The Player that Can’t Level Up

Chapter 6: Lou (2)

Name?

Decide his name?

-I asked you to give me a name!

One name suddenly popped in Gi-Gyus head after hearing the boys frustrated screams. Gi-Gyu said, Lou.

-What?

You asked me to name you, so you are Lou from now on.

As if in a trance, the boy said nothing, and a short silence fell in the area.

-Alright.

-I like it. From now on, my name is Lou. Call me Lou.

[You have synced with Ego.]

[You have successfully synced with Ego named Lou.]

[Lou shall belong to you from now on.]

[You can now access Lous information.]

The system voice continued to make announcements. It announced so many things that Gi-Gyu found his mind drowning in automated notifications.

-Im disappointed I have an idiot for a master, but I guess I have no other choice.

The sheer rudeness of the bratuhm, I mean boy, made Gi-Gyu wanna faint.

***

Doctor! The patient is conscious! a nurse yelled.

Call his family and check his vitals, the doctor ordered.

Yes, Doctor! The nurse replied.

Gi-Gyu's head pounded as if his heart was inside his skull.

Whats that sound?

A cocktail of various noises and sounds tickled his ears as he regained consciousness. Unfortunately, he couldnt hear very well because his ears were waterlogged. His eyes refused to open, he felt unreasonably cold, he was shivering feverishly, and his brain was begging for more time in slumberland.

Should I just go back to sleep?

The throbbing, the cold, the pain and all seemed to be inviting him into a comfortable eternal slumber. The fatigue made him crave sleep like a deranged junkie.

Oppa Yoo-Jung whispered.

Yoo-Jung? When Gi-Gyu heard his sisters voice, his eyes flew open, and his previously stiff jaw magically moved.

Oppa?! Can you hear me?! Yoo-Jung exclaimed.

What the Where am I? Gi-Gyu asked in confusion. His eyes were blurry, so he couldnt see much, but he quickly realized where he was.

It smells like medicine.

He was in a hospital. His sight and hearing slowly returned; soon, he could see Yoo-Jung staring at him worriedly.

Oppa! Are you okay? Yoo-Jung asked.

Gi-Gyu! Tae-Shik yelled in panic.

You cant yell in here! a nurse warned them.

The door burst open, and a man hurried inside. The newcomer who interrupted Yoo-Jung was none other than Oh Tae-Shik. Noticing Tae-Shiks rapid approach, Gi-Gyu asked, Why am I in the hospital?

His memory was too fuzzy for him to recall anything.

Dont you remember? Tae-Shik asked.

No, I I Why cant I remember?

Hug.

Thank god, Gi-Gyu, Tae-Shik murmured as he hugged Gi-Gyu.

We need to do some tests on the patient. The heartwarming scene was abruptly interrupted by the doctor.

Oh, okay. Ill talk to you later. Tae-Shik left when the doctor entered the room. Gi-Gyu suspected that Tae-Shik left his work in the middle of the day to see him. Meanwhile, Yoo-Jung also left with Tae-Shik to let the doctor conduct his examination.

The doctor asked him a few simple questions and then examined his body. After the check-up, the doctor said, Everything looks fine. Since you have regained your consciousness, well proceed with some tests.

Umm Alright, Gi-Gyu answered, still a bit confused.

When the doctor left the room, Yoo-Jung returned and murmured, Thank goodness. Im so relieved.

So why am I in the hospital? Gi-Gyu asked.

You were found near the fifth-floor landmark. The people from the association found you unconscious and brought you to this hospital.

I was found near the fifth-floor landmark?

There was another question Gi-Gyu wanted to ask, but he knew Yoo-Jung wouldn't know the answer. Yoo-Jung replied, Yeah. I dont know the details. Mr. Tae-Shik told me that you got hurt while trying to save other people.

What? Gi-Gyu asked in surprise.

Im still trying to process everything that happened, Oppa. Gosh But Im so thankful that youre finally awake. I need to go check on Mom, so Ill come back later. You need to rest, Yoo-Jung said to him.

Okay. Please tell Mom Im fine.

Yoo-Jung left the room and closed the door behind her. Left alone, Gi-Gyu wondered, What happened? He vaguely remembered the rude boys voice, not much else.

I dont know what happened.

No matter how hard he tried, Gi-Gyu couldnt figure out what had happened to him.

***

After finishing the days work, Tae-Shik revisited Gi-Gyu in the evening. Gi-Gyu asked, So what happened to me?

You still cant remember?

Gi-Gyu shook his head and replied, Im starting to remember bits and pieces of it; the whole picture is still unclear. I remember our party meeting a guardian and hiding in a cave. Then, I went outside to set off firecrackers, right?

Thats right.

Outside, I met the guardian again, so I ran away and set off the firecrackers Oh! Hows Ha-Neul? Gi-Gyu asked suddenly.

Tae-Shik laughed and teased, Dont you think you should be more worried about your own health right now?

But Im fine, Gi-Gyu protested.

Ha-Neul is fine. The players hunting near the area saw your firecrackers and rushed to help. Thankfully, there was a guild near where you were. The guardian escaped, but they were able to track your moves and found the group hiding in the cave, Tae-Shik explained patiently.

Im glad to hear that, Gi-Gyu answered with relief. Just then, Tae-Shiks face became a little serious. He asked, So what happened?

What do you mean?

You werent found in front of the fifth-floor entrance. You were found collapsed near the portal landmark at the end of the fifth floor. That must mean

When Tae-Shik looked at Gi-Gyu expectantly, Gi-Gyu asked rhetorically, It must mean I passed the test, right?

Indeed.

The calm on Gi-Gyus face seemed comical to Tae-Shik, so he laughed and said, Gi-Gyu! Congratulations!

I still dont know what happened exactly. My memories are still really spotty.

Just rest for now. Player Kim Sun-Pil will be visiting you soon. When you were unconscious, he visited you every day, Tae-Shik reassured Gi-Gyu.

I was unconscious for days? Gi-Gyu asked with surprise. He couldnt precisely gauge how long he was out for, but even his best guess wasnt close to reality.

About two weeks, Tae-Shik answered.

Two weeks?!

Yeah, but dont worry. Your hospital bill was covered by the insurance.

Thank goodness, Gi-Gyu said.

I recall you saying that you havent rested properly since you were seriously injured by a goblin. Take this opportunity to rest and relax. Ill talk to you later, Tae-Shik said his farewell.

Okay.

***

Gi-Gyu!

Guide!

Jae-Won and Ha-Neul rushed toward Gi-Gyu and grabbed his hands. Gi-Gyu gave them a warm smile and squeezed their hands. He was happy to see that all the players looked perfectly healthy. Jae-Won said to Gi-Gyu, Thank you so much.

I heard you left the cave because of me, Guide Ha-Neul murmured.

Thats not true. Im just glad youre okay now, Gi-Gyu replied.

Then, Sun-Pil, his group members, and Gi-Gyu walked to the break room together. Gi-Gyu said, Im so relieved youre all okay.

Were also glad youre okay, Guide, Jae-Won replied.

Have you recovered fully now? Ha-Neul asked.

They chatted for a long time in the break room. There, Jae-Won and Ha-Neul explained that soon after Gi-Gyu left the cave, the players hunting nearby arrived to help them. Apparently, Ha-Neuls condition was severe; thankfully, a healer was there to help. They also told Gi-Gyu that even as they were being rescued, Jae-Won and Sun-Pil insisted on searching for him.

The group talked for hours as if they were long-lost friends.

Sun-Pil explained, Jae-Won and I really wanted to go back to find you when we heard the firecrackers epicenter was a mass.

Gi-Gyu remembered what happened at the entrance to the fifth floor. The players told him the guardian orc was rampaging in the area, but it had escaped by the time the guild arrived.

Everyone thought you were dead, Gi-Gyu. But Jae-Won and I believed you were still alive, which was why we tried to go back for you Sun-Pil murmured apologetically.

Were sorry, Jae-Won added.

Since the guardian had escaped, sending two players seeking the unknown made no sense. So, they were advised to request help from the association, which is precisely what they did. When Sun-Pil and the rest slumped with guilt, Gi-Gyu said, Its alright; It was my choice. A player must be responsible for his own life after all.

Thats true. The players nodded.

While staring at Gi-Gyu with obvious curiosity, Ha-Neul asked, By the way, Guide, I heard that you were found at the fifth-floor landmark. Is that true?

Yes. I dont remember it, but thats what I was told as well," Gi-Gyu answered calmly.

Ha-Neul inquired further, So does that mean you passed the test?

Gi-Gyu shook his head and replied, I dont remember.

Oh! Im so sorry I asked, Ha-Neul apologized.

Thats alright.

After Ha-Neuls questions, Gi-Gyu and the players continued their conversation. Sun-Pil relayed a message to Gi-Gyu, Suk-Woo couldnt make it because hes too busy. He asked me to tell you hes sorry.

Thank you, Gi-Gyu replied, and the other players offered, If you ever need any help, please call us. Well do everything we can.

Gi-Gyu laughed and replied, Same goes for me. Please let me know if you need anything.

***

Gi-Gyu was dismissed from the hospital a few days later. As soon as his presiding doctor gave him a clean chit, he signed the discharge paper.

Yoo-Jung asked, So you saved those players, Oppa?

Yeah, Gi-Gyu replied.

I dont want you to give up your life for other people. Youve already sacrificed yourself for this familythats more than enough, Yoo-Jung grumbled.

Thats not true. I don't consider what I do for my family a sacrifice, Gi-Gyu clarified patiently.

The brother-sister duo was on their way home. Gi-Gyu patted Yoo-Jungs head and added, My family and my life are the two most important things in my life. That day in the Tower, I only did what I did because I was certain I would be safe. I would never leave you and Mom, so you should never worry.

Okay! Yoo-Jung replied brightly.

Lets hurry home, Yoo-Jung.

When Gi-Gyu reached the shabby rooftop attic, he felt like it had been months since he was home. He walked in and greeted his mother, Im home.

Gi-Gyu! His mother burst into tears when she saw him.

Why are you crying, Mom?

His mother sobbed, Im so sorry. Moms so sorry. You were in a coma, yet I couldnt even visit you in the hospital. I couldnt take care of you. Im so sorry

Its alright, Mother. Please dont cry, Gi-Gyu consoled her.

His mother cried for a long time. All Gi-Gyu and Yoo-Jung could do was wipe her eyes for her. When she finally stopped crying, their mother explained her new fears. It seemed she was now worried about Gi-Gyu being a player. After a long conversation, his mother finally fell asleep holding Gi-Gyus hand.

Gi-Gyu said to Yoo-Jung, Lets eat dinner now.

Okay, Ill make something, Yoo-Jung volunteered.

No, I can do it. It has been a while since I cooked, Gi-Gyu offered.

Are you sure? Yoo-Jung looked at him worriedly, but Gi-Gyu laughed and opened the fridge door.

What are you making? To Yoo-Jungs question, Gi-Gyu answered, Lets eat bibimbap[1].

Gi-Gyu grabbed several containers from the refrigerator and began to mix everything. He added gochujang[2] to white rice, kimchi, and vegetables. With a drop of sesame seed oil, the final result looked delicious. After the meal, Gi-Gyu did the dishes and changed.

Yoo-Jung asked, What are you doing? Are you going out?

I have to go to the Tower, Gi-Gyu answered.

What?! Yoo-Jungs face turned bright red. Gi-Gyu was discharged just hours ago, so she couldnt believe he would want to return to the Tower so soon. She yelled, Have you lost your mind? You just left the hospital, yet youre going back to the Tower in the middle of the night?

Yeah, I need to confirm something.

Confirm what? Yoo-Jung asked angrily.

Ill be back soon, Yoo-Jung. Leaving his worried sister behind, Gi-Gyu walked outside. All this while, his heart had been pounding wildly, and that confused him to no end. There was something he had to check.

Status screen, Gi-Gyu murmured. A blue screen appeared before him; the screen showed the players individual information.

[Level 1]

[Job: Egos partner]

[Unique Ability: Link (Can link up with Ego.)]

[Skill: Assimilation (Can assimilate to become one with linked Ego and use Egos ability.)]

Egos partner?! Gi-Gyu exclaimed. This strange-sounding title was the job he received after passing the test. He had been secretly praying for a level-up ever since he woke up; sadly, he was still at Level 1.

Link?

The question marks that followed his unique ability were now finally replaced.

Link.

As the name suggested, a unique ability was something that only a single player could own. In other words, only Gi-Gyu had this ability in the entire world. The prospects this held made his heart pound like a drum. It had been five years since the last change occurred on his status screen, so this was enough to excite him to death.

I need to get to the Tower first. He knew he would find out more about this change inside the Tower, so Gi-Gyu was willing to be patient. Expectantly, he headed toward the Tower.

1. A Korean rice dish topped with sauteed vegetables or kimchi.

2. Spicy red pepper paste.