Endurance System

A New Beginning

"I'm sorry for putting you through this," said the shop owner regretfully.

She helped the maid choose some fish. "Just pick whatever you need. I'll give it to you for free, as an apology from me."

"He did it, why should you be responsible?" The maid glanced at Elric unhappily, then turned to the shop owner with an uncomfortable expression. "I didn't mean it that way. It's just... anyone would feel hurt if they were treated like that by someone who is supposed to serve us kindly."

"Yes. That's why I'm apologizing on his behalf. Just choose the fish you want," replied the shop owner with a big smile.

The maid stared at the fish in front of her for a long time, then said, "Today it's me, but what about tomorrow? What if another customer is treated the same way?"

"I can accept these fish, but I can't accept other people experiencing the same thing." After that, she stared intently at Elric. "He doesn't look like a typical store employee."

"Hey, what do you mean?" Elric was naturally offended. "Amaris, what right do you have to judge me? You're a maid, so do your job well; no need to meddle in my life."

"I am just a maid, but I have my pride. My heart is broken when you hurt me like this. I can't let another victim fall," Amaris replied, sobbing as she held her chest.

Elric's brow furrowed in annoyance. "What are you talking about?"

But Amaris didn't respond. She looked at the confused-looking shop owner and explained, "Actually, he's my ex-boyfriend. He cheated on me by taking all my money. I tried to let it go because a year has passed, but now he's showing up here."

"Shop owner, get rid of this man immediately before you become the next victim. I'm telling you this because I know how it feels to be deceived and how desperate it is to have no possessions left. Please be careful when hiring employees." With a sad face, Amaris turned to leave.

Elric, whose emotions had peaked, quickly walked towards her and grabbed her hand. "Is all this Evelyn's doing?" he hissed sharply.

"Tell me, what are you guys planning?" As Elric tightened his grip, a soft chime sounded in his ears.

Ting!

[Extreme emotion detected]

[Please calm down immediately]

At that moment, a sharp pain pulsed in his chest, causing his grip on Amaris' wrist to loosen. His thick eyebrows furrowed tightly.

What is this?

Could this be the pain punishment mentioned by the system?

Realizing his chance, Amaris pulled her hand away and ran off in fear.

The people who witnessed this immediately whispered among themselves, judging Elric's behavior to be very bad.

"Starting today, you're fired. Don't ever come back, let alone show your ugly face in front of me!" snapped the shop owner, pointing at Elric's face rudely.

"Luckily, your evil behavior was discovered early on, so I didn't lose too much." The shop owner snorted in annoyance, then dispersed the crowd and tidied up her merchandise.

Meanwhile, Elric could only stare at him sadly and then walk away.

Even though he was mistreated, his heart didn't feel any pain. He just walked away with a blank stare.

The day passed quickly. Before he knew it, the sun had set, and Elric was still walking with his belongings. Of all that had happened, only one thing had changed. His steps were no longer unsteady, even though his stomach had been empty since morning.

When he stopped to rest, a black sedan stopped across the street.

When the window rolled down, a very familiar face smiled mockingly at him, taunting him for being homeless.

Elric's blood boiled, especially when he saw Maverick scattering dozens of bills onto the street, as if the world belonged to him.

Elric's hands trembled.

His feet moved, but the system warning sounded loudly.

[Intent to seek revenge detected]

Pain struck suddenly. It wasn't like a punch, but rather pressure from within, making his legs even weaker to support his body.

Elric bit his lip and cursed softly. "Bastard."

[Revenge will not bring anything back]

[If you take one step, the pain will double]

"Beggar, why are you still standing there? Hurry up and take the money I gave you. You haven't eaten yet, have you? How pitiful. Now you're truly homeless, hahahaha," said Maverick with a satisfied smile as he put his arm around Evelyn, who was beside him.

The girl only glanced briefly at him before looking ahead with a faint smile, making Elric's anger flare even more.

Then the car drove away, leaving behind a flurry of bills scattered by the wind.

Elric just stared at it before finally collapsing to the ground. His breath was ragged, his hands clenched tightly. Cold sweat dampened his temples.

However, the pain he felt slowly subsided.

[System synchronization + 0.5%]

"So surviving counts too, huh?" He smiled weakly.

**

On the seventh day, Elric sat weakly at the cold bus stop. His gaze was vacant, his body increasingly thin, and a thin mustache had begun to grow. He looked unkempt, completely unlike someone who had once worked at a large company and been a trusted confidant of the leader.

Even though each passing day brought him more suffering, he remained alive.

Ding!

[Mission accomplished]

[Evaluation:]

[Extreme emotions suppressed: requirement met]

[Physical endurance: minimum requirement met]

[Decision integrity: stable]

Upon reading this, Elric immediately sat up straight and looked intently at the transparent screen.

[Reward granted]

[Mental support]

Ding!

[You are not yet strong]

[But you have proven one thing]

[The world failed to destroy you]

Elric, who had been frowning in confusion, suddenly smiled broadly.

For the first time since that night, his chest felt lighter.

But when he remembered the gift that was given, he immediately opened his eyes and asked loudly, "This is my only gift? System, are you really a fraud?"

"How is it possible that after all my suffering, I only get something this trivial?" Elric clearly couldn't accept it.

Because what he needed was a place to shelter, a stable job, or at least wealth that would make him walk lighter.

Ding!

[You have triggered a hidden reward]

[Congratulations on getting a job at a convenience store.]

Elric's eyes lit up.

But once again, he was brought back to reality by something.

"Wait, why is there a reward all of a sudden? When did the mission start?"

[Sir, the second mission began when you saved a girl from having her bag snatched]

[This mission is to stand]

[Survival is instinct]

[And standing is a choice]

[Thank you, Sir, for surviving this far]

Unconsciously, the corners of Elric's lips curved into a smile. A simple expression from the system had a profound impact on him.

Until now, no one had appreciated his efforts. Not even his own parents. They only knew that he had a good job, a rich and beautiful fiancée, and a secure future ahead of him.

In reality, all of that was now in the past.

Then he stood up and prepared to sleep on the bench at the bus stop. "Alright. Since you've been kind to me, I'll follow you. We'll start working tomorrow."

"A new life begins!"