The changes are subtle at first—quicker reflexes, sharper thoughts, the feeling of everything coming just a bit easier than it used to. But it’s not enough. The rush of leveling up to Level 2 opened a floodgate inside me, and now I’m craving the next big leap. I wake up earlier, not because I need to, but because I’m too restless to stay in bed.
The system is already waiting when I sit up, the familiar screen flickering into view.
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"Total Ability Increase: 5.3%. Current Level: 2. Search Quest? Y/N."
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My hand instinctively clenches into a fist. "Search quest." The buzzing noise follows, bringing a list of tasks onto the screen.
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"Potential quests in the surrounding:
- Sprint for 20 minutes. Reward: +0.7% Increase.
- Read a challenging book for 1 hour. Reward: +0.8% Increase.
- Help someone in need. Reward: +0.5% Increase."
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I choose the sprint, throwing on my workout clothes and heading straight for the track. The chilly morning air bites at my skin, but I welcome the sensation. I push my body harder than I ever have, my feet pounding against the ground in a steady rhythm. Each lap feels smoother, easier, as if my body is learning to optimize itself with every movement. When the quest completes, my lungs aren’t burning the way they should be. I’m barely winded.
After a quick shower, I head to class, settling in beside Jake. He’s tapping away on his phone, probably arranging some party or catching up with the team.
“Morning,” he says without looking up. “You’re chipper today.”
“Just trying to make the most of the day,” I reply, smiling to myself. It’s becoming harder to keep my excitement under wraps. Every little boost adds to the thrill of seeing just how strong I can get. The constant urge to feel that rush, that slight improvement, is starting to consume my thoughts.
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The lecture starts, and I feel like I’m absorbing every word the professor says. My focus is laser-sharp, and it’s not just today—it’s been like this ever since I hit 5%. The information sticks in my head like glue, concepts clicking into place faster than ever before. I start to wonder if the system’s Boosts are rewiring my brain somehow.
As the days roll by, I keep grinding. Every spare moment, every small quest completed inches me closer to 10%. I even start scheduling my life around the system’s suggestions, choosing quests that maximize my gains throughout the day. It’s almost like an addiction—the constant urge to push my limits and keep leveling up.
One evening, I find myself back at the top of the old clock tower on campus. It’s one of my favorite places to clear my head. The view stretches over the city, the glowing skyline gradually swallowed by the darkening sky. As I look out, I wonder if anyone else could possibly understand what I’m going through. Probably not.
The screen appears again. This time, the quests seem more significant.
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"Potential quests in the surrounding:
- Attempt parkour across the rooftop for 10 minutes. Reward: +1.5% Increase.
- Meditate for 30 minutes while standing on the ledge. Reward: +1.2% Increase."
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I hesitate, glancing at the narrow ledge of the clock tower. Normally, I wouldn’t even consider something like this, but today is different. I feel invincible. I just want to see how far I can push myself. I step out onto the ledge, my heartbeat steady despite the height. It’s strange—nothing about this feels dangerous anymore. I start to meditate, closing my eyes and focusing on my breathing. The world seems to slow down, each breath drawing in the cold evening air.
As the meditation continues, I feel the familiar rush build inside me. When the quest completes, the system chimes.
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"Total Ability Increase: 9.9%. Current Level: 2."
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So close. So damn close. I clench my teeth and step back onto the tower's flat roof. One more quest should do it. The screen flickers again, offering me a final task.
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"Potential quests in the surrounding:
- Leap across the gap to the adjacent building. Reward: +0.1% Increase."
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I look at the distance—it’s at least fifteen feet, a gap I wouldn’t have dared to cross even a few days ago. But now, with almost 10% more capability, I feel like it’s doable. I back up to give myself a running start, my eyes locked on the opposite roof. Then, I take off, my legs pumping with everything I’ve got.
Time seems to stretch out as I leap, and for a moment, I’m suspended in midair, hanging between the two rooftops. But then my feet hit solid ground, and I roll forward, the impact softened by my reflexes.
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"Congratulations! Level Up! You are now Level 3. All-round Abilities 10%."
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I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. The thrill is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before—pure euphoria surges through me. I’ve conquered not just the leap across the gap, but a new level of myself. I wonder what I’ll be capable of when I keep pushing the boundaries even further.
For now, though, I’ve got to get off this rooftop before someone sees me. I take one last look at the city below before making my way back down the fire escape, already searching for my next quest.
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End of chapter 3
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