The next morning, I woke up around 7, my body sore and exhausted from the strain of last night's meditation. As my eyes fluttered open, the familiar warmth of sunlight filtered through the curtains. But before I could even begin my morning routine, a notification from the system appeared in my vision:
Daily MissionComplete Physical TrainingTime Limit: 24 hours
Push-ups: 25 Pull-ups: 25 Sit-ups: 25 Running: 1 km
Reward: 50 EXP and 25 goldPenalty: Paralyzed for 6 hours
I blinked, surprised. This wasn't like the previous tasks I had completed. A time limit? I hadn't seen that before. I quickly assessed the list of exercises. 25 push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and 1 kilometer of running? I groaned inwardly. There was no way I could complete this now—I had school to get to. I would have to save the training for after school.
I quickly pushed the thought aside as I got ready for school. The mission was important, but I had to keep my priorities in order.
At breakfast, I found my father already seated at the dining table, sipping his coffee while scanning through the morning newspaper. He looked tired, but it was the kind of weariness that came with being a responsible, hardworking man. His glasses were perched low on his nose, and his eyes were focused on the text, his face slightly furrowed as he read.
I grabbed my plate of food and sat down, catching a glimpse of the picture in the newspaper. It was a photo of All Might, the hero everyone admired. The image showed him saving a group of people from a collapsed building. I thought to myself that he looked like he was doing well, but something still gnawed at me. All Might was supposed to be teaching at UA in the future—but when, exactly? Was it soon? Was I still in the right timeline?
My thoughts were interrupted when my mother, who had just finished setting down her plate, looked at me with a concerned expression. "Jin, you look different today. Did you lose some weight?"
I froze for a moment, panic rising in my chest. I hadn't expected anyone to notice so soon. I haven't lost that much weight, have I? I immediately tried to cover it up.
"No, mother, you must be imagining it. I'm fine." I gave her a forced smile, hoping it was convincing enough.
She eyed me for a moment, clearly not convinced, but she didn't press the issue. Instead, she smiled warmly, though there was a slight furrow in her brow. "Well, if you say so, dear."
With that, I grabbed my bag and rushed out the door, heading to school.
School proceeded as usual, a routine of classes, lectures, and mostly distant classmates. My mind kept drifting back to the mission from the system, the nagging feeling of needing to complete the physical training lingering at the back of my mind. But the real trouble started after the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day.
The school day had ended, and I was walking home, my mind still focused on the tasks ahead. As I walked down the familiar road, the weight of the morning's system notification still loomed over me. I needed to complete my physical training, but for now, I had to get home and figure out how to manage my day.
Suddenly, I felt the familiar sensation of footsteps behind me, too deliberate to be just a passerby. It took me a moment to recognize them. Kazuya, Shiro, and Ren. The same trio that always picked on weak and lonely students, using their bullying to boost their fragile egos. I'd learned to dread their presence over the years, but this time, it was different.
The body I inhabited instinctively recoiled. It was still the same weak, scared body that had lived under their shadow for so long. But I wasn't the same. I didn't fear them. I understood them for what they were—cowards, bullying to make themselves feel powerful. I could handle them.
The problem was, if I retaliated now, I'd draw unwanted attention to myself. I needed to keep my head down. Just get through this until the UA Entrance Exam. That was the goal. Nothing else mattered.
Kazuya, Shiro, and Ren blocked my way, their smug, predatory grins in place. They'd done this countless times before—towering over me, dominating the space. The pavement beneath my feet seemed to shrink as they closed in. My heart rate quickened, but not out of fear. It was the lingering instincts of this body that I had to suppress.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the usual amount—the same payment I'd given them every day. It felt heavier than ever, but there was no choice. Better to stay low. Don't provoke them.
My hands trembled slightly as I offered them the money. I lowered my gaze, playing the part they expected. Look weak. Look submissive. They didn't need to know anything had changed.
I muttered, my voice quieter than I intended, "Sorry, I wasn't feeling well yesterday. Here's the money."
Ren's hand darted out, snatching the cash with practiced ease. His smirk was broad as he relished the moment, holding the bills like a trophy. He was the worst of them, feeding off the fear and discomfort of others.
But Kazuya wasn't done. His eyes, cold and calculating, studied me like a hawk. His presence loomed larger as he took a slow step forward, closing in. The air thickened with tension, but I refused to let it rattle me. I kept my expression neutral, my posture passive, and did my best to suppress the irritation rising in me.
Kazuya leaned in, his voice low and mocking. "Looks like you need to know your place, Jin." He said it with a twisted amusement, his tone laced with cruelty. "If others find out you skipped once, they might think they can, too. You wouldn't want that, would you?"
His words, meant to belittle, didn't have the same impact as they once would have. But the old instincts of this body flared, and I could feel the tension building. I had to bite my tongue. This wasn't the time.
The realization gnawed at me. I might not be able to avoid a fight after all. The tension was suffocating, and the air felt heavier with every passing second. But as much as I wanted to snap back, the smarter choice was to stay low, avoid drawing attention, and keep my focus on the bigger picture.
Just as I steeled myself for what might come next, a voice suddenly cut through the silence.
"What are you doing?"
The three bullies froze, their heads snapping toward the sound. For a brief moment, confusion flickered across their faces. Their eyes darted around, scanning the street for the source of the interruption. Kazuya's brow furrowed, his expression turning dark as he looked for whoever dared to interrupt. Clearly, he wasn't pleased by the disturbance.