Shadow Sovereigns : A New Beginning

The hospital had become a training ground. Every day was a test of endurance, strength, and determination as Sung Jin-Woo battled through the Daily Quest the System forced upon him. It was repetitive and grueling, but it worked. The results were undeniable.

Daily Quest: The Preparation to Become Strong.

• Perform 100 Push-Ups (0/100)

• Perform 100 Sit-Ups (0/100)

• Perform 100 Squats (0/100)

• Run 10 Kilometers (0/10)

By the end of each day, his body would be drenched in sweat, his muscles screaming for rest, and yet the faint satisfaction of completing the quest kept him going. Because with every day came rewards.

Quest Complete!

Daily Quest: The Preparation to Become Strong.

Rewards:

• +100Xp

• +5 Unallocated Stat Points

• Passive Growth Applied (+1 to All Stats).

He collapsed onto his bed, exhausted but alive. The blue notification hovered in front of him, almost mocking him with its sterile efficiency.

"Alright, System," he muttered, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "If this is your idea of personal growth, I hope you're ready for a bad Yelp review."

Despite his sarcasm, he couldn't deny it—this grind was paying off. Every push-up, every squat, every agonizing kilometer was reshaping his body and sharpening his mind. He dragged himself to the mirror to confirm what he already felt.

On the morning of the third day, something new appeared.

Congratulations! You have leveled up to Level 3.

• XP: 0/300

Level-Up Rewards:

1. Skill Unlock: Sprint

2. Dual Bleeding Daggers (Rare Item)

3. +3 Unallocated Stat Points

As soon as the notification disappeared, two sleek daggers materialized in his hands. Their dark blades shimmered under the hospital's fluorescent lights, runes etched in crimson glowing faintly along their edges.

Item Acquired: Dual Bleeding Daggers

Description: A pair of enchanted daggers designed for speed and precision.

• Damage: 15–20 per strike.

• Effect: Successful strikes inflict a bleeding status, dealing 5% of the enemy's HP as continuous damage over 5 seconds.

• Bonus: +3 Agility when equipped.

He spun the daggers experimentally, marveling at their balance and weight. They felt perfect in his hands, as if they were made for him.

"Finally," he muttered, grinning. "Something I can actually use."

The System chimed again, unlocking a new skill to complement the daggers.

Skill Acquired: Sprint

Description: Temporarily increases movement speed for quick repositioning or escape.

• Effect: Increases speed by 30% for 10 seconds.

• MP Cost: 5.

He chuckled. "Speed and daggers. Guess the System wants me to fight up close. Lucky

By the time he reached Level 4, the changes in his body were impossible to ignore. His once gaunt face had sharpened, his muscles were more defined, and his height had increased by nearly an inch. Even his movements felt faster, more precise. He stood before the mirror, spinning the daggers in his hands, admiring the reflection.

"Not bad," he said, smirking. "From scrawny to… less scrawny. I'll take it."

The nurses had started whispering about his recovery, and Jin-Ah was starting to notice too.

"Oppa, are you taller?" she asked one afternoon, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Maybe," he said, ruffling her hair. "Or maybe you're just shorter."

"I'm not shrinking!" she huffed, swatting his hand away. "What's going on with you? First, you survive a dungeon collapse, and now you're looking… you're looking…"

"Devastatingly handsome?" he offered, grinning.

"Annoying," she shot back, though her faint smile betrayed her words.

Congratulations! You have leveled up to Level 4.

• XP: 0/400

Level-Up Rewards:

1. Skill Upgrade: Dash (Increased Speed and Duration)

2. Potion of Healing (Minor)

3. +3 Unallocated Stat Points

Skill Updated: Dash (Enhanced)

Description: Temporarily boosts movement speed for agile combat or escape.

• Effect: Increases speed by 40% for 10 seconds.

• MP Cost: 4.

The Potion of Healing was a small vial that glowed faintly in his inventory.

Item Acquired: Potion of Healing (Minor)

Description: Instantly restores 50 HP when consumed.

Satisfied with the rewards, he practiced his movements with the daggers. Each swing, thrust, and lunge felt natural, as if his body were adjusting to the weapons faster than he'd expected.

"Looks like I'm getting the hang of this," he muttered, his confidence growing.

On the seventh day, after completing his final set of squats and kilometers, the System delivered a notification he had been waiting for.

Congratulations! You have leveled up to Level 5.

• XP: 0/500

Level-Up Rewards:

Skill Unlock: Shadow Extraction 

2. Steel-Toed Boots (Rare Item)

3. F-Rank Dungeon Key

The Steel-Toed Boots materialized first, their design rugged and practical.

Item Acquired: Steel-Toed Boots

Description: A sturdy pair of boots designed for durability and agility.

• Bonus: +2 Agility, +1 Stamina.

Next came the Shadow Extraction skill, its description sending a chill of excitement through him.

Skill Acquired: Shadow Extraction

Description: Allows the user to extract the shadow of a defeated enemy and bind it as a loyal minion.

• Effect: Shadow strength is proportional to the defeated enemy's original power.

• MP Cost: 20 per extraction.

Finally, he picked up the F-Rank Dungeon Key, its glowing runes pulsing faintly in his hand.

Item Acquired: F-Rank Dungeon Key

Description: Grants access to an F-Rank Dungeon. Use at any portal to enter.

Holding the key tightly, he stared at his reflection. His once frail body now carried lean, defined muscle. His jawline was sharper, his height had increased, and his movements were quicker, more precise. If the old Sung Jin-Woo stood beside him now, they would look like completely different people.

"Alright, System," he said, spinning the daggers in his hands. "Let's see what you've got next."

Overall Status 

Name: Sung Jin-Woo

Level: 5 (XP: 0/500)

Class: None

Title: None

HP: 150

MP: 150

Fatigue: 10

Stats:

• Strength: 15

• Agility: 18 (+3 from Dual Bleeding Daggers, +2 from Steel-Toed Boots)

• Stamina: 16 (+1 from Steel-Toed Boots)

• Intelligence: 15

• Sense: 15

Unallocated Points: 12

Skills:

• Dash (Enhanced)

• Sprint

• Shadow Extraction

Items:

• Dual Bleeding Daggers (+3 Agility, 5% bleeding effect on enemies)

• Steel-Toed Boots (+2 Agility, +1 Stamina)

• Potion of Healing (Minor) (+50 HP recovery)

• F-Rank Dungeon Key (Access to an F-Rank Dungeon)