't hold back."
I sighed.
"Fine. Later."
College felt the same as always.
Same noise.Same chaos.Same boring lectures.
"UJJWAL!"
I didn't even turn.
"…Morning, Beast."
James dropped beside me instantly. "Don't call me that in public, idiot!"
"Then stop acting like one."
"Wow. Betrayal."
"What did you even do?"
"…I exist."
"…Exactly."
We walked into class.
Everything looked normal.
But I wasn't.
"Oi…" Beast squinted at me. "Why do you look different?"
"…Different how?"
"Less useless."
I smirked. "Maybe I decided to study."
He leaned back slowly.
"…I don't trust this version of you."
"Good."
Class started.
The teacher wrote a problem on the board.
Normally, I'd avoid eye contact.
Today—
I already knew the answer.
"Anyone wants to try?"
My hand raised before I could stop it.
"…Sir."
The class went quiet.
Even I was surprised.
I walked up.
Solved it.
Step by step.
Fast.
Clean.
Correct.
"Good," the teacher nodded.
Murmurs spread across the room.
As I returned—
I felt it.
A gaze.
I looked up slightly.
Two rows ahead—
A girl.
Calm.
Focused.
Watching.
Our eyes met for a second.
Then she looked away.
"…Who?"
Beast leaned in.
"Don't tell me you finally noticed Kanisha."
"…Kanishka?"
"Topper. Smart. Quiet. Not for you."
"…Thanks."
"I'm helping."
"…By insulting me?"
"Exactly."
After college—
Reality hit.
Running.
I stood on the road, staring ahead like it was my enemy.
"…I really don't want to do this."
[Reminder: Penalty will be applied if failed.]
"…I hate this system."
Five minutes later—
"I REGRET EVERYTHING—!"
My lungs burned.
My legs screamed.
My entire body felt like collapsing.
"Why is this so hard?!"
People stared.
I didn't care.
"Just… finish…"
"UJJWAL?!"
I froze.
Slowly turned.
"…Of course."
Beast stood there, holding a cold drink.
Then—
He burst out laughing.
"HAHAHA! YOU?! RUNNING?!"
"…Say one more word."
"This is history! The day Ujjwal moved faster than walking speed!"
"…I'm leaving."
"NO! RUN! I WANT TO SEE THIS!"
"…I hate you."
Somehow—
I finished.
Barely.
I collapsed onto a bench, gasping.
"…I saw my past life."
Beast sat beside me, still laughing.
"You run like a broken tractor."
"…Beast."
"Yeah?"
"I hope you fail your next exam."
"…Too far."
[Daily Quest Completed][Endurance +1][Vitality +1]
Warmth spread through my body.
The exhaustion eased slightly.
Not gone—
But manageable.
Beast blinked.
"…Wait."
"What?"
"You look… better."
"…It's called improvement."
"…No, this is weird."
That night—
I sat at my desk again.
Books open.
Mind sharp.
Body sore—but stronger.
"…This might actually work."
[Hidden Condition Progress: 5%]
"…It increased?"
I frowned.
"It was 3 before…"
The screen flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
A new line appeared.
[Monitoring Host…]
"…Monitoring?"
My grip tightened.
"Since when?"
The light dimmed slightly.
The room felt quieter.
Too quiet.
I slowly looked around.
Nothing.
Everything normal.
"…Right?"
The screen glitched—
just for a second.
[Do not stop…]
"…What?"
I leaned closer.
"Do not stop what?"
No response.
Behind me—
the fan creaked.
Slow.
Uneven.
I turned.
For a moment—
I thought it had stopped.
Chapter Ends