Arin's eyes fluttered open. Light streamed in through the small wooden window, dust motes dancing in the sunbeams.
Two figures rushed toward him—his mother and father, faces filled with relief.
"Arin! You're awake!" his mother cried, clutching his hand.
"Are you hurt? What happened?!" his father added, worry etched across his features.
Arin's stomach twisted. His jade-skinned body felt strange, stiff, unfamiliar. Every movement was awkward, every breath felt foreign. A sharp pang of discomfort ran through him, but there was also something… familiar—a sense of belonging he didn't have in his own life.
"I… I'm okay," he croaked. The words felt strange in his mouth, breaking slightly as if they didn't quite belong to him.
His father pulled him into a gentle hug, and his mother pressed a kiss to his forehead. "Thank the gods… you're safe. That fall from the tree had me terrified."
Arin closed his eyes, letting the warmth wash over him—but inside, a sharp edge of unease lingered. This wasn't his body. These weren't his parents. And yet… for a fleeting moment, he felt… home.
He swallowed hard, forcing another weak smile. "I'm… really okay."
But even as he spoke, his mind raced. Questions he had been asking since waking—about the system, the game, the world—pressed at the edges of this strange comfort.
This body had a past. This village had its rules. And somehow… he had to survive, grow, and complete the system's impossible tasks—all while living another person's life>\
As Arin blinked awake, he noticed the pride and relief in his parents' eyes.
"Arthor! You're awake!" his mother cried, her hands gently brushing his jade-skinned face.
"Are you hurt? What happened?!" his father asked, worry etched deep.
Arin's chest tightened. He swallowed, his voice breaking slightly. "I… I'm okay."
He let himself take in their presence for a moment.
His father stood tall, broad-shouldered, a retired knight of the kingdom. The armor he no longer wore hinted at past battles, discipline, and an unshakable sense of duty. Even in plain clothes, there was an aura of strength and authority about him.
His mother, in contrast, moved with a fluid grace, robes fluttering as she knelt beside him. A faint shimmer of mana lingered around her hands—a mage of some skill. Intelligence, magic, and gentleness radiated from her, softening his father's stern presence.
Arin's mind reeled. A retired knight and a mage…? That explains a lot. The body he had inherited wasn't just any child—it came with bloodlines, potential, and latent skills, even if he couldn't access them yet.
A pang of unfamiliar comfort hit him. He had never had a family before. Orphaned in his previous life, surviving alone, rejection after rejection… and now, for the first time, he felt warmth, safety, and something like belonging.
Yet even as he basked in this strange comfort, the sharp edge of reality remained:
The system's tasks loomed.
Survival in this world was mandatory.
The main plot—joining the academy—was still six years away.
Arin let out a bitter laugh. Funny. I lost everything before… and now I get a father who fought battles, a mother who commands magic… and a system that wants me dead if I fail.
Still, a spark of determination flared. If this body came with such parents, maybe… just maybe… he could survive, train, and grow strong enough to face whatever the War of Vengeance threw at him.
After sometime they left leaving the room in silence.
Resting for sometime he woke up again saw the optional task.
"Okay lets do this first".
He muttered.
Arin stared at the floating panel.
"…You're still there."
"Of course. I'm not your imagination. Though your brain quality is questionable."
"Wow. First conversation and you're already insulting me."
"Correction: observation."
Arin dragged a hand down his face. "Yeah… great. So what now? You gonna explain anything? Or just throw me into death missions?"
"Host survival probability currently: Low."
"Recommendation: Begin basic physical conditioning."
"…You're joking."
"No."
A new screen popped up.
Side Quest: Basic Conditioning
Run around the village perimeter ×10
50 push-ups
50 sit-ups
50 squats
Reward: Minor stat increase
Failure: No reward
Arin stared at it. Then laughed.
Then stopped laughing.
"…You're serious?"
"Yes."
"…I just died. Got isekai'd. And your first idea is exercise?"
"Your body is weak."
"…I hate you already."
30 Minutes Later
"I'm… gonna… die again…"
Arin collapsed onto the grass, gasping like a dying fish. Sweat soaked his clothes, muscles screaming in pain.
"Who the hell… does 50 push-ups… at this age…?"
"People who want to survive."
"…shut up…"
He forced himself up again. Arms shaking violently.
"One… two… thr—"
His body gave out. Face hit the ground. Hard.
"Okay… nope. Not happening."
He rolled onto his back, staring at the sky.
This is stupid.
I'm not built for this.
I wasn't an athlete before… I'm not one now…
"Maybe I should skip it…" he muttered.
"Failure will reduce growth efficiency."
"…I don't care."
"Future survival probability will decrease further."
"…still don't care."
He stood up anyway.
"…damn it."
Attempt Two
Running.
Bad idea.
His legs burned after the second lap. By the third, his breathing was completely broken. By the fourth—
Pain.
Sharp. Sudden. Wrong.
"…what the—?!"
His body froze. A wave of intense pain hit his lower body, making his vision blur instantly.
"Are you—are you kidding me?!"
"Warning: Host is exceeding physical limits."
"No shit—!"
His knees buckled. He collapsed instantly, curling slightly as the pain spiked again.
"…this is not normal… what the hell is wrong with this body…?"
"Host lacks conditioning."
"…I swear… I'll delete you…"
"You cannot."
"…figures…"
System Notification
Side Quest Failed
Reason: Physical incapability
Advice: Train within limits or risk permanent damage
Arin let out a weak laugh.
"First quest… and I already failed…"
He stared at the sky, eyes half-open.
Same as before…
Nothing works…
Everything fails…
His vision darkened slowly.
"…great… round two…"
And just like that—
He fainted.