Reader of the Novel’s Extra

Back at the hotel suite.

Lee had already fallen asleep, passed out in the smaller guest room. Meanwhile, Rachel and Nayun were sleeping together in the larger master bedroom, Rachel on the bed and Nayun on the couch that she dragged over.

It was past midnight. Even so, Rachel couldn't fall asleep, still glancing towards Lee's room.

'...He could have died. Because of me.'

Rachel had joked about it. But it truly WAS dangerous being close to her. Although she hadn't expected Sir Lancaster to still be alive and carry a vendetta... being with her did carry risks.

But Lee wasn't scared. Not only that, he was sleeping peacefully without a care in the world. As if this was normal.

And that made Rachel wonder.

Was he that used to danger? Lee never did talk about how he obtained the money to pay for everything in Cube. And with the way he moved and fought, it was also clear he was used to real combat...

But another thought came to mind as well. Mainly...

'...Does he really like me like that too?'

Lee teased her about it. He made jokes about being serious and making Rachel his girlfriend.

Rachel thought he was just flirting and teasing her.

Making fun banter, lighting up the mood with levity, making sure things weren't too serious... Since he interacted like that with Nayun too, it seemed like it was just Lee's natural personality.

But Rachel remembered it now. She had missed it in the rush, but at that moment just before the gunshot. While he was talking, he had already subtly moved Rachel out of the way, blocking her with his body. And that was why he was shot in the back to begin with instead of the front.

An instinctive- No. A deliberate action to keep her safe.

Her, and not Nayun.

Rachel felt her heart race and then groaned, pulling her blanket up to cover her face.

The moment she did that though, Nayun's voice echoed. "Still up, huh, Princess?"

Rachel flinched and quickly pulled her blanket down. When she did, she saw Nayun looking at her, amused.

Nayun chuckled and said, "Still thinking about Mister Hero in the other room?"

"...Maybe?"

Nayun sighed and sat up in the sofa, pulling her blanket up to her chest. "...He really is ridiculous, isn't he?"

As if on cue, Lee's soft snoring echoed through the thin walls.

Nayun chuckled and pointed her thumb towards his room. "See? Out like a light and without a care in the world."

Rachel pursed her lips. "...He really is careless- No, reckless."

It wasn't careless.

Despite how ridiculous things were, Lee wasn't the sort to move on instincts as much as intentions.

...The problem was that he intentionally performed reckless things in the pursuit of getting stronger.

Rachel sighed and then got out of bed. "...I am making tea. Do you want some?"

Nayun got up too and stretched. "...Yeah. I don't think I can sleep anytime soon like this."

The two walked back to the main part of the room and over to the small kitchen area.

Rachel let out a soft laugh when she did and saw that there wasn't a traditional teapot, but just a flashy steel water kettle and tea bags. "You would think they would stay on theme..."

Nayun rolled her eyes and said, "Please. This place is meant for honeymoons. I'm pretty sure the people who are supposed to be here wouldn't care for it."

Rachel's ears turned red as she started up the kettle and said, "I-I suppose that is true..."

"Is our Lady Rachel embarrassed~?" Nayun teased as she pulled out some paper cups and teabags. "Also, darjeeling, jasmine, ginger, or black tea?"

Rachel blinked, thrown off by the sudden question. Then she blinked again and furrowed her nose. "...What is with that selection?"

"Dunno." Nayun held out the tray of teabags. "Looks like they cheaped out on it. Though, I guess it was a bit much for Lee to get us a five star hotel to stay the weekend." She chuckled. "Still never letting him live down buying a honeymoon package to save money."

Rachel giggled and said, "It IS pretty funny." She leaned against the counter and said, "Lee is silly like that."

"It's why you like him, isn't it?"

Rachel tensed, bracing for another round of teasing. But when she looked over at Nayun, she saw that Nayun was serious. So Rachel relaxed and quietly said, "...A little." Her blue eyes instinctively flitted towards Lee's room and she said, "...I don't know." She placed her hand over her heart and said, "I haven't been in love before... but I feel at peace when I'm with Lee."

It wasn't the romantic all-encompassing feeling people said was love. It wasn't the heart-racing emotions that drove people mad. And Rachel didn't feel pulled towards Lee either. It was just...

Rachel let out a content sigh and said, "I just feel like life is better when I am around him."

It was a simple answer. But because it was so simple, it was undeniable.

Since meet Lee, Rachel's life had become better. More colorful. Less stressful.

Rachel had laughed more. She had made friends with Nayun and Yeonha. School work had become simpler too since Lee had both given her his notes (written in English even!) and showed her how to organize information so she could learn efficiently.

But more than that...

"...I don't have to be the princess around him." Rachel looked at Nayun and smiled. "I can be just Rachel."

That was the main reason why she liked Lee.

With him, she didn't have to pretend. She didn't have to keep up decorum.

But at the same time, Lee was also conscious of the difference in status and didn't cross the line.

Rachel wasn't stupid. She might not know much about love, but she did know people. And Lee did more than just favor her. In little ways, he was slowly weaving himself into her life.

...And that was probably it.

Lee wasn't asking her to change. Instead, he was testing where the boundaries of her life were and how he could fit inside of it rather than pulling her away.

The water kettle clicked, steam billowing as it finished heating up.

Nayun took it and poured herself a cup of jasmine tea. As she did, she said, "...It's not just a crush, is it?"

Rachel took the kettle next and poured water into a cup with a darjeeling tea bag. As she waited for it to steep, she said, "...No. Instead of a crush, it's..."

===

"When you're as pale as you are, probably. But I think that'd just make you tired from the lack of Vitamin D, wouldn't it?"

So far, it's just you on my whitelist, so if you text me, I'll know it's you.

"Thanks. But also, don't think I missed the fact that you have frequent headaches."

===

Rachel recalled all the little things Lee had said. All the tiny ways he made room for her in his life while quietly filling in the empty gaps in her life too with his presence.

After that, she let out a soft smile and said, "...I suppose I just cannot imagine life without him anymore."

Nayun stared at Rachel. Then she let out a warm smile and said, "That's good. Because as ridiculous as that guy is... I think he's good for you."

Rachel blinked. "...Really?"

"Mmhm." Nayun sipped on her tea and said, "You probably don't know about it since you've always been so busy... but when you arrived at Cube, most people thought you were either an untouchable goddess or a cold machine."

Rachel flinched, holding her cup of tea in her hands. "That is..." She was quiet and said, "I suppose that... is not untrue."

When she arrived at Cube, she had been determined to do everything she could to bring back her kingdom's prestige. Not just England, but the Kingdom of Britain itself. All of it.

Because of that, she worked herself to the bone, took medication to force through her limits, and barely got more than two hours of sleep every day.

And now...

It had barely been a week.

But Rachel had been getting a proper full eight hours of sleep every night. Since her studying was efficient now, she only needed to review one hour a day. And her schedule had been so cleared up that she even had time now to properly delve into the spirit and elemental magic that some tutors had mentioned she had affinity for in the past.

Not only that...

'It feels light now.'

The future had always felt like an impossible uphill battle that she had to fight alone.

But now...

'Even if I fall, I have people to catch me.'

Nayun was clearly there for her now too. Yeonha... well, their interests conflicted a little since <Essence of Strait> was the number one international Guild, but she was at least friendly.

Lee was definitely going to be there in one way or another... he had made that clear.

Even Kim Hajin seemed like he would lend a hand if she asked.

Nayun chuckled and said, "It's nice, isn't it? Having friends."

Rachel smiled. "Yes. I suppose it is." She sipped her tea and then frowned. "...And that is why it is so terrifying to think of losing it now."

Lee being attacked today... and mid-sentence too.

Rachel could imagine it. A hypothetical situation where Lee hadn't been so sturdy. Where his training and body was maybe just a bit less. Where he hadn't moved and was struck in the head instead.

He would have been gone. Just like that, in front of both of them.

Thinking of that...

Rachel's hands started to shake a bit and her breath grew ragged.

"Hey." Nayun set her cup of tea down and placed her hand on Rachel's shoulder. "It didn't happen. That guy wouldn't just disappear like that on us. Right?"

Rachel paused, feeling the weight of Nayun's hand. Then she slowly relaxed and said, "...Yes. Lee would not do that."

And she understood now, why he wanted to go shopping.

"...That doctor said it, right?" Rachel set her cup of tea down as well and said, "Lee's body cannot be healed with magic or potions."

Nayun moved to stand next to Rachel, shoulder to shoulder. Then she nodded and said, "That's right. Apparently, he has a weird physique that makes magic act weird around him... probably why he can't use magic power properly."

Rachel pursed her lips and said, "...Doesn't that mean that if he HAD gotten injured in the gravitation training room, he would have had to be treated like the olden days? With surgery and medication alone instead of magical equipment or potions?"

Nayun paused. Then her eyes widened. "That reckless...! Argh! That's right!" She threw her hands up and glared at the room where Lee's soft snores still echoed. "You crazy bastard...!"

Rachel huffed. "...We need to keep an eye on him."

"We need to tell Yeonha too. She'll make sure he's in line since our team assessments will tank if he's out of commission." Nayun shook her head. "To think I was worried that Kim Hajin was the one we needed to look after... at least that guy knows how to stay out of trouble. Hell, it's probably why he switched to a gun, right?"

Rachel giggled "I would not be surprised. He did seem pretty nervous at the thought of fighting monsters. Meanwhile that one..." She looked at Lee's room too and frowned. "...He actually fought monsters with his bare hands today and manually channeled the mana from mana crystals to activate his Gift. That is a level of reckless that I cannot even put into words."

"Right?!" Nayun nodded. "We DEFINITELY need to get him proper gear. I'm thinking a full suit of armor and some defensive accessories."

Rachel nodded. "Healing magic will not work, but maybe some equipment from Towers will? There should be some with effects similar to Gifts, right?"

Nayun placed a hand on her chin. "That's true... I don't know much about them, but Dad and Oppa always said that they were super valuable because they worked differently."

"Oppa?" Rachel blinked. Then she said, "Ah. Your older brother."

Nayun winced. Then she rubbed the back of her neck and said, "...Yeah. My older brother, Jinyoon. He's... well. You probably know, right?"

Rachel nodded. "The incident was all over. I'm sorry."

Nayun waved her hand. "It's fine. It was a while ago." She paused. "...It still hurts. But... he's alive, at least?"

Rachel was quiet. "...Yes. At least he is alive."

Nayun blinked. Then she said, "Oh. Right. Your mom..."

Rachel let out a thin smile. "Like you, it was a while ago. It still hurts... but it's better these days."

Nayun sighed. "...It sucks. It really isn't fair."

"Yes."

The two girls stood together for a while, sipping their tea in silence.

After a bit, Nayun said, "You know. As morbid as it is... I think today proved that people wrote off guns too quick, right?"

Rachel was stunned at the sudden change of topic. But she processed Nayun's words and then her blue eyes widened. "That... is true."

Lee had lived because of his unique circumstances.

But Rachel had seen how heavily cursed that gun was before she destroyed it. She didn't know how Lancaster had obtained it, but she did know that a man like that would not have acted without being certain of his actions.

So...

Rachel paused, confused. "...Why do people ignore guns again anyway?"

"Well... a bow is usually better. You can mold mana around arrows, but not around bullets. Also, Gifts involving guns are really rare." Nayun paused. "...But you're right. I guess if a gun had anti-magic effects or something that got past mana reinforcement like that scary curse on the gun your knight-"

"Lancaster is NOT my knight. Nor is he still a knight."

"...Like the gun that man used." Nayun hummed. "...Huh. I get why Yeonha is so excited about Kim Hajin now. He's probably going to have a rough time at Cube, but in the real world... he probably has the most options out of all of us, right? Since his Gift apparently works on 'guns' in general... he can just swap out whatever he needs for the situation."

Rachel sipped on her tea and said, "Since Lee mentioned Kim Hajin can slip through time... if he had a spatial bag to store his armory, could he not win every first encounter by simply firing from various guns and stack effects?"

Nayun slowly blinked.

Rachel kept sipping her tea.

Then Nayun said, "...Okay. Maybe I'll stop making fun of the guy. That's a REALLY good point." She sipped on her tea and said, "Most guns are mass-produced... but you COULD get a custom-made gun. And you could ALSO enchant it with whatever you need. And there are definitely some effects that would be crazy if you applied them in a short time together."

"Like frost and fire, right?" Rachel finished her tea and said, "Or you could even use support ammunition, like water bullets and lightning magic bullets. Of course, it would be expensive, but..."

"But for a Guild like the <Essence of Strait>? And if the gunner never missed too?" Nayun laughed. "Okay, I get why Lee said that Kim Hajin is scary. He really COULD pull something out of his hat... If that guy was geared up properly with ammunition, multiple guns, and a proper support team..."

Rachel giggled. "That's why Yeonha is courting him~"

Nayun burst out laughing. "She would ACTUALLY kill you for suggesting that... but." She sipped her tea and grinned. "You're not wrong. This is pretty much the first time Yeonha's been really interested in a guy, you know?"

Rachel's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Mmhm~ Yeonha and I are childhood friends, so I can say this for sure. The only other guy she was probably interested in is maybe Jonghak? But like, I think she just likes how he looks."

Rachel giggled and said, "THAT guy? The flashy guy with dyed white hair and everything? THAT's the look that Yeonha likes?"

"Well, I THOUGHT it was. But apparently she has a thing for defenseless people too." Nayun chuckled and said, "Kim Hajin gives off helpless puppy vibes, so Yeonha's maternal instincts might have kicked in. Or maybe she thinks she can turn the puppy into a wolf?"

Rachel hummed. "Maybe..." She paused and looked at Nayun. "What about you though, Nayun? What kind of guy do you like?"

Nayun blinked. "Huh? Hm..." She paused to seriously think about it. "...I don't really have a type? I mean, no guy's really caught my eye before. I guess Lee would be the closest? But he reminds me a lot of Oppa, so it's a bit weird."

Rachel tilted her head. "...Lee reminds you of your big brother?"

Nayun let out a soft smile. "...Yeah. I think that's why I like spending time with him." She swirled her tea in her cup and said, "Oppa always teased me and bantered. And he was super competent too. Like, both my dad and Yeonha's dad thought that he'd change the world once he became a Hero. But on his first mission four years ago..." She clenched her hands. "...I hate them. Those Djinn and devil worshippers...!"

Rachel was quiet. Then she placed her hand over Nayun's shoulder. "...You aren't alone either now, Nayun. You know?"

Nayun paused. Then she let out a grateful smile. "...Yeah. Thanks, Rachel." After saying that, she yawned. "...I guess the tea and chatting worked. Feeling pretty sleepy now. You?"

Rachel stifled a yawn and nodded. "Yes... We should probably sleep. If we don't wake up in time, Lee might run off and do something ridiculous without us..."

Nayun chuckled. "Oh, that's for sure. Off to sleep then... and tomorrow, covering Lee in enough gear to stop an army."

Rachel gave a serious nod. "Absolutely."

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