Resolve Amidst the Blushes
The morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in the window, casting a soft, warm glow across the room.
Hayeon slowly opened her eyes beneath the unfamiliar blankets of Serena's bedroom.
As the fog of sleep cleared, memories of the previous night washed over her like a sudden wave.
Serena's touch. Her lips. And the breathtaking, melting intimacy of two women losing themselves in each other.
Hayeon's face instantly flushed crimson. She pulled the duvet up to her chin and curled into a tight, embarrassed ball.
Just then, the door clicked open quietly.
Serena walked in carrying a tray of warm food, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she looked at Hayeon.
"Did you sleep well, Miss Hayeon?"
Hayeon shrank back against the headboard, her voice barely a whisper in her embarrassment.
"Yes... I slept well."
Serena set the tray down on the table, then sat on the edge of the bed to press a tender kiss to Hayeon's forehead.
"I've prepared a bath for you as well. Go wash up before you eat."
Her voice was warm, and her touch was gentle and serene—a stark contrast to the burning passion of the night before.
"I will... Thank you, Serena."
As Serena left the room, the cool air outside the blankets brushed against Hayeon's skin, sending another jolt of last night's heat through her mind.
The touch of her fingertips, her lips, and... those breathless, tangled moments.
No, stop it!
Hayeon shook her head vigorously, trying to banish the embarrassment and confusion.
I need to go to the Adventurer's Guild today. I can't... I can't keep letting myself get distracted like this.
Heading into the bathroom, Hayeon splashed her face with cold water.
As the icy water trickled down her forehead, her hazy thoughts finally snapped into focus.
...Right. Let's make a fresh start today.
On the table, a bowl of warm porridge and a cup of fragrant tea awaited her.
Hayeon sat down quietly, steeling her resolve as she finished her meal.
Once she was done, she returned to her own room and carefully changed into her gear.
Checking her equipment piece by piece, Hayeon secured her scabbard tightly to her waist and gripped her Bronze Plate.
Standing before the door, she took a deep breath and gave herself a quiet pep talk.
"Alright! Hayeon, let's do our best today! Fighting!"
As she stepped out of her room and walked down the hallway, she ran into Serena.
Serena smiled warmly and held out a packed lunch.
"Oh, heading to the Adventurer's Guild? You mustn't forget your lunch, Miss Hayeon."
"Yes! Thank you!"
As Serena stepped toward the kitchen to put the finishing touches on the lunchbox, Hayeon waited in the hallway.
Just then, a familiar voice called out from behind her.
"Hey there! Haven't seen your face in two days."
Hayeon turned around to find Goldsun approaching with a sly, smug grin.
At the sound of his low, leisurely voice, Hayeon's heart skipped a beat.
"What are you going to do if you run into danger like last time? Want me to tag along today?"
As he spoke, Goldsun casually draped an arm over Hayeon's shoulder.
Startled, Hayeon jumped back and pushed him away.
"I-I'm fine! I can handle things on my own!"
Her face instantly flushed red.
Just as Serena reappeared to hand over the lunchbox,
Goldsun winked at Serena and lightly took the lunchbox from her hands.
"Don't worry, Serena Nuna. I'll take good care of Miss Hayeon today."
Serena watched the two of them with a pleased expression, then patted Hayeon on the back.
"Be careful, both of you."
Hayeon hurried out into the alleyway, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Goldsun followed at a leisurely pace, teasing her under his breath.
"You'll trip if you rush like that, my little rabbit."
Sitting at the reception desk of the Adventurer's Guild was Riena, her short red hair framing her face.
As Hayeon walked in, Riena waved cheerfully with a bright smile.
"Hayeon! Congratulations on promoting to Bronze Plate!"
"Yeah... thank you."
Riena's warm smile helped ease some of Hayeon's tension.
The guild's characteristically boisterous atmosphere and the welcoming greeting from a familiar face made her feel a bit more at home.
"Is there... any quest I could do alone today?"
Hayeon asked tentatively.
Riena tilted her head as she scanned the quest board.
"Hmm, there are only basic chores or delivery missions today. Even for a Bronze Plate, the other quests are a bit too tricky to handle alone."
Hayeon lowered her head and let out a soft sigh.
I wanted to do something... more like real combat.
At that moment, a familiar voice spoke up from behind her.
"Let's go with this one."
Hayeon turned to see Goldsun approaching, holding a quest slip.
He casually thrust the paper in front of her.
Subjugation of Goblin Hordes on the Outskirts of Akron
📍 Location: Akron Outskirts Forest
🎯 Objective: Eliminate the goblin threat threatening the outskirts.
"It's moderately dangerous, and it'll help you get a feel for real combat. It's the perfect mission for you."
Hayeon opened her mouth in flustered protest.
"Wait a minute! I said I was going to do this alone—"
But Goldsun cut her off, casually grabbing her by the wrist and pulling her along.
"It's fine. I'll support you today, so don't worry."
He waved to Riena with a playful smirk.
"See you later, Riena."
Riena shrugged and laughed.
"Be careful, you two~!"
Dazed, Hayeon was dragged out of the guild hall by Goldsun.
His hand felt reassuringly strong, but he was far too overbearing.
Seriously... this guy is so selfish.
She let out a small sigh.
Akron Outskirts Forest Path
The two began walking quietly along the forest path.
As they walked, Hayeon glared intensely at Goldsun's back from behind.
When he suddenly turned around and gave her a look, she quickly averted her eyes.
She stared up at the empty sky, pretending nothing had happened.
"If an adventurer dies wandering around alone, they won't even find your corpse."
Goldsun quietly leaned in and whispered right into her ear.
As he did, his hand lightly squeezed Hayeon's butt.
"Kyaah!"
Hayeon jumped back in shock, her face instantly burning hot.
"You pervert! What do you think you're doing?!"
Goldsun burst into laughter, thoroughly enjoying her reaction.
"It's softer than I expected."
Hayeon felt her heart pounding furiously, her body flushing with heat.
Every single word and action of his was making her heart race like crazy.
Speechless, Hayeon stomped ahead of him.
After walking for a while, she muttered to herself.
This is dangerous... That guy is literally a blonde delinquent straight out of a smut manga...
As they drew closer to the forest, the silence deepened. Hayeon drew her sword, steeling her resolve.
Today, of all days... I'm going to wash away these confusing emotions through battle.
As she marched forward with tense steps, Goldsun spoke up casually from behind.
"Adventuring is fundamentally a party effort. You need at least one support like me. Don't worry, you're the star of the show today."
His words only made her feel more embarrassed.
"I can do perfectly fine on my own. Just don't get in my way."
"In your way? How hurtful. I'll just watch from behind. If things get dangerous... just say the word."
His sly smirk made her face flush red once again.
This guy... he's definitely a blonde delinquent straight out of a manga or novel. Toying with women, messing around with married mothers, getting them pregnant irresponsibly... Wait, what on earth am I thinking?!
She startled herself, got angry at her own thoughts, and let her imagination run wild.
Goldsun smirked as he watched Hayeon's retreating figure.
"Now, my little rabbit, let's see how much you've grown today, shall we?"
The forest grew denser, the rustling of leaves the only sound breaking the heavy silence.
In the deep shadows where even the sunlight couldn't reach, only the sound of their footsteps echoed against the forest floor.
Hayeon gripped her sword tightly, keeping a sharp eye on her surroundings.
Yet, her focus kept slipping.
"Focus, little rabbit."
Goldsun's voice suddenly brushed past her ear.
Hayeon flinched and turned her head.
At that exact moment, the bushes rustled violently.
"Kuweeeek!"
With hoarse screeches, seven goblins burst out from all directions.
With crooked, protruding fangs, green skin, and wielding rusty axes and clubs, they charged straight at Hayeon.
Hayeon reflexively raised her shield, blocking the first goblin's club.
*Thud!*
A heavy impact reverberated up her arm.
Her shoulder throbbed, but Hayeon gritted her teeth.
Eonni Ksenia told me. Don't lose your breath. Maintain your breathing until the very end...
Taking a sharp breath, she swung her sword in a wide arc.
The blade sliced across the goblin's shoulder, spraying dark blood.
"Kieeeek! It's a female! A human female!"
The goblin in the lead shrieked, drool spilling from its mouth.
Foul saliva dripped from between its jagged teeth.
"Catch her! The female is ours!"
"Females taste good! We'll make her cry all night long!"
"Female! Female! Female!"
Their raspy voices echoed through the forest.
It was a chorus filled with vulgar lust and primal greed.
Cold sweat trickled down Hayeon's spine as her breathing grew ragged.
She gritted her teeth.
"You filthy, stinking goblins...!"
Her eyes grew cold and sharp.
"Kieeeek!"
With a collective screech, the remaining six goblins lunged at her all at once.
Hayeon swung her shield with all her might.
*Smack! Thud!*
Two goblins were sent flying, crashing hard onto the forest floor.
However, the remaining four quickly closed their encirclement.
One of them swung its club, striking Hayeon's leg.
*Crack!*
"Ugh...!"
In that split second, a sharp whistle cut through the air, and a dagger embedded itself deep into another goblin's neck.
*Thwack!*
The goblin collapsed limply to the ground.
Perched on a tree branch above, Goldsun slowly wagged his finger.
"Keep going, Miss. It's not over yet."
Hayeon gritted her teeth and forced herself back up.
The goblins pounced on her simultaneously.
Hayeon recalled the swordsmanship she had learned from Ksenia.
*Whoosh! Slash!*
With a forward slash, she severed one goblin's arm.
Spinning on her heel, she slammed her shield into another goblin's jaw.
"Argh!"
The sound of shattering teeth echoed through the trees.
At that moment, a particularly large goblin lunged at her from behind.
Hayeon spun her shield to block, but the sheer weight of the impact sent her tumbling to the ground.
"Kieeee!"
The goblin roared, raising its axe high.
*Swish!*
Right then, a perfectly aimed stone struck the goblin squarely in the eye.
"Kyaaaak!"
Screaming in agony, the goblin clutched its eye and staggered back.
Hayeon didn't miss the opening.
Gripping her sword, she sprang up and thrust the blade deep into its chest.
*Squish!*
Blood erupted like a fountain.
Catching her breath, Hayeon looked around and spotted the last remaining goblin trying to flee.
Just as she was about to give chase, a dagger thrown from afar embedded itself perfectly into the goblin's back.
*Thud.*
The battle was over.
Completely drained of strength, Hayeon slumped against a tree. Steam rose from her body, which was covered in a mixture of sweat and blood.
Goldsun walked over quietly and used the edge of his cloak to gently wipe her face.
"Not bad. But you held your shield too high. And you need to stay aware of your surroundings!"
Hayeon was about to snap back, but then she remembered the stone and the daggers he had thrown to save her.
"...Thank you."
Goldsun shrugged and gave a playful laugh.
"Supporting is basic, isn't it? Especially when it's for a cute little rabbit."
Hayeon was lost in a swirl of complex emotions.
Thinking back, the goblins' attacks weren't even that threatening... I just panicked too much.
Goldsun extended his hand.
"Come on, let's head back. I bet the lunch Serena Nuna made is waiting for us."
Hayeon slapped his hand away, turned her head with a huff, and marched ahead.
"I can walk by myself!"
Goldsun's soft laughter echoed behind her.
"What a stubborn little rabbit."
Hayeon bit her lower lip slightly.
Next time... I'll absolutely do it perfectly all on my own.
Making a quiet promise to herself, Hayeon took a firm step forward and marched on.
