Former Hero, Solo Play Oriented

“Ugh.”

I rose from the capsule and let out a groan.

Wrapping my shoulders, I shivered from the lingering pain still swirling inside my body.

Thud-thud, my heart was weak but beating fervently.

Whirr. Clack.

Just as I was gritting my teeth and battling through the pain, the sound of mechanical wheels rolled in from outside, and the door swung open.

I quickly swallowed the medicine brought in by the robotic assistant with some water. It was the painkiller and tranquilizer prescribed at the hospital last time. In this future era, medicine kicks in fast and has almost no side effects.

The pain inside me started to gradually fade, and my body began to calm down.

“Whoa.”

I felt drowsy. The effects of the medication hit me quickly, making me feel sleepy. Is there a sedative component in it?

My body was drenched in cold sweat. My clothes were completely soaked.

I need to wash up. I should eat dinner too.

At least I’m relieved that I didn’t get a nosebleed this time.

I lightly touched my face.

A leisurely smile lingered at the corners of my mouth.

I definitely felt good.

Today, I received what I deserved from my past self. Of course, it was conditional, but still.

But there was a problem.

Wiggle wiggle.

I sat in the capsule, waving my arms around. Then I slumped back down.

“I have no strength.”

Thanks to the medication, most of the pain had subsided, but getting up was still tough.

In the past, even if I were weak, I would have summoned every bit of strength I had to get up.

It’s all because that hunger mindset is gone. I’m not desperate enough to risk my life hunting for gold, and my body isn’t sending out alarm signals like it used to.

And if worse comes to worst, I can go to the hospital quickly. In this future world, going to the hospital means everything gets healed, and taking medicine means everything is better. No need for the divine powers of a saintess or priest. Ah, Elena sis, I’m sorry. It doesn’t mean I don’t need you.

Apologizing silently to my companion, I tried to lift myself up again.

Flail flail.

Knock knock knock.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

“Rain~? Can I come in?”

It was Sister Chris.

There was a touch of worry in her voice.

“Ah, just a moment.”

Flail flail.

I tried to get up again.

And then I gave up.

“…Come in.”

Click, thud thud thud.

Chris opened the door, checked my condition, and quickly rushed over with a slightly flustered expression, wrapping her arms around me.

“Rain, are you okay? My goodness…! Look at all this sweat! What happened!?”

“I-I’m fine.”

I lowered my head slightly, avoiding Chris’s gaze.

“Fine, my foot! You’re trembling all over! Should we go to the hospital?”

“I’m fine.”

This time, I firmly stated while looking into her eyes.

She paused.

Chris’s hands, which were checking my body, stilled for a moment. She lowered her hands and sighed.

“Okay.”

Then, locking eyes with me, she shot a determined look.

“If I really decide you’re in danger, I’ll drag you to the hospital regardless of your will. Got it?”

“…Yes.”

I nodded, keeping my head down. Chris hugged me tight.

I had pushed myself too hard without saying a word. That was definitely my fault.

The moment I returned to this world, Chris rushed over, meaning she had been keeping an eye on my connection status through messenger while I was trying to tackle the ‘Frostbite Tower’.

I didn’t want to worry Sister Chris, but did I instead make her worry even more?

“I’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry for?”

“For various reasons.”

“It’s fine.”

“I’m sorry.”

Chris just wanted to enjoy this beautiful Continent of Astria as a game.

Honestly, I didn’t even have the courage to explain it to her. Being bound by the shadows of my comrades and immersing myself in the mission was enough for me alone.

From the perspective of the people in this world, I would just look like a mentally ill person who couldn’t distinguish between virtual reality and reality.

The process of regaining my power from the past. The accompanying pain.

While receiving her unconditional kindness, I couldn’t reveal that hidden secret.

At the same time, I was grateful for her thoughtfulness, not probing into my situation.

For a while, I nestled in Chris’s embrace and repeatedly apologized.

I’m sorry. I’m sorry.

As I lay there in Chris’s arms, my body calmed down considerably. The pain had almost vanished.

Certainly, after living with Chris and receiving her care, I reaped the benefits of maintaining my health. If I had experienced this level of pain with my previous frail body, I would have already collapsed, bleeding from my nose.

My body felt better. But, there was a problem.

I pulled my face from Chris’s embrace and frowned slightly as I adjusted my clothes.

“It feels a bit damp.”

“Right? Can you wash up? If it’s hard, should we just change your clothes and let you rest a bit?”

My body still didn’t have much strength, but I was okay to shower. Still…

“Um….”

I felt sluggish and sticky. I wanted a full-body soak rather than just a shower.

I figured if I could immerse myself fully in a tub, I’d feel much better.

Since I’m already playing the spoiled card, should I ask for a bit more?

I stared at Chris intently.

“I… I want to take a bath. I think I’ll struggle on my own.”

“A bath?”

“Yes. I want to soak in the water for a full-body wash.”

I could manage a shower or a half bath, but taking a full-body bath would be tough on my own.

The biggest issue was the size of the tub. It was unnecessarily big for my small body.

Even if I stretched my short legs out, they wouldn’t touch the other side.

If my upper body slipped during the bath, I could end up splashing around in water and swallowing too much.

But I’d feel safe if Chris helped me.

“Could you help me with my bath?”

Chris’s eyes widened in shock.

Glug glug glug, drip.

I confirmed that the large tub was filled to about three-quarters full and turned off the tap.

Swish swish, I lightly stirred the water with my hands. The temperature was just right.

I grinned.

Finally, I was going to enjoy a full-body bath.

“Grrr! You wanted to repay your debt that fast! Fine, I shall let you cross over! I even took the Heart Calming Pill! I’ve leveled up too! Did you think I’d keep being bullied forever!?”

“……?”

I heard Chris’s growl from outside the bathroom.

Sister Chris, you’re unusually loud today.

“I’m all ready.”

Thud.

“Grrr!”

Chris came into the bathroom with a fierce roar. Her enthusiasm was palpable.

But as soon as she stood in front of me, her expression softened and became a bit hazy.

Like a shy girl, Chris wrapped her arms around me gently and lifted my naked form from the wheelchair into the tub.

I felt the slight twitch of her hand as it brushed against my bare skin.

Splash.

The warm water pleasantly enveloped my whole body.

With my eyes closed and mouth opened, I let out a deep sigh.

“Ahh… it’s paradise.”

“Paradise? Hehe, you sound like an old man.”

“I’m neither a child nor an old man!”

Chris laughed, her face slightly flushed. I smiled back at her.

With my head just above the water, I wore a pouty expression.

“Since the tub is so spacious, we could totally bathe together.”

“…I really can’t manage that.”

Chris turned her face away, complaining.

I tilted my head.

Even in faint memories of my past life, there were public bathhouses. But I was distinctly a woman now.

Isn’t bathing together between women common in this future society?

I washed my body and hair.

Chris gently tended to my silver long hair with caring hands.

Today, Chris was acting like a bathhouse attendant, rolling up her pants and sleeves to attend to me. She lathered my body with body wash, scrubbing every finger joint, and every nook and cranny, sweetly.

After feeling all clean and fresh, I changed into my pajamas and laid down on the bed.

Chris lay down next to me, gently patting my back. I expressed my gratitude.

“Sister, that was really nice. Thank you so much.”

“Are you okay skipping dinner?”

“Just for today… I’ll skip it…”

Before I knew it, my eyes were closing.

Today was definitely a bit too much, but the delightful bath made it all worthwhile.

A good long sleep should bring me back to my usual state.

Pat pat.

Even in this inconvenient form of Lee Seulbi, perhaps I could feel a bit better while nestled in this embrace.

As I felt Chris’s gentle pats and buried my face in her embrace, I quickly drifted into dreamland.

The border between reality and virtuality, right in between.

*

Snore snore.

Pat pat.

Chris listened to Rain’s breathing, softly patting her as she fell deeper into slumber.

And then, she whispered her name in her ear.

“Good night, Rain.”

Somehow, a wounded little bird had flown into her arms.

With a voice like a nightingale and delicate gestures, that little bird constantly lured Chris with its secrets.

Chris reflected as she continued to pat Rain.

“I wonder if today’s Frostbite Tower was too tough for her.”

Surely, Rain wouldn’t fall victim to the ‘Ice Ogre King’ on the 9th floor. With the power of the Astaroth that Chris gifted her, she must have smoothly passed through the 9th floor and conquered the tower.

That sense of accomplishment that had been on Rain’s face all day. She must have gained new strength at the end of the tower.

However, Rain’s condition today was definitely bad.

At the end of the tower, had she suffered some immense pain?

If it was something that could hurt Rain, it wouldn’t be something an average user could handle. Something must have gone wrong.

It was hard to imagine that anything could injure Rain in ‘Astria Online’.

Rain’s synchronization rate and psychological state undoubtedly showed that she was viewing Astria Online as if it were reality. It was probably a process for her to confirm her existence in the virtual reality, as she hadn’t found meaning in her life in this world.

Chris wanted to make Rain smile brightly, no matter where she was.

But outside the virtual reality, Rain still felt disconnected.

Even in Chris’s arms, her gaze always wandered a bit far away.

“I wish you would depend on me a little more.”

While Rain certainly relied on Chris, deep down, she seemed to be hiding something.

What was motivating Rain to grow stronger, even at the cost of enduring great pain?

Would there come a day when Chris learned of Rain’s unspoken secret?

With the deepening night, Chris’s worries only deepened.

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