Side Chapter: Sisters

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 the exit of the city.

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. Do you want to do a dungeon run or something?

If I remember correctly, this girl is someone whom Kat currently teaches with her playstyle, her protégé. Oh! 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. I’ll be found out immediately, no matter how I try to act like Kat does, which is as easy as acting like an antisocial tsundere from the anime I watch.

Yuusha: I’m busy.

I chatted like I thought Kat would reply, curt and direct to the point. Well, I’ll just tell Kat that her friend wants to play with her later.

Ariadne: Alright, 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.

I sighed, rolling my eyes. This bothersome guy again. Why does he always bug me to fight him whenever he sees that I’m online? I mean, dude, get a life! I don’t envy Kat for befriending a persistent guy 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 with PvE and dungeon explorations.

Yuusha: Not in the mood.

I replied curtly and instantly got a reply from the bothersome guy.

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 troublesome.

There were a few more pings, likely from our guild, but I ignored it completely.

Kat, 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 kind of makes me proud as your big sister. Oh! You’re growing up too fast. Well, at least you won’t feel lonely in the offset that I’m 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. 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 set off toward my planned destination.

On my stroll, I encountered a few monsters, which I dispatched easily. Although I’m not as good as Kat, my skills as a veteran are nothing to scoff at.

After traveling and battling monsters, I arrived at my destination: a faerie forest. Towering trees reached skyward, their branches forming a tapestry of light blue-green. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting shifting patches of color on the forest floor.

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 and to have the opportunity 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 distract myself from the negativity before it spiraled out of control again. I focused on the amazing view while leisurely exploring my surroundings.

On my stroll, I stumbled upon a family of foxes. Their mischievous antics were impossible to miss—they darted among the trees, chasing each other's tails and pouncing on imaginary prey. It was 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 fox yet, though.

“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 have never had any pets before since they are not allowed in the hospital.

After a while of petting, the fox 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 behind and continued exploring the Faerie Forest. But before I could sightsee further, an alarm resounded in my head, abruptly shifting my joyful venture to dissatisfaction.

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

Reluctantly, I logged out of the VR pod, only to be met by the same dreary hospital room that had become all too familiar.

I sighed heavily.

“Did you have fun, sweetheart?” May, one of my nurses, 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 every day. I can feel it. You guys don’t have to hide it from me,” I blurted out, my voice trembling with frustration and despair.

“…Oh, sweetheart…” May looked at me with pity, her eyes filled with sympathy.

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

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

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

“…Thanks,” I nodded, feeling a small sense of comfort from her encouraging words.

She smiled warmly and proceeded with her tasks, getting me to take my medicine and performing routine checkups on my condition. After I had taken all my medicine—a substantial amount—a gentle knock suddenly came from the door. A moment later, 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?” May said with a cheerful tone.

I nodded appreciatively at her.

May took it as her cue to leave, pausing to greet my sister on her way out, which Kat politely reciprocated.

“Sup, Sis,” my sister casually greeted me as she walked inside the room.

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

“Is something the matter?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.

I froze, realizing I had forgotten to put on my usual cheerful façade. She was always so good at reading me; it was hard to keep anything from her.

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

She studied me for a moment, much longer than I would have liked, before finally replying, “Yes, our homeroom finished early, so I was able to get here faster than usual.”

“I told you to go hang out more with your classmates. Go to karaoke or something, like a normal high schooler,” I said, trying to sound casual.

“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 bantered, with a hint of a playful threat.

“I-I’m just stating facts. A-anyway, did you play our account again today?” Kat quickly changed the topic.

At her questioning, I suddenly remembered what happened earlier.

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

“Zetta again, huh? Have patience with him. He’s just too passionate about fighting strong opponents. It doesn’t help that I’m ahead by two 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 tell him I was on my period and irritable just to get him to accept my explanation and back down! Don’t you know how embarrassingly awkward that was?” she complained.

I smiled at her antics. Despite her attempts to act maturely, she always slipped into her childish demeanor around me.

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

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

We chatted for a while as I recounted my little adventure in the Faerie Forest and how adorable the foxes were. Moments like these make me cherish life more, especially knowing my time is limited.

I'm quite lucky to have gotten the beta test for the game; it gives us something to bond over. Of course, luck wasn’t the only reason—I bribed a certain streamer to give me the beta key he had.

I have a lot of money saved up, and I won’t be bringing it to the afterlife anyway, so why not use it?

I immediately chided myself before the negativity consumed me again. But no matter how hard I try, I just can’t help feeling pessimistic. It’s probably because… I'm afraid.

They say that the fear of death greatly influences our actions and decisions. People instinctively want to leave some sort of legacy behind, whether it’s teaching future generations, having a child, yearning to be famous and remembered, or something else. I want my last legacy to be useful to you, Kat.

I know it’s a bit greedy of me, but I hope that whenever you play our character, you remember the fun times we spent together.

So, please don't ever forget me, my beloved sister.