Chapter 12:Life

Aris chose to suffer in-game, knowing that he could cope with the burden. If he had chosen to endure the suffering in real life, he might not have survived.

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Aris stumbled out of the pod, his legs trembling as if they had forgotten how to carry his weight. His body was drenched in sweat, and his mind felt like it was swimming in fog. Everything around him seemed unreal, as though he had stepped from one reality into another. His hand reached out instinctively, brushing against the cold walls of the facility for balance. Each step was a struggle, his feet dragging beneath him.

"Poor thing, he's new, right? He must be suffering from pod sickness," someone whispered as they passed.

"Pod sickness?" Aris muttered to himself, confused. The phrase echoed in his mind, but he pushed it aside. He had more important things to think about. The weight of his actions in the game still sat heavily on his chest, making each breath feel like a burden.

He had killed a fellow clan member, and despite the clan calling it a "light punishment," it gnawed at him. How could taking a human life, even in a game, be considered light? But this wasn't just a game. It was another world—a second life. And dying here meant dying for real. He couldn't afford to forget that.

He made his way through the corridors, heading toward Emily's office. She was the one person he could talk to, the only one who might understand. When he arrived, she was on the phone, her face locked in concentration. He entered without knocking, his movements sluggish and uncoordinated. Emily glanced at him and raised a hand, signaling for him to wait. After a few minutes, she finally hung up the phone and turned her attention to him.

"What's up, Aris?" Emily asked, her voice casual but her eyes sharp. She knew him too well.

Aris scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Nothing much... just a day off."

Emily raised an eyebrow, clearly expecting more. "That's it?"

Aris nodded. He couldn't explain how drained he felt, both physically and mentally. He just needed a break from it all. To his surprise, she didn't press him further.

"Okay," she said simply.

"Wow... Thanks," Aris said, surprised by how easy that was. He reached out to shake her hand in gratitude, but in a sudden burst of affection, he kissed it too. Then, without another word, he dashed out of her office, leaving Emily staring after him, bewildered.

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Aris made his way back home, his head still buzzing from the events in the game. His house, a modest but cozy place on the outskirts of the city, felt like a haven compared to the overwhelming intensity of the game world. When he walked in, the familiar smell of home—clean linen and freshly cooked food—instantly calmed him.

"Aris, is that you?" His mother's voice called from the kitchen.

"Yeah, Mom," he answered, walking into the room. She was busy preparing dinner, chopping vegetables with practiced ease. She glanced up at him, her eyes filled with concern.

"You look awful," she remarked, wiping her hands on a towel. "Did something happen in the game?"

Aris hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah... it's more intense than I thought it would be."

His mother frowned. "The game is always dangerous. It's how you cope with it that makes you an amazing player."

"Yes, Mom, don't worry. I'm going to win awards for you," he said, though his voice trailed off. He could see the worry deepen in her eyes.

"I know you'll be safe, as you're your father's son," she said softly, reaching out to touch his arm.

"I'll bring glory to this house," Aris reassured her, though he wasn't entirely sure if he believed it himself.

After a quiet dinner, Aris retreated to his room, collapsing onto his bed. His mind was still racing, replaying the moment he had killed his clan member. Could he really keep doing this? Could he live with the decisions he made in that world? Shaking his head, he decided to distract himself by browsing the net.

He surfed through gaming forums, reading posts from other players who had similar experiences. Some talked about "pod sickness," how the transition between worlds could mess with your body and mind. Others shared stories of regret and guilt over actions they'd taken in the game. It was comforting, in a way, to know he wasn't alone in feeling this way. But it didn't make the burden any lighter.

Eventually, the time to return to work came. Aris sighed as he got up from his bed, feeling only slightly better after the brief rest. He grabbed his coat and headed out the door, knowing he had to face both realities head-on, no matter how much they weighed on him.