It was my third day in The Mulligan. Once again, I woke up before her, early in the morning. Something i was used to as a former tramp. Sitting up and stretching my body, I look up at the pure azure sky with a faint smile playing on my lips.
'It's strangely liberating.....to do nothing but survive. No taxes— not like I paid them anyway— and no cops to strangle me to death. Isn't that wonderful?'
A hollow laugh escaped my lips. Was my life so terrible that I would rather prefer this hell over a much worser hell? It seemed so. But now wasn't the time to be pondering recent changes I haven't went through personality wise. Isabella was still asleep. I considered waking up, but stopped myself.
'Isn't this the perfect opportunity for me to start training?'
As that thought flashed my mind, my grin widened. Yes, it is the perfect opportunity! I also felt a little excited. Something about being able to train, while also witnessing the process so vividly excited me. Maybe i just have a soft-spot for games that rewarded progression. The Mulligan may be cruel, but it's also fun. In an almost twisted way.
'So....what shall my daily training regime be?'
I sat down on the fallen tree trunk, rubbing my chin lost in thought. But then, I felt a little uncomfortable suddenly. Looking down, I realized that my loincloth has been torn. Not by much, but enough to make me realize that it will likely fall pretty soon. I'll need to craft a new one for myself....
'Hold on a second...'
I glanced at the sleeping beauty.
'She seems pretty good with her hands. Maybe she can craft me one? A much better one, no less. I wonder where she learned such an art. I'll get her to do it for me once she wakes up.'
I nodded, pleased with myself. Since I have someone here, might as well put then to work. The art of delegation never fails to amaze me. Not like I would know anything about it, though. Really. Now, onto what i really want to do today....
'Should I be hard on myself? Or be a little easy?'
I considered being hard on myself. Doing 100 push-ups a day, a 100 sit-ups, a 100 squats and a 10 kilometer run. The familier Saitama training regime. It might actually help me here, but at the same time, I needed to acknowledge my own limits. Im not a powerful baldie, unfortunately. Im a weak, frail and modestly sized man. How could I compare? So, I'll have to be a little easy on myself if I don't want to end up collapsing so soon. Then, as I grow stronger, I'll become harder and harder on myself.
What really matters when creating a training regime is discipline. Your ability to be able to do it matters too, sure. But discipline matters the most. If you are too lazy or lack motivation, what's the point of starting a training regime? That's why, I decided to add meditation into the mix as well. To help me keep a clear mind, while also helping me channel my innate spirit. Im sure I'll be able to control it in the future, very soon.
Grabbing the spear which was laying on the ground beside me, I jumped down from the fallen tree trunk and landed gracefully on the floor. Then, using the sharp point of my loyal Retainer, I started writing down on the dirt.
'40 push-ups, 40 sit-ups, 40 squats and a 1 kilometer run daily.'
That's what I wrote down. My training regime. So that I won't forget, while also keeping it as something to motivate me, when I'm feeling lazy. I want to get stronger as soon as possible, so that perhaps one day, I'll be able to slaughter Unboud Creatures with much more ease, without having to really struggle.
It will definitely be taxing on my body and it might even cause me to collapse, but it's worth it. Anything is worth it to get stronger.
With this resolution made and my eyes full of determination, I began the first set of my training regime. The push-ups. Taking a deep breath, I set my spear down and got into the position. It was very uncomfortable for me, doing this after so long. Of course, this isn't my first time doing push-ups, I used to do so as a child, but it's been awhile....
'Hmpprff!'
I struggled at first. Not because of my Stamina or anything, but simply because I didn't know how to correctly do a push-up without collapsing to the ground. It took some time perfecting the right way to do it, but I managed. Just barely enough to get me through the first set of working out. I kept falling from time to time, but without hesitation, I got back up and continued. Giving up wasn't an option. Not anymore.
'I want a second chance at life!'
Yes. If I wanted to be true with myself. I did. I desperately wanted one. I wanted to be able to change the mistakes I did. Become someone who is known and respected by the world and childishly, I also wished to get back at my parents for abandoning me. To get a petty vengeance by showing them how great I have become if I win The Mulligan. So, I couldn't give up. I won't give up. No matter what it took, I will win The Mulligan!
________________________________________
Some time later, I was collapsed on the floor, breathing heavily, my entire body glistening with sweat. I was pretty sure that I smelled awful right now, but i didn't even care. All i wanted was water, but the lake was so far away....
Somehow, I managed managed do it. I did 40 push-ups straight up without even falling once. Each time I did, I reset the counter, until I had a perfect run without falling. Thankfully, I managed after some time. But it left me exhausted. Im not sure if I can even continue with the rest. I didn't even have enough energy to summon the Screen to check on my physical attributes after that too. How bothersome....
Eventually, I heard the sound of soft footsteps approaching my laying body, followed by a yawn. I didn't have to spare a glance to realize Isabella was awake.
"What....are you doing?"
Isabella stared down at me strangely.
I look back up at her with a grin, answering casually.
"Oh, this? Just trying to push my body to its limits. I need to get stronger, after all. Oh and that reminds me, there is something I need you to do for me."
Isabella raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Craft me a new loincloth. After that, let's venture back to the Lake and make camp there. We need to take advantage of the water source."
I added the last bit to distract her from my first request. That will make her more willing to agree to my first request. That's the art of delegation, for you! You can't be too direct. Just slyly work around it, to make others do whatever you want them to do.
Isabella was silent, her eyes fixed on my loincloth, before she sighed.
"Fine, fine. I'll do it for you. Atleast you seem to have a plan on how we will be moving forward...."
I chuckled and nodded. Watching as Isabella turned around and walked off, leaving me to my own devices. I didn't waste a second and continued with my training regime. I still need to do the sit-ups, squats and the run after all.
'For once....The future doesn't look so bleak.'
I couldn't help but think.
The sit-ups wasn't difficult. Since I was naturally pretty skinny, doing sit-ups didn't demand much from my body. I only felt an occasional burning sensation in my abs as I did so, but I didn't have much time to focus on it, as I was diligently counting each sit-up I made. Until finally, I reached 40. My body was spent and exhausted, but I didn't stop there.
Standing up, I started doing squats. One by one, until counting to 40. Squats, as well, wasn't as difficult as push-ups. It just tired my legs out and my arms, but it still demanded alot from my body, considering it's already so exhausted and spent. I still have the one kilometer right too, which just made my mood more sour. Before I lose motivation, however, I thought about the benefits of getting stronger and what it would be like to win in the end....
That helped me alot, alright.
Eventually, I finished the squats as well. I rested for a brief moment, before standing up and walking back to the camp, to get my spear. I cant run a kilometer without a weapon to protect myself.
Once i arrived at the makeshift camp, I saw Isabella sitting on a log, working on the loincloth I asked her to craft for me. How did she get the materials so fast? I couldn't help but be astonished, as I watched her fingers work.
"What?"
Isabella didn't spare me a glance, but I could tell she was irritated by me staring.
"Just curious. Where did you find the materials?"
Isabella shrugged.
"I went out and find them myself, of course. Did you already forget that my blessing literally let's me become the wind? It wasn't difficult finding some laying around here and there."
I nodded my head. That made sense. I sighed softly and looked ahead, into the jungle.
"I'll be running a kilometer. You'll be fine alone here, right?"
I showed feigned concern. Isabella just waved a hand dismissively.
"More than fine."
I didn't say anything else and prepared for my little run. I will be running in the direction of the lake, to get a little peak at it's condition, but it's more than just one kilometer away, so I might not even see it. Regardless, this run will help me carve out a safer path away from Unbound Creatures lurking deep in the jungle.
With that, I was running. Not exactly running, more like jogging. Running was too risky and will attract too much attention, while also not giving me enough time to take in my surroundings for the later journey back to the Lake.
'Let's hope I don't run into some absurdly powerful abomination....'