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"I'm tired of this,"

Logan muttered to himself, his voice mingling with the distant echoes of construction work. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows that stretched across the construction site like weary fingers. It had been an unrelenting day, the weight of bricks and the ceaseless pounding of tools taking a toll on both body and spirit.

Logan wiped his brow, smudging the sweat and dirt that clung to his skin. His work-worn hands gripped the edges of a wooden plank, aching as he moved it into place.

The clang of metal against stone reverberated in his ears, creating a symphony of labor that echoed through the bustling site.

He leaned against the unfinished wall, letting out a deep sigh as the strains of exhaustion crept through his muscles. The construction site buzzed with activity around him – the rhythmic thudding of hammers, the occasional shout of orders, and the relentless hum of machinery. It was as if the very air was saturated with weariness.

Nearby, a group of workers huddled together during a short break. Their faces, etched with fatigue and streaked with sweat, showed a mix of determination and camaraderie. Jake, a fellow worker and a close friend, approached Logan with a tired grin.

"You holding up, Logan?" Jake asked, his voice carrying a hint of sympathy.

Logan managed a tired smile in response. "Barely. This day seems to be dragging its feet."

Jake chuckled, the sound mingling with the surrounding clamor. "You and me both. But hey, once we're done, we'll have built something to be proud of."

Logan nodded, his gaze wandering across the structure taking shape before them. Bricks and mortar were coming together to form a building – a testament to their labor, a physical manifestation of their dedication.

As the sun began its descent, casting an orange glow across the sky, Logan's thoughts turned to the simple pleasures that awaited him. A hot shower, a warm meal, and the comfort of his couch – those were the luxuries he yearned for in that moment.

"We're almost done for the day," Jake said, his voice pulling Logan from his reverie. "Just a little more, and we can call it a night."

Logan nodded again, mustering his remaining energy, he returned to his work, each swing of the hammer punctuated by a deep breath and a focused gaze.

Time seemed to stretch as the shadows grew longer. The sun dipped lower, casting the construction site in a golden hue that softened the edges of fatigue. Finally, as the sky turned shades of dusky blue and deep purple, the foreman's voice rang out, signaling the end of the day's labor.

Logan set down his tools, He stretched his arms overhead, muscles protesting as they loosened from their tense positions. Around him, the other workers began to pack up, their movements slower than usual, their exhaustion palpable.

With a nod to Jake, Logan gathered his belongings – his tool belt, his worn gloves, and his battered hard hat. Logan's footsteps were heavy as he made his way through the maze of scaffolding and unfinished walls.

The city's neon lights began to flicker to life as the day transitioned into night. The familiar glow illuminated Logan's path as he walked, casting elongated shadows across the pavement. He breathed in the scent of the city – a mix of concrete, exhaust, and the promise of rest.

Logan walked out from the site and headed toward a local book store which was located three blocks away from his work that he visited often. As he approached the familiar entrance, a feeling of calm began to wash over his shoulders temporarily easing the day's fatigue.

The small bell above the door chimed softly as Logan stepped inside, greeted by the comforting scent of old newspaper, books and ink. He headed toward the counter where an elderly women, sat engrossed in a book.

With her silver hair neatly pinned back and glasses preached on her nose, was reading a thick tome that Logan recognized as a book about ancient philosophy. She looked up when heard the bell and smiled warmly.

"Well well, look who's come back? "She greeted, putting down her book

Logan couldn't help but smile back. "Hello to you too, Mrs. Elenore."

She waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, come now, Logan, you've been coming here for quite a while now. You know better than calling me 'Mrs. Elenore' any more. Just call me Elenore there no need to be formal with me anymore." Logan chuckled softly. "Okay, I'll try."

Elenore removed her glasses and placed them on the receipt desk, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, did you come here for another book?"

"Actually, yes," Logan replied, though his tone carried a hint of uncertainty. Elenore let out a deep sigh, shaking her head in amazement. "Honestly, I don't know how you do it. You work all day doing labor and still find time to read books. You're just too much."

Logan grinned. "Well, there's nothing quite like getting lost in a good story to help me unwind after a long day."

Elenore's eyes sparkled with excitement. "There are new books that arrived yesterday. Maybe you'll find something interesting back there." "Thanks," Logan said, heading towards the section where the new arrivals were displayed.

As he perused the shelves, a particular book caught his eye. It had a pitch-black cover, the title written in elegant, golden text: *The Clockwork Codex*. Intrigued, Logan decided he would dive into this book after cleaning up. He picked a few more books and then returned to the counter. Elenore examined the books, neatly placing them into a bag. She handed the bag to Logan with a smile. "Happy reading, Logan." "Thanks, Elenore. See you next time," Logan said, bidding her farewell.

Arriving at his apartment building, Logan climbed the worn staircase, As he unlocked the door to his small apartment, a sense of familiarity washed over him. The room was a refuge, a sanctuary where he could finally shed the burdens of the day.

Stripping off his dusty work clothes, Logan stepped into the shower, allowing the warm water to wash away the grime and fatigue. The sensation was both soothing and invigorating, revitalizing his worn body and invigorating his spirit.

As the water cascaded over him, Logan's thoughts began to drift. He pondered the weariness that went beyond the physical – the mental and emotional exhaustion that seemed to seep into his very soul. He thought about the monotony of his routine, the relentless cycle of work and sleep, and the nagging feeling that there was more to life than what he was currently experiencing.

 After he got out of the shower, he sat on his sofa, eating a cup of ramen while watching TV for a little while.

Deciding to dive into his new books, he initially avoided *The Clockwork Codex*, opting to try the other titles first. One by one, he gave each new book a chance, but none captured his interest. With a frustrated sigh, he grumbled, _What's up with these new authors these days? They just put some random words together that don't give any meaning._ Finally, defeated, Logan turned his attention to the black book. He admired its beautiful and dignified pattern. "Okay, based on the cover, I think this will be a good book, but I don't know until I read it first," he muttered.

Opening the first page, he saw the title *The Clockwork Codex* written by ***, the author's name conspicuously missing. "Maybe the author doesn't want to be known due to his work, I guess," he thought to himself. Logan flipped to the next page, but to his surprise, it was blank. He turned another page, and another, and another—nothing but blank pages. "Are you kidding me? What's up with my luck today? First, I almost got hit by a truck, stepped in a dog's poop, got scolded by my boss for being late, and now this! It's like the universe is against me," he exclaimed in frustration.

After a few moments of silence, Logan got up from the sofa, shaking his head. "Maybe today just wasn't my day. Maybe I should go to sleep," he said with a half-hearted chuckle. He trudged to his bedroom, collapsing onto his bed, which let out a little squeak.

Staring at the ceiling with a depressed expression, he sighed. "Maybe this is the universe telling me that I'm wasting my life away. God, I wish I was transported to another world like in webtoons, with a cool ability and a good-looking chick. Living the dream... I wish I had that." As he voiced his wish, his eyes began to grow heavy, and he slowly drifted off to sleep, escaping the woes of the day if only for a while.