CT 7: LORDACT 7 Lord“Eh?”The doctor

CT 7: LORD
ACT 7 Lord

“Eh?”

The doctor exclaimed as he looked at the chart. He confirmed the name on the chart again and muttered.

“This is amazing.”

“Is there a problem?”

“No, it’s just…..”

Hyun-woo became tense and braced himself for bad news from the doctor. Hyun-woo was currently at the hospital to check the results from his mother’s latest general check-up. It had been two months since his mother’s last check-up and nothing had happened on that occasion. But this time the situation was different. It was the first medical examination since his mother started New World. He had asked for the advice of the doctor and scoured the internet before buying the game unit but he was still worried. On the other hand, he also had some sense of expectations.

‘My mother visited Lancel using her own strength.’

In fact, Hyun-woo had planned to visit the beginner village after settling the problems in Lancel. However his mother ended up finding him in Lancel by herself. She walked on her own feet. Hyun-woo hadn’t expressed it in front of his mother but he had been deeply impressed and surprised. Of course, it was a game so even people who didn’t have legs in reality could run around. Even so, seeing his mother who had been lying in bed for 6 years walking really felt special. Anyway, his mother was living like a normal person inside the game. Hyun-woo hoped that some of that would transfer to reality. Then the doctor pushed up his glasses and laughed.

“The test results are good. Far beyond the expected range. In particular, the results of the neural response tests were wonderful. There is a 30% improvement compared to two months ago. The 30% number is similar to how much she had improved in two years.”

“Then it’s good?”

The doctor looked puzzled by his question. Hyun-woo blushed and scratched his head before asking.

“But my mother said that she didn’t feel much different…..”

“Somebody who only knows their body when it is sick won’t be able to tell when it improves.”

While a person could check their status through their health in New World, it was difficult in reality. Wasn’t that why people paid a lot of money for a comprehensive check-up? A patient couldn’t confirm the status of their own body so they had to see a doctor.

“Just by looking at the results of this examination, it appears that playing the virtual reality game has a positive effect on Park So-mi. In Park So-mi’s case, the thought of ‘being able to move freely’ is important in her improvement. That positive thinking which stimulates the nerves is the best type of medicine for patients like Park So-mi.”

Hyun-woo had also seen similar information when searching the internet. He had prayed for such a miracle to happen to his mother but now he didn’t pray for that anymore. In fact, it wasn’t just her improvement in health that was good about his mother starting New World. It was the atmosphere around her that really made him happy.

While his mother had lived in the hospital for the last 6 years, she had always shown Hyun-woo a smiling face. Of course, it wasn’t a real smile. Hyun-woo could always feel a shadow behind her smile. But that shadow had gone away after his mother started New World. Now his mother glowed whenever she laughed. As her character, she was able to go around and meet lots of new people which caused her stress to disappear. Hyun-woo felt like the miracle had already occurred.

“In this state, you don’t have to worry that much. The patient also looks quite good after I had an interview with her. However, she shouldn’t play the game too excessively. The virtual reality game is good but it only has an influence on the nervous system. Even if her nervous system recovers 100%, it will be a problem if she has weakened muscles. She must practice walking in reality.

“Of course, I understand.”

Hyun-woo nodded and exited the examination room.

“Ah, Hyun-woo. What did the doctor say?”

When he approached the hospital entrance, Gwon Hwa-rang approached while pushing a wheelchair. He was pushing Hyun-woo’s mother who had finished her physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises.

“It was good.”

Hyun-woo smiled and explained what the doctor said. Gwon Hwa-rang laughed warmly and nodded.

“I’m glad it is more good news.”

“More good news?”

“Yesterday Hyun-woo became the Lord of Silvana.”

“Huh? But Hyun-woo is already the Lord of Lancel.”

“He’ll hold both posts concurrently.”

His mother looked at Hyun-woo with concerned eyes after hearing Gwon Hwa-rang’s words.

“I asked Galen about what is involved in being a Lord, so wouldn’t becoming the Lord of another territory be a lot more work? I think it’s better not to be too greedy……”

“It’s okay. At first I might be a bit busy but after a while I can leave it to the secretary.”

Hyun-woo smiled wryly and replied. He had gone to all that trouble to become the Lord and now his mother was acting like he should leave it to someone else. It was reasonable. Although his mother had adapted to the game, she was still a beginner so she had no idea about the benefits of having a Lordship.

In fact, Hyun-woo still hadn’t explained to his mother the details of the siege. The siege wasn’t a simple thing. 30,000 gold had gone into it. That was around 300 million in cash. He had used such a huge sum of money to capture Silvana because it would give him even more money. When it was this much, the game was more like a business. There were no parents who wouldn’t worry if their son poured his entire fortune into a business. His mother was still getting her health back so he didn’t want to worry her unnecessarily.

“Anyway, now the siege is over…..”

Gwon Hwa-rang said with a sparkle in his eyes.

“What’s wrong? Why are your eyes looking at me like that?”

“I heard from Hye-sun. She told me about So-mi ssi’s character.”

“My character? What about my character……”

Then his mother’s face abruptly turned red. Gwon Hwa-rang grinned and muttered.

“Huhuhu, So-mi ssi’s character is from an old scanned photo? Now I can see how So-mi ssi looks like in high school. No, not just seeing…..”

Gwon Hwa-rang had been quite excited when he heard from Jung Hye-sun about So-mi’s character. His mother had never shown Gwon Hwa-rang any old photos of her because she had been embarrassed. But now he could see it in 3D view and even go on a date with her! Gwon Hwa-rang snorted and looked at Hyun-woo’s mother with creepy eyes at the thought.

“Bah, why should she deal with a smelly old man like you?”

His mother blushed and turned her head.

“Please pretend not to know me in New World. You also shouldn’t visit Lancel.”

“Eek? W-why?” Do you know how long I have waited for the day I could meet So-mi ssi in New World?”

“It’s not exactly my high school days. Anyway, all men only like young women…..”

“T-that’s not true. You’re mistaken. I want to see what So-mi looks like in her childhood, not the form of a young woman.”

“Then why did ajusshi’s eyes look so expectant just then?”

“It’s a trap. Hyun-woo, you’re talking too much nonsense. Am I a shameless guy?”

“Absolutely.”

“Is that so? I should’ve known.”

“…….I knew it as soon as I saw that creepy look in your eyes.”

“H-Hyun-woo…..!”

Gwon Hwa-rang became frustrated at Hyun-woo’s words.

Hyun-woo and his mother looked at each other and laughed.

“Are you going to give him a chance?”

“Well, I don’t know. I’ll have to see from now on. By the way, I’m feeling thirsty after sweating so much.”

Hyun-woo looked at Gwon Hwa-rang at his mother’s words. But Gwon Hwa-rang was just looking away absent-mindedly.

‘He didn’t notice…..’

There was a reason his mother was complaining about Gwon Hwa-rang. It was to give the man a chance! When a woman grumbled, it was a chance for the man to heap affection on her and her confidence would soar. But Gwon Hwa-rang’s senses were dull and he didn’t notice. Hyun-woo clicked his tongue and looked at him with pitying eyes. Gwon Hwa-rang finally noticed the situation and spoke quickly.

“I-I will go. Bottled water? Juice?”

“Well, I just want a drink but if you’re offering then buy me bottled water.”

His mother answered with a mock pout. Hmm, as expected of a mother. She managed to make him buy bottled water from a vending machine without any grumbling. Wasn’t Gwon Hwa-rang being educated without even knowing? The only thing a child could do was help his mother!

“Ajusshi, a caramel macchiato as well please.”

“Eh? Ca….. What? Is it a food?”

“Caramel macchiato. The coffee shop on the opposite side of the street should sell it. Isn’t that quite close?”

Hyun-woo laughed while Gwon Hwa-rang’s face distorted.

“Eh? Why are you frowning? You don’t want to?”

“W-who is frowning? I’m going!”

Gwon Hwa-rang stared at Hyun-woo before turning around. Then his mother muttered softly.

“I like a man who does things like this for me.”

Gwon Hwa-rang flinched before sprinting off at full speed. Hyun-woo looked at Gwon Hwa-rang’s retreating back and said.

“His leg seems perfectly fine now.”

“Yes, isn’t it good?”

“Mother will also be like that soon. Then I can see Mother walking into your wedding ceremony on your own foot. WELL, ajusshi might need a little more mental education before then.”

“What is this child suddenly saying……”

His mother blushed and gave him a sharp sidelong glance.

“Just things you need to hear.”

“T-that…. Wait? You’re acting just like your dad. You’re really serious just like him. Staying in the same corner of the ROOM every day will just age you quickly. How is it? Do you often meet these days?”

“Meet? With who?”

“Hye-sun.”

“That…..”