Fifteen Days of a Disciplined Life

Whenever there was a chance to strengthen a character, he took it—this was the unwavering rule Xiunan followed in every game he played.

[Name: Fifteen Days of Self-Discipline]
[Type: Special Item]
[Level: None]
[Description: Perhaps you will never truly understand just how terrifying a truly disciplined human being can become!]
[Note: Upon activation, you may choose from various scenario maps, including gym, rainforest, snowy terrain, desolate plains, deadly desert, a solitary island at sea, cruise ship, and more.]

After reading the notes carefully, he confirmed his selection.

The screen flickered, and his character soon moved.

Assassin Kashu had been walking along a forest path, a narrow road seemingly without end. But now, the road began to change. As Kashu advanced, branches and forks appeared, countless paths stretching deep into the mysterious woods like a spider weaving its web.

Kashu left the main path, turning onto a side trail and vanishing into the forest’s depths.

Once his figure was fully obscured, the screen went black, and the scene shifted again.

This was a selection interface, offering a choice of scenario maps, each illustrated with a picture below: desert, island, rainforest, snowy plains—all manner of environments were available.

Xiunan pondered for a moment and chose the island.

The next game chapter seemed to involve an island, so it made sense to familiarize himself with the environment first.

“Game Chapter Two: Phantom Island of Bones” (Unlocked)

After choosing the map, the scene shifted. Gradually, color seeped into the blank background.

A moist sea breeze whispered past his ears.

Kashu stood on a pale yellow beach, beside him the slanting shadow of a figure, washed repeatedly by the surf.

He surveyed his surroundings—an island in the middle of the sea. The water shimmered, full and bright. Ahead stood a few coconut trees—this was likely somewhere tropical.

Farther away, dense forest blanketed the island, swaying with the wind and rustling softly.

So, what am I supposed to do next?

Xiunan was bewildered, uncertain how to proceed.

Thankfully, options soon appeared on the screen.

[This map: "Tropical Island"]
[Tropical Island map yields the following rewards:]
1. Survival Skills: Top, High, Medium, Low
2. Construction Skills: Medium, Low
3. Hunting Skills: High, Medium, Low
4. Swimming Skills: High, Medium, Low
5. Passive Flora & Fauna Identification: High, Medium, Low
6. Trapping Skills: Medium, Low
Note: These basic abilities generally have no level.
Note: Combat ability items are divided into five tiers.

First ring: Green Tung Wood; Second ring: Ghosthead Steel; Third ring: Amber; Fourth ring: White Mercury; Fifth ring: Crimson Gold
[Each time you begin a Life of Self-Discipline, you may choose a coach as your guide to these abilities.]
[Your coach will remain for three days.]
[Now, please select your coach:]
A: Thunderfang (Vigland Royal Navy Elite)
B: Stardust (Captain, Walrus Commando Unit)
C: Sabre (Expert in Wilderness Survival and Construction)

Beneath each option was an image and associated stats.

Thunderfang was a rugged man, one eye blind, sporting a sharp crew cut and a chin shadowed with stubble.

His abilities yielded:
1. Survival Skills: Top, High, Medium, Low
2. Hunting Skills: High, Medium, Low

Stardust was a voluptuous woman, her body as lithe as a panther’s, with long, powerful legs. She wore a bundle of rope diagonally across her chest.

Her abilities yielded:
1. Swimming Skills: High, Medium, Low
2. Trapping Skills: Medium, Low

The last, Sabre, was a middle-aged man whose hands were thick with calluses, his face unremarkable but for his piercing, deep-set eyes and heavy bags beneath them.

His abilities yielded:
1. Construction Skills: Medium, Low
2. Passive Flora & Fauna Identification: High, Medium, Low

Each option was strong, but on paper, Thunderfang was clearly the best choice.

He chose Coach A without hesitation.

[Coach dispatch in progress, please wait...]

Xiunan took the opportunity for a bathroom break.

When he returned, the NPC still hadn’t appeared. He nudged the mouse slightly to the right.

“Hm? What’s that?”

“No way…”

Out among the rolling waves, a crew-cut man floated, bobbing as the sea swept him toward shore.

So this was how the coach was delivered…

With a crash, the waves receded, leaving a body on the sand.

The crew-cut man’s eyes were closed, hands demurely folded over his chest, his face serene and at peace.

[Delivery complete]
[Target is unconscious—please choose:]
A. Artificial Respiration
B. Artificial Respiration
C. Artificial Respiration
D. Artificial Respiration

Do I even have a choice here?

Xiunan thought this could have been rendered as a simple CG.

The game developers didn’t need to strive for such perfection—if there’s no real interaction, why pretend there is? Even if there were more options, Xiunan would’ve just gone straight for artificial respiration anyway.

Though he grumbled, his hands acted quickly.

Click—he picked an artificial respiration option at random.

Assassin Kashu sprang into action, grabbing Thunderfang by the shoulders and dragging him up the beach, leaving a long furrow in the sand.

It was noon, sunlight dazzling.

Kashu adjusted Thunderfang’s head. That rugged, masculine face gleamed with bristling stubble.

Xiunan wasn’t even controlling the character—Kashu just went right ahead.

[Performing Artificial Respiration (B)]
[Consciousness: 10/100]
[Consciousness: 20/100]
[Consciousness: 15/100]
...

Taptaptaptap—the B key was nearly worn out.

Xiunan felt Thunderfang’s lungs might burst from Kashu’s efforts before the man finally began to stir.

[Consciousness: 100/100]

“Oh, thank you, thank you for saving me…”

Thunderfang spoke, his voice hoarse.

Xiunan selected interaction option A.

“No need to thank me, but we’re not out of danger yet.”

Kashu caught his breath, sitting on the sand.

Thunderfang struggled to his feet, scanning the area.

“Damn, looks like we’re in trouble!”

“Yes, we’re stranded on a deserted island.”

Kashu sat at the edge of the beach as a crab scuttled arrogantly past his feet, heading for the distant rocks.

“It’s quite a predicament, but don’t worry, mate. I was once a member of the Vigland Royal Navy—I know a thing or two about wilderness survival and hunting!”

Thunderfang straightened his back with a hint of pride.

“I think, even if things get tough, we’ll manage to survive until a passing cargo ship spots us!”

Kashu considered for a moment. “Then I’ll leave it to you.”

“No trouble at all—you did save my life. I’ll be sure to repay you in the days ahead!”

And in the very next second, the muscular crew-cut man began to undress, until he wore only a pair of briefs.

On his bronze chest, a patch of proud hair stood out like a lion’s mane on the savannah.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Gratitude is fine, but what’s with the strip show?!”

“What are you taking your clothes off for?!”