After leaving the room, the first thing I did was brush my teeth.
The bathroom was small with cracked tiles, a mirror with slightly warped edges, and a faint smell of old detergent that never quite went away. I rinsed my mouth, splashed water on my face, and stared at my reflection for a moment longer than necessary.
Still the same.
Heavy body. Tired eyes.
But at least now, I was awake.
I quietly stepped into the kitchen, careful not to make too much noise. The apartment was silent at this hour, the city outside still half-asleep. I grabbed an old plastic water bottle from the counter, rinsed it, and filled it from the tap.
As I tightened the cap, I glanced toward the closed door of the bedroom.
Aoi was still sleeping.
Good.
I slipped on my shoes, opened the door slowly, and stepped out into the hallway, closing it behind me just as quietly.
The early-morning air hit me the moment I left the building.
Refreshing.
The sky was a deep black, just the whisper of dawn on the horizon. Streetlights hummed softly, casting light on deserted sidewalks and parked cars.
I took a deep breath.
Then started walking.
At first, it wasn't too bad.
My pace was slow, but steady. My footsteps sounded faint against the concrete; every single step felt too heavy. I could tell instantly that this body was in really bad shape.
After ten minutes, my breathing grew uneven.
After fifteen, sweat soaked through my shirt.
I checked the time on my phone and stopped near a small convenience store, leaning against the wall as I tried to catch my breath.
One kilometer.
That was it.
My chest rose and fell rapidly, my lungs burning as if they weren't used to this much effort which, honestly, they probably weren't.
I rested for five minutes.
Then pushed myself forward again.
The second stretch was worse.
Every step felt heavier, my legs sluggish, my feet aching from carrying far more weight than they were meant to. But I didn't stop this time.
I couldn't.
At the thirty-minute mark, I forced myself into a brief sprint.
My vision blurred slightly,then-
[DEX +1]
The moment the notification appeared, something shifted.
It wasn't dramatic, but it was noticeable my movements felt smoother, lighter. The same effort carried me farther than before.
I slowed back to a walk, breathing hard but smiling despite myself.
So that's how it works.
Encouraged, I kept going.
Sweat dripped down my back. My shirt clung uncomfortably to my skin. My legs screamed in protest, but I ignored them.
At forty-eight minutes, another notification appeared.
[CON +1]
This time, the change was more obvious.
The fatigue didn't disappear but it stopped feeling overwhelming. My body felt sturdier, like it had more room before hitting its limit.
I gritted my teeth and pushed on.
Step after step.
Street after street.
At fifty-nine minutes
[Mission Complete]
Walk 3 km within 1 hour
Rewards:+1 CON
The moment the mission cleared, my legs gave out.
I stumbled forward and collapsed onto a patch of grass near the sidewalk, my chest heaving as I gasped for air. My head pounded, stars dancing at the edge of my vision.
It took nearly a full minute before I could even think straight.
When I finally managed to focus, I accepted the reward.
[CON +1]
[New Title Unlocked: Perseverant]
Perseverant:Only those who endure to the end of a difficult task receive this title.
Effect: Tasks requiring sustained effort feel 10% easier.
I let out a shaky laugh.
"That's… actually useful."
Another notification followed.
[New Skill Acquired: Aerobic Exercise Lv 1]
Effect:Metabolism speed increased by 1% for 24 hours.
That one caught my attention.
If this system really worked the way I thought it did…
No. I shook my head.
One step at a time.
After resting a little longer, I slowly pushed myself back to my feet and made my way home at a much slower pace.
By the time I returned to the apartment, it was just past six.
Aoi was still asleep.
Good.
I headed straight for the bathroom, stripping off my sweat-soaked clothes and turning on the shower. Warm water washed over me, easing the soreness in my muscles.
When I looked in the mirror afterward, I paused.
Something was different.
Subtle but noticeable.
My face looked… slightly better. Not thinner, exactly, but less bloated. When I stepped on the scale, the number confirmed it.
149.3 kg.
Down from 150.
It wasn't much.
But it was real.
After drying off, I grabbed the scissors from the sink.
Long, dry hair fell in uneven clumps as I cut it down. The movements came naturally my muscle memory from a life where I'd learned to do everything myself.
[Skill Acquired: Hair Cutting Lv 1 (+23 Proficiency)]
I raised an eyebrow.
When I finished and trimmed what little facial hair I had, another notification appeared.
[Buff Acquired: Hair and Beard Done]+1 CHA (72 hours)
I nodded in satisfaction.
It wasn't a miracle.
But it was progress.
Before leaving the bathroom, I checked my status.
===================CharacterStatus===================
Name: Kuroda Ren
Title: Perseverant
Level: 01
HP: 50/50
MP: 90/90
Weight: 150 kg → 149.3 kg
STR; 4
DEX: 2 → 3
CON:C 3 → 5
INT: 9
WIS: 9
CHA: 3 → 4 (+1)
AGI: 2
LUK: ??
Skills: Aerobic Exercise Lv 1 Hair Cutting Lv 24 Walking Lv 1
Buffs: Hair and Beard Done
==================================================
My HP had increased.
So the Constitution directly affects health.
That made sense.
My gaze lingered on the MP bar.
Still full.
Still unused.
Still unanswered.
"…So when do I get to use you?" I muttered.
No response.
I turned off the screen.
One step at a time.
For now, this was enough