Kai slowly opened his eyes.
The first thing he noticed was the white ceiling and the bright LED light shining down. His nose caught the stinging scent of antiseptic and alcohol as he drew in a deep breath.
He shifted slightly, feeling the soft hospital bed beneath him, and smelled the faint scent of fabric conditioner on the white blanket covering him.
'I'm in the hospital…' he realized. 'It's a miracle I survived getting hit by that truck.'
Despite the pain, his memory was clear. He remembered saving someone, the truck barreling toward them, and the searing impact that had thrown him to the ground. Even the agony of it all was vivid in his mind.
As he moved his stiff neck, Kai noticed his hands were wrapped in bandages. They could still move, which brought him a small measure of relief.
And then he saw her—a woman sitting beside the bed.
She appeared chic, dressed in a black tank top and white sports bra, sunglasses perched atop her nose. Arms crossed, head tilted, she was asleep, nodding lightly in the chair.
Her face was unfamiliar.
For a moment, he wondered why such a striking stranger would watch over him.
"And off to the latest news…"
Kai's gaze shifted to the television at the far end of the room. The broadcast was blaring, but the date flashing on the screen caught his attention first.
November 29, 2030, 8:56 AM.
'A week has passed… after my supposed interview?'
He whispered, almost in disbelief. "I… definitely lost that job opportunity."
The newscaster continued, oblivious to his disappointment.
"The Current World's Number One title remains secure with the US's Carmilla Snowroad, who is currently celebrating her five-day streak in first place!"
Kai's eyes locked on the screen. The portrait of the so-called "World's Number One" showed a stunning woman: long golden hair cascading to the middle of her back and sharp blue eyes that could freeze one's heart with a single glance.
'Wait… that face…'
He turned back to the visitor's chair.
The woman, still asleep, nodded gently, her head bobbing as she dozed.
Then he looked at the TV again.
'…The world's number one?'
Questions began spinning in his head.
- Number one in what ranking?
- What does she have to do with me?
- And how long is she going to sleep?
The last question answered itself almost immediately.
"Hmm…"
The woman stirred, removing her sunglasses and rubbing her eyes.
Slowly, she turned to Kai.
"You…" she began, pausing as recognition flickered across her face.
Then she cheered, full of joy: "You're awake! At last!"
Kai lifted his aching right hand to scratch his head. "I am… but who are you? And why are you here?"
She smiled, seemingly reassured, and knelt beside the bed, taking his left hand in hers.
"I'm the one you saved from getting hit by a truck," she explained. "My name's Carmilla. Carmilla Snowroad."
"AH!"
Kai's body jolted with recognition. Of course—he had pushed her out of danger. Their encounter had been too brief to notice her appearance before, and now it all clicked.
"I'm truly thankful you saved me," she continued, her tone earnest.
"As a gesture of gratitude, I took care of your hospital bills. I've also arranged some gifts to help you get started as a player. After all… you've been in a coma for a week, falling behind in rankings because of saving me."
Kai raised a brow. "Starting…? Player…? Ranking...? What does that mean?"
Realizing his confusion, Carmilla's expression softened, tinged with concern. "Right. You were in a coma, so you haven't caught up yet. That day, when you saved me, the gods descended and…"
Her explanation was cut short by the sudden vibration of her phone.
She glanced at it, sighed, and spoke apologetically:
"Sorry, Mr. Kai… I have to go for now. I'll send someone to explain the details along with your gifts. Please forgive me."
"No, it's fine..." Kai nodded, waving as she left the room.
In moments, she had vanished around the corner.
He turned back to the TV, letting her words echo in his mind.
'Gods descended… huh?'
The thought sparked a flicker of curiosity. What exactly had happened while he was unconscious?