Chapter 43. Ayaka’s Unique Skill
<Two Days Later>
Shin fluttered his eyes open for the first time since the encounter with Tony. Though he’d managed to neutralize most of the toxic gas from Tony’s arrow, some of it had still made its way into his lungs, clenching them so tight that breathing had become a struggle. Fortunately, Lilian had rushed him to the hospital in the Safezone, where the NPC doctors did what they could to keep him alive—but of course, it came at a cost.
Thanks to the coins he earned from killing four players in that brutal battle, he had enough to cover the automatic medical bills and still had around 4,200 coins left.
The first thing he saw when his vision cleared was Ayaka, dozing beside him. After he’d treated her wounds and Yuki had shielded her from the gas waves, she had regained consciousness later that same night and since then, she hadn’t left his side, worried sick about him.
Shin tried to sit up but immediately winced as a sharp pain exploded in his skull, forcing a groan from his lips.
That groan was enough to stir Lilian awake. She’d been sitting quietly in the corner of the room, having skipped work for two whole days just to be there when he woke. Her eyes lit up with hope.
"D-Divine Shade!" she whispered, rushing to sit beside him. She pressed her palm to his forehead, her eyes wide with concern. "You’re burning up! Do you need water? You must be starving. What should I get you? Rice? Soup? Pancakes?"
Shin let out a soft chuckle at her barrage of questions, touched by the worry painted across her face.
"I am starving," he admitted with a smile. "How long was I out?"
"Two days, Master," she said quickly. "What should I bring you?"
"Anything’s fine." He paused. "Where’s Yuki?"