Chapter 4: Heavenly Restrictions
The following days were practically the same: wake up early, do Saitama's training every single day, and repeat. I just hoped I wouldn't go bald, because honestly, I didn't want to end up looking like a kneecap. I liked my hair, thank you very much.
The points I earned, I distributed evenly — there was no point in having strength without speed or endurance to back it up. Most of them went to strength, speed, and endurance, while intelligence, perception, and recovery I hadn't touched yet... although I discovered that intelligence could be increased just by reading books. Pretty useful, when you think about it.
Another thing I noticed was how fast my body was changing. I no longer looked like Peter the Eel, or had noodle arms or chicken legs. I was gaining muscle at a ridiculously fast pace, probably thanks to the system. I went from wire-thin arms to having a more toned body, like I'd been training for months. I even grew a bit taller — now I stood at 1.85 meters. In short, I looked much better. Stronger, taller… even more handsome. And I won't lie, that definitely boosted my mood.
As for the system, well… after getting the katana, the following daily rewards were mostly trash. Except for the Doomguy Toy I'd gotten — that one was actually cool. I had no idea what it was for, but I kept it as a trophy.
Anyway, right now I was finishing a day of classes, walking through the halls while noticing the glances and whispers from several girls around me.
"Wow, is that Akira? He looks different."
"He's so much hotter."
"He's taller too, and in shape."
"Do you think he'd give me his number if I asked?"
Hearing those comments brought a small smirk to my face. I won't deny it — it felt good. It was a direct hit to my ego. After all, who wouldn't like being noticed for looking better?
.
.
.
.
Once I got home, I dropped onto the couch, grabbed an apple from the table, and took a bite. In my other hand, the daily loot box appeared and opened on its own in front of me. This time, instead of something flashy or useless, a key appeared.
I frowned, raising an eyebrow as I examined it curiously. It was a metallic key, black with red details on the handle. Right then, a blue screen appeared before my eyes.
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[Notification]
[Info: Key used to teleport to an instance dungeon. Can be used at any subway station in the city.]
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"A dungeon…?" I muttered, turning the key between my fingers.
If it was a dungeon, that meant enemies… and enemies meant experience. That sounded tempting, but before jumping into it, I needed to check my current stats. With a simple thought, I opened my status window.
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[Player Stats]
Name: Akira ???
Job: None
Title: None
HP: 250/250
MP: 50
Strength: 19
Speed: 16
Agility: 12
Endurance: 16
Perception: 10
Recovery: 10
Intelligence: 14
Fatigue: 0%
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I sighed as I looked at my stats. Yeah, I'd improved a lot compared to my past self, but I was still far from being strong enough to dive into something as dangerous as a dungeon.
"No, not yet," I muttered, closing the status window and storing the key in my inventory.
There was no point in risking my life without the confidence of surviving. I might be stronger, but I was still weak by any serious standard. I decided I'd wait until my stats were at least around 30 before trying something that risky.
For now, I'd just keep training.
Then, another message popped up in front of me — one that caught me completely off guard. Unlike the previous notifications, this one was far more interesting… and significant.
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[New Message]
[Two flaws have been detected in the player's body: physical weakness and low MP (mana points) capacity.]
[Since the player has knowledge of "Heavenly Restrictions," you may now choose one of the following:]
1. [Physical Restriction:] This restriction grants a physically, sensorily, mentally, and intellectually overhuman body, but in exchange, the production of cursed energy (MP) will be deficient or completely null.
2. [Energy Restriction (MP):] The opposite of the previous one. It grants massive cursed energy (MP) output, but at the cost of a fragile, incomplete, and sickly body.
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As I read the message, I unconsciously bit my nails, weighing my options. This was a golden opportunity — one that, if I played my cards right, could turn me into a real monster.
This body already had both weaknesses: almost no MP and a frail build. However, if I chose one of these restrictions, those same weaknesses could become strengths.
If I chose the Physical Restriction, I'd lose my MP entirely, but in exchange, I'd gain a superhuman body. More strength, more speed, more endurance… basically, an upgrade in every physical aspect.
On the other hand, if I chose the Energy Restriction, my MP would skyrocket, giving me insane magical power — but my body would become even more fragile than it already was.
I stayed silent, carefully processing each option. Both had pros and cons… but in the end, the choice was mine.
"Which one will I choose…?" I muttered to myself, staring intently at the glowing screen before my eyes.
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End of Chapter