Chapter 74: 74. A TEAM IN TURMOIL

"What is this? Why are you two arguing?" Ethan tried to mediate between Miriam and Chloe, who were in a heated debate.

Both women remained silent, their faces still showing signs of anger. Garreth and Dane arrived, looking tired, but immediately stepped in to help mediate.

"We're a team!" Miriam's voice was firm. "And you just use the excuse of this being OFF LIMIT? Do you not consider me a friend?"

Chloe remained silent, but this time, her face showed regret.

"I panicked, Miriam," Chloe whispered.

"We all want to win this game," Garreth replied. He glanced at his teammates. "In the end, there has to be a winner. It's understandable if Chloe thought that way."

"Yeah, but not at my expense," Miriam retorted angrily.

Chloe took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. The mission scared and confused me."

"Maybe I should be more careful choosing friends." Miriam scoffed.

The redhead then turned around and hurriedly left Ethan and the others behind. Seeing Miriam still upset, Ethan quickly followed her, matching her pace.

"Miriam, I know you're angry," Ethan said.

"You bet I am!"

"But imagine being in Chloe's position."

"Shut up, Ethan."

Miriam's steps quickened toward the game exit. She felt hurt because Chloe could not think that far to eliminate her. Yes, Miriam realized that there could only be one winner in the end, but that level was still far away.

Why did Chloe want to take Miriam out early, even though they had built trust with each other? Miriam felt it was better to be on her own, as she used to be. Using the people playing with her.

"What if the roles were reversed? You would probably do the same thing, right?" Ethan asked.

Miriam stopped walking. She turned to Ethan, staring into his eyes.

"Yes, I wouldn't hesitate to eliminate Chloe."

Ethan was somewhat surprised by Miriam's straightforward answer.

"But because I already consider her a friend, I would talk to Chloe about my mission," Miriam said. "Not stay silent and keep it to myself. At least being honest is better."

"Come on, Miriam. Are you going to stay mad at Chloe forever?"

"I don't know, Ethan." Miriam shrugged. "Right now, I just want to go home because I'm tired."

"Alright."

Ethan didn't try to stop Miriam, knowing it was pointless to talk to her while she was still emotional. Maybe after they met again in the next game, Miriam would feel better.

Once Miriam entered the portal, Ethan's teammates followed. Chloe looked very downcast.

"I'm going home. See you later," Garreth said.

"It's better if we go home together," Dane said, turning to Chloe. "Don't think too much about it, Chloe. Miriam will probably act normal again. I think she's in shock because your mission was different from ours."

"I guess so." Chloe nodded weakly.

"See you again." Dane and Garreth nodded quickly, then both entered the portal.

Ethan extended his hand to Chloe. "We still have snacks. Come on, let's talk at the hospital."

Chloe took Ethan's hand, and they entered the portal together.

...

Ethan woke up, startled to see his mother sitting beside him. On the opposite bed, Chloe was lying down. Chloe had just woken up as well.

"Oh, you're awake," Ethan's mother said. "You both slept for a long time."

Chloe was startled, realizing she was in a bed, and quickly got up, looking very awkward.

"Don't worry, Dr. Alfred moved you to the bed because you were sleeping so soundly." Ethan's mother giggled.

"I must have looked like Sleeping Beauty. Oh God, I'm so embarrassed." Chloe approached Ethan and his mother. "I'm sorry. I came here to check on Ethan."

"You must have had exhausting days." Ethan's mother looked at Chloe with concern. "It's okay to rest for a while. You need it."

The room door opened, and Alfred entered, looking tired, as if he had just woken up. Seeing Chloe and Ethan awake, Alfred looked relieved.

"Chloe, you shouldn't sleep at the hospital so often. I could get in trouble because of you," Alfred warned, chuckling softly.

"Sorry, doc." Chloe grinned.

"Okay, I need to check Ethan's condition. Can you two wait outside for a moment?" Alfred requested.

Chloe and Ethan's mother nodded, then both left the room. Alfred sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for a moment before starting to speak.

"I don't know how to continue this game," Alfred sighed.

"What happened, doc?"

"It's so difficult. I feel like I can't keep going. I don't know how much longer I can reach level 25. It's exhausting." Alfred exhaled deeply. "I almost failed the last mission."

"But you already got tips from us, right?"

Alfred nodded. "Hey, do you know if there's a way to quit this game? Cancel or something? I'm very busy with my work, and OFF LIMIT is so unpredictable. It could affect my career."

Ethan shook his head weakly. "I don't know, doc."

Ethan had once heard from The Mayor that the game couldn't be stopped. But he wasn't sure if there were new regulations or specific conditions.

"Maybe you should ask The Mayor in the game," Ethan suggested.

"It feels strange, Ethan. This is supposed to be a 'fun' game. If we're forced to finish it, it seems out of bounds, doesn't it?"

"I guess so," Ethan agreed.

"One thing that amazes me is that since you started playing OFF LIMIT, your health has improved. I don't know if this is related to OFF LIMIT. It's beyond my logic." Alfred's eyebrows furrowed. "We need to check every time you complete a mission, Ethan."

"Doc, are you sure it's related? Could it just be a coincidence?"

"Ethan, I don't mean to diminish your spirits. But your disease has reached stage IV. Rarely does anyone survive, usually just prolonging life by a few months."

"So?"

"Is there any theory that suggests your disease is becoming less aggressive and even improving? Can you tell me?"

"Did the chemotherapy work?"

"Chemo is still dangerous. And I can't get any answer for the miracle happening to you."

Ethan pondered. Could this be from the OFF LIMIT game? Or was it from the OFF LIMIT system itself?