In this world, we've surpassed the wave of technology. People have embedded metal into their bodies, calling themselves cybernetic humans. Many anomalies have been transferred here and now call themselves "players." Trees and greenery still exist, but everything, including the air you're breathing, is artificial, young man.
"Blue hair, what's your name?" — Bosa
"I am Morrick."
"Come again? Cybernetic human? Player? What is that all about?" — Morrick
"Just labels in this very strange world. We've already moved eons ahead in the future, and perhaps your people are the ones from the past. Frankly, I don't give a damn about you, young man."
"Be my disciple." — Bosa
"It's not like I have a choice, do I?" — Morrick
"Wise choice, young man. I'll teach you Sil's Stance, an ancient martial art passed down through six bloodlines. I am the sixth user of Sil's, and I don't want my daughter to learn it."
"May I know why?" — Morrick
"Just shut the hell up. We'll start tomorrow at 6 AM."
I didn't have a choice—meeting him here seemed like it was already expected.
[First Quest]
Fist of Fire
"Accept?" Yes/No (Your actions will impact the future)
"Yes."
[Quest Accepted]
Master the Basic Fist of Fire
Bosa let me sleep in his wooden shack. He mentioned having a daughter, but I didn't see her anywhere. The system seemed to offer me options, but I felt like I had to follow through, whether I liked it or not.
6 AM
"Wake up, blue hair! Your training's about to begin!" — Bosa
The sudden shock of his voice woke me up in a jolt.
"We're going to start with the basics of Sil's teaching: the Fist of Fire."
"The Fist of Fire is when you make your fist ignite with fire."
"Okay, old man. I'm ready. Now, show me how to do it."
"It's simple. Do you see that haystack over there? Punch it until it burns."
"And how exactly do I do that?"
"Just punch it until fire appears on your fist."
"What? What kind of training is this, old man?"
"WAMM!!"
"SHUT UP AND PUNCH IT NOW!"
Just like that, I was on the ground again.
Without thinking, I started punching the haystack—over and over again.
From 6 AM to 12 PM, nothing happened.
The sun climbed higher in the sky, but still, no fire. My fists ached, and my body screamed in protest, but I couldn't stop. I refused to stop. Every punch felt heavier than the last, and yet, I had no choice but to keep going.
My knuckles were raw, bloodied from countless blows. My arms felt like lead, aching with every movement, but I punched on. Each hit felt like I was slamming my soul into that haystack, desperate for any sign that this wasn't all in vain. But nothing. Not even a flicker of fire.
Bosa sat across the clearing, watching me from his tea house. His face was a mask of indifference as he sipped his tea. The clink of the cup against its saucer was like a mocking reminder of how futile my efforts were. His presence felt suffocating—calm, unwavering, like he had all the time in the world. And I… I was nothing but a broken puppet, forced to obey.
I was so fucking hungry. My stomach growled, but there was no food, no rest. Just the relentless cycle of punches. The sweat stung my eyes, and my vision blurred, but I refused to stop. I had no choice. If I stopped, I was nothing. I would be nothing.
Bosa never moved, never spoke. He just watched, like some cold god observing his chosen sacrifice. His aura weighed down on me, an invisible hand pressing my chest, stealing the breath from my lungs.
Hours passed. Morning turned to afternoon, then evening. I kept punching, with no end in sight. My mind began to crack. The pain in my arms, my fists, my body—everything felt like it was going to fall apart. But I couldn't stop. I wouldn't stop.
"Please... Please, just make it stop," I thought to myself. But those words were just whispers in my mind. No one was listening.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally stood up.
"STOP!!"
The words echoed through the air, and I collapsed to the ground, utterly spent.
He threw me a single breadstick and a glass of water.
"We'll continue this tomorrow at 6 AM."
I couldn't even lift my head. The breadstick looked like a cruel joke. My body trembled, my mind screamed for mercy, but there was no escape.
I couldn't do it anymore. I had to run from here.
[Action Rejected]
The system… was not allowing me to escape?