Maintaining consciousness became increasingly difficult, perhaps due to the excessive loss of blood.
The sounds around me faded, and my vision blurred.
Amidst this, a familiar face appeared.
If only it weren’t for this damn situation, we could have exchanged greetings.
Regrettably, I couldn’t even manage a smile before losing consciousness.
The senses that hazily persisted were abruptly severed.
It felt like I was falling endlessly into a bottomless abyss.
How long did I wander there?
I encountered people I longed for but resented.
People who had become faded memories of my childhood.
“Mom, Dad.”
Facing them brought back emotions buried deep in my heart from a day long ago.
“Why did you leave us alone?”
I said the words harshly, but they remained silent.
I know. They will never give me an answer.
Yet, I couldn’t stop.
“I’m struggling.”
Why did this happen to me?
What’s going to happen now? I’m not dead yet. If I die, only the twins will be left alone.
They’re only 17 now.
I want to be there for them until they finish college and have stable jobs.
You tried to pass on everything you did for me, but as an inadequate brother, I couldn’t do much.
They silently listened to my endless rambling.
Then, they embraced me and gently comforted me.
It felt like returning to a fragile and powerless child.
Tears refused to stop flowing.
***
In the single-room ward, upon opening my eyes, the first thing I felt was relief.
I’m not dead. Thank goodness.
But I couldn’t feel pure relief.
Because of the people staring at me with fierce eyes.
“So, can you explain?”
“… For now.”
“Ha!”
Seo Jaehyuk burst out a bitter laugh as if mocking me.
He had been my friend since I was six, thanks to our parents’ connection.
Most friends naturally drifted away after quitting school, but Jaehyuk was different.
Partly because our parents knew each other, and we got along well from an early age.
It wasn’t just because our family circumstances worsened.
If I had been left on the streets with my twin siblings, almost penniless after my older brother sold our house and disappeared, Jaehyuk and his parents had helped us.
“I’ve contacted your siblings. They are rushing here, saying they’d come as soon as possible.”
In the midst of Jaehyuk’s words, my body flinched.
Holding back the fact that I was hurt. I’m already worried about what to say to my siblings.
Still, surviving made me express my gratitude first.
“…Thank you.”
“I’ve cleaned your room. The kids haven’t seen it yet.”
“…Thanks.”
The room was a mess because the blood didn’t stop, and I was carried out by Jaehyuk, who came running after receiving my call instead of dialing 119.
The shaky car, the noisy siren, and even the light patterns I saw when entering the operating room – the situation before losing consciousness was only fragmented.
But it was enough to know that I was alive because of him.
So, despite the inexplicable situation I couldn’t explain, I could sense his concern with just a glance.
Nevertheless, I hesitate to explain my circumstances.
It’s not a major problem that the story I have to tell is unrealistic.
He knew I wouldn’t blabber about something life-threatening.
I’m not hiding it because I’m afraid they won’t believe my story.
The lack of certainty stems from the fact that even I know very little at the moment.
“The amount of information is limited, and what has been confirmed is minimal.”
In such a situation, is it okay to inform them about the game?
What if they get involved and things go wrong?
The remnants of the monster I killed flicker before my eyes.
It felt like I could see the corpse I had killed.
“No.”
Let’s keep it hidden for now.
It’s not appropriate for the two of them without Mana to get involved in this.
It’s better to exercise caution until there’s confidence that I need to speak.
I maintained silence in front of two, who were sending me heated glances.
Perhaps my attitude had worn thin on their patience.
“It was something related to your life. Still, you can’t say it?”
Jonghoon’s voice, as he opened his mouth again, had become stern.
I met his gaze squarely and replied, “Not now.”
Although I spoke with a firm tone, the subsequent sound of a sigh betrayed my uneasiness.
I could sense that this interrogation originated from their concern.
“Alright.”
Fortunately, Jonghoon accepted my decision after a short silence.
“You’re not a thoughtless guy, so I wait.”
I finally relaxed. If I had tried to talk my way out of this, it would have been quite challenging.
Given the trust they showed by waiting despite my choice of silence instead of explanation, it was possible.
“Let’s confirm the injuries, though.”
Jonghoon, in a nonchalant tone, muttered as he approached.
After removing my patient gown, he began inspecting my chest and sides.
After a moment, he sighed deeply and mumbled, “It’s strange that you are perfectly fine without an oxygen mask…”
I glanced at the oxygen mask lying on the bedside. I had torn it off in discomfort upon waking up.
It was slightly damaged, but fortunately, Jonghoon didn’t seem particularly interested in it.
There was something more eye-catching than the half-crushed oxygen mask.
Following his gaze, I saw my exposed wounds and couldn’t help but sigh.
“Is it only a day since this happened?”
“You’ve been brought to the hospital for about 22 hours.”
Despite that, the wounds were already healing.
It was visible to the naked eye.
“Surely…”
Returning to the room, I had been in considerable pain, even breathing.
But now I was perfectly fine, ready to leap out of bed.
“It wasn’t just about physical strength.”
The influence of Mana seemed more significant than I had thought.
“Was Ethan able to survive in that state because of this recovery ability?”
Recalling Ethan, who had barely clung to life until the mission was over, I couldn’t help but sigh.
Until now, I had not realized that the injuries healed immediately after the mission.
“Is it difficult to explain this too?”
Unlike me, who sighed, Jonghoon asked calmly.
“…Yes.”
“Then, let me organize it from my perspective. Of course, medical records will be kept. Don’t worry about hospital bills; I’ll take care of them.”
I nodded silently.
“Thank you.”
Jong-oon did not delve deeply into my response, seemingly aware of my need for privacy.
The room was silent for a while, filled only with heavy silence.
“For now, let’s observe your condition a bit more before discharge. Rest.”
“Yes, sir.”
As Jonghoon left the room to attend to his duties, I felt a sense of relief.
If I had been forced to explain this to him, it would have been quite challenging.
Despite choosing silence over an explanation, there was enough trust to wait until I was ready.
“Well, can’t you tell me?”
Due to our long-standing relationship from childhood, we knew each other better than our parents did.
There had been many times when I confided in Jonghoon, especially after our parents passed away.
But this time, it was different.
“Let’s talk later when things are a bit more sorted out.”
I extended my hand.
“If I were the type to nag, I would have already said it.”
With a short laugh, Jaehyuk wiped his face with a dry towel.
“Then let’s ask about something else.”
“Whatever.”
As I responded with a nonchalant tone, Jaehyuk’s expression grew more serious.
“Could something like this happen again?”
I replied casually with a light gesture.
Jaehyuk let out a deep sigh as if the ground had caved in.
“If you’re going to get hurt, either become a doctor first or get hurt after that. What is this?”
It was an annoying remark, but I didn’t feel too bad about it. I understood it was his way of joking and expressing concern.
“My expression must not look good.”
He was trying to lighten the mood somehow. So, I responded with a lighter heart.
“Why wait for that? You haven’t even passed the internship yet.”
Jaehyuk is currently a medical student. What’s the use if he hasn’t even passed the national exam?
“It’ll happen soon. Why not wait a few more years and get hurt? I’ll treat you then.”
“Nonsense.”
As Jaehyuk and I exchanged somewhat pointless words, the tension that had unknowingly lingered began to ease.
It felt like my everyday life had finally returned.
Yet, there was still a heavy and eerie feeling in a corner of my mind.
[Main server (Earth) stabilization: 2.039%.]
Because of that sentence, it firmly settled in the corner of my sight.
Recalling the moment I started the tutorial, it felt suffocating.
‘After stabilization comes activation.’
The beta server went through two stages. So, the main server is likely to go through a similar process.
When that happens, today’s events could repeat endlessly.
I steadied my mind, recalling my parents whom I met in a dream.
No matter what happens, I must endure.
‘I will never die.’
I can’t tread the path they did.
I will not do something as foolish as leaving only twins behind.
***
When Jaehyuk left the room, leaving me alone.
I opened the Storage Window and clenched my fist when I saw two bundles of 50,000 won bills.
“Ten million won.”
I took it out.
“Is this real money?”
At first glance, it looked perfect.
I searched about anti-counterfeiting devices on my phone just in case, but it didn’t seem like counterfeit money.
I took a deep breath, swallowing dry saliva.
If this was real currency, it would be worth rolling on the ground and getting bitten by a monster.
It was money that could be earned by working for four months, even with reduced sleep.
“I should buy laptops for the kids.”
Apply for the academies and online courses they want.
I have to use it without going through a bank if possible.
After starting the damn game, oddly enough, I felt good.
I put the money back into the Storage Window and took out a small box the size of my fist.
‘Random box.’
Just by the name, it seemed like a gacha game item.
[Do you want to use a random box (×1)? (Y/N)]
After a short hesitation, I pressed the yes button, and the box glowed brightly.
What remained in my hand afterward was just a piece of paper.
[Shop free pass (×1).]
My expression tightened.
‘Giving out free passes even before the shop opens?’
It’s not like I’m going to eat it, and it’s an item that can’t be used right away.
“Sigh…”
I sighed deeply and shoved the free pass into the locker.
I’ll check it when the shop opens later.
With my head lowered, I opened the status window.
Player Kang Hyunwoo (Beta Tester)
Mana: 1439.53 (Attribute Mana: 33)
Chaos Index: 12.68%
Affiliation: Earth
Race: Human (Player)
Grade: Alpha (A)
Attribute: –
Abilities: ?????, Assimilation, Dedication, Mana Manipulation (11.09%), Sensory Expansion (0.14%), Purification (lv.1 – 0.00%)
The mana had decreased by about 30 from the last time I checked.
I endured, but some seems to have been taken away by the system.
“Tsk.”
I clicked my tongue and looked at the other contents.
I still don’t know what Assimilation and Dedication are.
‘Judging by the system message, it seems to be related to proficiency in mana manipulation…’
There’s nothing clear.
The newly acquired Sensory Expansion seems familiar.
‘It felt like time slowed down when it activated.’
If I practice consistently, it will be helpful in battles.
Lastly, I glanced at the Chaos Index and the record of the contaminated mana I absorbed.
Based on my own experiences so far, contaminated mana induces impulses of murder or survival.
It also seems to incite anger.
Considering that, when the Chaos Index was high, I couldn’t control my anger.
After confirming the Chaos Index of around 10%, my eyes focused on the grade and abilities.
‘Alpha and Purification.’
The description in the manual only had information about Delta.
There was no information about Alpha except that it was the highest grade.
But today, I found out a few things.
