I'm Built Different Chapter 1: The Protagonist is a Weak Loser.

Something from my drafts.

-0-

"Huff huff...aah...Oh god...I think I'm dying..." A fat guy in a sweat soaked green track suit, leaned on a tree for support.

His ruddy face was wet with perspiration, rivulets of which dripped from his forehead. Strands of his dull brown hair stuck to his pale skin as if a bucket of water had been dumped on him.

Watching a fit jogger pass him by on the running path to the top of the hill, Jim couldn't help but feel jealous and inferior.

In this modern age with all the luxuries available, Jim had become an Otaku. Correction, Jim was an Otaku from birth.

His parents were eccentric 80's kids who had grown up in a time period where the Japanese culture of Anime and console games was just seeping into the Americas.

As their son, Jim grew up preferring video games and watching anime over sports like baseball or socializing with kids his age.

After his parent's unfortunate accident, he sunk into a depression only eased by his Otaku lifestyle.

And now, at 23 years old, he was a fat fuck who hadn't seen his dick in a couple years.

A beatiful blonde passed by him and sneered his way in disgust. Jim was already used to it and flipped her the bird. She had a nice ass though...

"I- I'll just take a short break..."

Jim bemoaned, sinking down to the ground to rest under the tree shade.

Before his butt could even touch the grass, a floating red panel flashed before his vision, accompanied by a sudden tight sensation in his chest.

[Heart Attack Risk increased by 20%!!!]

"Oh come on!"

Jim flipped, straightening up. With slow and unwilling movements, he continued jogging up the path, cursing like a Sailor.

The Chance and Risk System as he called it, was a blessing and a curse. It had appeared out of nowhere a week ago, disturbing him in the middle of watching his favorite Anime.

-Flashback-

[Ding. New User Acquired. Host's Desire Checking...Host's Health Checking...Host's Fate Checking...Host's Luck Checking...]

[Dear User, are you aware you have a 1.2℅ chance of gaining Superpowers and becoming a powerful existence? By following a special training program, you can achieve all your Childhood dreams. Welcome to your New Life.]

That was the hook. That's how Jim fell for it. He had immediately been interested. Caught off guard, yes, but very very interested. Who didn't want Superpowers?!

"Special Training Program??! Where? When? How?!??!"

Jim had yelled, almost choking on a cheeto.

::---------------------------------::

[Daily 10 kilometer run to build "Stamina"]

[Daily 100 Push ups to build "Strength"]

[Daily 1000 meter Dash to build "Speed"]

[Daily 5 meditation hours to build "Spirit"]

::---------------------------------::

Oh. That wasn't what he expecting.

He thought the word 'Special' involved skipping the hard work. A shortcut to power. A cheat.

Training to get to the top was for those with masochistic tendencies. Like weeds, they would grow in unfertile conditions, ekking out every inch on the road to supremacy.

In comparison, Jim was a flower. A dainty voluminous flower that had to be nurtured carefully.

Analogy aside, he didn't like pain! He didn't like struggle! And these Daily Challenges sounded like both.

'But...but...it was all to gain Superpowers!'

The thought of flying through the air, or shooting lasers from his eyes like his favorite characters did on screen, was too much to pass up!

Jim chose to trust the system, and started the Special Training Program right away.

He deeply regretted his decision soon after.

For starters, the daily challenges were hell for someone who had been a couch potato for years.

Jim had thought of giving up countless times. But if he tried to stop in the middle of the daily challenges, or even thought of skipping...the System was quick to punish him.

On the morning of the second day after he began the Special Training Program, his entire body had been one massive ache- his muscles sore and his energy levels depleted. He couldn't even get off the bed to eat without drowning in agony.

So he had decided to skip the Special Training and go back to sleep- it was only a single day's break anyway.

Only to be woken up by an eruption of intense chest pain that kept intensifying with a series of blinding screens.

[Heart Attack Risk increased by 10%!!!]

[Heart Attack Risk increased by 10%!!!]

[Heart Attack Risk increased by 10%!!!]

[Heart Attack Risk increased by 10%!!!]

[Heart Attack Risk increased by 10%!!!]

[Heart Attack Risk increased by 10%!!!]

[Heart Attack Risk increased by 10%!!!]

[Heart Attack Risk increased by 10%!!!]

[Heart Attack Risk increased by 10%!!!]

[Risk Factor Exceeded]

[Heart Attack Imminent in 3...2...1]

[User Dead]

This dog shit System had killed him!

Jim had become a ghost, floating above his dead body- blood shot eyes popped out of their sockets, staring at nothing, and a trail of foam dripping down the corner of his mouth.

He was most definitely looking at a Corpse!

[1/10 Deaths recorded]

[Soul Extinction Risk increased by 10%]

Jim's ghost had paled in terror. The next 9 times he died...his Soul would be extinguished???! What the hell?!!

[Commencing Resurrection]

The System had brought him back but the message was clear. Failing to complete the Daily Challenges meant death. Failing 9 times to complete the Daily Challenges meant his Soul would be extinguished.

He didn't know what that meant entirely, but it sounded bad. He wanted to avoid such a fate by all means. Life hadn't been easy but Jim cherished his.

Besides, none of his favorite characters ever gave up. For Superpowers and more importantly, his own survival, Jim had stuck through.

That was a week ago.

-Flashback End-

Finally, finally! He reached the top of the hill.

A large boulder lay on the hill's crest, where the road separated into two paths.

One of the paths would take you on a bike trail going through the woods and across the ranges surrounding the small town he called home.

And the other path circled back to the outskirts of town. He would normally take this to get back quicker.

Taking a few minutes to catch his breath, Jim leaned on the boulder, unzipping his jacket. It was currently July- cold with the mist hanging low.

Despite that, Jim felt hot and breathless. The 10 kilometers he ran each morning always left him feverish and drained.

With a thought, he accessed the Interface.

(Daily 10 kilometer run: 10/10)

The hardest part was done, so Jim felt a little better. That only left three more challenges. Fortunately, he could complete them in the park on his way home.

Getting up, Jim noticed that it was easier to move his sizable bulk than a week ago. Maybe the Special Training was working afterall.

"Ah-ha! Wait and watch me beat your Special Training."

He addressed the system which he could always sense in his mind.

"Sweet superpowers, here I come!"

-0-

"6...this...huff huff...7...is...8...terrible..."

Jim's hands were shaking like crazy. A pool of sweat had formed below his face, as he struggled to finish the 10 push ups.

'I can feel eyes on me.'

Jim thought, aware of the mocking looks and laughter from those watching.

The park was a popular place. Especially in the mornings when most people would be doing calisthenics on the exercise bars and cardio training.

Amidst the sea of fit physiques, Jim stood out like a sore thumb. He mostly tried to ignore the attention, choosing a section of the park that was far from others. But today was a weekend. Which meant a lot of people were around.

"...9..."

He tried his best to ignore them, going down for another push up. Then the last one,

"...10!!!...uugh."

His hands lost strength and he flopped to the ground on his belly, breathing like a walrus in labor. Not that he knew how a Walrus giving birth sounded. He could infer from it's large-

"Well well well, what do we have here fellas?"

A snide voice called out.

"I see a fat pig, stinking up the park."

Another voice answered.

"Hahaha, that's a good one dude. Oink oink little piggy."

A third voice added.

Jim raised his head, eyes squinting at the three guys hovering above him. The one in the middle was blonde while the other two had dark hair and seemed to fade into the background. He designated them as Dumb and Dumber.

Being well versed in the art of bullying, mostly on the receiving end, Jim could immediately tell, these guys were looking for trouble!

And in such situations, a real man would never back down.

He dragged himself to his tired feet, his superior height putting him just above their heads. Dumb and Dumber stepped back.

The trick was to show them he wasn't someone to mess with.

Chest puffed out, a stony glare on his doughy face, Jim cracked his knuckles in practiced ease.

"Oi, you chucklefucks want a beating or what?" He asked in the deepest voice he could muster.

"Last I checked, there's three of us, and one of you, piggy."

Blonde guy pointed out, not the least bit intimidated.

'Shit. That usually works.'

Jim's heart sank, his resolve faltering.

Dumb and Dumber, despite looking stupid, noticed this,

"Hey, Stefan's right Dave, there's three of us." Dumb told Dumber,

"And one of him." Dumber echoed the sentiment, trying and failing to crack his knuckles like Jim.

"Boys, how about we take out the trash polluting our wonderful park?"

The blonde, Stefan urged the two forward.

"Hey, let's talk this out guys..."

Jim begged, retreating nervously while casting an eye at the onlookers for help. Only to be met with apathy and sadistic glee.

'This is gonna hurt.'

He thought just as a fist landed on his midsection, stealing his breath. And hurt it did.