Becoming the Strongest as a Game Dev

It is early in the morning and Sam wakes up for his morning routine. He stretches his limbs, feeling the familiar warmth spreading through his muscles. Though he now has Batman's physique, Sam still has to exercise regularly to maintain his form. He does not want to go back to being scrawny when he first arrived in this world.

He heads outside, and Sam starts his daily jog through the streets of Jade City. The sun is just peeking over the horizon, casting a warm glow across the urban landscape. Sam navigates the quiet, winding paths, passing by the towering skyscrapers that blend seamlessly with the city's magical elements.

His feet carry him through the residential district, where he waves to a few early-rising neighbors. The scent of freshly baked bread wafts from a nearby bakery, and Sam makes a mental note to stop by later. As he reaches the city center, the streets are less crowded compared to the later time of the day. A perfect time for a jog.

Turning a corner, Sam enters a lush, tree-lined park. The air is crisp and refreshing, and he takes a moment to admire the vibrant flowers blooming along the path.

Sam sees other joggers and cyclists, and he gives a small nod as they pass by. As Sam was jogging, he saw a familiar face. It was his guard, Jake. Sam calls out to him and says,

"Jake! What a coincidence running into you here."

Jake turns and greets Sam. "Good morning, Mr. Briar. Fancy seeing you out for a jog as well." He falls into step beside Sam.

"Please, call me Sam," he says with a smile. "I'm glad to have the company."

The two men jog side by side, the early morning air crisp and refreshing.

"Do you usually jog along this path?" Sam inquires.

Jake shakes his head. "No, I actually thought I'd try a different route today. But I think I'll stick to this one from now on." His steps fall in sync with Sam's as they continue their morning run.

Sam glances at Jake curiously. "Oh? Any particular reason?"

"To protect you, of course," Jake replies matter-of-factly. "It's my job to ensure your safety, and this seems like a good route to patrol regularly."

Sam chuckles, impressed by Jake's dedication. "You really are committed to your work, aren't you?"

Jake nods, a small smile tugging at his lips. "It's important to me. I take my responsibilities very seriously."

The two continue their jog in a comfortable silence.

"If you don't mind me asking, why did you become a bodyguard?"

Jake's expression grows somber. "Well, it's not something I like to talk about, but I suppose it wouldn't matter." He pauses, gathering his thoughts. "After my parents passed away on a Hunter mission, I was left to raise my little sister, Emi. She was only 8 at the time."

"My parents were both skilled Hunters, but their work was dangerous. When they didn't come back from that last mission, I knew I had to do something to support Emi and keep her safe." Jake's brow furrows, the pain of the memory evident on his face.

"I thought about becoming a Hunter myself, but Emi was adamantly against it. She didn't want to risk losing me too. So I had to find another way to provide for us and keep her protected."

"Being a bodyguard must have seemed like the best option."

"Yes," Jake says. "I may not be the smartest guy, but I've always been good at fighting. It's the one thing I can do well. And with my skills, I knew I could keep Emi safe."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that," Sam says sincerely. "Losing your parents must have been incredibly difficult."

"It was, but Emi and I have made it work. We've had our struggles, but I'll do whatever it takes to give her the life our parents would have wanted for her."

"That's very admirable, Jake. I'm sure your sister is lucky to have you."

Jake glances at Sam, the corners of his mouth turning up in a small smile. "She's the most important thing to me. I may not be the smartest or the strongest, but I'll always be there for her."

The two men continue their jog in a comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Sam can't help but feel a growing appreciation for Jake and the sacrifices he's made to care for his sister.

Sam and Jake's jog is coming to an end as they approach the edge of the park. Jake glances at Sam and asks, "Do you need me to accompany you back to your place, sir?"

Sam considers the offer, then shakes his head. "No, that's alright, Jake. I can make it back on my own."

Jake frowns slightly. "I'd feel better if I went with you, just to be safe."

Sam chuckles. "I appreciate the concern, but I can handle myself. Besides, I'm sure you have other things to do today."

"My priority is ensuring your safety, Mr. Briar," Jake insists. "It's no trouble at all."

Seeing the determination in Jake's eyes, Sam relents. "Alright, if you insist. Lead the way."

The two men exit the park and make their way through the city streets. Jake remains vigilant, scanning their surroundings as they walk. Sam can't help but feel a bit self-conscious with the bodyguard by his side, but he knows Jake is only doing his job.

As they approach Sam's apartment building, Jake nods in satisfaction. "Looks like we made it without incident. I'll be sure to patrol this route more often."

Sam smiles and extends his hand. "Thank you, Jake. I appreciate you looking out for me."

Jake shakes Sam's hand firmly. "It's my pleasure, sir. I'll be nearby if you need anything."

Sam enters his home, the door closing softly behind him. He heads straight for the shower, the warm water soothing his muscles after the brisk morning jog. Stepping out, he dries off and changes into his usual attire, a comfortable yet professional ensemble.

As Sam exits his apartment, he's surprised to find Jake already waiting, dressed in his suit.

"How were you so quick to get ready?" Sam asks.

Jake offers a small smile. "It's my duty to be prepared, sir." Without further explanation, he gestures for Sam to lead the way, and the two men head off towards SimQuest.

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