digital heart | minsung | ✔

09

Later that day, I appear in the middle of Nox after using a teleport crystal.

I most likely look like a mess, after fighting my way through the Nocturnal Plains for hours. I can't see myself but I just know that my face is full of tiny scratches and dirt, that my hair looks more like a bird's nest than anything else now, that my clothes are ripped and the iron armor stained. But that's okay, it will all be fixed the next time I log on after logging out later.

My stats are a mess, both energy and health red and beeping frantically to warn me. The first thing I do is leaning against a wall to keep my balance -that isn't too well right now- and retrieve some apples from my inventory. Apples aren't much but they restore the bars enough to properly find a potion shop without nearly passing out every minute.

It wasn't for nothing, though. I reached level seventeen within a few hours, meaning my level went up three times today. I would be lying if I said I'm not at least a little bit proud and satisfied with that achievement. On top of that, I got tons of loot that I can sell for a nice amount of credits.

I just have to reach that... potion store.

Keeping my hand on the wall for support, I slowly walk forward. The way my vision blurs every once in a while is the first warning of blacking out completely and I don't want that. Maybe it would've been a bit better if I went back a little earlier but you never realize those things until it's already too late, huh? 

The last time I was in this state isn't too long ago so I guess it's safe to say that learning from my past mistakes isn't my strongest point. I keep walking slowly, almost shambling over the pavement as I make my way to the potion shop. Everyone looks at me weirdly, both players and NPCs but no one really does something. I called it, not everyone here is as nice, which is why I was pretty surprised how Lino helped me that day.

Talking about Lino, now would be a good time for him to show up. It's mostly a joke to myself but now that I think about it, I wouldn't be complaining if he would actually pop up in front of me with that attractive smile of him. Just then, my entire vision blurs again, turning my surroundings in a weird mixture of brown and grey before I can focus again. I lightly shake my head, blinking a few time to get rid of the dizziness.

I really have to remind myself not to go this far again.

As I finally reach the potion shop, I stagger inside. My vision blurs over completely and the NPC that owns the shop rushes towards me. Unlike last time, I'm still conscious as I transfer some credits to the old man and a healing potion is placed in my inventory. Still, the unsettling sensation of deja vu hits me like a rock and I quickly gulp down the blue liquid. 

Okay, I guess apples don't work at all once you're this far gone.

I sigh deeply as the potion glides down my throat, leaving a burning sensation in its wake. It's unpleasant but at least the effects kick in immediately. The dizziness disappears and at the same time, my focus takes shape again. I blink a few times, waiting for my vision to be completely normal before I'm satisfied.

Well, that was the worst part. I'm all good now.

Yet, I can't help but mentally scold myself. I should know better than acting this reckless and ending up almost dead for the second time in less than a week. You're eighteen, Jisung, act more responsibly.

"Are you okay, boy?" the shop owner asks, worry etched on his wrinkled face.

I send the man a reassuring smile, "don't worry, I'm fine. Thank you."

I watch how he scurries off to help others -mostly NPCs who don't have a shopping menu, unfortunately for them- and decide to go outside again. I should probably buy more potions to keep in my inventory, just in case a situation like this occurs again -which is very likely. But for now, I'm just too stubborn to do that and I venture onto the lively streets of Nox.