Kallen held out his hand, and Alfred immediately helped him sit up. But instead of sitting on the edge of the bed, Kallen leaned forward and sat on the floor, his back against the bedside.
Alfred turned to pour the young master another glass of water. After a moment's hesitation, he left out the ice this time.
Kallen took the glass and cradled it in his hands.
"Young Master?"
Kallen shook his head.
Alfred set the cigarettes and lighter from his pocket in front of Kallen, then left the room and closed the door.
Kallen lowered his head and took a sip of water. It was a little hot, but he kept holding it.
After a while, the water cooled. He took another sip and put it down.
Silently, he picked up the cigarettes, took one out, lit it, and drew in a deep lungful.
"Cough, cough..."
Then, inexplicably, he choked and coughed. He even felt dizzy from the cigarette.
How did this body of mine, which just absorbed the God's Bone, suddenly become so weak? Kallen silently clenched his fists, sensing the distinct power contained within his body.
Stubbing out the cigarette, Kallen rested his forehead in his palm.
Inside him, dispirited quiet collided with restless agitation. It was somewhat torturous.
"Heh, heh, heh..."
Kallen laughed because he remembered something he had often asked patients' families during consultations: Are you sure you want him to come out of it?
Sometimes, being trapped in a mire and struggling endlessly could be a kind of happiness, because once you emerged and faced a road with no end in sight, it was hard to gather the courage to start again.
"Phew..."
Kallen let out a long breath, stood up, and went into the room's washroom.
After taking a shower, he took his