Maya's Jealousy

"I have to go check the items they found. Do you intend to come along?" John asked Ash and Maya, and he immediately walked to the Town Hall.

John quickly left Ash and Maya standing where they were, exchanging uncertain glances. After a few seconds, Ash took a deep breath and said, "Let's follow him. I'm curious about what they found."

Maya nodded in agreement, and they both hurried to catch up with John towards the Town Hall. Jagu followed them, trotting along behind and occasionally darting off to chase pigeons.

As they walked, Ash felt someone's gaze directed at him.

Ash turned his head and saw a very beautiful girl with hazelnut-colored eyes and hair, staring at him.

His heart seemed to stop. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

She was wearing black clothing and a short skirt, with white armor, and carrying two kodachi on her back.

Her long brown hair fluttered in the wind. She smiled when Ash looked at her.

Ash then turned his slightly blushing face away and continued walking.

Maya, who was walking behind him, also glanced at the girl. However, she turned her face away, blushing not out of embarrassment, but out of a slight jealousy.

***

They arrived at the Town Hall, where several people were busily moving back and forth, carrying the items discovered by the team earlier.

These items filled about a quarter of the Town Hall's area.

There were various items such as cooking utensils, food supplies, books, children's toys, gemstones, swords, spears, armors, and many others.

Ash crouched down with great interest, examining the items up close.

Maya followed suit, crouching down beside him. Jagu was also busy sniffing all the items.

John stood, observing the inventory list given to him by one of the men who was still wearing armor.

Not long after, Gabriel joined them. He looked like he had just showered and was now wearing a t-shirt and shorts.

John and Gabriel talked about the items they had found.

Ash stood up and approached John, who turned and allowed him to join the discussion.

"Look, we found at least fifty special items in the Olivian group. And there are thirty people in this team. Ideally, they should get one special item each. Those who contributed the most should get rare items as well," John said to Gabriel.

"But if we do that," Gabriel replied, "some team members will be dissatisfied because they believe they also contributed significantly to the raid on the Olivian group."

Ash stood up and moved closer to John, listening intently to their conversation.

John said, "Alright, but at least those who contributed the most should be given the opportunity to choose."

"Okay," Gabriel said, then turned to Ash and said, "Your uncle here is still too nice to be a leader. Haha."

"Umm, I don't know. I just met him today," Ash said honestly.

Gabriel raised an eyebrow in curiosity, but didn't say anything.

"Ash, would you like to join us in two days to hunt for items?" Gabriel asked suddenly.

John shifted his attention from checking the items to Gabriel, then asked, "Why should he come along? He's still new."

Gabriel responded, "That's exactly why. We want to see his capabilities."

"Oh, I'd love to," Ash suddenly replied. He was eager to see how a team of a group handled the findings.

"Hmm. Alright then," said John, conceding.

***

That night, Ash was having a conversation with John at his house. Ash had now moved in and was living with John, while Maya stayed at the inn. Of course, Jagu had come along with Ash.

While both sitting by the table, they talked about many things, especially about Maria, Ash's mother. Ash also discovered that John had the profession of Hunter, with Warrior skills, and had already reached level 90! He will be able to come home soon after reaching level 100!

They also discussed Michael, who wrote The Captain's Diary. John showed a grief expression when he heard that Ash had never met him, and assumed he already died.

"Are you sure you want to go with Gabriel? Tomorrow's mission is not an easy one," John asked him.

Ash replied, "Of course, Uncle. I found The Supreme Magus Grimoire."

"Hmm," John tried to recall what that item was, he felt like he had heard of it before.

Suddenly, he pounded the table, causing Jagu to wake up from his sleep on the carpet, and then said, "Oh, I know! It's the one that can trap creatures inside its pages. Where did you find it?"

"I found it in the tropical rainforest. It was my first quest," said Ash.

"Hmmm. So the one who stole it from me is dead," said John. "What creatures have you captured so far?"

Ash put down his coffee cup and said, "Just one. The Giant Spider."

John raised his eyebrows and then asked, "And this big cat?" pointing towards Jagu.

"Oh, I got Jagu because I swallowed an item..." Ash then recounted his experience with Gunnar.

John nodded in understanding and then said, "Now I feel relieved, you will be able to take care of yourself. Get some rest. You need to leave early tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, Uncle," said Ash while getting up from his seat. They then went to sleep in their respective beds.

***

The next morning, Ash gathered in the parking lot with Gabriel's team, consisting of ten people: eight men including Ash, and two women, including the brown-haired girl who had smiled at Ash two days back.

Ash was wearing his new black armor, a gift from John. He also didn't forget to bring his Tenebris Sword, and of course, Jagu.

Maya stood on the side of the group ready to depart, with a sullen expression. The brown-haired girl, whose name was Liliana, kept chatting with Ash, which only made Maya more irritated.

However, Ash was unaware of what was happening in Maya's heart. He just assumed that Maya was upset because she wasn't allowed to join.

Ash approached Maya and said goodbye to his only friend, causing Maya to brighten up again.

However, when she saw Ash sitting in the van next to Liliana, she started to frown once more.