Revival System

Chapter 5: Breaking Barriers

The morning sunlight streamed through Jae-min's window, casting a warm glow across his room. He woke up feeling more energized than ever, the remnants of his exhaustion replaced by a newfound vigor. Each day had become a battle against himself, and today, he was ready to win again.

After a quick breakfast, he headed straight to the gym, excited to face his routine. His body was beginning to adapt, the initial pain of his workouts slowly transforming into strength. As he stepped inside the small gym, he felt a surge of determination. This was his sanctuary, a place where he could shed the weight of the world along with the weight of his body.

Jae-min grabbed a resistance band and began his warm-up. He remembered the Revival System's message from the previous day:

"Quest Progress: Daily Exercise - 0% Completed."
"Current EXP: 0"

He quickly jumped into his exercises, pushing himself to the limit. He started with strength training, focusing on his core, arms, and legs. The weights felt heavier today, but he welcomed the challenge.

"Quest Progress: Daily Exercise - 25% Completed."
"Current EXP: 10"
"Stats Updated!"

Strength: 56Agility: 49Charm: 30Looks: 40Weight: 107 kg

The sweat began to pour as he moved on to high-intensity interval training. He sprinted on the treadmill, pushing himself harder than ever, imagining the faces of his bullies and the sting of their taunts. Every painful breath ignited his resolve, reminding him that he was not the boy they thought he was.

"Quest Progress: Daily Exercise - 50% Completed."
"Current EXP: 20"
"Stats Updated!"

Strength: 57Agility: 50Charm: 30Looks: 41Weight: 106 kg

As he continued his workout, he felt a strange mix of pain and pleasure; his body was screaming for a break, but his mind was more focused than ever. The memories of his old life as Tae-sik rushed back—fights in the streets, the thrill of victory, and the adrenaline that coursed through his veins. He remembered how he had been feared and respected, and that spark fueled his desire to reclaim his strength.

"Quest Progress: Daily Exercise - 75% Completed."
"Current EXP: 30"
"Stats Updated!"

Strength: 58Agility: 52Charm: 30Looks: 41Weight: 105 kg

After an intense hour, Jae-min fell to the floor, gasping for breath. He was drenched in sweat, his muscles trembling from exertion. But a victorious grin spread across his face; he had pushed through the barrier that had once held him back.

"Quest Progress: Daily Exercise - 100% Completed."
"Current EXP: 50"
"Level Up: Congratulations! You have reached Level 3!"
"Stats Updated!"

Strength: 60Agility: 54Charm: 31Looks: 42Weight: 104 kg

Over the next few days, Jae-min continued to train relentlessly, his body transforming before his eyes. Each drop of sweat and every ounce of effort was rewarded with increased stats, and he felt himself growing stronger. He had shed several kilograms, his clothes becoming looser, and the reflection in the mirror began to resemble the warrior he once was.

Yet, amidst his progress, he still faced the reality of his isolation. He walked through school hallways feeling the same stares and whispers from his peers, but now they didn't bother him as much. Each time he passed by Eun-ji, he felt a flicker of hope that maybe she would see the changes in him, maybe she would notice that he was becoming someone different.

But that hope was often crushed by the sharp reality of his circumstances. One day during lunch, he sat alone, his eyes scanning the cafeteria for any sign of friendship.

Eun-ji was seated with a group of popular girls, laughing and sharing stories. Jae-min felt a pang of loneliness as he watched them, the warmth of their camaraderie a stark contrast to his solitude. The loneliness settled deep within him, and he realized that while his body was changing, his heart felt heavier than ever.

Suddenly, Min-ho's voice boomed across the cafeteria, dragging Jae-min back to reality. "Hey, look! It's the loser trying to lose some weight! How's that working out for you, Jae-min? Still can't get any friends?"

Laughter erupted from his gang, and Jae-min felt a familiar wave of humiliation wash over him. But instead of sinking into despair, a flicker of Tae-sik's fierce spirit ignited within him.

"Shut up, Min-ho," he replied, surprising himself with the strength in his voice. "You won't be laughing for long."

The laughter died down for a moment, and the crowd looked on in surprise. Jae-min felt his heart race, adrenaline coursing through him. He might not be the strongest yet, but he was no longer willing to be a punching bag.

His eyes locked with Min-ho's, and for the first time, he saw uncertainty flash across the bully's face. Jae-min felt a sense of empowerment swell within him. He might still be alone, but he was no longer weak.

After school, as Jae-min headed home, the weight of his loneliness pressed down on him. He thought about the changes he was making, the strength he was building, and the stats that continued to rise. But there was still one stat that remained stagnant: Charm.

"Current Stats:"

Strength: 60Agility: 54Charm: 31Looks: 42Weight: 104 kg**

He realized that physical strength wasn't enough; he needed to work on his charm and social skills if he wanted to truly change his life. Perhaps it was time to confront the emotional weight that came with being a "fat loser" and learn to stand tall not just in strength but in confidence.

As he arrived home, he set his gym bag down and looked at himself in the mirror, determination glinting in his eyes. "I'll get stronger, and I'll make friends," he promised himself. "This isn't just about losing weight; it's about reclaiming my life."

With a renewed sense of purpose, he prepared for another workout, ready to challenge himself both physically and emotionally. It was time to break down the barriers of loneliness and begin the journey to becoming not just strong, but whole.