While I was sleeping, I felt movement around me. Someone was coming in—someone heading straight for me. I jolted awake, my body tense, heart racing. As I blinked away the remnants of sleep, I realized it was Gibbard approaching. Relief washed over me, and my heart, which had almost leaped out of my chest, began to calm.
I smiled awkwardly at Gibbard. Though I was still getting used to him in real life, he'd helped me so much during the game that I felt I owed him at least a smile. To my surprise, Gibbard smiled back—for the first time since I'd known him. So this man can smile, I thought. He looked younger when he smiled, for his age—mid-fifties, maybe.
"You sensed me, huh?" Gibbard said, still smiling as he came closer. "You've got good instincts, Kathy. That's why you're still here—safe and alive."
I smiled weakly, shaking my head. "No, Uncle Gibbard. It's thanks to you that I'm alive. If it weren't for you, I might've collapsed back in the second level."
He seemed a little taken aback, and I realized what I'd just said. "Oh, uh, sorry... I'm just used to calling people 'uncle' once I get close to them," I added quickly, feeling embarrassed.
But Gibbard laughed, a deep, genuine sound. It was nice to hear. He patted my head lightly. "It's okay, you can call me that. It's just... been a long time since anyone called me with a relation."
I frowned. "What about your family?"
He hesitated, not out of discomfort, but more like he wasn't used to being asked such personal questions. After all, he was the commander of the elite guard. I doubted anyone dared to pry into his life.
"I have none," he said finally.
"What?" The word slipped out before I could stop myself.
He nodded. "Yes, I was brought up here in the guild. My parents were part of the guild as well, but they passed away during an expedition when I was still a child. I've been here ever since." He paused, his expression unreadable. "This place, these people, are my family now. Astrid, Aiden, and Liam all grew up here too. It's their home, just as it is mine."
I was quiet for a moment, absorbing that. "What about Damian?"
Gibbard's face softened slightly. "I don't know much about him. He came to me one day, determined to join the guild and get stronger. You might want to ask him about his past yourself."
I nodded, sensing that I was straying too deep into personal matters. "Right... Sorry for prying."
He waved it off with a smile. "It's fine."
Trying to steer the conversation into safer territory, I asked, "By the way, how do you know our code language? You weren't there during most of our training sessions."
Gibbard laughed loudly. "Who do you think taught your trainers the code language?"
I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. "Ah, right... of course!" I said, laughing at myself.
We talked for a little while longer, and Gibbard inquired about what had happened during the third level, since our communication had been cut off. He mentioned that Ryan's transceiver had been crucial in locating us, or else help might've arrived too late. "You and Karun had already lost so much blood. If Ryan hadn't acted quickly…"
I shuddered to think what might have happened. But talking to Gibbard now felt easy. The awkwardness I'd felt around him before was gone, and I found myself feeling more at ease in his presence. He often praised me for being brave, slipping it into the conversation in a way that felt sincere.
After chatting for a while,I yawned lethargy creeping in : Oh! I kept you awake, Good night Kathy he said.
Good Night Uncle Gibbard I smiled.
Gibbard stood up, patting my shoulder. "Get some rest. You need it."
He left the room, and I lay back down, trying to relax. But sleep wouldn't come easily. My thoughts kept drifting back to Kris—the NPC, the other half of me from my past life. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake him from my mind. When Gibbard had asked earlier, I only mentioned that there was an NPC who unlocked in premium mode and helped us out. I left out the more personal details... the emotional confessions, the memories of my past life. It was too much to explain.
My mind continued to race, but eventually, the exhaustion won out. As much as I resisted, my body was too tired to fight it. I drifted into sleep once again—this time, peacefully.