1 Chapter 1: In Another World

In a very old house, there's a woman on the verge of death. She is my mother. Just a week ago, she was doing just fine but then my father found her on the kitchen floor, unconscious. She looked so pale and she was struggling with every breath. I stopped attending school and club activities to take care of my mother but she hasn't gotten any better.

" Yuriko, I will go around town to find medicine. Take care of your mother while I'm gone. " My Dad said.

He looked so tired and depressed with my mother being badly ill. That's natural, of course. Same goes for me, who was supposed to be cheerful and carefree. I stood up and grabbed my red tracksuit.

" Dad, I will go. You should sit down for now and watch Mom… "

" It's okay, I can go find medicine myself- " his sentence interrupted by his coughing.

" I can't lose both of you. Leave this to me, I'll be back before you know. "

After wearing the tracksuit and getting all the available money, I left the house and started running to town. I went to every nearby pharmacy and got nothing. It's not because I can't find the medicine, but because my money wasn't enough. But this is all we had and we still haven't paid the house rent yet.

I stopped by the corner of a street to catch my breath. My vision starting to become blurry as tears and sweat covered my eyes. Rubbing it all off my eyes, I looked forward and moved my feet to once again roam around town. I can't give up now, my mother...

" Old lady! Wait! "

I heard a man shouted behind me, when I looked at the crosswalk, there's the old lady and the truck is going to--

" WATCH OUT! "

Saving the old lady, I found my face inches away from the front of the truck. In that second, I can only say one thing.

" It's golden... "

- - - - -

poke

poke

What is that? Something's poking my side.

" Wake up, lucky one. "

I opened my eyes to the voice of an old man in front of me. Looking around, there's nothing but a never-ending stretch of light. This is obviously not the hospital.

" Who are you? Where am I? "

" Rest assured, nothing bad shall happen with you here. It's just that, your time has come. "

My time has come? I'm confused, this is not the hospital and I don't see anyone else. There are those clouds too.

…huh

" I'm dead. "

"Correct! But you have no need to think about that. I have great news for you! "

" What is it? "

What's so great about being dead?

" You're the lucky one who died by getting hit by The Golden Truck! "

Eh?

" So I will be giving you my blessing "

Ehh??

" and I will also give you infinite money. "

" Wait wait! Isn't this too sudden?! "

No way this is all true! Blessing from God? Infinite money? Yeah, no.

" Are you ready to start your new life in a new world? "

" No! Wait! I can't just die like this! My parents, I need to-- "

" Rest assured, they will still be with you. But now, you'll have the chance to save them. "

" Once you're ready, don't hesitate to jump down this hole right here. " He led me to a hole in the ground.

' Where did this hole come from? ' I asked myself as I look down.

" What would happen after I landed? "

Because for me, this hole, no, this whole thing is pretty shady.

" Do you want to save your parents? "

" Of course! "

" Then, jump. "

I looked down the hole once again, I wonder if all the things the old man said to me are true...

" Wait, you said in a new world, what do you mean by tha--?! "

With a push from the back, I feel myself falling down.

" May you be blessed, lucky one. "

- - - - -

" My head hurts… What is this? "

I got up and looked around me. I found myself inside an average wooden house, filled with various pieces of furniture; bookshelf, desk, chair, dining table…

and a bed with my dad sitting on chair near where my mom is!

" Dad, what's wrong? " I rushed towards them.

" Don't shout, Asher. Your mother... I think, she can't live much longer. " Dad answered me with a faint voice then I fell to my knees.

No, this can't be true. There's must be something I can do.

' Yuriko, no, Asher. Can you hear me? '

' This voice...God?! '

' Yes, I'm talking directly to your mind right now and it is to explain how you can save your mother. '

' Please tell me! I'll do anything! '

' Well then... '

I quickly stood up and made my way outside.

' First, you must go to town. '

I ran through the vast green field until I reached the town's gate.

' Second, find the guild house. '

Not even bothering to stop and ask people where the guild is, I looked at every single building as I passed by. Eventually, I saw this massive building with red banners hanging near the entrance. I rushed inside, capturing everyone's attention.

' Third, find the best healer. '

" I'm looking for the best healer! " Within seconds of saying that, a girl with blonde hair, dressed in a priest-like outfit and wielding a staff with a cross at the tip approached me.

" I am Ethel, I'm a B-rank healer. May I ask how can I assist you? "

' Lastly, pay them and explain the situation. '

' Pay? But I don't have any money with me. '

' You do. Check your pocket. '

I reached into the pocket of my pants and discovered a pouch. I handed it over to Ethel.

" This is… Isn't this too much for something- "

" Please help my mom! She's... "

- - - - -

I escorted the healer back to where my mom is.

" Dad, I brought a healer with me. "

" A healer? How did you…" He got cut off when Ethel walked towards the bed to check my mom's situation.

" How long has she been like this? "

" J-Just a week ago, she got weak and one day I just saw her unconscious. Since then, she can't move an inch and have trouble breathing. " Dad said.

" It is an affliction wherein the body's immune system turns against the very nerves it supposed to protect, leaving the person weak, paralyzed or to some cases… dead. "

" Please help my mom! "

Ethel looked at me with a strange look and diverted her gaze back to my mother.

" Let thy burden fade away, let thy suffering end tonight. With this spell, healing shall be sent in flight. "

I shielded my eyes from the blinding light coming from Ethel's staff. After few seconds, the intense glow subsided. I looked at Ethel who is smiling and then to my mom who seem to calmed down.

" Did it work? Is she alright now? "

" Your mom is strong. She's been trying to fight her illness and made it easier for me to heal her and… Yes, she is completely fine now. "

" Thank you so much for saving her! " My dad burst in happiness as he thanked Ethel.

" But... We don't have the money to pay you. "

"What do you mean? Your daughter already paid me. " Ethel said then showed the pouch of money to my dad.

" Asher did? " Dad looked at me with puzzlement.

Gently scratching my cheek, I took a step back.

" Your mom will wake up soon. Make sure to be here and greet her. I should take my leave now. " With that, the priestess headed towards the door.

" Thank you very much, Ethel-- " Dad suddenly smacked my head from above.

" Why?! "

" I apologize for my daughter. Kids nowadays don't know how to be formal. "

" It's okay, sir. Please don't worry about it. " Ethel said before finally departing from the house.

Dad closed the door and slowly turned around to face me.

" Asher. "

Asher? Who? Definitely not me.

Help.

" Where did you get the money? Did you steal-- "

" What? Dad, no! I wouldn't do such thing. "

But mom was sick, so I might've considered stealing.

" Let's just say someone from above gave it to me. "

" God, thank you whoever that person is. "

' You're welcome. ' God said.

I gazed at my dad who's caressing my mom's peaceful, sleeping face.

I stepped outside, taking in the fresh air of the new world.

" So... what now? "