Damn Side Quest

A few days had passed since I embarked on my relentless quest, and my progress was dishearteningly slow. The red holographic screen displayed my efforts, showing Push-ups at a mere 2%, Sit-ups at 4%, Squats at 11%, and the draining 10K run at a meager 0.75%. To make matters worse, each exercise required precise execution, rendering the task even more outrageous.

The concerned expression that reflected back at me in the holographic display left me nearly speechless. I had committed myself to this seemingly Sisyphean task, and yet, the results were almost illusory.

Defeated, I retreated to my scraggly one-room apartment, a place that had become my solitary haven. I ate a meager meal and rested, succumbing to fatigue. When I awoke, it wasn't to the sound of an alarm; I had forgotten to set it amidst my exhaustion.

I dressed hastily and consumed a quick breakfast before once again confronting my pitiful quest progress. After a minute of despair, I decided to step outside for a breath of fresh air. As I ventured into the world outside, I couldn't help but feel the mounting stress, imagining Satan himself finding amusement in my suffering.

My thoughts drifted toward the market, where I considered acquiring items, particularly rare gear. The prospect excited me, urging me to venture forth. I rushed to the Sweet Delight Plaza, also known as the Magic Market of Mages—a name that indeed piqued my interest.

Before entering the market, I gazed upon its bustling streets with a sense of wonder and anticipation, as if it held treasures beyond measure. I was so engrossed in my daydreams of rare gear that I almost walked past the entrance.

Once inside, I was greeted by the sight of ranked individuals—people with extraordinary abilities, though that was a decade ago before they were vanquished by a formidable boss. I brushed aside my fascination and focused on the task at hand.

In the midst of my search, a silk cloak caught my eye, but the shopkeeper who oversaw it seemed less appealing. I sensed an air of oddity about him, but my desire for the cloak overrode any reservations.

I reached out to take the cloak, only for the shopkeeper to declare that it was not for sale. My face froze in disbelief as I turned to confront him. "What do you mean it's not for sale?" I asked, irritation bubbling within me.

The shopkeeper responded with a cryptic smile and said nothing more. Frustrated, I left the shop, only to be taken aback as another quest panel suddenly appeared before me—this time, a side quest.

Side Quest: Mission: Steal the Once Forgotten Cloak of Vilgraran (Low Rank Demon Cloak).

My heart raced as I read the quest details. A demon cloak was a rarity beyond compare, nearly impossible to obtain. But what truly left me stunned was the reward:

Reward: 1. 'Absolute Dominion' (Skill), 2. 'First Class Rogue' (Title)

The Dark System, it seemed, was indeed incredibly rewarding. I felt a newfound determination to complete this side quest for the enigmatic system's sake.

With a sigh, I began to craft a plan to steal the elusive "Forgotten Cloak," fully committing to this endeavor.