The Anomaly Beyond The System

Chapter 13: One Step at a Time(2)

The next day, Lucian woke up with his entire body aching.

The training he had done yesterday wasn't much, but it had still taken a toll on him.

His muscles felt heavy, like they were filled with lead—yet even that was better than the lifeless numbness he'd endured when he was paralysed.

"Ughh…"

He pushed the blanket aside and slowly sat up.

"It hasn't even been a day, and I already feel like giving up." He muttered to himself.

The words carried no real weight. He had just said them on a whim.

Even if he had to endure this pain every day, he wouldn't stop.

Not after watching her die.

He forced himself to stand, grunting as soreness flared through his body.

After breakfast, Lia stayed home for a while before leaving for her part-time job after lunch.

Once the door closed behind her, the apartment fell quiet.

Lucian began again.𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

The same exercises.

Incline push-ups.

Every time he lowered himself, his muscles screamed for him to stop.

Even with the incline, it was difficult—but he clenched his teeth and finished the set.

Assisted squats.

As he went down, his quads burned intensely, trembling with each repetition.

Bar hanging.

It felt manageable at first—almost easy. But after a few seconds, his grip weakened, his arms aching until even staying still became a struggle.

After resting briefly, he decided to go out for a walk.

After stepping outside the apartment, he was greeted with the sound of vehicles and the conversations of people around.

The area wasn't rich with greenery—mostly concrete and dull colours.

Lucian didn't pay it much attention.

'It feels good to be outside after such a long time.'

He thought as he made his way towards a nearby park.

Many people who stayed cooped up inside their homes never truly understood what it meant to see the outside world with their own eyes, rather than through a phone screen.

['Just like some people reading this.'] Akasha chuckled internally.

After walking for about twenty minutes, Lucian sat down on a bench.

Sweat soaked his shirt, his breathing uneven.

"You look like you ran a marathon, young man."

A voice came from beside him.

Lucian turned to see an elderly man approaching.

He sat down beside him and handed over a water bottle.

"Drink some water. You are going to faint from dehydration at this rate."

The man appeared to be in his sixties, with a kind smile and wrinkles etched deeply into his face.

Lucian stared at the bottle for a moment.

Suspicion flickered.

It felt foolish, but he wasn't the type to trust strangers easily.

Still, it wasn't like the old man would try to kill him or something.

The apocalypse hadn't started yet, so it was stupid to think that.

After a few seconds, he took the bottle.

"Thank you."

The old man chuckled, seeing Lucian's behaviour.

"Not much of a talker, huh."

He turned his attention to the children playing nearby.

After gulping down a few sips, Lucian handed the bottle back.

The man set it down on the bench and glanced at Lucian again.

"First time exercising?"

Lucian blinked, surprised.

"How did you know?"

Listening to his question, the old man burst out into a hearty laughter.

"Hahaha… have you seen yourself? You look like a skeleton."

Lucian smiled wryly, not taking offence at his words.

He wasn't wrong.

"I was just walking," Lucian said.

"Even that made me pant like this."

The man's smile softened.

"Everyone starts somewhere. No one reaches the top on their first try."

The words settled quietly into Lucian's chest.

"You'll get used to it," The man continued.

"Just don't give up. And start eating more, or you are going to look like me in a few years."

Lucian chuckled.

They talked for a while longer before the old man finally stood up.

"See you around, young man."

With that, he walked away.

Lucian watched his retreating figure.

"...Interesting guy." He muttered.

[Age brings wisdom.] Akasha replied.

Lucian stood up as well.

'Akasha, you sound like an old man.'

Silence, then—

[And you sound like a whiny child.] She retorted sharply.

'Ouch.'

Her words made him stop mid-way.

"...Fair enough. Still, that was unnecessary. You wound me, Akasha." He replied playfully.

[Hmph.]

He let out a sigh.

Handling a woman was really difficult.

But he had learned a few things after being with his sister—and from his late mother.

Especially her. She was really a handy one.

(Here, 'mother' refers to Lia's mother—Lucian's stepmother.)

[Are you heading home now?] Akasha asked suddenly, her tone curious, as if nothing had happened moments ago.

'After taking another walk.'

He took another twenty-minute stroll before finally heading home.