Side Chapter - Sisters (Patreon)

Logging into the game, the town square bustled with life as the morning sun painted the cobblestone streets a warm golden hue. As I walked through the crowded city of Stormreach, a place for max-level players, towards my destination. While taking a leisurely stroll, A ping suddenly flashed at the corner of my eyes. It was a message from a guildmate.

Ariadne: Hey, you’re already online. Just asking if you’re free right now. Want to do a dungeon run or something?

If I remember correctly, this girl is someone whom Kat currently teaches with her playstyle. How admirable… Kat is already a sought-after teacher at a young age. Well, she had always been a prodigy at any games ever since we were both little kids, so it’s no surprise there.

Hmm, should I accept her offer? No, I can’t possibly move as well as Kat does.

Yuusha: Sorry, not now, maybe later.

I’ll just tell Kat that her friend wants to play with her later after she arrives.

Ariadne: It’s okay, PM me anytime if you want to do something together…

After closing the message tab, another ping flashed at the corner of my screen.

Zetta: Good, you’re here. Let’s have a friendly duel in preparation for the AC tournament.

This bothersome guy again. Why does he always bug me to fight him whenever he sees me online? I don’t envy Kat for befriending a persistent dude like him who can’t think of anything else except fighting. I can’t play as well as Kat and I’ll likely be found out so I’ll have to decline again. Besides, I don’t have as much fun playing PvP as I do playing PvE and exploring this incredibly realistic world.

Yuusha: Not in the mood, maybe some other time.

Zetta: What?! The qualifier for the Andartha Cup is fast approaching. Now’s the time to work hard and duel every day to improve our skills!

I closed the messaging box and set him to the ignore list for one hour. Honestly, how bothersome.

There were a few more pings, but I ignored it completely.

Kat, just how popular are you with your guildmates? I didn’t expect an introverted person like you to have this many players fighting over your time. It kinda makes me proud as your big sister. Oh, you’re growing up too fast. Well, at least you won’t feel lonely if I am no longer around.

My stomach instantly churned and my chest felt tight, as I thought about my mortality. I can feel the signs of gnawing on me. My mind replays moments of despair when I inevitably succumb to my sickness, feeding into a sense of hopelessness that's difficult to escape. It doesn’t help that I could feel those around me walking on eggshells whenever my lifespan is involved. I’m not that dumb to not know they are hiding my deteriorating health from me. Besides I can feel it sometimes, the pain and anguish of my body failing me.

This is bad, I need to get my shit together and think positive thoughts. These are the only moments I’m allowed to immerse myself in the VR world due to the increasing volatility of my illness. I need to make it count.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and proceeded to exit the city, towards my planned destination. On my stroll, I encountered a few monsters here and there that I dispatched easily. Although I’m not as good as Kat, the skill of a veteran like me is nothing to scoff at least.

After a while of traveling and killing monsters, I arrived at my destination. A lovely faerie forest that enfolds me in its embrace, a symphony of life woven into every leaf, every whisper of the wind. Towering trees stand sentinel, their majestic forms reaching skyward, their branches a tapestry of light blue-green that stretches as far as the eye can see. Sunlight filters through the canopy above, painting the forest floor in patches of mystique colors, creating an ever-shifting mosaic at my feet.

The air carries the heady scent of pine and earth, a fragrant harmony that lingers with every breath. Faeries and light orbs flit among the branches, their songs a melodic chorus that fills the air, a reminder that I'm merely a visitor in their verdant kingdom.

I smiled at the atmosphere and beautiful view of the surroundings. This area is more wonderful than I read in the CoA forums. It makes traveling here worth it.

It makes me glad to be alive that I get to explore such places. Is this what traveling in the real world feels like? Well, not like I would know since I had never traveled before due to my frail body. And the way things are going, it feels as though I never will.

I instantly shook my head to keep my mind off the negativity before it spiraled out of control again. I focused on the amazing view while leisurely exploring my surroundings.

The forest feels alive, pulsating with an energy that's both ancient and timeless. On my stroll, I stumbled upon a family of playful foxes. Their mischievous antics were impossible to miss—they darted among the trees, chasing each other's tails and pouncing on imaginary prey, a delightful sight that brought a smile to my face… how adorable!

One of the foxes came near me probably with the intent to let me pet it. Honestly, the AI intelligence of CoA animals is extremely lifelike, so much so that I could mistake this for a real one… not that I have seen a real one yet though… but still.

“Who’s a good boy? You’re the good boy! Yes, you are!” I coed while petting the fox cub.

“Yip- Yip!” it replied jovially.

So that is what foxes say… how cute!

Is this what having a pet feels like? I wish the CoA would implement a pet system so I can adopt one! I never had any pets before since they are not allowed in the hospital.

After a while of petting, the fox then went back to its family, to play around with its siblings. It’s a bit disappointing, but I would not hold it against it nor stop it from going back to its family. I would not like it if someone separated me from Kat or any of my family members either. They are all very dear to me.

I left them on their own and continued to sightsee the Faerie Forest more. As I ventured further, a troupe of energetic squirrels caught my attention. They scurried along the branches, their fluffy tails trailing behind them like wisps of fur, performing acrobatic feats as they leaped from tree to tree. Their playful chatter added a cheerful soundtrack to my forest expedition. Another scene that brought giddiness to my very bones.

Before I could explore the area any further, a ping suddenly resounded in my head, A different one from the messages from Kat’s guildmates this time. Hearing it, my joyful venture suddenly shifted to dissatisfaction.

“It’s already time, huh?” I regretfully murmured.

I begrudgingly logged out of the VR pod, only to be met by the same dreary hospital room I am very familiar with.

I sighed.

“Did you have fun, sweetheart?” May, the nurse asked cheerfully.

“I did until I was interrupted,” I said irritably.

“Oh, sorry about that sweetie, but you need to take your medicine and get some rest, or your illness will get worse.”

“What’s the point!? I’m never going to get better. I’ve been stuck here since I was a child. And I know my sickness is getting worse and worse every day, I can feel it. You guys don’t have to hide it from me,” I blurted my inner thoughts before I could regret it.

“…Oh, sweetheart…” she looked at me with pity.

She paused, not knowing what to say due to my uncharacteristic outburst. I was never this pessimistic because I always try to be positive around those close to me to not let them worry any more than they already are. I messed up, I shouldn’t take my irritation out on May; she’s going above and beyond her job by also watching over my well-being and being a good friend.

“Sorry, May… I just have a lot going through my head right now.”

“…It’s fine sweetheart, just know that you're not alone in this; Many people are here to support you through every step of the way. So, cheer up, all right?”

“…Thanks,” I nodded, thankful for her encouraging words.

She smiled at me, then proceeded to do what she came here for, namely getting me to take my medicine and doing routine checkups on my body condition. After taking all my medicine, a lot of it, a polite knock suddenly came from the door. After a second, it opened, revealing my sister.

“Seems like another person here to support you just arrived. I’ll leave you two alone, but be sure to get some rest, okay sweetheart?”

I nodded at her appreciatively.

She took it as a cue to leave, not before greeting my sister on her way out, which Kat politely reciprocated.

“Sup sis,” she casually greeted me.

She stared at me for a moment before shifting to a worried expression.

“Is something the matter?”

I froze, I forgot to act cheerful around her. She was always good at reading body language, so much so that it's hard to keep something away from her sometimes.

“Oh, nothing! The medicine was just so bitter that I can’t stop thinking about it. Anyway, you’re early today, done with your classes already?” I hurriedly changed the subject.

She stared at me for a moment, much longer than I would like, before replying.

“Yes, our homeroom was finished early so I was able to get here faster than usual.”

“I told you, please hang out with your classmates more. Go to karaoke or something, like a normal highschooler,”

“I think your definition of a ‘normal’ high schooler is getting distorted by watching too much anime,” she replied sarcastically.

“Oh, you’re talking back now huh, my little sister is getting brave,” I playfully gave her an evil smirk.

“Urk! I’m just stating facts. A-anyway, did you play CoA today? Did something worthwhile happen?” Kat expertly changed the topic.

“Oh, Listen to this Kat! Your poor sister got invited for a duel again by that guy, good thing he didn’t go to my coordinates this time, or I would’ve given him a good kick in the nuts again!”

“Zetta again, huh? Please have patience with him. He is just too passionate about fighting strong opponents. It doesn’t help that I’m ahead by 2 wins in our ongoing practice matches. He probably wants to even the score. Also please don’t do that again! I had a hard time explaining your actions to him last time! I even had to reason that I was on my period that day so I was irritable for him to back down! Don't you know how embarrassingly awkward that was!”

I smiled at her antics, she always slips into her childish demeanor around me, even if she tries to act mature all the time.

“Hmph! He deserved it, that is what he gets for being too persistent, and no promises,” I stubbornly declared.

She sighed, “Anyway did anything else happen that I should know?”

We chatted for a while with me telling her my little adventure in the Faerie Forest and how cute the foxes were. Moments like this make me cherish life more, especially when I have limited time left.

I'm quite lucky to get the beta test for the game so we have something to bond over. Well, luck isn't the only reason since I bribed a certain streamer to give me the beta key she has.

I have a lot of money stored and I won't be bringing it to the afterlife anyway, so why not use it... this is bad, I’m being negative again. But I just can’t help feeling pessimistic because I'm… I am afraid.

They say that the fear of death influences our actions and decisions vastly. People instinctively want to leave some sort of legacy behind, whether it is teaching future generations, having a child, yearning to be famous and remembered, and so on.

I want my last legacy to be useful to you, Kat. I know it is a bit greedy of me, but I hope whenever you play our character, you remember the fun times we spent together. So, please don't ever forget me, my beloved sister.