The sun filtered through the bedroom curtains as Jean stirred. It was a new day. Quiet. Almost peaceful—if not for the buzzing sound of the system. He looked tiredly at the UI—which seemed to act like an alarm clock.
Jean sighed. "Why. Just why do you have to make my life so uncomfortable? I got a second chance at life—let me live it in peace, I beg of you."
{DING}
Sigh... Why did I want this in the first place.
[Daily Quest]
Push-ups: 1000
Sit-ups: 1000
Squats: 1000
Breathing Exercise: 100 min
Intensive Combat Training: 240 min
Going through it, *Doable* Jean thought.
{With 3× gravity} Adrian added.
*Okay. Now that's just mean.*
"If you're trying to kill me, just say it—stop beating around the bush" Jean said with a glare.
{Now, now. I'm just pushing you to your destiny,} Adrian replied. {Do you only see me as a punisher?} he asked, his tone hurt.
"Yes, I do. Because if you ain't a punisher in my life—quit tormenting me. Just go away."
{No can do} Adrian replied plainly. {Best get into the time dilation chamber and complete this quickly.}
"Alright." Jean muttered.
SWISH
In an instant, Jean's vision blurred like he was underwater—and in the next, it was all gone—a familiar white plain greeting his view.
---
Haa... Haa...
"Haa... Haa... That was really rough," Jean said, panting hard, laying on the floor. Then a warm sensation washed over him—making him feel refreshed.
"Quest status."
[Daily Quest]
Push-ups: 1000/1000
Sit-ups: 1000/1000
Squats: 1000/1000
Breathing Exercise: 0/100 min
Intensive Combat Training: 0/240 min
"Breathing exercise," Jean muttered. "Hey. How do I go about this breathing thing?" Jean asked curiously—because this is different from before—though he does remember a reward from the system about a breathing something, something, something. He doesn't remember much of it.
{Follow a particular pattern of breathing while moving to gain better control of your body, keep a clear and stable mind. And to also increase your breathing capacity.}
Jean looked confused for a moment, before something clicked. "Oh. Like Demon Slayer."
{Good, you're not as stupid as I thought,} Adrian said bluntly.
"Says a retard." Jean scoffed.
{Oh. Nice comeback,} Adrian said, his tone approving. {See? You're learning great things from me—something school can't teach you,} he added proudly.
Jean stared blankly, wondering how he ended up with someone like this.
*And who the f** created this dude—was he sick in the head or something?*
"Bring out the dummy then, let's kill two birds with one stone," Jean said, standing up.
"Well... What do you suggest I do then?"
Jean nodded and began immediately—not wanting to waste any more time in here.
---
Huuu~
Are you sure I can pull this off—'cause I don't think it's possible.
{Are you doubting me?}
"No, I'm not... But you saying this makes me wonder—it could possibly be your way of making fun of me," Jean said, his expression accusing.
Lazily, Adrian replied, {Well, it's your loss.}
Jean's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean by that?"
{No clue.}
SHING~
Light burst forth in the center of the room.
Jean covered his eyes, gritting his teeth. "This motherf*** wants to blind me." When everything calmed down, he saw—the training dummy in the form of Mira.
Looking at her, "How do I handle her, with the gravity increased?"
The last time he got his ass handed to him—and that was without gravity in play.
{Well, Jean, you have to be better this time—you won't be leaving if you don't beat her.} Adrian said.
Huu... Let's see how it goes.
---
The floor cracked beneath Jean's feet as he skidded to a halt, breath sharp and heavy. Across the empty training dome, a red-haired girl stood poised—fox-like eyes glowing, her claws glinting under the overhead lights. Mira (dummy) tilted her head, lips curved into a faint smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Again," she said coldly, her voice sharp like frost on metal.
BOOM—!
She vanished.
Jean barely had time to blink before her knee struck his ribs.
CRACK!
He grunted, flying back into the wall. Dust rained down as concrete splintered from the impact.
"Umph!" He slid down, wincing. She's fast. Way faster than before.
The dummy moved like a storm—each step a whisper, each slash a gale. She darted in again, her claws extended like blades. Jean ducked, blocked with his forearm, only for her to spin.
THWACK!
A roundhouse kick crashed into his temple. He stumbled sideways.
SWISH!
Her claws ripped through the air with a chilling sharpness, missing him by inches.
Jean clenched his fists. His body buzzed, his muscles screaming for action.
"Alright," he growled, spitting blood. "Let's turn up the tempo."
BOOM!
Jean launched forward. No style, no finesse—just raw power. He led with a knee, followed by a flurry of elbows and a rising karate chop.
BAM! BAM! SMACK!
The dummy weaved through them like flowing water, her rhythm precise, footwork graceful.
TAP-TAP-SWISH!
She moved like a trained dancer, every motion rehearsed, clean, lethal.
Jean's palm strike connected.
CRACK!
But she absorbed the blow and twisted, using his momentum to flip him onto the ground.
BOOM!
Dust flew as Jean landed hard.
"You're strong," she said, eyes narrowing, "but you're wild. Unrefined."
Jean grinned. "Well, didn't get much training."
He twisted his hips and exploded upward—a direct MMA takedown attempt. She leapt backward, but Jean anticipated it this time. WHAM! He caught her ankle and slammed her back into the ground.
BOOOOM!
The entire floor dented beneath them.
But Jean's expression was anything but celebratory.
SWISH!
His ears twitched. Tilting his head to the left—a slender hand appeared in its place. But he wasn't appreciating its beauty—he was sweating from the danger he was in.