33. Forced push-ups

The whole point of the first push-up challenge had been to test the upper limit of their physical capability. Now that I knew 100 push-ups in just 24 seconds was already pushing their peak, completing 300 in under one minute seemed almost impossible, especially after they had already burned through so much stamina.

Still, I was dying to know, could the magical power of a quest override common sense and turn them into push-up machines?

(Come on, it’s not that hard… right?)

As expected, both goblins froze like they’d just been asked to bench-press a mountain.

Gopuro even took one dramatic step forward, hand halfway stretched out towards the quest… then chickened out, pulling his hand back.

Seemed like, thanks to the previous quest, they was able to know their own physical limitation.

(That’s excellent.)

But did that mean I would just give up? Of course not.

They could be refusing because the risk didn’t feel worth the reward. So… what if I make the reward stupidly tempting?

I updated the quest.

New reward: 10 Powerstones (F)!

Both goblins’ eyes widened instantly, flashing with raw greed.

Ten Powerstones! That was enough for one of them to level up again!

Gopuran’s foot shot forward eagerly, her fingers twitching like she was about to snatch the scroll… only to freeze at the last second and retreat.

But Gopuro?

Oh, this glorious idiot didn’t even hesitate.

The muscle-brained chad grabbed that scroll like it owed him money, eyes blazing with pure, unfiltered determination.

[Ding! Gopuro has accepted your “Strength Demonstration #5” quest!]

Gopuran turned to stare at him, narrowing her eyes. I caught the faint, sly curve at the corner of her lips and immediately understood what was happening.

(Aha! I see you, you clever little gremlin!)

Since her physical ability and stats were nearly identical to Gopuro’s now, she had clearly decided to let him test the waters first. If he somehow managed to brute-force his way through 300 push-ups in one minute, she could do the same. If he failed… well, there was no point in her suffering the punishment.

Classic clever little strategist. Meanwhile, Gopuro was the living definition of a muscle brain.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Either way, the show was about to begin.

Gopuro dropped to the ground, planted his palms firmly, and exploded into push-ups with every last ounce of strength he had left. His arms drove up and down like pistons gone berserk, desperately squeezing out every drop of power.

One… two… three… four… five… six…

“RAAAAAAA!”

His arms swelled, muscles bulging like they were about to burst through his skin, thick veins popping out like ropes! The push-ups came at a terrifying speed. The poor dude was literally fighting for his life!

In just twenty seconds, he had already smashed past 100 push-ups. Only 200 more to go!

I watched in growing horror.

(Fuck! Don’t tell me… he’s actually gonna make it?!)

(I can’t believe this. Did I seriously underestimate this guy? Just how freaking strong is he?!)

But luck was on my side.

Right at the end, exhaustion finally caught up. His pace slowed dramatically, and he only managed to squeeze out 250 push-ups before the one-minute timer ran out.

Thud!

Gopuro collapsed face-first into the dirt.

Phew!!!