Former Hero, Solo Play Oriented-Chapter 195

The capsule's lid opened with a sharp hiss, and light gradually seeped into the darkness.

Thump, thump.

My head spun, and my heart pounded violently. I tried to lift my body but instinctively clutched my chest in pain.

"Ugh."

It still felt like the pain lingered. Feeling agony through Isulbi's body was something I hadn't experienced in a while, but it was as unbearable as ever.

The connection between the Astria Continent and this body meant the suffering Rain endured there would ripple back to Isulbi. I still hadn't gotten used to it.

Even with my eyes shut tight, a peculiar yellow hue danced in my ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) vision. They say the colors you see with closed eyes come from your optic nerves? The thought briefly distracted me from the pain.

Thud, thud, thud—slam.

Hurried footsteps and the sound of a door being flung open echoed. Though my eyes remained closed, I could hear everything.

Soon, I felt myself being carefully lifted.

"Rain."

A voice filled with concern, gentleness, and a hint of anger called my name. That single word carried a myriad of emotions.

Swish.

"Eck."

Suddenly, fingers pried open my tightly shut lips, and something small and round was placed inside. The sharp taste on my tongue was familiar—it was the pain-relief pill I took regularly. A cup pressed against my lips.

"Drink."

I obediently swallowed the pill with water, as instructed by the voice. Leaning against the person who held me, I gradually felt the searing pain in my body subside.

Thump. Thump.

My heartbeat began to stabilize, and the fog clouding my mind started to lift.

"Ahh."

I sighed softly as I regained some composure. The medicine had worked, dulling most of the pain, but a lingering ache still throbbed in my chest.

Even though I hadn't died repeatedly like before, my body reacted violently. Perhaps it was because I had experienced an unprecedented agony—my heart being ripped out while I was still alive. Thankfully, there was no blood here.

I slowly opened my eyes.

I was in my bed, with Chris sitting beside me. She had cradled my trembling body until I calmed down. I looked up at her face, which reflected a storm of emotions. Soon, her expression softened into a faint smile.

"Feeling better now?"

"...Yes."

"Heh."

Chris gently patted my back as I leaned against her, offering a soothing presence. Comforted by her warmth, my thoughts began to wander.

It had taken us an entire day, but we finally defeated the second named boss. What time was it now? Late at night, surely. I wasn’t too hungry, but I’d probably need dinner soon. What did Uriel drop? A ring, maybe? I should check the options.

"Rain?"

"...?"

Chris’s voice was similar to earlier but carried a shift in emotion. This time, anger weighed heavier than before. A chill ran down my spine.

Still smiling, she spoke in a deceptively calm tone, but the veins on her forehead betrayed her rising frustration.

"You promised to explain, didn’t you? What you did in front of Uriel, that power you unleashed—what were you thinking? How did you do it? Tonight, I want answers."

"Uh..."

I swallowed hard as I met her fiery gaze.

I thought I had evaded this conversation well so far, but this time, there was no escape. Even if I wasn’t truly dying, the pain I endured was real, and to Chris, I had effectively thrown my life away right in front of her. She must have been deeply shaken.

Tonight, it seemed, I wouldn’t be able to dodge her interrogation.

"So, you encountered a presence unlike any regular players in those solo dungeons?"

"Yes. That’s where I gained the power."

"And the conditions...?"

Aside from the protective barrier, all skills required my HP to be at 1%. Additionally, the World Tree Belt’s effect that prevented instant death locked my HP at 1% for the duration of the fight.

By chaining skills and item effects, I could wield the full force of my past heroic abilities.

Chris shook her head vigorously, her expression hardening.

"Rain, this is dangerous. You shouldn’t use this again."

"But—"

Zap.

Her intense glare bore into me, and I shrank back.

"You’re lucky you’ve been fine so far. Have you heard of the researcher who lost their mind after pushing synchronization rates to the limit?"

"Ugh."

"It’s not just about mental strain. Your physical body here has been showing signs of strain, too. Don’t you remember what happened when I wasn’t here yet? Every time you suffered or died there, your body here took the shock."

Chris’s words hit home. Each time Rain suffered in Astria, Isulbi’s body endured its own trauma.

"Before I came here, I seriously considered stopping you from going back to that continent, even if it meant forcing you."

"You can’t!"

"I know. I understand why you’re so attached to that place. I’ve seen it now, and I get it."

Chris carefully laid my weakened body back on the bed and lay down beside me. Turning her head to face me, her eyes glimmered with sadness.

"Don’t ever do something like that again."

"...I’m sorry."

But you too...

Chris seemed to read my thoughts, chuckling softly as she stroked my hair.

"I’ll be more careful in front of you, too."

Her gaze lingered on my chest.

"...It must’ve hurt a lot."

"I’m fine."

Her sharp green eyes, which had been stern, glistened with tears.

I couldn’t help but smile.

Chris.

She was truly someone I couldn’t figure out—both strong and vulnerable.

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Her red hair framed me like a cocoon as she embraced me. Gently, I grasped her hand.

"Rain? What are you—huh?"

Her eyes widened in shock as I guided her hand to my chest.

Thump. Thump.

"...Can you feel it?"

"I... I can."

"I’m alive."

Wasn’t this something Chris had done to me yesterday?

She seemed too stunned to respond, and for some reason, I felt a laugh bubbling up inside me.

The two of us, caring for each other like this—what a pair of overly involved sisters we were.

By morning, I could hardly recall what had happened before I passed out.

"You don’t remember what you said last night?"

"Nope."

Chris let out a mixed sigh of relief and disappointment.

While eating breakfast, she suddenly fixed me with a stern expression.

"Rain, you’re banned from logging into Astria Online for a week starting today."

"What?!"

I practically jumped, though Isulbi’s body couldn’t.

We were so close to the final named boss! I had to finish this.

"But, Chris—"

"Nope."

Her resolve didn’t waver despite my pleading eyes.

For once, she wasn’t budging. I had no choice but to accept my forced rest, grumbling all the while as Chris stuffed me with snacks on the sofa.