Part-244

  James could have chosen to die deliberately within the dungeon, allowing himself to respawn in full health, but his pride wouldn’t permit it. Even in a pce where death was merely a brief inveniehe idea of giving up and relying on that meiawed at him. He had faced his foes, quered the challenges, and emerged victorious without succumbing to the easy way out.

  James muttered to himself, "Since when did I start thinking about pride and all that nonsense?"

  A bitter smile crept onto his face as he realized the truth of his situation. It seemed the system was influeng more than just his physical abilities; it was also altering his mentality in ways he hadn’t anticipated. Thoughts he never used to sider were now creeping into his mind, making him refle his as aions more deeply than ever before.

  Rising from the bed, he made his way downstairs, the smell of dinner wafting through the air. His parents had a routihat rarely intersected with his own, as his father, Samuel Khan, typically left before dawn aure at night. Today, however, Samuel was standing in the living room, a rare sight that surprised James.

  “Looks like you’ve grown quite a bit taller,” Samuel remarked, his voice a mix of surprise and admiration.

  "Really?" James replied, looking down at himself. "I hadn't noticed."

  Samuel chuckled. "It's hard to miss. You're almost as tall as me now."

  Lily, James's sister, perked up from her spot on the couch, her eyes lighting up with curiosity. She had been so engrossed in her book that she hadn't noticed her brother's sudden growth spurt. Now that her attention had been drawn to him, she couldn't help but stare in amazement. He had grown so much taller in just a few months. She had always been proud of her height, but now, her brother was almost as tall as her. She felt a pang of disappoi, but it was quickly repced by a sense of pride. She roud of her brother for achieving so mu such a short time.

  Lily stood up and walked over to James, her eyes sparkling with admiration. She reached up and touched his arm, feeling the solid muscle beh his skin. "You've grown so much," she said, her voice filled with wonder.

  James smiled. "I guess I have."

  Lily tio examine him, her gaze moving from his face to his body. She noticed how his shoulders had broadened, and his arms had beore muscur. She couldn't believe how much he had ged sihe st time she had seen him.

  James stood there, taken aback, as he suddenly realized he was ialler than Lily. The st time he had checked, she stood proudly at 5 feet 9 inches, her height something of a source of pride for her. But now, as he gnced down at her, he noticed he had reached passed her. Cheg his status s, which he rarely paid attention to, James realized he was now 5 feet 10.5 iall, a signifit jump from the 5 feet 7 inches he stood just three months ago.