Pfft!
A few breaths later, Rogel's game character faithfully executed the two chest one head finishing move, and the Gatekeeper Horror Demon followed up with a gg.
After the battle ended, Rogel quickly gathered the loot.
The items dropped by the Horror Demon were still the same, unchanged.
However, before he could inventory these spoils, Old Nelson's worried voice came from above.
[Rogel, are you okay?]
After confirming that there were indeed no other hidden monsters around, Rogel responded to Old Nelson, signaling that he could come down.
Soon, Old Nelson slid down from the hole above.
After glancing around, Old Nelson spotted the body of the Horror Demon on the ground and trembled all over.
At this sight, a "!" appeared above his head.
[Did you just kill that monster?]
Old Nelson was incredulous.
Rogel had come down from above in less than three minutes.
If it weren't for the blood still oozing from the Horror Demon's body, Old Nelson wouldn't have even guessed it.
Rogel nodded, then pointed to a crack in the rock wall nearby.
The entrance to this crack was small, but inside, there was a small space.
Through the unknown glowing crystals in front of the cave, one could vaguely see a skeleton inside.
[Old Nelson, perhaps you should take a look at that.]
Upon hearing this, Old Nelson couldn't bother to ask more about the monster, his heart trembled, and he quickly walked to the crack in the rock wall, then squeezed through with difficulty.
Old Nelson found familiar items on this skeleton.
Instantly, tears came out uncontrollably.
[Holly...]
Old Nelson held the skeleton, sobbing uncontrollably.
Rogel was silent.
It was undoubtedly Old Nelson's wife's skeleton, Holly.
It was obvious that after exploring here, Holly was attacked by the Horror Demon, and ultimately escaped into this crack but was trapped to death inside.
Rogel sighed inwardly.
While he could reload the game to change Old Nelson's death, it was clear that Holly had been deceased for a long time, beyond his ability to change.
Perhaps at this moment, Old Nelson was in more pain than being killed by the Horror Demon...
After a long time, Old Nelson finally stood up, trembling, wiped away the tears, and collected Holly's remains.
Then, he looked at the stone wall behind the crack, seemingly discovering something.
[Rogel, give me the Pearl Lamp.]
Old Nelson took the Pearl Lamp from Rogel and illuminated the stone wall.
——Engraved on the Stone Wall——
[Nelson, old man, I'm not sure if you'll see these words, but I always felt I should leave something before I die.]
[We've experienced much together, owned much, and also lost much.]
[I love adventure and exploration, like thrills and dangers, but I know you don't enjoy these things; you care more about accompanying me. For this, you even pushed yourself to overcome the fear of seawater to learn swimming.]
[I'm truly proud to have such a husband and partner in life.]
[But it seems I can't be with you, can't be with Lina...]
[I miss you, Nelson, I regret it so much...]
Old Nelson cried in grief, years of repressed emotions and longing burst out at that moment.
Holly was someone who loved adventure and never regretted her adventures.
It was her first time regretting, and it would be the last.
The sea never shows mercy to anyone.
...
Although the outcome wasn't satisfactory, Old Nelson's search over the years finally had results.
Rogel did not immediately inventory or explore the cave but instead helped Old Nelson bring Holly's remains back to Sea Serpent Island for burial.
Old Nelson set a tombstone near his small cabin.
Here, he could always see the sunflowers beside the cabin.
Rogel conveyed the news to Lina, and she hurriedly arrived.
When she saw the small tombstone, her eyes turned red.
The two sat in front of Holly's grave.
[Perhaps this is also good news.]
[At least I don't have to gaze at the sea every day...]
Because you are right by my side...
Old Nelson let out a relieved smile, took up the wine glass, and drank it down.
Lina held her grandfather, sobbing softly.
The scene before him made Rogel feel a bit stuck in his chest.
After a long time, Old Nelson seemed to come back to himself, holding Lina's hand and walking to Rogel.
Rogel was somewhat puzzled by this.
Old Nelson patted Rogel's shoulder.
[Rogel, you're a good kid; I'm very reassured to entrust Lina to you.]
"Huh?"
Rogel was directly shocked in front of the screen.
What the blazes, how did the old man suddenly give his granddaughter to me?
I know completing game NPC quests gets rewards, but outright giving a person... isn't that a bit too much?
Rogel's eye twitched.
[Grandpa, what are you talking about?]
In the game, Lina seemed baffled, not expecting her grandfather to suddenly give her away.
[Child, I know you've always wanted to sail the sea.]
[You, like your grandmother, have a thirst for adventure and exploration in your eyes, something that can't fool me.]
[Rogel is a good kid, and I'm very reassured for you to sail with him.]
Old Nelson said to Lina.
Thankfully, it wasn't what Rogel and Lina thought.
However, Lina shook her head.
[No, Grandpa, I don't want to sail the sea; it's too dangerous there.]
[I just want to stay on Sea Serpent Island.]
Old Nelson smiled at this, understanding Lina's thoughts clearly.
[Child, listen to me.]
[Everyone has their own journey and life, as well as a final destination.]
[I know you're a good child and want to stay to care for grandpa.]
[But grandpa has now found his own destination.]
Saying this, Old Nelson turned around, gazing tenderly at Holly's grave, then looked at Lina.
[...And you need to start your own journey.]
[Don't worry about grandpa.]
[If you lose what should be a part of your life because of grandpa, then grandpa wouldn't be happy even in death.]
Old Nelson gently patted Lina's head.
[So, boldly venture into your own journey, child.]
[Do what you want to do.]
After listening to Old Nelson, Lina remained silent.
Old Nelson was right, Lina had always yearned for the sea.
However, Old Nelson was her only family.
Lina couldn't bear to leave Old Nelson alone on Sea Serpent Island.
So she decided to stay and see Old Nelson through his older years before leaving.
But grandpa had long seen through her intentions.
[But, grandpa...]
Lina looked worried.
Before she finished, Old Nelson raised his hand.
[Lina, you're a big girl now, it's time to make your own decisions.]
[Of course, no matter which path you choose, grandpa will support you.]