A red light spilled out from the first box.
Before Hasib could understand what was happening, armor-like plating wrapped itself around both of his arms. It looked heavy, almost metallic, yet when he tried to move, there was no weight at all.
That’s... strange.
He looked down at his arms.
And this one?
He opened the second box. A blue light washed through his entire body. For a moment, he felt something rushing through his veins, like a faint current passing through every part of him.
Then another notification appeared.
[Speed Increase: 0.25%]
What is this?
Before he could understand anything else, the entire world went dark.
Was that a dream?
Hasib slowly opened his eyes.
His vision was blurry at first. Several figures seemed to be standing around him, their voices mixing together in the distance. He blinked several times before his vision finally cleared.
"Oh... Habi Ma’am?"
She was sitting right there beside him, one hand resting on his shoulder, her sharp features softened by relief.
"Hasib!" she said, giving him a small shake. "My child, why is your body so weak? You have to become stronger!"
Hasib was still trying to process what had just happened.
From the foot of the bed, Sara watched with a strange expression, then looked away.
Habi Ma’am really worries about him that much?
Hina hovered close to the bed, twisting the edge of her veil between her fingers.
"Y-you finally opened your eyes," she said softly. "Everyone was worried about you... Habi Ma’am especially."
Madam Habi finally straightened.
Hasib took a deep breath, still looking confused.
Slowly, the memories returned.
The training ground. The fight with Rohan. The fall.
Then...
The System.
He wasn’t sure whether it had really happened. Maybe it had been a dream. Maybe his mind had created it while he was unconscious.
But one thing was certain. He didn’t want to forget what he had seen.
Hasib slowly clenched his hand.
"Maybe I was dreaming... or maybe I was unconscious."
He looked at Madam Habi.
"But... Ma’am, you’re right."
His eyes hardened with resolve.
"I have to become stronger. Because one day, I’m going to become a powerful Warrior."
He paused for a moment before raising his fist slightly.
"Just remember that."
Sara looked toward the ceiling with an exhausted expression.
"Look at this idiot. He just woke up after fainting, and he’s already talking about becoming a Legendary Warrior."
Hina said nothing. She simply watched Hasib quietly.
Madam Habi smiled and gave Hasib a light pat on the back.
"Yes, my child. Then increase your training from today. Tomorrow is the Cadet Selection, so you need to prepare yourself."
"Yes, Ma’am."
"I’ll leave you to rest now."
"Thank you, Ma’am."
Madam Habi smiled before leaving the room.
Hasib watched her disappear through the doorway.
Then his eyes slowly shifted toward the glass door of the old wardrobe.
His reflection stared back at him.
For some reason, it felt as if the reflection was reacting a little differently than he was.
Hasib narrowed his eyes.
Again...?
He blinked.
The reflection was normal.
The afternoon sun had already lost most of its strength.
Dark clouds gathered overhead, and rain poured down in heavy streams.
Shhhhhh...
Water crashed against the training ground as the students gathered outside, their uniforms soaking through.
Yamin Sir stood nearby, monitoring everyone. The long ribbons tied around his wrists trailed across the muddy ground. Even the sword at his waist was wrapped in those strange ribbons.
"Come on! Keep moving!"
Hasib struggled forward while carrying a large stone in both hands. His arms trembled under the weight. He gritted his teeth and forced himself onward.
A few meters ahead, Rocky walked past him with almost no visible effort.
Hasib stared at him.
How is he doing that so easily?
He narrowed his eyes and tried to increase his pace.
Before he could catch up, Sara suddenly moved past him.
"Rocky, slow down! I’m coming too!"
Rocky didn’t answer. He simply continued walking.
Hasib clenched his teeth.
"Sara, wait!"
She didn’t hear him.
Hasib continued carrying the stone, breathing heavily as he made his way toward the riverbank.
Everyone had been given the same task: carry large stones from one side of the training ground to the riverbank. Yamin Sir had set a minimum target.
Fifteen stones.
Hasib placed another stone down. His arms felt as though they were about to give out.
Then...
BANG!
The training bell rang.
Yamin Sir raised his voice. "Five minutes remaining!"
Hasib froze.
"What?!"
He looked toward the pile behind him.
"I still need two more! I haven’t even reached fifteen!"
He immediately turned around. But then his eyes widened.
Rocky was already returning from the opposite side, carrying another stone.
Again?
Hasib stared at him.
He already went back, picked up another one, and returned? How is he doing this so quickly?
Rocky noticed Hasib looking at him. A faint smile appeared on his face.
That was enough.
Hasib tightened his grip.
"Fine." He turned toward the stones. "I’ll do it too."
He bent down and grabbed another one. The weight nearly forced him back down. His arms shook. His breathing became heavier.
But he didn’t stop.
Step by step, he carried the stone toward the riverbank. By the time he returned, Rocky was already heading back again.
Hasib stared at him for a second. Then he clenched his fists.
I won’t lose.
He picked up another stone. This time, he didn’t look at anyone. He simply kept moving.
"Time’s up!"
Yamin Sir’s voice echoed across the training ground. Everyone stopped.
The results were announced one by one.
"Rocky. Twenty."
The students immediately started talking.
"Twenty?!"
"That’s insane!"
"Even Rocky?"
Several girls looked impressed, while even some of the boys stared at him in disbelief.
Then Yamin Sir announced another name.
"Lio. Twenty-one."
A boy wearing loose boxer-style training shorts raised his hand casually. A few students turned toward him in surprise.
"Twenty-one?"
"Who even is that?"
Yamin Sir continued announcing the results. Eventually, he reached Hasib.
"Hasib."
Hasib straightened.
"Fourteen."
His expression froze.
"Fourteen...?"
He looked toward the stones he had carried. One short. Just one.
He lowered his head for a moment.
I was so close.
Then another result was announced.
"Tasu. Fifteen."
The first among the girls.
Hasib looked around. Sara had completed ten. Hina had completed nine.
Hasib looked toward Hina.
"Hey, Hina."
She looked up.
"We both fell short of fifteen."
Hina rubbed her fingers together nervously and lowered her gaze.
"Y-you’re right." She smiled faintly. "Next time, you’ll definitely do it, Hasib. And... I will too."
Hasib smiled. "Yeah. Exactly. Don’t give up."
Hina’s cheeks slowly turned red. She pulled her veil slightly forward.
Hasib is encouraging me... I have to do better.
After the training session ended, the students began returning home. The rain had weakened, leaving the air cool.
Hasib walked slowly, still feeling the exhaustion throughout his body. Sara and Hina were walking a little ahead of him.
Then someone suddenly caught up beside him.
"Hasib."
He turned. Simon, the quiet boy from the back row, had fallen into step beside him.
"You’re joining the Cadet Selection tomorrow, right?"
Hasib looked ahead. The wind moved through his hair. His hand tightened around the grip of the practice sword hanging at his side.
"Yeah." He raised the sword slightly. "Because I’m going to become a Legendary Warrior."
Simon stared at him for a moment. "Whoa. You really are serious about this."
Hasib grinned. "Of course."
Simon sighed. "Why make things so difficult?"
Hasib looked at him. "Because I’m not giving up."
Simon scratched his head awkwardly. "You probably don’t even know my name."
Hasib smiled. "Simon."
Simon shrugged. "Whatever. Just don’t drag me into too much trouble."
The room was a mess.
Empty chip packets were scattered across the floor. Noodle cups and chocolate wrappers covered the small table, while old furniture filled most of the cramped space. A single study table stood beside the window.
The door opened.
Hasib walked inside and closed it behind him.
This was his entire room. A bed. A small table. A wardrobe. And a bathroom door in the corner.
He dropped onto the bed.
"Today was exhausting..."
His eyes moved toward an unfinished cup of noodles sitting on the table. He reached over, grabbed it, and finished what was left before placing the empty cup beside him. He didn’t even bother cleaning it up. He was too tired.
"Tomorrow is the Cadet Selection too..."
His eyelids grew heavier.
"Maybe I should just... sleep."
Within seconds, his eyes closed.
The moment Hasib fell asleep, the darkness around him changed.
A faint blue light appeared. Then another. A translucent screen slowly formed in front of his consciousness.
[SYSTEM ACTIVATED]
[Candidate: Hasib]
[First Training Task Preparing...]
A countdown appeared.
3.... 2....1...
The screen suddenly changed.
[TASK OPENING]
[WARM-UP]
[PRACTICAL BATTLE MODE]
[DOMAIN: INVENTORY]
Hasib’s eyes suddenly opened.
"What...?"
He stared at the floating screen. His heartbeat accelerated.
This isn’t a dream.
The System remained in front of him.
And this time...
He was completely awake.