"Phew, nothing's better than embracing comfiness." Kang Chan said as he lay on his back against his bed, staring at the ceiling. Coming back from school and going straight to sleep is just the best. Not only that, but tomorrow marks the start of the weekend, which works in his favor.
'But it's really a wonder that I got fully set up since coming here,' he thought, placing his hands behind his head.
Since arriving in this world, everything seemed to be ready for him. His ID, his place, the food, and the clothes, all the necessities were provided.
However, there was one thing in common between this life and his previous one, that he's an orphan. Back in his old world, he grew up in an orphanage, fending for himself and living alone. He had managed to make it work, but something about this world felt different.
He didn't have memories of his past here, only the knowledge that he had no parents. With that, he concluded that he was maybe an orphan. Kang Chan wasn't sure if he had a past in this life, but he figured time would reveal the answer.
'At least this place isn't bad at all.' He thought while staring at the ceiling, lost in his thoughts. His home, an apartment in a complex building, wasn't far from his school. The place wasn't too shabby, not too big, not too small, it was perfectly suited for him.
'As for the money…' Kang Chan already had a decent amount, but without a source of income, he needed to figure something out. And he did.
'Stock trading.' He thought. Rather than working a 9-to-5, he'd learn how to trade. He was confident he could master it in just a month.
Trading carried risks, but only if Kang Chan didn't know what he was doing. Fortunately, he did.
"I feel dirty, though." He muttered, sitting up on his bed. He wanted to nap, but his body felt like it needed a shower.
'But first...'
"System, give me the bronze key I got." Kang Chan said.
As he spoke, a bronze key materialized in his hand, becoming solid.
"Hmm." Kang Chan observed the key in his hand. It seemed like a normal key, but he knew it belonged to something. Dowan also received keys ranked according to his system, each unlocking something different. Perhaps it worked the same for him.
"So, system, where do I use it?" he asked.
The key faintly glowed for a moment before a small bronze chest appeared in front of Kang Chan, hovering in the air at chest level.
"A chest?" He eyed the floating chest curiously. This key seemed to work differently than Dowan's method.
Without hesitation, he inserted the bronze key into the keyhole of the chest. A bright light began to seep from the chest as it opened automatically. Kang Chan looked at the light without squinting, it didn't affect his eyes. The light dissipated, revealing three cards hovering next to each other in the place of the chest, that vanished.
"Let's see." Kang Chan said as he examined the faintly colored bronze cards with written content.
[Basic Combat Technique: Low and High Kick]
[Description: A fundamental kicking technique that includes precise muscle memory for both low and high kicks, suitable for striking various target zones.]
'That suits me well, I guess.' Kang Chan thought, looking at the first card. Striking with kicks was preferable to punches. After all, the leg was sturdier than the arm.
He moved on to the second card.
[Passive Skill: Flexible Joints]
[Description: An innate skill that enhances the elasticity and mobility of joints, improving agility and reducing the risk of joint-related injuries.]
"Now that's relevant." Kang Chan commented, assessing the second card. Flexible joints were essential, though it hadn't crossed his mind before. The skill paired well with the first card.
Better flexibility allowed for a greater range of motion in combat or dodging, and it improved the execution of high kicks.
'It's like that guy from Lookism.' Kang Chan thought, recalling a character with impressive flexibility. 'I think his name is Jacky or something.' He remembered someone named Jacky from the James Lee arc, part of the Ansan Public.
Jacky had used his flexibility effectively against Zack Lee, easily overpowering him, only for him to be bodied later.
Kang Chan now turned his attention to the last card.
[Passive Skill: Accelerated Cell Repair]
[Description: A basic passive ability that improves the body's natural healing process slightly, providing a small edge in recovery and resilience.]
[Effect: Cells repair 2% faster than the average person, helping to recover from minor bruises, small cuts, and general fatigue quicker. Slight reduction in soreness and stiffness after physical activity.]
[Bonus: Consistent physical activity and training may gradually improve this skill's effectiveness, leading to minor increases in endurance over time.]
'Now that's a long one.' Kang Chan thought, surprised by the card's content.
"A healing-type skill?" Kang Chan frowned. He hadn't expected this. Even though it only helped with minor injuries or fatigue, it felt special.
His body's cells were now slightly above average, repairing 2% faster. Though a small percentage, it wasn't insignificant. Kang Chan also struggled with weak stamina, quickly getting fatigued after physical exertion. This skill could help.
But that wasn't all.
'The bonus...' Kang Chan focused on the bonus content. It mentioned that consistent physical activity and training might, not surely, but might improve the skill's effectiveness.
The first thought that crossed Kang Chan's mind after assessing the bonus was
'The Perfect Body.'
'Could it be… I can reach that?' Kang Chan wondered before shaking his head.
'No way.' He dismissed the thought. The Perfect Body belonged to the category of the supernatural, though what he was experiencing now wasn't exactly any different. It was still a far-fetched idea.
He'd see what the future held.
"By the way, system, do you have any functions?" Kang Chan suddenly asked. He wanted to know if the system offered more features.
[Yes, Host. There is an accessible Training Space.]
"A training space?" Kang Chan muttered. It seemed like a dedicated space for practice.
"Send me there." He said, standing up from his bed.
Following his words, the space around him began to shift. His room disappeared, gradually being overlapped by something else until it condensed into a spacious, flat, gray area.
'It looks like an underground bunker,' Kang Chan thought, observing the place.
"Hmm." He muttered as a circular target, a red bullseye, appeared in the air in front of him, stagnant and unmoving.
"Wait a minute." Kang Chan muttered, his brows furrowing in realization. "I've played these games before."
With those words, Kang Chan lifted his leg and executed a high kick toward the bullseye mark in front of him. His kick connected cleanly, and the mark disappeared, fading into the air.
[Proficiency Mechanism Triggered]
A system prompt materialized in front of him, quickly updating with new information.
[Techniques:]
[Low and High Kick (0%)]
"Proficiency level, huh?" Kang Chan noted the percentage displayed beside the technique. It seemed logical, training would be necessary to improve it.
"Let's do it right now then." He decided, stepping up to another bullseye mark, this one positioned lower than the previous one. With a swift motion, he delivered a low kick, obliterating the target.
Immediately, countless bullseyes appeared around him, positioned at varying heights, low, medium, and high, all correlating to the technique he was practicing.
"Annoying." Kang Chan muttered under his breath as he eyed the targets. The sheer number of them was daunting, but he had no choice. If he wanted to improve, he needed to push through. The future wouldn't be kind or forgiving.
"Phew, let's make this count." He muttered, adjusting his stance.
Raising his leg, Kang Chan initiated his first kick, connecting cleanly with a medium-height bullseye. The target vanished instantly. Without hesitation, he transitioned into a low kick, eliminating another target with equal precision.
'I need to be faster. My follow-ups need to be smoother.' Kang Chan thought, focusing on improving his flow. Even though he lacked formal combat training or experience, he understood that seamless transitions between strikes were critical for efficiency and effectiveness.
Kick after kick, he continued, alternating between low and high strikes. Each movement became progressively faster and smoother, his body adapting to the repetitive motions.
"Three… four… five…" He counted under his breath, every strike landing with slight, and slowly improving precision.
After his tenth kick, Kang Chan paused, breathing heavily.
[Proficiency Increased: Low and High Kick (0.5%)]
[Stat Updated: Speed +1 (5 → 6)]
A system prompt appeared before him. Kang Chan glanced at it, noting the slight increase in his speed stat. He experimentally flexed his leg, feeling a subtle but noticeable difference in how it moved.
"My speed increased, huh?" He muttered, slightly surprised. But he knew better than to rely solely on the system for improvement. He would need a proper training regimen if he wanted significant progress.
In the world of Lookism, people trained in absurd, almost superhuman ways, pushing their bodies beyond conventional limits. Kang Chan was confident he could eventually do the same, only better.
Refocusing on the remaining bullseyes, he resumed his practice. His strikes became slowly more precise, as the targets disappeared one by one. After another ten strikes, he stopped again to catch his breath, his legs beginning to ache.
'At least the flexibility skill is helping.' Kang Chan thought as he was able to perform subtle high kicks in various forms that required a person to have high flexibility, with ease.
[Proficiency Increased: Low and High Kick (1.0%)]
"It's not guaranteed every time?" He muttered, realizing that the increase in his speed trait wasn't consistent. He needed to test further.
Without wasting time, Kang Chan continued, delivering another series of ten kicks. His breathing grew heavier, and the strain in his legs intensified.
When the last bullseye disappeared, another system prompt appeared.
[Proficiency Increased: Low and High Kick (1.2%)]
[Stat Updated: Speed +1 (6 → 7)]
His legs gave out, and Kang Chan fell onto his butt with a frustrated groan.
"Damn." He muttered, resting his arms on his knees as he struggled to catch his breath. His body felt heavy, and his legs throbbed with soreness. His stamina was clearly lacking.
'But I can feel it.' He thought, noticing a cool, soothing sensation washing over his body. The ache in his muscles began to fade slightly. It was the healing skill at work, slowly easing his fatigue and soreness, but not entirely.
After taking an eight-minute break, Kang Chan stood up, though his legs were still a bit shaky.
"Okay, I'm kinda ready now." He muttered, clenching his fists.
Without hesitation, he resumed his training. Each kick struck a bullseye, and each motion sent a sharp burn through his legs. Yet, he persisted, erasing the targets one by one.
After another ten kicks, he checked the system prompt.
[Proficiency Increased: Low and High Kick (1.9%)]
"A pain… in the… ass." He muttered between labored breaths. His legs trembled, ready to give out entirely. There was still no change in his stats this time, but Kang Chan wasn't gonna stop here as he decided to.
'No point stopping now. I just have to do it.' He thought as he expressionlessly eyed the remaining bullseyes.
Kang Chan struck again, ignoring the burning sensation in his legs. Each kick felt heavier, but he continued, his body moving on his own choice. By the seventh strike, his legs were screaming in protest.
On the eighth kick, dizziness hit him like a wave. His vision blurred, and his surroundings became muffled. His body felt like it was floating, his breaths shallow and uneven.
But Kang Chan didn't stop.
Pushing through the pain, he delivered the ninth strike. His body was teetering on the edge of collapse, though he didn't care.
For the tenth and final kick, Kang Chan moved on instinct alone. His foot connected with the target just as his vision faded to gray.
"What… is this?" He muttered weakly, his body trembling uncontrollably. His surroundings felt distant, and his legs finally gave out without him noticing, sending him collapsing to the ground.
As he fell, a series of system prompts appeared in his fading vision.
[Proficiency Increased: Low and High Kick (2.7%)]
[Stat Updated: Strength +1 (7 → 8)]
[Congratulations! You have received the title: "Unyielding Machine"]
[Title Effect: Training progress +20%. Pain tolerance +20%.]
Darkness overtook him as the final prompt faded from view, leaving Kang Chan unconscious on the floor of the training space.
==
just small system intro