Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended

CHAPTER 145: A Grave Duty, a Safe Return

The rain from the night before hadn't relented entirely—a fine mist still hung in the cool morning air. Water droplets clung to every leaf and blade of grass, gleaming like tiny jewels.

Daisuke followed a few paces behind Thalia as they walked through the forest. His boots squelched against the damp ground, the air carrying the faint smell of wet earth and moss. In contrast to his usual unreadable demeanor, his expression was softer now, a quiet respect evident in the way he carried himself.

Soon they approached a small clearing where the forest seemed to bow out in reverence. In its center lay a modest cemetery, marked by rows of weathered stone markers half-claimed by creeping ivy. The ground here was covered in patches of grass, and a low-lying mist curled around the bases of the gravestones, giving the place an ethereal quality.

Thalia stopped in front of a gravestone near the edge of the clearing, her steps faltering slightly. The stone was simple but well-kept, the name "Murvah" etched into its surface along with a small carving of a feather—a symbol, Daisuke guessed, of gentleness and freedom.

The dejected guild clerk knelt by the grave, brushing her fingers over the inscription as if seeking some long-lost connection. She was quiet for a long moment, her shoulders trembling ever so slightly.

"...She was the kindest person I ever knew," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. "She raised and loved me like her own."

Daisuke remained silent, his gaze shifting from Thalia to the gravestone. He could feel the weight of her emotions in the stillness of the air. After a moment, he stepped closer and placed a small bundle of wildflowers—picked earlier on their walk—beside the grave. He wasn't sure if it was the right gesture, but it felt appropriate.

"She must've been remarkable," he said softly, his voice devoid of the usual edge it carried.

Thalia gave a faint nod, her fingers curling tightly into the fabric of her jacket. "She always told me... to be strong, even when life feels impossible." Her voice hitched as she added, "I just wish she could've been here longer."

Daisuke's gaze lingered on her as he reminisced about his parents—both the real and the virtual, understanding flickering in his eyes. "It's not about how long someone's with you," he said after a moment. "It's about the impact they leave behind. Sounds like Murvah left you with a lot."

A single tear slid down Thalia's cheek as she smiled faintly while nodding. "She did... and I'm eternally grateful."

Daisuke smiled warmly.

At the same time, the rain began to ease and a fragile beam of sunlight broke through the canopy, illuminating the gravestone and the figures standing before it. It felt, if only for a fleeting moment, as though the forest itself acknowledged their presence and shared in the quiet reverence for a life once lived.

***

WHUUU~

Thalia's shoulder-cropped hair swayed in a strong breeze as they stopped in front of the guild. As she held tendrils of hair behind her ear, she took a quiet moment to admire his profile as he gazed unseeingly at the familiar structure ahead.

Her heart ached with a bittersweet melody as a looming thought struck her—after today, she might never see him again. The idea was unbearable, cutting deeper than she expected. Every fiber of her being screamed to close the distance, to throw herself into his arms and bare the tempest of emotions he had stirred within her. Yet, she swallowed the impulse, locking the words away behind a fragile wall of resolve.

Daisuke was an adventurer—a soul destined for freedom, driven by the dream of exploring the world. His strength belonged to the people, a gift she had no right to tether. The mere thought of binding him with the weight of her unspoken feelings was enough to shatter her heart, piece by aching piece.