Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended

CHAPTER 113: Convergence - The Coming Storm

From the depths of his slumber, Kaine felt the gentle caress of his cheek and smelt the familiar scent of rosemary and mint. It was Mariam... her presence often carried the fragrance of herbs, a testament to her loving care of the garden.

WHOOH.

Kaine felt his consciousness ignite like a candlewick. When his eyes fluttered open, he found himself sprawled on the surface of a serene, crystal-clear pond. Below, the aquatic life remained motionless, as if caught in a state of suspended animation.

But Kaine's observation of this was unexpectedly brief; what truly captivated his attention was the enchanting woman kneeling beside him. She wore a warm smile, her touch as soft as velvet, and her appearance was youthful.

"...Mariam?" Kaine whispered the name in disbelief, his trembling fingers reaching for the woman's snow-white skin. "Sweet pea... is it really you?"

His hand stilled when he realized his own skin was no longer loose and wrinkled. "...Is this real?" he muttered, eyes wide. "Did I get done in by that monster in the end?"

Mariam shook her head with a smile, extending a hand to help him to his feet. The moment he stood up, Kaine pulled her into his arms and buried his nose in her curly hair, her small body molding perfectly into his own.

"I've missed you," he whispered in her ear.

"I've missed you more," she whispered back.

As she pulled away and began guiding him toward a nearby garden, Kaine took a moment to survey their surroundings. The mist-laden world enveloped them in swirling fog that extended to the ceiling. It was an awe-inspiring and enigmatic spectacle that reminded Kaine of the profound, seemingly insignificant nature of his own life.

"I really did die, didn't I?" he murmured softly as he approached his wife, who knelt before a small garden nestled among the trees. "Could this be... heaven?"

Mariam offered a wan smile and shook her head, her fingers brushing the leaf of a basil plant. "This isn't heaven..."

Kaine arched an eyebrow in question. "Then—"

"Honey, it's still far too early for you to be here..."

"No," he asserted, his eyes wide as he spun her around and pulled her into the hard wall of his chest. "I can't... I can't lose you again!"

"Kaine... you mean more to me than our farm and the tranquilids," whispered Mariam, her arms gently embracing him. "If you really want to make me happy, put your health and safety first."

Kaine's eyes quivered as she pulled away and reached out to gently caress his cheek, her youthful appearance now replaced by her actual age. Reflected in her own eyes, he could also see the regression of his own youth.

Nevertheless, his wife's warm smile remained a beacon of radiance. "If you want to preserve my memory," she spoke gently, "then live on, and cherish the love and happiness we shared."

Before Kaine could utter a word, he felt his wife and the surreal world around them swiftly slipping away, leaving him engulfed in pitch-black darkness. Suddenly, he was falling, a roar escaping his throat as he flailed. In the next instant, he jolted upright, finding himself back in the comforting familiarity of his bed.

Kaine looked around frantically, but Mariam and the mysterious realm had vanished from sight. Without a word, he stared down at his trembling hands, now devoid of the woman who had felt more than just a dream, and hugged himself tightly.

Mariam...

As he took a moment to secure the dark threads unraveling around his broken heart, Kaine envisioned his wife's loving face. He imagined her frowning and gently chiding him for sulking.