Morning
The morning sun crept lazily through the small cracks in the curtains, spilling soft golden light across Grim's face. His eyelids twitched, and he groaned softly, feeling a deep ache in every muscle.
"Ugh… I can't move…" he whispered, half-buried in his blanket. His arms felt like lead, his shoulders stiff, and his stomach burned from the endless sit-ups he'd forced himself through.
Guess… I overdid it a little.
Downstairs, his mother's voice echoed, bright and sharp as ever.
"Grim! Mira! Breakfast! And don't make me come up there!"
Mira's muffled voice came from the next room. "Mom, tell Grim to get up first!"
Grim sighed. Some things never change.
He managed to roll out of bed, dragging himself toward the basin by the window to splash cold water on his face. As he lifted his head and wiped his face dry, a faint shimmer caught his eye — the familiar blue glow hovering just above his reflection.
The screen was back.
But this time… it looked different.
The interface pulsed once, then reorganized itself. The lines and borders became sharper, the letters clearer — almost alive.
[SYSTEM UPDATE COMPLETE]
New Functions Unlocked: Status, Rank, Level
Grim blinked. "Huh? Update?"
The main display rearranged itself into a sleeker format. A new section at the top appeared, glowing faint gold.
User: Grim Halloway
Race: Human
Level: 1
Rank: None
Title: —
Health: 26
Mana: 2
Strength: 5
Speed: 4
Agility: 3
Stamina: 7
Luck: 10
Intelligence: 40
Exp: 12 / 50
Grim's eyes widened. "It… leveled up?"
He scrolled down curiously. At the bottom, the once-frozen [Skill] and [Heavenly Crusade] tabs remained locked, but now there was a faint glow pulsing beneath them — as if something deep inside was slowly awakening.
A new bar appeared beneath his stats, shimmering faintly:
Potential Growth Rate: [Low → Unstable]
"Huh… unstable?" Grim muttered. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Before he could experiment further, Mira's voice pierced the air again.
"GRIM! If you don't come down right now, Mom's going to use the spoon!"
He flinched. "Right! Coming!"
He quickly dismissed the screen, and it faded into thin air.
As he straightened his tunic and headed for the stairs, a small, secret smile crossed his face.
So… I really am growing stronger.
But deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that whatever this system was — it wasn't just for growth.
It was watching him. Testing him.
After breakfast — and after barely surviving his mother's spoon-based discipline for "being too slow" — Grim slipped out again, heading toward the forest. He had one hand in his pocket and a loaf of bread in the other, pretending to be a kid just wandering around.
Mira and Luke had begged to come along, but he'd waved them off with a grin.
"Not today, I'm running secret errands for Mom!"
They didn't buy it, but by the time they finished arguing, Grim had already vanished into the trees.
The deeper he went, the quieter the forest became. The morning sunlight filtered through the canopy in soft, green patches. Birds chirped faintly above, but no magical creatures stirred — not in this part. Grim had chosen this place for a reason: it was peaceful, predictable, and safe.
He dropped the bread beside a tree stump and rolled his shoulders.
"Alright… let's see if I can push past last night's limit."
He took a deep breath and began:
Push-ups. Sit-ups. Squats. Running laps around the same trees.
Each motion burned, every breath grew heavier, but this time he felt something different.
The blue screen flickered into view on its own, hovering beside him like a silent observer.
Strength +1
Stamina +1
Speed +1
Grim smirked between gasps. "So it's tracking… every little effort, huh?"
He dropped to his knees, panting, wiping sweat from his brow. His body screamed for rest, but he wasn't done yet.
He clenched his fists. "If I could barely carry my sword before, I'll start with carrying myself."
He forced himself to do one more set — arms trembling, lungs burning — until he collapsed flat on the ground. The screen blinked again.
Exp +4
Level Up: 2
He grinned faintly. "Finally… Level 2."
But then — the glow from the screen wavered.
The air around him seemed to hum, faintly distorting. His heart began to race.
[Status Change Detected]
Potential Growth Rate: Unstable → Critical]
"What—?" Grim sat up quickly. The screen started to glitch, letters flickering, reshaping themselves into something like static symbols he didn't recognize.
The wind picked up. The forest grew silent.
Then he heard it — a faint whisper, like a dozen overlapping voices murmuring in languages he couldn't understand. His hands trembled as he looked around, eyes darting between trees.
The screen pulsed one final time, and a single new message appeared in blood-red text:
[Hidden Quest Unlocked: Origin of the Unstable Vessel]
(Objective: Survive)
Grim's breath caught in his throat. "Survive…? Survive what?"
Before he could blink, the ground beneath him shifted — faint cracks forming in the dirt as a cold wind swept through. From the shadows between the roots, something stirred.
A low growl echoed from behind the trees.
Grim stumbled backward, eyes wide. His mana sense — weak as it was — flared for the first time.
And he felt it. A magical presence. Massive. Wild.
Coming straight toward him.
Grim's eyes darted left and right. The forest had gone too quiet.
Even the birds had fled.
The wind carried a low rumble now — not thunder, but a growl that rolled through the trees and into his bones.
He clenched his fists, forcing down the rising panic.
Calm down. Think. This is your world, the same forest you've played in since you were little… just older memories repeating.
But when the creature emerged, every logical thought shattered.
It was massive — at least three times his height — with jagged gray fur like shards of stone and glowing crimson eyes that burned like molten ore. A cracked iron collar hung loosely around its neck, ancient runes flickering faintly along its edges.
Grim's breath hitched. "A… an Ironfang Dire Wolf? That shouldn't even exist here!"
The beast snarled, drool sizzling as it hit the ground. One step, and the soil trembled beneath its claws.
[Warning: Hostile Creature Detected]
Class: C-tier Magical Beast – Ironfang Dire Wolf
Estimated Power: 600+
Grim glanced at his stats.
Strength: 5
Health: 26
He almost laughed out loud.
Well… that's fair.
He slowly stepped back, his heartbeat hammering in his ears. Okay, calm down. I can't outrun it… I can't fight it head-on either.
The wolf's nostrils flared, catching his scent. Then — it lunged.
Grim barely threw himself aside in time, rolling through dirt and leaves as claws slashed through where he'd stood. He scrambled behind a tree, his chest heaving.
Think. Think, Grim!
His eyes darted to the glowing screen, still floating beside him.
[Hidden Quest: Survive]
Timer: 02:00
"Two minutes?! You've got to be kidding me!"
The wolf growled again, circling the tree. Grim bolted in the opposite direction, ducking behind roots and diving into brush. The beast was fast, but its large body crashed through branches and logs, slowing it slightly.
He grabbed a rock — the biggest one he could find — and hurled it at the creature's face.
It bounced off harmlessly, but it did get its attention.
Grim smirked breathlessly. "Yeah, over here, furball!"
The wolf turned and pounced again, but this time Grim dashed sideways, leading it toward a narrow ridge where the ground dipped into a small ravine.
If I time this right…
As the wolf lunged, Grim dove flat to the ground — and the creature's weight carried it forward. The soil beneath its paws crumbled, and the beast tumbled into the ravine below with a roar.
Grim gasped, clinging to a root at the edge to avoid falling in after it.
The ground shook once more before going still.
He hung there, panting. "That… was way too close."
The screen chimed faintly.
Quest Complete: Survive
Rewards: +20 Exp | Strength +2 | Agility +2 | Stamina +3
Bonus: ???
A faint warmth spread through his body — the first genuine pulse of mana he'd ever felt. It flowed through his limbs, faint but real.
Then another line appeared:
[Skill Unlocked: Adaptive Will]
(Effect: Minor stat gain during survival-based conditions)
Grim blinked. "Adaptive… Will?"
He looked down at his trembling hands. They were bruised, dirty, and bleeding slightly — but he couldn't stop smiling.
So that's how I grow stronger.
Through sheer will…
He stood shakily, gazing into the ravine. The Ironfang's red eyes glowed faintly from the darkness below — alive, but trapped.
"Don't worry," Grim muttered, his voice calm but low, eyes glinting in the dim light.
"You almost killed me you stupid dog!!!I'll come back for you when I'm stronger. Thank God I didn't let Luke and Mira tag along"
"I have nothing better to do? Like hell—" Grim muttered under his breath as he started speed-walking down the dimly lit street. "Mom's gonna kill me!"
The town bells were already chiming softly, signaling dusk. Lanterns flickered to life one by one, casting long shadows along the cobbled path. He picked up his pace, clutching the strap of his bag nervously.
If I'm late again, I'll be training my soul to dodge wooden spoons for the next week.
He turned a corner — and immediately froze.
Three boys stood in his path, blocking the narrow street. Older, broader, smug. The same familiar group that always found new creative ways to ruin his day.
"Well, well," the tallest one sneered, crossing his arms. "If it isn't little Grim. Didn't think you'd still be out this late — too busy crying to your mommy?"
The others snickered behind him.
Grim sighed inwardly. "Can we not do this today?"
"Aww, look, he's begging now," another boy said mockingly. "Where's your rich girlfriend, huh? You gonna hide behind her next time too?"
That one stung a bit. Lyra's not my girlfriend, he thought. And even if she was, I'd still have to take this beating anyway.
He looked at the three of them — analyzing.
Their footing was weak. Their stance sloppy.
I could end this in three seconds…
But then he remembered his plan — his cover.
No one can know I've changed.
He let out a quiet breath, shoulders relaxing. "Fine," he muttered. "Let's just get this over with."
Before he could even brace himself, the first punch landed across his cheek. Then another to the stomach. He stumbled but didn't fall.
To them, it looked like he was too scared to react.
To Grim, it felt like… nothing.
Each blow was light — painfully light. The strikes didn't carry mana, didn't have the killing intent he remembered from his past.
His eyes dulled as his mind drifted elsewhere.
Demons twice my size, claws that could tear through steel… that was pain.
This? This is just… noise.
One of the boys shoved him to the ground.
"Cry, Grim! That's what you're good at!"
Grim blinked slowly, dirt smearing his face.
He could've fought back — even just a little.
But he didn't. He just looked up at them, completely calm, a faint, eerie smile tugging at his lips.
The boys froze for half a second. Something in his eyes — something cold and empty — made them take a small step back.
"Wh-what's with that look?" the leader muttered, his voice breaking slightly.
Grim said nothing.
Then, as if bored, he let out a tiny chuckle — just enough to make their skin crawl.
The bullies exchanged nervous glances, muttering excuses to each other before backing off and disappearing down the street.
Grim stayed on the ground for a moment longer, staring up at the evening sky although my mind is tough this new body can't handle beating, I have to avoid being struck.
The faint blue screen flickered into view beside him again.
Emotional Stress Detected
Resilience +1
Pain Tolerance +1
Title Unlocked: "Unbroken"
He exhaled slowly and got to his feet, brushing off the dirt.
"'Unbroken,' huh?" he whispered. "I guess that fits."
He started walking again, slower this time. The lamps along the road flickered in the breeze, his shadow stretching behind him like a quiet ghost.
I won't break again.
Not for anyone.
And somewhere above, in faint, unreadable letters, the screen glitched again—
just for a moment.
[Heavenly Crusade System – Calibration: 2% Complete]
By the time Grim reached the small wooden house at the edge of the village, the moon had already climbed high. The front porch light was on — never a good sign.
He sighed. She's still awake.
As he slowly opened the door, the hinges creaked like they were betraying him.
"Grim Halloway."
Her voice came from the kitchen — calm, but dangerous. The kind of tone that froze blood faster than magic.
Grim froze mid-step. "H-hi, Mom."
Hannah appeared from the doorway, arms crossed, her brown hair tied messily behind her head. The faint smell of stew clung to her apron.
"I told you not to go into town."
"I—I didn't! I just—uh—took a walk. Near the forest. Then I—uh—walked Lyra home—"
"You went into town."
Grim winced. "...Yes, ma'am."
She sighed and rubbed her forehead, muttering under her breath. "That town… people there don't like us, Grim. They never have. I just don't want you getting hurt."
Her tone softened at the end — just slightly.
Grim looked down. "I know. I'm sorry."
Her eyes flicked to the faint bruise on his cheek. "And that?"
He quickly covered it. "Oh, that? Haha, training injury! Totally normal! You know me, just… punching air and losing."
She raised a brow. "Training injury, huh? You have been training a lot recently, what got into you?"
Before he could backpedal, she pulled him close and sighed again, brushing his hair back. "You're just like your father. Always finding ways to make me worry."
Grim's breath caught for a moment.
Father…
He didn't reply — he didn't need to. Hannah just smiled faintly and dabbed a warm cloth against his cheek.
"Sit. I'll clean you up before dinner gets cold."
He obeyed, sitting quietly as she worked. The sting of the cloth against his scrapes was almost comforting.
Dinner, as always, was lively — thanks to Mira.
The six-year-old had somehow gotten mashed potatoes on her nose, dropped her spoon three times, and was now loudly imitating Luke's battle cries with a carrot as a sword.
"I am Sir Luke the Fearless! Slayer of the Evil Broccoli Beast!" she shouted, standing on her chair.
"Mira, sit down before you slay the table," Hannah warned.
"But Mom! The broccoli—"
"No but. Sit."
Grim tried — really tried — not to laugh. But when Mira attempted to sit down with a pout and ended up falling off the chair instead, he snorted so hard stew nearly came out of his nose.
Hannah groaned. "You're both impossible."
For a moment, the whole room was filled with laughter — genuine, warm laughter that made Grim forget everything outside their small home.
That night, as the house grew quiet, Grim lay in bed staring at the ceiling. The blue screen shimmered faintly above him, its glow painting soft light on his face.
Strength: 7
Agility: 3
Stamina: 8
Resilience: 2
Charm: 1
Intelligence: 40
Level: 2
Title: Unbroken
He scrolled slowly through the stats, eyes half-lidded.
"Not bad," he murmured. "Two near-death experiences, one crush encounter, new information on my stats, and a new title. Productive day. What was the thing about instability and the wolf about? Was it because I was training too hard?"
He chuckled softly to himself.
For once, he didn't feel the urge to train more.
His arms ached, his eyes burned, and for the first time in years — in lifetimes — his heart felt oddly at peace.
As he drifted to sleep, the blue screen dimmed on its own, fading into the dark.
System Idle.
User: Resting.
Dream Monitoring: Active...
Outside, the wind rustled the trees.
And somewhere deep in the forest — beneath the earth where shadows stirred — something answered that signal with a faint, mechanical hum.