Next was the running. I put on Marcus's boots, which were worn but still functional, and headed outside. The Blackwood estate was small compared to other noble houses, just a main building, a few outbuildings, and some farmland. Beyond that was the village, and beyond that, the forest where I would eventually face my death.
I started jogging down the dirt road that led to the village. After just five minutes, I was already breathing hard. After ten minutes, I had to slow down to a walk. My lungs felt like they were on fire, and my legs were like jelly.
"Come on," I gasped to myself. "If you can't even jog for thirty minutes, how are you going to fight monsters?"
I kept pushing myself, alternating between jogging and walking. The sun was getting higher in the sky, and sweat was dripping down my face. Some of the villagers I passed gave me strange looks. Marcus was known for staying inside all the time, so seeing him exercise was probably shocking.
By the time I made it back to the house, I had been moving for exactly thirty minutes. I collapsed on the front steps, completely exhausted.
**[Running completed: 30/30 minutes]**
**[Your endurance has improved slightly.]**
After resting and drinking some water, I found an old wooden sword in the storage room. It was probably used by Marcus's older brothers when they were kids. The wood was scratched and dented, but it would work for practice.
I went to the backyard and started swinging the sword. I had no idea what I was doing. I just copied what I had seen in movies and anime, trying to make the movements look smooth and powerful.
It was harder than it looked. The sword was heavier than I expected, and after just a few minutes, my shoulders were burning. But I kept going, swinging the sword over and over, imagining I was fighting the Shadowfang Wolf that was supposed to kill me.
**[Sword practice progress: 15/60 minutes]**
**[Form is terrible, but effort is good.]**
"Thanks for the encouragement," I muttered sarcastically.
An hour later, I could barely lift my arms. The wooden sword felt like it weighed a hundred pounds. But I had done it.
**[Sword practice completed: 60/60 minutes]**
**[You have gained: Basic Sword Handling (Terrible)]**
The last part of the daily mission was reading about monsters. This was easy compared to the physical training. I went back to my room and found Marcus's collection of books. Most of them were about history and magic theory, but there were a few that mentioned the creatures living in the Whispering Forest.
I read about Shadowfang Wolves, the creatures that were supposed to kill me. They were about the size of regular wolves but much faster and smarter. Their fangs could inject a paralyzing poison, and they liked to hunt alone or in pairs. They were weak to fire magic and bright lights, but strong against physical attacks.
I also read about other creatures I might encounter during the exam: Gloom Bears, Stone Spiders, Wind Serpents, and various types of magical plants. Each one had different weaknesses and attack patterns.
After two hours of reading, my eyes were tired, but my brain was full of useful information.
**[Monster research completed: 120/120 minutes]**
**[You have gained: Monster Knowledge (Basic)]**
**[DAILY MISSION COMPLETE!]**
**[Rewards: 25 Points, +1 Strength, +1 Speed]**
**[Bonus reward for first completion: +1 Intelligence]**
I felt a warm sensation flow through my body. It was subtle, but I definitely felt a little stronger and more alert than before.
[Updated Status:]
- Strength: 9/20 (Still Very Weak)
- Speed:8/20 (Still Very Slow)
- Intelligence: 13/20 (Above Average)
- Survival Rate: 0.05%
"My survival rate went up!" I said excitedly. It was still terrible, but it was better than before.
**[Progress detected. New shop items unlocked.]**
I checked the shop again and saw some new options:
- Nutritious Meal - 5 Points (Helps muscle recovery)
- Basic Fitness Equipment - 15 Points
- Beginner's Luck Charm - 10 Points (Slightly improves training results)
I bought three Nutritious Meals and the Beginner's Luck Charm, leaving me with 5 points left over.
The meals appeared on my desk as three wrapped packages that looked like modern energy bars. They tasted better than I expected, like meat and vegetables mixed together. I could feel my tired muscles starting to feel better as I ate.
The Beginner's Luck Charm was a small silver pendant that gave off a faint warm feeling when I put it on.
**[Charm equipped. Training efficiency increased by 10%.]**
As the sun started to set, I sat on my bed and looked out the window at the forest in the distance. Somewhere in there, a Shadowfang Wolf was waiting to kill me in seventy-one days.
"But I'm not the same Marcus who was supposed to die," I said quietly. "I know you're coming. I know how you fight. And I'm going to be ready."
I opened my status window again:
**[Days until exam: 71]**
**[Survival Rate: 0.05%]**
**[Current Level: 1]**
**[Experience: 25/100]**
It wasn't much, but it was a start. Every day I would get stronger, faster, and smarter. Every day my chances of survival would improve.
I had read enough stories to know that the weak extra character could become strong if they worked hard enough. I had the knowledge of what was coming, a system to help me improve, and most importantly, the determination to live.
"Seventy-one days," I said to myself as I got ready for bed. "That's enough time to change everything."
**[New Achievement Unlocked: First Step on the Path]**
**[Reward: +5 Points, Determination ability (Passive)]**
**[Determination: Allows you to push through physical and mental fatigue more easily.]**
I smiled as I lay down to sleep. For the first time since waking up in this world, I felt hopeful. I was still weak, still in danger, but I was no longer helpless.
Tomorrow, I would train harder. I would get stronger. And step by step, day by day, I would change my fate from certain death to certain survival.
The original Marcus Blackwood was supposed to die in seventy-one days.
But I wasn't the original Marcus anymore. I was something new, something stronger.
I was someone who refused to die.