Revival System

Chapter 3: The Weight of Isolation

The cafeteria buzzed with the sounds of laughter and chatter, but Kim Jae-min felt like an outsider looking in. He sat across from Eun-ji, who seemed engrossed in a book, her eyes darting across the pages. For a moment, he felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe things would change for him; maybe he could finally have a friend.

But that hope was quickly shattered when Min-ho and his gang sauntered into the cafeteria, their presence commanding attention. Jae-min's heart sank as he spotted them approaching their table.

"Hey, look! It's our favorite fat loser!" Min-ho shouted, the mockery in his tone drawing the attention of nearby students. Laughter erupted around them, and Jae-min's cheeks flushed with shame.

Eun-ji's eyes flickered from her book to Jae-min, confusion momentarily breaking through her focus. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

"Just having some fun with our friend Jae-min here!" Min-ho replied, a smug grin plastered on his face. He leaned closer, a cruel spark in his eyes. "I mean, you've seen him eat—how could he not be a fat loser?"

Jae-min's heart raced, each word like a dagger piercing through his already fragile self-esteem. He looked to Eun-ji, hoping for support, but instead, he saw her expression change. It was fleeting, but he caught it—an uncomfortable shift, a hint of embarrassment.

In that moment, reality crashed down on him. Eun-ji might have been kind to him in their brief conversation, but the fear of social stigma was more powerful. She wasn't ready to stand against the tide of popularity for him. Jae-min's heart sank as he realized he was still alone.

"Sorry, Eun-ji," he said softly, trying to keep his voice steady. "I'll just..."

He stood abruptly, not wanting to be the center of attention any longer. As he walked away, he could hear Min-ho's laughter echoing behind him, mixed with the murmurs of the crowd as they continued to ridicule him. The words bounced around in his head like a haunting melody. "Fat loser. Fat loser."

Once outside the cafeteria, Jae-min pressed himself against the wall, trying to catch his breath. He felt the sting of tears prick at his eyes but forced them back. He wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing him cry.

Alone in the hallway, he felt a fire ignite deep within him—something that felt familiar yet distant. The memories of his past life flooded back, each one a reminder of who he had been before this mess. He had been Jang Tae-sik, a feared thug who commanded respect and power. No one had dared to call him a loser; he had made sure of that.

The spark within him grew, and he clenched his fists, anger boiling over. "I won't be weak anymore," he muttered, determination coursing through him like a shot of adrenaline. "I refuse to let them treat me like this!"

Suddenly, the familiar robotic voice of the Revival System broke through his thoughts, cutting through the noise of his emotions.

"New Quest Unlocked: Weight Loss Challenge. Task: Lose 40 kg in one month. Reward: Increased Stats + Major Fat Burn + Access to New Skills."

Jae-min's heart raced as he processed the task. Losing weight was no simple feat, especially with the way he had been treated, but the prospect of gaining strength and a chance to prove himself filled him with renewed determination.

"What's the penalty for failure?" he asked, not wanting to back down from this challenge.

"Penalty: None. However, failure to complete this quest will result in decreased stats and a delay in future quests."

A part of him wanted to hesitate, to back away from the challenge. But the fire within him wouldn't allow it. He was done being bullied, done feeling sorry for himself. If he had to shed the weight—both physical and emotional—then so be it.

"I accept the challenge!" he declared, his voice echoing in the empty hallway.

As he prepared to head home, the memories of his old life lingered in his mind. The streets where he had fought, the respect he had earned, the fear he had instilled in others—it all fueled his desire to rise above his current situation.

He wouldn't just lose weight; he would reclaim his power. The journey wouldn't be easy, but for the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of purpose.

As he stepped out of the school building, he clenched his fists tightly, staring at the ground. "Let them call me a fat loser. I'll show them who I really am."

The world around him faded as he focused on the path ahead. Each step was a promise to himself: to rise from the ashes of his past and forge a new identity. He was Kim Jae-min, but he would become more than just a bullied fat kid. He would become the warrior he was meant to be.

It was time to take back control.