Kenji stared at his reflection in the full-length mirror, studying the man he had become. Four days had passed since he had woken up in this body, yet the sight still felt unfamiliar. His brown hair, once unkempt, now looked well-groomed, and his previously hollowed cheeks had filled out slightly. His sharp golden eyes, once dull with exhaustion, now held a quiet intensity.
He wasn't ugly—in fact, he was particularly handsome. But given the wasted wreck the original Kenji had let himself become, it was not something that was easily recognized. A little filling out and proper care, and he would be devilishly handsome.
He was currently 35, which was a little odd for him given he was somewhere in his mid-twenties if the vague memories were correct.
He always thought when you got isekai'd, you were supposed to be younger, not older.
A deep breath. He clenched and unclenched his fists, feeling the strength in his muscles. He was still weak—his stats told him as much—but the simple act of taking care of himself had made a noticeable difference.
---
[System Alert!]
New Passive Skill Acquired: Self-Discipline (LV 1)
Kenji smirked at the notification. Even something as simple as fixing his appearance had an impact.
---
For the past three days, he had spent his time learning and understanding the Gamer System.
The interface was simple enough. A status screen, an inventory, and even skills. It was a system designed for growth, but it wasn't something that would hand him power on a silver platter. It made it easier for him compared to others, sure, but if he didn't put in the work, it wouldn't matter.
---
[Status Update]
Name: Kenji Takahashi
Level: 3
Free Stat Points: 9
Attributes:
- Strength: 45 (Tier-10)
- Speed: 47 (Tier-10)
- Endurance: 46 (Tier-10)
- Intelligence: 55 (Tier-10)
- Wisdom: 50 (Tier-10)
- Charisma: 42 (Tier-10)
- Luck: 95 (Tier-2)
Skills:
- Observation (LV 2)
- Basic Cooking (LV 2)
- Self-Discipline (LV 1)
- Reading (LV 3)
Perks:
- Gamer's Body (Passive): Grants immunity to physical exhaustion, enhances recovery rate, and prevents permanent injury from non-fatal wounds.
- Gamer's Mind (Passive): Grants immunity to psychological effects such as fear, stress, and mental manipulation, while allowing calm, logical decision-making.
---
It wasn't much, but it was progress for the three days since he woke up. He had spent his recovery period doing small exercises, reading books, practicing basic life skills, and completing small quests.
One thing was clear—this system rewarded effort. If he wanted to be stronger, he had to earn it. No shortcuts. No cheats. Just effort.
That was fine with him.
The Multiversal Group Chat System was still an unknown variable, and he had deliberately avoided using it. It was tempting, but he wasn't ready. Not yet. He needed to be stronger before deciding to use something that might send him flying into the unknown without the strength to back it up.
There were too many risks.
It had nothing to do with the fact that he wanted to spend some time with his new family.
---
Kenji sat at the dining table, watching his wife and children interact. Or rather, not interact. Anastasia barely acknowledged him. Ayaka and Aoi still looked at him with guarded expressions, and Ren… well, Ren was watching him, curiosity flickering in his young eyes.
He had spent the last three days observing, learning their habits, their routines.
He was going to fix this. He didn't care how long it took. He would clean up the mess the original Kenji had left behind, no matter how much effort it required.
His wife had suffered enough. His children deserved better. And for the first time in his two lives, he wanted something for himself.
A family.
And this time, he wouldn't let it slip away.
As Kenji sat there, the memories of the original Kenji's actions flooded his mind. The man had been a selfish, irresponsible wreck, and the damage he had caused was immense.
Seeing the past of the original Kenji. At first, Kenji pretended to care. He played the role of the loving husband, hoping to eventually win over Anastasia's family and gain access to their fortune. But when it became clear that her family would never accept him, he stopped pretending.
He stopped caring about Anastasia. He stopped caring about the children. He spent his days drinking with his so-called friends, wasting what little money they had on gambling and parties. He even hooked up with other women, flaunting his infidelity in front of Anastasia, who had no choice but to endure it for the sake of their children.
He refused to get a job, leaving Anastasia to shoulder the financial burden alone. She worked tirelessly to provide for the family, while Kenji squandered whatever money she managed to save. He ignored his children, leaving them to grow up without a father figure. Ayaka became rebellious, Aoi withdrew into herself, and Ren, the youngest, was left confused and hurt by his father's absence.
The original Kenji was a parasite, leaching off the family he was supposed to protect. He was the kind of man the new Kenji despised—irresponsible, selfish, and utterly devoid of empathy.
A deplorable man with zero redeeming quality.
Kenji exhaled slowly, determination settling deep in his bones.
He would fix this. It may not have been his life original but it was his now and he was damned if he would let it fall apart.
---
[System Alert!]
New Quest Acquired: Mending a Broken Family
Objective: Regain the trust of your wife and children.
Reward: +5 Charisma, ?,?,?
---
His journey had truly begun.
---
The next morning, he awoke with a renewed sense of purpose. If he was going to make progress, he needed a plan. A structured approach.
Step One: Earn Their Trust.
It wouldn't be easy. Anastasia had endured years of neglect and cruelty. His daughters had built walls around their emotions. Ren, though less hardened, was still wary. He had to prove he had changed, not just claim it. Actions would matter more than words.
Step Two: Improve Himself.
Getting stronger wasn't just about fighting—it was about becoming someone they could rely on. He needed to hone his skills, gain new abilities, and become competent in more than just brute strength. But also because he hadn't forgotten that this wasn't his original world, he didn't know what lurked in the shadows of this one.
Step Three: Strengthen His Body and Mind.
The Gamer System had already shown potential. His passive skills alone had provided small but notable improvements. But he needed more than just casual exercise. He needed to push his limits. He would start working out regularly, balancing it with practical skills. Find a place secure to test his power and train.
As he thought through his plans, a familiar notification appeared.
---
[System Alert!]
New Passive Skill Acquired: Planning (LV 1)
Kenji chuckled. Even strategizing was a skill in this thing's eyes. That worked in his favor.
---
That evening, he decided to take the first step. Dinner was quiet, just like before, but this time, he took action.
"I cooked tonight," he announced, setting the dishes on the table.
Anastasia's eyes flickered with surprise but remained guarded. Ayaka merely raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. Aoi hesitated before reaching for a plate. Ren, however, looked delighted.
"You made this?" the boy asked.
Kenji nodded. "Yeah. I figured it was about time I did something useful."
Ren took a bite, his expression brightening. "It's good!"
Kenji felt a small sense of victory. One step at a time.
---
[System Alert!]
Basic Cooking has leveled up! (LV 3)
Charisma +1
---
Small progress, but progress nonetheless.
He glanced at Anastasia. She had taken a small bite, her expression unreadable. But the fact that she hadn't dismissed it outright was something.
Maybe, just maybe, he could fix this.
Tomorrow, he would try again.
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