Rehabilitation Therapist for the Broken Warrior – Chapter 36

Hero Zion has been showing symptoms of Buff Addiction, and it has been one week since he began rehabilitation without buffs.

Due to the lack of buffs, Zion’s muscle strength is severely weakened, which means his rehabilitation training menu has almost reverted back to the very beginning.

Zion is sitting and slowly lifting his legs with his knees and thighs.

This is the same training menu he had to halt after working alone for three hours overnight due to muscle pain.

“Okay, lift slowly…”

Zion is diligently training according to the instructions, but his basic strength is so low that it doesn’t seem like he’s made any noticeable gains in strength over the week.

This is exactly why he had been doing his training accompanied by buffs all along.

Still, he’s managed to raise his condition to the point where he can train for nearly two months without any buffs when previously it was entirely impossible.

Now, it was important to take it slow and not rush.

“I’ll rest a bit and then move on to the next set.”

“Phew, exercising without buffs is really tough.”

“It’s good to get used to that tough feeling. It might even be a good sign.”

“Still, it’s so hard… Can I take a break until it gets better?”

Complaining about being hard? Zion?

“Zion, are you okay?”

I squatted down in front of Zion, examining his legs and expression.

Zion looked somewhat exhausted, and I could feel his legs trembling slightly even while he sat.

“Is it really hard?”

“Isn’t it better if I rest? Plus, I feel a bit cold.”

Zion, despite it being midsummer, was complaining about the cold.

The center had magical cooling facilities, but they weren’t as cool as air conditioning, so the temperature wasn’t low enough to actually feel cold.

Was he really feeling cold? Zion hugged himself and leaned forward.

“Uh, uh-oh…?”

But just as Zion leaned forward in his chair, he lost his balance and toppled out of it.

“Zion!”

Fortunately, I was in front of him, so I was able to catch him naturally.

Since he fell forward suddenly from such a close distance, the only position I could have him in was cradling him in my arms.

“Oh? I feel weak…”

“It’s okay. Just like you said, resting will make it better.”

With about a week having passed since I withheld buffs from Zion, withdrawal symptoms were beginning to show in his body.

He felt chills without any reason and suddenly experienced loss of strength with collapse seizures.

Collapse seizures were symptoms typically seen in narcolepsy patients in modern times, but in the case of Buff Addiction patients, these seizures would often occur as their body signaled for more buffs.

“Will it really get better? You said I shouldn’t use buffs anymore, but I won’t end up unable to move forever, right?”

Was it fear, or was he trying to muster strength? Zion’s body trembled in my arms.

Severe depression, overwhelming paranoia, and an obsessive need for buffs.

Hearing Zion’s pained voice made me feel distressed too since I couldn’t fix her immediately.

But I shouldn’t be impatient. I had already failed once doing that.

“It will get better. I promised I’d fix you.”

For now, all I could do was hold Zion and be a support so she wouldn’t fall.

I thought I should be grateful to be able to do at least this much.

Fortunately, it seemed like I was someone she could rely on.

“Teacher Hop…”

“Then let’s call it a day for today.”

I got up while holding Zion to set her back in her wheelchair, tucking my arm under her.

“Wah! Teacher, I’m embarrassed!”

“What is it now?”

“I’m hanging on like a koala right now!!”

“I’ll put you down in a moment, so just be quiet. People are staring because you’re making noise.”

“Oops.”

At the mention of people looking, Zion closed her mouth. It was a relief that being embarrassed was better than being depressed.

Would Zion find it fun if I just walked around with her like this?

But feeling embarrassed was mutual for me too, so I finally sat her in the wheelchair and took her with nurse maid Mirae to the ward.

“Is training already over?”

As I entered the ward with Zion, Serin, who had been waiting inside, asked with surprise.

“Zion’s condition isn’t good. We’ll stop for today.”

“Is her condition very bad?”

“She’ll be alright after some rest. I’ll return to the clinic room, so if Zion feels uncomfortable or needs me, call me immediately.”

“Understood.”

Though I wanted to stay a little longer by Zion’s side or monitor her condition, I had a schedule to follow today, so it couldn’t be helped.

“Oh, right, Zion. Don’t do any solo training again because you didn’t have enough exercise today. You won’t do that now, right?”

“I know!”

“Good, then. Rest well. I’ll come see you after I finish my work.”

“…Okay.”

I confirmed that Zion, supported by Serin and Mirae, had laid down on her bed before turning back to head to the ward’s door.

Serin would be there, so there shouldn’t be any problem.

“Teacher Hop!”

“?”

The moment I grabbed the doorknob of Room 104, Zion suddenly called me to a halt.

“I’m still here. Is something wrong?”

“Um, please…”

Zion, turning back, was hugging the ladybug-shaped cushion I had given her as a gift last time, barely managing to raise her head to look at me.

“Promise you’ll come see me after your work ends, okay?”

I wondered what that question was about… It was good that she wasn’t in pain or discomfort.

“Of course, I should. Don’t worry and rest.”

Once I saw Zion nod, I left the ward and headed to the clinic room.

Zion asking me to come see her… Was she feeling anxious?

Quite some time had passed since I started the afternoon tasks, so soon it would be dinner time, and I could go see Zion.

In fact, treating addiction relies heavily on the will of the patient, alongside the help of doctors.

I could only hope Zion would be able to overcome this.

*****************

“Serin.”

“Yes, Zion.”

Teacher Hop has gone to see other patients. I feel so overwhelmed right now. I can’t do anything without him…

“Please wait outside for a moment.”

“Zion…”

I didn’t need anyone except Teacher Hop. Why is that…

“But he asked me to look after you. Should I fetch him instead?”

“It’s okay. I just want to be alone.”

“…Understood.”

After Serin left, I hugged the bright red ladybug even tighter.

I know. Teacher Hop is the person I need the most in this world right now.

He heals countless people like me, working tirelessly sleeping for just three or four hours a day, doing essential things for the world.

He shares data and information with other countries so they can also perform rehabilitation treatment, creating courses, manuals, and curriculums himself—he’s truly remarkable.

During the ongoing war, I too was necessary to the world, but I don’t think I’ve ever done something as great as what Teacher Hop is accomplishing now.

I simply fought and overcame challenges with the power I was given, completing my mission.

He is someone I can lean on and ask for help as a companion, but he is also a person who serves the world and thus, I shouldn’t monopolize or hinder him.

I know that well. I understand it better than anyone. But still…

“Can’t you just look at me?”

Turning to my side, I hugged the ladybug tightly, closing my eyes as tears rolled down and soaked my pillow.

The wet pillow quickly became cold.

Is it my wish that, at least in these painful and difficult times, he would only look at me?

As I curled up and cried, I felt like I heard Teacher Hop’s voice somewhere saying, “I’m here, so don’t cry.”

I had never wished for anything beyond peace and well-being in this world, but right now, I was clearly wishing for something. Something as intense as I had never felt before.

What I had in the past were hopes and desires, feelings towards the world and greater good. But this is distinctly different. A clear desire. Something that could even be called ambition.

Without any reason or justification, my mind is filled with the thought of wanting to take away the goodwill and service that should go to others.

Can an ambitious hero also be a hero? Wanting something isn’t inherently wrong, is it?

Thoughts keep spiraling endlessly, chaotically, without direction.

No matter how many questions I ask myself about the unknown, there are no answers.

Questions that no one will answer only serve to frighten Zion.

Remembering the person I want to see, I glance at the clock. They promised to come see me when the time comes.

Teacher Hop left the room, and after sending Serin away, six minutes have passed.

I’ve been crying, trembling, wishing, hoping, convincing myself, wandering through the unknown questions, squeezing out tears, all while feeling afraid, but just six minutes have gone by.

It hurts, it’s tough, and the uncertainties torment me. But Zion endures.

She knows that pain isn’t eternal. Being a hero, she’s aware of it better than anyone.

Zion had always been the one to end the pain, but now she was simply curled up under the blanket waiting for Hop to return.

It had only been three hours. Just three more hours until Hop would return after finishing work and end this pain, Zion held out strong, believing that.