Natasha, practicing medicine won’t save won't save the country.

The text on the screen faded, and a new scene began to appear:

Bronya opened the clinic door, her expression somewhat gloomy. Her eyes were slightly red as she quickly walked towards Ruan.

"Didn't we agree to visit the mining team today? Why are you here?" Her voice was calm, but there was an undertone of tremor... Bronya was clearly in a bad mood.

Ruan watched the screen, scratching his head, feeling a bit helpless.

Duckie, you slept through the whole day. Did you expect me to wait for you all day? And why does this feel like an interrogation... I'm just here at Natasha's clinic to brush up on some skills, I didn't do anything wrong, right? 

Even though my faction has shifted to Natasha's... can't I just jump between factions? I can work for both, being loyal to both factions... Wait, that sounds wrong, but still. Bronya wouldn't outright reject this idea and force me to leave Natasha's faction, would she? Ruan pondered, feeling a headache coming on. He didn't want to sever ties with Bronya, especially since her position was crucial for uniting the upper and lower districts. He couldn't possibly rely on Cocolia for this.

Feeling somewhat distressed, Ruan continued to watch the scene unfold on the screen:

"It's Bronya... Ruan mentioned he wasn't feeling well today, so he came to my clinic for a check-up," Natasha explained, putting down the medicine bottle and smiling gently at Bronya. "I've prescribed him some medicine, but his condition won't improve quickly. He needs to visit my clinic every day to prevent any relapses."

She said this while giving Ruan a subtle wink: "Isn't that right, Ruan?"

The screen dimmed, and a choice box appeared:

**Facing Natasha's lie and Bronya's interrogation, you choose—**

**1. Oh, Bronya boss, I'm seriously ill, without Natasha I might die!**

You decide to go along with Natasha's lie. You will remain Bronya's bodyguard but stay at Natasha's clinic under the pretense of treatment, while your true faction remains with Natasha.

**2. I'm sorry Bronya, but I see no future with you... I'm already with Natasha.**

You decide to tell Bronya the truth. Your faction will be permanently fixed to Natasha.

**3. I'm sorry, Bronya, I'm still your most loyal bodyguard!**

You decide to apologize to Bronya and leave Natasha's faction, returning as Bronya's bodyguard.

Do you lie without batting an eye? How can you be so proficient at it?

Ruan found the options amusing. The situation felt oddly familiar, like sneaking behind his main partner's back. But his relationship with Bronya wasn't that close yet. Even in the second simulation, when their bond was high, it made sense. But this simulation was far from that level.

Despite the weirdness of deceiving Bronya, Ruan decided not to reveal the truth. Bronya's status was too significant, and he couldn't give up the benefits of learning from Natasha and becoming an [Abundance] Pathstrider. Therefore, deception was the only option.

Duckie, it's not my fault you're too weak... If you were stronger, I wouldn't have to resort to these roundabout ways. I'd have been loyal, supporting you as your bodyguard until we cleared this game...

Ruan mentally griped and chose the first option.

The choice box faded, and new text appeared:

**You chose to deceive Bronya.**

**Though suspicious, Bronya believed you.**

**She worried about your health, doubting the lower district's medical resources and suggesting taking you to the best hospital in the upper district.**

**Not actually being ill, you refused Bronya's proposal.**

-------------------------------------

**Bronya's proposal was refused by Ruan.**

**He reassured her that his condition wasn't severe and that he didn't want to delay her work in the lower district.**

Bronya's expression softened as she read the text. Though the situation seemed odd, Ruan had returned to her faction and showed concern for her. Joining Natasha's faction might have been a game bug or a temporary arrangement while he sought treatment.

In retrospect, it was just a false alarm.

Bronya breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes becoming more determined. This might have been a false alarm, but next time might not be. Who knows if Himeko or the person who hypnotized them would target Ruan again?

This simulation was crucial—she had bet with Himeko that she would keep Ruan in her faction and, with his help, lead Belobog to a bright future!

With this thought, Bronya continued the simulation...

-------------------------------------

**Your superior Bronya Rand requested your help to persuade Svarog to bring the mechanical settlement under control.**

**You declined her request, citing your health, and returned to Natasha's clinic to resume your studies.**

**You completed another day of medical studies, gaining a Path point.**

**Your current [Abundance] Path progress is—(2/10).**

**Your superior...**

**You declined...**

**...**

Text continued to scroll across the screen. Bronya asked Ruan for help daily, but he always used "health issues" or "recovering from illness" as excuses, spending his time at Natasha's clinic instead.

Ruan found the situation slightly ridiculous, but seeing his medical skill and Path progress increasing, he wasn't too bothered by it.

**My [Abundance] Path progress is already at seven points, and my medical skill has reached level forty-seven... Though skill leveling has slowed, this level should suffice.**

**Once I max out my medical skill and step onto the [Abundance] Path, I need to figure out how to unify Belobog...**

As Ruan pondered, new text appeared on the screen:

**You arrived at Natasha's clinic again.**

**But before you could enter, you heard angry voices:**

**"A month? Dr. Natasha, there's no way we can take this medicine for a month!"**

**"We're just ordinary miners, barely earning a few Wintertown Shields a day. This medicine is already costly for a day, let alone a month!"**

**"I wanted to buy new clothes for my child, but this medicine is more expensive..."**

**"Forget it, we're not getting treated..."**

**A crowd of people streamed out of Natasha's clinic. With your recent medical knowledge, you immediately recognized their serious conditions.**

**Miners' disease, rift corrosion... These severe illnesses needed prolonged treatment and medication.**

**You overheard someone muttering:**

**"Back when Dr. Vah was here, this never happened..."**

**"Dr. Vah's medicine was never this expensive, and it cured instantly, no need for a month..."**

**"I heard someone's been selling medicine recently, just as effective as Dr. Vah's. It's a bit pricier than before, but cheaper than Dr. Natasha's..."**

The text faded, and a new scene appeared:

Ruan watched thoughtfully as the patients left, while Natasha emerged from the clinic, looking conflicted. She sighed, turning to Ruan:

"You're here... I planned to have you treat some patients today, but that seems impossible now."

She forced a smile, looking at Ruan:

"But it's okay, we always have work to do... Come, let's develop new medicine today."

The scene paused, and a new choice box appeared:

**You notice Natasha seems emotionally troubled, likely due to the patients' misunderstanding, making her doubt her goals.**

**Special choice triggered—Please note, your choice may influence the character "Natasha's" actions in this simulation.**

**1. "People can't understand each other, you did nothing wrong. They just don't value their lives enough... If they don't care, you shouldn't either, Natasha."**

**2. "They're just ignorant, but even the ignorant deserve to live... We can't let them die in vain, Natasha."**

**As this is a special choice, you will automatically receive a free option:**

**3. You will enter the simulation and act freely.**

Ruan found the special choices strange. They were simplistic and didn't consider the complexities of the situation.

The first choice seemed logical, but considering the miners' financial struggles, asking them to take expensive medicine for a month was almost a death sentence. They cared about their lives, which was why they chose to give up treatment.

The second choice was even more abstract. How could they forcibly treat everyone without adequate resources?

As the deputy ruler of the First Empire of Jarilo in the previous simulation, Ruan knew that even extracting all possible resources from the Empire barely provided sufficient medical supplies. Belobog was no longer a resource-rich city, and everything was scarce. The upper district citizens lived comfortably by exploiting the lower district, while the lower district lived in hellish conditions.

Expecting abundant medical resources in such circumstances was unrealistic. Natasha struggled to find basic supplies like alcohol and bandages in the rift, let alone treatment medicines.

Ruan shook his head, feeling the need to step in personally.

He selected the third option.

A slight dizziness overcame him as he re-entered the simulation.

Facing Natasha's forced smile and complex emotions in her rose-red eyes, Ruan shook his head:

"Natasha... Are you blaming yourself?"

"Blaming myself?" Natasha hesitated, then pressed her lips together in resignation:

"Not exactly... Just..."

Her gaze wandered to the miners on Rocktown's streets, a hint of pity in her eyes:

"I just don't want to see their bleak future."

"As a doctor, I'm responsible for my patients, providing the best

 treatment... But my advice doesn't seem to help them."

Natasha's eyes showed fatigue:

"Alright, I admit, I am blaming myself... I hate not being able to save them. It gives me... a little insecurity unique to doctors."

Ruan smiled:

"Well... Natasha, do you know what illness they really have?"

"Why ask that suddenly?"

Natasha looked puzzled but answered seriously:

"Each has different illnesses, mostly miner's disease from extracting geomarrow and rift corrosion from entering the rift..."

Ruan interrupted her:

"No, they all suffer from one disease."

"What disease?"

Ruan's smile faded, replaced by a serious expression:

"When a destitute miner appears, even if healthy, they're as good as terminally ill... When they actually fall ill, death rushes towards them faster."

"Illnesses are varied, but fundamentally they all stem from one disease... poverty."

"Just practicing medicine won't save the congtry, Natasha."