The morning sun shone brightly through the gaps between the trees.
Warm light filtered down, illuminating the forest floor that was still damp from last night's dew.
"31… 32… ugh… 33."
Both of my arms trembled violently as I lowered myself for another push-up.
My muscles screamed.
My chest burned.
I couldn't take it anymore.
I collapsed face-first onto the ground.
"Ugh… this is exhausting… seriously exhausting…"
My entire body felt like it had been beaten with iron rods. My arms refused to move, my legs twitched, and my breathing was uneven.
Then, as expected—
[Master, this is not the time to rest.]
"…Huh?"
I turned my head slightly and glared at the invisible presence.
This damn system really knew how to provoke me, even early in the morning.
"I know! Just let me rest for a moment. I'm exhausted, okay…?"
I pushed myself into a sitting position and began stretching my body.
"Ugh… it's been so long since I stretched properly… my muscles are cramping."
I twisted my waist, stretched my arms, rolled my shoulders.
As I did, a strange thought crossed my mind.
Something had been bothering me since yesterday.
I frowned slightly.
"…It's weird."
The monsters here—
They didn't fit.
Goblins.
Bigfoot.
Creatures that belonged more to European fantasy.
This was Murim.
A martial arts world.
They shouldn't exist here.
That question had been eating at me, so I decided to ask.
"Hey, System."
[Yes, Master?]
"Do you know why there are so many European fantasy monsters in the Murim world? They shouldn't exist here. The regions and cultures are completely different."
There was a short pause.
Then—
[Your assumption is correct, Master. Those monsters did not immigrate.]
"…Then?"
[They emerged from rifts—also known as Death Gates.]
"…Death Gates?"
[They were named that way because thousands of bizarre monsters poured out of them. Many people speculate that these gates are entrances from other worlds.]
Other worlds…
My heart skipped a beat.
Wait.
Other worlds?
"…System."
[Yes, Master?]
"Does this have anything to do with my arrival in the Murim world?"
That question had been sitting in my chest like a thorn.
The system responded calmly.
[It is possible, but it cannot be confirmed. Death Gates appeared hundreds of years before your arrival in this world.]
"…Hundreds of years ago."
So they existed long before me.
"…Then… are there others like me?"
My curiosity intensified.
"Other people from another world… like me?"
[No, Master. As far as records show, you are the only person from another world who has entered the Murim world.]
"…I see."
So I was alone.
Completely alone.
Ugh…
Why me?
Why was I the only one dragged into this insane world?
Why did it have to be me?
Before I could sink deeper into self-pity—
[Master! Danger detected.]
"…Huh?"
[Two Bigfoot are approaching your location. Distance: approximately 1 kilometer.]
"…WHAT?!"
Why now?!
Why were they coming here?!
My heart started racing.
I quickly scanned my surroundings.
Then my eyes landed on the roasted Bigfoot meat near the campfire.
"…Ah."
I understood immediately.
They were attracted by the smell.
Worse—
They probably realized I had eaten one of their kind.
Shit.
This wasn't good.
I didn't have time to panic.
I needed to act.
"System, stay alert."
[I am always alert, Master.]
"…Don't get cocky."
I stood up quickly and began gathering branches and stones.
If I couldn't fight them head-on—
I'd trap them.
A few minutes later.
The two Bigfoot arrived.
Their massive forms emerged from between the trees.
They sniffed the air.
Their red eyes scanned the area.
They didn't see me.
But then—
Their gaze landed on the roasted meat.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
One of them let out a low, furious growl.
—GRRRRR…
They knew.
They knew it was the flesh of their kin.
Their killing intent exploded.
They stepped forward.
That was my cue.
I jumped down from a tree behind them.
The moment my feet hit the ground, I sprinted.
Sharp stones clenched in both hands.
I aimed low.
Fast.
Precise.
And—
SLASH!
I sliced one of their heels.
—ROAAAARR!!
Both Bigfoot roared in pain.
They spun around violently.
Before they could react—
I leaped and snapped a prepared branch.
CRACK!
Two trees shook violently.
From above—
Several snakes fell.
Hissing.
Angry.
They immediately bit the Bigfoot.
The snakes weren't venomous.
But that wasn't the point.
It was a distraction.
The Bigfoot roared even louder, swatting at their legs.
Now!
I rushed in.
SLASH!
Another heel.
One Bigfoot collapsed instantly.
Only one left.
I turned toward the remaining Bigfoot.
It was still busy dealing with the snakes.
Roaring.
Thrashing.
I waited.
Watching.
My breathing steady.
Looking for the perfect moment.
Then—
There.
Now!
I dashed forward and cut its heel.
—ROAAAARR!!
The last Bigfoot fell.
Silence returned to the forest.
"…Phew…"
I exhaled deeply.
"…I think I'm starting to get used to living like this."
A blue screen suddenly appeared in front of me.
[Congratulations, Master! You have defeated two Bigfoot. Mission complete. Your stats have increased.]
"…Stats?"
I blinked.
"Wait… I had stats?"
"System, show me my status."
[Understood.]
The blue screen changed.
[Status Window]
Name: Woo Jin
Age: 25
Title: None
Strength: 6+
Vitality: 4+
Agility: 4+
Intelligence: 13+
Mind: 10+
"…Woah."
This really felt like a game.
But this wasn't VR.
This was reality.
If I died here—
I died for real.
There were countless insane monsters in this world.
Even goblins could evolve.
Nothing here was easy.
"…System."
[Yes, Master?]
"Can you show me a map?"
[I can only display areas you have already traversed.]
"…That's fine. Do it."
[Understood.]
A small map appeared.
It showed—
The place where I first arrived.
The cave I stayed in.
The lake with humanoid crocodiles.
The river leading to this area.
"…This will be useful."
Without a map, surviving would be much harder.
Then I looked at the two dead Bigfoot.
"…What should I do with them?"
My food supply was already more than enough.
Keeping all of this would be inefficient.
I frowned.
"System."
[Yes, Master?]
"Is there a monster bigger than the giant wolves and birds I encountered before?"
[Yes. There is one living on a mountain near your current area.]
"…A mountain?"
I looked to my right.
Sure enough, there was a mountain not too far away.
It wasn't extremely tall.
Climbable.
"…I could give these Bigfoot to that monster."
As an offering.
To avoid hostility.
[If you plan to climb that mountain, I advise against it.]
"…Why?"
[Your strength is still extremely low. Reach 50 push-ups first, and then you may attempt to climb.]
"…Of course."
I sighed.
"…I don't have a choice, do I?"
[I am glad you understand, Master.]
"…Before that."
I sniffed myself.
Blood.
Sweat.
Dirt.
"…I need to bathe."
A few moments later—
I submerged myself in the river near the waterfall.
"Ahhh… this feels amazing…"
The cold water washed over my body.
For the first time since arriving in this world—
I felt clean.
"…I haven't bathed even once since I got here."
No wonder I smelled awful.
That alone could attract monsters.
"System, do you have soap or body fragrance?"
[Master… I am not a washing machine.]
"…You're annoying."
[Even more annoying is having a lazy master.]
"…That hurt."
Seriously.
This system was ruthless.
But as I soaked in the water—
I realized something.
This world wasn't going to be kind.
Not to me.
Not to anyone.
If I wanted to survive—
I needed to become stronger.
No excuses.
No complaints.
Just—
Endure.
Train.
And live.