I slowly opened my eyes.
The first thing I noticed was the sound.
Water.
Flowing endlessly.
I found myself lying near a waterfall, mist lightly touching my face. Sunlight reflected off the falling water, creating faint rainbows in the air.
I raised my right hand and held my head.
"…Ugh."
It hurt.
No—hurt wasn't enough to describe it.
My head was spinning so badly that when I tried to stand, the world tilted violently, forcing me to lean against a rock.
"…What the hell was that dream?"
I frowned.
That strange voice.
Those words.
System awakening.
Emergency synchronization.
"…Don't tell me…"
My heart started beating faster.
"Don't tell me I actually got one of those systems from comics and novels?"
I swallowed.
Then shouted confidently—
"System, appear!"
Nothing happened.
"…Huh?"
I blinked.
"Uh… maybe I said it wrong…"
I tried again.
"Menu!"
Silence.
Absolutely nothing.
"…Hey."
My irritation began to rise.
"So what was the point of that stupid dream!?"
I stomped on the ground in frustration.
"Don't tell me I got scammed even in another world!?"
I clenched my fists, then took a deep breath.
"Huh… calm down. Calm down."
I crossed my arms, forcing myself to think.
"…Hmm."
Then—
"Aha!"
An idea struck me.
"SYSTEM EYES, ACTIVATE."
For a split second, nothing happened—
Then suddenly, a translucent blue screen appeared before my eyes.
[Eye System confirmed. Activating…]
[10%]
[50%]
[100%]
[System successfully activated.]
[Welcome, Master Woo Jin.]
"…WHOA!!"
It worked.
It actually worked.
Holy shit.
This was real.
I grinned uncontrollably.
"Damn it… this makes me feel way cooler than I should."
I pointed at the screen dramatically.
"System! Can you give me a mission that rewards me with some overpowered item or skill?"
[Master… I am not a system designed to do such things.]
"…Huh?"
"What do you mean?"
[Master, I am merely a system created to observe you. I provide no direct assistance.]
"…."
I stared at the screen blankly.
Then—
"…You're kidding me, right?"
No response.
My face twitched.
I picked up small pebbles from the ground and threw them at the screen.
Of course, they passed right through it.
"SO YOU'RE JUST WATCHING ME!? YOU DON'T HELP AT ALL!?"
[Correct, Master.]
I closed my eyes.
Of course.
Of course this world would do this to me.
I exhaled deeply, suppressing my frustration.
"…At least—at least—can you help me with your intelligence?"
[Yes, Master. I can assist you through my analytical intelligence.]
"…!"
Alright.
Fine.
That was still better than nothing.
Even if it was disappointing.
"Okay… then tell me. What world am I in right now?"
[You are currently in the Murim world, Master.]
"…Murim?"
That word sounded familiar.
"Can you… explain Murim to me?"
[Certainly.]
[Murim is a world of martial artists. All forms of martial arts—both mystical and non-mystical—exist here.]
[In this world, cultivation is possible. Through cultivation, one may obtain extraordinary power.]
"…I see."
So that's how it is.
"I understand… but then why was I thrown into that insane forest!? Everything there is trying to kill me!"
[…]
[I am uncertain, Master. There may have been an error during your transfer.]
"…An error."
Great.
Just great.
"Then what should I do right now?"
[In your current area, there exist several monsters that may be classified as weak.]
[You may train against them or hunt them.]
"…Weak?"
Every monster I met nearly killed me.
Even goblins could evolve.
"Uh… is there anything else?"
[…Huh.]
[You truly are lazy, Master.]
"…What did you just say?"
[…]
"…Hey."
This system was annoying.
Way more annoying than the ones in novels.
"Ahem… my body is still weak. At least suggest some light physical training."
[Certainly.]
[First: push-ups.]
"…Okay, I get it. How many?"
[20,000 push-ups.]
"…."
I froze.
"…Are you trying to help me or speedrun my death?"
[…Huh.]
[You truly are lazy, Master.]
THIS DAMN SYSTEM—
I cleared my throat, forcing myself to stay calm.
"Ahem… at least let me start with 20."
[1,000 push-ups.]
"…WHAT!?"
This was bargaining now!?
"Uh… 30!"
[999 push-ups. Final offer.]
"…Why are you talking like this is a marketplace!?"
This system was insane.
"…Fine. I'll do it slowly."
[Accepted.]
I sighed.
"…999 push-ups."
With the sound of the waterfall echoing in the background, my mind felt strangely calmer.
I lowered myself and began.
Slowly.
Painfully.
Minutes later—
"12… ugh… 13… 14…"
That was it.
My arms gave out.
I collapsed onto the ground.
At least it was an improvement—from 13 to 14.
[Master, this is not a rest period.]
"Hah… hah… can't you see I'm out of breath!?"
[Master, you have completed only 14 push-ups.]
[Even a middle school child can do 20.]
"…."
Did this system just compare me to a child!?
"Listen—back then I could do more than 20! But I became a corporate slave! Work consumed my life! I forgot to exercise!"
[Do not use simple excuses. Children can do it.]
"…."
This system was insulting me.
Relentlessly.
"Screw you! You don't help me at all and only make me angrier!"
[That is your fault for choosing to be a corporate slave.]
My fists clenched.
Veins popped.
"…I'm not going insane over a system whose only job is to watch and mock me."
[Are you being sarcastic, Master?]
"Yes!"
[Your days as a corporate slave—do you not pity yourself? No promotion, only a disposable worker.]
I slowly closed my eyes.
Then exhaled deeply.
"…Stop talking. I'm doing push-ups again."
I had to get stronger.
If only to shut this system up.
Nightfall.
"31… ngh… 32…"
I collapsed again.
Sweat drenched my body.
Even after training until night, I only reached 32.
Still—
That was decent.
For someone like me.
[Master, it is night. You have not eaten since yesterday.]
"…Ah."
Right.
My stomach growled loudly.
It had been two days.
I needed food.
I stood up and searched the area.
Animals.
Fruits.
Anything.
Nothing.
"…Guess there's no choice."
"Hey, System. Can you guide me to the weak monster you mentioned? At least I can eat it."
[Understood. Please follow the direction provided.]
A small yellow arrow appeared on the ground.
"…Alright."
I followed it.
Please.
Let it actually be weak.
After walking for a while—
I stopped.
"…Yeah. Weak."
For someone at the peak of power, maybe.
In front of me stood a massive monster.
Like Bigfoot.
Its body was covered in thick fur.
Its eyes glowed red.
It roared loudly.
"…I'm dead."
I turned to the system.
"You damn system…"