diff --git a/scripts/Player.gd b/scripts/Player.gd
index 80ac6e5..7ebdac6 100644
--- a/scripts/Player.gd
+++ b/scripts/Player.gd
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func _set_player_current_health(change: int) -> void:
     var new_health = prev_health + change
     current_health = new_health
     if current_health <= 0:
-        %PlayerHealthBar/PlayerHealthCurrent.text = str(0)
+        $PlayerHealthBar/PlayerHealthCurrent.text = str(0)
         $PlayerHealthBar.value = 0
         # TODO: change to scene transition after slowing for a couple seconds
         Engine.time_scale = 0.0001
diff --git a/scripts/combat_ui_scene.gd b/scripts/combat_ui_scene.gd
index 4128a29..a5dcb54 100644
--- a/scripts/combat_ui_scene.gd
+++ b/scripts/combat_ui_scene.gd
@@ -53,7 +53,8 @@ func _go_next_area() -> void:
     # Globals.debug_print("gna signal emitted")
     %QuestsContainer.remove_child(prevAreaQuest)
     # Globals.debug_print("gna quest removed")
-    prevAreaQuest.queue_free()
+    # HACK: rethink logic flow, or is it? node count not going up...
+    # prevAreaQuest.queue_free()
     totalAreas += 1
     %AreaCountVal.text = str(totalAreas)
     # Globals.debug_print("gna quest queued to free")