The Run I

Kai sat frozen, his gaze locked onto the glowing system notification. His fingers clenched into fists, his breath coming slow and measured as his mind reeled, trying to process the absurdity before him.

"When the player has exhausted all 9 wishes, the player will lose his right to live."

His brows furrowed as a look of distress came over his face.

"What the fuck is this?!"

This wasn't real. It couldn't be. He must have misread it. There had to be some kind of mistake.

But still, the notification floated before him, refusing to disappear, causing his thoughts to spiral the more.

"The system is rigged!"

That was the only explanation that made sense. Why else would it drop something like this on him out of nowhere? Why keep it a secret until now if not that it wanted him to dispose all his wishes before hand.

'Why the hell is the world against me? I didn't do anything wrong.'

His memories only stretched back a single year, and in that time, he had done nothing but survive.

Fighting off devils, barely making it out alive, never having a moment to breathe—and now, after finally gaining something that could change his fate, this?

The system had let him make just one wish—just one—and yet it counted his failed attempts?

"Wait."

His brows furrowed, fingers rubbing his chin.

'No… that doesn't add up. If the system grants wishes like a genie, then it wouldn't count the failed ones. So that leaves one question… Who made the other six wishes?'

Almost responsive, a second notification chimed attaining his attention in a jiff.

[Player has 9 years to make all 9 wishes.]

[When 9 years are up, Player must relinquish his right to live, whether all 9 wishes have been exhausted or not.]

[Years used: 6/9 years.]

Kai exhaled sharply, shoulders slumping.

'Of course. More bad news.'

It was almost funny at this point. If the system was supposed to be his ticket to survival, then it had clearly picked the wrong guy.

'Six years… gone. Just like that...what a day.'

He clenched his jaw. The more he thought about it, the more it made sense—this system, this power—it wasn't truly his.

' It had to be inherited.'

He'd only received it in that haunted house, after all, so that would be a plausible reason.

His teeth ground together as a bitter chuckle left his lips.

'If I knew this was what the system had in store for me, I would've rejected the damn system if I had the choice… Fuck it.'

With an exhausted sigh, he let his body fall back onto the bed, his head sinking into the comfy pillow.

'Three years left to live, huh? Just when I hit the jackpot in sorcery, I'm already out of time.' The thought gnawed at him.

Despite everything, despite how cruel life had been, he still wanted to live. Even in this wretched world, even with everything against him—he wanted to survive. Perhaps he was more human than he even realized.

'I guess Allison's probably laughing right now. I'll be joining you in hell soon.' He thought inwardly with a soft chuckle. But, regardless of the situation he had found himself in, he wasn't ready to give up. Not yet.

A slow breath filled his lungs as he forced himself to sit up with a hardened gaze.

'Pfft… Please. I've been scratching and crawling since the day I was born.'

His lips curled into a smirk, sharp and defiant.

'I'm not gonna die. No matter what stands in my way—even if it's my own system—I'm gonna pull through. I'll survive. I'll show them all. I'll show them that I can live a full life in this cruel world.'

Once again, the system chimed, displaying more notifications for the player.

[Congratulations, Player.]

[The second step has officially begun!]

[Quest: Race to Become the Strongest]

[Daily Quest: Perform—

100 push-ups

100 sit-ups

100 squats

10-kilometer run

Time left: 23 hrs: 59 mins: 47 secs]

[Failure to complete all daily quests in 24 hours will result in grave penalty.]

Kai stared blankly.

"What the hell is this?"

In truth, Kai was truly pissed by seeing this. The same system which had threatened to take his life in the next three years now demanded that he completed futile quests.

'What a joke.'

Another chime sounded.

[Complete 90 daily challenges to unlock Player's missing memory.]

His breath hitched as he blinked profusely, hoping that what he had just read was indeed real.

"Missing memory?" He muttered.

For the first time since getting this wretched system, he felt… hope. His past—the answers he had been searching for—he could get them back. But at what cost?

"Info." he commanded.

Following his command, a new message appeared, showcasing his command.

[Player's missing memories are capable of return. In order to retrieve Player's information, Player must complete quests and reassemble lost fragments.]

Kai leaned back, exhaling.

"That's… actually not bad."

Then, his brows twitched.

"Wait. There's a problem. I've never worked out in my life. How the hell am I supposed to do a hundred push-ups?!"

***

Determined, Kai threw himself into his first exercise.

The system, as usual, wasted no time in crushing his spirits.

[Player's stats are pathetic!]

[Player's stats are pathetic!]

He barely managed two push-ups before his arms betrayed him. He collapsed, face-first, into the floor.

A groan left his lips. His arms trembled, burning with an unfamiliar ache.

'1This system… has gotta be pure evil.'

But he refused to give up. No matter how much his limbs screamed, no matter how many times his body gave out—he kept pushing.

Hours passed and soon…

"One...hundred… Yes!" He grunted as he performed his last push up.

He staggered to his feet, arms hanging limply at his sides.

The system, ever encouraging, wasted no time to display prep talks to him once more—

[Player's stats are pathetic.]

[Player must level up!]

Kai twitched.

'Is the 'pathetic' part really necessary?'

As the coming hours passed, he had completed all others tasks and the last one would be the most tiring—the 10-kilometer run.

Digging through the closet, he found a set of clothes surprisingly tailored for him—a purple tracksuit and brand-new sneakers.

As he slipped them on, he caught his reflection in the mirror, seeing a part of him he never thought he would ever see.

"Not bad huh?… now if only I had some headphones."

A small smirk played on his lips before fading.

He wasn't out of the woods yet. His time was still ticking. If he wanted to complete all thr trials, he had to keep moving forward.

With one final exhale, he zipped up his jacket.

"Alright… let's go."

Kai stepped out of his room, shutting the door behind him. He rolled his shoulders, stretching slightly as he prepared for the run.

However, as he turned— a body slammed into him. Hard.

The impact sent him crashing to the floor, and to his absolute horror, whatever he had just collided with landed right on top of him.

His head hit the ground with a dull thud.

A groan escaped him as his vision swam.

His hands, moving purely on reflex, grabbed something—something soft.

'Huh?...mm...what's this?'

His fingers squeezed instinctively, as he tired to affirm what he had his hands on.

'Hmm...it's definitely not muscle. Not fabric. It sorta feels like... freshy made bread?'

Curiosity made him open his eyes, and instantly he was filled with regret.

"What the—?"

His gaze snapped to the person above him. A young woman, long light purple

hair cascading over her shoulders, her face flushed pink as she stared at him, wide-eyed.

Then her gaze went low, earning Kai's attention and he followed her gaze.

His hands...were firmly gripping her soft busty breasts, as she returned her gaze to him.

And right then, his brain shut down.

'HUH?!'