Chapter 126: How One Falls

"... Wake up, little brother. This little brother, wake up now."

"What...?"

The man slowly opened his eyes and looked toward the source of the voice.

In that instant, the man felt his consciousness seem to blur; an old man who looked gentle and full of kindness was calmly pouring a cup of flower tea, looking at the weary man with great concern.

It was as if they were in a garden filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers; the sky released warm sunlight, and the surroundings were filled with pleasant floral scents. Various botanical art installations, where life flourished, formed a magnificent and beautiful paradise of life before the man. In this paradise sat the kind old man, along with the crystal-clear flower tea in his hands.

Seeming worried that something might be wrong with the man who had fallen asleep, the old man breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the man wake up. He pushed the cup of flower tea in his hand forward, looking at the incredulous man before him with great kindness, his voice full of the gentle and mature concern of a father or grandfather.

"You seem a bit tired lately; there is no need to force yourself to keep going like this. Drink some flower tea and relax here for a while. Take a good look at the life and nature around you, and feel the joy of the environment."

"Where is this...?"

"This is the Garden of Life, the paradise in your heart. Everyone has this feeling in their heart. A longing to receive a little reliance, a little salvation. But this will not be empty; instead, it will become the motivation for you to keep going, to keep persisting."

The kind old man sat on a chair, his pale green eyes full of pity and affection for the bewildered man before him. It was as if he were looking at his own child.

"I know you are very tired, and I also know you have developed fatigue toward all sorts of grand worlds. We don't need to run forever. After all, no one is chasing us. Just like this, tasting a bit of flower tea, feeling the fragrance of nature, and calming down to enjoy life—what could be wrong with that?"

"I..."

Looking at the flower tea in the cup before him, which smelled like it would make one feel calm, the man swallowed his saliva.

He remembered now; this was the psionic environment created by that machine. He had just had a three-hour break, spent an hour wallowing in self-pity, bought some things at the supermarket, and now, persuaded by that young man, he was planning to test this marvelous machine.

It must be said that this psionic machine was indeed very powerful; at the very least, the man could no longer tell whether he was in reality or in a virtual world. He just stared blankly at the kind old man, and finally, somewhat sluggishly, shook his head.

"No, I can't, I can't stay here any longer, I, I have to go back to work..."

"Hmm? Don't you know? In this world, the flow of time is about one to one hundred. In extreme cases, it might reach one to two hundred. We still have plenty of time."

The kind old man blinked at the nervous man before him, signaling that he could exit and see for himself.

The man exited the sleep state without hesitation, just as the initial instructions had suggested.

Like someone plunging from a house with a pleasant climate into the outdoors where the surface temperature was over seventy degrees, an inexplicable sense of suffocation instantly enveloped the man, making him subconsciously realize the environment he was in.

He was indeed outside, in this world that had been sealed and oppressive for who knows how long, filled with row upon row of buildings and a world that looked gentle and hopeful. He had been bound by this world for a very, very long time. But looking at the wall clock, he realized this with astonishment.

"One minute...?"

"Yes. Did you just exit like that? Actually, you could have stayed a while longer."

The staff member with green seaweed-like hair looked at the panting man with some surprise, the expression on his face appearing somewhat incredulous.

"Time is quite abundant in there, and we don't know what happened inside. This type of psionic technology is an evolved version of the Star-Bearer's Spirit Energy Archive, only it has a bit more direction and guidance, allowing you to produce the best sleep and memories. You can try it more often."

"I..."

Recalling the kind old man's concern, which was like a father's, and the sound of his persuasion, the man felt his nose sting.

To be honest, in that instant, the man really almost cried. He almost thought the old man before him was his grandfather, who had left him long ago. The old man who had once loved him unconditionally, yet possessed a certain majesty, was someone he remembered as truly great and truly remarkable.

If it weren't for such memories supporting him, he probably would have found it hard to survive that hellish student era. But now that he was grown up, he couldn't even recall his grandfather's face.

And that feeling just now, that kind feeling—wasn't that the warmth only a relative could bring? "I, can I try it more often?"

Clutching the Rune Helmet as if it were a treasure, the man swallowed his saliva nervously, looking at the green seaweed-haired man.

"Just need one hour... no, no, one hour and ten-something minutes, maybe I need that much time. Can you let me try it more? I believe I can, I really can return it to you very quickly."

"Haha, what are you saying."

Looking at the man's nervous expression, the green-eyed man with seaweed hair smiled kindly.

"Did you forget? This helmet is already yours. It belonged to you in the first place; you can go back and use it directly now. But I don't really suggest you go back right away; after all, there are still a bunch of old ladies outside. Use it here a bit more, and I'll put in a word for you later."

"This, this is so embarrassing..."

"It's fine, it's fine. I've also used this thing before. The scenery inside and one's own longings are very warm, aren't they? For the sake of that bit of warmth and happiness, we must also continue to work hard. Let's cheer each other on."

The employee with green seaweed hair gave the man a thumbs up and smiled as he pulled the door shut.

In the trial area, only the helmet flickering with psionic light remained, along with the man whose expression was fluctuating, seemingly struggling and thinking about something.

And the man looked at the helmet in his hands, his expression struggling intensely. This helmet was like a kind of poison, a warm hometown and embrace; to be honest, he really didn't want to return to that player's world. But since there was such a good ratio, could he use this to soothe himself after work?

It should be fine, right? This kind of thing should be acceptable, right? It's just sleeping.

Looking at the Rune shining on the helmet, the man gritted his teeth, then put it on his head and pressed the guidance button.

Just like entering the player's world, there was a very strange difference. As if digging into the thoughts deep within his heart, the man clearly felt a fall this time, a strange sense of detachment.

As if he had entered the reflection of the world, as if he had seen the other side of the world. In this world inside the mirror, he could truly feel who he was, and could truly understand what meaning his life in this world had. He just had such a strong thought.

"... You're back?"

"Yes."

As his consciousness returned, the man looked at the gentle old man and nodded somewhat reservedly.

Although, relying on a burst of impulsive courage, the man had put on the helmet and returned to this world, but looking at the kind old man, he found that he was like a child again, unable to say anything.

Even though he had infinite pain, and even though he had lived his life into what it was today, in the end, he hadn't been able to truly express it. He also wanted to directly express his pain, but now that it had come to this, looking at the gentle old man, the man didn't know why, but he couldn't say it.

Sometimes, when truly facing the object one wants to reach out and touch, or treat with intimacy, one often ends up showing an even more awkward distance. This kind of thing generally requires time to bridge again. Although there was already a fairly rich sense of trust and affection, the man still felt he lacked a bit of the art of conversation and also lacked some different kind of courage.

"Hmph, all in all, you lack a kind of rational thinking and a more versatile mode of thought."

"Wha—"

Just as he wanted to ask in surprise who it was, the man saw the source of the voice.

It was a version of himself, dressed in a suit and leather shoes, looking very much like a social elite, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and full of arrogance. Even he himself didn't quite dare to recognize that this was what he looked like.

Such an elite aura, a confident attitude that looked as if he held the secrets of the whole world, and that air of holding books as if the whole world belonged to him as a matter of course. This version of himself had probably never even appeared in his dreams. He had only seen such figures on television.

"Hmm, looking at your stupid face, I know you definitely can't figure out why you became like this."

The elite man, who looked noble and refined, sighed and looked at the old man who was watching everything with a smile.

"Then, I will take him away for a moment to let him witness his own possibilities and his diverse futures. What do you think? He respects you, but he needs encouragement even more."

"That would, of course, be for the best. Go with him, child. I will always be waiting for you." "..."

The man looked at the gently smiling old man, not knowing what to say; he just opened his mouth, and then drifted along behind the elite, watching him lead him into a crystal-clear high-rise building.

That must be the residence of this man; it looked like a high-end apartment of steel frames and glass, with massive floor-to-ceiling windows and a view of the endless, dazzling city nightscape, as if declaring that the man before him was a person at the very top of this world. And the elite man, looking at the nightscape outside the window, opened a bottle of high-end liquor and looked at his own timid self beside him with some disgust.

"If, and I mean if, you truly had such talent, the path you walk should be the same as mine. I know you will surely deny your own thoughts in your heart, but listen to me first, shut up, can you?"

"..."

But I haven't said anything yet?

Looking at that blue-eyed elite with the powerful aura, the man was only silent.

And looking at the silent man, that blue-eyed elite seemed even more incensed; he downed the fine wine in one gulp, looking at the silent man with a sense of "hate that iron will not become steel."

"You seem to feel very unconvinced, feeling that you have no ability, no confidence, no choice and courage, and that you definitely cannot accomplish things, right? Then let me ask you, how much time did you spend in the past on boring socializing and so-called entertainment projects? How much time have you spent working hard for yourself?"

"That, isn't that quite normal—"

"I told you to shut up first!"

"Oh."

The man nodded, feeling somewhat aggrieved, quietly waiting for the panting blue-eyed elite's reprimand, which was mixed with hatred.

Perhaps he had long been looking forward to such a critique, perhaps he had long been looking forward to a hearty, thorough scolding. This kind of rebuke and scolding could make him truly wake up and peel away the skin he was still propping up.

That blue-eyed elite was himself, starting from when he hesitated and chose not to become a class cadre as a child, starting from when he gave up various competitions and selections because he was afraid of trouble, starting from giving up the kindness of others under all sorts of gossip or his own arrogance.

One dissection after another, one rebuke after another; this feeling of being analyzed made him feel a sense of it being only natural.

Perhaps it was just like this, perhaps it was this kind of scolding that could make him a little better.

But just as the man was still savoring this self-dissection, the blue-eyed elite suddenly sighed.

"Sigh... I knew that someone like you would definitely not change anything. You are always wallowing in self-pity; when others scold you, you can even feel happy. People like you only know how to satisfy yourself, never really thinking about or understanding what is happening to you, and never solving the problems within yourself."

"Eh?"

"Then let someone who can solve problems come."

The blue-eyed elite shook his head with some weariness and snapped his fingers at the main door.

In just a blink of an eye, with the world spinning, the man saw a burly man with long crimson hair let out an angry roar, thumping as he ran toward him.

No reason, no dialogue; the crimson-haired burly man grabbed the man violently as if picking up a chick, then threw him toward the back. He threw him straight into a sand pit. Then, taking advantage of the man not yet standing steady, he kicked him over onto the ground. Just like throwing away trash, he casually tossed a red spear beside him.

"Stand up. Fight me!"

"No, don't! Don't hit me! Please! I don't know how to fight!"

"Trash!"

Another violent impact, and he was kicked to the ground again.

But, wait a moment.

It doesn't seem to hurt?

Kicked to the ground, the man who was subconsciously curling up his body suddenly realized something. Then he heard a sound of impatience, the sound of steel striking against a shield surface.

"Hey! Stand up! Stand up again! Pick up your weapon! The enemy is right here! What are you still hesitating for!"

Striking the brass shield surface, the red-haired burly man looked at the man who had fallen to the ground and let out roars.

"Are you going to continue being silent! Like a coward, like a piece of trash! Now you can't feel the pain, and you can't perceive your own wounds, yet even like this you don't dare to charge up!"

"Is all you can ever do just find excuses! Come, walk up! Pick up your weapon, pick up your confidence! You definitely didn't come here just to get beaten, did you! Come, face me, use your blade and spear, your courage! You can do it; you are just afraid of pain, but in reality, this is nothing worth being ashamed of."

"Repentance for death, the fear of the disappearance of one's own individual self, these are all normal. But the only thing worth despising is that you have even lost the courage to face it."

"Now, you won't die, and you won't feel pain, so what are you still hesitating for?!"

"——!!!!"

"Very good! That's it!"

Watching the man who let out a loud roar, hugged the spear beside him, and pounced over with eyes seemingly red with excitement, the red-haired burly man let out a hearty laugh, then used a shield to knock aside the man's chaotic attack and kicked him to the ground.

Then, just as the man was dizzy and doubting his life, a palm suddenly reached out in front of him. From beneath the helmet of the red-haired burly man whose face could not be seen came a sonorous and powerful voice. That maturity, like an iron block, was forged into his heart like steel.

"Congratulations, regardless of win or loss, you finally have the courage to wield a weapon against an enemy."

"... Thank you."

Grasping the red-haired burly man's palm, the man sat up from the sand pit and looked at the red-haired burly man, revealing a sincere smile.

He had never felt his own vitality and confidence like this. Although he might still be afraid of pain in reality, might be afraid of many things, afraid of this and that, but now, at least he did not lack the courage to launch an attack against an enemy when pushed to the limit.

This courage did not know how long it had disappeared, but now it was finally recovered by him.

And just as he was clenching his fist, savoring the sweetness of this bravery, a voice that sounded very hearty rang out from the edge of the Beast Arena.

"Speaking of courage and glory, then one cannot do without fine wine and delicacies after the war. Let's go, my dear warriors, the best rewards are already waiting for you. Come and enjoy the beauty and blessings that belong to you."

A purple-eyed man wearing a purple robe and a pale gold crown looked at the two and revealed a smile.

And after that, for the man, the memory he fell into was the aftermath of something too wonderful.

In his impression, no wonderful thing could describe everything he had obtained. If one had to say, this world was a beautiful dream, a dream that any intelligent creature would want to obtain.

I am afraid that for this dream, he could offer everything he had.

"... How is it? How does it feel?"

"I feel very good. You all will definitely be a hit."

"I'll take your word for it."

Looking at the man who woke up from his dream and returned to the building happily wearing his helmet, the green-eyed youth had a gentle smile, full of tenderness like the Kind Father in the dream.

"It is best if you are satisfied."

(End of this chapter)