My Unique Skill [Gacha] Will Save the World - Episode 55: Awakening

Episode 55: Awakening  

(…What happened to me?)  

Rindou’s consciousness had abruptly faded. It left him unaware of his own collapse. Even now, he struggled to understand what had occurred. His body refused to move, not even a single finger. And the confusion weighed heavily on him.  

(What’s going on? Think, Rindou. What was I doing?)  

In the hazy space between dream and reality, Rindou searched his fragmented memories.  

(The Eldias Kong appeared. And thanks to Kyousuke, we managed to defeat it. I gained a skill, and then…)  

The memories came flooding back in a rush.  

(…Gakuto… That’s right! Gakuto! I fought him, used a skill to defeat him… and… I killed him. Not just defeated—I killed him!)  

The vivid image of the [Heavy Tank] acquisition window resurfaced in his mind. Rindou’s breathing grew rapid and shallow.  

(This is wrong! It’s all wrong! I want to remain human—I don’t want to become a murderer!)  

Though he had rejected Gakuto’s skill, Rindou’s mind couldn’t yet process that memory. Instead, panic consumed him.  

(No! This isn’t the kind of player I wanted to be! I never wanted to hunt other players!)  

He thought of Gakuto—a fellow player who had once helped him. Now, that player was dead, and Rindou was haunted by the realization.  

Yet he couldn’t justify sacrificing himself or becoming a killer.  

(It’s unbearable! Someone, please… help me…)  

Just as he felt himself slipping into unconsciousness again, a voice echoed in his mind.  

“…cha…”  

It wasn’t his own voice, but someone else’s.  

(…Who is it? Whoever you are, please, save me!)  

“O…cha…”  

(I’m begging you! Don’t let me break!)  

“…wake… up!”  

The voice was unintelligible, but its urgency was clear. Rindou feared it might be the seductive whisper of a demon, tempting him to darkness. His thoughts spiraled deeper into terror.  

(I’m scared… No, I refuse! I will not become a demon—)  

“Wake up! Onii-chan!”  

Suddenly, light flooded his vision.  

“…Hah… hah… Ah… Kyouka?”  

“Onii-chan! Waaaahhh!”  

His sister, Kyouka, embraced him tightly. Tears were streaming down her face. His body was drenched in sweat, his clothes soaked through. But none of that mattered to her.  

“…What… happened to me?”  

“I’ll get the doctor! Wait here!”  

“No need, Kyouka-chan. I’m already here.”  

As Kyouka moved to run out of the room, the door opened to reveal Dr. Kanna, her attending physician.  

“…Doctor, why am I in a hospital?” 

Rindou asked, his voice weak.  

“You were brought in with severe confusion and loss of consciousness.”  

“What!? But… I see. I… Gakuto…”  

He stopped himself before saying the word “killed”. He remembered Kyouka’s presence.  

“You’re awake, Rindou-kun.”

“Kyousuke!”  

Rindou felt a wave of relief as Kyousuke entered the room.  

“Thank goodness… You’re alive.”  

“That’s my line,” 

Kyousuke replied, shrugging with a smile.  

“I’m sorry, Kyousuke. I caused you so much trouble when I passed out…”  

“No need to apologize. I managed without taking any serious injuries.”  

“…Really? But weren’t there still so many monsters around?”  

As bits and pieces of the chaotic battle came back to him, Rindou recalled the massive horde of monsters in the swamp.  

“After that, a group of players arrived just in time to help us. Thanks to them, we all made it out alive.”  

“Players? But why? That area shouldn’t have many experienced players, especially near the beginner gate…”  

Normally, only a few novice players would venture near the beginner gate. How had such a large group come to their rescue?  

“Ah, about that…”  

“It’s because I led them there.” 

Rindou turned toward the source and froze in surprise.  

Standing before him was the A-rank player Ayane