Ascendency: The 3 System User

The Path of Strength

 

Isa stared at the glowing options in his mind, each one tempting in its own way. But his decision was clear.

“System,” he muttered, gripping his fists tightly. “I choose The Path of Strength.”

The System responded immediately, its voice calm yet filled with purpose:

[Path Confirmed: The Path of Strength.]

[Objective: Train Relentlessly to Overpower Your Enemies.]

[Reward: +10 Strength, Advanced Combat Skill.]

A surge of energy coursed through Isa’s body. His muscles tingled, and his heartbeat quickened as if his body was preparing itself for the journey ahead.

[New Missions Unlocked.]

Perform 200 push-ups and 200 sit-ups in a single day.

Spar with at least one opponent daily for three days.

Complete a 10-kilometer run without stopping.

Isa groaned. “200 push-ups? Are you trying to kill me?”

[Progress requires sacrifice, Host.]

He sighed, already regretting his choice. But the image of Zul smirking, his fist smashing into Isa’s face, burned in his memory. No matter how hard it got, he wasn’t going to stop.

The next morning, Isa woke up before dawn, his alarm buzzing angrily. He groaned, rubbing his sore muscles, but the System’s voice cut through his thoughts:

[Mission Reminder: Begin Physical Training.]

“Yeah, yeah, I’m up,” Isa muttered, rolling out of bed. He grabbed a water bottle and headed to the park near his neighborhood.

He started with push-ups. The first 50 weren’t too bad, but by the time he hit 100, his arms felt like lead.

[Host’s stamina is improving. Keep pushing.]

“I’m trying!” Isa growled, sweat dripping down his face. He gritted his teeth, forcing his body to move.

When he finally hit 200, he collapsed onto the grass, panting.

“Done,” he whispered, his chest heaving.

[Progress Recorded. Proceed to Sit-Ups.]

Isa groaned. “You’re relentless, you know that?”

The System didn’t respond, and Isa dragged himself into position for sit-ups.

By the time Isa finished his first mission for the day, it was already mid-morning. His entire body felt like it was on fire, but he noticed something strange. Despite the pain, his movements felt sharper, his muscles more responsive.

[Strength +2.]

The notification made him smile, a flicker of hope lighting up inside him.

At school, Isa looked for someone to spar with. He wasn’t going to pick another fight with Zul—not yet. But he needed someone strong enough to test his growing abilities.

During lunch, he found his target: Azlan, the school’s self-proclaimed boxing champion.

Isa walked up to him, ignoring the curious stares from the other students. “Hey, Azlan.”

Azlan looked up from his lunch, raising an eyebrow. “What do you want, Isa? Here to pick a fight and lose again?”

“Actually, yeah,” Isa said, smirking. “Let’s spar.”

The cafeteria erupted into whispers.

“Is he crazy?”

“Didn’t Zul just destroy him the other day?”

Azlan chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. Fine. After school, behind the gym.”

That afternoon, Isa waited behind the gym, bouncing lightly on his feet to keep his energy up. Azlan arrived a few minutes later, already wrapping his hands with tape.

“Alright, kid,” Azlan said, cracking his neck. “I’ll go easy on you, but don’t cry when you lose.”

Isa grinned. “Don’t hold back. I want a real fight.”

Azlan shrugged. “Your funeral.”

The spar began, and Isa immediately noticed something different. His body felt lighter, faster. When Azlan threw a jab, Isa dodged instinctively, countering with a quick hook that grazed Azlan’s jaw.

Azlan’s eyes widened. “Not bad.”

He stepped up his game, throwing a flurry of punches. Isa blocked most of them, though a few landed on his arms and ribs. The pain was manageable, and Isa fought back with surprising precision.

[Beginner Combat Skill Activated.]

Isa’s movements became more fluid, his strikes more accurate. For the first time, he felt like he was in control.

Azlan, however, was still stronger and more experienced. A hard uppercut sent Isa stumbling back, his vision swimming.

“You’ve got potential,” Azlan said, smirking. “But you’re still too green.”

Isa gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand. “Not for long.”

By the end of the spar, Isa was battered but proud. He hadn’t won, but he’d held his own against one of the toughest fighters in school.

[Sparring Mission: Day 1 Complete.]

[Strength +1.]

Isa wiped the blood from his lip, grinning. “This is just the beginning.”

The next two days were grueling. Isa repeated the same brutal cycle: push-ups, sit-ups, running, and sparring. Each day, he grew stronger, faster, and more confident.

By the third day, he completed the 10-kilometer run without stopping, his lungs burning but his determination unshaken.

[Mission Complete: Physical Training.]

[Rewards: +10 Strength, Advanced Combat Skill Unlocked.]

Isa felt the difference immediately. His punches packed more power, his movements more refined. The System’s voice chimed in again.

[Congratulations, Host. You are now ready to face Zul again.]

Isa didn’t waste time. The next morning, he marched straight up to Zul in the courtyard, his voice steady and commanding.

“Zul. Let’s finish this.”

Zul looked up from his group of friends, sneering. “Didn’t get enough last time?”

Isa stepped closer, his eyes locked on Zul’s. “I’m not the same person you fought before.”

The crowd began to gather, sensing the tension. Zul stood, cracking his knuckles.

“Alright then. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

To Be Continued…