Rain erged from the consultation room after finishing her session with the doctor, and Chris carefully guided her back to the hospital room.
Rain seed exhausted from the long hours of various tests. A clear drowsiness lingered around her eyes.
"I'm sorry... I should be doing things myself... just a little more, please help ..."
Rain leaned on Chris for support.
The guardian application process was already completed. With Rain’s consent, Chris now had the authority to access her dical information and act as her legal guardian.
After laying Rain down in her bed, Chris gently patted her until she drifted off into a deep sleep.
Chris then left the hospital room and made her way back to the doctor’s office.
The doctor, who had been intently studying a hologram screen, greeted Chris as she entered. The screen displayed Rain’s test results and various dical reports.
"Chris, welco. So you’re the guardian for patient Lee Seulbi?"
The doctor got straight to the point.
"Even after she’s discharged, you’ll need to carefully monitor the patient’s nutrition and overall health. With spinal cord damage and severely weakened bodily functions, she will need continued hospitalization and rest for a while."
Chris listened as the doctor explained Rain’s physical condition in detail.
Korea had undergone rapid changes after adopting policies that welcod refugees and immigrants as citizens. Over the decades, the issue of unregistered refugee orphans beca a significant social problem.
Although Rain had shared many things with Chris, she had never ntioned her past. Judging by her foreign appearance and lack of family, it was reasonable to assu she was one of the orphaned refugees from that turbulent ti.
Rain had likely led a lonely life with no one to rely on. Her body had suffered deeply as a result.
"Of course, the patient’s physical treatnt is important, but the most concerning issue is…"
The doctor glanced at one of the graphs, his expression turning grim.
"The patient’s ntal condition. It’s highly likely that her ntal state is having a significant impact on her physical health."
"...!"
"As you may know, with the advancents in virtual reality technology, neuroscience and dical fields have also progressed rapidly. Thanks to special brainwave tests, we can now visualize most ntal health issues. However..."
There was a mont of silence, and Chris felt an indescribable sense of unease.
"But...?"
"The results are highly unusual. While I’ve explained this to the patient herself, many people either don’t realize they have a ntal illness or don’t take it seriously. That’s why it’s crucial for guardians to observe and help care for the patient. In this case, the results of Lee Seulbi’s brainwave test suggest..."
The doctor hesitated for a mont before continuing.
"It’s similar to PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It seems she’s suffering from severe ntal trauma caused by past physical and emotional shocks. However, her condition is quite different from typical PTSD patients. Despite undergoing extensive psychological testing and deep interviews, we’ve been unable to fully define her condition."
"What... what exactly is wrong with Rain—uh, Seulbi?" Chris asked, trying to steady her pounding heart.
"Her psychological evaluations and surface-level behavior indicate a very stable ntal state. And yet, her special brainwave test results suggest severe PTSD. Based solely on the test, it wouldn’t be surprising if she exhibited symptoms like regression or seizures at any mont."
Chris felt as if the blood was draining from her body.
"She seems stable for now, but her condition could worsen at any ti. As her guardian, it’s important for you to keep a close watch on her progress."
Chris walked through the hospital hallway, lost in thought, her expression vacant.
The 'Lee Seulbi' she had observed over the past few days was Rain but also sohow different. When Rain stroked Chris’s head to comfort her, Chris had even felt like Rain was more of an adult than she was. She couldn’t see her as soone with serious ntal health issues.
Yet the special brainwave test indicated that Rain had suffered severe psychological trauma.
What could have caused such deep wounds? Was it from the accident that left her unable to walk?
Suddenly, mories of Rain’s behavior in *Astra Online* flashed through Chris’s mind.
Her extre discomfort when people approached her, the seizure-like reactions when her shoulder was touched, her childlike gestures and movents.
Chris, who had been by Rain’s side all this ti, understood one thing:
Rain’s wounds were there.
She sought healing for her emotional scars in the world of *Astra Online*.
"PTSD, huh."
As I lay in bed after waking up, I thought back to the explanation the doctor had given .
Fortunately, even in this advanced future, science hadn’t progressed to the point of peering into people’s mories.
I had anticipated so level of ntal health issues. After all, I had struggled imnsely after 'that day.'
But now, 'Lee Seulbi' is okay.
There was a ti when I had lost all motivation and nearly let myself drift away from the world, but after encountering *Astra Online*, I found the strength to keep going.
And, of course, 'Rain' enjoys adventuring through the continent of Astra.
The important thing is that I’m not suffering from any serious illness that others need to worry about.
However, one thing beca clear through these tests.
The doctor ntioned that my past trauma might still be affecting my body in the form of ongoing pain, but it likely isn’t PTSD. That’s not the issue.
It’s more likely that my body is reacting strangely because of—
"Synchronization rate."
The injuries 'Rain' suffered have had a significant impact on 'Lee Seulbi’s' body.
This experience confird that ntal pain could indeed influence the physical body.
Of course, I didn’t ntion anything about the 100% synchronization rate to the doctor.
I’m already soone who can’t live without *Astra Online*. I also need to make money there.
Even if they advised to take action due to the danger of my synchronization rate, I couldn’t follow that advice.
So, what should I do?
"Hmm..."
Perhaps the best course of action is to avoid getting hurt.
And if I can strengthen my real body, it might hold out for a while longer.
Exercise, maybe? Sothing that only uses my upper body?
Given my current hospitalization, doing my best to stay healthy seems like the most I can do.
"Rain, say 'Ah~'"
"...Ah."
I sighed deeply and opened my mouth as Chris fed another spoonful of porridge.
"I can eat by myself, you know...? I’m not a child."
"But I want to feed you! Didn’t you say you owe a big debt? So you should at least let do this~"
Chris seed very happy as she spooned porridge into my mouth.
If it makes Chris happy, I guess there’s no helping it.
Besides, this is part of getting my body healthy again.
One of the reasons I collapsed was due to malnutrition, after all.
The solution is simple: I need to eat three als a day.
On ti, and with a balanced intake of nutrients.
"That’s going to be tough."
For so many years, I had been living on one al a day, mostly consisting of instant noodles.
Sure, I’d eaten more delivery food recently, but I used to be satisfied with just one or two slices of pizza a day.
And now I’m supposed to stuff my small stomach with nutritious food three tis a day?
"If you gradually increase your al portions, you’ll be fine. You’re not on a diet, and your body doesn’t have any fat reserves or muscle left. Without proper nutrition, this is what happens."
Chris scolded with a stern look. I glanced at her cautiously.
Since I had accepted her as my guardian and was now under her care, I had to listen to what she said.
Chris quickly softened her expression and smiled again, holding out the spoon.
"Ah~"
"...Ah."
I obediently accepted the food again, feeling a little embarrassed.
But I continued to eat, nonetheless.
"When will I be able to leave the hospital?" I asked Chris, bringing up the most pressing issue after finishing my al.
It had already been over a week since I was admitted. Other than my legs, I felt like my body should be fully recovered by now.
"Already? The doctor said you’ll need to stay for at least a month."
"A... a month?!"
I couldn’t help but be shocked.
In a month, the lucrative period for running bus services in the fortress would be over.
Bus fees gradually decrease over ti. After a month, most passengers would have finished farming the fortress. At that point, it’d be hard to find custors, and the bus fees would have to be much lower.
"I can’t stay in the hospital for a month. If I don’t earn gold, I’ll be in trouble."
If I don’t make money this month, I’ll have to stay in that slum even longer. Not to ntion, a long hospital stay would an high dical bills.
Chris pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to .
"Huh?"
It was a contract.
"Rain, if you sign this, I’ll take care of everything. Not just the dical bills, but your living situation too."
"...What?"
Even housing?
I gulped and carefully examined the contract.
The terms were straightforward: I would work as a full-ti employee for Chris’s raid bus service in *Astra Online*, and in exchange, she would cover my living expenses and provide other benefits.
I didn’t have to participate in the initial raid trials. As long as I joined when the bus service began, I would receive a salary in cash instead of gold. Of course, I could still request paynt in gold if needed.
I tilted my head.
The conditions
were too good for . It wasn’t much different from what I was already doing. If I received a salary, I wouldn’t even have to go through the hassle of converting gold into cash.
I stared intently at the contract.
The internet always said to be wary of deals that seed too good to be true. Was there so hidden clause or trap?
I quickly shook my head.
What am I thinking, Seulbi?
Chris wouldn’t do anything shady like that.
Still, the thought of being trapped in a capsule, unable to enjoy *Astra Online* and forced to make money...
"...Gasp!"
That would be dangerous.
It’s not that I don’t trust Chris.
This is just part of fully trusting her.
I read the contract over and over again.
Chris continued to smile brightly as she watched .
In the end, I signed the contract.
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