Kuon and Murphy could be seen walking side by side through the withered streets of the Ruins in a calm but tense manner.
Murphy’s steps were a bit hasty and uneven.
A dark look masked his face as he held the box of medicine and other anti-biotics inside.
Matching his pace, Kuon walked beside him in a more calm but equally tense manner.
An unreadable expression permeated his face, but it was clear in his posture that he was also incredibly tense and worried.
Getting the flu, diarrhea, or another common illness in the Ruins was nothing unusual.
It was expected.
The Ruins were filthy, overcrowded, and lacked basic sanitation.
Ruined got sick constantly, but most illnesses weren’t especially dangerous.
A few days of rest and some medicine were usually enough to recover.
Medicine shortages had also become less common thanks to the Grey Market.
In short, catching the flu was unpleasant.
But it wasn’t a death sentence.
However, The virus…was a different story.
Treating it required specialized antiviral drugs, isolation, and careful monitoring to prevent further spread.
That was the problem.
While antibiotics occasionally appeared among exchanged goods, antiviral drugs and vaccines almost never did.
Even if they had, nobody in the Ruins had the knowledge or equipment necessary to treat infected patients properly.
The Ruined knew how to survive hunger, cold, and violence.
Disease was another matter.
Simply put, if you became infected by the virus in the Ruins…
You were practically a dead man.
After lingering for a few seconds, Kuon asked, “When did this happen?” Murphy sighed.
“Just this morning.
I came to wake him up and…I saw him lay on his bed, looking…like a corpse…” Kuon’s eyes pierced him with fierce gaze as he asked, “Are you sure it’s the virus?
It could’ve just been the flu for all I know…How is one even supposed to know, anyway?” Murphy stared back with a grim look, then he said with certainty, “No, it is definitely the virus.
I’m sure of it.” He paused for a moment, then continued, “I haven’t told you this, Kuon, but I was actually a medical student before the hierarchical was established…Of course, it has been decades since then, but I still remember some important stuff.
I was actually a bit of a genius, believe it or not.” Kuon’s eyes widened slightly.
Then, a small smile curled his lips.
“No, I believe you…” After a few more minutes, the two stood in front of a small cottage similar to where Kuon and Stephanie had made their home.
Murphy opened the door and walked in as Kuon followed.
However, he became somewhat confused because the old man did not take him to Jonah’s room.
Instead, Murphy lifted a piece of wooden slab, revealing a staircase leading down into what seemed like a hidden basement.
He did not question it though and continued following the worried old man down the stairs.
Eventually, they reached a door at the very bottom.
Kuon finally spoke, “What the hell is this?” Murphy answered without glancing at him, “My secret chambers…” Kuon raised an eyebrow but didn’t pry further.
Instead, he watched as Murphy unlocked the door and followed him inside.
And inside…Kuon almost gasped at the thing he was looking at…
At the far end of the comparatively small room stood a massive glass…dome?
Tables,chairs…medicine and tools he had never seen before in his life were scattered all across the room in an orderly but at the same time, inappropriate manner.
Kuon guessed these were probably the tools doctor’s used to treat their patients.
‘This…this is so cool.’ In his whole life, Kuon had never once seen a real doctor.
He had only read it in newspapers and advertisements exchanged through the Grey Market and maybe in some webtoons or novels.
Of course, he was familiar with how medical tools looked, but he never imagined he would come face to face with them.
‘I swear…today is something.’ However, Kuon quickly snapped himself out of his daydream as Murphy handed him a mask and wore one himself.
The old man placed the box of medicine on one of the tables and took out some antiviral medication aswell as a shot of vaccine.
Making Kuon wear gloves, they both walked towards the glass dome and Murphy opened a loose hatch which worked as a sliding door.
Kuon had never seen a sliding door either so he was unnaturally hyped.
Then…they entered.
Inside the dome, there was a bed.
And lying on it was…
‘F*ck…’ Jonah.
Just as Murphy had described, he looked…like a corpse.
The young boy had messy black hair and dull red eyes.
His body was already thin and boney to begin with, but…he looked even more fragile…as if he would break into shards with a simple touch.
His already pale skin somehow looked even more dangerously white.
Currently, he was half naked with a thin cloth covering his body.
The boy was shivering uncontrollably which sent a cold echo down Kuon’s spine.
Jonah coughed loudly as he slowly began opening his eyes.
The moment he saw Murphy, his face lit up even if only a little.
In a hoarse, whisper-like voice, he called out weakly, “D…dad…” “It’s alright…I’m here.” The elderly man then gestured towards Kuon who was standing stiffly against the wall of the glass dome staring at Jonah.
“Look who came to see you today.” Jonah smiled.
Somehow, that smile was almost just as Kuon remembered.
Against all odds, his childish smile was still bright enough to light a path in the dark.
Seeing it, Kuon could not help but smile back.
It was an exaggerated smile however.
The skinny boy, no older than Stephanie opened his mouth and said hoarsely, “K-kuon…It…it’s good to see you…” After a moment of silence, Kuon replied, “Yeah…it’s good to see you too.
How are you feeling?” Jonah coughed.
“I’ve been better.” Murphy’s voice cut in abruptly however, “Alright then, Jonah…lie down.
It’s time to get started.” Jonah sighed, then did what his father asked.
A few minutes later, Kuon found himself watching as Murphy did his things the best that could be done with limited medication, occasionally helping him with minor tasks like holding Jonah still and handing him the instruments.
Jonah winced multiple times which startled Kuon slightly.
At those times, Kuon held him down and patted his head in order to calm him down.
After a few more minutes that felt like hours, they were finally done.
Murphy briefly went outside the dome to catch his breath while Kuon smiled, relieved that nothing bad happened.
Jonah was catching his breath aswell.
He laughed.
That laugh was probably the most saddest thing Kuon ever heard and yet, he couldn’t help but smile.
“Hey…Kuon.” “Hm?
What is it?” Jonah paused for a moment…then with a sad expression, he asked, “Will dad be okay?” Kuon was taken aback by the sudden question.
Confused, he asked, “What do you mean?” Jonah stopped staring at him and instead, a look of deep sorrow permeated his face as he stated at his pale hands.
“When I die…will dad be okay?” Kuon went pale, a dark look masked his face and he pierced the fragile boy with a sorrowful gaze.
“Who…who told you that?
Don’t ever say that.
You are not…going to die.” That was a lie.
Of course it was.
But what could Kuon say?
Jonah was clearly being more realistic while Kuon clung on to false hope that he would persevere through the infection somehow…
Through a miracle…maybe But miracles were not that easy to be obtained or be blessed upon.
Miracles were rare.
Extremely rare.
And in the Ruins, where countless Ruined blindly prayed for them every living day, miracles were practically non-existent.
Jonah turned back to Kuon with a somewhat painful expression.
But before he could reply, he noticed his father had entered the dome.
Not only that, Murphy had heard their short conversation and was standing stiffly while staring at his beloved son with glassy eyes.
Then…he took a nearby chair and sat next to his bed, holding his hand tightly.
Jonah whispered, “Dad…” However, Murphy couldn’t bring himself look him in the eyes.
He did not want to see his son’s face.
Because if he did…
He was not sure if he would be able to hold back any longer.
It was clear in his demeanor and body language that the man desperately wanted to embrace his son and ensure him that his father will be fine.
But that would be a lie.
Kuon stood frozen, watching the entire thing happen with a frown on his face.
Then…
“Hey, do you both like pizza?” The sudden question startled them as they both stared at Kuon with an expression of confusion.
Murphy asked calmly, “Why do you say that?” Kuon grinned.
“Real dough.
There is real dough in the crates.” Both father and son looked at each other.
Then…they burst out laughing.
Jonah was the first to speak, “Real dough…You must have gone mad.” Kuon was offended.
“No…I’m being completely serious.” Murphy joined in, “Sure you are.” Kuon glared at them angrily as both father and son continued laughing in disbelief, none of them listening to a word Kuon was saying.
And as much as Kuon was embarrassed and angry…
He couldn’t help but laugh along with them.
The next day…Jonah was dead.