Hey Naru! Just Once! (1)
A high-pitched scream tore through the air as Aquina jolted awake, kicking off the blankets and bolting upright in bed.
"Damn it! Why the hell again?!"
That mortifying, utterly humiliating memory from that day—why did it have to haunt her dreams? Even weeks later, just thinking about it made her face burn.
"It's all that bastard Kang Naru's fault!"
She cursed the one responsible to vent her frustration and rationalize it away. But deep down, she knew it was her own foolish mistake, and she bit her lip hard.
"Gotta wipe it out with some new adventure quick."
Once she racked up achievements worth bragging about to the world, it'd fade into oblivion naturally. In three years, no one would even remember.
'I'm Aquina, the outstanding adventurer everyone respects and admires.'
Clinging to that self-assurance, she gathered her scattered clothes and slipped them on. This was her private lounge in the guild, and she'd dozed off in just her undergarments during a late-afternoon nap.
"There you are! Lady Aquina!"
As she straightened her outfit and stepped out, a guild staffer came rushing up, panting.
"A-a guest is here for you!"
"A guest?"
The staffer leaned in close, face flushed with excitement as if royalty had arrived, and whispered, "Don't freak out. It's Kang Naru from Thunderfield Guild. He's in the lobby waiting for you right now."
"Gah!"
Aquina clapped a hand over her mouth in horror.
'That, that bastard... he wouldn't...?'
Was he here to collect on their bet? Dread surged through her.
"T-t-tell him I'm not here!"
"Huh? Why?"
The bet's pathetic terms from weeks ago flashed in her mind: treat him to a meal, obey his every command for a day, tag along on adventures for a month. Childish nonsense.
'I'd die before doing that!'
How could a famous adventurer like her debase herself serving under someone else? Fulfilling it would mean public humiliation—branded as Naru's lackey, a laughingstock.
"Just tell him that! Say I'm not here, so he should leave!"
"But I already said you were..."
"You idiot! Go back and say you checked again and I'm not!"
She shoved the staffer's back, darting toward the corridor window to leap out—when thunder struck.
"Aquina."
A familiar voice cut in abruptly.
"......"
Aquina paled, turning numbly toward the sound. There, at the top of the stairs leading down to the second floor, stood the one person she never wanted to face.
He was the first to conquer the impossible merman dungeon solo and the man who'd earned top honors standing by Queen Isabella's side, crushing the rebels.
"So here you are."
He approached with a chilling smile.
After clocking out, I headed straight to Snowcloaks Guild—Aquina's home base.
'They'll know where she is if I ask at the guild.'
Aquina was a top-tier adventurer who'd keep her word on the bet. Back when I was limping around, Queen Isabella always mentioned her first as her go-to. Her track record was that impressive. A celebrity like her couldn't afford to break a promise—it'd tank her rep. Credit was life for adventurers. She'd honor it, scared not to.
"Hey, aren't you the hero Kang Naru?"
The moment I stepped into Snowcloaks Guild, members and staff spotted me. Some scowled,
"What's a Thunderfield punk doing here?"
Others gawked in awe.
"Whoa! Kang Naru visiting our guild!"
Even the guild master hurried out to greet me warmly.
"What brings you to our humble guild?"
I gave a vague excuse about teaming up briefly with Aquina, and they lit up.
"Something that helps both guilds? Call her over quick!"
Sheesh. The Snowcloaks guild master looked way too pumped, like we were plotting some grand scheme. It was kinda embarrassing since it wasn't a big deal.
Anyway, he suggested I head up to Aquina's room for a deep talk. So I climbed the stairs and spotted her in the third-floor hallway.
I waved with a grin. "Hey, Aquina."
"Gah!"
She yelped like she'd seen a ghost and plopped straight down on the spot.
"Wh-what are you doing here?"
"What do you think? Forgot our bet already?"
"Eek!"
"Why the freakout? Don't tell me you don't wanna do it."
Aquina flinched, then quickly schooled her expression.
"Wh-who said I didn't? You show up out of nowhere, no warning—it's annoying, that's all."
She stood, brushing off her cloak. Thrusting out her ample chest.
"I waited days for you to show. Was gonna come find you myself."
"Good thing you remembered."
"Of course! I always keep my word!"
"Perfect. Wanna grab dinner then?"
"D-dinner?"
"Forgot the bet? You owe me a meal first. I'm eating free tonight."
"Oh..."
Her face fell instantly, shoulders slumping as she trailed after me in silence.
"Where to? Gotta pick the priciest spot."
I was thrilled at the free gourmet meal. We hit the capital's most expensive, delicious restaurant.
"First time eating together, huh? Makes sense—we barely knew each other. The merman dungeon changed that."
"Should've stayed strangers..."
Sitting across from me, Aquina stared at the table, sighing like the ground might swallow her. She'd looked drained the whole walk here, and she still did.
I got it. Prospect of playing errand girl for me must suck.
Watching her dazed, defeated expression was hilarious.
"Meal's covered now. The 'obey me all day' is next. For the month of adventures, you'll tag along but ignore any weird orders. Got it?"
"Do whatever. Oh, that one day—tomorrow or the next, bring your whole party to my academy and guest lecture."
"Guest lecture?"
"Kids have matches next week. Need tips from seasoned adventurers."
"You're kidding."
Aquina gaped, incredulous.
"Know my speaking fee? Three top-breed warhorses, plus extras. And you want it free?"
She bristled with resentment. Tough luck—she had to obey. She lost the bet.
"I said teach the kids. You won't back out, right?"
"H-hang on...!"
"Long tongue."
"Guh...!"
She bit her lip in fury. Perfect timing—the food arrived, filling the table lavishly.
"Gonna enjoy this meal."
I beamed, picking up my utensils.
***
Aquina gnawed her lip, staring silently at Naru digging in. Mountains of words bubbled up, but she swallowed them.
Infuriating.
'Having to obey my rival like a good girl—total humiliation.'
But she couldn't welch.
'Damn it...!'
Then she felt eyes on her. Not one or two, but many.
Aquina glanced around discreetly. Restaurant patrons were whispering, staring their way.
"That's Hero Kang Naru and Adventure Empress Aquina, right?"
"Two big shots dining together? What's up? Some crisis?"
"Dunno, but those two together means history in the making. We might be witnessing a pivotal moment."
"Isn't the kingdom under threat from some evil force?"
"They look so cool just sitting there. Aura's intense."
"You think so too? I was just thinking the same—epic sight."
"Ahem."
Aquina cleared her throat elegantly. She straightened up, grabbed her utensils, spooned some meat soup, and flashed Naru a sudden sweet smile.
"This place cooks great."
Might as well lean in. Rumors of close ties to Naru wouldn't hurt. Associating with him benefited her too.
'Heh, score.'