The hospital's white walls were the same every morning, but for Jin‑Woo and Takahiro, each day felt different. The systems never left — the blue window for Jin‑Woo, the golden Codex for Takahiro — always there, waiting.
---
Day One
Jin‑Woo woke before dawn, the blue window already hovering in his vision.
[Daily Quest: Prepare to Become Stronger]
Push‑ups: 0/100
Sit‑ups: 0/100
Squats: 0/100
10 km run: 0/10 km
He sighed, swung his legs over the bed, and began. Takahiro watched from his own bed, golden runes drifting lazily around him.
Halfway through, the Codex pulsed.
[Environmental Variable: Gravity +8%]
[Challenge Efficiency: +20%]
Jin‑Woo gritted his teeth. "You're making this harder."
"Better now than in a fight," Takahiro replied.
By the time the nurses came in, Jin‑Woo was drenched in sweat, muscles trembling.
[Daily Quest Complete]
[Reward: +6 Stat Points] (Difficulty Adjustment Applied)
Name: Sung Jin‑Woo
Level: 1
Strength: 10 → 13
Agility: 10 → 12
Vitality: 10 → 12
Takahiro's Codex pulsed. [Synchronization: 4%]
---
Day Two
The exercises began earlier. Takahiro altered the air resistance in the room, making every movement heavier. Jin‑Woo's breathing was ragged by the halfway mark, but he didn't stop.
When the quest completed, the blue window chimed.
[Daily Quest Complete]
[Reward: +6 Stat Points]
Strength: 13 → 15
Agility: 12 → 13
Vitality: 12 → 13
Later that day, Jin‑Woo's phone buzzed. He answered quickly. "Jin‑Ah."
"I heard you were in the hospital," her voice was tight with worry.
"I'm fine," Jin‑Woo said. "Just a few days for observation. Don't tell Mom — she's… the same."
When he hung up, Takahiro asked, "Your sister?"
"She's holding things together," Jin‑Woo said quietly. "I have to get stronger. For her. For Mom."
That evening, Jin‑Woo slipped out of the ward. Takahiro followed at a distance and found him in another wing, standing beside a bed where a woman lay motionless, her face peaceful but pale.
Jin‑Woo spoke softly. "I'll fix this, Mom. I promise."
Takahiro didn't interrupt.
---
Day Three
The exercises were faster now, more precise. Takahiro's Codex increased the difficulty again — subtle shifts in floor stability, air resistance, and muscle fatigue simulation.
[Daily Quest Complete]
[Reward: +6 Stat Points, Random Box] (Difficulty Adjustment Applied)
The blue window shimmered, producing a small, ornate key.
[Item: Key to the Karutenon Temple Instance Dungeon]
[Time Limit: 24 Hours]
Jin‑Woo stared at it. "A dungeon key."
Takahiro's Codex flared. [Controlled Environment Detected]
[Field Test Authorization Granted]
"You're not going alone," Takahiro said.
Jin‑Woo nodded. "We go together."
---
Day Four
Jin‑Woo's body was changing. His once‑frail frame had begun to fill out, muscles tightening under the hospital gown. The nurses noticed, whispering about how quickly he was recovering.
Takahiro's Codex tracked every change. [Synchronization: 5%]
They spent the afternoon discussing the key. Jin‑Woo explained how the System had given it to him, how it was unlike any normal dungeon entry. Takahiro listened, considering the possibilities.
"This is the first step," Jin‑Woo said.
Takahiro nodded. "Then let's take it."
---
Status Before the Hunt
Sung Jin‑Woo
Level: 1
Strength: 16
Agility: 14
Vitality: 14
Sense: 10
Intelligence: 10
Takahiro Kurogane
Lawscript Capacity: 14%
Environmental Control: Tier 1
Synchronization: 5%
Prime Directive: Assist the Monarch's Growth
---
They sat in silence, the weight of the decision between them. The systems pulsed faintly in their vision, as if aware of what was coming.
Tomorrow, they would step through the gate together.