Ding!
Soren paused halfway down the stairs, dishes still in hand.
’That sound...’
It was the sa as yesterday.
The next second, his vision flickered, and glowing text materialized before his eyes.
[Investnt detected.]
[Target: Ethea Valre (Wife)]
Soren froze.
’Again?’
[Investnt: Subject provided essential care to the severely incapacitated target. Prepared nutritious al, assisted with hygiene, fed the target personally, and offered sincere emotional reassurance during the target’s period of extre vulnerability and ntal distress.]
[Analyzing target response...]
[Target consud al - nutrition improved.]
[Target accepted physical assistance - trust threshold marginally increased.]
[Target experienced reduced isolation - ntal state stabilized slightly.]
[Your sincere declaration as her husband resonated with the target’s subconscious, planting the smallest seed of hope in the previously barren emotional landscape.]
[Evaluating investnt significance...]
The ssages paused.
Soren stood frozen, staring at the ssages.
’There are... there are returns even for this?!’
[Evaluation complete.]
[Investnt Grade: LOW-MODERATE]
[Investnt Type: Daily Care Emotional Support]
[Calculating returns...]
Dots pulsed in his vision as the system processed.
[Calculation complete.]
[Returns granted:]
A translucent window unfurled before him, formatted like a status screen.
[ 1. Cooking Mastery 1 ]
[ 2. Recipe Collection: Five Healing als (Rare Grade) ]
[Integration initiated...]
[Progress: 10%... 30%... 50%... 80%... 100%]
[Integration complete.]
The ssages faded, and a new set of knowledge appeared in Soren’s mind.
Thankfully, the process was much gentler this ti, causing only slight discomfort. However, information slotted into place like puzzle pieces finding their hos. His understanding of cooking expanded instantly. Techniques he’d fumbled through before suddenly made perfect sense, like how to angle a knife for clean cuts, or how to judge heat by sll and sound.
Then ca the recipes of five amazing als he didn’t know even existed.
’This... This is too amazing!’
He had never expected sothing as mundane as making breakfast to trigger the Investnt Authority.
’Then... does this an...’
Soren stood there for a long mont, processing the implications.
If cooking for her earned returns...
If taking care of her daily needs earned returns...
Then every single interaction, every al, every act of care... all of it would make him stronger...?
However, it was just a guess.
A theory based on two data points.
But if it was true...
Soren’s grip tightened on the dishes.
’If it’s true, then I just need to keep doing what I’m already planning to do. Take care of her. Help her recover. Be her husband.’
And if returns really kept coming, he’d grow stronger, have more resources to invest in her recovery, and be able to protect her better.
’It’s worth testing, at least.’
He’d keep track and see if the pattern held.
But even if it didn’t, even if returns only ca from major investnts or even if they didn’t co at all, he’d still do it anyway.
Because that’s what he’d promised.
Soren exhaled slowly and continued down the stairs.
After washing the dishes, he pulled out his phone and sat down at the table.
There were a few important matters to handle.
He wrote a number and dialed.
Ring... Ring...
"Kalmira Police Departnt, how may I direct your call?"
"Yes, I’d like to report a break-in and attempted assault," Soren said, keeping his voice steady. "Last night, just around midnight."
"Address?"
"Number 47, Ember Lane, Graywood Quarter."
"Was anyone injured?"
"Minor injuries. The intruder fled before serious harm was done."
"Understood. We’ll dispatch an officer to take your statent and learn the situation. Can you remain at the residence?"
"Yes."
"Good. The officer will arrive within an hour. Please preserve any evidence."
"Thank you."
Click.
Soren lowered the phone and exhaled again.
That was one thing handled.
He didn’t expect much to co from it, though. A break-in in this place wouldn’t be a high priority. They’d probably file a report, take notes, look around, and leave.
But it established a record and made things look normal. If he didn’t do it, that would raise suspicions. Heck, he might have to explain why he contacted so late later.
Thankfully, he already thought of a solution for that.
A solution that both the police would believe, and the person behind the scenes wouldn’t doubt.
’I’ll have to act convincingly when the ti cos...’
Sighing inwardly, he pulled up his phone again and opened a search browser.
There was sothing else he needed to arrange.
Sothing he’d been putting off thinking about, but couldn’t ignore any longer.
[Search: Ho care services - female caregiver - Graywood Quarter]
Several listings appeared on the screen. Soren scrolled through them, checking reviews and prices carefully.
’I need to hire a caretaker.’
Because Ethea needed help with... private matters.
Things he absolutely could not and should not handle himself.
She’d reacted so strongly just from him carrying her to the wheelchair. And that was purely functional contact.
Anything more personal?
No.
That crossed a line he wouldn’t approach.
Not just for her comfort, but for basic human dignity.
Besides, he was a man. And he had been living by himself for the past 7 years. He had no idea how to properly care for a woman’s... needs.
He was ignorant and, honestly, a bit embarrassed just thinking about it.
’We need a professional. A female one. And experienced with disabled people.’
After a while, he found a listing that looked promising and trustworthy.
[Sunshine Ho Care Services]
Licensed caregivers - Mobility-impaired patient specialists
Female staff available
Flexible schedules
Contact: (555) 0247
’Good.’
Soren dialed without hesitation.
"Sunshine Ho Care, this is Mira speaking."
"Hello, I’m looking to hire a caregiver for my wife. She’s... She’s paralyzed and needs assistance with daily activities."
"I see. We can definitely help with that. What level of care does she require?"
"Full assistance. Bathing, dressing, and bathroom needs. So probably everything."
"Understood. And how many hours per day would you need coverage?"
Soren paused, thinking.
"Maybe... four hours? Morning routine and evening routine. I can handle als and general supervision during the day."
"That’s very doable. Our rate for that level of care is 150 Credits per hour, so 600 Credits daily. We can arrange for a consistent caregiver so your wife doesn’t have to adjust to multiple people."
Soren did the math quickly.
600 Credits per day... So about 18,000 per month.
"That works. When can soone start?"
"We can have a caregiver there as early as this afternoon for an initial consultation. Does 1 PM work?"
"Yes. Perfect."
"Wonderful. I’ll need your address and contact information..."
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