Urban System in America-Chapter 71 - 70: Burnt Muscles and Cold Reality

After exercising for what he felt a long time, even though he was tired like a dog, the feeling of fulfillment was something he hadn’t felt in all those days.

Even when it seemed like he had reached his limit, when his body screamed at him to stop, Rex gritted his teeth and pushed forward. Kaelan, standing nearby, couldn’t help but be quietly impressed by the boy’s unyielding tenacity. Even Victor, who had been observing from a distance with his arms crossed, gave a small nod of approval.

Still, it was enough for today. Kaelan finally called out, "Okay, that’s enough for today. We’ll continue tomorrow."

"But I can still go," Rex replied, but his trembling legs betrayed him. Sweat dripped from his hair, stinging his eyes, and his breathing was ragged.

Kaelan walked over, "It’s good to have determination," Kaelan said, his voice low, "but sometimes, to achieve something, you have to learn when to let go and take a step back. If you keep blindly rushing forward, even if you manage to push through today, you won’t be able to bear the accumulated strain in the long run—you’ll eventually break."

There was a quiet gravity to his words, his voice tinged with something deeper—regret perhaps and tone laced with melancholy. It felt like he wasn’t just giving advice but speaking from personal experience. His eyes grew distant, as if he was recalling something buried deep in the past.

Rex was momentarily taken aback. It was the first time he’d heard Kaelan speak so much, especially with such emotion. He didn’t know how to respond.

Just then, Victor casually draped an arm around Kaelan’s shoulders and said, "Alright, that’s enough heavy talk. Let’s wrap up for today and continue tomorrow."

"Okay," Rex nodded. He was a little curious about Kaelan’s past but didn’t pry. They weren’t close enough yet—and besides, they had plenty of time ahead together.

Gathering their things, they returned home.

The moment Rex stepped inside, he headed straight to the bathroom. A cold shower helped wash away the sweat and fatigue, jolting his senses back to life.

Feeling refreshed, he slipped into a clean set of clothes and headed downstairs.

Victor and Kaelan were already there,having already washed up and were now in neat but ordinary outfits.

Seeing that, Rex immediately understood—if they truly wanted to blend in naturally, those sharp suits wouldn’t cut it. These clothes, while simple, helped tone down their presence. Of course, due to their physique, they still stood out a bit—but not enough to draw suspicion.

Greeting them, he asked, "So, what do you wanna have for breakfast? I’ll make it," rolling up his sleeves.

Both Victor and Kaelan looked visibly surprised, as they exchanged surprised glances.

A boss offering to cook?

In their careers, they had never encountered a boss who offered to cook for them.

Victor quickly waved both hands."No, no, no! We already ate before you got up."

Kaelan added, "Yeah—and there’s no way we can let our employer make us breakfast. Especially someone who’s also our boss. That’s a definite no."

"It’s not that big of a deal," Rex smiled. "I’m making my own anyway. It won’t hurt to make an extra plate or two. And with me, there’s no need to be so formal. Just treat me like a friend, if you don’t mind."

They exchanged glances, then gave helpless nods. What could they do against such a willful boss?

"Alright, we’ll keep things casual," Victor said. "But we’re still not compromising on food. That’s a rule."

"Fine, fine," Rex said with a chuckle, not pressing the issue. He understood that every profession came with its own code.

Leaving them in the living room, he headed to the kitchen. But just as he picked up the frying pan, his hand trembled—and with a loud clatter, it dropped to the floor.

Rex tilted his head, confused.

Hearing the noise, both Victor and Kaelan rushed in.

"Boss, are you okay?" Victor asked, sounding tense, while Kaelan scanned the room, his hand subtly brushing his belt.

Seeing them so alert, Rex waved a hand. "Relax. Nothing happened. My hand just... shook when I tried to lift the pan."

Their shoulders relaxed, both visibly exhaling in relief.

"That’s normal," Kaelan said, stepping forward. "Post-workout muscle spasms. Happens after intense training, your muscles are overworked. You’ll be fine after some rest."

"Oh, okay." Rex nodded. It made sense. In his previous life, he had never exercised seriously, so this was a first. No wonder he hadn’t known something like this could happen.

But now a new problem had emerged: If he couldn’t even hold a frying pan, how was he supposed to make breakfast?

Thinking for a moment, he had an idea. Why not visit the hotel the system had given him? That way, he could grab breakfast and also check on the condition of his soon-to-be property.

With that, he made up his mind. Grabbing his keys, he headed out.

He slid into his limited edition Camaro, the engine purring to life with a deep, satisfying rumble that echoed through the crisp morning air.

Victor and Kaelan followed behind like shadows.

Rex pulled out of his quiet hillside neighborhood and merged onto Sepulveda Boulevard, heading south. The sun had just started to rise, casting a golden glow across the slowly waking streets.

From Sepulveda, he turned onto Wilshire Boulevard and followed it east.

The drive was short—about twenty minutes. The city around him gradually came alive: joggers on sidewalks, cafés flipping their "Open" signs, early morning traffic just beginning to crawl.

Palm trees lined the road as he finally pulled up outside 8472 Wilshire Boulevard.

The Granduer Hotel stood tall before him, basking in the gentle morning glow. Its sleek glass façade reflected the early sunlight like a mirror, giving the impression of pristine luxury. From the outside, it looked like everything a five-star hotel should be—elegant, majestic, modern.

He didn’t get out immediately. Instead, he stayed seated for a while, examining the surroundings carefully.

The hotel stood proudly at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and South Reeves Drive, on the transitional edge between Beverly Hills and the Mid-Wilshire district.

A few blocks west lay the high-end stores of Rodeo Drive. A few blocks east, the bustle of the downtown corridor.

The tree-lined South Reeves wrapped around the building, dotted with designer stores and quiet espresso bars. From the upper floors, he imagined, one could probably see both Beverly Hills and the distant skyline of downtown L.A., especially beautiful at sunset.

From the outside, it was everything he’d hoped for—majestic and modern. Clearly, the previous owner had put effort into location and design.

He was impressed. At least, at first glance.

But the moment he stepped out of the car, the illusion began to crumble.

A valet boy lounged near the entrance, completely absorbed in his phone, not even glancing up at Rex’s arrival.

The doorman, slouched against the wall, looked half-asleep.

As Rex stepped closer, he noticed smudges on the glass doors. A torn flyer clung to a dusty column. The golden ’GRANDUER’ sign had lost its shine.

A couple walked out, clearly tourists, judging by their accents. The woman held a stained towel like it was toxic.

"Can’t believe they charge for this filth," she snapped.

"No hot water, no towels. Five stars,my ass," the man muttered.

Rex watched them disappear down the street, then turned back to the building with narrowed eyes.

The Granduer Hotel. Once a shining gem—now reduced to a dull, mismanaged husk.

And this was his new property.

He reached the doors.

The doorman didn’t move.

Rex sighed and pulled the handle himself.

But the moment he stepped inside, what he saw made him stop in his tracks.

(End of Chapter)