Chapter 88: The cost of foolishness
1275 Words
On the next day, I decided to sneak out on the city without Shun knowing. If he doesn’t want to go with me then, I’ll find my way in testing my idea.
The day was bright same as the weather. The wind breeze feels good. Different from the city where I used to live. The air feels fresher and there is no pollution.
I have a dagger on my hand a dagger I bought at a low price in a weapon shop. It is quite sharp and I can see my reflection on it.
First, I have to go to the forest and find some low-level monsters. The reason for that is leveling.
Like in any other game. Higher-level means stronger. The higher level you became you’ll be granted to access many different things in the RPG world.
Remembering, I just got lucky in the fantasy world online and got skills that I can use to defeat other high-level players. For ordinary players leveling is the sure way to become stronger.
I got this idea after thinking about the adventurers and monsters.
Inside a game-like world, to level defeating monsters is the only way. Like in RPGs like Dragon quest, bravely default, and final fantasy.
To raise my level, I have to defeat monsters.
With blazing spirit, I dashed on the forest with my dagger in my hand.
“Monster… Monster… Get out… Get out, where ever you are.”
Using my dagger I marked the trees with arrows. Making the trail where I already passed. It was also a mark for me to locate my way back home.
Before sunset, I’m planning to go home so that Shun would never know. I also make sure that I take the path opposite to the path where Shun used to go. Shun and I won’t see each other out here.
I’m such a bad girl.
I’ve been wondering here for a while but I have never encountered a monster yet.
“Monsters where are you?”
I called with both hands on my mouth.
A sneaking sound was heard behind my back. From the bushes. I turned my body together with my dagger. Get prepared for combat.
“Rawwwwww!”
It growled.
In front of me was a giant bear with a long tusk on its mouth. Its claws were sharp and big. It's about three times my height.
I was expecting a low-level monster… I’m immediately given this high-level monster.
My body is trembling in fear.
Can I defeat this monster?
The bear monster charge forward and tackled my body. Immediately responding to its attack I jumped out on my left side. I dived to the thick bushes.
“Ouch… Ouch…”
I turned my glance to my knees and saw bleeding. Not just in my knee’s my palm and my shoulder also hurt.
“This is not a game…”
I quite understand now why Shun told me that it was dangerous. I got used to defeating monsters easily in a fantasy world online. I didn’t think about my current position.
I can see my flesh bleeding in this world.
This blood is real… It hurts.
“Rawwwwwwwww!”
It made another growl. Seems like it's angry after I dodge and got hit in the giant tree. Its tackle made the giant thick tree fall. If that attack manages to hit me. I’m killed.
The bear charge in my direction at full speed once again.
While I’m trembling in fear. I moved backward and slipped. My body rolled back to the slope.
“?!”
My body crashed into various obstacles like trees and rocks. I can feel my body having a severe fracture.
I covered my head with both of my hands. Ducking down for cover.
I fell to the small stream of water with a splash.
“Ahhhhh… I hurt… It hurt! Hah…Hah…”
Heavy breaths were released on my throat. On the water, I can see my blood flowing. My feet can move freely. The pain was too much for me.
A destructive sound was heard from the forest area. The Monster bear leaped to the sky toward the water stream where I'm currently in. It walked slowly sniffing the trail of blood.
If through it's moving slowly. I can only crawl for the moment. My dagger wasn’t in my hands anymore. Seems like I dropped it while I’m falling earlier.
“...”
Is this my last moment?
I just closed my eyes…
Then…
Opening it again.
“I won’t let you hurt Kaede!”
A black-haired bow-wielding an ax arrives. He swings his ax to the bear in full strength pushing it away.
Shun…
I can see his arguing face while he swings the ax. It seems like he wanted to kill the bear completely.
Shun stepped back for a moment. His ax lit up in blue color. After a brief moment of channeling. Shun ax moves in high velocity striking the bear monster's neck. Its blood sprayed down to the water.
Shun stand up and turned his face on me. His eyes were red and I can’t see his expression anymore.
I passed out.
…
I woke up back in our house.
“Awwww…” I cried in pain.
“Stay still… Idiot.”
Shun was beside me with a bowl of porridge in his hand.
My body hurt a lot. My body was covered with bandages. My feet, body, and arms.
Feels like I became a mummy.
I can’t lift my hands yet.
All I can do is turn my head to Shun.
Because I didn’t listen to what he's saying things turned out like this. I can’t look at him in the eyes. This is my fault. I was too naive to think that I can defeat monsters on my own.
“I’m sorry…”
“It’s fine.. the important thing is your alive… I was worried sick… I apologize I can’t take you to the hospital. The hospital takes lots of money. The small amount I’m earning always goes to tools and food. I have savings but they said it's not enough.”
“... Why you're apologizing to me? i***t… It's my fault… It's my fault.”
Shun made a big sigh and said:
“This won’t take us to anything for now. Eat this porridge and I will replace your bandage.”
When he said that my face blushed in bright red.
“Re-Replace my bandages… You’re the one who wrapped my body with these bandages… That means… My body… My body.”
“There’s nothing I can do about it. I need to disinfect your body and wrap it with a bandage… Also, I have bad news for you.”
“Eh?”
“The doctor who saw you said that you won’t be able to walk in your entire life ever again... Kaede, your cripple.”
I can’t walk ever again…
Wait...
“It's a joke right?”
“...”
“Stop saying that… Hey, Shun I can stand up after this bandage was removed right?”
“...”
“Hey… Tell me that I’m going to be okay… Please tell me…”
“...”
Based on his reaction, this is serious. I won’t be able to use my feet anymore.
Tears continuously dropped down my eyes. I can’t even cover my face.
“Sorry, I’m not good at talking… The doctor said that you should know so that you can eventually accept it.”
Shun was trouble and left the house for a while.
Right now, All I can do is cry till my heart is content.
- Writer
