CHAPTER 10

Joel Usher he was a shy guy who always dreamt of being someone important. He wanted to be envied and admired. There is only one problem Joel was a normal person. He was born in a normal family, his appearance was typical, and people didn't like him. In part the people don't like him because he was self-centred, he had bad character, he was childish, petty and resentful. Of course Joel didn't think that he was that kind of person. He always thought that the problem was his family and his classmates.

Joel loves to read stories of harem, heroes and reincarnations. He believes firmly that If he will have the opportunity to be reborn in another world he definitely can be like one of these protagonists. He didn't imagine that he actually had an opportunity. He read a story about a girl who joined a game because her real world was destroyed because of a plague. Ashley was her name. However Joel didn't like it. The story was about a girl that left her fears behind and became a great warrior and magician but the story didn't have a male lead. Ashley continues her journey alone with only some friends until the story went on pause. The story never wasn't ended. Joel enraged with that kind of stupid story wrote a fan fiction with himself of a male lead. The fans of the story don't like Joel's fan fiction and they insulted Joel by calling his fan fiction a stupid boy's dream. Maybe it was because Joel was so obsessed with that story that started to dream about it. But his dreams were similar to his fan fiction. At that time someone appeared in front of him and told him that the images that he saw in his dreams were real. Drake was his hope. He offered a chance to be reborn in the world of the game. He claimed Joel that he definitely will be the male lead of that world. Joel didn't doubt Drake because he showed Joel magic even in his world.

Joel was reborn already in the game. He has a lot of advantage over the other players. He quickly increased his level. He was the first to start to oppress the weaker players and he broke some rules of the game. He helped with the creation of the assassins guilds and the attacks on the cities. He knew the flow of the novel. So he wanted to enjoy until the 'first event'. What he never imagined was that the first event would come early because of his actions.

Ashley had to escape some players incited by Joel's action to the dungeon prematurely. At the beginning Joel planned to save Ashley and take her confidence thanks to that. But it never happened because Alan saved her life. When Joel realized that his first plan failed, he thought that it was normal. The story can suffer some changes. So he prepared his second plan. Get Leila out of the way and become Ashley's friend and sponsor. The iron magician blood was the leader of the second best team of the game. Joel wanted her position and her team. The plan was a success.

Even If Leila could escape, Joel has everything important about her. However, Leila reached to meet Ashley. It destroyed all his plans and efforts. In addition Ashley helped Leila to destroy his reputation and lost his position. Why do you want it all for you? I tried to give you the easiest way to Ashley. Why do you stand in my way? Well, it will have to be the hard way. He almost had the victory in his hand but Ashley became mad and destroyed everything. Ashley I won't leave you. You will not ruin my dream when it is so close. If you get in my way I will destroy you too.

***

Ashley went by between the two teams. She went to the dungeons very often with the guys of Alan's team. Sometimes Ashley makes a pair with only Alan. They traveled for several days and during this time Ashley took advantage of asking Alan. When did he create the team? Where does he know his companions? Alan was very cooperative with Ashley and said anything she asked.

Alan told her that he knew those guys before they joined the game, they were his companions in the real world. They created the team at the beginning of the game. They aren't a team too big like the Order of the Red Dragon but they have many strong people in his team.

—It sounds nice...Alan can I ask you something? —Alan nodded and Ashley continued somewhat hesitantly.

—Is it your real appearance? —Alan was surprised by the strange question.

—Yes... —Ashley let out an exclamation sound while she moved closer to Alan.

—Wow! I imagine that you had a lot of suitors. Didn't you? — Alan was stiff with the closeness of Ashley.

—Not really —Ashley looked at him like a liar and he explained — My family background wasn't good and I didn't have patience with anyone, so most women hate me — Ahsley laughed and said.

—I can't imagine that — The sun began to set and Ashley suddenly said to Alan.

—It's amazing and beautiful. Doesn't it? — Alan looked at the landscape and thought that maybe it was beautiful but he liked the quiet smile on Ashley's face more.

—It's getting late, Ashley let's go back —Ashley and he walked for a while and suddenly started to rain powerfully.

—Seriously? Why has to rain now? — Ashley said, upset.

—I don't know —Alan saw the sky and thought that maybe the rain wouldn't stop soon.

—What do we do? — Alan asked Ashley. She thought there wasn't a sense in using skills to escape only because of the rain.

—Look for a inn — Alan agreed with her. But it wasn't easy because the inns of the town were almost all taken. After looking for a while they found one something expensive but it had only one problem. There was only one room available.

Alan thought to leave it for Ashley and he would waited outside. Of course Ashley rejected his offer and obliged Alan to come with her. There was a sofa in the room. So Alan had to sleep there.

In the middle of the night thunder sounds. When it sounded, Ashley woke up startled. Alan listened to her movements and moves closer to her.

—Ashley —She doesn't answer Alan. Another thunder sound and Ashley covers her ears, trembling. Ashley hates the thunder. Those remember her the days of the orphanage and even though she can use thunder magic, she doesn't bear the thunder. It is strange.

Alan moved towards Ashley carefully and when he touched Ashley hands those were completely cold.

—Ashley, it's okay. I'm here — Alan hugs Ashley slowly and gives pats in her hair. Ashley holds on strongly to Alan. She couldn't sleep until the thunder stopped. It was almost at dawn when Ashley fell asleep in Alan's arms. Alan leans back Ashley carefully but when he wants to get out of bed. Ashley didn't let go of her gripped. He tried a few times without success. He didn't want to be rough with her after she finally falled asleep. With a sigh stay in his place and eventually he falls asleep too.

***

The next morning Ashley felt comfortable when she woke up. Although when she opened her eyes and saw the face of Alan in front of her eyes. She was frozen. Ashley wanted to move but she was hugged firmly by Alan. Ashley remembered her behavior last night and feels very embarrassed. Her face was blushed and after Ashley took deep sighs she could look at Alan's face again.

Ashley has never seen the face of Alan sleeping. It was so interesting. His features softened with his eyes closed. Ashley had remembered the thought that she had when she met him. He is really handsome. Alan didn't seem to want to wake up anytime soon. So Ashley moved carefully and came out of his grip after trying for a while. Ashley covered Alan with the blanket and leaves the room. When Alan awakens Ashley already has returned.

—Hi —Ashley greeted Alan with a little smile.

Alan, who was sleepy, said —Hi, Ash — Ashley was surprised by the use of her nickname but she didn't say anything and just smiled.

—Do you want to eat something? —Alan nodded distractedly and Ashley laughed gently and served the meal for Alan.

Ashley knew his tastes. So she avoids giving him coffee and eggs. It wasn't easy to discover the tastes in food of Alan. He always ate all kinds of food or it seemed like that on the surface. But after sharing almost two year by his side. Ashley could notice that Alan doesn't like the coffee and he didn't eat eggs in the morning. It was funny to discover that Alan could have children's tastes. After all, Ashley at the beginning saw Alan like a somewhat unrealistic person. He looks like someone that could do anything. But with time Ashley realized that it wasn't possible. He is just a human after all.

—Was it tasty? —Alan was already fully awake and said something uncomfortable.

—Yes...— Alan can't believe that he slept so soundly that he couldn't notice when Ashley got out of the bed. Ashley picked up the plates and walked to the door.

—Ashley —Alan calls her but she shakes her head.

—Ash — Alan blinked confused.

—Huh?

—Call me Ash, I like that you call me like that — Ashley smiled brightly and got out.

Alan was dazed and after a while he grabbed his face with irritation and his ears blushed.