After finishing the consultation in the examination room, Rain came out, and Chris took him to the hospital room.
Rain seemed worn out from the long tests. A clear sense of drowsiness lingered around his eyes.
“I’m sorry… I have so much to do…. Just a little, please….”
Rain leaned on Chris for support.
The guardian application process was also completed. With the patient’s consent, Chris now had the authority to share medical information and more as a guardian.
Once Chris laid Rain down in the hospital bed, she gently patted him until he fell into a deep sleep.
Chris left the hospital room and went back to the examination room.
The doctor, who was staring intently at the holographic screen, welcomed Chris. On the screen in the examination room were the test results and other information.
“Good to see you, Chris. So, you’re the guardian of Lee Seulbi.”
The doctor immediately got to the point.
“After discharge, the guardian must pay attention to the patient’s nutritional status and health. Given that this is a spinal injury patient with severely compromised bodily functions, a period of inpatient treatment and rest is necessary….”
Chris listened to various details about Rain’s physical condition.
South Korea, implementing policies to embrace refugees and immigrants, faced rapid changes. Over decades, the issue of unidentified orphaned refugees emerged as a social problem.
Rain and Chris shared many conversations, but he never mentioned his past before a certain point. Judging by his exotic appearance and the fact that he had no relatives, one could infer he was likely one of the orphaned refugees from a tumultuous era.
Rain probably lived a lonely life with no one to rely on. His body was also in tatters.
“While physical treatment for the patient is important, the biggest issue is….”
The doctor examined a graph, his expression turning serious.
“The patient’s mental issues. This could significantly impact the patient’s physical functions.”
“……!”
“As you know, the advancements in virtual reality technology, along with brain sciences and medicine, have made rapid progress. Thanks to this, most mental issues can now be visualized through special brainwave tests. However….”
After a moment of silence, Chris was overcome with an unknown sense of unease.
“But…?”
“…The results are not typical. I explained this thoroughly to the Lee Seulbi patient, but patients often struggle to accept they have mental illnesses or don’t take them seriously. Therefore, the state the guardian perceives and the subsequent care role is crucial. Well, the case most similar to the special brainwave test results for the Lee Seulbi patient is….”
The doctor paused briefly and continued.
“PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It seems she suffers from a mental disorder due to severe physical and psychological trauma experienced in the past. However, Lee Seulbi’s condition is quite different from other PTSD patients. Despite undergoing sufficient psychological testing and in-depth interviews, we cannot define her condition.”
“Rain, uh, what state is Seulbi really in?”
Chris anxiously asked, trying to calm her wildly beating heart.
“The results of the in-depth interview and her outward psychological state are very stable. Yet, the special brainwave tests diagnose her with very serious PTSD. Based on the visible test results, symptoms such as regression to infantile behavior or seizures could occur at any moment.”
Chris felt as if all the blood drained from her body.
“…She’s stable now, but we don’t know when her condition might worsen. I hope you continue to monitor her progress.”
Chris walked through the hospital corridor with a dazed expression, lost in thought.
The ‘Lee Seulbi’ she had been watching for several days was Rain himself but somehow felt different. When he comforted her by patting her on the head, she even felt he was more of an adult than she was. It was hard to see him as someone with mental issues.
However, the special brainwave test results indicated that Rain had severe psychological scars.
What could have caused such wounds? Did he sustain them in the accident that rendered him unable to use his legs?
Then, her mind recalled every action Rain had taken in ‘Astria Online.’
His extreme aversion to people approaching, the seizure-like reaction when she bumped into him, his infantile gestures and actions.
Only Chris, who had been by Rain’s side, could understand.
Rain’s wounds were right there.
She wishes to heal those scars in the ‘Continent of Astria.’
“PTSD, huh.”
Waking up, I lay in bed, recalling what the doctor had explained.
Fortunately, even with the advanced science of the future, they couldn’t peek into a person’s memories.
I had anticipated some mental issues. After all, I suffered a lot since ‘that day.’
But now, ‘Lee Seulbi’ is doing well.
I had once lost the will to live, almost swept away by everything, but after discovering Astria Online, I resolved to live on with renewed strength.
Of course, ‘Rain’ is also joyfully traveling around the Continent of Astria.
Anyway, I’m not suffering from such a serious illness that others need to worry.
Still, one thing became certain from this recent examination.
According to the doctor, the mental scars from the past likely linger as a form of ongoing anguish that has affected my body, but it probably isn’t PTSD. It’s nothing serious.
It seems my body is reacting abnormally due to—
“Synchronization rate.”
The wounds Rain sustained had a profound impact on Lee Seulbi’s body.
I now understood that the pains the mind experienced could also influence the physical body.
Of course, I didn’t mention the 100% synchronization rate to the doctor.
I already cannot live without ‘Astria Online.’ I need to earn money there too.
Even if it’s dangerous and they suggest taking precautions regarding the synchronization rate, there’s no way I could listen.
So what should I do?
“Hmm….”
Is the best approach to avoid getting hurt?
And if my physical body gets healthier, it might last a bit longer.
Exercise, hmm. Maybe I should do exercises that only use my upper body?
In my current situation, that would be the most I could do.
“Rain, ah~”
“…Ah.”
Chomp.
I sighed deeply and then accepted the porridge Chris was offering me.
“I can eat by myself, you know…? I’m not a baby.”
“I just want to feed you. Didn’t Rain say he owes me a big debt? So please indulge me this request~”
Chris, feeding me, looked very happy just from her expression.
If Chris is happy, I can’t refuse.
Besides, this is also one of the activities to help my body get healthy.
I heard that one reason I collapsed this time was due to nutritional deficiency.
The solution? Three meals a day.
On time, and with a balanced intake of nutrients.
“But that’s tough.”
For a long time, I survived on instant meals and cup noodles.
Of course, I had ordered takeout occasionally, but my body was satisfied with just a slice or two of pizza a day.
Yet now, they expect me to cram balanced meals into this small stomach three times a day?
“You can gradually increase your meals. It’s not like you’re on a diet, and there’s no fat left to hold on to; if you don’t provide nutrients to a body that’s lost all its muscle, this is what happens.”
Chris wore a stern expression. I glanced at her.
Given that I have accepted her as a guardian and am now receiving her care, I needed to listen well to what Chris said.
Chris soon relaxed her expression and smiled widely, offering me another spoonful.
“Ah~”
“…Ah.”
Chomp.
Feeling slightly embarrassed, I became like a baby bird accepting food from its mother while slightly flushing.
Still, I ate diligently.
“When can I be discharged?”
After finishing my meal, I asked Chris the most important question.
It’s already been over a week since I was hospitalized. Excluding the legs, surely my physical condition should have recovered by now.
“Huh? Already? The doctor said at least a month of hospitalization would be required.”
“A, a month…!”
I couldn’t help but be shocked.
If it’s a month, that would mean missing out on the optimal time to earn bus fare to the fortress, where ticket prices are sky-high.
Ticket prices decrease over time. In a month, most passengers will have completed their farming. By then, it would be hard to find customers, and I’d have to charge lower fares.
“I can’t stay hospitalized for a month. I need to earn gold.”
If I can’t earn gold this time, I’d have to stay in the Moon Village for an even longer time. Moreover, a long hospitalization would surely lead to high medical bills.
Chris pulled out a piece of paper in front of me.
“Huh?”
It was a contract.
“Rain, if you sign here, I’ll take care of everything. I’ll handle the medical bills and even the housing issue.”
“Wha….”
Housing issue too?
I gulped and scrutinized the contract.
It read that I would work as a full-time employee of ‘Chris’s Raid Bus’ in ‘Astria Online,’ and in return, my housing issues in real life would be solved alongside welfare benefits.
No need to participate in the initial trial. I only need to join from the start of bus operations. Instead of gold, I would receive my salary in cash. Of course, I could also receive gold as needed.
I tilted my head in confusion.
These conditions seemed too good to be true. It’s essentially the same as what I’m already doing. If I get paid, I wouldn’t even need to go through the process of converting gold to cash.
I stared at the contract intently.
I had read on the internet that when making a contract with overly good conditions, one should be suspicious. What if there are hidden clauses or toxic stipulations?
I soon shook my head.
Lee Seulbi, what are you thinking?
Sister Chris wouldn’t do anything bad, right?
However, if I were trapped in a capsule, forced to earn money without enjoying the world of Astria, it could be dangerous.
“Huh…!”
That would be a risk.
This isn’t about doubting Sister Chris.
It’s a process to fully trust Sister Chris.
I read and re-read the contract thoroughly.
Chris simply smiled brightly as she watched me.
In the end, I signed the contract.
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