Former Hero, Solo Play Oriented
Chapter 219

Whirrr.

“......”

The only sound filling the private hospital room was the hum of a medical capsule in operation.

Private rooms were expensive. But for Nagi, who required long-term hospitalization and specialized medical treatments, it was a necessity. Hiring caregivers also cost a fortune.

For nearly six years now, Sonakbi’s younger sister, Nagi, had spent her childhood confined within the cramped space of this hospital room.

Unable to move her body properly, unable to see the sun, subjected daily to painful treatments—her reality was a grim, colorless world devoid of joy.

One might expect the mind of a young girl to deteriorate under such conditions. However, advancements in modern science had provided solutions, even for mental healing.

The answer was virtual reality.

The medical capsule Nagi’s body was currently in was a testament to that progress.

Sonakbi gently ran her hand across the top of the humming capsule.

Nagi.

Are you having fun there?

You hate this bleak hospital room, don’t you? This gray world where you can’t move your body, where every day is filled with excruciating pain. Would being able to move freely in virtual reality help you feel better?

I can’t even hold you.

All I can do is watch you suffer.

Even though none of this is your fault.

Afraid that her selfish feelings might wound Nagi, Sonakbi could only keep her distance—so close yet so far from her little sister.

Whirrr.

“......!”

Startled by the sudden sound of the capsule lid opening, Sonakbi quickly stepped away and moved toward the window.

Nagi knew when her sister visited. She always knew.

Sonakbi hated her inability to talk to her sister properly. She hated the thought of Nagi being hurt by her silence. But even so, she couldn’t stay away.

Today, she had come earlier than usual to avoid interaction, hoping to leave quietly.

Whirr.

As the capsule’s backrest began to rise, revealing Nagi’s frail body, the sound of its mechanisms filled the room.

Sonakbi didn’t need to look to feel the hesitation in her sister’s movements.

“...Sister.”

The soft, faint voice of a girl reached her ears. It was weak but undeniably filled with warmth.

“You came early today.”

“......”

“I’m doing well these days. The treatments don’t hurt as much anymore. I think I’m almost better.”

That wasn’t true.

Nagi still had a major surgery ahead of her, one that required an astronomical amount of money. Without it, she wouldn’t recover.

Hearing her sister’s cheerful tone, clearly meant to reassure her, Sonakbi clenched her eyes shut, her throat tightening with suppressed emotion. She tilted her head back, fighting the heat rising in her eyes.

“...Today, I might talk about something you don’t want to hear.”

Her sister’s voice, coming from behind, grew quieter but carried a tone of resolve.

“I know, Sister. I know how much you’ve been pushing yourself because of my hospital bills and treatments.”

Nagi was already thirteen.

If her life had followed a normal path, she would have been in middle school by now. Though small and innocent, she wasn’t ignorant of the {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} struggles around her.

“There were times I wanted to give up because I didn’t want to keep living like this. I didn’t want to see you suffer because of me. But... if I gave up, it would only make you sad, right?”

“Nagi...”

Sonakbi hadn’t known. Not until this moment.

Her sister had carried thoughts of giving up—thoughts she hadn’t shared before.

Suppressing the cry rising in her throat, Sonakbi fought to keep her voice steady, to ensure none of her anxiety or despair seeped through.

Slowly, she turned her head.

There she was—Nagi, the little girl with short brown hair and a bright, innocent smile that hadn’t been tainted by her long years of suffering.

“I’m okay now. I’ve found a way forward, even in here. There are people who’ve helped me along the way.”

As she sat upright in the capsule, Nagi gave her sister a calm, radiant smile.

“From now on, I won’t let you carry all the burden.”

With eyes sparkling with determination, she looked at her sister one last time.

Whirr.

Then, she disappeared back into the capsule.

*

Whirrr.

Before I knew it, Chris had let herself into my room, and I found myself lying on my bed, with her gently patting me.

Chris looked down at me with a bright, cheerful smile.

I glared back at her, my expression filled with annoyance.

I had expected her to disapprove, but I didn’t think she’d oppose me this strongly.

It must’ve been because of what happened during the Azure Death King raid, what Chris calls the Rain Suicide Incident. It seemed to have left a deeper mark on her than I realized.

"From the start, I’ve thought that you don’t have to participate in the tournament," Chris said firmly. "Eventually, other players will complete the World Quest, the expansion will open, and then you and I can tackle raid dungeons together. I’m not stopping you from fulfilling your mission, but I really wish you’d avoid dangerous situations where I can’t reach you."

"If I win the tournament, I’ll get three legendary-grade Echo Stones," I countered.

"Is it the Echo Stones you want?" Chris tilted her head thoughtfully, her smile softening. "True, the success rate for crafting legendary Echo Stones is awful, and they’re practically impossible to find on the market."

She nodded as if she had made up her mind.

"I’ll make them for you. How much are Elite+ Echo Stones going for right now? Should I just sweep up everything in the auction house?"

"What?! No, you can’t do that!" I panicked.

"What do you mean I can’t? I’ve only made four so far, but I’ll make a full set of six for you this time, too."

"No! Absolutely not!"

I waved my hands frantically, horrified.

Chris’s tendency to disregard costs and simply do things for me was... well, a problem. Ever since she had started taking care of me, she disapproved of me trying to earn money on my own. No matter how big the expense, she always tried to shoulder it herself.

Even the goal I had been quietly working toward—buying the apartment next to Chris’s—was something I hadn’t dared to mention to her. If I did, I was sure she’d immediately overextend herself to buy it for me.

And so, at some point, I stopped talking to Chris about money altogether.

I had my own little stash on the side now.

"I just... want to do this," I said finally.

I, Isulbi, was slowly overcoming my permanent disability thanks to the strength passed down by my former comrades across time and space. My health was gradually returning.

But more than anything, I wanted to stand on my own two feet—by my own power.

I wanted to finish my remaining mission and live independently in this world.

To do that, I couldn’t skip this tournament with its enormous rewards.

Sure, with my knowledge of Astria Continent and my bug-like abilities, entering the tournament might seem unfair to regular players.

"But there are things there that I need to claim," I said firmly.

Even as Chris gently ran her hand through my hair, I couldn’t shake my sulky expression.

"So... how are you planning to change my mind?" Chris asked, her voice playful, a mischievous smile spreading across her face.

Having been with Chris for a long time, I knew this reaction well.

She was mostly convinced.

But she wanted her price.

Give and take.

Chris had something in mind.

And I knew exactly what it was.

"Ugh..."

I fiddled with my fingers, glancing at Chris’s expectant eyes before letting out a deep sigh.

Screwing my eyes shut, I blurted, "Close your eyes, Sis!"

"What?! Really?!"

"What do you mean ‘really’? Just close them already! This is embarrassing!"

"Ahh!" Chris clutched her chest dramatically, but she obediently squeezed her eyes shut, her face a mix of anticipation and fear.

On the bed, we faced each other, her eyes closed.

I leaned closer, my face inching toward hers. Why were my lips puckering on their own?

This reminded me of that time on the Astria Continent—during the Alfarion Empire’s palace ball, before it began, when we were alone in the VIP room.

Back then, swept up in the atmosphere, I nearly did something equally embarrassing. But now, I was about to do it of my own volition, all to get what I wanted.

Chris’s face grew closer and closer.

Smooch.

"Ahhh!"

I pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, and Chris shuddered, her face visibly lighting up with joy.

Oh no. My face felt like it was about to catch fire.

Whoosh!

Unable to bear the overwhelming embarrassment, I turned away from her.

"That’s it. We’re done," I mumbled.

"...That’s it?"

"What do you mean ‘that’s it’? Do you know how much courage this took?!"

Chris wasn’t satisfied with just a cheek kiss?

What more did she want?!

Unlike the childlike "Rain," Isulbi had the mindset of a proper adult. Even if Chris wanted me to act like that, this was just too much.

From behind me, Chris’s voice turned into a pitiful whimper.

"It’s not enough...!"

"Wha—?! Wait a second!"

Wham!

Chris grabbed me from behind and pulled me into a tight hug, rubbing her face against mine.

"More! Give me more!"

"Wait! Stop! Fine, okay, I get it!"

That day, it wasn’t until I had kissed Chris on the cheek seven times that I was finally set free.

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