Elian awoke slowly to the faint gray light seeping through the thin curtains of his cramped apartment. The lingering soreness in his muscles from yesterday's unexpected exhaustion reminded him of the mission that had jolted his world awake. His phone sat on the bedside table, screen glowing faintly with the system message that still echoed in his mind:
[ New Mission Available ]Complete Physical Training: 100 Push-ups, 100 Sit-ups, 10 km RunReward: Advanced Communication Skills — Speak Clearly and Confidently
He stared at the screen in disbelief, a mixture of dread and curiosity welling up inside him. The last thing he expected was a physical challenge. His body was far from athletic — soft, tired, and out of shape from months of inactivity, endless job hunting, and frustration.
For a moment, Elian considered ignoring the mission, hoping maybe it would disappear or the system would allow him to skip it.
But the system never gave options.
With a reluctant sigh, Elian pushed himself up from the bed. The wooden floor beneath felt cold on his bare feet. He stumbled toward the small bathroom, splashing cold water on his face, trying to wake up more than just his body — trying to wake up the part of him that still believed in hope.
Stepping outside, Elian was greeted by the usual Manila morning: a mix of humid heat, distant honking of jeepneys, and the faint aroma of street food being prepared. The streets of his barangay were alive with early risers — vendors setting up their stalls, children running around, neighbors greeting each other with casual smiles.
Elian adjusted the loose shirt over his soft belly and tightened the laces of his worn sneakers. He felt self-conscious. His body felt unfamiliar to him — heavier, slower. The years of sitting at computer desks, scrolling through endless job postings, and dismissing rejection after rejection had taken its toll.
Yet, the glowing message on his phone was a silent, insistent challenge.
Finding a relatively clean patch of concrete near the street corner, Elian lowered himself to the ground, the rough surface scraping against his palms.
"One… two… three…"
His arms trembled immediately. By the time he reached ten, he was already shaking, muscles screaming in protest.
He collapsed, panting, face pressed against the hot pavement. His breath came in ragged gasps, and sweat dripped down his face, stinging his eyes.
"Come on, you can do this," he muttered to himself, though every fiber in his body begged for mercy.
He forced himself up again.
"One… two… three…"
The repetition became a battle of will. His mind wavered, tempted to give up, but the system's glowing text seemed to burn through his thoughts.
He imagined the reward waiting for him — something that might finally help him break free from the rut he was trapped in.
After what felt like hours but was likely less than one, Elian shifted to the sit-ups.
He lay flat on the unforgiving concrete, feet planted, hands behind his head.
"One… two… three…"
His abdominal muscles flared painfully with each lift. The ground bit into his back, rough and hard.
His breathing was heavy, sweat pouring down his forehead.
He gritted his teeth, refusing to stop.
With each sit-up, he tried to push away the doubts gnawing at him — the fear of failure, the shame of his current situation.
The Endless Run
Next was the 10-kilometer run.
Elian set off slowly, his legs stiff and aching from the earlier exercises.
The city stretched before him — narrow alleys, busy streets, open parks.
The sun rose higher, casting a harsh glare on the pavement.
Every step was agony.
His lungs burned as if on fire.
His calves ached with every stride.
The humid air made it harder to breathe.
And yet, with every painful footfall, Elian remembered the glowing words on his screen: "Complete the mission."
He refused to stop.
The Struggle and the Spark
Halfway through the run, his legs felt like lead, every muscle screaming to quit.
His vision blurred, sweat stung his eyes, and his breath came in sharp gasps.
He stumbled near a small street vendor's cart.
An elderly woman looked up, concern knitting her brows.
"Are you okay, anak?" she asked, wiping her hands on her apron.
Elian nodded weakly.
"Just a little tired," he said, voice hoarse.
She offered a warm smile.
"Keep going. You're stronger than you think."
Something in her words stirred a flame in Elian's chest.
He straightened, took a deep breath, and pushed forward.
The Final Stretch
The last two kilometers were the hardest.
Every step was a battle against his body's desperate pleas to stop.
But his mind was sharper now, fueled by determination.
He pictured the life he wanted — a life beyond rejection letters and endless searching.
He imagined the system's promise — a reward that might change everything.
With trembling legs, Elian pushed himself forward.
Finally, he crossed the imaginary finish line near a small park bench.
His chest heaved as he collapsed onto the seat.
The Reward Awakens
His phone buzzed.
[ Mission Complete ]Reward Unlocked: Advanced Communication SkillsNew Ability Activated: Speak with Clarity, Confidence, and Persuasion
Elian stared at the screen in disbelief.
Nothing happened immediately — no glowing aura, no magic spark.
He felt exhausted, his body barely able to move.
Then, quietly, he tried to speak.
He dialed his mother's number.
When she answered, his voice surprised him.
"Ma, how are you?"
It was steadier, clearer, more confident than usual.
His mother's voice was warm, touched.
"Anak, you sound different. You sound like you believe in yourself."
Elian smiled, a spark of hope igniting in his heart.
The Next Day: Testing the Skill
The next morning, Elian stood in front of the mirror, practicing speaking.
He read aloud from a newspaper article, enunciating each word carefully.
His voice was smoother, more natural.
He practiced conversations, imagining interviews, meetings, opportunities.
His confidence grew with every word.
He realized the system's gift was not just a skill — it was a key to unlocking a new version of himself.
That night, as Elian lay on his bed, muscles aching but spirit lifted, he reflected on the day.
The mission had pushed him beyond limits he never thought possible.
But it had also shown him the power of perseverance.
The road ahead was uncertain.
There would be more missions, more challenges.
But for the first time in a long time, Elian felt ready.
Ready to face whatever came next.
Ready to rise.