[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-mmorpg-rebirth-as-an-alchemist":3,"chapter-mmorpg-rebirth-as-an-alchemist-mmorpg-rebirth-as-an-alchemist-chapter-441":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","MMORPG: Rebirth as an Alchemist",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1827327,2430,"Chapter 441 Grieving","mmorpg-rebirth-as-an-alchemist-chapter-441",441,"\u003Cp>Parched on the sunlounger as the sunset turned the sky a burnt orange, Lira watched the clouds drifted across the sky. The soft breeze ruffled her wig, and she could hear the waves lapping against the shoreline, lulling her into a trance-like state of relaxation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She'd been sitting there for hours, waiting for Roz to initiate a conversation. But the kid was only enjoying the book he read, and his one-liner replies to her questions told her that he didn't like to be disturbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira's heart skipped a beat as she observed Roz. His face looked tired and drawn, his eyes puffy from lack of sleep – and she had never felt attracted to a man before like she was right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew that what she was feeling was probably guilt or some kind of a condition called 'Rescue romance syndrome,' where she developed romantic feelings for her rescuer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lira didn't care. She needed someone right now, and Roz happened to be that person who saved her during her darkest days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was funny how she hated him before because of that petty squabble over a table, and now she found herself constantly searching for his company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe it was karma?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\" Roz asked after minutes that Lira was just staring at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can I tell you something?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if I said no, you'll still tell me anyway.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira chuckled and fixed herself comfortably on the lounger. \"Is that your way of saying yes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\". . .\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Roz didn't speak, Lira looked over at the horizon and told her tales.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sometimes I feel like there is something eating me up from the inside as if my conscience is telling me I'm not good enough. Every day I plastered my face with makeup, wore loose clothes, and faked a smile. But some days I can't take it anymore. I miss dinner one day . . . then again and again . . .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My doctor told me that I'm depressed. I have drugs for it, so I can sleep at night. It's funny because I didn't even know why I was depressed. Not until someone posted that video of me, shouting and cursing in the Mad Lab.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\". . .\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was depressed because I felt like . . . no one really knew the real me. And if they did, they wouldn't accept me. That I wasn't enough and needed to be like this and that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Deep down . . . I probably wanted to end it all, but I didn't know how. I have millions of followers, and I felt like millions would be disappointed if I did.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira reached for the sun that was slowly going down. A breeze blew through, bringing with it the scent of salt water, and she closed her eyes for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I guess that video was a blessing in disguise . . .\" she bitterly smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roz didn't say anything for a second. \"But you like streaming, right? You like being in the limelight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira sniffed loudly. \"Well . . . we can't always have what we want . . .\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roz turned the page of his book, eyes on the papers still. \"You didn't violate any law. You're not a criminal. You can start all over again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira laughed. \"I am a criminal. I deceived them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's called acting. And the last time I checked, no actors were jailed because they were portraying a different character on cam.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira was silent before she burst out laughing. \"You have a shrewd way of thinking. Are you going to be a lawyer someday? If so, I will definitely hire you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't want something as strenuous of a job as that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira giggled. \"Kidding aside, I don't think I would have any more followers and fans.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roz shrugged. \"As you said, you can't have it all. But you can start fresh, and this time, with your true, ugly, and bitchy personality. Others would still dig it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're still holding a grudge against me, aren't you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No comment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira chuckled, and she shifted her eyes at Roz and at the horizon for a good minute before she asked in a timid voice, \"Are you . . . are you going to follow me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\". . . Didn't I already did?\" Roz threw the question back at her, focus still on the book in his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lira didn't comment and was contented to lay on the lounger with a satisfied smile on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>----\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, Ren's condition improved, as well as all the others who had been stressed the previous days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren could speak long sentences now. Could smile and make his usual signature sarcastic remarks and swim with the others and play volleyball on the beach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he asked for some time alone later that afternoon when the sun was beginning to retire for the day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evie and the others respected his wishes, and they set up a bonfire instead for the upcoming night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren walked along the paste-like white sand on the shore as he recalled his time with his parents. He never really allowed himself to grieve, but now . . . he would let go of all the pain in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was ready to let them go and start anew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With tears streaming down his face, Ren could do nothing but sit cross-legged on the sandy shore and stare at the horizon in front of him. Waves of a deep royal blue sprayed onto his bare, sand-encrusted feet in cycles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And beyond those magical waves was something even more amazing and breathtaking. The sunset. Beautiful smudges of coral, lavender, turquoise and a fiery orange blended together to create a sight so astounding it swept him away from all of his worries, just like the waves creeping over seashells and snatching them into its depth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren's last teardrop fell and hit the soft white sand, and a warm feeling of safety and security overwhelmed him as the sun dipped down below the horizon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goodbye, mom and dad. I'll miss you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren wiped his tears and stood to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't save them even in this life, but it didn't mean that everything ended for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life must go on whether he likes it or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And unlike in the past, where he was all alone when his parents died . . . now he had a home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evie was his home now, a place where he could return to. A place where he belonged.\u003C\u002Fp>",1091,"2026-06-09T06:03:18.909Z",1,"novelbin.me","5c8388af02c80791738666b9db13928608c3dcab351f41fe3d9f91c4d7e356b7","mmorpg-rebirth-as-an-alchemist-chapter-442","mmorpg-rebirth-as-an-alchemist-chapter-440",910,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmmorpg-rebirth-as-an-alchemist-cover.jpg"]