Reality Quest: Lookism

Jin stood atop the tree, his eyes fixed on the shimmering river he had spotted in the distance. The sight of a reliable water source filled him with renewed energy. Without wasting another moment, he leaped from the towering tree, landing smoothly on the jungle floor, his body absorbing the impact with ease.

He untied the crude weights from his wrists, inspecting them briefly before tossing them aside. "These are too light now." he muttered. "Time to step it up."

With determination in his gaze, he found a thick tree nearby. Using his bare hands and a sharp rock he'd picked up earlier, he began chopping it down. His hands stung, splinters digging into his skin, but he continued without complaint. By the time the tree fell, sweat poured down his face, and his muscles burned.

Jin stripped off large logs from the tree and tied them together with sturdy vines, crafting new makeshift weights. These were much heavier than his previous ones. When he secured them to his body, every step became a struggle, his knees wobbling as the weight pressed down on him.

"Perfect." Jin muttered through gritted teeth. He crouched low, his legs trembling as he prepared to jump. With a grunt, he launched himself upward, only to land heavily a moment later. His legs buckled, nearly giving out under the pressure.

Still, he refused to stop. Again and again, Jin crouched and jumped, the added weight forcing his muscles to work harder with every movement. The strain was excruciating, and after a minute, his body couldn't take it anymore. Collapsing to the ground, he gasped for air, his chest heaving as sweat drenched his ruined shirt.

"No… excuses." he panted, pulling himself into a sitting position. Closing his eyes, he activated Recovery and took a quick nap, letting the passive skill heal his battered body and restore his stamina.

When he woke, the soreness in his legs was gone, replaced by a faint warmth that spread through his limbs. He stood and resumed his jumps, this time managing a few more before collapsing again.

For an entire day, Jin repeated this process. Jump, collapse, nap, recover, and repeat. His body grew filthier with each passing hour, dirt caking his skin and his clothes tearing under the strain. By the time the sun dipped low, his shirt was little more than shredded fabric clinging to his shoulders, and his pants were in tatters.

"Useless." he muttered, yanking the remains of his clothes off and discarding them. He scavenged the jungle floor for large leaves and vines, weaving together crude coverings for himself. When he was done, he looked like a caveman, wild, dirty, and primal.

With his makeshift clothes secured, Jin continued his trek to the river. His legs burned, his arms ached, and his throat was parched, but he refused to stop. He ate whatever he could find along the way, mushrooms, leaves, even plants he wasn't entirely sure were edible. The bitter taste and rough texture didn't matter; all that mattered was keeping his energy up.

When Jin finally reached the river, he collapsed onto the bank, dunking his head into the cool water. He drank greedily, the refreshing liquid soothing his dry throat. His hands cupped the water, splashing it over his face and chest as he cooled down from the relentless training.

Exhausted, he lay back on the grass, the sound of the flowing river lulling him into a peaceful sleep. The world around him seemed calm, the jungle's usual cacophony reduced to a soothing background hum.

....

Then he heard it. A faint rustle in the bushes nearby.

Jin's eyes snapped open, his body tensing as his senses went on high alert. He sat up slowly, his gaze scanning the foliage. The rustling grew louder, accompanied by the faint snap of twigs underfoot.

From the shadows emerged a tiger, its golden eyes fixed on Jin with a predatory hunger. Its muscles rippled under its striped fur as it stepped forward, its lips curling back to reveal sharp, glistening fangs.

Jin rose to his feet, his breath steady despite the pounding of his heart. "Of course.." he muttered, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Why wouldn't there be a tiger?"

The beast let out a low growl, its tail flicking as it crouched, Jin's fists clenched, his bare feet digging into the earth as he prepared for the fight.

The tiger's growl deepened, vibrating through the air, ready to strike. Jin's muscles tensed, his eyes locked on the predator before him. Despite the danger, a grin spread across his face.

"Alright, kitty." he muttered, rolling his shoulders. "Let's dance."

The tiger leaped with terrifying speed, its claws swiping toward Jin's chest. But Jin's reflexes, honed from his relentless training, kicked in. He ducked low, the claws missing him by mere inches. Using the momentum of his dodge, Jin pivoted and drove his fist into the tiger's side with all his might, mana surging through him as he activated Blind Spot Strike.

The tiger let out a roar of pain as the blow connected, its massive body staggering for a moment. But it recovered almost instantly, turning to swipe at Jin again. This time, its claws grazed his shoulder, leaving three deep gashes that oozed blood.

Jin hissed in pain, but he didn't stop. "You're strong." he muttered, wiping the blood from his shoulder. "But so am I."

The tiger lunged again, its jaws snapping open to bite down on Jin's neck. He raised his arms just in time, catching the tiger's upper and lower jaws with his hands. Its teeth glistened inches from his face as he strained against its monstrous strength.

"Not today!" Jin roared, his grip tightening. His muscles bulged as he held the tiger's jaws apart, his veins pulsing with effort. The tiger thrashed, its claws raking across his sides, but Jin held firm, his determination outweighing the pain.

With a surge of adrenaline, Jin twisted his body, throwing the tiger off balance. It crashed to the ground, but it was far from finished. The beast recovered quickly, its golden eyes glowing with rage as it circled Jin.

Jin staggered back, his chest heaving. Blood dripped from his wounds, staining the ground beneath him, but he refused to give in. His vision blurred slightly, but he blinked hard, forcing himself to focus.

"I'll show you what I've learned." he muttered, his voice a low growl.

He crouched low, mimicking the tiger's stance. Green energy began to swirl around him, a faint aura that resembled the tiger's primal intensity. His eyes glinted with a wild determination as he activated Blind Spot Strike again, channeling every ounce of mana into his body.

The tiger lunged once more, but this time, Jin was ready. He moved with a feral grace, dodging the beast's attacks with fluid movements that mimicked its own. He struck back with calculated ferocity, his fists landing blow after blow on the tiger's ribs and head.

The green aura around him grew brighter, almost tangible as it enveloped his body. Jin let out a guttural roar, his voice echoing through the jungle as he leaped onto the tiger's back. His hands gripped its fur tightly, his strength anchoring him as the beast bucked and thrashed in an attempt to throw him off.

With a final surge of energy, Jin wrapped his arm around the tiger's neck, locking it in a chokehold. The beast roared and clawed at him, its movements growing weaker with each passing second. Jin's own body screamed in protest, his injuries taking their toll, but he held on with unwavering determination.

"Fall!" he growled through gritted teeth.

The tiger's movements slowed, its body collapsing to the ground in a heap. Jin released his grip, rolling off the beast as he gasped for air. He stared at the motionless tiger, a mixture of exhaustion and triumph washing over him.

But his victory came at a cost. Blood poured from his wounds, staining the ground beneath him. His limbs felt like lead, his vision darkening at the edges.

"Did it..." he muttered, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

As he lay on the jungle floor, the system notification flickered into existence, but Jin's consciousness slipped away before he could read it.

---

[System Notification: You have defeated a monster.]

Reward: 100 Credits.

New Skill Created: Wild Instincts.

---

Jin's breathing slowed as darkness enveloped him. The jungle grew quiet once more, the faint rustle of leaves and the river's gentle flow the only sounds accompanying his unconscious form.

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1423 words.