Chương 103

Dr. Raman clicked his tablet off. He looked up at Rudra with a satisfied smile.

"You are officially cleared," Dr. Raman said.

"Your six months of mandatory rest are over. The bone fractures are completely healed, and your nerve response is perfect". Rudra smiled and rolled his left shoulder. The phantom ache from the truck accident was entirely gone. He felt incredibly light.

"So, back to the IT grind?" Dr. Raman joked.

"Not a chance," Rudra replied instantly. An hour later, Rudra sat at his bedroom desk. He opened his laptop and stared the company logo of his old IT job on his screen. He typed a very blunt, two-sentence resignation email and hit send. The satisfaction that washed over him was better than any stat boost in the game. He was finally, officially free from the corporate world. His stomach gave a loud rumble. He walked down the hallway and into the kitchen. His mother, Meera, was sitting at the table.

She was completely surrounded by digital account ledgers on her tablet, a half-empty cup of chai resting near her elbow. As a woman who ran multiple successful restaurants, she was usually fiercely disciplined and constantly stressed. But today, she looked surprisingly relaxed. Rudra grabbed a plate. He happily loaded it with seven fresh dosas and a massive scoop of coconut chutney. Meera finally looked up from her screen. She stared at the giant mountain of food on his plate.

"Are you eating for a small family now?" Meera asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Healing takes calories," Rudra mumbled around a huge mouthful of dosa.

"Plus, hospital food ruined my tastebuds. I need to compensate for it." Meera just shook her head, though a faint, genuine smile touched her lips.

"Well, try not to eat us out of house and home before your brother's wedding. It's in two months. Priya has already finalized the catering and the guest list." If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

"Good for Shiva," Rudra said, taking another huge bite.

"He deserves a break. He's been working crazy shifts at the hospital lately". Meera set her tablet down and took off her reading glasses. Her expression shifted into a strange mix of maternal pride and total disbelief.

"I was just reviewing the recent bank transfers from your game," Meera said.

"Rudra, you made more in a single month than I used to make in an entire year running three restaurants." Rudra grinned.

"I told you I hit the jackpot. You really don't have to stress about the accounts anymore. Just hire a manager and take a vacation." Meera smiled warmly. She picked up her cup of chai.

"So," Meera said casually, taking a slow sip.

"When are you getting a girlfriend?" Rudra choked. He violently spat a mouthful of water completely across the table. He pounded his chest, coughing frantically as he grabbed a napkin.

"A what?!" Rudra gasped.

"A girlfriend," Meera repeated, entirely unfazed by his near-death experience.

"Your brother is getting married. You are completely healthy, you have more money than you know what to do with, and you have entirely too much free time. It is your turn." Rudra stared at her in pure horror. Romance? He had absolutely zero interest in romance. He didn't want to go on awkward dates or make exhausting small talk. He just wanted to log into Satisfy, hit giant monsters with a staff, and cook premium ingredients until his inventory was full.

The idea of sitting at a fancy restaurant answering questions about his feelings sounded worse than soloing a Great Demon.

"Uh," Rudra stammered, his brain scrambling for a logical escape route.

"Soon? I'm just really busy right now with... virtual real estate management. I own a whole duchy now. Lots of paperwork. And I have a pet dog(?) to feed." Meera raised a single, strict eyebrow. She didn't buy the bluff for a second. She leaned forward slightly.

"Be sure to get me a daughter-in-law," Meera said, her voice dropping into a deadly, nonchalant warning.

"Or I might start thinking you'll give me a son-in-law." Rudra turned bright red.

"Mom!" He didn't wait for her to ask another question. He abandoned his half-eaten seventh dosa on the plate, spun around, and practically sprinted down the hallway. He could hear her quiet, amused laughter trailing behind him. He bolted into his bedroom and locked the door.

"Monsters are so much easier to deal with," Rudra groaned. He didn't waste another second in the real world. He climbed into his VR capsule, letting the soft cushioning support his back. He pulled the glass lid shut. The real world was getting way too dangerous. It was time to get back to the game.