Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons

"Bring her the IV. Increase her dosage of dopamine stimulants. Add serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin as well."

The other nurse hesitated. "That much? Won't it—"

"It doesn't matter," the first nurse cut in sharply. "She needs to look happy today. It's a must."
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The second nurse nodded and quickly walked away, leaving the first to glance back at the door with an unreadable expression.

Inside, Charlotte remained in the exact same position.

Her body felt weightless, as if she were floating in an endless abyss—adrift, unmoored, trapped in a space where time meant nothing.

The world around her was muted, the soft hum of medical equipment barely registering in her mind.

She had grown used to the sterile scent of the hospital, to the sound of nurses who entered and left as if she were nothing more than an object to be maintained.

Her eyes never left the window.

She wasn't looking at the sky, nor the buildings beyond.

She was looking past them.

Past the physical world, searching for something, someone.

'Brother… I miss you…'

A single thought, but the weight of it felt unbearable.

Her fingers twitched slightly against the blanket, the only movement she had made in hours. She had no energy to cry, no strength to let the ache in her chest manifest in anything but silent longing.

'I hope you're doing well…'

She closed her eyes, her breath unsteady.

They had told her he was too busy to see her. That he was working hard, that he would come when he had the chance. But she knew better.

She knew it was a lie.

They were keeping something from her.

And she hated how powerless she was to do anything about it.

Her body was weak. The disease that plagued her left her barely able to stand on her own.

She could feel herself deteriorating.

But none of that mattered.

All she wanted was to see Arthur. To hear his voice. To know—truly know—that he was alright.

But all she could do was wait.

Wait and hope.

Hope that he hadn't forgotten her.

Hope that he was still fighting to reach her, just as she was holding on, waiting for him.

...

Charlotte didn't flinch when the door clicked open. She didn't turn her head, didn't acknowledge the presence of the nurse who entered.

She had long stopped reacting to their comings and goings—they were nothing more than ghosts drifting through her world, performing their duties before vanishing again.

She felt the cool press of the IV needle against her arm, the slight prick as it pierced her skin. There was no warning, no explanation.

Then came the injection.

A slow warmth seeped into her veins, artificial and unnatural.

She did not know what it was.

Charlotte's fingers curled weakly into the blanket, her nails pressing against the fabric as her body reacted before her mind did.

The nurse, wordless as ever, finished her task and left, the door clicking shut behind her.

Still, Charlotte did not move.

...

Inside Raymond's office, Raymond had just ended the call.

"I've spoken to Donald. He said he'll arrive soon."

Arthur nodded. Unlike the last time, when Donald had deliberately made him wait for over an hour, this time he arrived in just ten minutes.

Arthur stood as he saw Donald enter the office.

Donald greeted Raymond briefly before turning to Arthur. "Come with me."

Arthur followed him out of the office and down the corridor. They walked in silence until they reached a car parked just outside the dormitory.

Donald stopped by the driver's side and turned to face Arthur. His expression was unreadable, but his next words sent a chill down Arthur's spine.

"Don't repeat that again."

Arthur's heartbeat skipped. His mind raced.

'What is he talking about? Could it be…?'

He kept his face neutral and asked, "What do you mean?"

Donald let out a small sigh, as if disappointed. "I ordered you to take care of your body and train at the gym, but you disobeyed a direct order from a superior and left."

Arthur said nothing, waiting for him to continue.

Donald shook his head. "Arthur, I understand that you're still young and don't fully grasp how things work. But I'm only advising you for your own good. I told you to train because I care about your development. Next time, don't disregard an order. There will be consequences."

Arthur's face remained impassive. He was a prisoner here—he had no room to argue.

"Alright. I apologize," he said evenly.

Donald smiled, patting Arthur's shoulder in what was meant to be a friendly gesture but felt anything but that.

"Good man."

Arthur kept his gaze steady, forcing himself to stay calm.

...

Inside the car, Donald took out his phone and dialed a number.

Arthur sat in silence, watching him from the corner of his eye. His fingers curled slightly on his lap, a subtle sign of the anticipation creeping through him.

After a few rings, the call connected.

...

Inside Charlotte's hospital room, two nurses stood beside a phone stand, preparing for the call.

One of them, the head nurse, adjusted the camera angle slightly before glancing at the other. "Have you injected her with the stimulants?"

The second nurse nodded. "Yes. Everything is set."

The head nurse exhaled in satisfaction. She could already tell the drugs were taking effect. Charlotte's usually dull, lifeless eyes had gained a faint glimmer, and the tension in her body seemed to have lessened.

Just in time.

Then the phone rang.

Ring—Ring—

The head nurse turned to Charlotte, her expression carefully measured. "Alright, Charlotte. Your brother is calling. Are you ready?"

Charlotte didn't speak. She simply nodded, her hands clenching the bedsheet beneath them.

The nurse tapped the screen, answering the call.

Arthur's heart clenched the moment her face appeared. Donald had already left, saying that he would give him some privacy.

"Charlotte…" His voice was steady, but only just.

On the screen, Charlotte blinked, a small smile forming on her lips. It was warm, soft—too soft.

'Arthur… How are you?' She signed, her hands moving delicately, as they always did, albeit slower than usual.

Arthur swallowed down the unease rising in his chest.

"I'm good, how about you?" he said.

"I've been doing well, Have you been busy? When can you meet me?"

Arthur's smile wavered—just for a fraction of a second.

Behind the camera, a nurse stiffened.

'Damn it. She really had no trust in our words from the very beginning. I've been trying to gain her trust for a week now, why is she so adamant on not believing us.'

Arthur said.

"I will meet you soon. I promise… It's just that the doctor said your health isn't stable, and if I got you sick, it could make things worse. I will visit you soon, okay?"

Charlotte nodded with a smile on her face.

The nurse seeing the smile frowned slightly.

'She is too happy...The dosage shouldn't be this much, otherwise it will feel unnatural.' She thought, her eyes landing on the nurse next to her.

"Have you been eating well?"

Charlotte nodded, signing.

"I've been eating well. The food here is good."

Arthur didn't react, but internally, something snapped.

That wasn't her.

Arthur's fingers twitched slightly, though his expression remained calm. He knew his sister better than anyone—better than the doctors, the nurses, and certainly better than Donald.

She wasn't the type to smile so easily, not when she had been taken away from him. Not when she had been locked inside a hospital room for days without explanation.

Something wasn't right.

His eyes flickered toward the screen, studying every detail of her expression. The subtle tightness around her eyes, the way her fingers curled slightly against her lap, the way she blinked a second too late after responding

Arthur exhaled quietly, schooling his features. If they wanted him to believe that everything was fine, he would play along.

For now.

"That's good," he said, offering a small smile in return. "I was worried."

Charlotte's hands moved swiftly. You don't need to worry about me. I'm fine. I have people taking care of me.

His grip on the phone tightened slightly. "I see. Well, as long as you're comfortable, that's all that matters."

Charlotte nodded, her lips curving slightly.

He took a slow breath before continuing. "Have you made any friends there?"

The question made Charlotte hesitate. Just for a second. Her hands hovered in the air as if she was choosing her words carefully.

Then, she nodded. 'Yes. The nurses are nice.'

"That's great," he said smoothly. "I'm glad."

Charlotte nodded her fingers fidgeting slightly in her lap.

He couldn't say anything here. Couldn't push. They were watching.

So he smiled, pretending not to notice anything. "I'll see you soon, okay?"

Charlotte's hands trembled slightly as she signed back. 'Okay. See you.'

Arthur's gaze lingered for a moment before he finally ended the call. He had made sure that his sister was alive and physically well, but he also found that something was wrong.

Something was very wrong, and he had to do something.

Arthur clenched his fists, forcing his breathing to remain steady.

He got out of the car, walking towards Donald with an unreadable expression.

"Thank you," he said, voice even. "I have spoken to her."

Donald smiled, giving him a nod. "That's good. I'm glad you two spoke. And don't worry, you'll be able to see her soon. I'll contact you when she gets well enough for visits."

Arthur nodded. He didn't believe a word.

They weren't going to let him see her. Not until they wanted to. Not until it benefited them.

And Arthur had no intention of waiting for their permission.

He met Donald's gaze with a calm, unreadable stare. "Alright," he said simply. "I'll be waiting."

Donald's smile didn't waver. "That's the spirit." He patted Arthur's shoulder, grip firm. "Take care of yourself, alright?"

Arthur gave a slight nod. "You too."