Underground, Asher cannot see a single thing. It is too dark and muddy, the air is very thin that he feels like he's gasping every time. Closing his eyes, he concentrated. He sharpen his hearing and focused on sliding sounds in the mud - like a mayo being compressed and squished.
The moment the sound gets louder, he held his swords tightly.
A loud , deafening high-pitch groan is heard the moment he sliced from his right. Then above him, and behind him, he's just focusing on the sounds, striking and striking without rest, as if he's dancing gracefully in the dark.
"Sa!" Han Dae's voice echoed throughout the dark and crimson red fire lit up the ground, making a huge circle, like an arena.
The moment Asher opened his eyes, shock filled his entire being upon seeing that this place truly is a den of dirt ghouls. They are everywhere. No matter where Asher turn to, their distorted faces are the ones he can see first.
"Han Dae!" he shouted because he cannot see him, "Where's the array?!"
"Deeper!" Han Dae shouted, "We have to go in deeper!" slashing sounds came from behind Asher as Han Dae gracefully leaped to his side. The strings of his Latigo are dripping with crimson blood and the blades on its ends are painted with red.
Asher's swords are also bathed with blood.
"We can't get in deeper with these eyesores." Asher grinned with eyes worried. How can they have the strength to destroy the array then? Surely, with the dirt ghouls' number, they will really exhaust their spiritual energy before reaching the array!
Asher gasped for air. Sweat mixing with blood, he is starting to get dizzy. 'Fuck! Are we on outer space?!'
Han Dae's eyes grew bright red, dark aura filled his right hand. Exhaling, he positioned himself in a running position and in a blink of an eye, he ran straight to the ghouls in front, killing more than twenty in a single attack.
"Asher!" he shouted.
Asher let out a quiet chuckle and ran towards him while killing the ghouls that tried to block him. The moment he reached Han Dae, he whistled, "What a move!" he grinned.
He faced the ghouls and said, "You go in deeper. I'll stop these deformed creatures here. I trust you can undo the array yourself, right?"
Han Dae nodded, "Then, I'll trouble you."
"Nah, this is nothing!" Asher acted tough with a smirk. Truly, he can't decipher whether he is still breathing or he totally gave it up. What matters is that he's still standing up, feeling pretty good because of the adrenaline rush.
Seeing Han Dae show off in front of him the second time, he can't bear his excitement to stay awake and see more of it. Also, who wouldn't want to show off after being shown off?
"Fight!" Asher ordered the ghouls the moment Han Dae turned to go in deeper.
Meanwhile, Daniel just finished dressing Nathan's wounds. Luckily, Hannah is the one who's responsible for the squad's health, therefore, she is in charge of carrying medicines.
"Hannah's medicine work wonders." Daniel said with a smile, "After a good night sleep, not even wounds will remain."
"Da-ni, he's not deserving of our medicine!" Hannah said when the ground rumbled.
"That's--!" Hannah exclaimed. What else could that be other than the big one? Putting her two hands together like a prayer, she said, "Release!" separating her hands, a staff showed. Grabbing it with her right hand, she stood on the branch of the tree prepared.
But all of their eyes widened in huge shock the moment they saw a gigantic half-snake woman.
"Holy fuck!" Hannah can't help but to curse. She seldom curse, and when she did, things are really out of hand.
They are only as big as its palm! How can they defeat something like that?!
"Nathan you stay hidden here!" Daniel said with a serious tone. Pulling out talismans, he uttered ancient language and faced his palm downwards creating an array on the ground. The array blended to the ground.
"Release!" Daniel said and a white deadly scythe with a blade bigger and wider than him appeared.
"Haaaa!" Hannah shouted going in for the kill. Waving her staff, she said, "Azfal!" and the air created a tornado.
"Sen!" she continued. The tornado damaged the forest. Cracking and throwing the ground. Adding another enchantment, the tornado became sharp-edged. Red dots of liquid are splattering everywhere.
The ghoul groaned loudly and slapped her big tail on the ground after raising it high causing another quake, successfully removing the tornado. But before this big one could move, Daniel is already above her, slashing her right arm off.
The moment he stepped on the ground. His kind eyes are no more. They are sharp and the smile he used to display isn't there.
"Seems like mother ghoul here is missing an arm." He mocked.
The ghoul slapped the ground, cracking it deep, but Daniel is one step ahead. Hopping off the ground, he slashed the neck, but he got surprised when he saw that it immediately repaired.
He took a step back and Hannah run to the front, "Saiqa!" she shouted and a huge fire ball is concentrated on the tip of her staff. Like a gun, it shot directly at mother ghoul's heart making a large hole.
Hannah got terrified after a moment. Parasites are repairing mother ghoul's chest. That's what surprised Daniel earlier too. Now they know, mother ghoul's weakness isn't her heart.
She has no heart to begin with.
They have to dismember her if they want her dead. The severed arm neither grow nor reattached.
"Hoo boy, this is tough!" Daniel exclaimed, "Cutting her is like cutting through a boulder!"
Daniel then thought, 'Should I order her to activate the array now? But if that happened, her spiritual energy will surely be drained and I don't have another chance to miss!'
"Leader!" Hannah called and Daniel faced her, "Let's do it!"
Daniel's smile is back and he nodded, "Let's finish this!"
Hannah threw her staff upwards and it disappeared midair. Putting her fingers together, she concentrated her remaining spiritual energy left on the tips of her fingers. Bending down, she put the tip of her fingers on the ground saying, "Activate!"
The huge golden array appeared on the ground. The time Hannah pulled her fingers, there are golden threads connected to it from the array.
She pulled and a long thread wrapped mother ghoul's body, neck, left hand, and tail. Seeing that she is trying to escape, Hannah pulled harder, her delicate fingers bled.
Daniel hooked his index and middle fingers putting his remaining spiritual energy there. Sliding them to the blade of his scythe, it glows bright white.
He ran and jumped, spinning above ground, he cut mother ghoul in half - body separated from its tail. He landed on the ground and fell on his knees.
Hannah is at her limit too. The array she set up disappeared completely.
"Did we..." Hannah uttered while chasing her breath, ready to pass out. Daniel leaned on his scythe, trying his best to stand when the body moved on its own, with a stinky dirty mouth wide open, Daniel turned to see that he's now her prey.
What a way to switch their roles!
"Da-ni!" Hannah shouted but she can no longer move. Daniel is still in shock when an arrow hit the mother ghoul's left temple.
Daniel and Hannah immediately faced who did that and it was Nathan who's still sitting on the branch of the tree.
Well, the juniors do carry their own weapons.
Nathan shot three arrows simultaneously and it hit the left cheek, left side of the neck, and the left elbow. He can't still use his spiritual energy properly, therefore, his weapon is average level.
Mother ghoul faced him, completely ignoring Daniel. Using her only arm, she leapt and is ready to hit Nathan who's still pointing an arrow at her with his shaking hands. Suddenly, Daniel pushed him downward and took the hit flying and bumping on another tree coughing up blood in the process making his scythe disappear.
Nathan landed on his back and groaned.
Looks like mother ghoul is still not done with him. She faced him opening her big mouth. Nathan is horrified.
"Shit!" Hannah cursed but she can no longer move no matter how hard she try. She can't even feel her spiritual energy too.
'Faint... it's too faint...' Daniel thought while struggling to stand. 'My body feels so heavy, my hands are numb...' slowly, he faced his comrades, 'But they need me... I have to...!'
Forcing to gather his spiritual energy in his hand, trying to summon his scythe once again, but it's no use. 'C'mon! C'mon!'
C'mon Daniel! You're better than this! Didn't you say you'll take care of Nathan?! Didn't you say you'll finish this?! Didn't you say you'll meet up with everyone after this?!
"Ahhh!" Nathan shouted in fear, closing his eyes in tears the moment mother ghoul leaned down. Abruptly, her head was sent flying. Her lower jaw was left on her neck.
Nathan opened his eyes and gasped when he saw a blurry vision of Daniel in front of him. As it clears, he saw mother ghoul's body fell on the ground.
Daniel fell sitting, with his bloody hands shaking, eyes wide, gasping for air, like no tomorrow. His scythe vanished and he coughed out blood. Dripping on his cheek, from his eyes, is a crimson red liquid.
"Blood?" Hannah uttered in shock. Daniel's eyes is releasing blood tears.
"You went too far!" Hannah shouted and crawled near him. Daniel faced her, forcing a smile, he said, "Han-shi, your fingers are bleeding, cure them."
Hannah's tears fell, "Forgive me for being weak! I can't provide you any assistance at all!"
Daniel giggled, "It's fine... I'm not dying!" but his voice couldn't get any louder. He faced Nathan who's sitting and looking at him. Slightly, you can see the guilt and worry in his eyes.
"Thank you for saving me." Daniel smiled at him.
But really, who saved who?
Embarrassed, Nathan snubbed. But without even feeling any better, the sound of a heavy body being dragged surprised them. "Don't tell me she's--?!" Hannah shouted.
The body rose and is about to pound them into pieces when it instantly cracked, like a rusty robot, it struggled to move until it completely crumbled and turned to dust.
All three of them breathed a sigh of relief.
On the other hand, Chandler and Trijah, who's now coordinating their movements and killing dirt ghouls protecting the people in the river, are surprised when those filthy creatures cracked and turned into dust.
"Did they?!" Chandler faced Trijah happily while chasing her breath.
"Think so!" Trijah smiled back at her while also chasing his breath.
Underground, the array that is painted on a stone was already destroyed by Han Dae. He rushed to assist Asher when he saw him standing alone without dirt ghouls. Asher faced him with a grin saying, "I did pretty great huh?"
Clearly, he did. Han Dae didn't encounter a single dirt ghoul on the way and when he is destroying the array, he didn't feel pressured at all.
He smiled and nodded, "Mnn."
Asher finally showed his soft spot and took a deep breath and said, "Then let's go back! I can't breathe anymore!"
Han Dae helped Asher to stand up straight and they went back to where Daniel is.
Hannah faced them happily, "You guys!" she exclaimed.
Asher smiled at her while still leaning on Han Dae.
"Good job." Daniel smiled at him after wiping his face.
"Ah!" Asher exclaimed at bit pissed, "Did this brat cause trouble for you?!"
Hannah answered, "He did!"
"Huh?!" Nathan felt offended once again.
"Guys!" Daniel said, "It's alright now. We're done here. Let's meet up with the others."
Asher stood straight and said, "I'll carry you Da-ni!" and started carrying him.
Daniel giggled, "Sorry to trouble you..."
"No big deal!" Asher smiled.
Hannah faced Nathan, "Hurry up or we'll leave you!"
The problem is, Nathan's feet hurt so much. Even though Daniel had a lot of injuries and can still stand up, Nathan isn't that kind of guy.
But he can't whine either.
They all started walking away and he crossed his arms snubbing.
Sucks to be you now huh?
Han Dae went back and carried him on his back.
"What the-?! Let me go!" he ordered while trying his best to push him.
Han Dae glared at him saying, "If you don't stop I'll cut off your feet so that they can never be reattached again." without pausing.
Upon hearing that, Nathan immediately behaved. He's scared at Han Dae's pretty face but not at Asher's? This kid is weirder than I thought!
Asher forced to stop his laugh letting out a 'pfft' sound and they continue on walking for a while.
Daniel faced Hannah who's currently tracking Chandler and Trijah with her bracelet and asked, "Did you find them?"
Hannah nodded in response, "They are near the river..."
Chandler saw them and waved shouting, "Over here!" they went there and got surprised when they saw quite more people.
"What happened?" Daniel asked while still being carried.
"We met them here in the river." Trijah answered, "Apparently, the dirt ghouls hate the water here in this forest. It is said that a passing monk once blessed this river before drinking."
"And so, we found the guys!" Chandler exclaimed.
"Good job, you two." Daniel smiled.
A big guy approached them and asked, "Thank you for saving my family. But, does this mean that we could not use this path anymore?"
Asher shook his head, "We eliminated the dirt ghouls here completely. You can use this path once more."
The merchants all sighed in relief.
"Then Zushi-chou, may we invite you in our village? We can tend to your wounds and other injuries."
The young girl hugged the thigh of the big guy and faced Asher, "Ni... Papa said we'll have a feast!"
The big guy pats her head and faced them once again, "Consider this as our thanks."
Everyone is waiting for Daniel so he sighed and said, "Then this humble Zushi and his comrades would trouble you for the night."
The juniors jumped in excitement. They never experienced this kind of thing before, so they look forward on seeing the Bartolome Village.
Location: Bartolome Village
Blowing the trumpets, banging the drums and strumming the guitars, the feast began under the moonlight and shining stars.
The elder of the village thanked them and the music plays once again. Everyone is having fun. Drinking juice, eating meat, making friends, and dancing with the dancers. Daniel looked around only to notice that Nathan wasn't with them.
Nathan is inside his room looking outside, seeing them all have fun. The doctor who treated him earlier said that he can go out with them using crutches, but he's too prideful to use one.
Seriously, if you just lower your pride you can join them!
In irritation, he threw his pillow on the window but it landed on the wall. He clicked his tongue, "Tch! I'm so lame..." he whispered angrily.
He heard knocks on his door and he can't help but to be even more pissed, "What the fuck do you want?!" he shouted.
Outside his room, the guy chuckled and said, "Can I enter?"
Getting shy, Nathan coughed and said, "Do what you want!" Daniel entered with a smile and brought with him a small table with the food from outside. He put it on the bed and smiled.
"I figured you would rather stay here." He said, "Here's my thanks, dinner in bed!" he cheerfully smiled.
"You don't need to!" Nathan crossed his arms, truly, he wanted to gobble up those delicious looking food, but he can't with Daniel around.
"I didn't do much..." his voice became quieter and quieter, "Yet I'm acting like this... I feel pathetic..."
"Nathan-chou, if you didn't shoot those arrows, I might be dead on the spot." Daniel smiled.
Nathan sighed, "I don't get you." He faced him directly and said, "I don't need your pity. Hurry up and leave if you're finished here!"
Daniel stood and said, "If that's what you wish, I'll be leaving then."
Outside, Trijah saw Han Dae eating all alone. He approached him to call him when he saw it once again – Han Dae's stares at Asher. Trijah felt quite uncomfortable. Well, who wouldn't be weirded out if your friend is constantly staring at you the way Han Dae does.
But then he faced Asher who's chatting to a lot of women, pretty women.
"Oh!" Trijah thought and put his arms around Han Dae, sitting beside him, he said, "Who are you looking at huh?" he grinned.
"Huh?" Han Dae faced him indifferently so he continued, "I know right?! The thing is, Asher's really...reeeaally popular with women! Apprentices, Zushis, Hashis, Rabbis even Shihans!"
"I-is that so?" Han Dae blinked. He's not really looking at the women, rather, at Asher himself.
"Mhm! That is why a lot of men hate him." Trijah nodded giggling and faced Asher, "Yo! Asher!" while waving.
Asher faced the both of them after accepting the drink a woman gave him. He waved back and said, "Yo! Trijah! Han Dae! They said feel at home! Enjoy yourselves!"
"You've got a lot of babes there! Would it kill you to share?!" Trijah shouted teasing him.
Asher hugged the two women on each side and smirked at Trijah, "What?! Sorry can't hear 'ya!"
"This fucker..." Trijah uttered.
Han Dae asked Trijah, "Are they pretty?"
Trijah nodded intensely that made Han Dae blink in surprise since Trijah's arms are around his neck, "Being sealed in that cave for long, you must miss the babes from your day huh? Too bad you didn't see their evolution in style and beauty! Silky smooth skin, long fragrant hair, beautiful face, captivating smiles, oh! Good heavens!"
Han Dae faced Asher who's currently laughing with the girls. Han Dae removed Trijah's arm and stood nodding.
"Mnn." He nodded.
"Hmm?" Trijah asked.
Han Dae's him looking so determined, "I'll do my best!" and left.
"Huh?" Trijah wondered.
The elder approached Asher who's currently asking something to the girls, "I think you're pretty cute, right?"
"I hope you are enjoying yourself Zushi-chou." The elder interrupted.
Asher shook his head and bowed before saying, "Oh please don't. This Elder here can address me Asher."
"Then, Asher." The elder continued, "Do you know who named the forest you crossed?"
Asher shook his head, "But I do know that it is called Dream Forest."
The elder nodded, "It is my deceased grandfather who named it like that."
"Is there some reason to it?" Asher wondered, "A little girl from this village told me it was because of the exotic creatures living in the forest."
"There is that reason." He said, "But my grandfather used to tell me, that he dreamt of how this village came to life. And when he asked the people who knew about it, they were amazed because not only can he remember how it was built, he also remember the people who built it. He said that he talked to them, but his body isn't his. Even if it isn't his, he feels that he is there with them. That only happens very rare."
"Do you know why he dreamt of something like that?" Asher asked him.
The elder smiled, "He told me," patting Asher's head, he continued, "that when you wish for something that you would really want to see deep in your heart, the forest will grant you that wish in a dream."
Asher blinked. That's something he hadn't heard before.
Inside their room, it is a big room with six beds, the squad played truth or dare. The juniors are in the room beside them, Nathan is separated with them.
"Where's Han Dae?" Asher wondered.
"Who knows?" Trajah answered, "He left me earlier."
Chandler giggled, "Maybe it's because you stink!"
"You bitch..." Trijah glared at her.
Hannah turned the bottle and it pointed at Daniel, "Da-ni!"
Trijah quickly shakes the papers in a box and Daniel picked one. Hannah read it, "Dare: Say the words 'I love you' in each person in the room!"
"Wha-?! Who wrote that?!" Daniel blushed in embarrassment as everyone laughs.
"Okay! Okay!" Chandler broke the noise, "Let's hear our Da-ni's heartfelt confession!" and they all rolled in laughter once again.
Han Dae, on the other hand, finished making tea for Asher. The chamomile he brought earlier can cure sore muscles and tiredness. He wants Asher to have a goodnight sleep so he brewed it.
Passing through their room's window, he heard Chandler's loud voice saying, "Awiiee! Last one! Asher listen carefully!"
Han Dae peeked on the window and saw a blushing Daniel in front of Asher. Daniel prepared himself and coughed.
"I..." he looks so embarrassed, "I love you... A-di..."
Han Dae's eyes slowly widened as the others jumped and shouted.
"Alright, I said it!" Daniel said bashful, "Happy now?!"
Asher teased, "Nah! I wanna hear it again! I didn't hear it clearly!"
Han Dae held the tray tightly, sitting on a big rock beside their room's window, he looked up to the stars.
He is very conflicted to the point that he couldn't think straight, his ears ringing, his hands trembling.
Inside the room, the squad continued. Daniel rotated the bottle and it pointed at Asher.
"Oohh..." Hannah and Chandler said while Trijah is giving Asher the box after shaking it. Asher picked a paper and Trijah read it, "Dare: Receive a punch from someone after telling that person that you hate him or her. Note, it shouldn't be a player."
"Wait..." Asher said, "Then who?"
"Maybe we can disturb the juniors?" Chandler wondered.
"No can do." Daniel said, "They are already writing their essays for tomorrow."
"Then let's just find some random people outside!" Hannah suggested.
Trijah, "Cool!" Chandler stood up and ran to the window to check if there are people outside.
"Huh?!" Asher freaked, "No way! That's so weird!"
"Ooh!" Chandler said, "I got one! I got one!"
"No!" Asher insisted, "If it's a stranger I won't do it."
"It's not!" Chandler faced them with a smile and opened the window curtain. They saw Han Dae who's sitting on a rock, looking up the sky.
"Nice one!" Trijah exclaimed mischievously.
"We don't know Han Dae that much! It'd be a good chance to get to know him more, don't you think?" Hannah smiled.
"What do you mean?" Asher asked.
Chandler rolled her eyes, "Duh! Han Dae never start a conversation with us! Only to you!"
"True. He don't show a lot of reactions to what we're saying too other than you." Hannah said.
Trijah added, "It might be just me, but he's always looking at you too. Like he's worried you might trip or something."
Asher shook his head, "Oh c'mon you're exaggerating, right Da-ni?"
Daniel chuckled shyly, "Actually, I'm one of them too." Asher looks confused but he continued, "You know what Asher, he never smile in front of us."
Asher blinked. He's totally clueless. Who can blame him? Han Dae really acts sweet and dear to him, showing different emotions. However, he's indifferent to everybody else. Rarely showing his soft side.
"So?" Hannah asked.
"You gon' do it?" Trijah asked.
Asher scratched his head thinking, 'He might really punch me harder than what it should be...'
Chandler, "It's better than a complete stranger, right?"
Asher sighed in defeat, "Fine..."
And so, Asher walked to him, "There you are!" he said.
Han Dae flinched and faced him. He quickly stood, putting the tea tray on the rock, he asked, "Asher... what brings you here?"
Oh don't mind me, I'm just here to tell you that I hate you for you to punch me – Of course he cannot say that!
"Fresh air." Asher answered. Han Dae looked up at the sky and said, "There are a lot of stars tonight. It's lovely."
"Mnn..." Asher nodded.
'Damn! How could I tell him that now?!' Asher thought. 'Heck! Just go and say it straight! A punch is all I need!'
Han Dae faced the tea he brewed wondering if it's the right time to give it to him.
Facing each other, they simultaneously said,
"Umn..." Han Dae.
"Hey..." Asher.
Realizing, Asher said, "You go first..."
Han Dae, "No. You go first."
"Alright..." Asher said since he doesn't want to take longer. He took a deep breath and said, "Truth is..." looking at the sky.
Han Dae is all ears as he continued, "...I hate you..."
Han Dae's face turned pale in an instant. The life in his eyes faded, his lips trembled. It seems that he can't find his voice at all. He just stood there facing Asher in total shock. The gust of cold wind is brushing to his hair and skin, stinging him deep to his bone.
However, Asher didn't notice all these details because he is looking elsewhere, just elsewhere, not directly at him. 'Hurry up! Hurry up and punch me already!' is what he is thinking.
But the more the time flew by, the more he grew impatient so faced Han Dae when he asked, "Why?"
The squad who's watching them from the window felt shocked. Asher, on the same boat as them, felt intense shock, as if he was electrified.
Han Dae, without batting an eye, is crying silently. How long? Asher did not know. All he knew is that the moment he turned to face him, he's already a mess.
"D-did..." Han Dae continued, "Did I offend you?"
"N-no..." Asher is now feeling guilty!
"Is it because I'm the one who's sleeping in your bed?"
"No." Asher answered.
Han Dae's tears started falling like a rain and he couldn't hold back his trembling voice anymore, so he cried louder and said,
"I could... I could change!" he sniffed, "Tell me what you hate about me and I'll change it! I'm willing to sleep on the ground next time! I'm willing to wash the dishes and do the laundry myself! I'm willing to cook and clean the house too! I won't burden you anymore!"
Then, Asher and the rest have the same thought, 'His heart broke!'
All of them are now feeling guilty. Han Dae didn't do anything wrong. In fact, he has saved them twice now.
Han Dae knelt in front of Asher that surprised all of them. He placed his hands on the ground, lowering his head, he said, "Hit! I'm willing to take punishments! I'm willing to rip my body to shreds! Just please... please don't hate me!"
"S-stand up!" Asher ordered flustered, "Stand up! Stand up now!"
Pulling Han Dae up, he stood. "Wipe those tears! Wipe them!" Asher ordered. Han Dae obeyed him without hesitation. Looking everywhere, Asher saw the tea and poured some on the cup.
"First off, you need to drink." He said giving him the drink but Han Dae shook his head.
'Ack! He rejected me?!' he thought. His internal panic intensifies.
Han Dae never reject him. Well, maybe the times when he's teasing him, but now's not the right time to reject him right?
"I..." Han Dae sniffed, "...brewed that tea for you."
"Huh?" Asher blinked in a wonder.
Sniffing again, Han Dae answered, "You told me that you're tired earlier... so I bought it when I saw it in Dwarf Town..."
Asher is guiltier right now. Good job Han Dae!
'Why did I even agree in that horrible dare?!' Asher thought. He faked a cough and said, "I told you that it was a lie, didn't I?"
Han Dae nodded, "But... I figured you would be..."
He's too pure! Too pure for Asher!
He knelt once again, "Tell me," he uttered to Asher who's surprised once again, "How much do you hate me? Do you hate it that I worry too much? Do you hate it that I'm always sticking around you? I can maintain our distance if you feel like I'm pestering you..."
Kneeling too, he said, "No! No! You don't have to do that! I--" he wiped his palm to his face, sighing. How did it turn out like this? He never thought Han Dae would bawl his eyes out!
"Han Dae!" Chandler shouted from the window and Han Dae faced her. "We're sorry!"
"Huh?" Han Dae asked.
"We're really sorry!" Hannah said, "What Asher said is one hundred percent false!"
Trijah nodded, "We're just playing and we forced him to say that! You know, just like how we forced Daniel act as if he's confessing to each one of us!"
Daniel also nodded, "We're deeply sorry Han-chou... we won't do it again."
Han Dae faced Asher who's embarrassed to face him. In the end, he faced Han Dae and said, "Sorry..." while scratching his head.
"It's..." Han Dae uttered, "...not true?"
"Mhm..." Asher answered.
Han Dae, "You don't... hate me?"
Asher, "Mhm."
Han Dae's breathing trembled but it is a breath of relief. His tears still fell but this time, he smiled at Asher, "Thank goodness... I don't know what I'd do if you don't want me anymore..."
Everyone is surprised. They saw a different side of Han Dae they never knew exist.
Asher blushed. No one is willing to kneel in front of him just to gain his affection. That is, until now. Han Dae oh, Han Dae, aren't you spoiling him too much?
"Ehem!" he faked a cough and chug down the tea, "Tastes good."
They both went to their room and everyone's still apologetic. Han Dae brushed it off, at least everything is just a game.
Including Asher's 'I hate you' and Daniel's 'I love you'.
That night, everyone is soundly asleep entering their dreams except for one. Asher is sleeping, but his dream led him to somewhere else he hadn't seen before.
'Where am I?' Asher wondered. He wants to look around, but he feels like his body belongs to someone else. He cannot even control it on his will. Asher groaned, 'Why am I so hungry? And why is this place too old?'
It is indeed too old for him. From buildings, to clothing of people passing by. 'Am I too little?' he wondered when his head involuntarily looked through a glass window of an eatery.
Asher's eyes widened, but the child's eyes remained indifferent. The child looks dirty, but not too dirty, couldn't be considered as clean too. The clothes he wears are filthy, ripped and dusty.
He is indeed a six year old child.
'Han Dae?' Asher thought in bewilderment.