2 Physical Education

My breathing returned to normal, as did my heartbeat. Gradually, after this shocking dream, I calmed down. And, relaxingly plopping down on the bed, I look directly at the game window with the message.

You have one unread message.

Actually, now everything fell into place. That dark dream figure, that hospital room, that message, and even my own body. I look down at my hands. Thin, but surprisingly sinewy arms. However, I could definitely understand that these were not my hands, like the rest of my body. And I even knew whose body it was before.

Because just before I realized myself in that strange dream… I remember reading that colorful comic book. Level up alone. And this figure in armor, this is the monarch of shadows, the one whose powers were received by the main character of the webcomic, in whose body I just woke up. Now the memories are a little clearer. And I also remembered… the cart?

"He-ha-ha…" Laughter burst out of my mouth by itself.

I was walking along the historic street. Simply, there was a comic book store, the only one in our city. And, suddenly, he noticed how a child ran nearby and almost fell under the hooves of horses. A cart with two harnessed horses cut through the street, entertaining onlookers. On impulse, I rushed after the child and managed to grab him by the collar. I remember how I pulled him out from under the hooves, but he lost his balance and ended up right in front of the horse. My last recollection was how a rearing horse drove into my face with a hoof. It seems that then it also flew over the head from above.

"Yeah… a truck sends normal hitmen to Issekai, and a cart ran over me…"

Well, or not the cart moved, but the horses trampled.

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Although, it is extremely surprising that I really got into such a situation after death. Or maybe I'm not dead? The collision with the cart cost me a head injury and, in fact, I am now in the hospital. Only not in this clean, spacious ward for one person, but in a shabby ward of a typical city clinic, on a rusty iron bed with a leaky mattress.

I close my eyes and open my eyes…

And everything is the same.

I even thought about pinching my arm.

"Shh…" I pinched too hard.

But nothing has changed.

Sleep or not, but I can't just take it and wake up, as it were. And, there is still the possibility that all this is actually happening. So, it would be better for me to proceed from the fact that this is the real reality in which I found myself.

Rubbing my head, I also came to the realization that Jin-Woo's memory was completely gone in this little head. I didn't remember anything about his life.

And, just as I was paying full attention to the system's message…

Sliding doors rustled to one side, and two men in suits entered the room, opening them.

– Are you awake yet? – The guy with the stamp of hard lack of sleep on his face sighed with some relief.

I was somewhat taken aback by his speech. I understood exactly what he said, but the Korean language sounded very strange. And it was an extremely strange feeling, which at the same time seemed so unreal and, at the same time, severely shattered my assumptions that this was all part of a dream.

– I…

– I'm sorry if we startled you.

The man handed me a business card.

And, it's the same here. I was able to read it quite easily. Inspector of the Korean Association of Hunters. Yes, there are special people in this world who have received supernatural powers. And along with them, the gates appeared, such dungeons full of bloodthirsty monsters. And, to clear these gates, hunters unite in guilds. And the association of hunters controls them. Like guilds, so are gates. In some cases, the association grants gate ownership to guilds so they can mine valuable resources from dungeons. Other gates, associations and guilds are cleared and closed. Actually, even the strongest guilds cannot control many gates at the same time, and they periodically appear here and there. And if they are not restrained, then after some time the monsters from the gates will begin to enter this world and attack ordinary people. Well it's something

– You were unconscious for three days …

– It's clear. I breathed out calmly.

The inspector just raised an eyebrow for a moment.

I tried to remember the beginning of the manhwa. I don't have Seong Jin-Woo's memories, but I don't really want to tell someone that I'm generally a different person who occupied his body in some incomprehensible way. And, I don't even know if I should claim amnesia, or if it's better to pretend that I am Jin-Woo to avoid possible problems. Otherwise, they will drag some hunters with mental superpowers here. However, are there any?

– Did anyone else from the group survive? I asked.

– Yes … – the inspector nodded. "Including you, six people managed to get out of the double dungeon. Hunter Chi Yol lost his arm. Now he feels fine, but with such an injury, he is unlikely to be able to continue his activities as a hunter. As for the hunter Zhu Hee, she has a traumatic shock and is now under the supervision of doctors, but her health is all right.

I listened to him attentively, but I perfectly understood that I could not even repeat the names he had named. It went in one ear and out the other. Of all the survivors, I could only remember the healer girl. It seems that this is what the inspector was talking about when he mentioned traumatic shock. It seems that she has a rather high rank, but she is afraid of dangers and therefore goes to low-ranking dungeons. And everything that happened at the beginning of the manhwa was a serious stress for her. But then again, I couldn't even remember her name.

Meanwhile, the inspector was telling me about the fate of other hunters who survived, but I didn't listen to him very carefully. The guild representatives themselves most likely attributed my apathy to post-traumatic shock. Well, as in the case of that girl. In reality, I simply did not experience anything about those events. And, to some extent, I was really still dumbfounded by the very fact of my getting into this situation, into this world and into this body.

– We have already received the testimony of the others, and found the bodies of the victims. But when our inspectors and the people of the White Tiger Guild arrived… everything disappeared. We only found you lying on the altar, no statues.

The inspector shook his head.

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"Hmm… that's weird…"

– We also think so, but the testimony is the same. This is just a guess, but… we may think you've gone through a reawakening.

This happens sometimes.

Usually, when a person awakens as a hunter, his strength remains unchanged. Some awaken at a low level, others at a medium level, and only a few become truly powerful national-level hunters. But, sometimes, a weak hunter can awaken again and become stronger. As a rule, these moments of awakening do not depend on the people themselves at all. This happens by accident, or, more precisely, at the whim of some forces that stand above this world.

"So… you think that when I was abandoned, I got a second awakening and dealt with the monsters on my own?" – I clarified.

– It's… possible. The inspector hesitated.

The second inspector put a strange device on the bedside table. The magic mechanism with the purple crystal was more suitable for a wizard's room in a fantasy world, but in a modern hospital, this thing just looked unnatural.

– It's a magic power meter. – The inspector clarified with a tired expression. "Just put your hand on this stone.

– Good. I nodded my head and complied with the request. – But I doubt that my data will somehow change.

The instructor who used the device showed disappointment. From this expression alone, I could understand that he saw very depressing figures.

"I'm still a little… stunned, but I can tell you for sure that I didn't fight those monsters. I'm talking to the inspectors. – As I understand it, it was a condition …

– Condition? – The man was interested.

– Yes … you've already asked the others. The monsters didn't attack us like they usually do. It was more… like a puzzle with traps… I have never seen a dungeon like this before, and it seems to be really something strange. But I suppose I survived because the conditions of the task were fulfilled, I was sacrificed to the lord …

We will take this information into account. The inspector nodded.

In any case, after realizing that I hadn't re-awakened as a super-powered hunter, these guys almost completely lost all interest in me. With nods of indifference, they packed up and left. Well, I, left alone in the ward, breathed a sigh of relief.

And then he looked again at the message of the system …

It hung in the air in front of me all the time, but only I saw it. The guild representatives didn't pay any attention to this thing at all.

– So…

I extend my hand and…

– Brother! "The doors opened again.

Surprised, I involuntarily shuddered.

I'm being prevented from learning the damn system again! Honestly, I was looking forward to the guild representatives getting rid of me, because I wanted to quickly start examining this very important element.

– Hmm … sister … – I drawled somewhat uncertainly.

A young girl in a school uniform stood at the door.

Hmm, she's cute…

– How do you feel? She showed concern.

"Umm… I'm still… a little taken aback by what happened, but it's okay now."

The girl breathed a sigh of relief.

– You, as always … – She said already somewhat displeasedly.

Sister Jin-Woo spoke to me for a while longer. But, since I remained rather passive in this conversation, the girl's remarks became more and more uncertain and somewhat awkward.

– Are you sure you're all right? And she began to worry.

"Yeah, I just need to…rest…a little." Then I will continue … to work … – I gave out.

"Brother… take care of yourself. The girl's voice trembled.

An unpleasant feeling stabbed in his chest. I'm not Jin-Woo, but I really don't want to upset this girl with the news that her brother has disappeared, and now I'm in his place. That's why I tried harder and harder to portray her brother, who was simply stunned by the events at the double gate and then he is now so crippled.

"I-I see…" the girl drawled. "Well… if you're okay… I'll go. I still have to do my assignment for tomorrow.

– Good. I nod to her.

Sighing, she stepped back.

Looks like I wasn't exposed. But, for the future, it is better to reduce contact with relatives to a minimum.

For now…

Once the girl left, I could calmly look at my messages. Reaching out my hand, I touch the translucent screen and, blinking, it disappears. And instead, something new appears.

Alert

Welcome player! (unread)

The daily quest "become stronger!" has arrived! (unread)

So I received two messages.

And without hesitation, I immediately opened the first of them.

Welcome player!

The system will help the development of the player!

If you do not follow the instructions of the system, you will receive a fine.

Get a reward for connecting to the system!

Blinking, I clicked on the little icon below that message.

And in that moment, I felt a familiar force. The pulsation of the violet energy of the master that settled in me. Dark threads that entwined my entire being. And I felt the power hidden in them. If she immediately penetrated my body now, then … I would just be torn to pieces. But, instead, the threads allowed only a tiny crumb of these forces to seep into me. And I felt how this energy passes through my body, making its way to the very bones.

Gained +10 stat points!

And after that, the character window immediately opened in front of me, which displayed my own characteristics.

Song Jin-woo

Level 1

Speciality

Not

Title

Not

Health – 100%

Mana – 100%

Characteristics:

Strength – 9

Agility – 7

Endurance – 8

Perception – 6

Intelligence – 7

Available points – 10

There was also an image of my body next to it and empty equipment slots, just like in the game. As well as the skill window, which was still empty. But there was an additional window of effects.

Permanent Effects:

Longevity – all diseases, poisons and negative effects are neutralized, and sleep greatly increases the ability to regenerate.

All in all, it looks very useful.

Interestingly, health and mana were shown as percentages, not integers. It doesn't seem like that was the case in the manhwa. Although, this is not a critical change.

Sighing, I placed my fist on my chest.

I feel my heart beating…

But if you focus, you can feel the echoes of that sinister pulsation, the power of the lord of shadows. It is already in me, or rather, in this system that wraps around my body and, possibly, my soul. So, no matter how I pumped with this system, one way or another, in the end I will get this power? Actually, I have nothing against it. The Shadow Master's ability is one of the comic book features that I liked the most! And, despite all the dangers that this world promises me, the opportunity to acquire these powers simply excites and causes awe. I want this power!

– Hmm…

Coming to my senses, I returned to the message window again.

There is one more thing here. Daily quest. And, as far as I remember the manhwa, this task is better not to be ignored. At least right now I'm definitely not ready to experience the penalty of the system. It seems that in the comics, Jin-Woo was transported directly from a hospital bed to an endless desert inhabited by huge centipedes, the size of a train. The essence of the penalty task is to survive in this desert for four hours. And with my current stats, I was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to run from these creatures indefinitely. Although Jin-Woo seemed to be able to do it. But, I don't want to risk it.

And therefore…

Daily challenge – become stronger!

Tasks:

Push-ups 0100

Press 0100

Squats 0100

Running 010km

Warning!

For failure to complete the task within the specified period of time, a fine will be imposed!

Remaining time – 05:32

Swallowing nervously, I glanced at the nightstand where Jin-Woo's smartphone lay.

Taking the phone in hand, I swiped my finger across the screen and looked at the time. Yes, it looks like the daily quest refreshes at midnight sharp. After all, until twelve in the evening just five and a half hours remained.

And with a sigh, I put the phone down, then closed the system messages, and immediately began to complete the task.

– And once…

Push ups…

Wow, I haven't done this exercise in a long time. But right now, I don't think I have much of a choice. And, in general, it only benefits me.

– Four…

When I had already done five push-ups, the thought caught up with me that I had not distributed my ten reward points. But, while I was in no hurry and just opened the message with the task.

Push-ups 5/100

There is progress.

And then I'll lose count and exceed the standard. Not that it's so bad, but out of habit, these tasks can really be exhausting. In the meantime, all the standards are not met, it is better to save your strength!

And so I continued.

But a hundred push-ups for my body was not such a difficult test. In my own body, I definitely wouldn't be able to do a hundred push-ups right away and feel so comfortable. No, maybe I would have done a hundred push-ups, but I would have been drenched in sweat, and my hands would have simply gone numb and buzzed with fatigue. But, Jin-Woo's physical form was obviously much better. After all, he was a hunter. Although the weakest of them, but even so, he surpassed ordinary people in his physical parameters.

After push-ups, I just as easily moved on to squats.

And then did the exercises on the press.

– Hah…

Now I'm starting to get a little tired.

And therefore…

I opened the status window and spent two points of my reward points to increase my stamina to ten points. And you know, it immediately became easier for me to breathe, and the already approaching fatigue instantly receded.

Remembering the circumstances of the manhwa, I fully invested the remaining eight points into strength, raising this stat to seventeen.

– Ahh…

And the dark power pulsing in my body went through my muscles like a wave of heat. I directly felt how my body was filled with power, becoming stronger.

Strength – 17

Agility – 7

Endurance – 10

Perception – 6

Intelligence – 7

In the end, although speed and endurance are important, but at first the main role is played by strength. No matter how fast I am, but if I can not kill the monster, then I will only have to run away. And this system is designed to push me into battle and cut off my escape routes. So running away is not the best solution. But, in general, it is better to increase the characteristics more or less evenly. Yet, although the system creates some illusion of a game, it is not a game. And all characteristics are important. If I had at least a hundred points of dexterity, without strength they would be practically useless, and vice versa.

– Okay … – I sighed. – Now run.

But first, I had to look around.

And change.

My clothes were found in the bedside table and, having changed my hospital pajamas for them, I left the ward. A nurse passed by in the corridor, but she didn't pay much attention to me. Well, the patient decided to take a walk a little, it's okay. Only a little later I had to ask the girl at the registration desk where the hospital yard was for walking. And, of course, there was one. Generally, no problem with my desire to triple my run.

– Hmm… well…

I went out into the courtyard of the hospital complex and began a quiet easy jog. I didn't run away especially, because there was still time.

Along the way, during the run itself, I studied the system that I got. In addition to the status window and tasks with messages, I found a game store. There was a variety of weapons, armor, consumable items, but nothing could be bought yet. My level is too low to buy and I have almost nothing to sell. Just one single item that I found in the inventory window.

simple steel sword

Attack +10

I don't know where it came from, but at least some kind of weapon.

By this time my run was coming to an end. There was less than a kilometer left and I ran the last meters in a sprint, well dispersed. The run itself made me sweat a little, but I didn't feel any particular fatigue. It was only during the acceleration that his breath hitched.

– Hah…

And so…

The system solemnly rewarded my efforts.

Daily quest "Get stronger!" performed!

Get an award.

Choose a reward!

Recovery

Attribute points +3

Box with the unknown

Choosing a reward didn't mean I could only take one. All three awards were given to me, I just could get them in turn, first one, then the other. Although not sure yet, at first I took the reward of stat points. After all, development comes first. But then, seeing that the message allows you to choose the next reward, I also took the recovery, which drove all the fatigue from my body with a wave of vigor. And finally, the box with the unknown.

– Hmm…

And in the box was a small healing potion. Well, it might still come in handy, I'll put it in inventory for now.

I never liked physical education, but now there is not much choice. And after completing this task, I felt surprisingly good.

Just great.