episode_0080

I returned to the hospital room.

This time, as the nurse who scolded me before had suggested, I asked someone else to cleanly remove the IV needle.

After taking off the patient gown I was wearing, I quickly took a shower.

However, it took quite a while to unwrap the bandages that were tightly wound around my body.

From my arms and legs to my abdomen and chest, I was wrapped up like a mummy.

Since almost every part of me, except for my head, was covered in bandages, it was quite a struggle to remove them on my own.

Anyway, after finishing a quick shower, I evenly applied the ointment given by the nurse to the particularly severe wounds on my arms, legs, and abdomen.

Then, I applied bandages over the areas where I had put the ointment.

It felt a bit awkward after such a long time, but considering I had been seriously injured before and had learned how to wrap bandages from my parents, I think I did a decent job.

After finishing wrapping all the bandages, I took out some clothes from the bag Elisha had handed me to change into.

There were several sets of clothes in the bag, each with slightly different sizes.

Probably because I didn’t know my exact size, I seemed to have bought as many similar items as possible.

Among them, I picked out a few clean and properly sized clothes with neat designs.

First, I chose a black cotton top in a comfortable size that wasn’t too big or too small.

For the bottoms, I selected a pair that fit well and matched the black color of the top.

Dressed in the clothes Elisha provided, I left the hospital room.

Although Elisha had told me to rest until tomorrow… well, she would probably understand.

Stepping outside the hospital, the streets were still bustling with people.

It was no wonder, as summer was approaching, making the outside very bright and warm.

Navigating through the crowded street, I moved forward.

Until the voices of people faded away and the bright sun set beyond the horizon.

I walked and walked.

After some time had passed, I arrived at the academy.

Raising my head, I saw that the lights were still on in the academy building.

Perhaps the teachers who hadn’t finished work yet were still there.

Nevertheless, I passed through the main gate and made my way to the back of the academy.

Recently opened behind the academy was a facility that could be called a warehouse, although it served various purposes such as dungeon exploration, different treatment facilities, and more.

According to the note given by the principal, Silia should be receiving treatment in this underground facility.

Approaching the building shaped like a warehouse, employees guarding the entrance blocked my path.

So, I handed them my student ID.

But the response I received was as expected.

“I’m sorry. Currently, only authorized personnel are allowed entry. Please turn back.”

“…”

So, not being able to meet Silia meant this.

However, I couldn’t just leave like this.

Silia had made great sacrifices for me.

Even breaking her own body, she protected me.

To disregard someone who went to such lengths for me is something no friend or human should do.

Even if she doesn’t regain consciousness, it doesn’t matter.

So… just once, I want to see her face in person.

Facing them, I replied firmly in a resolute voice.

“I can’t turn back like this. If you won’t step aside…”

However, my words were cut short by someone who appeared from behind.

“He’s my student. Just let him in.”

The one who appeared from behind had messy gray hair and a large scar on his eye.

Looking worn out, he had dark circles under his eyes like someone exhausted.

“Karon, is it.”

He suddenly appeared behind me, grabbing my shoulder and addressing the staff.

“And you all can leave for today. I’ll wrap things up here soon.”

“Alright, then. Take care.”

“We’ll head back first.”

“Sure.”

With that, the people guarding the entrance quickly left, leaving only Karon and me in front of the warehouse.

In a slightly awkward atmosphere, the two of us remained silent, maintaining only an uncomfortable silence.

Karon said nothing, just gazing at the bandage wrapped around my arm.

He raised his head, looked at me, and spoke with a somewhat apologetic tone.

“Bern, I’m truly sorry we couldn’t protect you.”

Karon continued speaking not in his usual stern manner but with a surprisingly gentle tone that didn’t match his rugged appearance.

“It’s our negligence that caused you to suffer such wounds that won’t easily heal. I’m sorry, Bern.”

“You have nothing to apologize for, Karon. No one is to blame for what happened. If anyone should apologize, it would be Silia.”

“…By the way, Bern. It seems like you came to see Silia. Did she get discharged from the hospital today?”

“The doctor said she has recovered significantly, so there shouldn’t be any issue with her getting discharged today.”

“Well, that’s a relief. Then, please guide me to where Silia is.”

“Thank you.”

And so, I started descending underground with Karon.

Silently, we descended floor by floor.

At one point, Karon beside me spoke up.

“Bern, Silia is receiving treatment in the therapy room on the third underground floor. If you plan to visit again, come find me. I’ll issue you a permit.”

“Got it, will do.”

“…And just so you know, Bern, what happened to Silia isn’t your fault.”

Finally, we arrived at the third underground floor where Silia was located.

There were quite a number of doctors and nurses present.

Passing through them, I approached the room where Silia was being treated.

Through the transparent glass on the wall, I could see Silia lying alone in the spacious room.

Unlike me, Silia’s condition was critical.

Just by looking at her, one could tell how dire her situation was.

Silia was not in good shape.

Her face was paler than before, and the severe wounds on her arms and legs made me wince.

But her expression seemed remarkably calm.

As if telling me not to worry.

As I gazed at Silia, a nearby doctor approached me and said,

“Do you have a personal connection with the patient?”

“Yes.”

“Well… While the patient’s condition has improved slightly compared to a few days ago, it’s still critical.”

“…”

“So, it may take quite some time before the patient wakes up.”

“I see.”

“However, we are doing our best. Please try not to worry too much.”

“Thank you.”

I turned away and began to move away from Silia.

At that moment, Karon beside me spoke up.

“…Are you leaving, Bern?”

“Yes, thanks for bringing me here, Karon.”

Seeing Silia in person gave me some relief.

Observing her expression, I now understand the path I must take.

I need to become stronger.

To create an ending where everyone can smile, one must become stronger.

Therefore, I cannot crumble here.

I will grow stronger and survive.

If the fate of dying as a mid-boss blocks my path, I will even burn that fate to ashes.

Yes, I will only move forward towards the conclusion.

A wall that can protect everyone.

It will become an unbreakable wall.

“Yes, I must go on. I cannot stop here.”

To survive, to protect.

I will keep moving forward.

…

Stepping outside, I looked up at the sky.

The sky was filled with bright stars shining beautifully like patterns embroidered on a dark canvas.

Even reaching out my hand in the clear sky without a single cloud,

The bright moon and the shimmering stars, the closer I got, the further they seemed to drift away from me.

I couldn’t grasp the tiny stars with my hands.

They all shone brightly in the black sky, just like the people around me.

Because they shone so brightly, I couldn’t possibly hold them with my rough hands.

Even so, I will not give up.

Because there was someone who didn’t give up on me, I could keep going.

Because there was someone who believed in me, I could run.

So, I can continue running forward.

When an overwhelming darkness approaches beyond measure,

Just push through the darkness with a brighter light.

Therefore, I move forward.

“Well then, let’s start by preparing a new weapon. Let’s start over from the beginning.”

Yes, it’s about steadily starting over and moving forward.

If you can’t run, then walk; if you can’t walk, then crawl.

Don’t stop moving, don’t stop progressing.

I am not a strong being like a fairy tale protagonist.

However, I can stand up without giving up.

If I fall, I will rise again and move forward.

That’s the only thing I can do.