I Became the Drug-Addicted Childhood Friend Chapter 1

[7 hours 43 minutes]

There’s still plenty of ti. Just to be safe, I packed so pills and painkillers.

Honestly, I wish I could bring the injection solution with , but I don’t have a proper bag for it.

Anyway, I’m all set to go out now.

All that’s left is to actually step outside.

I try not to think about my worn-out clothes and the bandage wrapped around my arm.

I rummaged through my wardrobe, but there wasn’t much to choose from.

A couple of simple shirts, and everything else looks like rags.

Is it my fault I’m poor?

Not much I can do about that.

I just told myself it’s a casual look, and that made it feel a bit better.

“Alright, ti to et the protagonist.”

We’re supposed to be childhood friends, but the protagonist hasn’t co to see at all.

At this rate, he’ll only show up at my funeral.

Guess I’ll have to go to him first.

In the novel, the protagonist didn’t see Yoo Seo-Ah again until she was half-dead.

That’s what happens when you don’t keep in touch for so long.

Anyway, I’m in a pretty good mood right now.

Am I excited to et him?

With that thought in mind, I reached for the doorknob.

[Warning: External stimuli can reduce your remaining ti.]

A warning ssage appeared.

“...”

External stimuli shorten the ti I can stay clear-headed.

The drug’s effects wear off faster.

In other words, my good mood won’t last long.

[Warning: External stimuli can reduce your remaining ti.]

Even though I’ve packed pills and painkillers, seeing that ssage made hesitate.

“But I still have to go.”

I need to et him.

I can’t avoid it this ti.

I’m low on money and can’t afford more ds unless I borrow so.

The protagonist has plenty of cash.

He’s kind-hearted, so I’m sure he’ll lend so.

I hope.

I can’t just call him either.

Yoo Seo-Ah’s too poor to own a luxury like a phone.

And even if she had one, she probably would’ve sold it.

These ds are ridiculously expensive.

There’s no one else to turn to.

My parents are dead.

There are no adults around to help.

This world is nothing like the one I used to live in.

Life here is harsh.

So, where’s the protagonist?

He’s at the Awakener Academy.

Even without a phone, I can track him down because of that.

In every story, the protagonist always has so kind of special power.

Here, they’re called Awakeners.

Monsters have started to appear, and the Awakeners are the ones who fight them.

Gates open, dungeons appear...

The protagonist fights monsters and bad guys alike.

It’s the typical fantasy novel world.

For the record, Yoo Seo-Ah’s parents died in an Awakener-related accident.

The protagonist also lost his parents to monsters when he was young.

He had adults around, but none of them cared enough to really look after him.

That’s why the two of them beca childhood friends.

They bonded over their shared tragedy.

But after his Awakening, the protagonist was whisked away to the academy.

You could say he was dragged off to it.

That’s how the law works here.

Awakener? Straight to the training academy.

He used to live in the sa rough environnt as Yoo Seo-Ah, but now he’s living in the academy dorms.

He used to co visit Yoo Seo-Ah once a week, but it’s been a long ti since his last visit.

Well, he is the protagonist, so I guess he’s busy.

The protagonist has no idea how much worse Yoo Seo-Ah’s condition has gotten.

She’s been hiding it from him all this ti.

In the novel, Yoo Seo-Ah died because the protagonist stopped paying attention to her.

I’m only still alive because I’m not her.

This is what happens when people neglect their childhood friends.

Who leaves their sick friend alone to have fun at the academy?

[7 hours 23 minutes]

I’m lucky to have this tir showing when to take my ds.

The Yoo Seo-Ah in the novel didn’t have that, so she died quickly.

If you take too many ds, they beco poison.

Sure, taking more makes you happier, but still...

For now, I’m taking them in moderation, so it’s fine.

The fact that I’m smiling naturally must an I’m healthy and in good shape.

“Ah... I wish I could go to the academy too.”

I just want to catch a break.

But forget the academy—I don’t even go to a normal school.

Public education is a broken concept in this world.

The wealth gap is huge.

That’s why there are slums in the middle of the city, with plenty of empty houses scattered around.

Well, at least that ans I have a place to live.

With these thoughts running through my head, I kept walking toward the academy.

The place is massive, so it’ll be visible soon.

Thankfully, it’s within walking distance.

“Hmm. Unauthorized visitors aren’t allowed inside.”

I was stopped at the entrance.

The guard blocked my way.

“I’m here to see a friend.”

“Did you contact them in advance?”

“No.”

“Hmm, then I’m afraid I can’t let you in.”

“Ah...”

Turns out, there were more obstacles than I expected.

It would’ve been nice if I at least had the protagonist’s phone number.

[3 hours 40 minutes]

It was a long walk.

I’d been walking for three or four hours now.

I didn’t have enough money for public transportation either.

There was no way I could walk all the way back ho.

In fact, I probably wouldn’t even make it if I tried.

If I could borrow so money from the protagonist, I’d take a taxi back.

As I stood there, disappointed, the guard spoke up again.

“If you have a na, I can send a ssage. No promises, but I’ll let them know soone’s looking for them.”

Thankfully, it wasn’t over yet.

The guard was kinder than I expected.

It might take so ti, but it seems like I’ll be able to et him after all.

“Oh, thank you! His na is Han Si-Hoo. Tell him Yoo Seo-Ah is here to see him.”

I gave him the protagonist’s na.

“Han Si-Hoo? Isn’t he that famous kid? I heard he’s a middle schooler who beat one of the high schoolers.”

“Really?”

It’s still early in the story, but it seems like he’s already making a na for himself.

If I were the protagonist, I could probably do that too.

“If you were just a journalist or sothing, I wouldn’t have even bothered. I’m only making an exception this ti.”

The guard is really nice.

I noticed his gaze lingering on the bandage wrapped around my arm.

I casually moved my arm behind my back.

Do I look that pitiful, dressed in rags?

I’m perfectly happy on the inside, though.

People really shouldn’t judge others based on appearances.

“Thanks.”

“No problem. Just leave your contact info, and it’ll take so ti.”

“Um... I don’t have any contact information. Can I just wait here?”

“...”

The guard let sit in the waiting area.

I sat there, watching the academy students walk by.

Since I was by the entrance, I didn’t see many, but the campus was huge.

So students used strange teleportation magic, while others carried spears on their backs.

A woman who looked like a professor floated a glowing orb beside her.

This world is straight out of a novel.

It’s a sha I’m powerless.

I wonder if any of those people could cure Yoo Seo-Ah’s illness.

Probably not.

Healing Awakeners can only do so much.

They can reattach severed limbs, but they can’t even cure the common cold.

It’s a weird system.

“If I had powers, I’d be attending the academy right now.”

“Yeah, yeah. The world’s an unfair place.”

The guard chid in from beside .

“Haha...”

The protagonist has been defeating bad guys with his powers since he was a kid, but Yoo Seo-Ah?

She’s never accomplished anything.

Well, actually, she did... right before she died.

But she wasn’t on the protagonist’s side at the ti.

Huh?

Suddenly, I feel like dying.

Why did I have to end up as this character, in this ssed-up novel?

Honestly, life would be better without the ds.

Even if I manage to borrow so money and get more drugs, then what?

I’ll just keep taking ds, waiting for money, buying more drugs...

Do the drugs even cure my illness?

Why wasn’t I made the protagonist?

If I had to be an extra, couldn’t I at least have gotten a better role?

Yoo Seo-Ah, of all people.

I feel like I’m losing my mind.

Sothing’s seriously wrong with .

[2 hours 11 minutes]

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a pill.

I popped it into my mouth and swallowed it dry.

It was hard to get down without water.

[2 hours 30 minutes]

Huh?

I feel better already.

Sotis, even when I still have ti left, the effects wear off like this.

I’ve got to stay clear-headed.

This makes realize how important my health is.

When things get risky, I just take more pills, and everything feels better.

That’s how it’s always been.

“-I managed to reach him a few minutes ago. Han Si-Hoo said he’ll co here himself. Just wait a little longer.”

As I waited, I finally heard so good news.

“Really?”

“They’ll probably take you to a designated eting area. I think.”

“Ah.”

“You seem pretty happy. You were looking gloomy earlier.”

“Yeah. It’s been a while since we last t.”

I didn’t realize it showed on my face how eager I was to et the protagonist.

“Here’s a temporary pass. Show it if anyone asks.”

“Oh!”

It was a lanyard with a badge, like sothing a corporate worker would wear.

Anyway, I just want to get this over with and collect the money for my ds.

[1 hour 56 minutes]

I’ll ask for taxi fare while I’m at it.

Even though I brought so ergency pills, it would take too long to walk ho.

It’s far enough to make my legs hurt.

Not that they hurt now, but maybe that’s why the ds are wearing off faster.

At the academy, students get a ton of support funds.

They can even make money by killing monsters.

There are special governnt-led missions they can complete for cash, or they might get rare items during field practice.

And let’s not forget, this is the protagonist we’re talking about.

Who knows how much money he’s got?

Yoo Seo-Ah and Han Si-Hoo have been friends since they were little.

He’ll lend so money, no problem.

He wouldn’t refuse, especially if it’s for my health.

Even if the ds are expensive.

“Haha...”

I started laughing.

It feels good to laugh.

Thinking about getting money from the protagonist just makes even happier.