Aryan stared at the glowing blue system interface in front of his eyes. 'F-Rank Weakling'—the words stung, but they didn't break him. Instead, a cold, predatory smile crept across his face.
"So, this world labels me as trash?" Aryan whispered, his voice laced with a dangerous calm. "They have no idea what happens when a former Monarch starts from zero."
He could feel the limits of his new body. It was frail, his breathing was heavy, and his muscles felt like lead. He needed to grow, and he needed to grow fast. Just as he was contemplating his next move, a chime echoed in his head.
[System Notification: Daily Quest Available!]
Objective: 100 Push-ups, 100 Sit-ups, 5km Run.
Reward: +5 Strength, +1 Skill Point, 1x Lesser Mana Potion.
Penalty for Failure: 24 Hours of 'Exhaustion' status.
"A physical quest?" Aryan chuckled dryly. Back in his prime, he could shatter mountains with a flick of his wrist. Now, the heavens wanted him to sweat for a tiny bit of strength.
Without hesitation, he dropped to the floor. One... two... ten... His heart hammered against his ribs like a trapped bird. Sweat soaked through his shirt, stinging his eyes. Every fiber of his being screamed in protest, but he pushed through. He wasn't just building muscle; he was reclaiming his throne.
As he finished his final set, a shadow fell over him.
"Hey, are you trying to kill yourself?"
Aryan looked up. Standing there was a girl around his age, wearing a worn-out leather vest. She was Maya, a low-tier 'Supporter' known in the slums for her kind heart but weak powers.
"Training," Aryan replied shortly, standing up as the system confirmed his quest completion.
"Training? For what?" Maya asked, her eyes wide with concern. "Everyone knows F-Ranks are just... well, ordinary people with fancy titles. You're going to get hurt if you push yourself like this."
Aryan turned to face her. For a moment, his eyes flared with a faint, regal purple light. Maya gasped, stepping back instinctively. She felt an invisible pressure, a weight she had only felt when standing near High-Rank hunters.
"The rank doesn't define the man, Maya. Power does," Aryan said, his voice firm. "And I am going to take back everything that belongs to me."
Before she could respond, the sky above the city turned a violent shade of crimson. A massive crack tore through the air—a Dungeon Break.
Aryan's grin widened, revealing a row of white teeth. "Perfect. My first meal has arrived."