Beep…
Beep…
Beep…
"Ugh!"
My eyes dragged open, the ceiling above me blurred and indistinct in the quiet room.
I'd almost thought it was my stepmom's doing again but the constant beeping from the electrocardiogram gave me a bit of assurance.
"Uh… that.."
My eyes fell on needles stuck into my hands supplying me with drugs of different varieties, I couldn't even be bothered to learn their origins.
Just when I was starting to make sense of my surroundings, an oppressive feeling descended within the room and a voice followed.
"You're up."
I tilted my head slightly to the side where I could see a green haired girl with dark undertones staring at me with a dark expression.
"L-Lena?"
"What?"
"How… why are you here?"
"What do you mean by that? You passed out in the museum after that creepy thing disappeared."
'Museum… oh, right the scenario..'
Then my eyes widened.
"Wait, you were there?"
"Obviously, I play Echoes as well." She replied with a scoff. "I'm even more surprised the Kang brothers play it, thought it was beneath your noble asses"
"Hah… why this leprechaun, you're picking a fight?"
"Did you just call me a leprechaun?"
"Yeah. I did."
Lena's face changed instantly.
There was silence for a few minutes and a palpable tension in the air.
'Ah… s-she wouldn't think of hitting a patient, right?'
Contrary to my expectations, she shrugged before the corners of her lips curled into an infuriating smile.
"Last I remember, I was a head taller than you, if I'm a leprechaun then what does that make you?"
"You!"
"Tut…" she shunned. "Be quiet Tae-Min."
'Did she just… no she didn't just tell me to keep shut… how dare this pompous moss head command me.'
Well it wasn't like I was offended, Lena is a childhood friend and one of the only few people who could actually treat me the way she did.
Had it been any other person, their father's business would be halfway bankrupt by now after all, my father was a greedy leech, any chance at profit and he'd jump right in, devouring a collapsing business would be something he would look forward to.
But Lena was different, her family was almost as wealthy as mine, at least wealthy enough to make my dad think twice before antagonizing them.
"What?" Lena asked, noticing my stare linger on her with a strange seriousness.
I averted my gaze.
"Ryu… my brother, is he alright?"
She didn't respond immediately and her silence was enough to rattle me.
"Did—"
"He's fine."
"But?"
Her eyes met mine for a brief second.
"But they took him, your parents I mean… they didn't even bother checking up on you."
"Ah… that…"
I almost let out a scoff.
"It's fine, it's not the first time anyway."
'I guess Ryu woke earlier than me, that's a relief.'
As for my father and his mistress, it wasn't surprising.
He was used to me frequently being admitted to the hospital so he probably didn't think much of it, even though I was currently covered in scars.
The man's probably handling a thing or two from the aftermath of the current situation, he owned a lot of businesses and buildings, so much that it would be more surprising if he wasn't affected in the slightest.
"What do you mean fine! How could anyone treat their son like that?"
I gave a sheepish smile.
"Ahaha well… oh that reminds me, you play Echoes right, dope game isn't it."
"Is this your way of telling me to drop the topic?"
"Not necessarily… it's just…"
"It's fine, I understand you must feel uncomfortable, you don't have to force it."
"Thank you."
She scoffed.
"Yeah sure, just get better soon, you've wasted an entire day in bed."
My eyes widened and my body jolted up causing the hospital bed to let out a soft squeak!
"What?!"
"Calm your horses Tae, what you're worried about is probably that other event right? The constellation event where we pick a god to be our sponsor, the event's supposed to take place in seven hours so there's still time."
I allowed myself to breathe a little.
It would've been a bit difficult had I missed the constellation stream's special event, since it was the only time the gods were allowed to interfere with us besides a scenario.
Anything later than this would require some agonizing processes which might even kill me as a result.
No matter what happened, I definitely had to get the attention of 'That god.'
It wasn't easy, to attract a god's attention much more a high ranking one.
Simply garnering the attention of a god and earning their interest were completely different things.
That said, I knew exactly what I had to do to get my character's abilities.
"Min…"
After organizing my thoughts, my mind wandered to another issue.
One which had been lingering at the back of my mind ever since the towers became a reality.
'What do I do, I need to meet my master again, the technique I had was incomplete… hmmm what to do, I have to meet master but at the same time I don't want to meet him, will master even be the same in reality?'
"TAE-MIN!"
"Uh… what?"
Lena's voice was enough to snap me out of my reverie and if that wasn't enough then the look she was currently giving me was enough to scare a grown man witless, it also didn't help that both her hands were against my head each one holding a fist full of my hair.
"Ah?"
Then she pulled.
For a second I could've sworn I saw a white space calling my soul out, then that soft voice saying son… it's not your time.
But with how hard she pulled I'd be surprised if I didn't go bald by thirty.
Her voice sounded again, a bit muffled this time as though she was grumbling.
"You're not listening!"
"Mm sorry." I pleaded honestly.
"Tsk! Forget it… when you're alone try checking the tutorial rewards, they left us something… the game I mean."
After saying that she took a few steps towards the door but hesitated.
"Also… Miju died, she wasn't able to make it to the museum because of her sick grandmother, Hajun and everyone in the gang wants to hold a small burial for her… I'll leave you to decide if you want to come or not."
After saying that, she left.
Seeing her retreating silhouette, a bitter sigh escaped my lips.
"Miju…"
She wasn't someone I spoke much with but still, hearing the news about her death, it left a bitter feeling within my throat.
"I hope… she's in a better place."