59. ETHAN CONCERN

"Wake up and rise, sunshine."

Ethan, who had just woken up, heard the voice accompanied by a hearty laugh. Seeing Alfred standing next to the bed, Ethan just smiled faintly.

"Hello, Doc," the twenty-two-year-old greeted hoarsely.

"You slept well."

"I just got back from OFF LIMIT."

Alfred shook his head. "That was a couple of hours ago, but you seem really tired."

Ethan moved to sit up and stifled a reflex yawn. "Really?"

"Have you been playing that game lately?"

Ethan nodded as he reached for his phone on the nightstand. There were messages from Dane and Chloe, but none from Miriam. For some reason, Ethan hoped that Miriam would send a message once in a while, even if it was just about trivial things.

"Playing Casual?" Alfred inquired.

"Yes, for level 16 later. You'll need oxygen tanks too, Doc," Ethan replied, not holding back the information.

Alfred's level was still below Ethan's, so maybe some tips and ways to pass the level would help, or so the young man thought.

"My brother mentioned it, but I just forgot about it," Alfred admitted.

"You have to remember a lot of things to get to level 25 to play with your brother."

Alfred chuckled. "I know."

Then Alfred took a deep breath and sat down on the edge of the bed. The doctor stared at Ethan intently, as if he wanted to tell him something.

"About your illness," Alfred opened the conversation.

"Is it getting worse?"

"Actually, it's the opposite. I don't know what kind of phenomenon this is, but it seems that your treatment is working."

Ethan felt like he was on a roller coaster, experiencing a mixture of surprise and pain. Was what he was hearing true? That his struggle over the past year had paid off? Could Ethan leave the hospital and become a survivor of a deadly disease like cancer?

"My stage is high, Doc," Ethan said, trying to contain his sense of overexcitement and wanting to slap himself with the reality that Alfred's words could be wrong.

"Well, you should be happy."

"I am, but..."

Ethan fell silent. He didn't know what to say. Sometimes good and beautiful things heard today could turn into real nightmares tomorrow.

"I'm just saying that death is inevitable for everyone. It's just a matter of how and when it happens. So in order to cope with it until then, you have to make sure that you're happy with your life," Alfred said at length.

Ethan's gaze shifted to Alfred, but he didn't react.

"You have to think positive, Ethan. Make yourself happy, even with the smallest things."

"I will."

"I just hope that the news I just told you will make you even more determined to fight for your life." Alfred rose from his seat. "I can count on you for that, right?"

Alfred shook his fist at Ethan, and the young man responded with a fist of his own.

"I hope so, Doc."

Then Alfred looked at his watch. "I have to check on other patients before the main game starts."

"When does it start? I'm always surprised at OFF LIMIT because I never know when the game starts."

"In half a day."

...

Before the main game started, Ethan watched several tutorial videos about diving. The young man was very serious about what he was about to experience in the next few hours. Two hours before the game began, Ethan called Chloe.

"Chloe, are you ready to enter the game?" Ethan asked.

From the other end of the line, Chloe answered. "Yes, I can. Is there anything we need to do right away? Doesn't the main game start in two hours?"

"I have to go to Casual, to the nightmare stage."

Chloe was silent for a few seconds. "What do you mean?"

"I need to talk to Miriam about bringing back her nightmare from that time."

"Katie?"

There was a long sigh on the other end of the line. "Ethan, I don't think Miriam would necessarily agree. Why do you want to go to that stage? Miriam is trying to forget it, although I think it will still be remembered."

"I need a swimming pool."

"What for?"

"To learn to dive."

"Oh..."

"I've never done any physical exercise in my life, and the mission at level 16 is going to be difficult for me," Ethan sighed softly. "But you're right... asking Miriam to bring back her nightmare might not be a wise move. Besides, I only need the pool in that dream."

"Sounds selfish and moronic."

"You were right."

"Let's just log into the game first. Maybe there's a lake in the Medieval area. I think there is."

"Okay. Shall we meet there now?"

"I'll contact Dane, Miriam, and... hmm, Garreth."

Ethan chuckled softly. "You don't seem to like Garreth very much. What's wrong with him, anyway?"

"It's not that I don't like him, it's just that he often complicates things for us with his carelessness," Chloe replied. She groaned softly. "Don't tell Dane, he's the same. But Garreth is more of a pain in the ass."

"He just needs some adjustment and teamwork. He's okay in my book."

"Hmm... we'll see."

"I'm going to log into the game now. See you soon, Chloe."

"I'll be right there."

Ethan ended the call and put his phone on the nightstand. His hand reached for the OFF LIMIT game console, then he relaxed his body. Ethan's eyes glanced at the game screen, then his fingers pressed the 'START' button.

...

The streets of The Medieval were bustling with players as Ethan exited the game's portal. He strolled casually to the bar, where Ethan usually met his friends. As he approached the bar, Ethan was surprised to see Alfred walking with his twin brother.

"Doc!" Ethan greeted.

"Hey, buddy."

They fist-bumped each other, then chuckled. Alfred's twin brother, only looked at the two figures beside him with a scrutinizing gaze.

"This is Ethan, remember?" Alfred asked.

"Oh, yes." Alfred nodded briefly.

"Hey, do you mind if I tell Alfons about you in the real world?" Alfred looked at Ethan, who nodded immediately. Alfred went on, "Ethan is my patient."

Only then did Alfons' expression change and he looked very surprised. "A patient? Oh my..."

"Yes, I have cancer," Ethan cut in with a soft chuckle.

"I'm sorry, I mean..." Alfons looked awkward. "...you have to keep fighting for your life. You look much cooler here. Oh my, what did I just say."

Seeing Alfons' confusion, Ethan couldn't help but laugh. "It's okay, sir."

"Just call me Alfons, don't call me sir."

Alfred's eyes seemed distracted by something, and he quickly approached the red-haired woman who came from behind Ethan's back.

"Miriam?" Alfred called.

Miriam immediately fell silent and looked uncomfortable when she saw Ethan there.

"Doc? What are you doing here?" Miriam asked in a strained voice.

"I didn't know you played, too. This is a real surprise." Alfred chuckled. "So how are you? Are you feeling much better now?"

Miriam turned to Ethan, who couldn't believe that the woman knew Alfred as well. "Well, decently. Anyway, I'm off to the bar. See you later, Doc."

"See you, Miriam."

Miriam quickly walked past Ethan without even greeting him. This made Ethan even more puzzled by Miriam's behavior, which often seemed mysterious and secretive. Ethan wanted to ask Alfred about it, but he decided not to do so.

For some reason, Ethan wanted Miriam to say it herself.

"I'm going to the bar, see you later, Doc," Ethan said goodbye.

"Good luck, Ethan!"