### **Chapter 2: First Kill**
The beggar snored by the campfire, his filthy rags shifting in the cold wind. Tae-Hyun crouched ten steps away, his fists clenched so tightly sweat dripped from them.
The system message still pulsed before his eyes:
> [Quest: Defeat Beggar Sect Recruit to prove your strength.]
> Reward: Flowing Water Fist (Foundation Strengthening), +1 Qi Vein activation (Chance).
Kill… him?
Tae-Hyun swallowed. He had never killed anything larger than a cockroach. And now he was supposed to end a man who had broken his ribs earlier?
But then he touched his side, wincing at the cracked bones. That *pain* was too real. Blood had congealed under his shirt. If he didn't act, he would die here anyway. And unlike other games, death felt permanent.
"Alright…" he muttered, voice trembling. "This isn't gaming anymore. This is survival."
He crept closer.
The Flowing Water stance rose naturally — left foot gliding forward like a river, fists curved like droplets crashing into a stream. His body moved like he had trained for years. The scroll's power.
The beggar stirred. Opened his sour eyes. "...You again? Didn't get enough beating?"
"No." Tae-Hyun whispered. "This time, you're dying."
He dashed forward, fist surging. His punch wasn't just strength — it flowed like water, striking the rib cage, dispersing through the beggar's body. The man coughed blood, shocked.
"You—!"
"No mercy!" Tae-Hyun's body moved almost automatically, his other fist *whipping* down like a crashing wave. It smashed into the beggar's head. Once. Twice.
By the third strike, the man slumped. Blood gushed. His breathing stilled.
Tae-Hyun froze, panting heavily. Chest rising and falling, eyes wide at the corpse before him. His knuckles were drenched in sticky red warmth.
"…I… I killed him?"
> [Quest Complete!]
> Reward Unlocked: Flowing Water Fist (Level 2).
> Bonus: Qi Vein (Meridian Opening 1/12).
Suddenly, his body shivered. A warm current burst inside him — rushing through veins he didn't know he had. His heart thudded. His muscles pulsed stronger. His breathing steadied.
So this was… Qi.
"…Holy shit," Tae-Hyun muttered, trembling between horror and exhilaration. "I… have internal energy?"
Then another notification blinked:
> [Notice: Awakening Qi will remain upon logout.]
His eyes widened. If this was true—then all this strength? These abilities? They would transfer back.
The fear of his first kill… melted into a wild grin.
"Alright…" he whispered, shaking from adrenaline. "If this system wants me to play like Murim trash, then fine. I'll play."
"But I'll win."
***
### **Chapter 3: Logout**
"Exit game," Tae-Hyun muttered desperately.
The world rippled. The corpse, the fire, the forest—all faded.
He opened his eyes inside his cramped studio apartment. The flickering neon sign outside the window buzzed, illuminating his peeling wallpaper.
"...Did it… work?" he whispered.
His ribs didn't hurt. Instead, his body felt… lighter. Stronger. He clenched his fists and nearly gasped. The Flowing Water Fist's *afterimage* existed inside him. His stance, his balance, his reflexes—everything was different.
"No way," he breathed, staggering to the bathroom mirror.
There, under the pale light, he saw his eyes glint faintly. Breathing automatically fell into a rhythm he didn't know. Inside, a warm flow circled his chest slowly. His first Qi vein.
"The game… gave me this. This is f*cking real."
System text blinked faintly at the edge of his vision, *even in the real world.*
> [Status Window – Jin Tae-Hyun]
> Strength: 3 → 5
> Speed: 2 → 4
> Vitality: 2 → 4
> Qi Control: 0 → 1
> Martial Comprehension: 1
His hands trembled. Yesterday, he couldn't even do three push-ups without collapsing. Now, his entire body burned with potential.
Tae-Hyun staggered back, laughing like a madman. "Haa… haha… HAHAHA!"
Then his laugh froze. His wallet sat empty on the table. He remembered the landlord banging at his door for late rent. His fridge was stocked with instant noodles.
"Okay… immortal powers or not," he muttered, biting his lip. "I still need money."
His breathing slowed. Then he smirked coldly.
"If this game makes me strong in reality… then I won't die a trash player anymore. I'll make the world my scoreboard."
At that exact moment, a faint vibration spread across his chest. A new quest opened:
> [Main Quest: Survive in Two Worlds]
> Objective: Grow stronger or perish.
> Failure: Permanent death (real and game).
The words blinked. Tae-Hyun exhaled, suddenly realizing—
There was no save file. No reset option.
This was the real game. And it had already begun.
***