Bully Lord

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 place where death was merely a brief inconvenience, the idea of giving up and relying on that mechanic gnawed at him. He had faced his foes, conquered 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 influencing more than just his physical abilities; it was also altering his mentality in ways he hadn’t anticipated. Thoughts he never used to consider were now creeping into his mind, making him reflect on his actions and emotions 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 routine that rarely intersected with his own, as his father, Samuel Khan, typically left before dawn and returned late 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 disappointment, but it was quickly replaced by a sense of pride. She was proud of her brother for achieving so much in 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 beneath his skin. "You've grown so much," she said, her voice filled with wonder.

James smiled. "I guess I have."

Lily continued to examine him, her gaze moving from his face to his body. She noticed how his shoulders had broadened, and his arms had become more muscular. She couldn't believe how much he had changed since the last time she had seen him.

James stood there, taken aback, as he suddenly realized he was indeed taller than Lily. The last 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 glanced down at her, he noticed he had reached passed her. Checking his status screen, which he rarely paid attention to, James realized he was now 5 feet 10.5 inches tall, a significant jump from the 5 feet 7 inches he stood just three months ago.