Chapter 108: First day quest

As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, Zafron's eyes fluttered open. Immediately, his vision was filled with a translucent screen hovering just in front of his face:[Daily Quest Activated]

[Quest: Morning Vigor]

- Complete 50 push-ups Sёarᴄh the Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

- Run 3 kilometers

- Perform 100 squats

[Reward: +5 Strength, +3 Endurance, +2 Agility]

[Time Limit: Before sunset]

Zafron blinked rapidly, his sleep-addled mind taking a moment to process the information. 'Right,' he thought, 'I asked for this last night.'

He sat up, rubbing his eyes as he contemplated the quest. A mix of excitement and apprehension coursed through him.

'This is... quite the workout,' he mused, a wry smile tugging at his lips. 'I don't think I've done 50 push-ups in my entire life, let alone in one day.'

Despite the daunting nature of the task, Zafron felt a surge of determination. The promise of tangible improvements to his physical attributes was too enticing to ignore.

'Getting stronger in this world is paramount,' he reminded himself. 'I can't always rely on others or my newfound ability to copy powers. I need to be able to hold my own.'

With a decisive nod, Zafron swung his legs over the side of the bed. He stood up, stretching his arms above his head as he mentally prepared himself for the challenge ahead.

'No time like the present,' he thought, 'I'll start with the run. Best to get the most daunting task out of the way first.'

He'd need to find a good route for his run, figure out how to pace himself for the push-ups and squats, and still make time for job hunting and his other responsibilities.

He stood by the window, watching the first light of dawn break through the curtains. The quiet house suggested Mara and Matilda were still asleep. He recalled his struggle to find his way back home the day before and knew he needed a strategy for today's challenge. Running 3km seemed daunting, especially without a clear plan for navigation.

He frowned at the thought of running through Drakoria's streets. "Is it common here to see someone running early in the morning?" he mused. "What if it's odd and draws unwanted attention?"

I mean, back in Astoria people in his village did do work outs. But it was usually in a group and amongst the youth. Not a single person engaged in such activities. It was through this he could say his natural form came about. Still, Astoria was different from Drakoria.

Shrugging off the concern, he reminded himself of the importance of this task. "Who's going to notice me anyway? The main thing is to get this workout done and boost my stats."

Determined, Zafron headed to the bathroom. He splashed cold water on his face, mentally preparing himself. As he dried off, he thought about his behavior towards Mara and Matilda the previous day. "I need to apologize and discuss things with them. They deserve better."

As Zafron stepped out into the crisp morning air, he realized he had overlooked a crucial detail. 'Wait, 3 kilometers? That's... a lot farther than I thought. How am I supposed to find my way back?' He frowned, considering his options.

After a moment's hesitation, he decided to run in a large loop around the neighborhood, using the prominent fountain he remembered as a landmark. 'This way, I can't get too lost,' he reasoned.

Setting off at a steady jog, Zafron's eyes darted around, taking in the early morning scene. The streets were surprisingly busy, with people of all sorts going about their business. 'Guess I'm not the only early riser in Drakoria,' he mused.

As he rounded a corner, he nearly collided with a hurried merchant pushing a cart full of glowing fruits. "Watch it, lad!" the man grumbled, swerving to avoid him.

'Sorry!' Zafron thought, too out of breath to speak aloud. 'Note to self: pay more attention to intersections.'

A few kilometers in, Zafron's legs were already burning. 'This is going to be tougher than I thought,' he panted. But the promise of improved stats kept him going.

Passing through a residential area, he noticed curious glances from people tending to their magical gardens. 'Is running not common here?' he wondered. 'Or do I just look that out of place?'

Around the 1km mark, a commotion in a large field caught his attention. A group of people were engaged in what looked like a magical sport, manipulating glowing orbs with intricate hand gestures.

Zafron slowed to a stop, watching in fascination. The players darted around, their movements fluid and precise as they guided the orbs through floating hoops. 'Amazing,' he thought. 'I wonder if I'll ever be able to do something like that.'

After a few minutes of spectating, Zafron reluctantly tore himself away. 'Can't get distracted. Still have a long way to go.'

As he continued his run, the city began to wake up in earnest. Street vendors set up their stalls, filling the air with enticing aromas that made Zafron's stomach growl. 'Focus,' he told himself. 'Food later.'

Around the halfway point, Zafron's legs felt like lead. He slowed to a walk, gulping in air. 'This is insane,' he thought. 'How do people do this regularly?'

But as he caught his breath, he noticed something peculiar. Despite his exhaustion, he felt... different. More aware of his body, more in tune with his surroundings. 'Is this what improving my stats feels like?'

Encouraged, he picked up the pace again. The rest of the run was a blur of aching muscles, curious onlookers, and the gradually rising sun.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Zafron stumbled back to his starting point. His legs trembled, his lungs burned, but a sense of accomplishment surged through him.

As he bent over, hands on his knees, gasping for breath, a notification popped up in his field of vision:

[Quest: Morning Vigor - Run 3 kilometers - Completed]

[Reward: +3 Endurance]

Zafron blinked in surprise. 'Wait, it was only supposed to be 3 kilometers? I'm sure I did 5!' He let out a wheezing laugh, equal parts amused and exasperated.

'Well,' he thought, straightening up with a groan, 'at least I got a good tour of the neighborhood. And hopefully some extra endurance points.'

As he limped back towards the house, already dreading the push-ups and squats still to come, Zafron couldn't help but feel a small sense of pride. It was a small step, but it was progress. And right now, every bit of progress counted.