Patients with Drowsy Syndrome not only cannot wake up from their sleep, but their vitality also depletes at an extremely fast rate, thus requiring a special device using magic crystals to sustain life.
However, magic crystals are very expensive; a machine that runs for a month costs nearly thirty thousand!
If not for being a Hunter and receiving medical expense support from the Hunter Association, a young man in his twenties would not be able to afford the hospital fees!.
As an E-Rank Hunter, Cheng Xiaoyu had to risk his life every time just to barely cover the expenses.
At this rate, he might die in a Dungeon one day.
And even if he could maintain it indefinitely, if she never woke up, what difference would it make from death?
In the ward, the smell of disinfectant mixed with medicine, creating a suffocatingly oppressive atmosphere.
Cheng Xiaoyu sat on a chair, his forehead buried in his palms, his shoulders trembling, his voice hoarse.
"Is there really no other way… As long as Mom can recover, even if… even if it costs me my life…"
The door suddenly opened, and a familiar, clear voice broke into the sorrowful atmosphere.
"Brother, you're here after all!"
Cheng Xiaoyu quickly wiped away his tears with the back of his hand and forced a smile at his sister.
"Xiao Ya, is school out so early today?"
Cheng Xiaoya's sharp gray eyes suspiciously scanned her brother's arm, and seeing the new scars, she frowned in displeasure.
"Brother, did you secretly go to the Dungeon again?"
"Cough, cough, cough… Did you come to see me for something?"
"Eh…"
Cheng Xiaoya's beautiful face showed a helpless expression. She waved her small fist and pouted.
"If there wasn't a super handsome Hunter who wanted to see you today, I wouldn't let you off so easily!"
Cheng Xiaoyu was stunned for a moment, pointing at his nose.
"Huh? A very powerful Hunter… looking for me?"
Cheng Xiaoya nodded vigorously, her eyes full of admiration and longing.
"Yes, and he's an S-Rank Hunter from Z Nation!"
"Wh-What? An S-Rank Hunter?!"
Cheng Xiaoyu practically sprang up, his eyes filled with panic.
How could such a big shot, whom he had only seen from afar on TV shows and Hunter rankings, be looking for a small fry like him, an E-Rank?
He asked urgently.
"Where is he?!"
"He's right here."
Cheng Xiaoya smiled and stepped aside.
A black-haired, black-eyed young man, who looked only seventeen or eighteen, slowly walked into the ward.
He had a delicate appearance, a clean aura, and was spotless.
What was most striking was not his handsome looks, but his deep eyes that seemed to see through everything.
The moment he smiled and greeted them, the atmosphere in the entire ward seemed to freeze.
"Hello, Cheng Xiaoyu. You can call me Rhode."
"Y-You… Hello…"
Cheng Xiaoyu instinctively lowered his head, not daring to meet Rhode's gaze, feeling extremely constrained.
The natural aura of a strong person emanating from the other party gave him a suffocating feeling, as if he was facing a Dungeon boss.
Every nerve in his body was warning him.
This young man in front of him was not a creature from the same world as himself!
Is this the aura of an S-Rank Hunter…
Rhode watched him with interest, his gaze thoughtful.
Who would have thought that this humble Cheng Xiaoyu would become the world's top Shadow Monarch in the future?
However, since he had come, the other's fate would inevitably be changed.
He turned back and gave Cheng Xiaoya a gentle smile.
"Xiao Ya, could I trouble you to take my two companions to look around nearby?"
"It's their first time in H Nation, and they're quite interested in it here."
Cheng Xiaoya's eyes lit up, and she nodded quickly.
"Of course! Leave it to me!"
She was also curious about what kind of people this S-Rank Hunter's companions were.
Rhode nodded at Noin and Leyana outside the door, signaling them to act on their own for now.
Soon, Cheng Xiaoya was smiling and chatting with the two girls as they left, leaving only the two silent people in the ward.
After the door closed, Rhode casually pointed to a nearby chair.
"May I sit down?"
"Oh, please do! Water... please have some water!"
Cheng Xiaoyu nervously handed over the cup, his hands trembling slightly.
Every move Rhode made carried an indescribable sense of power; behind every gentle word was an unconscious sense of awe and submission.
This was a change Rhode hadn't even noticed himself, a symbol of his aura's transformation after obtaining the [Demigod].
An unshakeable pressure filled the air.
Even with Rhode smiling, without a hint of hostility, Cheng Xiaoyu instinctively held his breath, tensed his body, and even straightened his spine.
He knew all too well that the other party was the apex predator at the top of this world's food chain; if he even had a thought, a weakling like himself wouldn't even have a chance to struggle!
He had to show respect to the other party!
Finally, he couldn't help but speak with trepidation.
"You... what business does a great person like you have with me?"
Rhode took a sip of water, his eyes slightly narrowed in the light, and went straight to the point.
"I can save your mother."
The air seemed to freeze.
Cheng Xiaoyu looked up instantly, his eyes wide.
"W-what?... No one can cure that illness at all..."
Mid-sentence, Cheng Xiaoyu immediately realized.
If anyone in this world could perform a miracle, it had to be an S-Rank Hunter at the very top!
The other party had no reason to come all this way just to play such a joke with him.
After all, there was nothing on him worth the other party's deception or greed!
He couldn't suppress the excitement and hope in his heart, and with a thud, he knelt down directly, with humility and pleading.
"You... can you really save my mother? Although I am very weak, I, I can do anything!"
Rhode raised an eyebrow slightly, neither annoyed nor surprised, and said calmly.
"Promise me two things - first, after your mother is cured, do not reveal any information related to me to anyone. I hate trouble."
Although the abnormal situation of his mother's sudden recovery would inevitably attract attention, Rhode still didn't want to be entangled too early.
"Second, after this, follow your usual routine, accept quests normally, but send me a message before each quest."
"When a suitable quest appears, I will personally participate in your actions then."
"After the quest is over, I will cure your mother."
Rhode also wanted to find the double Dungeon in advance, but at this time, Cheng Xiaoyu had already been chosen as the heir.
Without him, they simply couldn't reach the Parthenon.
Cheng Xiaoyu instantly understood the other party's intention.
What Rhode wanted was in the quests he might undertake in the future!
Although he didn't know how the other party was so sure, for an S-Rank Hunter to act so secretly from such a distance, it must be an unparalleled treasure that could drive the entire world crazy!
But Cheng Xiaoyu had no trace of greed in his heart and nodded decisively.
"I will cover for you then, saying that you are my... friend, here to protect me."
Rhode smiled, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes.
"Smart man."
"Uh... can I ask about your objective..."
Rhode glanced at the nervous Cheng Xiaoyu and said indifferently.
"Don't worry, as long as no one obstructs me, I'll take what I need and leave. I have no interest in this country."
Aside from Neon still defying the heavens, the entire world basically had a united and friendly worldview.
In the original future, when the Monarchs attacked, Cheng Xiaoyu would even actively assist Country Z.
Therefore, he had no great ill will towards Cheng Xiaoyu himself or Country H in this world.
Cheng Xiaoyu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The next second, Rhode raised his hand and waved, and an inexplicable energy sliced through the air.
A ethereal voice suddenly rang in Cheng Xiaoyu's mind, startling him so much he almost jumped.
Recently, because seeing him always made him stressed, his sister had sent him some translated refreshing web novels from Country Z to help him de-stress.
He had indeed become a bit addicted recently, so much so that he almost thought the voice he just heard was the legendary system awakening!
This made him feel a little regretful, and then he found his own thoughts laughable.
How could there be such a thing as a system in this world? Even if there was, it wouldn't choose a weakling like him!
He cautiously gazed at the silver contract floating in his consciousness.
The content of the contract was extremely clear - as long as both parties signed, neither party could violate everything promised!
Rhode would cure his mother, and he would wholeheartedly assist Rhode in achieving his goal.
Such a miraculous contract, he would never have believed it normally.
But now, Cheng Xiaoyu didn't hesitate at all and solemnly signed his name directly.
At this time, he probably wouldn't know that even if he didn't sign this contract, he would still gain the power to save his mother in the future and even become the strongest.
However, this opportunity was thus intercepted by Rhode.
After this, Rhode used the Hunter's phone that came with his system-granted identity to exchange contact information with Cheng Xiaoyu and then decisively took his leave.
Walking out of the hospital, Rhode quickly found the girls.
In the cafe across the street, Cheng Xiaoya was gesturing exaggeratedly with a small spoon, her bright eyes sparkling with excitement, clearly talking about something she was proud of.
Across from her, Noin's pretty short hair swayed slightly with her laughter.
A small dab of white cream was on the corner of her mouth, but she was completely oblivious, simply stuffing a large mouthful of strawberry mousse into her mouth, her eyes narrowing in happiness.
Leyana, on the other hand, was much quieter.
She elegantly held a small silver fork with her fingertips, taking small bites of the tiramisu on her plate, a doting and gentle smile on her lips, quietly listening to the two chat.
Clearly, the three girls' relationship had become very good in a short amount of time.
"Ah, girls' friendships really come out of nowhere..."
Rhode smiled helplessly, no longer watching, and walked across the street.
The wind chimes hanging on the cafe door made a crisp "ding-a-ling" sound.
Without immediately startling the girls who were chatting happily, he walked directly to the counter, casually pointed to their table, and paid the bill.
After doing all this, he slowly walked over, lightly tapped the table with his knuckles, and spoke softly.
"It's about time to go."
His clear voice made the three girls snap back to reality simultaneously.
When Cheng Xiaoya saw Rhode, a blush immediately spread across her face, and her previously animated expression instantly vanished, becoming somewhat flustered.
She quickly stood up and bowed.
"Ah... Mr. Rhode."
Rhode nodded at her, then turned to leave.
Cheng Xiaoya watched Rhode's retreating back, her heart pounding, as if a voice in her mind was shouting: Miss this chance, and there will never be another!
A surge of courage, from who knew where, welled up in her heart.
She suddenly spoke, her voice trembling slightly from nervousness.
"Um... can I have your contact information?"
As the words left her mouth, she held her breath, her hands nervously clutching the hem of her clothes, her anxious yet hopeful gaze fixed on Rhode, and even the air seemed to solidify.
Rhode turned around, meeting her clear, nervous eyes, surprised for a moment, then chuckled softly.
"Okay."
Two understated words, yet to Cheng Xiaoya, they were like heavenly music!
"Yay!"
This is the first S-Rank Hunter I've ever met!
Cheng Xiaoya couldn't help but let out a small cheer, the blush on her face growing more vivid with excitement, her entire being radiating a glow called "joy."
Noin and Leyana exchanged glances, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.
Well, looks like there might be one more.
The Court of the Stars really won't be able to accommodate everyone now.
Rhode looked at her lively demeanor and also smiled, adding.
"When you have time, take Noin and Leyana out for a stroll."
He didn't dislike this lively and cheerful girl.
"No problem! Leave it to me!"
Cheng Xiaoya immediately patted her chest and agreed.
She secretly observed Noin and Leyana, always feeling that there was an inexplicable strangeness about these two girls who were too beautiful to be real.
Their speech and demeanor carried a kind of natural elegance and... antiquity?
They didn't seem like foreigners, more like people who had stepped out of some ancient era.
But their eyes were clear and their kindness pure, which made her put aside her inquisitive thoughts.
After the three left, Cheng Xiaoya painfully pulled out her deflated wallet to pay at the counter, only to be told by the waiter that the bill had already been paid.
"Eh?!"
Rhode's figure appeared in her mind, and Cheng Xiaoya's impression of him improved even further.
"An S-Rank Hunter, on par with national officials, is actually this approachable...?"
"But next time I have to treat him in return, hmm, I'll work hard on the weekend!"
After making her decision with full resolve, she looked down at the new contact information on her phone and giggled foolishly.
"But what business does such a person have with my brother? I'll ask him when I get back."
- Rhode and the two girls' accommodation was a fully furnished detached villa.
Upon entering, the cool air from the central air conditioning greeted them, and the comfort of modern civilization enveloped them.
"Wow--!"
Noin let out a satisfied cheer, and like a kitten, she unhesitatingly threw herself onto the large, soft, off-white fabric sofa in the living room.
She rolled around comfortably twice, finally resting her head on Rhode's lap, her eyes narrowing in bliss.
"Is this modern society? Sofas soft enough to sink into, endless delicious food, ah, and this greatest invention - air conditioning!"
"I apologize, Goddess. I'm so happy here, I don't miss the Court of the Stars!"
Noin was wearing a light goose-yellow cropped hoodie that day, and with her movements, a section of her fair, slender waist was faintly visible.
This was a feast for Rod's eyes.
Leyana, on the other hand, appeared much more mature and dignified.
This was probably related to her previous experiences wandering various countries in the Danmachi World.
With her fair, bare calves, she sat cross-legged on the other side of the sofa, her body gently leaning against Rod's arm, as she curiously fiddled with a brand new mobile phone.
"If you want, you can try to accumulate some Contribution Points, and then have Rod build a completely modern, private residence for you in Kamui Space~"
Leyana was much more casual in private, with a corner of her loose, dark khaki shirt slipping down, revealing a rounded shoulder.
"Oh! That's a great idea!"
Noin's eyes instantly lit up, and she excitedly sat up, her pretty short hair bouncing playfully.
"But Xiao Ya also told me about something called 'shopping websites,' so I'll study them carefully first and bring gifts back for Goddess Astrea and everyone!"
On the other side, Leyana's brow furrowed slightly.
She handed the phone to Rod, and the screen displayed a news report about the "increasing number of Portals."
She sighed softly, a hint of worry in her tone.
"I didn't expect this world to also have Dungeons...."
"However, Orario only has one bottomless chasm, but in this world, these 'Portals' are everywhere."
Rod's thoughts returned from refining his subsequent plunder plan. He looked at Leyana's worried profile and showed a mysterious smile.
"Do you think the existence of Dungeons is a disaster for this world?"
Leyana looked up, puzzled.
"Isn't it? Monsters, death, panic...."
"Then what is the reason why Orario's adventurers are stronger than those outside?"