10 Chapter 10 : Progress(Part 2)

3rd Person POV

Night had came and just like that, another day had passed. A man was sitting on a chair that was in front of a table. His looks were... Average to say at least.

He wasn't particularly handsome, but he was not bad either. A beautiful princessthat could be compared to Elf Beauty was sitting on the chair perpendicular to him. She was eating what seemed like grilled meat, the difference was that the meat was not normal, It was monster meat.

But that wasn't the problem, in fact, it seemed that this was common here, as the other person was also eating peacefully.

A few minutes passed. Both who had finished eating, stood up. The man walked towards the tent while the beautiful lady went towards a fallen tree. Just than, the mancalled out,

"Rachel... don't tell me you're planning on sleeping outside?"

"Yes? There's no other place, and someone has to stay on guard, right?"

"Don't worry about that. This tent has an auto-defense function. I also have a skill that lets me detect enemy moments. So come inside."

"But Hajin, I--"

"No Buts. Be a good girl and don't cause my pride as a man to shatter."

"..."

The beautiful girl, now by the name of Rachel, seemed as if she gave up as the man, called Hajin, kept insisting. She than followed him inside.

Now one might be wondering, why does she trust him so blindly? Even if they were teammates, a girl shouldn't follow a man into a closed space.

However, that didn't matter to Rachel as she had complete trust in Kim Hajin. That was because that man, Hajin had saved her life many times. Therefore, she trusted Hajin to the point where even if he did something that was not like him, she would not hate him.

The man had saved her many times, sure, but he didn't take anything in return. Or the things that he asked for weren't worthy of the work that he did, at least in front of the princess's eyes. She hadn't fallen in love with him. Rather, it was the fact that she wanted to repay him, some way or another. That meant that even if he asked her something perverted, she wouldn't hate him.

At least... that was what she though.

In fact, she had probably fallen in love with him, but didn't realize it. Actually, she didn't want to realize it. That was because she was a princess. The sole princess of England and the heir to the throne. The Future queen.

Therefore, she thought that as a princess, if wouldn't be fitting of her to love someone romantically, at least for the time being. She thought that if she did so, not only will her citizens think bad about her, but also that she was afraid. Afraid that something might happen to the person she loved.

She wasn't like this at first. In fact, she was very free spirited when she was a child. If one was to compare the personality of Rachel's current self with her childhood self, they would say that both were different persons. However, this was not her fault. It was a trauma. A fear of harm comming to the ones dear to her.

This was all because of a certain incident in her childhood. A butler, as well as someone close to her. The family of that butler was killed by Djjins when the royal castle was attacked by High Level Djjins.

Although the royals were protected by the knights and other powerful people, same couldn't be said for one that was not Royalty.

Just as that, the family of a person dear to her was killed. The cause? The butler had asked for help, but the guards and other people was too bussy trying to protect the Royalty that they almost forgot about the others.

Because his family was killed and no one helped him at that time, he had lost hope in humanity. He, as a result, had turned into a Djjin by signing a contract with a powerful Devel.

He had the name, Alex Lancaster. However, he had long abandoned that name and decided the path of a Villain. After that, the Villain had attacked the Royal Castle several time. Because of this, although the Royalty was not harmed, many others were killed.

These also included the ones that were dear to Rachel, her only friends in that lonely caslte aside from her parents.

Because of this, Rachel had lost her free-spirited self. She had become an Elegant princess but at the same time, she had lost that old smile that she had on her beautiful face.

But unbeknownst to her, someone would come in the future, someone that would make that smile return on that beautiful face and make her truly happy. It was as if they were tied by Destiny.

Now, leaving the rest for another time, lets jump back into the present. The two of them could be seen inside the tent. Rachel who was staring at the bed said,

"There is only one bed..."

"Ah don't worry about that. I would be sleeping on the ground so you can relax and have a good sleep."

"I-I can't do that! You have already helped me this much, at least let me sleep on the floor."

"...No"

"Whyyy?"

"...Don't ask Rachel. Its a man's pride."

"...okay..."

"Ahh! You don't need to feel nervous. I won't do anything.", Hajin said while smiling.

"I know you won't! You don't have the guts to do anyways... besides, I don't see you as someone perverted enough to do so."

"Ugh! That first part hurts you know... even though its true..."

After setting up a futton that I brought with me in case of emergency, I layed down finally able to rest. Rachel went to the bed and layed as well.

"Good night, Hajin."

"Hm? Good Night~"

After that, the two went to sleep

[A/N: Hehe, don't expect something sour to happen so soon ;) ]

**Next Morning.

Sound of birds chirping while sitting on the trees could be heard.

"Ha~ Feels good to be able to rest in such a clean weather. The sleep that one would get in apartments can't even compare~!"

After washing his face, Hajin was enjoying the beauty of Nature, sound of light footsteps could be heard from Behind.

"Ah~ Good Morning Hajin~!" Rachel greeted him as she was comming out of the tent while stretching her body.

"Morning."

"Jeez, can't you be a little more passionate about it. Its not everyday that you get to sleep with a cute girl you know."

"... What's with the change of personality? And don't say it like that or it'll cause misunderstandings."

"Hmm? But we're friends aren't we? And friends like to tease each other!"

"Well you got a point, but still... that change in personality is too much."

"...do you not like it?" She asked, seemingly looking sad.

"...Its not that I don't like it..."

"Than???"

"...I just prefer the old you more. Maybe its because its too sudden that I have trouble expressing myself if you talk in such a manner..." *Faint Voice* "Or I wouldn't be able to control myself if you do that..."

He said the last part in a very faint noise, but it was still heard by Rachel who turned red in an instant and turned her body in the opposite direction so to hide her face.

"A-anyways, you should wash your face and fresh up while I prepare breakfast "

"...O-okay."

She said while stuttering but walked away towards the river that was just a few meters away. After a few seconds of her leave, Hajin heard some noises in the bushes.

He turned towards the noise just to see Chae Nayun. She was standing there while her hair were all messed up. Leaves could be seen sticking to them like gloo. Maybe she just woke up as well and decided to take a stroll?

"..." Chae Nayun kept silent while looking towards the grill on top of which breakfast was being cooked. Saliva could be seen coming out of her mouth. It was obvious that she was hungry.

"You want some?"

"Are you willing to give?"

"Sure. Only if you have points of course."

"Ugh! I lknew I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up... how many do you want?"

"How many do you have?"

"...134"

"Hmm, that's quite high. Okay, 20 points per serving."

"?! Hey! That's too much."

"I don't care. If you want it, buy it. If not, go away."

"Ugh!!! Make it 10"

"18"

"10!"

"Fine, How about 15 for two servings? I won't lessen any more."

"Fine. Although, that's more that double the price at which you gave me these on the second day of the exam.

"Isn't that obvious? That was because you had less points, so I have merciful!"

"Whatever."

She said angrily as Hajin gave her a paper plate with two people's worth of serving, 24 pieces to be precise.

Just than, another noise could be heard from another direction. But this time, Hajin knew who it was so he didn't do anything while Chae Nayun became a little nervous as to who it might be. But to her surprise, it was her rival, the princess known as Rachel. Chae Nayun had always been one step behind Rachel.

Because of this, she always came fourth and never came in the top 3 rankings. Although she did come in the top 10 and top 100 obviously, it wasn't able to satisfy her.

For once, she wanted to beat Rachel, but for that, she had to abandon her past trauma and pick up the sword again.

But this wasn't known by Chae Nayun, or at least that she didn't wanted to admit it. But even than, it was still questionable whether who would win in a fight between these two.

"Oh, Rachel. You're back. You sure took a while though."

"I saw some flowers and became curious."

"Well that's fine. Go sit on the table, breakfast is ready." He said as he thought 'Well, a girl is still a girl, princess or not.'

"..." (N) (N = Nayun)

"Okay"

She replied as she sat on the chair and looked over to Nayun, than soon turning her gaze towards Hajin. Nayun, who was in the middle of both of them, was still confused.

Her facial expression said it all 'What's happening...?'. But it was obvious, Rachel hadn't behaved like this in front of anyone and she also wasn't closed to anyone in particular, at least that's what Nayun thought.

Hajin came with two plates in his hands and put them in their places, one in front of Rachel and one in front of his own seat. The two began eating peacefully.

"How's the food?" Hajin asked.

"Its good. In fact, I don't think any other cadet would be able to enjoy such meals on this test expect you."

"Haha, I guess so."

From their perspectives, the two were simply having a normal talk. But from an outsider's POV such as Nayun's, they were flirting.

Actually, it wouldn't be strange for one to mistake them as lovers. At first, Nayun first thought that they were simply talking, but the smiles on their faces said otherwise. At first, she thought that they were just cooperative with each other and had probably exchanged points or something else, but that thought wasn't for long.

"Hmm~ Delicious!"

"I'm glad. Here, have some more."

"Why thank you."

'huh?' Nayun was now angry, it wasn't because they were talking so casually, it was because Rachel was enjoying free food while Nayun had to pay for it.

From her perspective, it was unfair. Unfair that she had to give points to do something while Rachel, her rival, had not.

"HEY!" She butted in their conversation as their attention shifted to her.

"What?" Hajin asked as if it was a normal occurence.

"Why is she getting free food while I have to pay for it?!?!"

"Huh? Are you an idiot?"

"Of course not! Answer me instead of insulting me you jerk!"

"Huh?! I didn't even do anything, why are you calling me a jerk? And she is my teammate, its only natural that we share our resourses, right Rachel?"

He looked at Rachel who was nervous because a fight might start between these two. She didn't want a fight, at least not so early in the morning. It was even more troublesome for her as she would be the reason for this fight. But rigth now, she couldnt' do anything.

"RIGHT?" Hajin asked again, this time, speaking a little loudly to make her come out of her own imaginary world.

"Huh? Y-yes..." She could only nod in agreement as she couldn't say anything else.

"See. Now shut up!"

"Fine! Than take me in your party as well."

"NO" Hajin answered quickly as if it was the msot obvious thing.

"Why?!"

"Because your annoying!"

"Now I'm not!"

"Yes you are. Now hurry up and eat and go away! I don't want to be around someone as annoying as you!"

"UGH! FINE!" She said angrily, clearly pissed. She than picked her food and went away.

"Finally, I can eat in peace."

"...Hajin, don't you think you were a little too harsh on her?"

"Huh? Of course not! I just hate peope who insult me or my friends for no reason..."

"...thanks"

"For what?"

"For getting angry for me."

"Hmm? You don't need to thank me. That's what friends are for, right."

"...right." She replied, a little sad but it couldn't be seen on her face.

She was happy that Hajin was angry for her, but she was also sad that he only saw her as a friend. She than blushed a little and turned her face around. 'What am I even thinking?!' She thought as it was not normal for her to be sad because of such a reason.

After that, their talk continued for a while. After which both went to hunt monsters and gain points.

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2,288 words. Less than I thought it would be.