Squats, Scams, and Smith's Big Book Plan

At ten o'clock in the evening, Noah wiped the sweat from his forehead, setting down the 300-kilogram weight beside him, glancing at the content displayed on his training app:

> **You performed a total of 312 weighted squats...**

> **Repeat 21 times to increase the upper limit of strength by 0.1.**

> **Repeat 5 times to increase the upper limit of physical fitness by 0.1.**

> **Repeat 19 times to increase the upper limit of mental strength by 0.1.**

With an additional 0.2 increase in strength, the training efficiency was reaching a whole new level. After just four or five hours tonight, he was already close to hitting his upgrade point.

"That'll do for today," Noah said, standing up and turning to Coach Smith.

Smith's face was blank with astonishment. "You're… stopping? Only five hours today?"

"It's fine. You guys are about to close up anyway. I'll pick up tomorrow after school."

Noah brushed off the sweat, deciding he'd shower at home, where he'd just continue his training anyway. No point in cooling down here.

Smith watched as Noah left, a slight grin on his face. The kid was getting stronger every day, but the real surprise was the method and drive behind it all. As a coach, Smith had met all sorts, but Noah's progress was unlike anything he'd seen—consistent, relentless, and somehow personal.

Back at his desk, Smith opened a notebook. He'd been taking notes on Noah's progress for a while now, imagining all sorts of futures for him. Maybe one day Noah would be a hero, someone people looked up to, or he'd fall into the shadows with one of those mutant groups. Either way, Smith was betting he'd have a front-row seat, and he planned to make the most of it.

With a chuckle, he jotted down a few new book title ideas: **My Mutant Client**, if Noah took a darker path; or maybe **My Mutant Brother** if he ended up a hero. A win-win, he thought, and got up to lock up for the night.

---

Noah made his way home, considering the training results he'd just achieved. Pushing his strength to 1.5 was still his primary focus, especially since the boost would mean faster recovery from injury and a major advantage in combat.

He barely had time to start his next workout before his phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number. A familiar voice answered on the other end, gruff and sly:

> "Hey, kid, need some extra cash? Got a big job lined up, and if you're in, you'll get 10% of the profit."

Noah's eyes narrowed at the sound of Uncle Li's voice, a ghost from a life he'd left behind. "I told you, I'm out. No more jobs."

Uncle Li laughed, dismissing the refusal. "You sure? You were born for this kind of work, kid. All those other guys can't keep up with you."

"I'm sure," Noah repeated flatly, "Thanks, but no thanks."

Uncle Li's tone turned impatient, his voice thick with mock regret. "After your parents gambled themselves into debt, who took you in, huh? You think you can just throw that away?"

Noah forced down a surge of anger, unwilling to be baited into an argument over things he couldn't change. "Look, Uncle Li, I've moved on. You should, too." With that, he hung up.

Dropping the phone on his bed, Noah took a few deep breaths. He couldn't let himself get dragged back into that world, but Uncle Li's words lingered. He still needed a way to launder the cash he'd taken, and for now, Uncle Li was off the table. He'd have to figure out another way.

Sighing, he returned to his workout, hoisting the wardrobe in his room like it was a dumbbell. As he began his squats, he recalled advice he'd seen in the **Multiverse Chat Group**: always stay under the radar and avoid unnecessary risks. After all, any fame in this world could bring a lot more trouble than it was worth.

> "Tomorrow's another chance to make progress," he muttered. If he could break through the 1.5 limit soon, his physical abilities would rise to another level.

Noah resumed his reps, each squat a step closer to achieving that goal, mentally readying himself for the new challenges that lay ahead.

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All right, my exams for this week are done. So, I will try to consistently upload for maybe the next 2 days. And here is one of the promised Bonus Chapters. There will be more. Maybe...

So, this is my first time doing this. I hope you guys can help me improve by providing your feedback, and some stones would be nice. (づ ◕‿◕ )づ