***
SYSTEM (ServeOS)
NAME: JIN ZHANG
AGE: 13
TALENT: NOVICE +
GEMS: 20
STAT POINTS: 0
{Physical stats}
STRENGTH: F- ●○○○○
DEXTERITY: F ●○○○○
STAMINA: F ○○○○○
BALANCE: F ●○○○○
{Mental Stats}
Resilience: A- ○○○○○
Game Knowledge: C+ ○○○○○
Composure: D ○○○○○
Focus: D ●○○○○
{TECHNICAL STATS}
SERVING: F+ ○○○○○
GROUNDSTROKES: F ●●○○○
VOLLEY: F- ○○○○○
FOOTWORK: F- ●●○○○
***
My stats increased!
My stamina went up to F and I got some points in other categories.
Looks like naturally practicing also increases stats noted Jin.
Jin then finally decided to bite the bullet and check up on his quest tab.
***
TASK: Impress Coach Ruplinger (completed)
[REWARDS] (claimable)
30 GEMS
5 STAT POINTS
Coach's Goodwill
***
"WAIT WHAT??" Jin yelled out loud
"Oi shut up, I thought you didn't game anymore" Kai snapped from across the house.
"Sorry!" Jin replied sheepishly.
Shaking his head and refocusing his attention to the screen Jin took another look closely at the task.
Impress Coach Ruplinger.
Jin slapped his forehead, he didn't have to win at the top court, he just had to get the coach's attention.
"Man why did I even think that I had to win in the first place"
Jin didn't dwell for long on his stupidity however, after claiming his rewards Jin thought for a moment what to do.
"I have to unlock the store, I'm just too curious in what's in there"
***
Would you like to spend 50 gems to unlock the store?
***
Jin didn't hesitate and immediately said "yes"
***
STORE (unlocked)
SKILLS
***
"Wow the store is pretty empty, maybe it'll expand later on" Jin thought softly.
"Well let me start with the skills tab and see what's there"
***
SKILLS
COMMON
RARE (Locked)
EPIC (Locked)
LEGENDARY (Locked)
MYTHICAL (Locked)
TRANSCENDANT (Locked)
***
"Looks like I can only see the common skills for now, let's see what's there"
***
SKILLS COMMON
FAST FOOTWORK (50 Gems)
improves footwork speed
SWEETSPOT (50 Gems)
increases chance of hitting the middle of the racquet
STABLE WRIST(50 Gems)
Improves shot stability and reduces shanking under pressure
LIGHT GRIP(50 Gems)
Improves racquet control for volleys and drop shots
STEADY BREATHING(50 Gems)
Slightly increases stamina regeneration during rallies
EAGLE EYE (50 Gems)
Improves tracking of the opponent's movements and incoming ball path
READ & REACT(50 Gems)
Reduces reaction time when facing fast balls
CONSISTENCY BOOST(50 Gems)
Slightly lowers the chance of unforced errors on groundstrokes
RECOVERY STEP(50 Gems)
Increases recovery speed after wide shots
SPIN SENSE(50 Gems)
Improves recognition and handling of topspin and slice shots
SERVE RHYTHM(50 Gems)
Makes serving motion more fluid, increasing first serve consistency
GRIT(50 Gems)
Minor boost to composure in long rallies or after losing points
DASH START(50 Gems)
Increases explosiveness in the first step toward the ball
***
"Woah so many options"
Jin was overwhelmed by the crazy amount of choices of skills, he looked over all of them briefly, noticing that some were more useful than the others.
Jin decided to hold off on picking a skill for now. "I'll come back once I've saved up enough gems," he muttered, eyes still scanning the tempting list.
"Next up… stat points." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Stamina seems like the obvious choice. It'll let me train longer and knock out daily quests faster. Yeah, that's the move."
***
STAMINA: F ○○○○○ → STAMINA: F+ ○○○○○
***
A familiar warmth surged through his limbs, spreading a subtle but satisfying strength throughout his body.
With that, Jin leaned back and smiled. Today had been a win.
He shut down the screen and let himself relax. Training would come early tomorrow, and he needed the rest.
When morning came, sunlight spilled into his room like an old friend.
Jin slipped out of bed, ran through his usual routine, scarfed down a quick snack, and stretched out his arms.
Then, without hesitation, he hit the pavement starting his morning run.
The first half of Jin's run went just like usual. Steady, tiring, and above all, boring.
"Man, this is hella boring," he muttered between breaths. "Maybe I should start running somewhere else just for a change of scenery."
As if summoned by his words, a sudden rustle came from the trees up ahead. Jin slowed slightly, eyebrows raised until a pack of wild turkeys strutted into view like they owned the place.
"…No way."
He came to a jog, wide-eyed as the turkeys flapped and gobbled dramatically, half-waddling, half-parading across the grass.
"This is amazing," Jin whispered in awe, his fatigue forgotten. "Look at their little legs, go look at that one, he's sprinting!"
Caught in the moment, Jin matched their pace, jogging alongside the flock as if part of the gang. His eyes were locked on the smallest turkey, who seemed to be trying its hardest to keep up.
*BUMP*
Jin stumbled back until he fell on the ground. He looked up and saw someone around his age on the ground in a similar position to him.
"*Groan* man, what did I just hit?" said the man in front of Jin.
He looked up and saw Jin and when he did he immediately apologized.
"Ack–I'm so sorry! I wasn't watching where I was running, the turkeys were too captivating for me"
Jin immediately laughed.
"No problem, I did the same thing" said Jin while breathing between laughs.
The boy blinked, then let out a short laugh of his own. "You too, huh? I thought I was the only idiot chasing birds for cardio."
Jin grinned, brushing off his shorts as he sat up. "Honestly, they're so entertaining I couldn't help myself".
Silas nodded, still catching his breath. "Especially that tiny one. I swear it was putting in more effort than both of us combined."
Jin chuckled. "I was rooting for him."
They both sat there for a second, sharing a look of mutual amusement.
"I'm Jin, by the way."
"Silas" He offered a dap, which Jin returned without hesitation.
After a pause, Silas added, "You from around here?"
"Yeah. Just moved back recently. Trying to get back into shape, running, training, all that jazz."
"Same. I'm usually out here this time every morning. Gotta stay sharp for the season." Silas glanced sideways. "You play something?"
"Tennis," Jin said. "Trying to get serious about it again."
Silas face brightened. "Nice. I'm a tennis guy too! I play for Fairview Middle. Not a lot of us out here grinding this early, though."
Jin raised an eyebrow, surprised. "No way. Small world. I'm at North Everest."
Silas gave a playful groan. "Ah, the rivals. Should've guessed with the killer footwork you nearly juked that turkey."
Jin laughed. "Honestly? The turkey had better reflexes than most of my hitting partners so far"
Silas smirked. "Captain Gobble and Jovial Jin. Undefeated doubles team."
They both cracked up, the tension of the unexpected collision melting into easy banter.
"For real though," Silas said, brushing dirt off his shorts, "we'll probably run into each other at the next regional match. You guys are playing in that, right?"
"I think so," Jin replied. "Haven't really checked the schedule yet"
Silas gave a short, approving nod. "Well, guess I'll see you on the court then."
"You better," Jin said, grinning. "But next time, I say we race the turkeys."
Silas chuckled. "Loser buys Gatorade."
"Deal."
With that, they both stood, dusted themselves off, and jogged off in opposite directions.