Reality Quest: False Protagonist

"Dowan, your body!" 

Ah Rin, I remember her. She's one of the "heroines" in the story of Reality Quest. In person, she's really pretty, having almost flawless skin and big proportions. She's the perfect embodiment of Korea's, or most of Asia's, beauty standard. White skin, curvy, and big eyes… she doesn't look real, honestly.

It's almost uncanny. But, with Dowan's memories I guess it negates that feeling.

"I'm alright," I wave her, "Just need to rest for a bit before – you know what," I turned to ChulWoo, "Ah Rin could you do me a fa-!"

"Woah!-" 

"Your head, it's bleeding, " She's super close to my face, and her scent reminds me of a flower field. Manhwa logic, "Just why did you fig-"

"It's either this, or I get beaten to a pulp." I respond instantly, "And I choose to defend myself, it ain't a big deal, I promise you." 

"No, you are not!"

"Yes, I am." 

"..." 

Both of us are quiet. And the room passed a breeze from the opened window.

"Since when did you get so stubborn? " She complained, as she let go of me.

I almost laugh, but my face feels too hurt to even express. I just look at her and smile smally, no need to make her more concerned.

"I'm telling you, I'm alright, " I pointed my finger at myself, "You should worry more about him, I did go a little overboard." 

Ah Rin turned to ChulWoo's unresponsive body, and her eyes went wide. She almost went to him, but restrained herself as if recalling something. I shook my head, and stared at ChulWoo, 'This is what you get for being a scumbag.' 

"Call the infirmary please, I don't think I could carry him there," i asked of Ah Rin, who nodded in return.

A kind girl.

Ah Rin left me to my devices, looking for help. Observing my surroundings, the chairs are ruined and the classroom is in general disarray. The teacher will be absolutely pissed if they found this room, and possibly I would get in trouble for fighting. That's generally the norm with cases like this, with the Adults acting when the victim actually fought back instead of preventing the bullying all together. And, sometimes, they even punished the students defending themselves… which is bullshit, we don't need to debate that

I sigh, I could go for a smoke right now.

Oh right, not an adult… Bloody hell.

I gripped the golden key on my hand.

///

Character Window 

Name: Ha D̷̞̣̤̜͕̞̪͝o̸̜̲̻̲̒̌́̽ͅw̸͖̼͔͓̜̮̎̋̑̂͋̏̊̑͘͝a̶̬̗͗͐̀n̸͍̯̓̒̈̆͋̓͊̾̎̓͌͝͝

Class: Awakened Game Shuttle 

Lvl: 1

…

HP: 803/1000

MP : 100/100

…

Status 

Ap - 1>2 

Def - 1>2

Agi - 1

Men - 50/100

…

///

The problem with the canon Dowan is that for the first half of the story, he merely relied on preset skills like Multi-Strike Destruction and Falcon Kick. While these attacks are devastating, and could surprise the opponent, the problem with the two is that they're big and huge swings. It requires the body to contort to unrealistic movement, which is no problem for Dowan because he's a game character with the system.

The problem is that, with a trained opponent, they could see the skills with their trained eyes and could cancel it. This is evident when he fought the Track and field guy, the red-head was able to intercept the skill he was about to use. And to supplement this, the skills require Mana usage which is a detriment when fighting, no fighting skills should need an exhaustible energy aside from stamina.

All of the problems listed could be solved, however. Training, simple and honest training could mitigate all of the problems the pre-TRAINING Dowan faced. His body is too weak so he relies on skills, his attacks are too predictable so he depends on RNG or luck. Dowan, even with the system, has the mentality of a loser. A defeatist mindset basically. 

So, I take the initiative. And begin training.

"21… 22.. 23.." My body pulls down and up, it is screaming for me to stop. Basic push-ups are making my body create a fuss.

I have articulated a simple routine of Upper and lower body exercise to create a Full-body workout that stresses every major muscle that is required in fighting. With punches push up, with kicks Squats, with stamina jogging, and with endurance core training. This routine is not meant for the long-run, I made this with the thought of leaving it behind once I get strong in mind. This is meant to reinforce my foundation, or to create my lack of foundation. It's simple, but it does the job. 

Mind you, I just created the routine for this instance. So, there will be no immediate result. I haven't done any cardio exercise yet. And, honestly I'm too lazy to go outside at the crack of the night. I'll start fully tomorrow. I just need to take the first step right now, to impart the pain on my body so I don't lose focus tomorrow.

"... 30!"

My body fell into the floor, creating a wet thud due to my sweat. My shoulder and arm are aching in pain, and my chest even has this itchy sensation. My head feels hot, and my eyes are being sting by the sweat. And the entirety of my room smells of salt, and almost vinegar.

"How Dowan don't collapse at the first second of each fight is beyond me, " I mumbled, as I dragged myself to sit beside the wall, "Truly, this kid is special for all the wrong reasons."

Well, they're more important matters to think about than Dowan's absurdity. Like tomorrow for example, Jaemin will invite me to a karaoke season. And, I will actually fight the first dangerous opponent there, being the wannabe Yakuza and possibly – possibly – he's buff brother.

I want to avoid that from happening, due to rationality and spite. First off, I'm not strong enough to actually start a fight with guys like those even if I have a skill unlocked. Second, I just want to spite whoever shitass put me in this situation by not following the canon. But, the more I think about it, the more I realize how much of a missed opportunity it will become.

I will lose the chance to join with Si Yeon, and waste the potential benefit of the bully council. And, the most pressing of it all, I will lose on exp and rewards big time there. This event is like the domino that chained the events leading to Dowan explosion of strength, it is because of his constant unfair battle that he became adjusted with fighting and gain the necessary rewards to grow strong in a short duration of time. 

Unlike gradual training, the thing I'm starting to do, this shortcut is needed if I want to grow strong to start mingling with the bully council.

So the answer is clear, I'll accept Jaemin Shin's invitation. But, not without preparation.

It is not like I need to fight fairly here.

My gaze tapered on the poster… it was about an anime, and my eyes focused on the sword the character is holding.

There's more ways to fight than just fist, after all.

I turned to the golden key.

"Luck is also a factor here…" Not that I like it, "But, it's a fact I have to accept."

"System." 

///

Active Skills

…

///

A series of keyholes organized in a beehive pattern show itself to me. This is the active skills window, the skill tree, this is the make or break of my decision. If I somehow luck out on unlocking that particular skill, then my win is guaranteed.

"RNJesus, I pray…"

At school, the first thing I think I smell is the scent of perfumes and deodorant. Hormonal teenager trying to make themselves appealing, by spraying their body with the scent of a fucking forest of the damn ocean. It's not bad, it's just an observation.

Going through the many students, I entered the school and walked the spacious hallway. As I walked, I felt the bondage on my face, which is the subject of most students gossiping here. Saying things about the fight, and questioning how I beat ChulWoo useless things like that. I paid no mind, and went with my business.

I noticed a red-hair among the students, and I locked my focus on the infamous Ji-Han. First place in track and field… Ignoring him, I continued towards my room. 

"Dowan!~"

A flowery voice called out, and I immediately knew who it was. Turning back, I saw Ah Rin. her things were bouncing as she ran, and I mentally sigh with the physics of this world. Other people were staring at her with red cheeks, Christ with these boys.

"Sup," I stopped, and waved a hand at her.

"Are you alright now, I thought you'd skip school today?" The beauty tilts her head like a curious dog.

A softly snorted, "Where did you hear that? No, " I touch my face, " And yup, my injuries are healing pretty nicely." 

She nodded, and gave me a thumbs up, " That's nice to hear, you look pretty bad yesterday. " She said, her eyes flashing in concern.

"No biggie, " I replied, and adjusted my bag, "Is there anything else you want to talk about?"

She puts her finger on her chin, and thinks. I raise my eyebrow, is she looking for a way to extend the conversation? No, that's just stupid probably have something in mind but forgot.

"No." She shook her head, and flashed a smile.

"Then, I'll be going." I turned around, "See ya." 

– As Dowan turned his back and began to walk away, Ah Rin's smile faded into a melancholic one. She looks at Dowan, and thinks of something but she shakes it off her mind. Ah Rin notices a change in Dowan, it was a subtle change, one that she could have never seen. But, with her time spent on the boy, Ah Rin knew something was up. She just couldn't place her finger on it.

"He seems distant today," Ah Rin muse loudly. —

The classroom is quiet compared to yesterday, and in my memories. It was always so haggard, with people "asking" me to play their games… But now, the usual faces who bothered me didn't even dare look in my direction. It's peaceful, is what i'm trying to say. But, a peace fueled by fear that I see in the eyes of the people that once messed with me.

It's not a good nor bad feeling, it's just a matter of fact. They treat me ;ike i'm some sort of criminal, but it does quiet my previously stressful school day.

The bell rings, and the teacher goes in; starting the class proper.

…

…

Bumps! 

I almost fell back due to the force of the collison. But, reacting fast I just shifted my feet to support my weight.

Thud! 

A dry sound. Looking down, I see a boy with brown hair whose face has dust on it. Ji-Han, the undercover monster. The boy who doesn't believe in his own strength.

"Sorry, " I raised my voice a bit, as I offered my hand, " I wasn't looking straight." 

His nose is bleeding.

"You should get a tissue for that, " I inquired and he covered his leaking nose, "Are you alright, dude?"

"Y-yeah, " Ji-Han stammered as he said, "This is nothing, really. I should be the one apologizing." 

"Serious?" 

I looked at him, and he nodded slowly.

"Look man, if-" 

"I-i gotta go, bye!" 

He ran away.