By the time Arin woke up again, the sky had already turned orange.
"…again?"
He slowly sat up, his body aching all over. Muscles sore, head heavy like someone stuffed rocks inside it.
"You fainted."
"…yeah, I figured."
"Cause: Weak body."
"…you really enjoy saying that, don't you?"
"It is fact."
"…I'm going to delete you someday."
"You cannot."
"…figures."
Walking Back to home.
This time, he didn't try anything stupid. No running. No push-ups.
Just walking.
The village looked different now. Calm. Warm. Smoke rising from houses. People heading home.
…this place feels too peaceful.
"…which probably means something bad is coming," he muttered.
At Home
He pushed the door open.
"Arin!"
His mother rushed toward him instantly. "Where were you?! You disappeared all day!"
"I… was just outside," he said, avoiding her eyes.
His father stood behind her, arms crossed—not angry, just serious.
"You fell from a tree this morning," his father said. "And now you roam around alone?"
"…I'm fine."
His voice cracked slightly.
Damn it… control your voice…
His mother sighed and gently pulled him inside. "Sit down. You need rest."
Dinner time.
The table was simple. Soup. Bread.
Nothing fancy.
But warm.
Arin stared at it for a second… then started eating.
Fast.
"Slow down," his mother said.
"I am—"
"You're not."
"…okay maybe a little."
His father gave a small exhale—almost a laugh.
The room went quiet again. Not awkward. Just… quiet.
Then—
"We're leaving tomorrow," his father said.
Arin paused.
"…leaving?"
"To the city," his mother added. "We have some matters to take care of."
"How long?"
"A few days," his father replied. "Maybe longer."
Arin looked at them.
So… I'll be alone.
"You'll be fine," his father said. "You're old enough."
No, I'm definitely not.
"…yeah," Arin replied anyway.
His mother looked worried. "Don't overdo anything. Stay near the village."
"…okay."
Yeah… about that… I almost died doing push-ups.
"Confirmed."
"…shut up."
"What?" his mother asked.
"Nothing."
Arin lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Same ceiling. Same weird life.
But now…
No parents for a few days.
No one watching him.
No one stopping him.
"Optimal condition for growth."
"…or dying," Arin muttered.
"Also possible."
He sighed.
"…you're really useless, you know that?"
Silence.
Then slowly…
A small smirk formed on his face.
"…but maybe this works."
No pressure. No expectations.
Just him… and the system.
"Alright…"
He closed his eyes.
"Tomorrow… we try again."