CHAPTER 2
Vincent shivered as consciousness slowly returned to him.
Instinctively, he curled deeper into his blanket, seeking warmth, but the thin fabric did little to protect him from the damp chill in the air. He exhaled, watching as his breath formed small white puffs in the freezing room.
The rhythmic pitter-patter of rain drummed against the roof.
Then—
His eyes snapped open. His body jerked upright.
"Right!"
Yesterday.
His plan had been perfect. Flawless. His attempt at suicide should have been absolute—no room for error, no way out.
By now, he should be dead.
…So why was he still here?
Vincent's gaze darted around the room.
Was this… heaven?
No.
It was his room.
A heavy sigh escaped his lips, and he slumped back onto the bed.
"Looks like my perfect plan wasn't so perfect after all."
A second later, his brows furrowed as another thought surfaced.
"But… How did I get home?"
He had blacked out. He was sure of it.
By all logic, he should have woken up at the restricted site where he had attempted to die.
Yet, here he was.
Vincent let out an unbelieving laugh.
"I can't believe I actually sleepwalked."
He shook his head, utterly disappointed in himself.
Was this what he had been reduced to? Sleepwalking? As if being this lame wasn't enough, now he had to go ahead and make himself the lamest person to ever exist?
His eyes drifted to the framed picture of his mother opposite his bed. Then to the one of his grandmother beside it.
His throat tightened.
"I tried to die, guys…"
His voice was quiet.
"I told you, right? About the bullying? I know if Grandma were alive, she would have stormed into my school to fight for me. But now… what can I do?"
He lowered his head. His fingers curled into the thin blanket.
"Fighting back will only make my days on earth more dreadful considering their background. I can't afford to leave the school, I can barely even afford to survive a day…"
He paused.
"Dropping out is giving up on grandma's dream for me, which is way worse than dying. Strangely, dying turned out to not be a really bad thought, I'd be reunited with you guys at the very least. I mean think about it, everyone would die in the end, what's the deal with going a couple years early."
He stopped abruptly and sighed.
"...How cowardly of me, right?"
A tear slipped down his cheek. He wiped it away with the back of his hand, then forced a wide, exaggerated smile.
"But don't worry, okay? That will be the first and last time something like that happens! I'll find a solution. Maybe I really will just give up on school. Give up on becoming a successful lawyer… on fighting for the villagers' rights…"
His voice trailed off. His smile faltered.
That seems lame… I don't think I want to give up on my dream of becoming a lawyer…
His head lifted again, and this time, his grin stretched wider—genuine, if not a little bitter.
"Well, guess what? I'm the world's lamest guy!"
With that, he threw off the blanket and stood up—only to freeze when he caught sight of his reflection.
His uniform—his only uniform—was ruined.
Practically burnt rags clung to his frail frame, exposing his skinny bones.
"Oh, hell no! This is the only one I've got!"
Frustration surged through him. He yanked off the tattered fabric and tossed it into the bin, running a hand through his unkempt hair with an exasperated sigh.
His gaze swept over his cramped but tidy room.
There wasn't much to look at.
The kitchen was just a mini-fridge, a portable burner, and a narrow counter that doubled as both prep space and dining nook.
His school books were stacked neatly on a small table—a makeshift desk, really—while his sportswear lay folded beside them.
A worn curtain in the corner served as a partition, covering the toilet and shower stall.
There was no room for unnecessary furniture.
An overstuffed backpack, still damp from the rain, leaned against the wall, its contents spilling out.
A few photos and drawings—mementos from his countryside days—were taped up around the room, adding splashes of color to the otherwise dull gray walls.
And next to his bed—his crate.
His wardrobe.
His everything.
This was all he had managed to put together with the tiny savings from the annual rent of his inherited house.
He had chosen not to live in the building itself.
One—because it would be bad business. If the tenants discovered their landlord was just a high school student, they might take him for granted.
Two—it was too far from school.
So, he rented this place.
It was lonely. But at least… no bullies followed him home.
Grumble.
Vincent glanced down at his belly, which protested with a low growl.
Right. He hadn't eaten anything since yesterday morning.
Normally, he would have packed lunch, but… well.
He wasn't keen on eating food that had been smeared on his fat friend's butt.
"Friend, my foot. I'm better off alone."
Thinking about it pissed him off.
Wasn't that guy the reason he got involved in this mess in the first place?
And now, that same guy leeched off him, clinging to him like a parasite, thinking they were friends.
No matter how many times Vincent told him to back off, the idiot never listened.
"Frustration. Frustration. Frustration. Everybody loves frustration."
Then—
An electronic beep echoed in his ears.
A floating screen materialized before his eyes.
Vincent yelled, stumbling backward. His heart slammed against his ribs as he scrambled away from the glowing blue panel.
But it didn't move.
It remained, hovering in front of him.
A second passed. Then another.
Strangely… it felt familiar.
Vincent frowned, trying to remember.
Then his eyes widened.
"Right! This! This!"
He had seen this before—right before he died. Or… fell asleep?
So… it was real?!
Cautiously, he reached out, inspecting the rectangular display with growing curiosity.
His fingers passed through it.
The holographic screen glitched slightly at the contact before stabilizing.
Vincent blinked.
"This is… strange…"
As his attention shifted to the text displayed on the screen, a monotone voice entered his ears.
---
[You have received a new quest.]
Quest Title: Food Is Important
Quest Description:
[Food is essential for the body. A strong mind starts with a strong body, and a strong body starts with good food. Your body has been lacking quality meals for the past few years, and now the poor guy is complaining.]
[Spend a fortune on a very nice dish. Don't try to be smart about it, or you will fail this quest.]
Quest Reward: [+1 Common Card]
Quest Failure: [Death from severe and strange hunger.]
---
Vincent sat down on his bed.
Silence.
Seconds ticked by.
Then—
A wild, disbelieving laugh burst from his lips.