HA-RIN'S ODYSSEY (CHAPTER 1)

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The scent of honeysuckle and the laughter of children filled the air as Ha-rin skipped alongside her father, Park Seok-jin, through the bustling marketplace. He was a renowned warrior, a hero of the kingdom, his name whispered with respect and admiration. Ha-rin, his only daughter, was the apple of his eye, a bright spark in his otherwise solitary life.

Seok-jin was a single father, his wife having passed away when Ha-rin was just a baby. He had dedicated his life to raising his daughter, showering her with love and affection. He taught her to ride horses, to wield a sword, and to always stand up for what was right. Ha-rin was his everything, his reason for living.

Their days were filled with laughter and stories. Seok-jin would regale her with tales of his battles, his voice booming with pride as he described his victories. He'd teach her to wield a sword, her small hands gripping the wooden practice blade with determination. He instilled in her the values of courage, loyalty, and justice. "You are strong, Ha-rin," he'd say, his eyes filled with love, "stronger than you know." She was his shadow, his confidante, his everything.

"Of course, Daddy. I'm your daughter, after all," she smiled. Seok-jin smiled back, patting her head.

"Seok-jin!" Auntie said, knocking on the door. Seok-jin rushed to the door and opened it. "Oh, Soo-jin, why?" he said with a trembling voice. He was kind of scared of Ha-rin's auntie. "Did you forget? Are you that old to be so forgetful, hmm?" Seok-jin was confused at first, then he realized. He had to help the king, his cousin.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of Ha-rin. Go to work; we'll wait for you." Seok-jin nodded, grabbed his things, and said goodbye to Ha-rin. Ha-rin just looked at her father as he left. "Daddy has work again? I wish when I grow up I'll be like him," she said, looking at her auntie.

Soo-jin was cooking when Ha-rin kept asking her what kind of monster her daddy was fighting. "I don't know, Ha-rin. You can ask him when he gets home, okay?" Ha-rin nodded excitedly; she really wanted to ask her dad right away.

While Ha-rin was eating dinner, she kept looking at the door, wondering what time her dad would come home. "Daddy will be late again, Auntie?" Soo-jin looked at her with worry in her eyes. "Don't worry, he'll be back soon. Let's pray for him, okay?" Ha-rin nodded, stopped eating, and prayed for her father's safety.

"God, please take care of my daddy. I hope he comes home safe... Don't let him leave me. I wish he could bake me a lot of cakes when he comes back. Amen." Soo-jin looked at Ha-rin with a smile on her lips. "Your daddy will be safe. God will take care of him always, okay?" They continued to eat dinner.

After they were done eating, Ha-rin waited for her dad. While waiting, she fell asleep. When she woke up, she saw that she was in her bed. She ran downstairs and saw her dad cooking breakfast.

"You're awake. Did you sleep well?" Ha-rin immediately ran to her father and hugged him. "You're safe again, Daddy! God heard me again," she said excitedly. Seok-jin looked at her, and his heart melted. He loved how his daughter always prayed for him. "Daddy will always be safe, always."

Seok-jin told his daughter about his new adventure outside the village and how he fought. These stories really excited Ha-rin; she wanted to grow up fast and be like her dad. "Daddy, when I grow up, I'll be like you! Stronger!" Seok-jin tickled Ha-rin, making her laugh loudly. "No one's going to be stronger than me," he said, teasing Ha-rin.

"Father!" Ha-rin screamed. She was sweating badly and panting, having a fever. She looked around. "Dad...?" She put her hand on her head, feeling stressed out. "Why am I dreaming about you again, Father? Why?" she said, on the verge of tears.

TO BE CONTINUE ಥ⁠╭⁠╮⁠ಥ

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