Theo woke at 6:00 p.m., the fading evening light slipping through his curtains. He dressed quickly and stepped out, determined to begin the path he had chosen. After a thirty-minute walk, he arrived at the gym.
The building stood tall with a black marble-like exterior speckled with white dots. Inside, the interior blended black and red marble across its thousand-square-foot space. The gym was equipped with machines designed for various training routines. In one corner stood two VR pods, advanced training chambers capable of simulating basic and intermediate demonic beasts for combat practice.
Despite its impressive facilities, the gym was often quiet. Most people preferred focusing on developing their supernatural abilities rather than strengthening their physical bodies.
The owner, Mark, was a man in his late twenties. He had an average but solid build, long red hair reaching his shoulders, and smooth, fair skin. There was an aloof air about him, as though he had grown accustomed to disappointment.
As Theo walked around, he noticed a couple working out together in matching outfits. The man was tall with an athletic build, brown bushy hair, and neatly trimmed facial hair. The woman stood at an average height, her frame small yet toned, her blonde hair tied in a ponytail.
Theo approached them.
They paused their workout and sat on a nearby metallic bench. Theo joined them, trying to steady his nerves.
The man spoke first.
"My name is Isaac, and this is Mary. What's your name, young lad? And what brings you to F-Tect Fitness?"
"My name is Theo Taylor," he replied, scratching the back of his head nervously. "I'd like to start working out."
Mary smiled warmly. "Theo… I like your name. It's catchy. So, what do you want to work on?"
"I'm not sure," he admitted honestly. "But I know I should start with the basics. I'm… pretty skinny."
"No problem," Isaac said reassuringly. "Mary and I will help you. But first, you need to register."
They led him to Mark's office. Mark sat behind his desk, eyes closed, arms crossed, in a chair patterned with deep red designs.
"Hey, Mark," Isaac called. "We brought a rookie who wants to register."
Mark opened his eyes slowly and double-tapped the table. A digital screen flickered into existence.
"Place your hands on the table," Mark instructed flatly.
Another screen appeared before Theo, prompting him to fill in his details. Once completed, both screens disappeared. Mark closed his eyes again, returning to his previous posture without another word.
As they stepped out, Theo frowned. "What's wrong with him? It feels like he doesn't want me here."
Mary chuckled lightly. "Don't mind him. People register but rarely come back. He's tired of wasting his expectations."
"Why don't they return?" Theo asked.
"Because this gym focuses on physical training," Isaac replied. "Most people care more about improving their abilities than strengthening their bodies."
They continued showing Theo around, explaining each machine's purpose and even introducing him to the VR pods. They laughed and joked, making him feel unexpectedly welcome.
By 7:45 p.m., Theo checked the time. "It's getting late. I should head home. I'll come tomorrow after Sunday service to start properly."
"We'll be expecting you," Mary said with a smile.
He waved goodbye and began the walk home. After arriving, he showered and went straight to bed, his mind restless with anticipation.
Sunday morning arrived cold and quiet.
Theo woke early, bathed, and dressed for church. Suddenly, a notification chimed.
Daily Quest Received:
Drink 1 litre of water – Reward: 5 EXP
Workout for 1 hour – Reward: 5 EXP
After dressing, he drank two bottles of water.
Quest Completed: +5 EXP
Total EXP: 15/25
He left for church.
The church stood east of his home, a forty-five-minute walk away. Its architecture resembled a European castle, with twin towers crowned by large analogue clocks. The interior gleamed with white and cream marble. A red carpet stretched from the altar to every exit, and long pews lined the hall.
Theo sat in the middle row on the left side. The service began with praise and worship, followed by a sermon delivered by Reverend Father Samuel. His voice was calm yet powerful, filling the cathedral with conviction. By noon, the service ended.
Theo approached him afterwards.
"Father," Theo greeted respectfully.
"Theo," the priest replied warmly. "It's good to see you. You remind me so much of your parents. I remember when they brought you here, you were so small, so innocent. May their souls rest in peace."
Theo swallowed, emotion tightening his chest.
"So what brings you to me today?" Father Samuel asked.
Theo hesitated. "What is the best thing to do when someone gains power?"
The priest pondered briefly before answering, "Power is a gift. As God teaches us, it is meant to help those who cannot help themselves and to protect the weak from evil. Power without purpose becomes corruption."
Theo absorbed every word. "Thank you, Father. I appreciate it."
He bowed his head and left.
After a short nap at home, Theo prepared for the gym.
On the way, he spoke softly, "Zero, what exercise should I start with?"
A calm voice responded within him.
"Master, your body needs a strong foundation. Begin with basic exercises and weightlifting. But observe what Isaac and Mary recommend, since it is your first session."
Arriving at the gym, he met Isaac and Mary at the entrance. They entered together.
Soon, however, Isaac and Mary resumed their routine, leaving Theo standing awkwardly. Confusion flickered across his face.
Mary noticed immediately. "What's wrong, Theo?"
"I… I don't know what to do," he admitted shyly. "It's my first time."
She smiled kindly. "We'll draft a routine for you."
After discussing briefly, they handed him a structured workout plan. Some exercises were familiar, others entirely new. They demonstrated each movement carefully before returning to their own training.
Theo pushed himself harder than he ever had before.
Two hours later, drenched in sweat and trembling with exhaustion, he completed his workout.
A notification chimed.
Daily Quest Completed: Workout 1 hour – +5 EXP
Bonus: Determination & Exceeded Limit – +5 EXP
Total EXP: 25/25
A glowing screen appeared before him.
Congratulations. You have levelled up.
All stats increased by 1.
HP increased by 5.
Status Window
Name: Theo Taylor
Level: 2
EXP: 0/50
Race: Werewolf
Rank: Wolf Cub
Class: None
Abilities: None
Skill Points: None
HP: 15/15
Stamina: 6
Strength: 6
Agility/Speed: 6
Defense: 6
Attack: 6
A violent tremor ran through Theo's body.
It began as a spark beneath his skin…then spread like wildfire through his veins. His muscles tightened, bones humming with unfamiliar strength. For a split second, pain flared raw and searing before dissolving into a deep, intoxicating warmth.
Air felt lighter.
The ground beneath his feet felt… smaller.
"Zero…" Theo whispered, flexing his fingers as power coiled within them. "I can feel it."
"Yes, Master Theo," Zero replied calmly within his consciousness. "Your body is adapting to your evolution. This is merely the beginning. Reach Level 5, and greater doors shall open."
Theo stared at his reflection in the mirror across the gym.
His shoulders seemed broader. His posture is straighter. His eyes…sharper.
This was no illusion.
This was progress.
He turned toward Isaac and Mary, gratitude flickering across his face. "Thank you… for helping me."
Isaac grinned. "Strength isn't built in a day."
Mary crossed her arms playfully. "Just don't disappear like the rest."
Theo's lips curved slightly, but his eyes did not soften.
"I won't."
Not this time.
The night air felt colder as he stepped outside, but Theo barely noticed. His mind was louder than the wind.
Billy's laughter echoed in his memory.
The shove.
The humiliation.
The helplessness.
His fingers curled slowly into fists.
For years, he had endured. Swallowed insults. Avoided confrontation. Accepted weakness as his reality.
But weakness was a choice he no longer intended to make.
Revenge was not simply about striking back.
It was about rewriting the balance.
About standing above the ones who once stood over him.
About never bowing his head again.
His jaw tightened.
Billy…
"I will surpass you," Theo muttered under his breath. "Not just in strength. In everything."
Zero's voice responded quietly.
"Be cautious, Master. Revenge is a blade without a handle. Grip it too tightly, and you bleed first."
Theo's eyes darkened.
"Then I'll learn how to wield it properly."
He made a detour before heading home.
Grandma Elizabeth's house stood quietly beneath the dim glow of streetlights. A place that had once been his refuge.
He knocked.
No answer.
The door creaked open slightly, and he stepped inside, concern rising in his chest.
He found her in the backyard, hanging freshly washed clothes under the fading light.
"Grandma," he called gently.
She turned, surprise melting into warmth. "Theo?"
Without another word, he took the remaining clothes from her hands.
"I'll finish it."
She protested softly, but he insisted.
As he worked, a strange thought crossed his mind.
This was why he needed strength.
Not only for revenge.
But for moments like this.
For protection.
For gratitude.
For the people who had stood by him when he had nothing.
Inside the living room, she watched him quietly.
"You've grown," she said when he finally sat beside her.
Theo paused.
Had he?
Or was he still that powerless boy pretending to be brave?
They spoke for a while, the conversation simple yet grounding. When he finally stood to leave, she touched his hand.
"Be careful out there," she said softly.
Theo nodded.
"I will."
But in his heart, he knew….
The path he had chosen would not be safe.
Back in his room that night, the clock read 11:00 p.m.
Moonlight filtered through the window, casting silver shadows across the ceiling.
Theo lay on his back, staring upward.
Two days.
In just two days, his world had shifted.
The system.
The awakening.
The power rising inside him.
And the truth of what he was…
A Werewolf.
A wolf cub is still insignificant in the hierarchy of strength.
But wolves grew.
They hunted.
They dominated.
His breathing slowed.
Billy's face surfaced in his thoughts again.
This time, instead of anger consuming him, something colder took its place.
Clarity.
"I won't rush," Theo whispered into the darkness.
"I'll grow."
"I'll endure."
"And when the time comes…"
His eyes gleamed faintly in the dark.
"I won't just defeat you."
"I'll make sure you understand what it feels like to be powerless."
Silence answered him.
Zero did not interrupt.
Because even the system understood…
A new predator was awakening.
Theo closed his eyes.
And for the first time in his life
He did not feel small.