He is small… or is it a she?
To be safe, let's refer to it as an it. There is no need to humanize what I intend to use as an experience source. It may sound cruel—and perhaps it is—but we have to gain that experience one way or another. How are we supposed to help anyone when we can't even help ourselves?
As I judge the morality of what I am doing, I notice the creature calmly murmuring something. Realizing that I am paying attention, it looks directly into my eyes, as if it wants to convey something to me. Unconsciously, I take a step closer, trying to understand its nature.
I may really be making a mistake.
Even if it was an enemy in the game, that may not necessarily be the case in this new reality.
The Gray Knight, seeing my indecision, lowers his gaze to his shield and sword, as if weighing what he should do. When he looks back at the creature, he notices something that I do not. Beyond intelligence, there is violence in its eyes.
Although he moves quickly to place himself between me and the creature, he is a few steps too late.
Here I am, sitting on the ground, my eyes trying—and failing—to focus. A familiar, disorienting ringing fills my ears, muffling all other sounds. A liquid gathers on my lips, and the metallic taste tells me it is my own blood.
It reminds me of a minor accident from my past. Different circumstances—same result.
I know it's best not to try to get up.
Suddenly, I find myself being dragged away. By the knight, I suppose. My vision is still blurry, but he's the only one here who can do it.
I know I'm not in danger. With the cell and the knight as my comfort, I lie down on the floor and focus on my breathing.
After inhaling and exhaling once, my vision begins to refocus. After inhaling and exhaling a second time, the ringing fades away. After inhaling and exhaling a third time, my brain finally registers the pain in my chin.
Kato: "Well, looking on the bright side, now I can try out the magic of Restoration—and it also makes my decision easier."
We are definitely going to use these little hairballs to gain experience. And I'm not saying this out of resentment—although I am resentful. The nature of the creature is very violent, and I don't see how they can do anything other than destroy things or people.
Kato: "So, to begin with… Gray Knight, take care of it."
Contrary to my expectation of witnessing a battle of skill and strength with sword and shield, the knight simply materializes a bow and begins riddling the troll with arrows—never even letting it out of the cell.
Kato: "For a knight, you don't seem very honorable at the moment… but anyway, the goal is to gain experience, so I guess in a way you're being honest in your approach."
And it's good to know I won't have to retrieve arrows. Really good.
Kato: "Alright. Let's see."
As I did at the beginning, I search within myself once more. But how am I supposed to recognize the magic of Restoration?
No matter how hard I look, I can't find anything. Maybe a feeling? I'm not very good at acting. I can't really force myself to feel something.
Hmm… what to do, what to do.
Placing my hands on the floor to get up, I notice how cold it is.
What if, instead of a feeling as an emotion… it's a sensation?
I close my eyes again and remember the pain and stiffness in my fingers during one winter—my first experience with frostbite.
When I open my eyes, I see a faint blue mist gathering in my palm.
With intention and a gesture, I push my hand upward, and a stream of frost shoots out.
Seeing this, I quickly withdraw my hand—and with it, the frost—pleased with my progress. Encouraged, I begin strolling through my memories.
If the time I nearly frostbit my fingers gives me frost, it's safe to assume that the time I burned myself will help me with flame. And I can only hope that all the times I've been shocked by static electricity from a door handle will help me with thunder.
But following that logic…
Kato: "How am I supposed to do this with Restoration?"
After eliminating the troll, the knight walks over to me and takes out something with a distinctive, vivid reddish glow. He places it in my hand.
Kato:"Wait… is this a potion?"
In response, he raises five fingers—then folds one down.
Kato: "Right. In the game, you can only carry five. So that means you've got four left."
Wouldn't it be better to save them? They can literally save your life. And I don't feel like I've broken anything—and believe me when I tell you, I'm familiar with the feeling.
The knight looks at me with what I can only describe as a mixture of concern and pity.
Kato: "Hey, what's with that look? Believe it or not, I've lived a pretty good life."
Kato: "Sure, maybe on some very, very rare occasions—hypothetically speaking—I may have been a little unwise with my safety. But it's nothing you should worry about."
Kato: "I can say with certainty that I've lived a safe life."
Kato: "I've only been close to death about six times… wait—seven. Oh, there was that other time too…"
Kato: "Well. Less than ten times. Give or take."
A heavy silence fills the dungeon.
-Author's Note-
Thank you for your patience and for reading. This chapter focuses more on internal conflict than action, and I'd love to hear how that pacing worked for you. Any constructive feedback is appreciated—it genuinely helps me improve.