Rorick

I hadn’t completely made up my mind just yet. As much as I wanted to find that flower and help Rorick, I knew I couldn’t beat the Duskmaw. It was just too strong for me as I was.

Sure, if I level up some more and get stronger, I could try. No, that’s not a realistic option. The monsters in this forest aren’t going to get me a lot of experience points. It’d take too long to level like that, especially with my speed.

The chief gave me a concerned look, then placed a consoling hand on my shoulder, “Don’t worry, it’s not something for you to worry about. We can’t depend on you for something like this. As his father, it’s my job to look after him.” He forced a smile.

Even so… If there’s a chance, even a small one, shouldn’t I go?

The rest of the day went pretty similarly; the villagers continued to maintain the fields, while some rushed in and out of Rorick's hut to aid his recovery. He had a pretty bad scare earlier, but his condition turned somewhat stable.

The next day, he tried leaving his bed again and the chief assigned someone to keep watch over him. I understood his uneasiness, but at that rate, it wouldn’t get him anywhere.

I kept the village in good shape with my free time, but more often than not, I spent my time at Rorick's bedside. Being in the village, we got to hang out a lot more.

He read books to me, and after trying it myself, I felt like I got the hang of reading this new world's language. Like learning to speak it, I felt like I only needed to look over something once before it was perfectly committed to memory.

Today’s book was an Adventurer's Tale, a collection of beginner adventurers' notes collected for scholars and aspiring adventurers. Rorick seemed to like that book. It was once a travelling adventurer's, left behind in the woods one day. Rorick picked it up and has been reading it ever since.

He pointed to a page of sketched out stones and flowers, “Look at this one, it’s called Myranite. It looks so pretty…” Rorick admired with a smirk. “Doesn’t it kind of look like what you’re made of?”

Hey, he’s not wrong. Didn’t my appraisal say I was a Myranite Golem, too?

“It says here that Myranite has the unique property to contain, store and release any kind of outside influence. They’re found in areas rich with concentrated levels of magic and often turn into new gems after absorbing enough of a specific influence.” He scratched his head and looked between me and the page, “I don’t really get it, but it sounds cool, I suppose.”

The page opposite that one had a few examples, some familiar and others I had never seen before. According to the records on those pages, the Luminous stone was a gem created from concentrated amounts of light that a Myranite gem absorbed. I made sure to commit it all to memory, of course.

I wonder if that’s why I’m able to learn things so quickly in this world? I examined the rich, white colour of my body as Rorick continued.

“I’d love to see these kinds of things for myself one day. I’ll be an amazing adventurer, one that’s known through all the major cities and towns!” His face lit up. He rose from his bed into a mighty pose, and the book flew off the bed. “Whoops! Can’t let this get damaged– Cough cough! He reached for the fallen book, and a heavy cough left his body. Blood stained the furry rug under his bed.

He’s getting weaker. He barely moved, and he’s already having trouble breathing. It looks too familiar.

I helped him onto bed, and an older woman ran in a moment later. She’d served as his bedside companion through the last few days, changing his sheets and tending to him. Her caring tone reminded me of the nurses in my previous life; they also gave me a similar expression when I coughed like that.

“Master Rorick, you mustn’t! Ah, Guardian, thank you for helping.” She bowed politely and helped me guide Rorick onto his back. “I’ll take it from here.”

“W-wait, not yet. We’re still talking.” Rorick begged.

The woman scrunched her face. “Master Rorick…”

I understood her feelings. He clearly needed to rest, but it was hard to say no to him.

Eventually, she let out a heavy sigh and walked to the door. “Fine, you get a few minutes more. No pushing yourself, okay?”

Excitement rushed across his face as he snuggled into the warmth of the pelts that rested over his bed. “I won’t, I promise!”

She really can’t say no to him.

“Hey, if I do become an adventurer one day, would you go with me?”

That was a good question. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. If this world had jobs like adventurers, that would mean there were quite a few interesting things to explore, which sounded fun and yet terrifying altogether.

With everything I experienced in my previous life, I’d love to just enjoy things to the fullest. I want to have fun every day, like this and be surrounded by interesting, kind people. If I adventure with Rorick, I might get to do that. I could even keep him safe. Who knows, maybe I will take him up on that offer.

“I take it that’s a yes then?” He smirked. I swear he could read my mind sometimes. “Well then, I think I can share with you my adventuring name, right?” He looked up at the roof with an expression that screamed excitement, “Across every continent in this world, they’ll call me, Atlas!”

He looked so happy that for a moment, I almost forgot he was sick. The helper came in shortly after and that was my cue to leave.

Here I am, wondering what to do with my second chance at life and he’s already got a whole future planned out. That kid really is amazing.

“Hello Guardian.” Someone passed by and bowed their heads.

A cheery smile followed as the person behind them quickly snapped to my direction and waved, “Morning, Guardian!” His head remained in a bow, “Thank you for this peaceful morning.”

They’re really taking this ‘Guardian’ thing seriously. I wonder if I should play the part? Nah, that’d be too embarrassing. I hope this doesn’t stay a permanent thing.

I waved a hand back and the few people near me swooned with joy, as if they had just won the lottery or something. I suppose I made quite the impression with all the work I did through the village this last week.

The chief was up ahead. He’d just finished talking with Bell and another man when suddenly he stopped and turned my way.

“Ah, Guardian, how are you?”

I waved to him and offered a small bow and his smile brightened.

“Glad you’re enjoying yourself. I must admit, everyone here is glad to have someone so capable around. We haven’t spotted a monster nearby for over a week since you got here. Not to mention how quickly the soil has taken to the seeds we planted, it’ll be a good harvest next season.” The corners of his mouth curved.

I guess it has been a week now. Wow, time really flies.

Now that I was closer to him, I noticed the darker rings under his eyes. He must have been exhausted. I didn’t remember seeing them there before.

He used to look so healthy before, but he’s really starting to look sickly. He doesn’t seem to have any signs of sickness. Is it lack of sleep? Oh, of course it is, his son is sick… How did I not see it sooner?

A heavy drop resonated through my chest. I didn’t have lungs or intestines and yet I still managed to feel pains like that. I reached for the core on my chest and rubbed it with a hollow grasp.

Guess I haven’t completely lost my humanity just yet.

“I’m sorry to ask this of you, but would you be able to avoid your daily visit to Rorick?” His eyes sharpened. “I know you are good friends with my son, but in his condition… the excitement might be too much for him right now.”

There was nothing I could argue about there, Rorick was still very sick. He got worse by the day, even if he didn’t want to show it. Knowing that, it made sense. So why did I feel like ignoring him altogether and going to see Rorick anyway?

I knew, though.

I knew better than anyone what it was like to be sick.

That kind of sick.

I recognised the look on his face whenever I visited him. He was trying to mask the pain, but I’m sure he was exhausted. If he kept it up, he’d only go into critical mode. It wouldn’t be long now until… well, I tried not to think of that.

I nodded back and the chief left. I’m sure it was hard for him too. Everyone seemed to be in rough spirits as Rorick’s condition got worse. Even if they didn’t always show it.

Later that night, I snuck into the hut, using my skill to hide my presence. I couldn’t get too close or the sound of my steps would wake them up, but I could clearly see him from the entryway. Rorick's pale face and scrawny body, I’m sure that’s just like how I looked in my previous life. After a while, I stopped looking at my reflection.

I couldn’t bear to anymore.

He planned out a whole life, one where he had dreams and aspirations. I didn’t have that kind of strength. I only went on saying I’d do things differently and now that I had a second chance, I squandered it, living afraid to do anything with it.

I’m sorry it took me so long to muster the courage, Rorick. I got my second chance, so I’ll make sure you get yours too. Just hang on a bit longer, I’ll get that flower for you.