The World of SENSES: An Introvert's Journey as the Helper Begins.

Chapter 9.1

After the soldier who had restrained Kin left, Clark helped him stand. Kin turned to Clark, asking. "What does Major Glav need with me?"

Clark shook his head. "Major Glav did not provide any details. He only said he wanted to meet you in person. Come, let me take you to him."

Clark walked side by side with Kin. While they walked toward the soldiers' barracks Kin glanced at Clark from head to toe. "How have you been, Clark? What happens after the explosion in the cave?"

"Thanks to you I'm fine. Captain Ai, Captain Milovat, and other soldiers were saved." Clark began to tell what happened after Kin made the cave collapse and buried himself with Varulv the dark werewolf.

He described how Clark and Captain Ai managed to escape the collapsing hall. Fortunately, the entrance remained intact, allowing them and the soldiers they rescued to survive. Captain Ai tried to find a way to save Kin, but she couldn't find it. In the end, Clark pulled Captain Ai by force away from the hall entrance and calmed her down.

After Captain Ai began to calm down, she and Clark looked at the condition of Captain Milovat and the other soldiers as well as their condition. Apart from Clark and Captain Ai, the other soldiers couldn't stand up, let alone fight. So Captain Ai decided to retreat and save all the injured soldiers while seeking help. Captains Ai and Clark carried Captain Milovat and the other soldiers out. As they make their way through the cave, they encounter Major Glav and his soldier.

As they sought help, Major Glav and his soldiers arrived, assisting in the evacuation. They attempted to clear rubble to reach Kin, but the cave threatened to collapse further with each attempt. After an hour of cautious work, a soldier reported seeing Kin in town, prompting them to halt their efforts and head back to the city.

"After that, we are here, we are looking for your whereabouts according to Major Glav's instructions."

Kin remained silent for a few minutes, processing Clark's story. Then, with a faint smile, he said. "I didn't expect you all to try to save me."

"Of course we would. You risked yourself for us. We owe you that much," Clark replied, making Kin smile shyly and glance away.

Clark then asked, "How did you manage to get out, Kin?"

Kin's smile faded as he recounted his escape. He detailed using the scroll to strike Varulv and trigger the cave's collapse, waking entombed beneath rubble and eventually reviving at Danem City's west gate, omitting details about defeating Varulv and the new 'helper' job he acquired. He thought it wasn't something to share just yet.

To wrap his story Kin told something he believed was the main reason why he was still here right now. "Basically, I'm here because I'm a player, and we resurrect after dying."

Clark nodded, acknowledging Kin's explanation. "Still, players feel pain from injury and death. You sacrificed for us, and we're grateful." Clark bowed slightly in gratitude.

While still lowering his head, Kin continued to ask the thing that Kin hadn't mentioned in his whole story. "What about the dark werewolf? Is it dead?"

Kin didn't answer right away. He tried to find a reasonable answer. "The Dark werewolf... Looks like it died when the cave collapsed."

After Kin answered it while looking away. Clark, remembering how strong the werewolf was, then commented. "I hope it's really dead."

The two fell silent until they arrived at the barracks. Soldiers trained in the outdoor exercise area as Clark led Kin to Major Glav's office.

Clark walked down the hall. On either side of the hallway, there were rooms with bunk beds, it looked like a room for the soldiers to sleep. Then at the end of the hall, there is a door with a shield logo covering a sword, spear, and arrow. The door was opened by Clark, and a woman back was seen inside. She is tall and has long black hair. Then she turned around when she felt the door open. It turned out she was Captain Ai. At the table in front of her sat Major Glav. He peeked to see who just opened his door.

After realizing that it was Kin behind the door, Major Glav stood up. "Kin, welcome. Thank you for taking the time to come here. Thank you Clark for company Kin."

Clark saluted the Major. "No problem sir."

"Now can you and Captain Ai leave us alone? I need to talk with Kin in private." Major Glav requested. Clark and Captain Ai saluted and exited the room, Ai's eyes lingering on Kin. After they left, Major Glav walked over and extended his hand.

"Thank you, Kin. Because of you, there were no casualties from the cave incident," Major Glav said.

Kin welcomed Major Glav's hand and grabbed it. "...No need to thank me. I just try my best according to my capacity. All thanks to the supplies you prepared, Major."

Major Glav smiled. "You are too kind Kin. By the way, please sit down, there is something I need to discuss with you."

Kin sat down across from Major Glav, who leaned forward. "So, Kin, what happened after you opened the scroll? That was the last thing my soldiers saw."

Kin told every incident to Major Glav. Starting from opening the scroll, buried under cave rubble, died and came back to life. He retold it as he had told Clark. While Kin was telling the story, Major Glav asked for several details, especially about the area at the end of the altar.

Kin finished his story. "Bottom line, I just used the magic scroll that the Major provided and the monster died because it was buried under the collapsed cave. Just like me."

With genuine gratitude, Major Glav said "Even though I know the consequences of a player dying, you will still feel pain and there is a penalty for that death. Once again thank you Kin."

Kin became embarrassed. "Enough, Major, I feel bad." He laughed a little, and Major Glav joined in, chuckling at Kin's reddening face. Once the laughter faded, Kin's expression grew serious. "Permission to ask a few questions, Major. About the cave—where did it come from? Why was it never discovered until now? What kind of monster was in there? And why do all the items dropped mention hell?"

Major Glav was taken aback after Kin bombarded him with a lot of questions. He then carefully answered Kin. "I'll explain to you, I also planned to tell you this." Major Glav adjusted his seat and began to tell a story.