I used to hate my voice.
Not the sound of it.
The feeling.
The way it caught in my throat when I was nervous.
The way it always sounded small when I wanted to sound strong.
Like my body and soul had never agreed on what I deserved to say.
That's what happens when you grow up invisible.
Your voice forgets it exists.
So when the foreman at work asked, "Can someone explain the new rebar layout to the crew tomorrow?"
I didn't plan to raise my hand.
Not at first.
But something in me moved.
Not my mouth.
Not my ego.
Something deeper.
The part of me that's tired of being quiet.
And I heard myself say it before I even knew I'd spoken:
"I'll do it."
Silence.
Seven pairs of eyes turned to me.
One guy chuckled.
"Didn't know the ghost could talk."
I didn't smile.
Just looked him in the eyes, nodded, and said again, firmer:
"I'll handle it."
[System Prompt: Voluntary Challenge Detected]
[Adaptive Quest: "Use Your Voice" – Accepted]
Objective: Speak publicly with confidence and clarity.
Subtasks:
– Speak to a group of 5+
– Maintain composure and structure
– Control tone and body language
– Deliver message with presence
Reward:
• +1 Charisma
• "Voice Control" Skill Unlocked
• Confidence Score +1
• Trait Progress: Leadership
That night, I didn't train my body.
I trained my voice.
Stood in front of the mirror.
Rolled my shoulders.
Controlled my breath.
Practiced my pitch and pacing.
I wrote my notes.
Then rewrote them to be simpler.
No overthinking.
Just function. Clarity. Intent.
Then I did it again.
And again.
Until I didn't sound like someone pretending to be confident.
Until I was.
The next morning, the site buzzed with the usual noise—clanging metal, casual cursing, boots on gravel.
"Yo, where's the guy doing the briefing?"
"I heard it's the silent one. For real?"
I stepped onto the riser.
Everyone looked up.
My hands didn't shake.
My throat didn't lock.
I breathed in once, then began.
"Morning. Today we're reinforcing the north wall frame with a different pattern—denser layout, less spacing between rods. I'll explain why, how, and where to avoid mistakes."
And I did.
Clear.
Direct.
I didn't ramble.
Didn't force authority.
I explained.
Showed the diagram I'd drawn by hand the night before.
Pointed to weak points in the old layout.
Mentioned injury prevention.
Eyes locked on me.
Not because I was loud.
Because I knew what I was talking about.
Ten minutes later, I stepped down.
No applause. No praise.
Just a pat on the shoulder from the foreman.
"That was solid. You've got a good head, Ryou."
I nodded. "Thanks."
Inside, I felt like I'd just lifted a mountain.
Not because it was perfect.
But because I'd finally done what I feared most.
[Quest Complete: Use Your Voice]
[Rewards Gained:]
• +1 Charisma
• +1 Confidence
• Skill Unlocked: "Voice Control Lv. 1"
• Trait Progress: Leadership 12%
• Passive Buff: "Focused Speech" – While speaking with clear intent, increase perception of authority by 10%.
[Status Update]
• Charisma: 8
• Confidence: 3.7
• Intelligence: 10
• Strength: 10
• Endurance: 10
• Height Growth Remaining: +0.7cm
That night, I stood in the mirror again.
Not to practice.
Just to look.
Not at the clothes.
Not at the muscle.
Not even at the face.
Just the eyes.
They didn't dart away like they used to.
They met mine.
Steady.
I wrote one more line in my notebook:
"The world can't hear you until you choose to speak."
I don't want to be loud.
I don't want to be famous.
I don't even want to be admired.
I just want to be undeniable.
And today?
I took a step closer.
End of Chapter 12