Pride Online

Chapter 551: A Challenge from Bloody Iron Beast Part II

“What is it, Kong? Have you been fighting a dinosaur?”

The owner of a manly voice laughed and slammed his big hand on the boy’s back. The poor boy could only smile awkwardly.

“I practiced Heaven Slashing all night, that’s why.”

Kong touched his reddened forehead. It was obvious that he ran into something. His arms were full of bandages and his eyes were like those of a panda.

“You sure it was a practice? It looks like you’ve been suffering from withdrawal at some cave.”

“Tun...”

The boy moaned. The teaser laughed even louder and patted the boy’s head.

“What about Angie? Where has she gone? I thought you guys were inseparable.” Tunwa asked.

“I just tucked her in just now, otherwise she wouldn’t rest.”

“You’re like Angie’s lap dog, but at the same time, you’re also a babysitter. Don’t you think you’re spoiling her?” He smiled.

“If it’s not that bad, I just do it. I’m very easygoing anyway.”

Tunwa laughed. “Maybe that’s why she’s so attached to you.”

“Hehehe.” The boy scratched his head embarrassingly.

The two of them walked to the cafeteria, hoping to get some breakfast.

“What do we have for breakfast, Tun?” Kongkiat asked.

“Umm~ I think Christina tried using dragon meat as a kebab filling.”

The boy raised his eyebrows.

“What’s a kebab? Is it Indian?”

“Moron. That’s mataba. Kebab is Turkish.” Tunwa beamed at him.

“And... do people eat dragon meat?”

“It’s delicious. Beef is out of the question. I tried once in Venesia with Na. There’re so many good restaurants there. I’ll take you there one day... Ah!”

He had not even finished his dragon meat story when a small figure hit him so hard she almost fell. He was about to scold whoever that was when he realized that it was someone close.

“Nuch?” He raised his eyebrows.

“Heh? What are you running from, Nuch?” Kongkiat asked.

“....”

Nuchjaree did not say anything. She glanced at Tunwa for a short second before running off, leaving the boys frowning so tightly. Tunwa’s face clearly showed worry.

“What’s happening? She seems to be in a hurry.”

Kongkiat asked. Tunwa’s gaze still followed her back worriedly. What was that facial expression of hers? Nuch had never made that face before!

“Kong, you go eat first. I’ll be there in a sec.”

Tunwa smiled at the boy and ran towards Nuch.

“Eh? Where are you going? I thought you were hungry?” Kongkiat shouted behind him.

“I have some business to attend to. Just spare some food for me.”

----------------

At the tail of the ship with an emergency exit, the door was opened widely. The heavy rain could be seen very clearly. The strong wind blew into the ship, and the man’s golden-brown hair was fanned against the wind.

Tunwa panted a little since he had to catch up to his friend who seemed to run faster every minute. The tall figure decided to walk up to the emergency door. He grabbed the edge of the door and leaned out.

He saw Nuchjaree hugging her knees on the metal emergency stairs. She really seemed off. Even if the world was ending, it was new to him to see her like this. Tunwa let out a long sigh.

“Why are you here alone? Shooting an MV?”

A gentle voice rang with a smile on Tunwa’s face. The girl was startled a little but still did not say anything.

“Can you please leave me alone?” Nuchjaree said.

Hearing that, Tunwa shrugged and sat down beside her. She halted and turned to him.

“I told you that I want to be alone.”

“If you said you want to be alone, doesn’t that mean you wanted someone to accompany you?”

Nuchjaree glanced at the man beside her and could only sigh. She turned the other way, irritated. The man looked so happy she hated it!

“What is it?” Tunwa asked.

“Nothing. Just irritated. That time of the month.”

“Heh.” The man scoffed. “No woman would talk so casually about it like that, you know? If it was true, it doesn’t affect you in the game anyway.”

“...Tsk.”

She made a noise. Mr. Know-it-all sure irritated her.

“It’s nothing. I just have a lot on my mind.”

“Is it about Sven?”

Tunwa was so straight to the point that the girl halted. Nuchjaree did not even turn to look at him.

“You know that Na and May have already decided to let him go back to his guild.”

“Mhmm.” Nuchjaree accepted.

“You’re worried about it?” Tunwa asked with a smile.

The girl gave him a glare.

“Why do I have to be?!” She shouted.

Tunwa only smiled slightly.

“You really don’t know?”

“....”

The girl went quiet. Her rust-colored eyes were opened widely. Her rosy lips parted a little. She started to frown and looked at Tunwa. It was all so confusing. She shook her head.

Tunwa laughed again.

“No wonder the whole university thinks we’re together.” He smiled. “Maybe it’s because we’re similar... Too similar, even.”

“What do you mean?” Nuchjaree narrowed her eyes.

“You like him, don’t you?”

“Huh?” The girl frowned.

“Sven. You like him, right?”

“Li..!?”

The girl’s face flushed so hard. She was startled so hard that she forgot to keep her cool.

“A-are you crazy? Who likes that guy? I’m not worried about that!”

“I see.” Tunwa was still calm. “So, you’re stressed because he’s about to disappear?”

“No!” Nuchjaree denied it with her shout. “Why do I have to?”

Tunwa smiled slightly. It was an awkward one. He looked at his hands. This girl was so much like him. She was just tricking herself into believing so. It would be too late when she finally realized it.

Even though she had this good opportunity.

She always had what she wanted by her side, but she never bothered to care.

“Think about it, Nuch, before you decide to say something. I want you to think about what you’re actually worried about right now.” He smiled at her. “Believe me. Whatever you decide to do, no one’d blame you.”

He put his hand on the girl’s shoulder. The girl went so quiet as if she was switched off. She lowered her face down and did not say anything more. Her face was as red as a tomato.

“Don’t overthink it. Just be the normal you: cheerful, angry, truthful, and caring. That’s enough.”

Tunwa squeezed her shoulder slightly and smiled at her. This was probably the first time in almost four years that this man said something so nice to her. Every time they tried to talk to each other, it ended up in an entertaining fight.

“A man like you can really console someone? Strange.”

Nuchjaree was surprised. The man let out a scoff.

“You can still joke around, woman.”

“Ouch, ouch...”

He rubbed her hair so hard that she finally smiled. This man seemed to understand everything about her. Maybe it was what we called best friends.

“What are you going to do next?” Tunwa asked.

“I don’t know.” Nuchjaree shook her head slowly and lowered her head down again.

Tunwa glanced at his friend, wanting to ask something like “You won’t leave us, right?”, but he did not dare to. He knew that it was one of the options Nuchjaree had in mind.

“You...”

“If I figured it out, you’d be the first to know, my friend.”

The girl smiled sweetly at him. She seemed to be better now that she had a chance to get it off her. Actually, she did not have to say anything, and this guy already knew what she was thinking.

“Thanks.” She beamed at him. “Talking to you makes me feel lighter, even just for a little. Are you sure you’re not a wizard?”

“Huh? Ahh...”