Gwon Hwa-rang whined like a puppy while looking at the firmly closed door.
“Ohhhhh. I just…… Information about the Navy Headquarters is so complex that I thought it would be inconvenient for So-mi ssi….. Really. Then…… Ah, no, it’s my fault. How stupid must I be to talk about the Navy Headquarters as soon as I enter the house…… Of course she would be angry.”
‘She’s angry?’
Hyun-woo scratched his head. Honestly, Hyun-woo’s mother wasn’t really angry. Gwon Hwa-rang didn’t know how his mother would really behave if she was angry. But Gwon Hwa-rang insensitively mentioned those things so of course she would get prickly. She had deliberately acted angry in order to point out Gwon Hwa-rang’s mistake. In fact, Hyun-woo had often received ‘education’ like that when he was younger.
‘At any rate, my mother really seems mischievous after seeing this. Is she already starting her husband education?’
However, Gwon Hwa-rang didn’t know this and he was completely panicked. Hyun-woo felt like giggling after seeing his panicked features.
‘But should I leave it like this? Hwa-rang ajusshi has been neglecting Mother lately for New World. Since it is also therapy for him……’
Hyun-woo was thinking about the circumstances when he realized something.
‘Wait? Which reminds me, these days I also…..’
Hyun-woo was living with his mother 24 hours a day. However, it felt like he talked to his mother more when she was at the hospital. They were always in the house together so he didn’t think about starting conversations. So it was quite negligent. In addition, recently his conversations with Gwon Hwa-rang after the rehabilitation was always about New World. His mother didn’t play New World and she felt a sense of isolation. While his mother wasn’t seriously angry, her dissatisfaction had built up over time.
‘I’ve been so insensitive.’
“Uh, what should I do? Hyun-woo?”
“Even if you ask me……”
“Isn’t there something you can do? You were the one who brought up Seutandal……”
“I didn’t know about what had happened previously. If I knew then I wouldn’t have mentioned it. You’re the adult who couldn’t grasp the atmosphere and continued talking away.”
“T-that……”
Gwon Hwa-rang sighed and his shoulders slumped.
“…….I’ll repent.”
“…….I’ll also repent.”
Hyun-woo realized that he also had to reflect on his actions. He never knew that he had been lacking in the time spent with his mother before this. But New World was like work for Hyun-woo. The cost of living, his mother’s medical expenses, loan payments, etc…..the money that went into it was 5 million a month. And Hyun-woo earned all that money through New World. The money was earned for his family. But while trying to earn money, he had neglected to spend time with his family. It was a dilemma that everybody in the world experienced, not just Hyun-woo. Anyway, it was true that Gwon Hwa-rang and Hyun-woo had offended his mother by talking about New World. The two men drank coffee and reflected quietly. How much time had passed? Suddenly Gwon Hwa-rang raised his head and shouted.
“That’s it!”
“What? What are you saying out of nowhere?”
“The solution is surprisingly simple. So-mi ssi should also play New World!”
“Eek?”
Hyun-woo asked in an astounded voice.
“Really? Isn’t she still sick?”
“That’s right! Hah, why didn’t I think of that before?”
Gwon Hwa-rang described with a heated look.
“Think about it. What was the reason you made me play New World in the first place?”
“For rehabilitation……”
Hyun-woo answered without thinking before it felt like he had been hit in the back of the head. Then Gwon Hwa-rang’s eyes lit up and he nodded.
“Have you finally realized? That’s right. Didn’t the doctor also say it? So-mi ssi has physically recovered 90% and the remaining obstacle is mental. So these days she has been spending more time in psychiatry treatment. Just like the old me.”
Gwon Hwa-rang’s words were right. Now his mother was almost completely physically recovered. Although there were several issues with muscle recovery remaining, the biggest problem was that her body was stiffened from lying down for so many years. The best way to treat that was to move her body. No, to be more accurate it was to get her brain familiar with the sensation of moving like a normal person. However, his mother still hadn’t recovered her muscle and physical strength so she was limited to rehabilitation.
‘But if its New World…..’
It gave orders to the brain to move but it didn’t drain the actual physical strength! There was no danger of injuring something while training! And the best thing……
“If So-mi ssi enters New World then I can be with her 24 hours a day!”
……That was it. Gwon Hwa-rang’s ambition wasn’t completely selfless. These days Hyun-woo, Gwon Hwa-rang and the rehabilitation members spent most of their time in New World. In other words, it was possible to spend more time with her if his mother came to New World. And the issue of her being unable to understand the conversation would disappear. Why hadn’t he thought of making his mother play New World?
“Ohhhhh! Dating in the game! Okay, I have to start quickly. Buying the unit immediately……!”
Gwon Hwa-rang snorted like an excited wild boar and stood up.
“Wait a minute!”
“Eh? Why?”
“It’s good but we have to check one thing.”
It was his mother’s health problems. They couldn’t just decide with their feelings. The virtual reality game had a huge effect on Gwon Hwa-rang but his mother’s situation was different. After the traffic accident several years ago, she had undergone brain surgery. New World directly connected with the brain so who knew how it could affect her? Hyun-woo made Gwon Hwa-rang calm down and called the hospital. But unlike his worries, the doctor gave permission.
“Virtual reality game? Ah, yes I know about it. In fact I firmly recommend it. I can’t guarantee the therapeutic effect in So-mi’s case but I’ve never heard of any side effects. Some doctors do look at it a bit negatively. But in my opinion, it has a significant stress relieving effect.”
Hyun-woo then connected to the internet and searched for hundreds of similar cases. Fortunately there was nothing about side effects.
‘……Instead it is quite helpful?’
Now Hyun-woo could start the plan without any worries. Of course, he realized the price wasn’t small once he made up his mind. But if it was even a little useful for his mother’s treatment than the price of the unit wasn’t a problem. In addition, he didn’t want Gwon Hwa-rang’s help for this matter.
‘I want to help my mother with my own strength. And now I can do it.’
Gwon Hwa-rang was willing to help him but Hyun-woo had been working non-stop to earn money. When he scraped together the money had saved in the meantime and the gold from Ark’s Comprehensive Store, he had enough funds to buy the game unit.
‘I’ve earned quite a bit of money in the meantime. I can easily buy the unit…..’
He had enough money in his passbook after half a day. If his mother needed something then he would do whatever it took to get it for her.
“Now it’s time to speak to So-mi ssi and go buy the unit!”
“No, that won’t work.”
“Eh? Why?”
“The biggest problem is still left.”
“The biggest problem?”
“Mother.”
Hyun-woo answered with a serious expression. Yes, the biggest stumbling block in this plan wasn’t money but his mother. Hyun-woo knew his mother’s character better than anyone. After Hyun-woo had been born, she never bought a set of new clothes. She was a person who would wear the same clothes for 10 years while repairing them. Even if the game had a therapeutic effect, the unit cost millions of won so it was impossible she would agree. If Hyun-woo pressed it on her using force then she would just secretly get a refund.
“T-then what do we do? Even if we recommend it, won’t it be pointless if So-mi ssi doesn’t agree?”
“You don’t have to worry about that.”
Hyun-woo smiled slyly and replied.
“Leave it to me ajusshi. I’ll handle this matter.”
—————————————————————————————-
“Hyun-woo, what’s all this?”
His mother asked with a puzzled expression. The reason for her confusion was the huge box occupying the living room. With the trademark of Global Exos clearly labelled on the box, it was the unit for New World.
“Ah, you’ve arrived. This is a unit for New World.”
“Then why is it being delivered to our house?”
“Eh? “Oh, didn’t I tell you?”
Hyun-woo trembled and attempted to talk. While the unit installation person tore the box, his mother shook his head.
“Wait a minute, why is the box being cut open…….?”
“It’s okay. Because these is an item from a Global Exos event.”
“Event item?”
The installation person interrupted at his mother’s response ad explained.
“Yes, not long ago Global Exos held a commemoration event for its 2nd anniversary among users. Ark-nim applied at that time and won 1st place. The unit is the prize for 1st place. Congratulations.”
“But our house already has a unit…..”
His mother muttered with an awkward expression.
“Well, I was also slightly burdened when I heard that I won the prize from the event. But after thinking I realized I didn’t need to worry. Because Mother should use this.”
“M-me?”
His mother shook her head at his words.
“Me playing the game? I don’t know anything about it so how can I play the game?”
“It does not matter. Since this is an event prize, you can just comfortably lie down and relax in New World. Your doctor also said that it wouldn’t be a problem and that it might even be helpful in treating you. That’s great. It’s a free unit and it can even help treat you.”
“But even with the unit, won’t you still have to pay money for the game every month?”
“Well, a little bit.”
“Then it’s okay. Couldn’t we receive money from this?”