* * *
I stared blankly at the lifeless beasts before me, then looked down at my hands.
Thanks to the dimly glowing light sources scattered along the walls, I could faintly see them—clean, untainted by blood or flesh.
And yet, I was certain.
I had killed those beasts with these very hands.
Somewhere deep in my mind, I understood everything about this situation.
But “I”—the consciousness that made up who I was—couldn’t fully grasp it.
It was a strange, almost surreal feeling.
“Well, at least I survived…”
I let out a deep breath, trying to release the tension that had spread through my entire body.
If I kept thinking about it, I might find an answer.
But I didn’t want to.
I could walk.
I could see.
Even the beasts couldn’t match me.
Wasn’t that enough for now?
It was a refreshing feeling.
Even with the nauseating stench of spilled blood, I could still smile.
I didn’t want to waste this exhilarating moment just sitting still in this cramped isolation chamber, doing nothing.
As I pondered what to do, another line came into view.
A dazzling gold.
Unlike the others, this line was exceptionally long.
More than just a line—it was a “path,” leading somewhere.
I grabbed onto the wheelchair and pulled myself up.
My legs had strength, but… standing unsupported was difficult.
I couldn’t find my balance.
How did I stand before?
I tried to remember, but of course, I couldn’t.
Who recalls the memories of their very first steps?
With no other choice, I used the wheelchair for support—not to sit, but to steady myself with my arms.
Left foot first, then the right.
Step by step, I moved forward.
“…I can do it.”
I was walking.
It was awkward, each step unsteady and strained, but it wasn’t impossible.
However, I couldn’t take the wheelchair with me.
The gap at the isolation chamber’s entrance—damaged by the beasts—was barely wide enough for a person to squeeze through.
Forcing the twisted door open any further seemed unlikely.
Even if I could, I’d have to clear away the beasts’ corpses blocking the way.
As I debated my next move, a “blue line” appeared.
I carefully peeled it away, revealing a hospital corridor.
I tore the line a little further, enough to create an opening that I could step through.
As I crossed the “blue line,” the air changed.
The foul stench of beast blood disappeared, replaced by a more familiar scent.
I glanced around.
It looked like the hallway just outside my hospital room.
The layout seemed familiar enough.
I searched for the nameplate on the room’s door and confirmed it—my name was there.
Fascinated by the discovery, I moved forward.
But when I glanced back…
The “torn blue line” had vanished.
—Kieeek!
—Kiiiuuuu!
The beasts, belatedly noticing my presence in the corridor, lunged at me.
But they too had “red lines.”
It was easy to deal with them.
The eerily dark, empty corridor stretched ahead of me, and I simply kept walking.
My balance was still off, but my stamina remained intact.
No matter how far I walked, I didn’t grow tired.
That alone was enough to make me happy.
“You… how did you…”
“…Huh?”
I didn’t know how much time had passed.
I hadn’t sensed anything, but at the end of the hallway, there was a person.
Even in the darkness, his presence was undeniable—tall and broad-shouldered, clearly a man.
His attire was striking.
A long, ash-gray coat that reached his knees.
A plain white mask covering his face, devoid of any design or expression.
Sturdy leather boots and gloves. A massive sword strapped to his back.
I had never seen him in person before, but his appearance was too distinctive not to recognize.
That man was my idol—the Gray Coat.
A dry laugh escaped my lips.
“Ah… so this really is a dream.”
The Gray Coat was currently in ‘Sanctuary of the White Flame,’ fighting a mid-boss.
Even if he had heard about civilians getting caught in a dungeon and decided to return immediately, it would take him at least a day or two to get here.
Which meant—this man wasn’t real.
If even a hallucination of him was roaming around, then this world itself couldn’t be reality.
Me waking up, being able to walk, gaining strange abilities—everything was just a dream.
A dream I had longed for so desperately that I finally managed to conjure it.
But I wasn’t particularly disappointed.
In fact, I was satisfied.
A dream this vivid… wasn’t it a gift?
It was a shame I didn’t get to see Taehwan or my family, but… since this was a dream, they would only be figments of my imagination.
Even if I saw their false images and rejoiced, it would be meaningless.
“Jehee!”
The moment I became fully aware of this world’s true nature, my mind went hazy, and my body lost all strength.
My hands, which had been gripping the wheelchair, slipped.
My body tilted forward, about to crash to the ground.
But before I hit the floor, I landed in someone’s arms.
I smiled as I caught a glimpse of the Gray Coat’s hem.
I hadn’t done it intentionally, but I had believed—believed that he wouldn’t just let me fall.
‘He’s warm…’
Even in a dream, my idol was as kind as ever.
And he smelled… familiar.
Like the person who made me feel safest.
Even after being rescued from the Gate, I couldn’t return to my normal life.
Taehwan had said, “I’ll take responsibility,” but to be honest, I hadn’t expected much.
Maybe for the first week or so, he’d visit often out of guilt.
But beyond that?
I had no expectations.
I wouldn’t be able to play with him anymore.
I wouldn’t be able to go to school.
Our meetings would grow less frequent, and we’d naturally drift apart.
Eventually, I would be alone.
I had resolved to accept that.
“Jehee, I’m here.”
“Jehee, are you asleep?”
“Jehee, I found something cool.”
“Jehee, I brought bread. You should eat too.”
But surprisingly, Taehwan was consistent.
A week passed. Ten days. A month. Three months…
Before I knew it, six months had gone by.
For all that time, Taehwan came to the hospital every day after school.
He studied beside me, chatted, ate dinner, and only left when it was time for me to sleep.
You’d think he’d be late sometimes, or leave early once in a while.
But he never did.
If he did, it was only because of school events—things beyond his control.
In the end, I was the one who brought it up first.
“Taehwan, you don’t have to come to the hospital anymore.”
“…What? Why all of a sudden?”
“You need to study. Don’t you have cram school?”
“I am studying. I watch my lectures here.”
“No… I mean, you don’t have to come. Isn’t it a hassle?”
“What are you talking about? It’s not a hassle.”
“Of course it is.”
The hospital wasn’t exactly close—he had to go out of his way to visit.
He could have spent his time doing something much more enjoyable or useful.
And even when he was here, he wasn’t just sitting around.
With all the limitations I had, he constantly had to help with little things.
There was no way he wasn’t at least a little inconvenienced.
Not a chance.
…Or so I thought, and as a deep sigh escaped me, Taehwan let out a sigh as well and moved closer to my side.
With a soft thud, he plopped down beside me and, without warning, began pressing down on my head.
A small grumble escaped me.
“What are you doing?”
“Hey. To be honest, I never really understood you.”
“…Huh?”
“Your siblings, I mean. You don’t have to take care of them that much. I get that you have to on weekdays since your mom is at work, but why do you stick with them even on her days off?”
“Well… Mom needs time to rest too, and I like being with them… Their smiles are cute, and they look adorable when they eat well…”
Taking care of kids—especially two mischievous ones—was exhausting.
But at the same time, seeing them smile made me happy.
If I didn’t see them, I’d just end up worrying, so it was easier to stay close.
“It’s the same thing. You looking after your siblings and me coming to see you—it’s the same. So don’t overthink it.”
“But I’m not your little brother!”
“Does it have to be a sibling? Honestly, I’ve spent more time with you than you have with your own siblings.”
“Oh. I guess… That’s true?”
Taehwan had a way with words.
It made sense immediately.
Just like how I didn’t mind the struggles of taking care of my siblings because I liked being with them, if Taehwan felt the same way about me…
I reached out and fidgeted with his hands, the ones that had been pressing down on my head.
“Then… That means you’re not just coming here out of obligation, right? You’re not forcing yourself?”
“Hey, you.”
His voice came out sharp and fast. I could tell right away that he was mad.
I hunched my shoulders, expecting to get scolded, but Taehwan just sighed, pressed my shoulders down to straighten me up, and held my face between his hands.
Then, looking me straight in the eyes, he said firmly:
“No. Never.”
* * *
