The horizon was traversed by drifting clouds, each generously giving a bit of its water to the dry land below—turning the region fertile once more.
The sunlight shone upon two travelers on their journey.
Krisna glanced back, making sure everything was safe. In front of him walked Yuki, guiding the way.
Around Yuki's neck hung a collar that, if its trigger was pressed, would kill her—and that trigger was in Krisna's hand.
———
What kind of stupidity did you do!?
———
Seeing this, Krisna said, "Calm down, Lis. I have a plan," smiling.
A spear in his right hand and a shield in his left—a composition for defense, then attack.
Yuki led Krisna into a narrow alley. Shadows clinging to the corners made his steps feel slightly heavy.
As they walked through the alley, a flock of pigeons stared at Krisna. The stench of garbage lying around made him uncomfortable.
Eventually, they arrived at a house that looked run-down from the outside. However, the area around it was clean—something that impressed Krisna.
Yuki stepped closer to the door and knocked.
"Qia, it's me, sis." Even though no one replied, she still entered.
Seeing Yuki go inside, Krisna followed. The interior wasn't messy; in fact, it was tidy and clean, despite the minimal furniture.
Yuki then sat on a plastic chair.
It felt a bit rude to wander around someone's home, so Krisna sat as well—placing his bag down, though not his equipment.
"So, what do you want?" Yuki began the conversation.
"Well… actually, I have a deal," Krisna said as he set down his spear.
"What is it?"
Krisna leaned forward slightly. "In my bag, I have medicine that can cure your sister."
Yuki immediately shot to her feet. "WHAT!?"
"It's true. The cure exists."
Locking eyes with him, Yuki asked, "How do you know my sister is sick?"
Letting out a sigh, Krisna said, "Maybe don't talk nonsense when you're unconscious."
Yuki's face flushed, her clenched teeth visible.
———
Hah, how did you know?
———
Lis appeared beside Krisna.
Krisna only gave a small smile in response.
Back when Yuki was first tied up, Krisna had been outside, deep in thought. His mind kept flowing like a river, until his imaginative skill unintentionally activated on its own.
Inside his imaginative world, Krisna stood in a flat, endless expanse. An orange sky stretched from horizon to horizon.
He stood there, looking in every direction. No wind blown; the usual drifting paintings in the sky were absent. Pure emptiness and utter void.
"Lis," he called repeatedly, but Lis did not seem to exist in that world.
Yet within that emptiness, the figure of a white-haired girl slowly formed with her back turned to him. He stepped closer, reaching for her shoulder. When his palm touched it, his consciousness was drawn in—and the world collapsed.
Krisna's eyes opened, but instead of a mushroom-ridden body, he found himself in a body with curves.
He was stunned. But when he tried to move, the body didn't obey—like watching a video he couldn't control, only observe.
The girl walked toward a mirror hanging in the room. Krisna realized he was inside Yuki's body: still wearing pajamas, her white hair messy.
She then turned toward a girl lying on a futon. A girl with beautiful, elegant red hair.
Yuki approached her and gently touched her forehead.
"Qia, your fever's gone…"
From Krisna's perspective, Qia was Yuki's younger sister.
Qia struggled to open her eyes. When they fully opened, deep blue irises with golden specks appeared—as if the universe resided within them.
With trembling hands, Qia reached toward Yuki. "Really, onee-chan?"
"Yeah…"
With a heavy breath, Qia asked, "Does that… mean Qia can watch the fireworks later?"
Yuki answered instantly, "Yeah… you can, Qia. You can."
"Yay… onee-chan. Qia's sleepy, so I want to sleep again." Qia fought her drowsiness.
"Sleep, Qia," Yuki whispered, stroking her sister's head gently until she drifted off.
Seeing Qia asleep, Yuki hurried to change her clothes—at which moment Krisna intended to watch to the end. As she began taking off her pajamas—
Fate seemed to forbid it. Suddenly, he was sent back into the empty void.
Krisna sighed… "Well… massive disappointment."
The world cracked and trembled—Krisna, caught in the quake, fell again and again.
Until finally, he was flung back into his own body. His eyes snapped open as he looked around—he had returned.
The sun had yet to rise and the chickens were still asleep.
"Lis."
"Lis," he called again.
"Lis!" the third call—finally, Lis showed up.
———
Hooaam~ What? It's so early…
———
Taking a breath, Krisna asked, "Got any strong medicine?"
———
Yeah, why?
———
"A cure for everything?" Krisna raised an eyebrow.
———
There is. But it's expensive. Can someone poor like you even afford it?
———
Arms crossed, "Heh, trivial. Show me."
———
Okay, okay.
Universal Healing Pill.
Description: this pill originates from the martial world and was forged in Tartarus… just kidding, the process is secret. One dose can cure even cancer.
Price: 50,000 Con.
———
"What!? That expensive!?" His chest suddenly hurt. Clutching it, he continued, "For the long run."
Click…
———
Universal Healing Pill: 1×
Price: 50,000 Con.
Remaining Con: 0
———
Particles formed into a small cube, dropping into Krisna's hand.
———
You're insane…
Five days and you already earned 50,000 Con.
———
A grin spread across his face. "Want a tutorial on working like a horse?"
———
Tch, maniac.
———
Time moved forward—returning to the negotiation.
Seeing Yuki grit her teeth, Krisna continued, "You don't believe me?"
Hearing his confident tone, Yuki fell silent.
She sat back down—her gaze fixed on Krisna. "If it works, what do you want?"
Taking a deep breath, Krisna said, "My sister has an incurable disease… I've seen many doctors, and they all said: impossible."
He closed his eyes briefly. "Try it. If she can be cured… I want you to work with me."
Opening his hand with a smile, "How about it? Deal?"
Yuki paused for a moment. "Alright," she replied.
Krisna took the small box from his bag—opening it. Then he stood up, as did Yuki, guiding him to Qia's room.
Before entering, Yuki knocked. Then she opened the door and stepped inside.
There, Krisna saw the same girl from his vision. Lying on the wrinkled futon.
Yuki touched Qia's body gently. Slowly, she woke up.
Rubbing her eyes, "Hmmm, onee-chan? And…"
Krisna immediately answered, "Her husband," flashing a wide smile.
Hearing that, Yuki became furious, but couldn't show it in front of her sister—secretly, she pinched Krisna's thigh.
"Eugh." He suppressed his voice.
Qia's small hand grabbed Krisna's shirt—so he sat down and placed the box near her futon.
"Onii-chan," Qia petted him.
"Yeah, what is it?"
"Thank you," she whispered softly.
Krisna raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Qia… will leave onee-chan soon. So… please make her happy." Tears streamed down her smooth cheeks.
Gently, Krisna wiped them away. "No. Starting today and onward, Qia will keep living."
Her tears kept flowing—Yuki also held back her sobs.
"B-but… the doct—" Krisna placed a finger on Qia's lips.
"If you drink this, your sister might be happy…" he handed her the pill.
Qia glanced at the pill—and the glass Yuki held.
Without hesitation, she took the pill and swallowed it in an instant. Krisna was shocked by her decisiveness.
To be continued…