The night crept into the place, the sky almost completely dark.
But still, Ken had only one objective in his mind: be stronger
Each push-up he made was full of motivation. His sweat ran down his face and hit the ground.
Thug. Thug.
He stayed for a few seconds, then minutes, and finally an hour.
He scowled and gazed toward the wall because of the pain. His muscles were screaming under his skin, but still he continued.
Then the lady he saw was about to leave, and she saw him still training.
She smiled and thought:
He is really working hard... Ken... I will remember the name.
Then *his jaw* started to turn red, and she whispered:
Maybe..
Meanwhile, the system popped above Ken — a blue luminescent screen.
He gazed at it while continuing his push-ups.
`[Target affection towards you has increased by 5%]`
`[Affection: 5%]`
`[You have earned +1 Charisma Point]`
As soon as he saw what he earned, he furrowed and whispered:
"Shit."
All this just for one point...
At once, his body stiffened. He froze. He couldn’t move anymore. His body was at its limit.
Move, move...
His body was shaking, trembling like a vibrating machine.
He gritted his teeth, his veins traced on his body.
"I should ask her name... It will be impolite if I don’t know her name!... I need more points, more power, more everything... So you will move, okay!!"
Immediately, a purple light flickered on his body and his eyes shone.
His body moved up slowly, with ease, as he stood up.
He turned, took a step, and walked toward her.
As she felt someone following her, she turned and saw Ken approaching her.
As he was close to her, he spoke.
"I forgot to ask, what’s your name?"
She gazed at him in surprise, then stepped closer to him and whispered in his ear:
"Lily."
And then she moved away from the place, with a lamp in her right hand.
And Ken whispered her name: "Lily."
`[+1 Charisma Point Earned]`
At that moment, Ken lifted his head and stared at the sky.
"I’m progressing slowly... but it’s not enough. I need 5k points daily. Will I even do that one day?"
Then a *flash* of what the chief said echoed in his mind:
No. I will definitely do it. I’m sure of myself.
The next second it was full darkness. Then immediately, magic lamps turned on and illuminated the place. There were torches on the walls.
I don’t have any lamp... Maybe I will buy a new one... But to stay here for a month...
He rubbed his chin twice, reasoning, thinking, and analyzing.
All this was taking place in his brain. A pounding headache hit him. But he continued.
`[+1 Intelligence]`
As the *notification* popped, he felt less pain.
At last, he stopped and bent his neck twice.
The day is already going to an end.
He walked toward a lamp on the wall. He sat down, and then his eyes grew sleepy, and he fell asleep.
In his dream, he was back in his village. It was on fire, and there were corpses on the ground.
And a screen popped above him.
He stared at the screen, furrowed in shock. He gaped.
`[Failed to accomplish the main task]`
Immediately, the dead bodies stared at him and a hand grabbed his leg.
"Why didn’t you save us!!"
At once, Ken woke up, frightened, and he covered an eye.
"It was only a dream... but what if that really happens..."
The wind blew on the breeze and he breathed in slowly. It was morning.
He stood up and smirked.
`[97 Days Left]`
It was morning. The sun was still rising, but as Ken turned his face to the right, the majority of the workers were already out.
Some people’s eyes were red.
The man that brought Ken here walked toward him.
"Hello. So, how was your first day? Not too bad, good enough."
Ken glared at him. His entire body was paining as needles were picking at his skin.
The man lent a hand to him, and spoke.
"My name is Robert... Yesterday you worked hard. Just continue with that spirit."
At that time, near the small house, a person who had a VIP place in the house moved out slowly. And the others stepped away from him.
But another worker stayed in front of him and he spoke.
"Now is my time to rule this place."
The other boy had his hands in his pockets, and had a small stick inside his mouth. He sneered at him, with intensity.
"So you want to take my place?"
The worker nodded. Ken stared at them.
Will they fight?
Suddenly, someone slowly walked in between them as he coughed. He smiled.
"Now the challenge will commence."
The two took their respective equipment.
Ken was surprised. He was sure they would fight.
Robert folded his arms and said.
"At first we fought, but the commander punished everyone. So... It’s now like this that problems here are settled."
He gazed at Ken with a smile.
"Do you want to hear more?"
Ken nodded.
"Here there are VIP places. 5 of them. You can’t lack food even if you’re the last. And sleep on a bed with someone of your choice, with a blanket... And your salary is twice the others. That’s what VIP means here! Okay?"
Ken nodded and thought:
All this just to work harder than everyone...
Robert then took a step.
"To take the place of a VIP, you only need to beat that person. If you win, you take his place... And you get to stay 2 days without working."
As he said that, the words echoed in Ken’s mind:
Two days without working.
Meanwhile, the two walked toward the gate, with a spade and pick in both hands.
The gate opened. They glared at each other.
Each made a step out of the place.
It was time for the battle.