Bully Lord

Part-40

"Self-defense, huh?" she said, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.  "Well, James, it seems you've come to the right place.  Let me guess, schoolyard bullies giving you trouble?"

James flushed slightly, surprised at her perceptive guess.  Before he could respond, Riva continued.  "Look, James, I might be retired from the force, but I still know a thing or two about handling bullies.  And let me tell you, a strong body is only half the battle.  Confidence is key.  So, are you serious about learning?"

James straightened his back, a newfound determination hardening his gaze.  "Absolutely," he said, his voice firm.  "I'm ready to learn."

Riva's smile widened.  "Good," she said, clapping her hands together.  "Then let's get started."

James diligently filled out the registration form Riva provided. As Riva stamped it with a firm hand, a familiar blue window flickered into existence, surprising him.

**Mission Complete.**

**You have unlocked Loop Mission.**

Curiosity piqued, James focused on the window, waiting for further information. In response, a detailed table materialized, outlining the newly unlocked "Loop Missions." These weren't like the previous mandatory missions; they presented a series of workout routines with clear goals and potential stat increases as rewards.

| **Mission** | **Goal** | **Reward** |

| Running | 2 KM | 0.1 CON |

| Push-Ups | 100 | 0.1 STR |

| Bicep Curls* | 50 x 2 KG | 0.01 Attack Speed |

| Lat Pulldowns* | 50 x 4.5 KG | 0.1 STR |

| Squats | 50 | 0.05 DEX |

| Lunges | 50 | 0.05 DEX |

| Plank | 1 min | 0.1 INT |

| Jump Rope | 200 | 0.1 WIS |

| Bicycle Ride | 5 KM | 0.1 CON |

If you complete all of these tasks in a single day, your charm will increase by 1.

* The weight and reward may change.

Eager to put the Loop Missions to the test, James dove headfirst into his workout with Riva's watchful eye. At first glance, the list of exercises seemed manageable: a simple jog, some push-ups, squats, and lunges.  A triumphant grin spread across James' face. This wouldn't be a problem.

But underestimating the physical demands was a rookie mistake. As James powered through the first few sets of push-ups, his initial confidence began to wane. His muscles screamed in protest, his arms shaking with exertion.  By the time he reached the squats, his legs burned like they were filled with lead.  The lunges were the final straw.  His form faltered with each repetition, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.  Finally, with a defeated groan, James collapsed onto the gym mat, his body a trembling mess.

Riva, unsurprised by his exhaustion, chuckled softly.  "Welcome to the wonderful world of getting in shape, James," she said, handing him a water bottle.  "Those exercise routines might seem easy on paper, but trust me, they'll push you to your limits."

James gulped down the water, his chest heaving.  Shame flushed his cheeks. He'd thought he was prepared, but the reality of physical exertion was far different from his initial bravado.