Bell ran.
His legs burned, his lungs screamed for air, and his vision blurred from exhaustion. But he didn't stop. He couldn't.
The Penalty Zone was far worse than he ever imagined.
The first centipede had been terrifying enough, but when more began emerging from beneath the sand—dozens of them—he knew he stood no chance in a fight. He had no weapons, no armor, and no way to defend himself. All he could do was run, hide, and pray that they lost interest.
But they never did.
He had spent the past four hours weaving through jagged rock formations, burying himself beneath the sand to mask his scent, and squeezing into tight crevices where the monstrous centipedes couldn't reach. Each second felt like an eternity.
He had lost track of time.
His entire body ached, his mind teetering on the edge of collapse.
And then—
Ding!
[Penalty Quest has been completed.]
The world around him shifted.
Bell barely had time to react before he was thrusted out of the desert, an invisible force yanking him backward. The scorching heat vanished, replaced by the cool, familiar air of Hearthstone Manor.
He crashed onto the wooden floor, sand scattering everywhere.
For a moment, he didn't move. His body refused to. He simply lay there, gasping for breath, his limbs trembling from exhaustion.
Ding!
[You have received a reward for completing the Penalty Quest.]
[Check your reward?]
[Accept] [Decline]
Bell barely registered the message. His vision swam, his ears rang, and his mind was still trapped in survival mode.
The noise of his heavy breathing stirred someone awake.
Hestia blinked groggily from the couch, rubbing her eyes. When her vision cleared, she was met with a confusing sight—her child lying on the floor, drenched in sweat, covered in sand.
"B-Bell?" she mumbled, still half-asleep.
Bell tried to say something, but no words came out. His body had reached its limit.
His vision blurred. His eyelids grew heavier.
And then—darkness.
Bell passed out.
Hestia immediately sat up, panic flooding her chest. She rushed over, kneeling beside him. Her hands moved on instinct, checking his forehead—it was damp with sweat, but at least he wasn't burning up. His breathing was rapid, his muscles tense even in unconsciousness.
And then there was the sand.
Her blue eyes darted across the room, noting the small dunes of golden grains scattered across the floor. Confusion flickered across her face. Where had it come from? Had Bell gone to the dungeon and collapsed on his way back?
No—that didn't make sense. The dungeon was made of stone. There was no sand anywhere in Orario that she could think of.
She bit her lip, pushing those thoughts aside. Bell came first.
With effort, she lifted him up—struggling a little due to her small frame—and dragged him over to the couch. She settled down, pulling Bell onto her lap and resting his head gently against her chest.
Her fingers absentmindedly brushed through his damp white hair.
She let out a small sigh, her expression softening.
"You really are hopeless," she whispered, her voice tinged with affection.
She pulled the blanket over them both and held him close, listening to his steady breathing.
Whatever had happened to him, she would find out in the morning.
For now, Bell needed rest.
And she would be right there when he woke up.
Bell took a long, deep breath.
The scent of something warm and comforting filled his nose. His body felt relaxed, cradled by something soft and squishy.
Still groggy, he slowly opened his eyes, only to find himself nestled against Hestia.
His mind blanked.
He could feel her warmth, hear her soft breathing, and then—realization struck like a lightning bolt.
His face turned scarlet.
Bell carefully, oh so carefully, wriggled out of Hestia's embrace, doing his best not to wake her. As soon as he was free, he exhaled in relief and quickly retreated upstairs. His heart was pounding, but he shook his head, pushing away the embarrassment.
There were more pressing matters at hand.
The System.
He had neglected his Daily Quest before and paid the price. He wasn't about to let that happen again.
Lowering himself into a push-up position, Bell took a deep breath.
And then he began.
One. Two. Three.
His muscles protested at first, still sore from the previous night's ordeal, but as he fell into a steady rhythm, the pain faded into the background. He would finish this.
Minutes turned into an hour as he worked through the routine.
Push-Ups [100/100]
Sit-Ups [100/100]
Squats [100/100]
Run [0/10km]
Panting, Bell wiped the sweat off his brow. Just one more task remained.
He stepped outside, the morning sun greeting him as he took off into a full sprint.
Ten kilometers.
His legs burned, but he pushed forward. Each step was a step toward strength.
Back at Hearthstone Manor...
Hestia stirred, her arms instinctively reaching out, only to find empty space.
Her eyes fluttered open, confusion briefly clouding her thoughts before she noticed Bell was gone.
She sighed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Honestly, that boy..." A small smile formed on her lips.
She stretched and got ready to go out herself.
Back with Bell...
Ding!
Quest Info:
Push-Ups [100/100]
Sit-Ups [100/100]
Squats [100/100]
Run [10/10km]
[Quest Completed.]
[Select your reward.]
Three options appeared before him:
Status Recovery
Ability Points +3
Random Loot Box +1
Bell exhaled sharply, his body screaming for relief.
"Accept [Status Recovery]."
The moment he spoke the words, a wave of energy surged through his entire being. His fatigue vanished instantly. The soreness, the exhaustion—it all melted away as if he had never exercised at all.
His eyes widened.
A new screen appeared before him, confirming his suspicions.
Name: Bell Cranel
Level: 1
Title: None
HP: 100/100
MP: 10/10
Stats:
Strength: 19
Health: 10
Agility: 10
Intelligence: 10
Sense: 10
Available Ability Points: 3
Bell stared at the glowing menu, his heartbeat quickening.
A game-like System had become part of his life.
And this was only the beginning.
—
"Accept [Random Loot Box]."
As soon as Bell confirmed his choice, a small green key materialized in his palm.
It shimmered with a faint glow, almost weightless in his grasp. His eyes widened as the System provided details.
[Item: Dungeon Key]
Level of Difficulty: E
Type: Key
Description: This key enables you to enter an instant dungeon. It can be used anywhere.
Bell stared at the key, his heart pounding with anticipation.
This was it.
A chance to prove himself. To grow stronger.
He tightened his grip, excitement swelling within him. He wouldn't waste this opportunity.
Without hesitation, Bell made his way through Orario's bustling streets, weaving through the crowds until he found himself in a quiet, secluded alleyway.
The walls loomed around him, casting deep shadows. This was perfect.
Taking a deep breath, he raised the Dungeon Key, pointing it toward the empty air in front of him.
Click.
As if unlocking an invisible door, a dark portal materialized before him. The swirling vortex pulsed with energy, beckoning him inside.
Bell took a deep breath and stepped through.
The moment he crossed the threshold, everything changed.
Bell turned around, expecting to see the alleyway he had just left. It was still there... yet it wasn't.
Something was off.
No voices. No chatter of adventurers. No distant sounds of the marketplace.
Silence.
A deafening, suffocating silence.
Stepping out into the open, Bell's eyes scanned his surroundings. The streets of Orario looked the same, but there wasn't a single soul in sight.
It was as if the entire city had been abandoned. No adventurers. No merchants. No Hestia.
Nothing.
His chest tightened.
This wasn't Orario anymore.
This was a different dimension.
And he was completely alone.
Ding!
A new system prompt flashed before him.
[Instant Dungeon: Orario]
Objective: Defeat all enemies.
Enemies Remaining: ???
Bell clenched his fists.
The test had begun.
And he would prove himself.
-----
Next: The Path To Power