Huh? What? Why isn't there a D-Rank Raid Dungeon? Why... why has the future changed...?
Why? Why has the future changed? Could this be related to the temporal fluctuations caused by my regression? I don't fully understand the concept, but… did I regress to a different timeline? Or has the timeline where I died and received the system completely vanished?
It's strange. I know this world has long merged fantasy and reality, and regression itself defies all logic, but a timeline disappearing just like that… I guess I'll get the answer someday. Thinking about it now won't change anything.
"Hello?? Why are you asking so many weird things? You want to switch cleanup shifts or something?" Boss Erwin's voice pulled me from my thoughts.
"No, Boss. Just asking around, that's all."
"By the way, Boss, I awakened recently. Finally happened after all this time," I said, casually dropping the news.
"Hah? Seriously? Now that's surprising. You've finally awakened, huh? Congratulations, Than," he said, sounding genuinely happy for me.
"Haha, thanks, Boss. Oh, and I'll need to take a few days off to prepare some things related to this awakening."
"Hm, alright. I'll allow it, considering how important this is for you."
"Thank you so much, Boss!"
"..."
"Hello?"
"Ah, right. Boss, if there are any updates or changes, please keep me informed, alright? I need to be prepared in case of any sudden calls."
"Don't worry, I'll contact you immediately if anything comes up with the portals," Boss Erwin replied.
"Alright then, thanks again for the congrats and the time off!"
"Sure. Take care out there."
I ended the call.
Boss Erwin… he's a good man. If I ever rise to fame in the future, I'll make sure to repay the kindness he's shown me.
After hanging up, I looked out the window. The sky had turned dark. Bandung was quiet tonight, but my mind only grew louder.
I exhaled deeply, trying to calm the storm inside me. The memory of the day I died made my heart race. Was this a sign? Or… did my return to the past cause something fundamental to shift?
So what now? It's getting late, and the dungeon level-up event that should've happened at this time—didn't. I think I'll rest for the night.
Honestly, I should be proud of myself. I died a painful death, regressed back in time… and somehow I still had the mental strength to function today.
But the side effect? I overthought everything. Can you blame me? I regressed. I died in excruciating pain. And I received a system more powerful than I could ever imagine.
What kind of sane person could stay calm after all that? You think I'm like those cool, edgy comic characters you admire? Come on—this is real life. There's no way someone could stay sane while bearing this much.
Tomorrow is uncertain. The sudden disappearance of the D-Rank Dungeon from the schedule makes me wonder—has the future changed for the better? Or is my regression the trigger for something worse?
With OverLimit now in my hands, I have to stay vigilant. Tomorrow isn't just about fighting monsters. It's about fighting fate itself.
I closed my eyes, trying to ease my nerves.
"Tomorrow, I have to be ready. No matter what happens... I'll move forward."
And in the stillness of the night, just as I began to drift into sleep, a soft chime echoed in my ears—like a video game notification.
My eyes snapped open.
In front of me, the violet-red system interface flickered into view. Two new notifications appeared.
"The system detects that you are still at level 1, Potential [|OverLimit|] not yet maximized.
System recommends leveling up to Level 5 to unlock access to personal AI."
"Would you like to accept the initial mission to accelerate leveling?"
Below that, two buttons appeared:
_______________________________________
[|| INITIAL MISSION ||]
[YES] • [NO]
System Note: Declining will not incur any penalty. Completing the mission will grant a satisfying reward.
_______________________________________
I wasn't surprised. This… this might be the opportunity I had been waiting for.
"Yes… I'll do it." I pressed [YES] without hesitation.
The moment Lathan pressed YES, space and time inside his room began to distort.
"W-what the—?! What's going on?!" I shouted, startled. Honestly, I wouldn't be shocked if reality cracked apart right now.
Yes. The space and time around me began to shatter—like glass breaking. A blinding light followed.
I shielded my eyes with my arm. What the hell is this event? What is the system trying to do?
When the light dimmed, I slowly opened my eyes… and found myself in an entirely different place.
A vast field stretched around me. Blue skies glimmered above, a soft breeze brushing against my skin. There was nothing here except:
One tree for shade
One punching bag
One scarecrow—made of hay and metal
What… is this? Is the system trying to train me?
As I stood confused, the system interface reappeared, offering a clear explanation:
"Dear Player, before you begin leveling, the system has detected that your current body and stats are far too low."
Too low? I didn't think I was that weak—just badly scored by the Hunter Association. What did it mean?
"Due to the frail condition of your body, the system has provided this training space for you."
Training… fair enough. What kind of weakling suddenly becomes a hero without putting in the work?
"Alright then. What do I need to do?" I asked.
---
________________________________________
[|MISSION INFO|]
Right Kick ~~ [0000/1000]
Left Kick ~~ [0000/1000]
Right Punch ~~ [0000/1000]
Left Punch ~~ [0000/1000]
Weights (1kg on each limb) ~~ [-/-]
________________________________________
|1/3|
---
________________________________________
[|MISSION INFO|]
Push-ups ~~ [0/100]
Sit-ups ~~ [0/100]
Pull-ups ~~ [0/100]
Plank ~~ [0/180 sec]
Run ~~ [0/10 km]
________________________________________
|2/3|
---
________________________________________
[|MISSION INFO|]
Rewards:
+5 to all stats
+20 free stat points
+Accrued EXP
+New Skill
Penalty if Mission Fails:
-Nightmares
-High-Voltage Shock (non-lethal)
-Fatigue
Time Limit: 120:00
________________________________________
---
"You've gotta be kidding me… this system's insane!" I shouted.
"Who designed this mission?! Do I look like Saitama to you?! What, am I gonna go bald after this too?!"
"Okay, calm down, Lathan," I muttered. "It's not that bad… 120 hours? That's five days... this is madness. Does this system even care about my health or time?"
And just then, another system message popped up:
"Dear Player, please do not worry about real-world time. This system room operates under a separate temporal flow."
"Current setting: While inside this space, only a few seconds pass in the real world."
"Your fatigue will also be reduced. You will not feel hunger or thirst. Focus solely on the mission."
Alright. If the system says so, I guess I can trust it.
I strapped on the 1kg weights to each limb, just as instructed.
The weights felt light at first. But the moment I threw my first right kick, I realized—this system wasn't joking.
"One… two… three…"
I counted softly. My breath grew heavy by the time I reached 30. The punching bag swayed gently, mocking me.
"At least… you're not a real monster," I muttered, half-joking.
Kick after kick, punch after punch… sweat trickled down my face despite the cool breeze. Maybe it was the strain… or the system's brutal design.
After 500 hits, my arms were numb. But I didn't stop. I wouldn't stop.
Because this pain was nothing—nothing—compared to how I died.
Two days passed in this strange world, even if time didn't exist here. I didn't feel hunger or thirst, but I did feel exhaustion.
Then, finally:
> COMPLETE!
Right Kick [1000/1000]
Left Kick [1000/1000]
Right Punch [1000/1000]
Left Punch [1000/1000]
Weight Training [Active]
I almost smiled. But before I could celebrate
> INCOMPLETE!
Push-ups [0/100]
Sit-ups [0/100]
Pull-ups [0/100]
Plank [0/180 sec]
Run [0/10 km]
I groaned. "So… that was just Phase One?"
No time to complain.
I dropped to the ground and began push-ups. Every push felt like I was lifting more than just my body. The weight was crushing.
"I'm still alive…" I whispered. "And I will stay alive…"
One push-up… two… three…
I began hallucinating—maybe. Or maybe the system was testing my mind too.
In a flash, I saw Faiz's face. Calm, like that time he fought for me as a kid. His mocking smirk when I was late to school.
"Lathan, if you're weak, you die. The world's cruel."
His voice echoed in my mind.
Why am I hallucinating him, of all people? Why not a cute girl to motivate me?
"I know…" I muttered. "That's why I have to be stronger."
Three minutes of planking felt like death. My body shook—but I didn't collapse. Not this time.
When it came time to run, the field became my trial. But I didn't care. I ran. My heart pounded. My spirit roared.
With every step, I thought: "I won't die meaninglessly again."
Time passed—I don't know how long.
And then:
> [MISSION COMPLETE]
> Rewards Granted:
+5 All Stats
+20 Free Points
+EXP
+Skill Gained: [Vow of Yggdrasil Lv.1]
> Level Up! You are now Level 3.
I stood in silence, trembling not from exhaustion—but pride.
"Vow of Yggdrasil, huh…" I smiled faintly.
Maybe… this was my first step toward real strength.
"System will return player to the real world in 3… 2… 1…"
Another flash of light.
This time, I didn't close my eyes. I stared straight ahead.
And the next second—I was back in my room.
The lights were dim. The window still open. The night breeze still blew in.
"As the system said… only seconds passed in the real world," I whispered.
I lifted my shirt, checking my body in the mirror.
"Hm… nothing too dramatic. I was already kinda 'toned' before… but now maybe I'm just stronger underneath?"
"How do I describe this…? If I was at 10% before, now I feel like I'm at 40%," I muttered, eyeing my reflection.
"Haha, well… even if I'm not tired physically, my mind is drained. I'm going to sleep."
I closed my eyes.
Despite only a day or two passing in the real world, I'd experienced something far longer, far deeper.
I'm mentally exhausted…
Before I drifted off, I whispered:
"Tomorrow… I hope I wake up stronger."
~~Continued~~