Dinner had long since ended.
The paper bags had been neatly folded and thrown away, while the empty food containers sat stacked on the bedside table.
Yevhen leaned comfortably against the hospital bed.
For the first time in years...
His heart felt strangely light.
Elena finished cleaning before dropping into the visitor's chair with an exaggerated sigh.
"...I'm bored."
Yevhen laughed.
"You've only been sitting for five minutes."
"Exactly."
She looked around the quiet hospital room before reaching for the television remote.
"Let's see what's happening."
Click.
The television flickered to life.
Almost immediately, the screen displayed the logo every person in the world had become familiar with.
BREAKING NEWS
DIVINE NEXUS CONTINUES TO SHAKE THE WORLD
Both siblings instinctively turned their attention toward the television.
A well-dressed news anchor smiled professionally.
"Good evening."
"On the first day of the global launch of Divine Nexus, player activity has exceeded every prediction made by analysts."
"The revolutionary full-dive virtual reality experience continues to attract millions of players worldwide."
Footage of bustling villages, enormous cities, and breathtaking landscapes filled the screen.
Even after spending nearly a full day inside the game...
Yevhen still found himself amazed.
The anchor continued.
"We now move to an exclusive interview with the player currently ranked first on the global leaderboard."
The screen changed.
A young man appeared, seated comfortably in an elegant interview room.
His appearance alone radiated confidence.
His clothes were simple, yet clearly tailored from expensive fabric.
The caption beneath him read:
Current Global Rank #1
Player Name: Valerius
Level 6 — 40%
The interviewer smiled.
"Congratulations on becoming the world's highest-ranked player."
Valerius nodded politely.
"Thank you."
"What can you tell us about your experience so far?"
He answered calmly.
"Divine Nexus isn't simply a game."
"It feels... alive."
"The world reacts naturally."
"NPCs possess astonishing intelligence."
"The combat system rewards genuine skill instead of mindless button presses."
"I've played games my entire life."
"But nothing comes close to this."
The interviewer nodded.
"Many viewers are curious."
"Were you always interested in gaming?"
Valerius smiled faintly.
"I've had access to excellent training."
"My family believed virtual technology would become the future long before most people."
Yevhen noticed Elena quietly mutter,
"As expected..."
He glanced toward her.
"You know him?"
She shook her head.
"Not personally."
"But everyone knows the family behind him."
The television displayed another caption.
"Heir of the Ashcroft Family"
One of the world's largest technology conglomerates.
Elena crossed her arms.
"No wonder he's ahead."
"He probably had private instructors before the game even launched."
Yevhen remained silent.
He couldn't deny it.
Some people truly began life several steps ahead of everyone else.
Valerius continued speaking.
"I believe Divine Nexus will change society."
"It won't merely become entertainment."
"It will become part of everyday life."
The interviewer smiled.
"Interesting prediction."
"We actually have another announcement related to that."
Valerius raised an eyebrow.
"So do I."
The interviewer looked surprised.
"You already know?"
Valerius simply smiled without answering.
The broadcast shifted back to the news desk.
The anchor's expression became noticeably more serious.
"Our next report has just been officially confirmed by the developers of Divine Nexus."
A large banner appeared across the screen.
**Official Announcement**
**Real Currency Exchange System to Launch Soon**
Both Yevhen and Elena froze.
The anchor continued.
"According to the developers, an integrated economic system will soon allow players to legally exchange in-game assets for real-world currency."
"Details regarding taxation, security, and conversion rates will be released at a later date."
"However, company representatives confirmed that valuable equipment, rare materials, completed commissions, and other eligible assets may eventually generate real income for players."
The hospital room fell completely silent.
Elena slowly lowered the remote.
"...They're serious."
Yevhen couldn't take his eyes off the television.
Players...
Could earn money.
Real money.
Not through illegal trading.
Not through third-party markets.
Officially.
Legally.
The anchor continued speaking excitedly.
"Economic experts predict the emergence of entirely new professions within Divine Nexus."
"Professional adventurers."
"Gatherers."
"Blacksmiths."
"Merchants."
"Guild administrators."
"The virtual economy is expected to influence real-world employment on an unprecedented scale."
The report continued, but Yevhen barely heard another word.
His thoughts drifted elsewhere.
To the hospital bills.
To the medicines.
To the nights Elena returned home exhausted after working overtime.
To the countless occasions she smiled...
Pretending everything was fine.
He remembered overhearing conversations between doctors.
"The treatment is effective..."
"But it's expensive..."
"We'll continue as long as the family can manage."
His fingers slowly tightened around the bedsheet.
He looked toward his sister.
She was staring silently at the television.
A tired smile appeared on her face.
"...Maybe this is a good opportunity."
She laughed softly.
"I might even make another character and earn some extra money."
Yevhen knew she was joking.
She already worked enough.
She barely slept.
Even then...
She worried more about him than herself.
A heavy feeling settled inside his chest.
No.
She had carried everything alone for far too long.
His gaze slowly lowered to the necklace hidden beneath his hospital gown.
The warmth of the Primal Codex seemed to answer him.
He remembered its words.
"You are not confined to a single path."
"You may become anything."
Aster...
Could walk.
He could fight.
He could grow stronger.
Perhaps...
He could do something Yevhen never could.
Yevhen slowly lifted his head.
His eyes reflected a determination Elena had never seen before.
"I'm going to become the strongest."
She blinked.
"Hm?"
"I'm going to reach the top of Divine Nexus."
His voice wasn't loud.
It didn't need to be.
"I'll earn enough money."
"I'll pay for my treatment."
"I'll help with the hospital bills."
He looked directly at her.
"And..."
A faint smile appeared.
"You won't have to shoulder everything by yourself anymore."
Elena's eyes widened.
For a moment, she simply stared at him.
Then she gently flicked his forehead.
"Ouch."
She smiled, though tears shimmered in her eyes.
"You really are dreaming big."
Yevhen rubbed his forehead and smiled back.
"I know."
"But every journey starts somewhere."
Outside the hospital window, the night sky stretched endlessly above the city.
Somewhere beyond those stars...
Another world waited.
A world where an ordinary young man named Aster had taken his first steps.
Not merely to uncover the Truths hidden within the Primal Codex.
But now...
To change the fate of the only family he had left.