In a very old house, there's a woman on the verge of death. She is my mother. Just a week ago, she was doing just fine but then my father found her on the kitchen floor, unconscious. She looked so pale and she was struggling with every breath. I stopped attending school and club activities to take care of my mother but she hasn't gotten any better.
" Yuriko, I will go around town to find medicine. Take care of your mother while I'm gone. " My Dad said.
He looked so tired and depressed with my mother being badly ill. That's natural, of course. Same goes for me, who was supposed to be cheerful and carefree. I stood up and grabbed my red tracksuit.
" Dad, I will go. You should sit down for now and watch Mom… "
" It's okay, I can go find medicine myself- " his sentence interrupted by his coughing.
" I can't lose both of you. Leave this to me, I'll be back before you know. "
After wearing the tracksuit and getting all the available money, I left the house and started running to town. I went to every nearby pharmacy and got nothing. It's not because I can't find the medicine, but because my money wasn't enough. But this is all we had and we still haven't paid the house rent yet.
I stopped by the corner of a street to catch my breath. My vision starting to become blurry as tears and sweat covered my eyes. Rubbing it all off my eyes, I looked forward and moved my feet to once again roam around town. I can't give up now, my mother...
" Old lady! Wait! "
I heard a man shouted behind me, when I looked at the crosswalk, there's the old lady and the truck is going to--
" WATCH OUT! "
Saving the old lady, I found my face inches away from the front of the truck. In that second, I can only say one thing.
" It's golden... "
- - - - -
poke
poke
What is that? Something's poking my side.
" Wake up, lucky one. "
I opened my eyes to the voice of an old man in front of me. Looking around, there's nothing but a never-ending stretch of light. This is obviously not the hospital.
" Who are you? Where am I? "
" Rest assured, nothing bad shall happen with you here. It's just that, your time has come. "
My time has come? I'm confused, this is not the hospital and I don't see anyone else. There are those clouds too.
…huh
" I'm dead. "
"Correct! But you have no need to think about that. I have great news for you! "
" What is it? "
What's so great about being dead?
" You're the lucky one who died by getting hit by The Golden Truck! "
Eh?
" So I will be giving you my blessing "
Ehh??
" and I will also give you infinite money. "
" Wait wait! Isn't this too sudden?! "
No way this is all true! Blessing from God? Infinite money? Yeah, no.
" Are you ready to start your new life in a new world? "
" No! Wait! I can't just die like this! My parents, I need to-- "
" Rest assured, they will still be with you. But now, you'll have the chance to save them. "
" Once you're ready, don't hesitate to jump down this hole right here. " He led me to a hole in the ground.
' Where did this hole come from? ' I asked myself as I look down.
" What would happen after I landed? "
Because for me, this hole, no, this whole thing is pretty shady.
" Do you want to save your parents? "
" Of course! "
" Then, jump. "
I looked down the hole once again, I wonder if all the things the old man said to me are true...
" Wait, you said in a new world, what do you mean by tha--?! "
With a push from the back, I feel myself falling down.
" May you be blessed, lucky one. "
- - - - -
" My head hurts… What is this? "
I got up and looked around me. I found myself inside an average wooden house, filled with various pieces of furniture; bookshelf, desk, chair, dining table…
and a bed with my dad sitting on chair near where my mom is!
" Dad, what's wrong? " I rushed towards them.
" Don't shout, Asher. Your mother... I think, she can't live much longer. " Dad answered me with a faint voice then I fell to my knees.
No, this can't be true. There's must be something I can do.
' Yuriko, no, Asher. Can you hear me? '
' This voice...God?! '
' Yes, I'm talking directly to your mind right now and it is to explain how you can save your mother. '
' Please tell me! I'll do anything! '
' Well then... '
I quickly stood up and made my way outside.
' First, you must go to town. '
I ran through the vast green field until I reached the town's gate.
' Second, find the guild house. '
Not even bothering to stop and ask people where the guild is, I looked at every single building as I passed by. Eventually, I saw this massive building with red banners hanging near the entrance. I rushed inside, capturing everyone's attention.
' Third, find the best healer. '
" I'm looking for the best healer! " Within seconds of saying that, a girl with blonde hair, dressed in a priest-like outfit and wielding a staff with a cross at the tip approached me.
" I am Ethel, I'm a B-rank healer. May I ask how can I assist you? "
' Lastly, pay them and explain the situation. '
' Pay? But I don't have any money with me. '
' You do. Check your pocket. '
I reached into the pocket of my pants and discovered a pouch. I handed it over to Ethel.
" This is… Isn't this too much for something- "
" Please help my mom! She's... "
- - - - -
I escorted the healer back to where my mom is.
" Dad, I brought a healer with me. "
" A healer? How did you…" He got cut off when Ethel walked towards the bed to check my mom's situation.
" How long has she been like this? "
" J-Just a week ago, she got weak and one day I just saw her unconscious. Since then, she can't move an inch and have trouble breathing. " Dad said.
" It is an affliction wherein the body's immune system turns against the very nerves it supposed to protect, leaving the person weak, paralyzed or to some cases… dead. "
" Please help my mom! "
Ethel looked at me with a strange look and diverted her gaze back to my mother.
" Let thy burden fade away, let thy suffering end tonight. With this spell, healing shall be sent in flight. "
I shielded my eyes from the blinding light coming from Ethel's staff. After few seconds, the intense glow subsided. I looked at Ethel who is smiling and then to my mom who seem to calmed down.
" Did it work? Is she alright now? "
" Your mom is strong. She's been trying to fight her illness and made it easier for me to heal her and… Yes, she is completely fine now. "
" Thank you so much for saving her! " My dad burst in happiness as he thanked Ethel.
" But... We don't have the money to pay you. "
"What do you mean? Your daughter already paid me. " Ethel said then showed the pouch of money to my dad.
" Asher did? " Dad looked at me with puzzlement.
Gently scratching my cheek, I took a step back.
" Your mom will wake up soon. Make sure to be here and greet her. I should take my leave now. " With that, the priestess headed towards the door.
" Thank you very much, Ethel-- " Dad suddenly smacked my head from above.
" Why?! "
" I apologize for my daughter. Kids nowadays don't know how to be formal. "
" It's okay, sir. Please don't worry about it. " Ethel said before finally departing from the house.
Dad closed the door and slowly turned around to face me.
" Asher. "
Asher? Who? Definitely not me.
Help.
" Where did you get the money? Did you steal-- "
" What? Dad, no! I wouldn't do such thing. "
But mom was sick, so I might've considered stealing.
" Let's just say someone from above gave it to me. "
" God, thank you whoever that person is. "
' You're welcome. ' God said.
I gazed at my dad who's caressing my mom's peaceful, sleeping face.
I stepped outside, taking in the fresh air of the new world.
" So... what now? "