97...
98...
99...
Kinito was drenched in sweat, shirtless, steam rising off his body like he was a badly boiled dumpling. But the pushups? Still going.
It should've been a sexy scene—six-pack abs, glistening muscles, the whole deal.
But no.
It looked more like a half-melted stick figure trying not to die.
100.
He collapsed onto the sand, chest heaving like it was about to explode.
Huff...
Huff...
"System... if you didn't like me, you could've just said so. Why are you torturing me?"
[HOST, IT IS NECESSARY TO STRENGTHEN YOUR BODY.]
[HOWEVER, IF MOTIVATION IS NEEDED, I CAN PROVIDE SOME.]
"…What?"
[GAMBARE GAMBARE SENPAI]
[GAMBARE GAMBARE SENPAI 🎵]
"Shut up."
[APOLOGIES, HOST. BASED ON YOUR PAST LIFE, I ASSUMED THIS WOULD BE EFFECTIVE.]
[NOW, PLEASE BEGIN YOUR 5-KILOMETER RUN.]
[GAMBARE—]
As the system bullied Kinito with anime chants, Aqua lounged nearby on a beach chair, sipping coconut juice through a straw. She wore sunglasses like she was on vacation. Which, technically, she was.
Kinito shot her a look.
"Why am I the only one working out while my wifey is out here looking cute?"
[COME ON, HOST. JUST 4 KM LEFT.]
[GAMBARE GAMBARE SENPAI 🎶]
"Shut it..."
And so, Kinito ran. Like his life depended on it.
A few hours later—
PROGRESS: 4.9 KM
He took his last step... and collapsed. Again.
"This workout reminds me of that show from Earth... 'Duel Leveling' or something. If I don't end up hot and overpowered after this, I'm suing."
[CONGRATULATIONS, HOST, FOR COMPLETING THE WORKOUT TASK.]
"Damn you, System... If I knew I'd get isekai'd, I would've at least joined track in my past life."
[REWARD: 100 COINS]
"100 coins?! I almost died, you know!"
[THAT'S NOT MY FAULT. HOST SPENT HIS PAST LIFE GOONING.]
"…Okay, ouch. You didn't have to say it like that."
"So what's left?"
[ONLY REPAIR AND CLEANING TASKS REMAIN.]
"Cleaning? What do you me—"
He froze mid-sentence.
The throne room was a disaster: naked raid members scattered like corpses, coconut shells littering the floor, and roasted crabs crackling under beams of sunlight. Aqua had clearly been... busy.
Kinito stared, horrified. "Do I really have to clean this...?"
[GAMBARE GAMBARE SENPAI – REMIX MODE ACTIVATED]
Kinito began to cry.
"This is so unfair."
**********
[CONGRATULATIONS, HOST, FOR COMPLETING ANOTHER TASK]
REWARD: 200 COINS
Kinito stared at his inventory, lost in thought.
"I got 100 coins for defeating that raid party, 100 for the workout, 200 for cleaning, and 300 for selling their clothes.
That's... 700 coins in total."
"Repairing the dungeon costs 200 coins, and upgrading it costs 400... So I've got enough for both."
"Hey, System. Do I get any bonus for upgrading the dungeon?"
[YES. UPGRADING THE DUNGEON COUNTS AS A MAIN TASK.]
"Alright. Use 200 coins to repair the dungeon."
Puff.
The coins vanished. The dungeon instantly repaired itself, looking brand new.
"Ouch... It hurts watching my hard-earned money disappear like that."
"Now, upgrade it."
Suddenly, the whole dungeon was engulfed in a bright white glow.
Shaa...
"Huh...?"
"What...?"
"Nothing's changed, you bastard."
[WAIT, HOST. CHANGES WILL APPEAR SOON.]
The dungeon started shaking—and then:
[CONGRATULATIONS, HOST. YOUR DUNGEON HAS LEVELED UP TO 2.]
REWARD: 2000 COINS
RESTING ROOM EXPANDED
TRAINING ROOM UNLOCKED
[HOST POWER LEVEL HAS INCREASED TO SOLDIER LEVEL.]
"Hell yeah! I'm not weak anymore!"
[BUT HOST—'SOLDIER' IS THE WEAKEST LEVEL.]
"Shut up, System. Let me enjoy this for once."
Kinito's expression turned serious, his dumb face suddenly radiating the energy of a war general.
He exhaled deeply. "System... I'm not playing this game anymore. I am the dungeon. The dungeon is me.
This place is my home. I've got to protect it."
[THAT'S RIGHT, HOST. I'M SO GLAD YOU UNDERSTAND. SYSTEM IS PROUD OF YOU – DRAMATIC TEARY EYES]
"Now show me the shop. I need to beef up defenses. Aqua can't protect the dungeon forever."
Moments later…
[MOBS HAVE BEEN PURCHASED. THANK YOU FOR THE TRANSACTION, HOST.]
"Damn you, System. Why are mobs so expensive?"
[IT'S NOT THAT THE MOBS ARE EXPENSIVE. HOST IS POOR.]
"Can't you sugarcoat things even a little?"
"I just spent 1800 coins," Kinito thought to himself.
He'd bought:
3 Crab Soldiers for 600
2 Jellyfish Bubble Shooters for 1000
2 Sand Traps for 200
"If this was the old me, I'd have used all of this on Aqua... But I'm a dungeon boss now. I need to be responsible."
He stood tall and shouted, "Mobs, gather up!"
His tone was commanding.
"Listen to me! I am your master—Kinito! This dungeon is your home, your pride, your honor. You must protect it from those evil humans!"
The mobs all raised their hands, full of excitement.
"Are you with me to fight them!?"
Hands raised.
"Are you with me to defeat them!?"
Raised again.
"Let's make Aqua Land great again!"
...Why do I feel like a certain political enthusiast...?
Hands still raised.
"My lord," a voice interrupted the flow , her tone suddenly solemn.
Kinito grinned like an idiot. "Yes...!"
He turned to Aqua.
"I'm out of coconut juice. Can you get me more?"
Aggressive nod.
"Anything for my wifey..."
[HOST IS HOPELESS.]
All the mobs looked at Kinito with a helpless, disappointed gaze—
As if silently begging for their hope, their fire, and their purpose back.
Far from the chaos—on the first floor.
A dungeon unlike any other. Towering spires scraped the sky, their shadows casting patterns over streets paved with glittering gold coins. Dragons soared through the air above, their roars echoing across the vast expanse. Calling it a dungeon was a gross understatement—it was a realm unto itself, as vast as a country.
Step... step...
Footsteps echoed through the corridor. A figure sprinted down the hallway, breathing steady, movements swift and precise. Armor clung to his body, crafted to resemble a dragon—scaled, fierce, and imposing.
He came to a sudden halt before a colossal door.
With a deep breath, he pushed it open.
Beyond lay the throne room.
At its center sat a man—long crimson hair flowing past his shoulders, golden reptilian eyes gleaming beneath a crown forged from bones. His presence radiated power, ancient and unshakable.
The armored figure dropped to one knee.
"My lord," he said, his voice steady but urgent. "He has awakened in lower dungeon.He's awake."
A hollow, amused smile tugged at the lord's lips.
"I've been waiting for you... for a long time, my friend."