Extra simply wants to live in Novel

"True strength lies not in the ability to endure pain, but in the ability to carry on despite it."

- T. S. Eliot

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In the silence of the night, my shadow moved down the hallway. The pistol in my pocket felt like a constant, uncomfortable weight, pressing against its leg. I headed determinedly toward the shooting range.

Located east of Dormitory 1, the shooting range stood out with its dome-shaped structure, housing 20 separate training rooms. As depicted in the manhwa, the targets were distributed in a peculiar manner around the shooter's position. Unlike bullets, magic arrows could change their trajectory with ease.

[Rank 934, Oreki Houtarou, confirmed.]

I used my smartwatch to confirm my identity and enter the shooting range, when an unfamiliar robotic voice called my name. Strange, but I'll have to get used to being identified as Oreki Houtarou from now on.

The door opened.

As I walked through the wide circular entrance, I found ten doors, evenly spaced. I used my smartwatch to enter one of them, which was empty.

[Rank 934, Oreki Houtarou confirmed.]

The shooting range revealed itself to be austere in its simplicity. In the center of the 130 square meter circular space, a strategically placed scaffolding awaited the shooter. I advanced with determination to the center, and as I positioned myself on the scaffolding, a polite robotic voice echoed from the ceiling, announcing my entry into the training ground.

[Initializing targets. Choose the number of targets you want.]

[You must choose at least 2 and a maximum of 20.]

"12." Oreki's choice was bold. He wanted to challenge his own limits. He knew his gift didn't make him comparable to Kim Hajin, but he was willing to take the risk.

My voice echoed in the room and blue, insect-like objects appeared on the floor.

I looked at the targets scattered around. The mole crickets, large and repulsive creatures, were scattered, each one more grotesque than the last.

[Choose your training difficulty.]

[You can choose between level 1 to 9.]

"5." The difficulty increased. Faster targets and more unpredictable movements. It was a challenge, but he was prepared to face it.

He loaded his gun with magic bullets and activated the Corporeality skill, but not in the traditional way. Instead of controlling it with precision, he plunged into a chaotic and intense state.

In Process #1, Oreki accelerated his breathing, creating a sense of urgency. His body released adrenaline in a forced manner, the pressure building, the rapid pace boosting his endurance.

In Process #2, instead of relaxing, he tensed his muscles. The stiffness was a challenge, but he forced out extra resistance, holding himself firm against the intensity of the training.

Moving on to Process #3, his concentration was relentless. He felt every muscle, every heartbeat, every breath. His focus was absolute, taking in every detail around him-the cold of the weapon, the weight of it, the sound of the room.

But without his awareness, his eyes, now emerald from the synchronization, gave off a faint glow of the color of his eyes.

"Begin," he declared, throwing himself into the challenge with an almost feral determination.

He aimed his weapon to the right. The mole cricket, sensing the threat, began to move erratically, zigzagging and jumping unpredictably. Its long legs gave it extra momentum, and its body glowed a dark green, standing out against the gray background of the field. The irregular, rapid movement made it difficult to aim.

With each change of direction, the mole cricket made an abrupt jump, creating an almost chaotic pattern of movement, but with a slight hesitation before each jump. This hesitation was almost imperceptible, but it gave me a fraction of a second to react.

I pulled the trigger of the gun twice, with a growing feeling of adrenaline and euphoria.

A blue flash erupted from the barrel of the revolver, silent but devastating. The bullets pierced the mole cricket, and I moved on to the next one.

I fired with frantic precision, my hand moving almost automatically. One, two, three, four, five... until the twelve target. The gun fired twelve times. The crickets it hit disintegrated into particles of mana, leaving no survivors.

Oreki was ecstatic with the intensity of the training. He had never achieved such a level of concentration. The experience was new, an electrifying combination of adrenaline and euphoria.

He felt gratitude for his Perseverance and his Corporeality.

[His training is over. Elapsed time: 5.12 seconds. Shooter's Score: 100/100]

"Ku..kuku...kukukuku. HAHAHAHA."

A shrill laugh reverberated through the room, a sound that would scare anyone who passed by.

"HOLY SHIT. THIS IS SO FUCKING FUN."

Dopamine and adrenaline flooded his body in an unparalleled way. Each shot provoked a growing euphoria. His heart beat faster, his pupils dilated, and an overwhelming sense of power took over him. The excitement was almost uncontrollable, an insatiable hunger for more challenges and achievements.

"Begin," he shouted again, ready to continue.

.

.

.

The universal irony is clear: no matter how enjoyable an activity is, repeating it endlessly can turn it into a mere chore. Even so, I looked forward to the next shooting session.

"Updated analysis: jumping and shooting simultaneously is like trying to solve a puzzle while jumping on a trampoline. Remarkable, but not very effective."

Around four in the morning, I finished my training. In the still stuffy room, I used the Corporeality skill to soothe the sore parts of my body. My mistake? I had tried acrobatics while shooting wildly.

It was not a good idea to do acrobatics while shooting wildly.

At least it helped me see my limits. And something else interesting I managed to do.

"Ouch oh..." I muttered, the discomfort visible on my face.

- whoosh whoosh whoosh

A subtle sound of shockwaves permeated the room, indicating that the room next door was active. Arrows cut through the air, a scene I recognized well; Chae Nayun had begun her shooting practice.

I closed my eyes, trying to capture the sound and visualize it based on the scenes I knew from the manhwa.

Chae Nayun was in the middle of practicing, her face expressing deep concentration. Four magical arrows rested on her bow. Her mastery of magical power was less than ideal, making it impossible for her to perform the 'split shot', a technique that multiplies the impact of a single arrow.

"She has an innate talent for swords, but her fear is holding her back. Maybe I can help change that."

- Whoosh!

Chae Nayun fired. Her arrows left a green trail of magical energy as they cut through space toward their targets. The arrows hit their targets with relentless precision, effortlessly obliterating them.

What was the setup Kim Hajin had devised for her? Her effort was transforming her skills with the bow into something truly remarkable.

Suddenly, Chae Nayun looked to the side. Although the wall did not allow her to see me, nor did I see her, there was a palpable uneasiness in the air.

Oreki opened his eyes and hurriedly headed towards the door. As he opened it, he decided to quickly leave.

Suddenly, the door to her office opened. Our eyes met unexpectedly.

In the blink of an eye, his gift of observation caught the slight expression of disappointment and discontent in her eyes.

"Why is she feeling this way?" The question echoed in his mind as he witnessed the sudden change to a look of contained anger.

"You..." Her words were barely a whisper, but they carried a dense emotional charge.

"I...?" I asked, my voice mixed with curiosity and confusion. "You seem... bothered. Did something happen?"

She frowned and turned away abruptly, a frustrated "hmp" escaping her lips before she walked away. Her sudden reaction left me intrigued.

"Stressed, aren't you?" I murmured, a wry smile appearing on my lips, trying to mix light teasing with a touch of amusement.

Chae Nayun stopped and turned, her emerald eyes shining with unexpected challenge and curiosity.

"What did you say?" she asked, her voice sharp as a blade.

"I just thought you were stressed. Is something wrong?" My response was casual, but with a subtle hint of teasing.

"I'm fine, it's none of your business," Chae Nayun snapped, crossing her arms.

"You don't have to know someone deeply to notice when something's wrong. And honestly, the tension in you is pretty obvious," I observed, shrugging.

"And you, Mr. Know-It-All, why do you walk around with a gun?" Chae Nayun asked, pursing her lips, changing the subject but clearly irritated.

I chuckled lightly. "So you noticed. Interesting, coming from someone who didn't pay much attention to others at the agent academy."

"Tsh. Your revolver looks like a museum piece," trying to return the insult, she replied sarcastically, her eyes flashing a sharp glint.

"True, it's not the most common weapon. But even a shovel can have its value if used correctly," I said, an amused glint in my eyes. "Sometimes, the true strength lies not in the weapon, but in the wielder themselves."

"Nice speech, but still pathetic," Chae Nayun replied, arching an eyebrow.

"Maybe. But what about you? Have you considered trading in your bow for something more... direct? Something that could really highlight your skills?" I asked, trying to spark the idea of ​​a new possibility.

Her eyes narrowed, "You don't know anything about me."

Oreki smiled. "Maybe. But what about you? Have you considered trading in your bow for something more... effective?" Or are you afraid?"

Chae Nayun's eyes narrowed even further, a mixture of anger and contempt flashing across her face. "You have no idea what you're talking about."

"No, I really don't. But I see untapped potential. And sometimes, changing can be the key to unlocking that potential," I said softly, taking a step closer. "For example, a sword might be a more suitable weapon, if you can overcome your fear."

"I'll take on the role of a mentor who pushes his mentee to new heights," I thought.

She hesitated, her anger battling something deeper. "I choose my own path. You're trying to give me advice on something you don't understand."

"I see. But consider this: maybe the path you're on isn't the best for you. Sometimes, exploring new possibilities can lead to unexpected discoveries," I replied, keeping my cool and taking a step closer. "And the courage to change might be what you need to truly excel."

Chae Nayun took a step back, her distrust evident, but a small spark of reflection began to emerge. "Maybe. But that's none of your business."

"No, it really isn't. But I'll be watching. Who knows, maybe by considering new possibilities, you'll surprise me," I said with an enigmatic smile.

She snorted, but the disdain seemed to have diminished. "Don't count on it."

"We'll see," I replied, heading towards the exit. Chae Nayun watched me with a mixture of frustration and curiosity, the seed of doubt now planted in her mind.

"Now it's just a matter of waiting and seeing if she begins to reconsider her options. In the meantime, I'll be ready to seize any opportunity that presents itself."

***

- [Your perception sharpens and your speed increases in the blink of an eye, a remarkable 0.1 increase!]

- [The rigors of training have left your muscles scarred, but not weakened. Your muscle fibers have responded, strengthening and increasing their strength and vitality by a remarkable 0.1.]

- [You feel a renewed mastery over every movement, a fine-tuning of mind and body. Your enhanced control increases by an impressive 3.6%, granting you a sense of power and precision.]

...

...

The above messages were written on my phone. The stats I gained from my enhanced concentration and acrobatics have been a great increase.

Thanks to the low rank of my art, I've already gained 70% proficiency at the current level; I'll be able to reach the next rank quickly.

======

[Corporeality] [Proficiency 70%]

[Low Rank]

- Improved coordination, providing more precise movements.

- Refined balance, reducing the risk of falls and improving posture.

- Accelerated muscle recovery, minimizing fatigue and preventing injuries.

- Deep mind-body connection, unlocking physical and mental potential.

- Allows you to sense and adjust movements, organs, posture, and muscle tension.

========

Maybe I caught Nayun's attention in a negative way. "The unexpected charm. Not exactly what I planned, but sometimes even the greatest strategist has to deal with their own disastrous creations." I had thought of this possibility in the future, but it was sooner than I thought.

My right hand unconsciously reached for my bangs, fiddling with the strands of hair as I tried to understand the enigma that was Chae Nayun. "Is there some deeper connection between my current body and her?"

"I can't help but wonder if there was a deeper connection between this body and her," I mutter to myself, my fingers lightly touching the strands of hair in an expression of deep thought.

The abrupt change in her expression intrigued me. "Was it just a momentary reaction or is there something deeper here, something that my current lack of memories can't access?"

The constant movement of my hand is interrupted by a frustrated sigh that escapes my lips.

"Ugh," I let out, frustrated at the lack of clear answers.

"I don't have enough information," I conclude, letting go of that train of thought and stopping the movement of my bangs, deciding to look for more clues and answers at another time.

I also remember the scene in the manhwa where Nayun looked towards the shooting room, which was mine now. Maybe she did the same, but I'm not sure. It also reminded me of a little-explored ability: her intuition.

The conversation with her was more tense than I expected. She's one of my favorite characters, fourth on the list of my favorite female characters. Her way of dealing with situations, her firmness in her decisions... It's fascinating.

And now this seed of doubt I planted in her. Will she think about changing weapons?

[Perception increases by 0.02.]

[Your senses are strengthened.]

[Your muscles have withstood high speed. Your agility increases by 0.02.]

[Your muscles have withstood high tension. Your stamina increases by 0.02.]

Great. And it seems that now I can integrate my cell phone into my retina, avoiding the need to constantly pull it out.

With that out of the way, I start thinking about tomorrow's combat training.

I think I can only rely on my Perseverance, art and my best physique to earn the points.

"Kim Hajin ended up below rank 10, but I don't plan on staying at that level, I'll stay above rank 10", I think with determination, fixing my eyes on the horizon with an unwavering will.

I also don't have the intervention of the world, which won't allow me to fully rely on equipment.

Well, but in return, my corporeality will make me something that will catch a character's attention.

I decide to get up from the couch in my room with the goal of doing some calisthenics training to strengthen myself. I can't give up this habit of always doing a workout before going to sleep so easily.

After finishing warming up, I start doing push-ups, squats, sit-ups, planks and other exercises for different muscle groups. Each movement is executed with precision, taking full advantage of the benefits of the Corporeality that I have. Each repetition brings me closer to my goal of overcoming obstacles as the sweat begins to drip.

Finishing my strength training, I feel the burn in my muscles as I rest briefly, preparing myself for the next stage of my training. I stand up and start throwing punches in the air, focusing on improving my close-range fighting skills.

"Practice makes perfect. Or at least, it leads to fewer mistakes and more efficiency."

I throw every punch I know from different martial arts and combinations I can think of. From kicks and punches to knees and elbows.

"Haah, haah, arf, uhhh," my breathing becomes heavy and irregular as I exert myself to the fullest. I decide to lie down on the floor so I can catch my breath.

- uhhh ahhh

After a few minutes, I recover a little and go straight to the bathroom to take a shower.

***

After a few minutes, I recover a little and go straight to the bathroom to take a shower.

I stop in front of him, looking at my reflection as I begin to analyze my body, talking to myself in an introspective tone.

"Hmmm, my old body was a little taller. This body looks like it's about 5'8", and my muscles are denser than before. I guess that's normal for a manhwa; characters tend to have denser muscles. And as for this down here..." I comment with a touch of humor.

"Hehehe, it seems that a certain character is not the only one with a T-Rex," I make a playful reference to a character.

After a few playful poses in front of the mirror, I decide to stop with the narcissism and put something on. I choose a Cubo set, quickly fix my hair and get ready to leave the room.

Okay, I leave the room and go to the cafeteria to get something to eat.

Arriving at the cafeteria, it was a very simple place. Large tables that held about six people, white walls and a counter where the waitresses served the food. The fluorescent light illuminated the room in a cold and impersonal way.

I wait in line, waiting for my turn, and when I finally get to the counter, I order two trays full of food. The waitress, a woman with a tired look, raises her eyebrows in surprise, but quickly hides her expression behind a professional smile. It seems that my choice is unusual, but nothing that really surprises her. After all, among superhumans, eating more seems to be the least of it.

With the heavy trays in each hand, I find an empty table and sit down, feeling the weight of loneliness with every movement. The voices and laughter around me are like a distant noise, a constant reminder that I am surrounded by people, but completely isolated. I chew mechanically, the food passing almost unnoticed.

As I finish the second tray, the groups around me become more visible. Shin Jonghak and his followers are in the middle of an animated conversation, Kim Suho is accompanied by his faithful companion, and even the green-haired girl I saw earlier in the day is mingling with the group jovially. And here I am, feeling the weight of my own loneliness.

The loneliness is overwhelming, like a heavy shadow that does not abandon me. Every laugh and conversation feels like a cruel reminder that I am alone, a stranger in a world I don't recognize. The memories of the few friends I left behind in my old world are a distant echo that only serves to amplify the emptiness in my chest.

I finish my meal quickly, eager to escape the oppressive atmosphere of the cafeteria. Each step through the empty hallways seems to carry a greater weight, intensifying my feeling of being a bystander in a world where I don't fit in.

The bed, as cozy as it is, cannot alleviate the emptiness I feel. The warmth of the blanket is only a superficial layer over the emotional void that persists.

The loneliness weighs on her shoulders, exacerbated by the laughter and voices that highlight the contrast between her current experience and her memories of past friendships.

When I reach my room, I throw myself on the bed, seeking some comfort. I wrap myself in the blanket, but the relief is only momentary. I close my eyes, murmuring the word "Guys..." in my native language, a silent lament that is lost in the stillness. Exhaustion and sadness take over, lulling me to sleep with a profound sense of disconnection.

In this moment of vulnerability, loneliness is more than a presence; it is a shadow that shapes my interactions and decisions, creating an emotional barrier that could influence my behavior and future relationships in complex and disturbing ways.