19 Grace Period (2)

Dean was sweating heavily. He had chosen to start jogging on the treadmill, the clear conditions wouldn't change unless he went at a faster pace than a brisk walk. Well, that's what he had planned, but Arthur sped the treadmill up making him sprint.

If he stopped now he would have to start all over again. His breathing was haggard and offbeat. He looked down and tried to focus on the digital screen, it wouldn't stay still for him, the sprinting made it go up and down. The screen showed that he had reached two miles after twenty minutes.

"Dean, you need to go faster." Arthur leaned on the side of Dean's treadmill, he was working on his biceps with a sixty kilogram dumbbell. His bicep budged from the weight, Arthur's other arm had pressed the button on the treadmill, making the track speed up.

Dean couldn't speak; with the speed he was going he might accidentally bite his tongue. Arthur smiled, his bicep flexing as he pulled the dumbbell in and out. The weight was insane, but he carried it like it was nothing

"You might've put a lot in Dexterity, but you forget form is important. If you were running properly, you wouldn't be so tired." He grinned. Arthur increased the speed again. Dean could feel his heart beating against his chest, the sweat ran heavily down his head and hit the moving treadmill.

"You've only been lucky so far; I'll whip you into shape after two days. I wouldn't leave a student of mine behind." Arthur laughed.

That's when Dean thought, the Gate Monsters or the Missions might lose the battle of killing him first if Arthur kept this up.

...

Back at Waterloo station, in front of the Mission board, Avery sat against the wall; Tabby on her lap. She was waiting for the two to return. Avery didn't mind because she was able to play with Tabby for longer.

Though it had been around an hour, she was content with the time she had with Tabby. The cat didn't move unless she gave her some of the food she had brought from the others that had set up shops in the restaurants, but Avery didn't mind. Tabby was adorable with how pudgy she was, her fluffy face biting into little pieces of food was a delight for her.

In front of the board, Sam appeared from a green light. He had a broadsword covered in green liquid in his hand, and a large sack held over his shoulder.

No one knew when people who went into the missions would return. The only indication was a bright green light that shined before they returned in its place. Sam flicked his broad sword, most of the green blood, splattered off it onto the floor. He then slid it back into its sleeve on his back. Sam was alone, and exhausted from the side mission. He chose to finish a side mission that was meant for four people.

Avery awed loudly as Tabby stretched out her hind legs to lay down. Sam was slightly surprised, who would make such a sound with how things were now? People are dying left and right. He looked at Avery and than raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Avery didn't notice anyone return, she was too focused on Tabby and her adorable chubby cheeks. Sam went over to her and stood above the two, which casted a large shadow.

Avery looked up to the thing that was casting the shadow, her mouth opened wide at the sight of Sam.

"You're- "

"That's not yours." Sam cut her off and picked up Tabby from Avery's lap. He had the cat grabbed firmly by the scruff of her neck. She hissed after she noticed Sam and went to scratch him with her claw.

But Sam was fast, before she got him Sam stole a piece of food from Avery's hand and stuffed it into the cat's mouth. Avery's face went red with anger, the second time she saw the handsome guy and he tried to steal Tabby from her. He didn't even ask.

"Hey!" She shouted.

Sam ignored her and started to walk off, Avery quickly got up to her feet and followed him.

"Hey! Give her back!" Avery shouted at Sam; he sighed. To him it looked like she was an infant complaining about her toy getting taken. Sam turned to face her.

"Do you want me to beat you up?"

Sam then walked off, but Avery didn't stop and continued following him. She aggravated him but he couldn't be bothered to start another fight after spending half a day clearing a tough Gate by himself. She followed Sam through the entirety of Waterloo Station, going through doors and tunnels. Sam went into an old book shop that was bare of people. Most people wouldn't come down to this part of Waterloo Station often, as they preferred to stay close to the board so they could get easy access to points.

Sam moved to the back of the shop and walked into a room behind a door with 'Staff' labelled in big letters on it. Avery was not too far behind, she kept trying to get his attention so she could get Tabby back, but he wouldn't listen.

"Hey Mary, look who I found." Sam tossed the cat to Mary; she had been sitting on a chair in the staff room. Mary's face lit up as Tabby landed onto her lap.

"Tabby!" She hugged her tightly. The cat recognised her mother and gave her a kiss with her nose. Mary had been crying nonstop since they left Tabby and Dean, you could tell by how red her eyes were. Mary was so happy to have her baby back she could cry, but she must have already cried her eyes empty.

"Hey!" Avery came rushing through the door. Sam gave her an annoyed look; she just wouldn't leave him alone. Avery saw Tabby and Mary cuddling. The woman was laughing as Tabby rubbed into her and purred loudly. Avery figured out who it was straight away. She was a little sad that she wouldn't be able to play with Tabby as much anymore, but she was happy for the two reuniting.

Avery formed a weak smile and went to walk away; Sam was relieved the nuisance was leaving before Mary said:

"You can stay dear; I can tell Tabby likes you very much." Avery turned around, a huge smile with rosy cheeks was on her face.

"Thank you!" she sat next to Mary and stroked the cat. Sam couldn't stand to be there anymore and left the three of them to it.

…

"Nearly there!" Arthur said, his foot putting pressure on Dean as he tried to perform a push-up. The side mission would have been easy if Arthur hadn't pushed Dean so hard. The man liked to push others to their limits. Dean could have said no, but Arthur had a talent for encouraging others. Dean had ten pushups left to do but he could barely do one. His face was red, and his vision was blurred around the edges, a pool of sweat had collected on the floor beneath him and reflected his image.

A black window appeared in front of Dean. His face was strained; the blood vessels on his neck bulged.

[System has detected an efficient rate of completing Mission]

[Adjusting mission parameters for User]

[Side Mission Add-on: Work Out]

Clear Conditions:

Finish Side mission in 60 seconds.

Run for 10 Miles: Complete (10/10)

Perform 100 Push ups: Incomplete (90/100)

Additional Reward: Unknown

Failure: Death

"Death? Get off Arthur!" Dean shouted; the word death panicked him.

"Come on lad, you're nearly there." Arthur didn't move and kept his foot on Dean's back. Arthur thought he was just wimping out. Dean didn't have enough time to explain and instead focused on using all of the power he had left to force himself to speed up. He pushed himself up, and quickly fell to the floor.

"Nine more." Arthur laughed. The window had 53 seconds left on the screen. Dean couldn't help but panic, training might actually kill him. Arthur had a one-track mind when it came to training. He wouldn't listen to Dean until he finished the last of the push ups.

Dean had started to lose the feeling in his arms and legs after he squeezed out eight more pushups, with Arthur adding more weight the closer he got to the end.

"One more." Arthur encouraged, unaware that Dean only had five seconds left or he would die. Dean had things to accomplish, even with the world in the state it was in. He was sure she would still be alive out there somewhere; he was determined to find her.

He wasn't going to die here as his Hunter teacher weighed him down with his foot.

Dean gritted his teeth and pushed with what little strength he had. The last push was painful; especially since most of Arthur's weight was on his back.

The countdown had three seconds left, he had to push a little more. Just a little more. Dean roared while he gritted his teeth and then…

Ding!

Dean reached the top with a second to spare.

"Good job boy!" Arthur roared, with a smile on his face. He was proud of him for pushing until the end, though he didn't realise Dean was close to death.

Dean laid on the floor, exhausted. All he could do was pant as his chest went in and out quickly. He lost and of the feeling in his body. Arthur was telling him he knew he could do it, but to his eyes it was just muffled noise. A loud ringing consumed his ears from all the blood rushing to his head.

[Side Mission: Work Out Complete]

[You have been awarded 10 Points]

[You have been awarded an Additional Rewards]

[You have been awarded 100 Points]

[You have been gifted Clay Body Lv1]

[Sage's Eyes Lv1 Activated]

[Collecting Information]

[Information Collected]

Clay Body: Your body is a ball of clay; keep working and you'll be a masterpiece. Your efficiency in training has slightly increased.

Dean coughed; his body worn out. He nearly died for this.

A green light covered Dean and Arthur. It sent them back to Waterloo Station.

Dean was stuck to the cold floor; everything was sore, and he had lost all control over his body.

"Come on Dean. Let's get you some rest." Arthur picked up the sweat covered Dean, and threw him over his shoulder.