POV:
I don't have a mother. She left me at the age of 5 and went to start another family somewhere else. My father was an alcoholic, he was sent to prison for theft and rape.
All that's left is my grandmother. She's already old as she is, but she still needs to do manual labour. For my sake. Because I wouldn't leave her.
Her monthly allowance wasn't able to completely cover for the both of us. Why didn't she tell me? I was too young and naive to understand at that time. I did not know the trouble I've been causing her simply by existing.
Even worse, I complain about how little food we get. The lack of extra snacks. Not having the newest toy. So why? I was an annoying brat through and through. Why did she have to put up with that?
It wasn't until I was much older that I realize what she's doing is not something she should be doing. I was old enough to understand that, and I stopped asking for unnecessary things. I could've done it earlier if she told me.
By this time, I've already finished studying grade 5. Grade 6 was impossible, because my grandmother fell ill. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. A term I could not understand.
I stopped grade 5 to save money for her medical bills. Of course, it wasn't even close to enough. During this time, I've been brought over to my uncle's household. They contributed to the payment for her medical bills.
They doctor assured me she'll be fine. I trusted him. I had hope she'll become better as time progresses. I believed him. I even cried my tears out in front of stranger's family in their own home begging them to continue providing medications for my grandmother. I even sat by her everyday, so much it became a normal occurrence for me. But her condition only grew worse.
Why did I trust a money-hungry fiend? One day, by accident, I heard the conversation between the doctor and the nurse. They thought I was asleep.
"Dad, isn't there no cure for Alzheimer's disease? Why did you lie to the kid like that? He's been coming here everyday for the past few weeks. I feel so bad."
"Listen, Casey. Let me give you an advice from a veteran. That kid cares deeply for the old lady. As I've seen from his parents, they really could care less about the old lady. Medications like those are the most expensive, but they also yield us a lot of money in the long run. If we let the family be, they'll eventually stop buying medications for her. We can't have that."
"And here's where that kid comes into play. With the kid around begging to save her poor grandmother, the adults would be more obligated to go for a little longer. You must milk out as much money as you can even if it means underhanded methods. You won't go to prison for simply giving a child hope. Besides, I only said she'll be fine. It's all on that naive kid to think she can be cured at all."
I bursted into a fit of rage and stormed into their room. I wanted to kill him. It felt good at the moment. Jumping on him and giving him a good few punches to his face, before someone pulled me off him. My uncle's family also came in to see the commotion I was causing.
"It's all because of him! He's not human! He's a demon! He's only doing this for money! Let me punch him! Let go of me! I want to punch him!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. I bit and kicked everything to the ground. This man doesn't belong in a hospital.
A sharp sting woke me from my rampage. My uncle slapped me, with enough force to fill the room with it's echo.
"We're sorry about this, doctor. We'll be sure to pay for all the collateral damage this kid has caused. We'll also have my mother discharged tomorrow. We're terribly sorry for today."
No, why are you apologizing to him? He's the monster, here. Why?
Why? Why is your daughter staring at me with that look? Why?! Do you feel sympathy for me?! Are you looking down on me?! What I did was right! He deserved that...
As I was carried away, with my body on my uncle's shoulder, I could see the doctor's smile. The sly smile of a demon. Why is he smiling? It's like I lost. Why?! Why am I the one losing?! He's the one who's wrong! Why's the nurse looking away? Tell them the truth! Why won't you? I embarrassed myself for nothing? I wasn't even winning even though I caught him red-handed?
The crowd. People are looking at me with sympathy. Stop. No, why me? He was the one who—
"Poor kid, he's lost it."
"Causing this much damage, his parents must be disappointed in him."
"Such act of degeneracy, is he even raised properly?"
No, stop.
"I feel embarrassed just looking at him, mommy."
"I'm so glad my child doesn't act like that."
"I'd be ashamed if I was his father."
Why...
I couldn't lift my head the entire car ride back. I don't understand.
I don't understand.
I don't understand.
I don't understand.
I don't understand.
I don't understand.
I don't understand.
I don't understand.
I don't understand.
I don't understand.
I don't understand.
I don't understand.
I don't understand.
I don't understand.
"Sorry for slapping you earlier, Carlos."
My uncle's voice. I still don't understand. I don't want to lift my face.
"I understand what you're feeling. I was thinking the doctor was a little fishy, too. Though, I had to pay for quite the damage you caused, I'm sure you have your reasons, right?"
Those were the exact words I wanted to hear. Tears rolled down my face. Why am I crying? I didn't even cry back then. Why now?
"Let's hear you out when we get home, alright?" His voice was so gentle. I wished I had a father. Would it be okay if I...
I nodded my head. My tears are flooding my vision. I can't see anything. It won't stop.
I was able to calm down a little when we got back. I explained everything I heard to him, he and his wife listened to me throughout the whole session.
"I see, no wonder I thought it was more expensive than I last researched, they were overpricing it. You did good, Kasai. What you did was not wrong, but it's not the right one, either. Next time, make sure to tell me first before doing anything, okay?"
I nodded. He's right. I should have told him.
"What about grandmother?" I asked.
"Don't worry about her. We'll find a better hospital for her with doctors who actually care for her, okay? It's late now, you should head to sleep."
"Okay." I wanted to thank him. Why didn't I say it? I just walked and walked. I can do it tomorrow, there's no hurry.
I went up to my room and laid in my bed.
Thirty minutes have passed and I still couldn't sleep. It's still in my head. I won't be able to sleep if I don't say it.
I left my room and worked my way down slowly. I wanted to try saying it.
"Thank you, Father. Good night." I wanted to say it.
"So are you really planning on spending more of our money on a dying old hag?" It's his wife's voice.
"Of course not, honey. We've already wasted enough money on her. I'll just tell Kasai we couldn't find another hospital for her. With Kasai's ruckus back in the hospital, we were given an opportunity to get her out of the hospital for tomorrow. All we have to do now is wait for her to pass away quietly by herself."
"And by law, that means we get to keep the house right? Seriously? She thinks her daughter will come back to that home and live happily ever after with her son? Her husband is in prison for heaven's sake! She's so delusional."
"Stop it, dear. Her birthday is coming up tomorrow. Try to show her as much hospitality as possible."
"I can't believe it. We're still celebrating a dead woman's birthday? Just seeing her face ticks me off. Have you seen the way she speaks? She literally has the memory of a goldfish!"
"Let's just endure it a little more. Once she's gone, we can sell the house and buy ourselves a new one. With the remaining money, it's more than enough to live for 3 years. No matter how you think about it, it's free money."
"Oh, how I love you, dear. I can't wait for her to drop dead. Can we get new car? I want to go on vacations everyday."
"Anything that makes you happy, honey."
I sat on my bed, hugging my knees.
I did it. I quickened her death. She could have lived longer if I didn't interfere. I thought what I did was the right choice.
Right choice, my ass. Who do I think I am? Some hero? I know nothing. I never knew anything. I should've just let it be, before things became like this.
I should pretend I never heard that. I don't want to cause more harm to my grandmother than I already have. I'm tired of this. This world is unfair. Why her of all people. I just want her to not die...
I don't want her to die.
I didn't sleep that night. I couldn't stop crying. I cried until I had no tears left and cried even more.
The next day came. They waited outside the hospital for my grandmother and welcomed her into the household.
That night, many guests came by. Some where old friends of her, but most of them are my uncle's friends.
I thought about it this time. I'll tell her. I'll expose them. I'll use words this time unlike last time. I'll convince my grandmother to sell the house and cover for her own medical bills. I'll work hard and earn money so it doesn't run out. I'm keeping her alive.
We sang her the song and wished her happy birthday. Just as she was about to blow the candles, she stopped.
"Tommy! My silly dear. You got my age wrong! I'm still only 64! Why does it say 75 here?"
Everybody was stunned. The happy atmosphere quickly turned quiet.
"Mom! Did you forget? You're still taking medications for your condition. You're 75 years old, already. Must I need to keep reminding you that?" My uncle jumped in to explain to her.
"Nonsense! I'm not that old!"
"You are! But don't worry, we'll get you treated soon and you'll remember everything again!"
Is he trying to keep his reputation by putting on an act? Now's my chance.
"Grandma! Uncle is trying to take advantage of you! He's lying about your medications. He's waiting for you to die so he can sell your house and use it for himself! Please, grandmother, just sell the house and pay for your own medications! We can't trust them!"
I can see my uncle's face filling with rage.
"Who is this ill-mannered child spouting nonesense on my birthday?! Who raised him?! Someone take him out of here!" She screamed. Her face filled with rage.
Huh?
"Grandmother, it's me! I'm Carlos, your grandson!" I became desperate. What happened to her?
"Grandson?! You're not my grandson! My grandson is still only one year old! He was just sleeping soundly with Oliver! There is no way my grandson will grow up into an insolent brat like you! My grandson will never! My grandson—"
Her mouth stopped. She squeezed her chest like she's feeling immense pain. She was also hyperventilating. But I didn't notice her. I was too absorbed in my thought.
Huh? Grandmother, You've never gotten mad at me. Not once. You've never raised your voice no matter how badly I mess something up. No, you never once scolded me. I wished you did so I could become a better person, but why now? Why here when it mattered the most?
Are you saying you hold on to the memories of that failure of a mother more than me? You remembered her name but not mine? I, who stayed by your side everyday watching over you and making sure you're comfortable. I wanted to repay you for your unconditional love towards me. I was also the only person who didn't leave you, and you forgot about me?
I didn't notice her until her body fell on the ground. Her body wasn't moving.
The first thought I had was she's dead. She really was dead. Of everyone in the room, I should be the one crying the hardest. I didn't cry. The life in my eyes faded as I stare at her body.
My uncle rushed to her side. No one was talking. After a careful inspection, Tommy hugged her body and cried his tears out.
"Mother, how? How could you leave me like this?!"
He proceeded to talk about his love for her and how much more he wanted to do for her.
I glared at his face. It's fucking disgusting. This is my limit.
"YOU TWO-FACED FUCKER!" I lashed out at him and struck his jaw with all my might. It was enough to send him facing the other way.
He punched me on the abdomen.
"IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!" He yelled.
"FUCK Y—"
Another punch connected to my face and a tooth fell out.
"YOU'RE THE CHILD OF A DEMON! I REGRET BRINGING YOU TO OUR HOUSEHOLD. LOOK AT WHAT YOU'VE DONE!" It was the loudest shout I've ever heard in my life.
"LEAVE! YOU DO NOT BELONG HERE. PACK YOUR THINGS AND GET OUT!"
"Is she dead?"
"He was given food and shelter, what an ungrateful child."
Fuck you.
"I feel bad for the Blithestone Family."
Fuck you.
"Poor lady, no wonder his family left him."
Shut the fuck up.
"Does he not feel anything for his grandmother?"
"I've never seen anyone act like that."
Fuck.
"The old lady did not deserve this."
"I would have done the same and thrown him out."
Fuck.Fuck.Fuck.Fuck.Fuck.
"He doesn't even feel the slightest guilt."
"He's hopeless. The family did all they can."
"He's truly the son of a devil."
FUCK.
The ceiling. It's the same ceiling of room 5542. And the same nightmare.
For crying out loud.
~~
Hajime's POV:
I opened the door to find Rye standing right in front of my dorm.
"Good morning, dude!"
"How long have you been standing there?"
"5 minutes!"
"And how long you gonna do that?"
"I could wait an entire hour!" He lifted his chin like he's proud of it.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed a person walk out of room 5542.
"Tch."
He left.
"Hey, Mea! Hajime is awake. Let's go!" Rye called out in excitement.
"I can't believe you actually waited for him." She sounded annoyed.
"Hey, Mea and I are going to check out the park. You wanna tag along?"
"Sorry, I actually have things to do in the morning." I declined his offer.
"Eh... that's a shame."
"It can't be helped, it's only going to be the two of us, then." Mea gave him a quick smack on the back, she sounds happier now. I see, so that's how it is.
The three of us took the elevator. I could just jump off, but Kenji would probably go ballistic if I overdo it.
"Well, see you, Hajime." He waved at me before getting dragged along by Mea.
Last night, I was helping out with "volunteer" cleaning since I'm one of the few who finished last. Haruto informed me about role-call, saying it's extremely important and I shouldn't miss it.
Basically, you scan your profile and it keeps the record of people who leave and stay. It's also an effective way to count the people present in the dormitory and find who's missing.
I met those two on my way to "sign-off." A term we use to indicate we're heading back to our respective dorms. Those two had already made up by the time I saw them.
I didn't ask much since Rye wasn't really talking about it. We went to our own rooms and that was it.
Even if your mind can gets tired, there's no sleep deprivation. I see no reason to sleep other than to do it every five days, so I stayed up all night exploring the simulation.
I didn't really learn much other than how to handle different weapons. It's also a good place to practice fighting techniques. You can create empty practice rooms and materialize anything you want inside.
I used the practice room to experiment with literally everything I could find from weapons to map creation. That's right, you can make your own chapters, and all the ones I've played were made by others. Other than that, there isn't really anything else new.
"Hey." I called out to the only person standing next to the plant pot.
Haruto also told me to meet here in the morning. Apparently, Kenji assigned me to help out with information gathering in the library. That means I'll be going there with Haruto from now on.
Of course, he said I'm free to decline or even do it partially while maintaining my own free time. It doesn't really matter either way since I was gonna do the same.
Haruto stood up and we both headed to a different direction.
"Seems like there's a library near the dormitory, too. Want to check it out?"
"Sure."
I wonder if the books are the same. If so, this route would be way faster than always returning back to the spawn point.
I couldn't tell. The structure is the same, but I can't tell if the books are, too. The library was packed with hundreds of people. The second floor was spacious enough to fit another fifty, maybe.
Haruto also mentioned another library. Just how much people would be in here if that second library didn't exist? It's a relief to know this isn't the worst it can get.
"Should we find a table?" Haruto asked.
"I think I'll take the time to walk to the spawnpoint." I told him.
"You don't like tight spaces?"
"Well, many books are occupied here. I don't have much freedom."
"Oh, alright, then. This is just voluntary work, so I don't really have a say on it."
"You're staying?"
"Yeah, Kenji appointed me to be in charge of keeping order here." He pointed at a badge under his chin.
It's located in underneath his chin because the pierced area around the chest would regenerate and crush the pin. However, two areas in our body have are softer than the other sections for some reason. Those two areas are the ear lobes and the skin underneath our chins. And also some personal parts.
Piercing a decent size badge like that on our ear lobes is obviously out of the question. And thus, this absurdly placed badge.
We parted ways after that. The way to the spawn point didn't take long since I ran this time. Running becomes difficult with our light-weight body since there's not enough weight to constantly keep our feet on the ground.
If you ran normally, you would get tossed up the air by a tiny bit but that alone is enough to make you lose momentum. And that problem is solved by simply absorbing water. The water will still escape from my body so I had to keep movement to the minimum when running to ensure I get the longest duration on my running mode.
It did completely evaporate on the way but the rest of the distance didn't take very long. The library's door was already open, I guess someone's inside.
"I thought about it, the idea of separating territories seemed pretty absurd so let's completely scratch that." There she is sitting on the second floor with her attention still attached to the book she's reading.
"Sorry, wrong person." I raised my hand slightly and did a little shake.
"Shut up! I know it's you!" She stood up and moved her hands to the side in a fit of emotion.
"How do you know it's me?"
She composed herself and sat back down. "I just know."
I took the stairs up.
"Since you're talking to me, now. You aren't mad anymore?"
"Of course, I'm still mad. I still can't get over the fact my breasts were touched just for the sake of curiosity." She looked away like hmph.
"No, technically you were the one who made me touch it." I countered.
"Shut up!" She yoinked a book at me. It hit my head and bounced to the floor.
"Speaking of which, how long have you been here?" I sat on the table next to hers.
"About 2 months." Her gaze was back on the book.
"And what's on your progress on the library in the two months you spent?"
"I finished it. All the books. About a few days ago." She said.
"Then why are you still reading them?"
She didn't answer me but instead flipped a page. "The Art of Composure" is the book title.
I read the book I picked up, too. We didn't talk much after that.
"I'm still curious why you needed the bathroom." I blurted out
The unexpected topic made her hit the table with her head.
"Ow! Why are you asking that all of a sudden?"
"It's killing me, I want to know."
"There's excretion, alright? Just not what you think it is."
"How often is it?"
"About a day and a half."
"So I'll know soon."
"You better use the bathroom when it comes."
"And if I don't?"
"You'll just embarrass yourself."
"I see."
The conversation ended, again.
~~
More hours went by. This was a peaceful library.
"Do you walk all the way here because you like the quietness, too?" I asked.
"Yeah. Why do you keep asking random questions?"
"It's just that... I feel like you have something to ask me since I first walked in." We both continued reading our books while conversing.
She gave me the silent treatment for a while.
"Well, I already asked you three questions. We could turn this into a give and take." I suggested.
"Then... what was your rune during the beta-test?" She finally asked me something.
"I don't know. Never activated it."
"Huh? What color is it?"
"Gray. A dark shade of gray."
"There might be clues on it inside the archives."
"You think so? I'll check it out later."
"You're not even curious to know?"
"I am. I'll take that as your third question. It's my turn now."
"You considered that the third one? That's cheap!"
"It's still a question. Now, how about your rune?"
"I got a green one."
"Oh, so you have green hair."
"Yep. I can manipulate my hair freely and extend it."
"Won't you go bald if you come across someone with a scythe?"
"They also harden a little. So a normal scythe won't harm it. You just asked me two questions, it's my turn now."
"The last question was part of the first one. That's cheap."
"I don't wanna hear that from you."
She giggled a bit.
"What is your highest tier rune?"
...
"A tier IX."
"Huh?"
"A tier IX."
"HUH?!"
She's completely lost her composure. I told Haruto I had a tier VII. That's because he didn't ask for my highest tier. I just knew this was going to be their reactions.
"What rune is it?!"
"Paralysis Teeth."
"Huh? Isn't that from an ant colony monster in stage 4?!"
"Yeah."
"Paralysis teeth?! Your tier IX was flipping PARALYSIS TEETH?!" She's really starting to lose every sense of calm inside her. Paralysis Teeth was considered useless by everyone. It simply stings what you bite.
"It's not really a matter of choosing. I got it to tier IX precisely because it's paralysis teeth."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Your free uses for question-asking is over. It's my turn now."
"Answer me! What do you mean?!" She started shaking my shoulders violently.
"What I'm saying is, the runes for paralysis teeth are easy to obtain, hence I was able to upgrade it to tier IX."
"Easy to obtain?! They attack in groups and live in colonies! What are you talking about?!"
"Your free use for question-asking is over and you've used up your bonus question. It's my tu—"
She stood up while I was talking, slammed the table and brought her face close to mine.
"ANSWER ME!"
"And If I don't?"
"Then I won't talk to you."
"That's fine by me."
"Ugh, I take it back! I'll answer your questions, okay? Geez."
"So what are all the runes you possessed before dying?"
"That's not fair! I only asked for one of yours!"
"What can I do? You didn't choose your words right."
"I'm never signing a contract from you."
"You flatter me."
"Shark Skin V, Strength IV, Enhanced Senses IV, Warm Blood III, Eagle Eye III, Mind Acceleration III, and Venom Blood I."
"That's a good collection." Since I heard she was an adventurer, I was hoping she had a rune I've never heard about.
"Shut up, now answer me."
"Calm down, you still owe me one question."
"What is it?!"
"How did you die?"
"I got trapped in a snake pit. I managed to escape it but the poison was already too hard to extract at that point."
"Didn't you have Venom Blood?"
"I did. The poison was too much, I guess. Wait, you asked me another question! Now you owe me two!" Looks like I'm falling victim to my own game.
"Okay."
"How about you?"
"I got pinned to a pillar and bled to death."
"It's Helkeim isn't it?" I'm surprised.
"Yeah. You just asked another question so now we're even."
"I COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT IT!" She exclaimed.
"How do you know it's Helkeim? You should have already been dead long before we fought it." As far as I know, there's no way to communicate with the remaining people in Worlds.
"Hehe, curious? I'll tell you if you tell me about your tier IX, first."
"Never mind then, I'm not interested."
I stood up.
"I should head back now." I said as I head for the stairs.
"Wait, you started the questioning so it should end with me. I have one final question."
I turned around to look at her, she's really persistent.
She hid her lower face with the book she's holding.
"Do you have a love interest?"