Poof!
A few breaths later, Roy's game character faithfully executed his two-chest-one-head finishing move, and the Dread Wraith guarding the gate also conceded.
After the battle, Roy quickly collected the spoils of war.
The Dread Wraith still dropped the same items, no change.
However, before he could even count the spoils, Old Nelson's worried voice came from above.
"Roy, are you alright?"
Roy confirmed that there were indeed no other hidden monsters around, then responded to Old Nelson, signaling that he could come down.
Soon after, Old Nelson slid down from the Cave above.
After looking around, Old Nelson discovered the Dread Wraith's corpse on the ground and was visibly shaken.
Seeing this, an exclamation mark appeared above his head.
"You just killed this monster?"
Old Nelson was incredulous.
It hadn't even taken Roy three minutes to come down from above.
If it weren't for the Dread Wraith's corpse still gushing blood, Old Nelson wouldn't even have made such a guess.
Roy nodded, then pointed to a crack in the stone wall nearby.
The entrance to this crevice was small, but there was a small space inside.
Through the unknown glowing crystal in front of the Cave, one could vaguely see a skeleton inside.
"Old Nelson, perhaps you should look at that."
Old Nelson heard this, no longer bothering to ask about the monster, his heart trembled, and he quickly walked to the crack in the stone wall, then squeezed in with difficulty.
Old Nelson found familiar items on this skeleton.
Instantly, tears welled up uncontrollably.
"Holly…"
Old Nelson held the skeleton, sobbing uncontrollably.
Roy remained silent.
Undoubtedly, this was the skeleton of Old Nelson's wife, Holly.
It seemed that after exploring this far, Holly was attacked by a Dread Wraith and eventually escaped into this crevice, but was trapped and died there.
Roy sighed inwardly.
He could certainly change Old Nelson's death by reloading, but Holly had clearly died long ago, which was beyond his ability to change.
Perhaps at this moment, Old Nelson was even more pained than being killed by a Dread Wraith… After a long while, Old Nelson finally stood up tremblingly, wiped away his tears, and collected Holly's remains.
Then, he looked at the stone wall behind the crevice, as if he had discovered something.
"Roy, give me the pearl lamp."
Old Nelson took the pearl lamp from Roy's hand and illuminated the stone wall.
—Stone Wall Carvings—
"Nelson, old man, I'm not sure if you'll ever see these words, but I always felt I should leave something behind before I die."
"We've experienced much together, owned much, and lost much."
"I love adventure and exploration, I enjoy excitement and danger, but I know you don't like these things. What you care about most is being with me, and for that, you were even willing to force yourself to overcome your fear of the sea and learn to swim."
"I'm so proud to have such a husband and life partner."
"But it seems I can't stay with you, stay with Linna anymore…"
"I miss you, Nelson, I regret it so much…"
Old Nelson wept mournfully, all the years of accumulated suppression and longing bursting forth at this moment.
Holly was a person who loved adventure; she never regretted her adventures.
This was her first regret, and her last.
The sea never pities anyone… Although the outcome was not ideal, Old Nelson's years of searching finally yielded a result.
Roy did not immediately count his gains or explore the Cave, but instead helped Old Nelson bring Holly's remains back to Sea Serpent Island to be buried.
Old Nelson erected a tombstone near his small wooden house.
From here, he could see the sunflowers by the wooden house at all times.
Roy told Lina the news, and she rushed over.
When she saw the small tombstone, her eyes turned red.
The two sat in front of Holly's grave.
"Perhaps this is also good news."
"I finally don't have to gaze at the sea every day…"
Because you are by my side… Old Nelson smiled with relief, picked up his wine glass, and took a gulp.
Lina hugged her grandfather, sobbing softly.
The scene before him made Roy feel a bit choked up.
After a long while, Old Nelson seemed to come back to his senses, took Lina's hand, and walked to Roy.
Roy looked puzzled at this.
Old Nelson patted Roy's shoulder.
"Roy, you are a good child. I feel very relieved to entrust Lina to you."
"Huh?"
Roy, in front of the screen, exclaimed in surprise.
What the hell, why did this old man suddenly give me his granddaughter?
I know that completing game NPC quests gives rewards, but directly giving a person… isn't that a bit too much?
Roy's eye twitched.
"Grandpa, what are you talking about?"
In the game, Lina had a bewildered look, not expecting her grandfather to suddenly give her away.
"Child, I know you've always wanted to sail the seas."
"Like your grandmother, you both have a longing for adventure and exploration in your eyes; I can't be fooled on that point."
"Roy is a good child. I feel very relieved with you sailing with him."
Old Nelson said to Lina.
Thankfully, it wasn't what Roy and Lina had thought.
However, Lina shook her head.
"No, Grandpa, I don't want to sail the seas; the sea is too dangerous."
"I just want to stay on Sea Serpent Island."
Old Nelson smiled at her words; he understood Lina's thoughts very well.
"Child, listen to me."
"Everyone has their own journey and life, and their ultimate destination."
"I know you are a good child and want to stay and take care of Grandpa."
"But Grandpa has already found his destination."
At this point, Old Nelson turned around, his gaze soft as he looked at Holly's grave, then at Lina.
"…And you, you need to begin your own journey."
"Don't worry about Grandpa."
"If your life loses what it should have because of Grandpa, then Grandpa will not be happy even in death."
Old Nelson gently stroked Lina's head.
"So, bravely embark on your journey, child."
"Go do what you want to do."
After listening to Old Nelson's words, Lina remained silent.
Old Nelson was right; Lina had indeed always yearned for the sea.
However, Old Nelson only had her as a relative.
Lina couldn't bear to leave Old Nelson alone on Sea Serpent Island.
So she had decided to take care of Old Nelson until his death before leaving.
But Grandpa had long seen through her thoughts.
"But, Grandpa…"
Lina looked worried.
Before she could finish, Old Nelson raised his hand.
"Lina, you're a big girl now; you should make your own decisions."
"Of course, no matter which path you choose, Grandpa will support you."