Chapter 1.26 — That Which Truly Matters

  “What do you mean by I’ll die?!” Grey’s voice cracked.

  Simon furrowed his brows.

  “Grey! You’re very sick. You've been sick for a while.”

  “You have a rare disease that is slowly killing you. If you don't get treatment, you’ll die!” Simon’s expression hardened.

  Jen immediately turned her head toward Grey.

  “No! That’s not true!”

  She shook her head rapidly.

  “...It can’t be true! Please say it's not true!” Jen’s voice trembled.

  She turned her head toward Simon. He closed his eyes and nodded.

  Jen pressed her hand on her mouth while gripping Grey's hand tighter with the other.

  “No… I…” she bit her lip, tears ran down her cheeks.

  My gaze fell to the floor.

  Mirra walked over to Jen. She placed both her hands on Jen’s shoulders.

  “It's alright… it's gonna be alright…” Mirra reassured, her voice soft.

  Tess lowered her gaze.

  “Wait, what disease?” I asked in confusion.

  Simon sighed deeply. “It's rare, so rare that there’s no official name for it. However, some doctors call it “the break.”

  He continued, “all we know is it causes the body to slowly destroy itself. Usually it causes high fatigue, loss of balance, spell misfire and bruises on the body.”

  “These symptoms are harmless on their own. But if they all appear close to each other… well, that changes things.”

  Simon paused and walked to the side of the bed. He then took off Grey’s shirt, revealing his back to us.

  Mirra gasped. “What’s that?!”

  She pointed at Grey’s back, which was covered in faint dark bruises.

  “We don't know why this is happening and where it comes from. All I know is that Grey will die soon if we don't do anything about it!” Simon's face turned ominous.

  I stood frozen in place, not understanding what was going on…

  My stomach twisted.

  What's happening…

  This cannot be happening…

  Not… again!

  No!

  I gritted my teeth, my body trembled.

  Suddenly, images of my real Mom and Dad flashed before my eyes. It was a time before all of this, getting transported to another world, began!

  Before my Mom became sick, before my Dad’s accident.

  A time when I was the happiest.

  A time before it all came crashing down, and…

  —Destroyed my soul.

  As I stood frozen, lost in my thoughts, Grey suddenly shouted loudly.

  “Hold on! What about Mirra and Jen? Don't tell me they have it too!?” Grey said panicked.

  “No, don't worry, their fatigue was not caused by that.” Simon shook his head.

  Grey leaned back. “Phew… that made me really scared…”

  Jen froze for a moment. She then pressed her hand to her mouth and let out a small chuckle.

  “That’s so you… thinking of others before yourself.” Jen said, relieved.

  Grey pouted. “Well, I can’t help it…”

  Tess and Mirra also began to laugh, they too seemed moved by Grey's concern.

  Huh? They’re laughing? In this situation?

  I lowered my gaze and stared at my hands. I could accept this outcome, no, I wouldn't accept this outcome. Not without a fight!

  A surge of determination surged through my body and I tightened my fist.

  I looked up. “How do we cure him?”

  Simon’s eyes shot wide. “Huh? Cure?”

  I nodded.

  “From what I know there’s no cure.” Simon explained with disappointment in his voice.

  “Ehh! Then what do we do?” I asked with my arms wide.

  Simon pulled out a piece of paper with a list of items written on it.

  “Here, this is a list that contains the potions that would be required for his treatment.”

  But before Simon could hand me the paper, Jen suddenly jumped up and snapped it out of his hand.

  Jen’s mouth dropped, “Huh! These are very expensive!”

  She placed her hand on her forehead. “Ohh… I feel a bit nauseous.” Jen said and slid down into her chair.

  I raised a brow and looked over her shoulder.

  “Wait, why are these items so expensive?”

  Simon scratched his head. “Well, most of these are made using resources that are imported from the Umun Republic… Do you see the issue?”

  “I’m sorry, did you just say from the Umun Republic? The nation that’s currently locked in a frickin war?!” I gaped in disbelief

  “Yes unfortunately… that’s why supply is limited, and importing the resources to make these items from other nations… are quite expensive.” Simon tilted his head.

  Jen made an uneasy expression as her eyes seemed to spin.

  “Uhm… Grey? Can we afford this?!” She pressed the paper up against his face.

  “Calm down, let me see…” Grey’s eyeballs almost came out of their sockets.

  “WHAT!! This is outrageous! This can't be right? Simon!?

  “Unfortunately no… the sad reality is that these treatments are something you'll have to take for years. Maybe even, for the rest of your life.”

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  Grey went silent, then slowly lowered his gaze.

  “We won't be able to afford these items, not without the shop.” He said in a low voice.

  “Wait! what about healing spells? Tess and you can just heal him, right?” I asked desperately.

  Simon shook his head. “No, it's true we can heal him, but that's only a short term solution. He needs something with continued restorative effect.”

  “Huh? You mean something that restores his health gradually?” I scratched my head.

  Simon nodded.

  “Exactly, even though he was healed just now. His health is still slowly diminishing. So he needs something to continuously sustain him.”

  “We can't explain why it's like this, only that it seems to be able to keep the patient alive.”

  In other words.

  We can keep healing him with spells but his health will eventually decline. But with restoration potions, his health could be kept somewhat stable.

  It's like trying to charge a damaged battery. Yes, you might be able to get it up to a hundred percent, but the moment you take out the power cable—it dies!

  I scratched my forehead rapidly in frustration.

  “Alright then I'll—”

  Suddenly, Jen covered my mouth with her hand. I stared at her with a shocked expression.

  “I’ll take care of everything, the shop, the money, all of it!” Jen proclaimed.

  “What?!” Our mouths dropped in disbelief.

  She made a fist and hit herself on the chest. “It's no big deal. I’ve worked long enough at the shop with Grey. Running it shouldn't be so hard.”

  Jen turned her head toward me. “And you can go to the Capital to find your answers!”

  “That might be true. It's one thing to work at the shop, but an entirely separate thing to run it! Are you sure about this?” Tess furrowed her brows.

  Grey grabbed Jen’s hand.

  “No, I can't push this responsibility onto you, Jen! I promised I would be the one to take care of you.” He said sincerely.

  “Are you crazy? You need to take better care of yourself and let me handle it!” Jen shouted at him.

  She paused, then looked away. “I need you… you idiot!”

  Grey widened his eyes, his face suddenly flushed red.

  Jen looked up. “I can take care of the resource gathering and all the logistics regarding the shop.”

  She turned her head toward Simon. “Grey can then just focus on Manashell crafting and slowly train someone other than Leo to take over… right?”

  Simon lowered his head and furrowed his brows, like he was in deep thought. A moment later he raised his head.

  “Well, I don't see any health issues with Grey working like that.” Simon nodded.

  Jen’s lips curled into a huge grin, brimming with self-confidence.

  Grey, Tess, Mirra and me all stared at each other in disbelief.

  Huh? Did she just solve everything?

  As the air began to feel lighter, Simon suddenly raised a hand.

  “However, I would advise you to not do this, Jen.” His face turned hard.

  “Ehh? Why not?!” Jen shouted in confusion, her voice trembling.

  Simon sighed and slid his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

  “It's because of what happened with the Manashell testing, remember?”

  “Huh?” Jen tilted her head.

  “The reason for Mirra’s reaction was because she's still inexperienced, but with you… it's a bit different…”

  Simon’s eyes drifted over to Grey for a moment, then turned back to Jen.

  “Well, there's a perfect natural reason to get nauseated, especially when pushing yourself too hard… hehe” Simon’s face turned into an awkward smile.

  Grey and Jen stared at him, their expressions in utter confusion.

  Simon sighed. “Jen, your time… is late, right?”

  Jen tilted her head. “My time is late—”

  She immediately pressed both hands on her mouth, her expression turned into shock.

  Tess and Mirra looked at each other as a slight smile crept up on their faces.

  Huh? late-time? Is he talking about some kind of time-tracking?

  Hmm… I think I might be missing something?

  Grey, with a confused look, turned his head toward Jen.

  “Do you know what he means?”

  Jen sat down beside Grey and took his hand into both of hers. Tears ran down her face and over her lips, which stretched into a heartfelt smile.

  “It means that… I'm pregnant.”

  Grey froze, he stared at her in complete silence, it was like time itself came to a complete stop…

  Suddenly, Grey blinked for a second… then his eyes widened slowly.

  “But that's wonderful news!” He said loudly with a huge smile on his face.

  Grey pulled her closer and embraced her. She folded her arms around him, hugging him tight.

  Tess looked away, seemingly embarrassed. Mirra’s eyes shot wide and almost sparkled by the sight.

  I scratched my head and smiled.

  Suddenly Grey shot up.

  “But wait, this means you need to rest and shouldn't do anything dangerous!”

  “I cannot allow you to push yourself… I'll somehow take care of the shop and you—”

  Jen pressed her hand at his mouth, she then shook her head.

  “No, don't you hear Simon? You aren't allowed to push yourself either!” Jen said with a stern tone.

  Jen stood up. “Until the baby is born let me take care of everything, alright!” She held both of Grey’s hands in hers.

  “Then what will you do after the baby is born? What then?” I spoke in a hard tone.

  Jen lowered her gaze and paused, she looked like she was considering her options.

  “I'll somehow manage everything… I'm not weak!” She said sharply.

  “That's not good enough.” Simon raised his head.

  “No matter how strong you are, there's no way to both take care of a small child and your husband!”

  “Not to mention the dangers of resource gathering for your shop… it's too reckless.” Simon folded his arms.

  “He's right.“ Tess sighed.

  Jen’s eyes shot wide. “Huh! You too!”

  Tess narrowed her eyes. “You're being too reckless, please consider your entire family before doing anything stupid.” She gestured toward Grey, then me.

  “Worst case, you can sell your shop and use the money from there. No need to put yourself in harm's way.” Tess explained in a calm tone.

  She's right, that's another option…

  Jen knit her brows together. Then, she turned her head toward Grey. They locked eyes for a moment.

  Grey, let out a long sigh and shook his head. He then raised his hand and pressed it against his forehead, as if to suppress some kind of pain. Then, he looked at Jen and gave her a heavy nod.

  I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my heart and without realizing it, I pressed my palm against my chest.

  Why? Why do they have to be the ones to suffer!

  Those damn developers!

  Creating such an evil disease!

  I felt a surge of anger rising from within.

  My stomach twisted.

  Damn them! Damn them all!

  I gritted my teeth, curled my fingers into a fist as my body shook.

  Suddenly.

  “Leo? Are you alright?” Tess called out, her voice concerned.

  My eyes shot wide, my eyes drifted around the room as I gazed upon them.

  Jen, Grey, Mirra, Simon and Tess all stared at me.

  “Leo, is everything alright with you?” Jen’s brows tightened.

  They’re worried about me? Why?

  They’re the ones who are suffering?

  Just why?

  I lowered my gaze. I felt a sense of shame for only thinking about myself.

  A slow realization suddenly dawned on me.

  No, it's not the developers fault!

  It's not Grey or Jen’s fault!

  It's not my fault!

  It's not anyone's fault!

  “I've been a fool.” I muttered to myself.

  Without realizing it, I had been looking at this all wrong. For me, this has always been the world of that game. The places, the people—this entire world has just been a game!

  I slowly raised my head and for the first time, I truly looked at them.

  “Ever since you found me on that field.” My voice trembled.

  Not to look at them as people from a game!

  “I’ve been selfish, trying to look for answers.”

  Not to look at them as people from another world!

  “But the answers are right in front of me!”

  But to look at them as the people whom I love!

  “Jen, Grey… no.” I paused.

  “For the longest time I couldn't accept my situation. I couldn't move forward as I should…”

  “But that stops now!”

  I took a deep breath and placed my hand over my heart.

  “Please, Mother and Father, let me stay and take care of you both!”