Chapter 26: 1_ ch 21: A. good morning

“mmm.”

Pain. Anguish. Weakness.

Such feelings.

As if my flesh is shredded, as if my bones are crushed, as if my head is splitting, as if my muscles are melting, and as if my lungs are burning, trying to scream.

But such feelings are proof.

Proof that I...

“I am still living for another day.”

Opening my eyes from sleep, I stretch while feeling my body.

“yawn.”

Hmm, except for the usual pain, I can affirm that everything is alright. There was no sudden orga,n failure in the middle of sleep, no nerve damage when waking up, or even the feared silent eternal sleep. As such, once again today, I can say .....

“Hello world. It’s a good morning, is it not ?”

Feeling relaxed, and content, I stay lazily lying on my back while staring at the ceiling.

“I kinda miss the hospital ceiling already, but this one is nostalgic in its own way.”

After a while, when I had my fill of staring at the ceiling and became sure that I wasn’t dreaming yesterday, but that I have really been finally discharged, after about three years of hospitalization, I stand.

“well, I only have three months anyway. Better live them my way then.”

Checking the clock on my phone, it’s already 10:16 am.

Moving to the bathroom, and washing my face, then Sensing the coldness of water on my skin, I feel refreshed.

“But I really am pale, huh ?”

Looking ahead of me, I can see two dark crimson eyes staring back through the mirror, Adding to that is the pale face of mine, with its emotionless look, as usual, I sigh.

“alive, sigh. Extreme suffering, limited lifespan, and deep loneliness, but still clutching to life. Sometimes I really do wonder, Could it be pride? desire? maybe hope? or is it interest and curiosity? well, not like a reason will change my state anyway.”

Smiling at myself, I turn around,

And then wipe my face with a towel.

After all, thinking about my reason for living is not necessary. I live simply because I have things to live for. Everyone is like that. Things you enjoy, actions that comfort you, places that feel like home. There are many and different things for each person, but is that not enough? do we really need a reason to live? a cause? a creed? a belief ? to me, that is but fake words. You follow a cause not because it’s right, but because you feel at peace when doing so, you don’t stop injustice to protect others, but to release your guilt or maybe to feel right. Physical or emotional feelings are not important, what is important is that people live for themselves in their own way, and so I would do the same.

I have only less than 90 days to live, so why think of meanings, when I can just do the act of living itself?

sigh.

It seems that I am really excited today.

“I guess having interesting things appearing on the horizon, and preparing for a battle today, are the reason I am in this state.”

Though while I was lost in such thoughts, I have reached the kitchen, and so I start to prepare breakfast.

Nothing fancy or complex, but simply a sandwich and some juice.

Moving to the table, I take a seat and start eating them slowly.

Though it may not be the best breakfast, with my lonely kitchen not being the best place for a meal, it still feels nice to prepare and eat something yourself.

“.....”

Finishing my simple meal, I go to my room and change clothes, then I get back to my bed while preparing to login into LSO.

Getting back to my bed, I think of my choice.

As contrary to yesterday, I don’t have anything to do today, which is why I am planning on complete synchronization this time.

Getting in a comfortable position, I open my mouth.

“synchronization.”

And like that, I am back in my safe-room, though this time I am completely focusing on here.

And that is because today, I am planning on reading the manual, leveling my skills, and having my re-match with the bald fangs and the giant rats.

And to do that, I will have to first check my status.

-Status :

Anon Zero Lv5

hp : 100

mp: 50

sp : 100

atk : 100

def : 125

agi : 50

Skills:

Observer - Analyse lv2 - Advanced sword mastery lv1 - Advanced spear mastery lv1 - Stamina lv1 - Sp enhance lv1 - Basic Physical Mastery lv9 - Attack lv1 - Defence lv2 - Health lv1 - Hp auto-recovery lv1 -

Looking at my level that has increased from last time, and my skills that almost doubled in number, I said my thoughts out loud.

“hmm, so suddenly I have more defense than anything else. Did I get beaten that much ? and is this it for lv2? just an additional 50 percent more than lv1 ?”

“well, if it was more, it will be weird actually. But ignoring that, aren’t I a tank with these stats? or are they simply the ones necessary for survival here ?”

“ and what about observer? not only does it not have a level, but it’s also barely having any effect of importance that I totally forgot about it.

I mean, did I even check it? it just slipped my mind.”

So thinking about it, I seized this chance to do so.

-Observer: a skill that grants the ability to see more through one’s limited sense, while granting a mental effect resistance, to keep the user on their chosen path.-

Ho, so it’s simply, a skill that enhances my sense while protecting me from mental effects.

Not like I know how much help it will be.

But still, what’s that part about my limited senses? is there an additional effect if I were to acquire more?

Also, by more, doesn’t that simply mean having a better grasp on them, and reading them better? I can do that already, or is it because I can do it that I got the skill? well, anyway, with an effect like this one, I don’t think it will be useful soon. Or at least not without more information.

To begin with, I barely felt anything different, that I totally ignore it, and just kept focusing on the urgent things happening or changing. It was a blunder honestly.

“well, it does happen sometimes.”

But enough about this skill, and more into others.

somehow, they all seem to be passive skills. Is it just how all skills are or is it simply something lacking?

Even, the mastery skills were actually just knowledge and understanding about their respective action.

For the sword mastery, I simply felt it more easier to use and knew better to fight with it. It’s not different than before in the understanding, but the difference in having the skill lye in knowing everything on an instinctive level, that I don’t even need to think about it. With the same happening to the physical mastery and the spear mastery.

On the other hand, I don’t even remember having acquired the hp auto-recovery skill.

“When was it? really. Ah, maybe when I was half-asleep relaxing. Though honestly, I can’t used it now, because I am under the healing effect of this room.”

Hmm, should I maybe get out and try the skills and their respective effect? well, that can wait, as first I have to read the manual, to fill my lacking information as fast as possible.

And so having finished checking my status, I bring out the manual and prepare to start reading.