LOCATION – UNKNOWN

In a purple fog environment, Saber stood with his eyes closed. As he opened them, he muttered, "Where the hell am I now? Did I reincarnate again? Well, I guess good for me."

He walked around, hearing a whisper. Turning in that direction, he saw a large stone boulder with chains around it and a lock. As he touched the boulder, flashbacks of all his moments on Earth flooded his mind. He stepped backward with a face of disgust and puked. A noise whispered, "Wake up..." growing louder until he screamed, "Don’t!"

THAASH! Chloe slaps Saber to wake him up

"Wake up! How long are you going to sleep?" Chloe's voice jolted him awake. Saber found himself in bed, all sweaty, with Chloe on top of him.

"Were you having a panic attack? Looked like you were 'sleep activating,'" Chloe said.

"Is that even a word, Chloe?" Saber asked.

"No, I just made it up," she replied.

"More importantly, why are you in MY room? More specifically, on TOP of me?" Saber questioned.

"Just watching you getting harassed in your sleep," Chloe said with a smirk.

She really was enjoying the show, wasn’t she? Saber thought.

"So how was the experience?" Chloe asked.

"Not good," Saber replied.

"Ao! Was it too big to handle?" Chloe teased.

"I’m amazed at how you can even speak like that with a straight face," Saber said, shaking his head.

"Anyways, now quickly get your coins and clothes," Chloe instructed.

"Why?" Saber asked.

"Because we are going to do some shopping before your first raid," Chloe explained.

But I’m on a budget, ma'am, Saber thought.

"Now come on, hurry up, hurry up!" Chloe urged.

"At least let me take a bath," Saber protested.

30 minutes later

"Alright, I’m ready," Saber announced.

"EIA! A naked pervert is in my room! Please save my innocence," Chloe exclaimed, wrapped up in a blanket.

"THIS IS MY ROOM!! And I’m wearing clothes!" Saber retorted.

"You look great!" Chloe said with a grin.

"So ma'am, where are we heading?" Saber asked.

"Don’t know, where the winds take us, I guess," Chloe replied.

"Alright, ma'am, as you say," Saber agreed.

As they got out, Saber closed the door behind them.

"Oh, and by the way, what is 'ma'am'?" Chloe asked.

"It is generally told to girls to give respect," Saber explained, though he wasn't entirely sure.

"Then keep calling me ma'am. After all, I am a gem," Chloe said proudly.

"You mean germ?" Saber teased.

"No way, that’s rude," Chloe pouted.

"Alright, germ," Saber said with a chuckle.

While walking on the streets

"Alright, newbie, time to gear up for that dungeon raid. First stop, the armor shop! Try not to drool over the shiny stuff," Chloe said.

"Gears! Like armor and stuff. Or are you bulletproof?" she asked.

"Obviously not," Saber replied.

"Then, are you... MAN OF STEEL?" Chloe joked.

"IT DOESN’T MAKE ANY SENSE! Seriously, from which side of your family do you get your thinking power from?" Saber asked, exasperated.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"From the right side because I am always right," Chloe said with a smirk.

Can I please hit you with a rod as hard as I could for once? I’ll make sure not to miss that golden OHKO strike, Saber thought.

"Are you secretly admiring my supreme ideology?" Chloe teased.

Again! Just one chance! Saber thought.

"So what are you thinking to buy?" Chloe asked.

"What did YOU buy in your first raid?" Saber countered.

"Oh! I bought a pair of shoes, then a couple of cute dresses, and..." Chloe began.

Did I say raid? Pretty sure I did, Saber thought.

"So I think you should—" Chloe started.

"Nah, I’m about to do my own thing," Saber interrupted.

They entered the armor shop, where rows of gleaming armor sets lined the walls.

"Hey, Mr. Smith! Got anything that screams ‘I’m a hero but also a bit clueless’ for my friend here?" Chloe called out.

The blacksmith chuckled, shaking his head. Saber's face turned a deeper shade of red as Chloe winked at him.

"Um, maybe something simple…" Saber said, trying to regain his composure.

"Simple? Where’s the fun in that? How about this one?" Chloe held up a set of armor adorned with intricate, glowing runes. "You’ll look like a walking light show!"

Saber’s eyes widened, both impressed and embarrassed. "I-I don’t know if I can pull that off…"

"Nonsense! You’ll be the talk of the town. Besides, it’s not like you can get any more attention than you already do with me around," Chloe laughed, patting him on the back.

They moved on to the weapon shop, where Chloe’s teasing continued. She picked up a massive sword and handed it to Saber. "Here, try this on for size. It’s only slightly bigger than you."

Saber struggled to lift the sword, nearly toppling over. Chloe burst into laughter, drawing the attention of other shoppers.

"Maybe something lighter…" Saber suggested, trying to regain his balance.

"Alright, alright. How about this one?" Chloe handed him a sleek, enchanted blade. "Perfect for slicing through dungeon monsters and impressing the ladies."

As Saber held the sword, a screen popped up in front of him.

WEAPON INFO

REGULAR ATTACK SWORD

RANGE- 60CM DURABLILITY- GOOD

POWER- 25HP SPEED- EXCELLENT

Saber’s face turned crimson. "I-I think this will do."

As they left the shop, Chloe couldn’t resist one last tease. "You know, Saber, if you keep blushing like that, people might think you’re in love with me."

Saber stammered, "N-No way! I just… it’s just hot out here!"

Chloe laughed, ruffling his hair. "Sure, whatever you say. Now, let’s get some potions. Can’t have you fainting in the middle of a raid."

The townsfolk watched them with amused smiles, clearly entertained by Chloe’s antics and Saber’s endearing reactions. It was clear that Chloe’s popularity wasn’t just because of her skills, but also her ability to bring out the best—and the blushes—in those around her.

Chloe and Saber entered the potion shop, a cozy little place filled with shelves of colorful bottles and the faint scent of herbs. The shopkeeper, an elderly woman with a kind smile, greeted them warmly.

"Ah, Chloe! Always a pleasure to see you. And who is this young man?" she asked.

"This is Saber, my new partner in crime. We’re gearing up for a dungeon raid," Chloe introduced him.

Saber gave a shy nod, still feeling the heat from Chloe’s earlier teasing.

"Well, you’ve come to the right place. What can I get for you today?" the shopkeeper inquired.

"We’ll need some health potions, mana potions, and maybe a few of those special elixirs you keep hidden in the back," Chloe replied.

The shopkeeper chuckled and began gathering the items. Chloe turned to Saber with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"You know, Saber, these elixirs are said to boost your confidence. Maybe you should take a few," she suggested.

Saber’s face turned red again. "I-I think I’ll be fine without them…"

"Suit yourself. But don’t come crying to me if you freeze up in front of a monster," Chloe teased. "And I’m waiting outside, ok?"

"Got it," Saber agreed.

The shopkeeper brought the potions and handed them to Saber. "How much are these?" he asked.

"Oh, it’s alright. You are with Chloe, so that is the least we can do. After what her brother did, even a lifetime supply for her would be insufficient," the shopkeeper replied.

"Is it because of him that you two are so close now?" Saber asked.

"You can say that," the shopkeeper nodded.

"So what did her brother do?" Saber inquired.

"Her brother and she visited my store since they were seven years old, coming for the frozen milk every day," the shopkeeper began.

Saber thought, She means ice-cream.

"They both wanted to become adventurers and they became a fine young pair of adventurers, always helping out people in need. Even after becoming popular adventurers, they didn’t forget to pay me a visit. Their parents were both irresponsible, so her brother had to take care of young Chloe. And what’s the highest paying job in this town? Yes! Being an adventurer. Chloe always followed his footsteps, no matter the difficulty.

Even I took care of both of them as my own grandchildren, sometimes inviting them to have dinners with me. Those days were fun!

One day, a group of thugs tried to loot the entire town. They had very scary weapons and didn’t hesitate to kill those who didn’t give them money, not even sparing the children," she recounted, tears in her eyes.

"Her brother assembled the entire adventurers' community and took the heavy leadership responsibility on his own shoulders. Under his direction, they captured the thug leader and made the thugs retreat. Since then, her brother was known as the ‘Hero of the Ridge.’

Everything was going peacefully after that day… But one day, the party went into the highest level dungeon ever appeared here. Some say that dungeon was only suitable for the hero’s party," she continued.

"After that, I know the rest," Saber said softly.

"Young boy, I have a request for you," the shopkeeper said, her eyes widening. "I’ve seen my own grandchildren pass away in front of my eyes. Please don’t let me add another name. Please, please."

"Please take care of my shiny sunflower for me," the shopkeeper said with a plea.

After listening to the entire story, how can I tell you the truth? How could I tell you that I’m a weak bastard myself? Saber thought, picturing himself standing in front of a dead body covered in cloth. But I’m not a heartless freak. He slowly reached his hands towards hers. I’m not a cold stone. He grabbed her hands gently.

Her eyes widened in surprise.

"You don’t have to worry," Saber said with a serious face. "You don’t have to take stress. I’ll be her supporter. I’ll be Chloe’s back!"

Outside, Chloe stood with her hand on her forehead, one eye closed, waiting for Saber.

Chapter 5- Chloe Zar