Economic Update
The hospital room fell silent once more.
Elena continued hugging Yevhen.
Neither of them spoke.
Neither knew what to say.
For years, they had wished for even the smallest improvement.
Now that it had finally happened...
Words seemed insignificant.
Knock.
Knock.
The gentle sound of the door interrupted the moment.
A middle-aged physician entered the room, carrying Yevhen's medical chart.
"Good afternoon."
He smiled warmly.
"I heard there was quite a bit of excitement in this room."
Elena quickly wiped away the tears on her face.
"S-Sorry, Doctor."
"It's just..."
She looked at Yevhen.
"He sat up."
The doctor chuckled.
"I certainly hope so."
"No."
Elena shook her head repeatedly.
"You don't understand."
"He sat up... by himself."
Without struggling.
Without assistance.
Without collapsing back onto the bed."
The doctor's expression slowly became serious.
He turned toward Yevhen.
"Is that true?"
Yevhen nodded.
"...Yes."
"I didn't even realize I had done it."
The doctor immediately began his examination.
He checked Yevhen's pulse.
His breathing.
His reflexes.
Then he asked him to raise both arms.
Yevhen complied effortlessly.
"Again."
He did.
"Sit forward."
He did.
"Hold this position."
Several seconds passed.
No shaking.
The doctor frowned.
Curious.
He retrieved a small instrument to test muscle resistance.
"Gently push against my hand."
Yevhen obeyed.
The doctor's eyebrows rose.
"...Interesting."
Several more examinations followed.
Nearly twenty minutes later...
The doctor finally stepped back.
He looked at the medical chart.
Then at Yevhen.
Then back at the chart.
"...This shouldn't be possible."
Elena grew nervous.
"D-Doctor?"
He slowly smiled.
"It's good news."
"Very good news."
Both siblings stared at him expectantly.
The doctor folded the chart beneath his arm.
"Your body has begun producing healthier blood cells than before."
He spoke carefully, making sure they understood.
"Those cells appear to be improving the delivery of oxygen and nutrients throughout your muscles."
"As a result..."
He looked at Yevhen.
"Your muscle condition has started recovering."
Yevhen remained speechless.
The doctor continued.
"It isn't a complete recovery."
"Not yet."
"But compared to your previous examinations..."
He smiled.
"The improvement is undeniable."
Elena covered her mouth.
"So..."
"He's getting better?"
The doctor nodded.
"Gradually."
"I've practiced medicine for over twenty years."
"I've witnessed recoveries."
"I've witnessed miracles."
He chuckled softly.
"But this..."
He looked at Yevhen once more.
"...is certainly among the most remarkable."
He closed the medical chart.
"I'd like to schedule additional tests over the coming weeks."
"I want to monitor this closely."
"There may be something happening within your body that medical science doesn't yet fully understand."
Yevhen instinctively touched the place where the necklace once rested beneath his shirt.
Only he knew.
It wasn't medicine.
It wasn't coincidence.
It was the Primal Codex.
The doctor extended his hand.
"Whatever the cause..."
"Congratulations."
"I sincerely hope this recovery continues."
Yevhen smiled.
"...Thank you, Doctor."
After exchanging a few final instructions with Elena, the doctor quietly left the room.
The door clicked shut.
Silence returned.
Elena looked at Yevhen.
Then suddenly laughed.
Not because something was funny.
But because happiness had become too overwhelming to contain.
"I knew it."
"I knew you'd get better."
Yevhen smiled.
"I wasn't so sure."
She gently flicked his forehead.
"Then believe a little more."
He laughed.
"I will."
Several peaceful minutes passed.
Eventually, Elena stretched her arms.
"...Now what?"
Yevhen shrugged.
"I guess..."
"We wait four hours."
She groaned dramatically.
"Four hours is forever."
She looked around the quiet room before spotting the television remote again.
"Guess we're watching the news."
Click.
The television came alive.
As expected...
Every major channel was still discussing one topic.
Divine Nexus.
The anchor appeared before a massive screen displaying footage from the game.
"Today's emergency maintenance has drawn worldwide attention."
"According to the developers, the update will prepare Divine Nexus for its first economic expansion."
The screen shifted to a newly released announcement.
Unlike previous broadcasts...
No company executives appeared.
No interviews.
No faces.
Only a black screen displaying silver letters.
The company behind Divine Nexus remained as mysterious as ever.
No one knew who had created the world's first true full-dive virtual reality game.
The announcer simply read the official statement.
---
Official Maintenance Notice
The following systems will become available after maintenance:
• Player Currency System
• Merchant Trading Expansion
• Registered Economic Exchange
---
The anchor continued.
"The developers have confirmed that in-game merchants will now conduct business using the official currency of Divine Nexus."
"Players will be able to purchase equipment, supplies, crafting materials, and services directly from NPC merchants."
The next announcement appeared.
---
Real Currency Integration
Registered players may exchange approved real-world currency for official Divine Nexus currency through the authorized exchange system.
Additional details regarding withdrawal, taxation, and exchange rates will be released in future updates.
---
Elena's eyes widened.
"So players can actually buy game currency legally now..."
The anchor nodded as another report appeared.
"Economic analysts predict that Divine Nexus may become the first virtual world to establish a fully recognized digital economy operating alongside real-world financial systems."
"Merchants, guilds, crafters, adventurers, and service providers are all expected to benefit."
"Experts believe entirely new careers may emerge within the game."
Yevhen watched the report silently.
Yesterday, earning money had only been a possibility.
Today...
The foundation of that economy was becoming reality.
He quietly clenched his fist.
Every level.
Every skill.
Every Truth.
None of it was just for becoming stronger anymore.
Each step brought him closer to helping Elena.
Closer to paying their medical expenses.
Closer to reclaiming the life illness had stolen from him.
As the news continued, his reflection appeared faintly on the dark edge of the television screen.
The reflection no longer showed only a frail boy lying in a hospital bed.
It showed someone who had begun to change.
Slowly.
Steadily.
One Truth at a time.