Solo Cultivation in The Apocalypse

A magic phone’s ring rang in Hitori’s empty house. He was sitting on the sofa with a magic phone in his hand, pressed against his ear.

He waited for a few seconds till the line died, “tch.” he dropped the magic phone down. It was the same appearance as a normal mobile phone but the only difference was, it used magic signals to contact instead of electric signals.

No one picked the call on the other side. It was not his first time calling them either.

He opened his message inbox. He stared at the messages he had sent to his father, ‘we need to talk, please contact me ASAP, dad.’ he sent the same message to his mum but she had not replied yet either.

Click.

Hitori raised his head when he saw the room’s door click open, “I am back.” Kamiya walked inside the house. He was wearing a long coat and a muffler around his neck, “the cold’s increasing.”

“Yeah” Hitori got up to collect the food Kamiya had bought, “thanks”

“Ah, no need. I saw something I was not supposed to so I feel included in this, haha,” he cracked a weak laugh.

Hitori took the stuff and placed it on the dining table. The table looked brand new. The walls were repaired, the floor was cleaned and shining.

It has been two days since Kamiya woke Hitori in the middle of the afternoon. They buried and performed Kiku’s funeral, then they cleaned and repaired the whole house.

Kamiya had stayed with Hitori for the past two days. He was the one who bought groceries and canned food. But in the evening, he would rather take his time returning home.

“No, really thanks. We just met a few days ago and yet here you are… helping me with my life,” Hitori thanked him sincerely.

“Well, well.” Kamiya shrugged, “what about your parents though? Have they replied yet?”

Hitori stopped unpacking the stuff, “no,” he shook his head, “I messaged them, called them tons of times but they have not replied to me yet,”

Kamiya nodded, “they will… they might be busy.” Hitori nodded.

A few minutes had passed since then, they both were busy preparing for their lunch. Hitori opened a box of noodles.

“What lie have you told your parents?” Hitori asked, “the Academy is closed too, so what exactly did you tell them?”

The corner of Kamiya’s mouth dropped, he stared at the pot in front of him, “I do not live with my parents, Hitori.”

“What?” Hitori stopped his work too.

“Remember when I said I need money?” Kamiya turned around.

Hitori’s eyebrows closed in, he turned around, “you need money because you are a runaway?” he asked with a frown.

“W- what? N- no, no, no, Hitori.” Kamiya protested, “it… it is… well, for my sister,”

“What about your sister?”

Kamiya looked at Hitori, he did not answer for a while. Kamiya was still debating with himself whether he should tell Hitori or not. But it is only fair if he knows what is going on.

“She has leukemia. My parents have let her out to die, but… she is my sister, Hitori.” his glasses started falling off.

“Leukemia?” Hitori leaned away from the counter, “…where do you live, Kamiya?” he asked.

Kamiya looked everywhere except Hitori, “I- I… in the hospital room.”

Hitori still had his stoic expression on his face. Kamiya dropped his head down. They both said nothing.

“….” Hitori walked close to Hitori, “I understand,” he placed his hand over Kamiya’s shoulder, “I will help you,”

“Are you sure about that?” Kamiya glared up at Hitori.

“What do you… mean?” Hitori asked.

“Leonine.” Hitori was taken by surprise when he heard Kamiya mention that name, “F- F- found you- yourself a girlfriend?” he stuttered.

Hitori squinted at Kamiya, “how do you know?” he took a step away from Kamiya.

“Your name was shining gloriously, congrats on making it to the world announcements.” Kamiya sounded sarcastic.

Hitori did not reply. He turned around, covered his food with steel utensils, “we are leaving,”

Hitori walked up to the drawing hall, “where to?” Kamiya asked, he came out of the kitchen.

“To the Vr-cade, we need to clear that misunderstanding,” Hitori stretched his hand and grabbed his black jacket, “get your stuff,” Hitori grabbed the doorknob and walked out.

Kamiya had no choice but to follow him. He quickly grabbed his long coat and ran out of the house after locking it.

The Vr-cade appeared in front of them after walking for ten minutes, “so you joined a party, their leader betrayed you and you had no choice but to pair up with a lone girl to conquer the lair?”

Hitori nodded as he walked inside the Vr-cade. The fairy welcome them, they both walked up to the counter.

“And Kiku-san was killed by–”

“Shh.” Hitori pinched his arm. Kamiya frowned, he looked up at the counter woman who was still smiling at them.

“Killed by Tengoko Kagaku?” he whispered in Hitori’s ears.

“We will talk inside the game,” Hitori cut him off. They both turned and walked to the fourth gaming alley.

Back, the counter lady was staring at them with sweat dripping down her neck and forehead. She gulped a hard one, her hands on the keypad were trembling.

“Ma’am, I want to purchase-“

The lady turned around without even replying to the new customer who was handing out her card. She strode through the narrow passage and entered the staff-only room.

“Kiku’s dead!” she stammered as soon as she entered the room.

Inside the room cement walls, a bed, and numerous maps and books were spread on the floor and tables.

Sitting in the middle of the room was the counterman. He lifted his eyes and looked at the lady who had entered the room, “by?”

“Tengoku Kagaku” she replied quickly.

The man nodded his head continuously, “a missionary and… a science professor.” he turned his head to the lady, “we got to make a move,” he nodded.