The Mist Vol 1 Chapter 26

Vol 1 Chapter 26

Many people enjoyed the game as families, and stories of friends joining forces to open successful restaurants in Mist made the news. Companies strived to advertise in Mist. However, under Saturn's firm stance that they couldn't disrupt the fantasy world setting, they focused on indirect advertising and collaborations, producing clever items reminiscent of their products. There were stories of one company achieving tremendous advertising effects by releasing potions named after their drink products.

As the market grew, the game money market for buying and selling in-game items with real money became incomparably more active than before. Famous users appeared on broadcasts, attracting attention, and media covering Mist enjoyed great popularity across the board. It was truly an unprecedented success.

However, more than two months had passed in real time since Kion-hyung left, and he had not returned. And Kapros was preparing to go out, having received a message from someone after a long time.

Although his physical condition wasn't bad, having expanded his exercise routine from the treadmill to dumbbells to awaken his body's senses, he didn't want to show his limping appearance to that person.

"..."

After much deliberation, he reluctantly picked up the cane he had stashed away. He didn't particularly want to use it, but it would at least prevent him from limping noticeably.

"Well then..."

Kapros left the house, recalling the face of the person he was about to see again after a very long time.

***

"Hya! Hya!"

"Can't you focus more!"

"Hya! Hya! Hya!"

Kapros was momentarily entranced by the familiar sounds he heard even before opening the door. This place was always the same. The sound of wooden swords clashing and sweat-soaked shouts. And then...

"I'm here."

Even though he didn't speak very loudly, his master immediately turned his head and grinned, just as before.

"You've come? Come in."

The place Kapros had come to after receiving his master's message was the kendo dojo he used to attend.

These days, as the awareness of maintaining physical health rather than just sitting in front of VT had strengthened, more people were learning sports, and it seemed the dojo had more people than before.

Kapros took off his shoes, held his cane so it wouldn't touch the floor, and tried his best not to drag his steps as he followed his master inside. His master's house was inside the dojo building. Thinking it was fortunate that the students learning kendo didn't pay much attention to him, Kapros sat down in the seat his master offered, and his master's wife, whom he hadn't seen in a very long time, greeted him warmly.

"I was so happy when I heard you were coming, Mu-heon! It's been so long."

"I'm sorry."

"I'd rather hear that you missed us than an apology... Or are you too grown up now to say such things?"

"..."

His master's wife, who always seemed girlish, pretended to look disappointed for a moment before smiling. Kapros couldn't bring himself to answer and awkwardly smiled along. Sensing his discomfort, his master spoke up.

"That's enough. Mu-heon seems hot from his long journey."

"Oh my, where are my manners. I should have brought something to drink first."

After his master's wife hurriedly went inside, Kapros finally greeted his master formally.

"Master, your disciple Mu-heon greets you after a long time."

While the students outside were learning swordsmanship lightly for health and self-defense, Kapros was a disciple who had formally learned his master's school of swordsmanship, so he could never take greetings lightly. As he was about to stand up and bow, his master waved his hand to stop him.

"It's alright. Sit down. ...So. How have you been?"

In truth, Kapros had not answered several of his master's attempts to contact him. At that time, the aftereffects of the accident were severe, and his self-loathing was at its peak, so he couldn't bear to show himself in that state. His master then seemed to contact Kapros's parents occasionally instead of him, but even after Kapros had forcibly moved out on his own, his master would steadily send messages whenever enough time had passed. He had come only after receiving a message yesterday, feeling he had become somewhat presentable, but his master treated this unworthy disciple as if nothing had happened, still as kind as ever.

It pained Kapros's heart to see his master's face, much older now, as time spares no one. In fact, his master and his wife had no children of their own, so they had been very fond of Kapros, who had been learning swordsmanship from a young age. They were like second parents to him, and he felt guilty for his inconsiderate behavior, unable to endure even his own pain.

"I've been resting at home after taking a leave of absence from university."

Kapros spoke, biting his lip to suppress his slightly choked voice.

"Is that so? Are you feeling better?"

"Yes. I've improved a lot."

"Your eyes look much clearer too. Have you... picked up the sword again?"

Although he had picked up dual swords in the game, he hadn't in reality.

Kapros smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"No."

His master said, "I see..." and fell silent for a moment, seeming to think about something while looking at the tea his wife had just brought.

"You have the nature of a warrior. I knew that being strong, you would return with those eyes someday... But if not the sword, I wonder what has given you such eyes."

His master was perceptive. But Kapros couldn't honestly say that he was learning magic in a game, so he just smiled awkwardly. Seeing his uncomfortable expression, his master quietly laughed, took a sip of tea, and then spoke. Kapros quickly took a sip as well. The tea his master's wife had brewed was as fragrant as ever.

"It seems difficult for you to say. That's fine then. Can you guess why I called you here today?"

"I don't know."

He really didn't know, having just come after receiving the message. In fact, that was the point he was most curious about inwardly. His master looked straight at him, as if looking at a single point at the tip of a sword.

"You earned your dan certificate when you were in high school."

"Yes."

Kapros answered, trying to ignore the slight twinge in his stomach.

"And I know your skills from back then, so that's settled."

He couldn't grasp what his master was trying to say.

"Mu-heon."

"Yes."

"...That day, did you reach the state of no-self?"

For a moment, Kapros tightly gripped the cane beside him because of his suddenly thumping heart.