Chapter 43: The Last Rep
Sunlight stretched across the room, creeping into Jin's eyes from the slightly parted curtains. He groaned softly, raising a hand to shield himself. For a long moment, he lay there, feeling the quiet weight of the morning settle over him. Slowly, he pushed himself up, stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders. His muscles hummed with residual soreness from yesterday's run, yet beneath it was a steady undercurrent of strength he hadn't felt in years.
Sliding his legs over the edge of the bed, Jin glanced around the room, taking in the familiar sight of his belongings: the neatly folded clothes, the polished floor, the faint scent of his cologne lingering in the air. He shook his head, almost smiling. I've come a long way.
He walked to the door and opened it, stepping into the cool morning air of his apartment corridor. The bathroom door shut behind him with a soft click as he stepped into the shower. The warm water splashed over his shoulders, running down his arms, soaking into his hair. Each drop seemed to wash away the remnants of exhaustion, leaving him sharper, cleaner, more awake. By the time he turned off the shower, Jin's body felt alive, energized, ready.
Dressed in his casual gym wear — black compression shorts and a fitted gym shirt — he approached the system window hovering faintly in the corner of the room. The glow reflected on his skin, and the familiar interface lit up with a soft hum:
[Quest: Glow Back Up — Day 14][Objective: Complete final day of exercises]
Jin's chest tightened. The past two weeks flashed through his mind — the fatigue, the burning muscles, the countless push-ups and sit-ups, the 10-kilometer runs in the early hours when the city was still silent. His arms, once thin and frail, now bulged with defined muscle. His chest and abs were sculpted, his veins standing out along his forearms. Even the subtle shadow of a six-pack was visible beneath his skin. He flexed slightly, feeling the difference with each movement. Tree trunks, he thought with a wry grin.
Without hesitation, he stepped into his private gym. The floorboards creaked under his weight as he dropped into the first set of 100 push-ups. His hands pressed against the polished surface, fingers splayed. With each push, his muscles contracted, then relaxed, flowing with a fluid strength that surprised even him. Not a bead of sweat escaped — the system's previous enhancements made the strain manageable, yet the burn in his arms and chest was satisfying.
Next came the sit-ups. Jin lay flat on his back, legs bent, hands behind his head. One by one, his torso lifted, abs flexing with precise control. By the 50th repetition, he felt the familiar tension of effort, the sharp satisfaction of progress. He grinned — 13 percent body fat, and climbing. Even a model would envy this.
Finally, the run. He laced up his shoes and stepped onto the track, each stride measured, precise. The morning air burned slightly in his lungs, the rhythm of his feet on the ground syncing with his heartbeat. Kilometre by kilometre, he moved forward, mind focused on nothing but the motion, the steady pumping of his legs. The system window hovered unobtrusively to the side, a silent observer of his progress.
When he finally stopped, the 10 kilometres complete, Jin threw his arms into the air and let out a loud shout, the echo bouncing off the walls. He chugged water, letting the cool liquid chase away the dry burn in his throat, then grabbed a towel to wipe away the faint sweat still clinging to his skin.
[Quest Complete — Glow Back Up][Reward: Physical Enhancement +5][Status: Maximum Achievement]
Jin exhaled, a wide grin spreading across his face. His body felt alive, every muscle firing with new potential. He stepped into the shower again, letting the water cascade down his body, this time more leisurely. Each drop carried a sense of triumph, a quiet acknowledgment of the effort he had poured into himself.
Dressed in a fitted black turtleneck, VL overcoat, black trousers, and polished dress shoes, Jin approached his car. He glanced at the rear-view mirror, adjusting his collar, and started the engine. Today, he decided, he would visit the old man's grave — not out of sorrow, but gratitude. He would leave a flower, offer a silent thanks, and remind himself of the promise he had made to keep rising, no matter the obstacles.
The drive was smooth, the morning sun glinting off the car's surface. Jin's thoughts wandered briefly to Star Palace — he hadn't been there in a while. Perhaps he would stop by after the grave. The restaurant had been thriving, and though he wasn't involved in the daily operations, seeing employees moving efficiently, customers laughing over meals, it warmed him. A faint pride tugged at his chest.
At the cemetery, he stood before Edward Lee's grave. The flower in his hand felt almost weightless, yet it carried a heaviness of sentiment. Kneeling, Jin placed the flower gently against the stone, his fingers brushing the engraved name. A quiet moment passed. No words were spoken, no forced sentimentality. Just respect. Just acknowledgment. Just a promise to keep becoming stronger.
When he rose, Jin allowed himself a deep breath, the air crisp in his lungs. The sun had climbed higher, spilling warmth over the gravestones. A small, almost imperceptible notification blinked at the edge of his vision:
[Daily Boost Applied: +2 Physical Enhancement]
Jin smiled faintly. "It's just the beginning," he muttered, stepping back. Turning to his car, he felt the familiar spark of anticipation — not for wealth, not for power, but for the path ahead. Every step he took, every choice he made, was a measure of how far he could rise.
The city awaited, and Jin was ready.