Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 78: The Inevitable Departure

"Big Brother?" she said questioningly. "Why is everyone gathered here? Did something happen?"

"They're... here to see me off," explained Daisuke. "I'm getting ready to leave the village."

"Oh. Then I'll get my things," she said while turning, but Daisuke caught her hand in a gentle grip, the telling gleam in his eyes making her heart tighten. "No... I don't want that," she shook her head in denial, her once cheerful expression changing to grief.

Daisuke crouched and rested his hand atop her head, but she swept it away and pouted as tears welled up in her eyes. "No! I don't want us to be separated again! It's not fair!"

Noting her distress, Zephyr approached and began rubbing his body against her leg with a whimper, but she ignored him. Mia, Aldric, Sylvia, Feng, the trio, and the elder looked on morosely, but they knew their words wouldn't be enough to console the little girl.

"April... I know my decision may seem selfish, but your Big Brother's just trying to keep you and everyone else safe," said Daisuke, then he began projecting his voice. "It may not seem like it, but I don't currently have what it takes to keep you and everyone else safe. To properly do that, I need to amass a lot of strength and power. And in the process of doing so, I may not always be able to protect you."

April sniffled, clumsily using the back of her small hands to wipe away her tears. But like a leaking faucet, the stream just kept on flowing uncontrollably.

As heartbroken and dissatisfied as she was, April was no fool. Other kids her age could hardly distinguish fantasy from reality, but she grew up in the slums; she understood that life wasn't all rainbows and butterflies. Street smarts and sharp observational skills were a recipe for survival.

The world was harsh and unforgiving, and those who were poor and underprivileged were always caught between a rock and a hard place. If you couldn't roll with the punches, you'd just be knocked down and trampled.

The reality that her big brother couldn't prevent his mother's death, nor could he shield them from being forcibly taken away by slave traders, highlighted his imperfections and the challenges he still faced.

Without a word, April nodded, her head hung dejectedly.

"I have something for you," Daisuke whispered, lifting his clenched fist.

April looked up in time to witness as a ring fell and dangled from his finger, connected by a delicate string. For a moment, she found herself captivated by the russet-colored gemstone that closely mirrored the hue of her own hair.

"It's an invisibility ring," Daisuke informed in a soft undertone as he gently placed it around her neck. "Should anything ever happen to the village and you're left alone, use it to escape to the nearest town."

April traced her finger along the smooth silver band of the accessory, her eyes gleaming in awe.

"Once you're in a town," Daisuke continued, "find the guild and give my name to the clerk; she should be able to contact me remotely and I'll come running to get you."

April nodded exuberantly. She was particularly excited that her brother was willing to drop everything and 'run to her'.

"Are you ready for your other gift?"

"There's more?" she beamed, her eyes widening endearingly.

Daisuke chuckled and stroked her head. When he retrieved his hand, it was suddenly clutching a stuffed bear—a parlor trick that was made possible by his digital inventory.

"M-Mr. Honeykins?!" exclaimed April as she clutched the toy. Unlike her previous stuffed bear, this one had a lighter brown complexion and it wore a small top hat and a monocle. "But... he looks a bit different."