Chapter 7: Strengthening Up
Wesley leaned against the wall, his chest heaving like a furnace bellows. His eyes stared blankly at the mop still upright in his trembling hand.
Just moments ago, he was a spear-wielding celestial general cutting through armies of dust and grime. And now, he was a sweaty mess, his body soaked, his breath shallow, his back screaming.
His knees buckled slightly as he stumbled back a step and sat down on the floor with a heavy thud.
"...Fuck," he whispered, the curse dragged out like an exhale of his soul. "I’m so... tired."
His muscles weren’t burning from some grand ascension or cosmic enlightenment—they were just overworked.
This wasn’t the exhaustion of leveling up or surviving a magical trial; it was just plain, human fatigue.
No dramatic background music. No glowing runes. Just sweat, cramps, and the sharp sting of pushing his fragile body too far.
"I thought—damn it—I thought I was supposed to be stronger now..."
But then—DING!
[Tier IV Rewards Received]
His eyes snapped open, just in time to see 11 bronze coins materialize in a shimmering golden light—only to be dropped directly onto his face.