Systemism

Main Quest (7)

Voice: Not bad, huh? What card did you get?

Hyeonwoo stared at the card in disbelief.

Hyeonwoo: All this for this?

<Gold Card>
<One-Time Use >
<Grow 3 Centimeters> 
<The user will grow 3 centimetres taller upon activation.>

Voice: (mockingly) Well, that's disappointing.

<You used the card!>

<190 cm --> 193 cm>

Despite his frustration, Hyeonwoo activated the card. The world stretched momentarily, an odd sensation of elongation passing through his body. His height increased from 190 cm to 193 cm, his limbs subtly growing longer. He glanced at his reflection in a nearby window, noticing the barely perceptible yet undeniable change.

Hyeonwoo: (sighing) Weird card.

=======

As the school grounds began to empty for the night, the usual hum of after-school activities faded into a still, quiet atmosphere. Hyeonwoo, still processing the fight from earlier, was about to head home when he spotted Jisoo approaching. Despite everything, she looked as energetic as ever, clearly eager to pick up where they left off.

Jisoo: (grinning) Hey, Hyeonwoo! That was some fight back there. Where did you learn to move like that?

Hyeonwoo: (nonchalantly) Just some training. Nothing special.

Voice: (mocking) "Just some training," he says. Sure, and I'm a world-class chef.

Jisoo: (teasing) Come on, seriously. You must've been practising for years to pull off those moves. Ever thought of showing me a few tricks?

Hyeonwoo: (internally) Shut up.

Voice: (sarcastically) Oh, the strong, silent type. Very mysterious.

Hyeonwoo rolled his eyes, but he could sense that Jisoo's persistence wasn't annoying—just her way of connecting. Even so, it grated on him a little.

Jisoo: (grinning wider) I'm serious! You should show me some of your moves.

Hyeonwoo: (sighing, relenting) Alright, fine. I'll show you a few things. But this isn't exactly the place for it.

Voice: (teasing) And here I thought we were gearing up for a big dramatic monologue about your secret training.

Jisoo: (eyes lighting up) Really? That'd be awesome! Where do you want to go?

Hyeonwoo glanced around. The school was practically deserted.

Hyeonwoo: There's a park down the street. Should be quiet enough for some training.

Voice: (mockingly) Oh, a nighttime training session in a park? How exciting. Just don't get caught.

Jisoo: Sounds perfect!

With a plan in place, they made their way out of the school. The hallways, once filled with students, were now eerily silent. Their footsteps echoed faintly as they exited into the cool night air, a refreshing contrast to the stifling heat from earlier.