"What's the situation?"
The man in the suit didn't look away from the screen when he spoke.
His voice sounded dry, like he'd been talking for too long without water.
"We've deployed ten B-rank Vanguards, but—"
"But what?"
His hand slammed the table before the sentence could finish.
"Spit it out!"
"Sir..."
The operator swallowed, fingers still frozen above the keyboard.
"They're being blocked. Something inside the Portal isn't letting them through."
"What? That's—how is that even possible?"
"No data."
Silence fell, but it wasn't calm.
It pressed down on the room.
"Energy density is dropping."
Someone spoke up.
"What?!"
The man shot up from his chair so abruptly it scraped harshly against the floor.
On the main screen, the Portal hovered in midair.
The orange glow stuttered unevenly.
Dimmed.
Like a flame about to go out.
Then—
It turned pale blue.
"Two individuals have exited the Portal."
The radio crackled to life.
"What's their condition?"
"Alive. Barely. I don't know how they made it out."
"Move! Get them to a hospital! Now!!"
He didn't wait for a response.
The radio slipped from his hand as he turned.
By the time he reached the door, he had already forgotten the radio was still on— its static hissing faintly behind him.
*****
"You… must… die…"
The sharpened tip of the staff drove straight into Chen Guang.
Piercing through his chest.
Right where his heart should have been.
A hollow void was torn open, as if it had never existed in the first place.
Blood poured out, soaking the ground beneath him.
His vision went white.
Everything went dark.
And yet—
He didn't die.
There was nothing. Just him.
"Brother, wake up."
A clear, innocent voice echoed.
"Wake up! Don't sleep anymore. It's such a beautiful day."
Rip.
Light suddenly burst forth, blinding.
"Ling."
His lips trembled.
"Too bright."
Slowly, he opened his eyes.
"Where… am I…?"
His body wouldn't move.
All around him, dry, rhythmic beeping filled the air.
The ceiling above him was too white, almost painful to look at.
A few rays of sunlight streamed in.
His gaze shifted.
Wires were attached to his arms.
Cold metal pads rested on his chest, each pulse sending a faint jolt through his body.
"C-Can I… come in to see him, please?"
A timid voice came from outside.
"I'm sorry, he hasn't regained consciousness yet. We'll contact you if anything changes…"
The door opened.
A nurse stepped in, and froze.
"H-He's awake!"
The girl outside peeked in, her eyes glistening as if on the verge of tears.
"I'll call the doctor right away!"
The nurse rushed out.
Chen Guang lay there.
Eyes wide open.
Lips trembling.
"I'm… still alive…"
His vision blurred with unshed tears.
A bitter taste lingered in his mouth.
And a crooked smile tugged at his lips.
*****
"I've seen a lot, but… this doesn't make any sense."
A man in a white lab coat held up an X-ray film.
"Three days ago, your body was completely wrecked, and now your bones are almost fully healed."
He slid the film back into the medical file, glancing at Chen Guang like he was trying to figure him out.
"Maybe it's because I'm a Vanguard?"
"Yeah, I know. Still… can't say I'm not jealous."
The man scribbled something into the file before placing it on the cabinet nearby.
"You can be discharged tomorrow. Nurse Wang, please remove his equipment."
Adjusting his collar, he quickly left the room.
Chen Guang turned his gaze toward the window as sunlight flooded in.
The nurse continued removing the IV needle and wires attached to his body.
"All done."
Nurse Wang gathered the equipment and wheeled it out.
"Oh, there's a girl who wants to see you."
She called back before closing the door.
Who could it be?
Chen Guang remained lying there, eyes fixed on the silent door.
"Um…Chen Guang, c-can I come in?"
The door creaked open slightly. A familiar face peeked in, her voice timid.
Nothing like her sister.
"Mimi? Come in."
The door closed as Mimi walked in, placing a small fruit basket on the cabinet beside the bed.
"I didn't know what you liked… so I just bought something."
He looked at her teary eyes, then at the neatly decorated basket.
"Thanks. I like apples, actually. Eat with me."
He pushed himself up, straining slightly.
Huh, my body… feels lighter?
"L-let me help…"
Mimi hurried over, one hand touching him while the other hovered awkwardly in the air.
"Thanks."
His hand lifted—then stopped halfway.
She's just like Ling, just as clumsy.
He peeled the apple slowly.
For a moment, he wasn't looking at it.
"Here, have some. It's really sweet."
He handed her the plate, already chewing on a slice.
"You're still injured, you don't have to..."
Even so, Mimi took the plate and started nibbling.
"Oh right! Someone told me to give this to you… I don't know who."
She pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper.
A single line was written on it: For Chen Guang.
Chen Guang took it and unfolded it.
[Take care of the girl for me, for now.
We'll meet again.
And let me warn you, if you have any thought with her, you're a deadman.
Also, you should really take some basic training courses. They'll help.]
Must be her…
Chen Guang glanced over.
Mimi held a slice of apple in both hands, chewing slowly, like a small rabbit.
"How did we even get out?"
Mimi stopped chewing.
"Didn't… you save me? I don't remember anything."
Her eyes were full of confusion.
So she doesn't remember.
"When you controlled that Hobgoblin, did anything feel... off?"
"I just remember… something pushing me, and then I just ran forward."
Mimi frowned, pressing her fingers to her temples.
I see.
Chen Guang fell silent for a moment.
"Well, we're safe now. That's what matters."
He clapped once, lightly.
Mimi flinched, her shoulders trembling.
"Ah, sorry. Finish that plate, I'll cut more for you."
He nudged the plate toward her.
"Oh right, which hospital are we in?"
"Mmff… K hoshp…tal…"
Her cheeks puffed up like a squirrel stuffing food.
"At least swallow first."
A short laugh escaped him.
"Hold on."
He rummaged through the bedside drawer—junk piled inside.
"Out of battery?"
He pulled out an old phone, the screen cracked, still smeared with dried mud.
He tapped the screen.
Nothing.
"Do you have a charger? Can I borrow it?"
"Yes, one moment."
Mimi handed him a charger covered in cat stickers.
She really likes cats, huh?
The screen lit up.
[55 MISSED CALLS]
Oh shit!
His grip tightened around the phone.
His finger hovered, then pressed call.
"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN THESE PAST FEW DAYS?! WHY WEREN'T YOU PICKING UP?!"
A furious voice exploded through the room.
Mimi flinched, dropping the plate.
Clatter.
"Sister Kim... wait—"
"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW WORRIED I WAS?! IF YOU DIDN'T PICK UP TODAY, I WAS ABOUT TO CALL THE POLICE!!!!!"
Her voice blasted through the speaker.
Chen Guang went still. Mimi shrank back.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I had to go on an urgent business trip, and my phone suddenly died—"
"DO YOU THINK I'M AN IDIOT?! WHO GOES ON A BUSINESS TRIP WITHOUT A CHARGER?!"
"I—"
"IT'S BEEN THREE DAYS! THOSE ACCOUNTANTS WON'T STOP PRESSURING ME, I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!"
"I'm trying—"
"IF YOU DON'T PAY THE HOSPITAL BILL TODAY, YOUR SISTER'S GETTING KICKED OUT!!!"
"Sister Kim… please—just let me explain."
Silence.
Then a sigh.
"Fine. What is it?"
He forced his voice steady.
"The trip was real. Forgetting the charger—that was on me."
"But I've gathered enough money."
"I was just about to go pay the hospital bill."
"Then go already. What are you still doing there?"
"Uh, I was—"
"GO NOW! STOP WASTING TIME!!"
Click.
The call ended.
I could even hear her sniffling…
Chen Guang unplugged the charger.
"Stay here. I'll be back."
Mimi nodded quickly, still trembling.
*****
Where's the billing office?
Chen Guang scanned the crowded hallway.
"There."
His eyes locked onto the sign, about twenty meters away.
Thud.
A tall figure slammed into him.
"Watch where you're going!"
A shout rang out.
"Huh? You're the one who ran into me—"
"Oh? Trash like you can talk?"
The stench of cigarettes hit him.
"You bump into me and still act tough?"
Chen Guang glanced at him, then turned to leave.
"That piece of trash got guts today, huh?"
Zhou Long coughed harshly and grabbed Chen Guang by the collar.
"Let go. This is a hospital, not your playground."
Chen Guang's voice turned cold.
Veins bulged across Zhou Long's face and neck.
"Doesn't matter where we are. I can crush you anytime I want."
Zhou Long clenched his fist and swung straight at Chen Guang's face.
Thud.
Chen Guang caught the punch mid-air and shoved him aside.
"I don't have time for this."
Chen Guang walked past him, heading straight for the billing office.
"What are you all staring at? Get lost!"
Zhou Long snapped at the murmuring crowd.
Damn it, why is my hand shaking?
He shoved his trembling hand into his pocket and walked off.
*****
"Quit smoking. Your lungs can't take this anymore."
The doctor in a white coat pointed at the X-ray.
"Can't help it, doc. No cigarettes, no life."
Zhou Long let out a hoarse laugh.
The smell made the doctor frown.
"I'll give you something to ease it, but keep this up and you won't last long."
The doctor shook his head and scribbled something down.
"And some medication for bone recovery. Take it as prescribed."
He handed over a sheet of barely legible scribbles.
"Bones? My bones are fine."
Zhou Long froze.
"The scan shows fractures. All five fingers on your right hand."
"Next patient."
Zhou Long stepped out with the prescription in hand.
"That guy, what did he do to me?"
His expression darkened, teeth grinding.
*****
"Sixty million for hospital fees…"
Chen Guang let out a long breath.
"Wait, speaking of money—that C-rank crystal."
A sudden realization hit him.
He dashed back to the room.
"Mimi, has anyone come in here?"
He pushed the door open, sweat soaking his clothes.
"No, it's just been me."
Beep beep.
A sound echoed in the quiet room.
[Great Combo!!!]
The sound came from Mimi.
She's playing a game?
He rushed to the bedside cabinet, rummaging through every drawer.
"Not here…"
His face darkened.
He turned the whole room upside down.
"Still not here…"
"Where the hell is it?"
He sank onto the bed, hands covering his face.
"What's wrong? Did your stocks crash or something?"
Mimi slipped her phone into her pocket, worry written all over her face.
"No, I don't even have stocks…"
"Wait, no, that's not it. My bag—where the hell did it go?!"
The room was a complete mess.
Mimi started panicking too.
"W-when was the last time you saw it?"
"Three days ago! I don't remember anything!!"
"What do we do now?"
"How should I know?!"
The two of them tore the room apart once again.
"It's… it's really gone."
Chen Guang just sat there, staring.
"C-can I help somehow?"
Mimi's eyes drooped, like a dejected puppy.
"No need—"
Ting.
A dry, familiar sound rang out.
[REWARD NOT CLAIMED]
[WOULD YOU LIKE TO CHECK?]
Almost instinctively, he hit [Accept].
[CALCULATING REWARDS]
[REWARD INCLUDES—]
His mouth hung open.
He rubbed his eyes.
"Chen Guang, what's wrong?"
"It's still here, it's not gone."
Sweat trickled down his forehead.
"Shit... for real?"
A crooked smile slowly spread across his face.