Late July – Middle School Summer Holidays,
The cicadas screamed outside, a familiar summer chorus filling the warm air.
Inside the Yamazaki home, the tension was thicker than the heat.
Apollo stood in front of the kitchen doorway, posture straight, voice steady.
"I want to learn martial arts."
Across the table, his mother frowned deeply.
No, absolutely not," Sara said. "He's still a child. Martial arts? At his age? He'll just get hurt!"
Her voice trembled slightly — more from worry than anger.
Apollo didn't speak. He wanted to argue, to insist that he could handle it, but his throat locked up.
His father, Park Tae-Yun, sat silently at the table, sipping his coffee. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
"Sara," he said softly, "you've seen him, haven't you?"
She blinked, confused. "Seen what?"
"How quiet he's been. How he avoids the other kids. How easily he tires out after school."
Tae-Yun's tone remained calm, but his words struck like a slow truth.
"He's weak," he continued, his gaze falling on his son. "If he stays like this, he'll be ...
"Don't say that about your own son—!" Sara started, but Tae-Yun cut her off gently.
"I'm not belittling him. I'm saying he needs strength — real strength. Not just muscles, but the kind that builds from effort, from pain, from learning to stand back up."
Sara's lips trembled. She looked at Apollo, who was still standing silently.
"He's not ready for that kind of world," she whispered.
"Then we'll help him become ready," Tae-Yun said. His eyes softened, but there was resolve in them. "Let him train, Sara. Let him learn what it means to fight — not others, but himself."
There was silence for a moment — the faint hum of the ceiling fan the only sound between them.
Finally, Sara sighed and looked away.
"Fine," she murmured. "But if he gets hurt—"
"I'll take responsibility," Tae-Yun said firmly.
Sara exhaled and nodded, defeated but still protective.
Apollo looked up, meeting her eyes.
"I'll be careful, Mom," he said quietly. "I promise."
She smiled weakly. "Just… don't push yourself too hard, alright?"
"
That Evening
System Shop Access
Apollo sat cross-legged on his bed, eyes reflecting the pale blue glow of the System panel hovering before him.
> [System Shop – Level 1 Access Granted]
[Available Sections: Martial Arts Techniques | Combat Talents | Training Manuals]
He scrolled through the list, excitement flickering in his chest.
> [Basic Boxing Fundamentals – 200 XP]
[Foundation Guard – 250 XP]
[Observation Step – 300 XP]
[Street Kick Combo – 250 XP]
He recognized every name — echoes from the world of Lookism, Viral Hit, and Weak Hero.
Techniques that once existed on a screen… now lay within reach.
"Alright," he whispered. "Let's start small."
> [Confirm Purchase – Total Cost: 1,000 XP]
[Purchase Complete.]
Skills Acquired:
• Basic Boxing Fundamentals (E Tier)
• Foundation Guard (E Tier)
• Observation Step (E Tier)
• Street Kick Combo (E Tier)
> [Reminder: Skill mastery requires practice and repetition. XP amplifies progress, not replaces it.]
Apollo grinned. "So I still have to grind, huh? Good."
The Next Morning
The first few days were hell.
Every push-up burned. Every squat made his legs shake. He couldn't finish a 5 km run without collapsing halfway, gasping for air.
But every time he looked at the faint System panel hovering in his vision — the word "Progress" glowing in soft blue — he pushed through.
> [XP +20]
[XP +30]
> [Quest Assigned: Physical Foundation Training] – Run 5 km daily
– 20 push-ups, 20 sit-ups, 20 squats ×3 sets
– Breathing practice (10 minutes)
– Skill practice: 2 hours daily
[Reward: +100 XP daily | Bonus +1,000 XP upon completion of 30 days.]
The air was cool, the world quiet. The sun hadn't fully risen yet when Apollo stepped out in running shoes and a white T-shirt.
"Five kilometers," he muttered, stretching. "Let's see if I survive."
The first week was rough.
His lungs burned. His legs screamed. He tripped once and skinned his knee, cursing under his breath.
But even then, he kept moving.
He ran through the familiar streets of his neighborhood — the morning market just opening, the smell of bread and rice wafting through the air.
"Morning, Apollo!" called Mrs. Han, the old baker's wife, waving a towel. "Out early again, I see!"
He smiled between gasps. "Morning! Training run!"
He didn't know if that was true, but it pushed him to run harder.
A little further ahead, a group of kids waved from their bikes.
"Yo, Apollo! You running again? That's crazy!" one shouted.
Apollo just laughed breathlessly. "Trying not to die!"
Every corner of the small town seemed to recognize him now — the quiet boy who ran every morning, drenched in sweat but never stopping.
And with every run, he began to see things differently — the people, the rhythm, the pulse of a world that was alive.
He was no longer just watching it… he was part of it.
> [XP +50 Earned – Task: Daily Run Completed]
[Adaptive Growth: Active.]
The sun was merciless.
Sweat clung to Apollo's back as he crouched in the middle of the small backyard, his breath ragged and uneven.
"One more… just one more…"
He forced his trembling arms to push off the ground again.
> [Quest Progress: 19/20 Push-ups]
[ Physical strain converted to potential.]
His elbows locked out; his chest burned. Then he dropped, panting on the mat.
His shirt was drenched. The grass beneath his palms was slick from sweat.
He stared up at the clear blue sky and groaned. "Damn… I thought I was in shape."
The System's calm voice responded:
> [Correction: Physical fitness below standard for combat readiness.]
[Recommendation: Maintain daily training routine for 30 days to activate foundation boost.]
He rolled onto his back, breathing heavily but smiling faintly. "You really don't sugarcoat things, huh?"
> [Honesty improves efficiency.]
He chuckled weakly. "Guess I can't argue with that."
It was brutal at first. His body screamed in protest after every session — sore legs, trembling arms, dizziness that made him see spots.
He had vomited twice and nearly passed out once.
But every morning, he still got up.
And slowly, his body began to adapt.
His movements grew steadier.
His breathing more controlled.
The shaking in his hands faded into firm resolve.
> [XP +30]
[XP +40]
[Adaptive Growth: Active.]
[Stat Increase – Strength +20 | Stamina +40.]
Backyard Training
Each morning after his run, Apollo moved straight to the small backyard.
Barefoot on the grass, he dropped into a fighting stance, repeating the drills he'd purchased.
Jab. Step. Guard. Counter.
Again.
And again.
Sweat rolled down his face and dripped from his chin.
His shirt clung to him, soaked through.
> [XP +30]
[Muscle fibers adapting – Strength +20 | Stamina +40.]
By the end of the first week, he noticed a small but visible change — his muscles felt tighter, his grip stronger. The faintest outline of tone was beginning to form under his skin.
By the second week, his breathing evened out. His stride grew smoother.
The pain dulled, replaced by rhythm — a steady beat that matched the sound of his heart.
By the fourth week, even his reflection looked different.
His posture was straighter. His shoulders had broadened. And when he measured his height, he realized he'd grown almost three centimeters taller.
He stared at the measuring tape in disbelief.
"Wait… am I still hitting a growth spurt, or is this…?"
> [System Response:] Growth acceleration due to Yamazaki bloodline efficiency.
Current enhancement rate: +8.4%.
Physical Density: +11%.
Height increase detected: +3.2 cm.
Apollo ran a hand through his sweat-damp hair, half in disbelief. "So even my body's evolving faster…"
> [Affirmative. Continuous training enhances both biological and bloodline potential.]
He looked down at his hands — rough, with faint calluses now forming across his knuckles.
He smiled faintly. "Good. It's starting to feel real."
> [Correct. The more effort exerted, the more efficient your adaptation becomes.]
SYSTEM LOG – TRAINING RECORD
Duration: 30 Days
Routine:
• 5 km daily run
• 20 push-ups, sit-ups, and squats ×3 sets
• Breathing practice (10 mins)
• Basic martial arts fundamentals (2 hours)
> [Cumulative XP Earned: 12,400]
[XP Converted: 9,400]
[Remaining XP: 3,423]
That evening, Tae-Yun watched silently from the porch.
Apollo's movements were slow but precise, his strikes sharper with every repetition. His stance no longer wobbled — he was learning how to breathe through the pain.
(He's different now…)
(Focused. Determined. The boy I once feared was too fragile… is beginning to build his own rhythm.)
> [System Task Complete: Physical Foundation Established.]
[Bonus Reward: +1,000 XP | Tier Advancement Unlocked.]
SYSTEM STATUS
> [SYSTEM PANEL – USER: APOLLO YAMAZAKI]
Name: Apollo Yamazaki
Age: 12
Tier: F → E (Upgraded)
System Level: 1
Bloodlines:
• Yamazaki – Active (31%)
• ??? – Dormant (Locked – Insufficient System Level)
Remaining XP: 3,423
Attributes:
Strength: E (650/1000)
Speed: E (570/1000)
Reflex: E (520/1000)
Stamina: D (2,000/10,000)
Focus: E (500/1000)
Aura: E (480/1000)
Instinct: Locked – Ultra Instinct (Unlocks at Tier A (Titanium))
Talent: Observation (Prototype)
System Abilities:
– Talent Scan (View opponent tier, skill level, and combat potential)
– Experience Assimilation (Convert XP to stat growth or currency)
– Bloodline Resonance (Accelerates growth during stress/adrenaline state)
Skills:
• Basic Boxing Fundamentals (E Tier) – 62%
• Foundation Guard (E Tier) – 48%
• Observation Step (E Tier) – 55%
• Street Kick Combo (E Tier) – 50%
Passives:
• Adaptive Growth
• Muscle Growth [+10% Efficiency]
• Observation (Prototype)
That night, Apollo sat on the steps of the porch, towel draped over his shoulders, watching the moon. His heartbeat was slow and steady now — stronger than before.
He could feel it in his blood: a pulse, faint but awakening.
The Yamazaki bloodline was beginning to stir.
He exhaled slowly, smiling. "Not bad for one month."
A soft wind brushed past him — like the world itself had acknowledged his progress.
He still had far to go. But the first step… was finally taken.
---
Author's Note
This chapter builds the emotional foundation of Apollo's journey — showing not only his physical struggle but the family tension behind his decision. His father's conviction and his mother's concern make his training more personal, and the System's reinforcement turns that emotional decision into real transformation.
[ Tell what we can improve in this chapter if there any grammatical mistakes U can mention]
[Give me If you have any idea how I should take next chapter ]