Chapter 3: So It Begins…

"I've always wanted to say this in real life," Hiro stood in the middle of a crowded gym, inspecting the various scary machines out for his life, and gulped nervously.

While he was fascinated by the system's efficiency—as each and every machine stipulated in the "Extreme Workout Plan" was highlighted by a blue halo—Hiro still felt scared.

He felt like a man eyeing the noose at the end of the bridge, he yet willingly walked toward it.

As he drew in a deep breath, tightened his buttocks, and gripped the sweat towel wrapped around his neck tightly, Hiro had but four words to say.

"And so it begins…"

With fierce determination in his eyes, Hiro waddled over toward the first machine, a startup timer appearing in his field of vision the moment he got on to work.

The moment Hiro started, a weird energy filled his body, and took hold of it, forcing him to move from one torture machine to the next despite his will.

I knew it! Hiro screamed in his mind. This damned evil system! Stop forcing my hand!

One hour later.

Damn it! Hiro panted, but he was incapable of talking, only his eyeballs rolling around in their sockets, tears mashed up with sweat on his face. I'm gonna die from dehydration! I'm gonna super ventilate to death!

Well, that didn't happen as the energy controlling his body would also bring Hiro to a water source whenever necessary, but he was just complaining for the sake of complaining.

Three hours later…

Hiro was a rolling ball of fat and sweat, and many of the registered members in the gym kept their distance from him.

Panting like a wounded animal, Hiro went through an additional two-hour grueling workout, rounding up a total of six hours.

A sweet, heavenly bell chime sounded in Hiro's mind, followed by the notification that the daily workout quota had been met.

[Notice: You've acquired +10 AP for completing your daily task!]

After reading the small pop-up notification, Hiro let out a hoarse, inaudible laughter as he slowly drifted to sleep in the temporary rest area.

Moments later, loud, ear-grating snoring rumbled in the resting area. It was like a punishment from hell, threatening the sanity of many as they left the resting area in flocks.

Hiro enjoyed a long, wonderful dream. Sadly, good things must come to an end.

Hiro felt a gentle force rocking him awake from his slumber, and as he slowly opened his eyes, he was met with the figure of a huge muscular man looking down on him.

"Wake up, kid!" The man spoke with a strong, forceful voice. "We're closing the gym in fifteen, you better hurry and wash up, collect your spare clothes, and get going!"

Hiro blinked, feeling numb all over for a brief moment. Then, he remembered where he was; nodding his head groggily as he stood up and waddled away.

…

"Where should I spend the night…" Hiro carried a sports bag with his gym clothes stored inside as he waddled through the shopping center.

He thought long and hard about this problem; he obviously couldn't sleep on the streets.

However, the nearest motel was in the countryside while the hotels in the shopping district were 3-star hotels at the very least, and booking a room in such a hotel on short notice for one week was too expensive.

While troubled, Hiro's eye caught sight of a neon sign. Stunned, he stood there for a moment, and after an internal struggle, Hiro waddled over.

…

"Give me a room for one night!" Hiro exclaimed in a hoarse voice as he slapped a 50 nexus bill on the counter.

The receptionist—a beautiful mature lady—had a dumbfounded look on her face as she faced the round ball.

She blinked her eyes in confusion and eyed the empty space next to Hiro as she asked, "Are you here all by yourself, Sir?"

Hiro had a very serious expression as he answered, "Yes."

The receptionist didn't know what to say to this young meatball. "Did you mistake this establishment for something else, Sir…?"

As she spoke, she pointed to the large signboard that said "Cupid Love Motel" by the side.

Hiro was stumped. Don't tell me there's a rule in the policy against this kind of thing. The hell? Did I enter a karaoke bar by chance?!

Hiro was about to respond when a soft, nimble, and bubbly figure appeared by his side and hugged his left arm.

He almost withdrew his arm in a conditioned reflex if not for the sudden rush of minted, feminine fragrance that rushed his nostrils.

The girl who sneak attacked Hiro smiled anxiously and said quickly, "We're here together, kind lady! Right?!"

That last word was directed at Hiro as the girl glared his way and bumped her thin hips into him from the side.

Hiro snapped back to his senses and was rendered speechless. Is this little lady trying to take advantage of me?!

Hiro was about to retort when he noticed how stunningly beautiful she was.

I'm not a simp! He said in his mind as he replied with furrowed brows, "You heard her, pretty lady. Please prepare a room for us!"

Hiro channeled every ounce of conviction to sound steady and reliable, providing that his decision wasn't the least bit a product of his haywire hormones.

"Okay then…" the receptionist didn't mind the fiasco. After taking the money, she exchanged it for a room key and a 10 nexus bill which she handed to Hiro.

The girl snatched the key and rushed into the establishment, leaving Hiro behind with a stunned expression.

He quickly shook his head, and as he did so, he noticed a host of men in black suits running by the Love Motel's entrance with anxious expressions.

He noticed them because they bumped into an old lady, which resulted in her falling unconscious with a crowd of people quickly gathering around her.

While Hiro's heart was gripped with pity and anxiety for the old lady, his legs moved and followed the pretty girl into the establishment.

He could only hope that the old grandma wouldn't have a bumpy ride on her way to the next life.

Erm, he meant the hospital.

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Hiro quickly found the designated room and after entering it, he locked the door behind him and looked inside.

The girl was pacing back and forth in the room, her silky pink hair swishing rhythmically as she chewed on her colorful nails.

She hurriedly asked the moment she caught sight of Hiro, "Did anyone follow you in?!"

As expected! Hiro clicked his tongue inwardly in a silent complaint. This beautiful witch is indeed taking advantage of me! Erm, but aren't I doing the same?

Hiro shook his head and answered with the negative. Then, he tossed his sports bag on the ground, removed his jacket, and waddled to the bed with a dreamy look in his eyes.

With a squeak, the bed bounced about as Hiro jumped on, letting out a long sigh of contentment as his muscles relaxed.

By now, the pink-haired girl also relaxed a little and spent the time necessary to inspect Hiro from top to bottom.

She thought to herself that this boy was very round and cute, so she asked, "What are you doing in a place like this all alone?"

Hiro rolled around on the bed and spread his heavy limbs in a sea-star position, looking up at the ceiling while answering, "I'm too poor to afford a hotel room for one week, so I plan to come here often…"

While talking, Hiro suddenly realized something crucial as he began to sweat nervously.

The pink-haired girl paused for a moment before she also realized the problem, chuckling as she asked, "You don't honestly think I'd be around for your convenience the next time, do you?"

Crap! Hiro screamed inwardly as he sat up and said, "We can negotiate!"