Jin-Woo was not just surprised but also cautious toward this new appearance who introduced himself as Haruka Nanase, someone whose origin belongs to a neighboring country in the same continent.
For Haru to approach him without getting noticed by his sharpened perception, Jin-Woo evaluated that the boy was a trained assassin or had some skill that wholly suppressed his presence.
Whatever it was, Jin-Woo made a mental note to keep an eye on the guy not because he had peculiar powers but because he was close to Jinah.
"What do you see my sister as?"
Jinah grew flustered by the sudden question since against her expectation, the atmosphere between the two men didn't look good. And now her Oppa was asking something so suddenly despite knowing that she and Haru were only friends.
On the other side, Haru fought the urge to smirk to see the protective brother being so cautious around him like Haru had thoughts of harming Jinah.
Haru primarily thought to approach Jin-Woo naturally since he already knew Jin-Woo would be wanting to meet the guy who convinced Jinah to go on a shopping date.
But in the end, Haru used his skill [Trackless Steps] to appear before the protagonist much to the latter's surprise. Haru thought that Jin-Woo might sense him, but, the future monarch was still green
"I and Jinah are only friends nothing else, Sunbae. Since I am not familiar with the place, I asked whether she could help me with shopping."
Haru played it innocent since Jinah was not someone who would go against her Oppa's words if once Jin-Woo decides to not let her go with Haru. The Six Eye holder might not be intimidated by the protagonist as he thought, but sometimes it was better to play safe to get what you desire.
Jin-Woo narrowed his eyes at the boy and he sensed the subtle mana leaking out of him. It was given that he was awakened but Jin-Woo was more interested in knowing his rank for various reasons.
However, that could wait, since for now, there was something more important to deal with.
Turning toward his sister who was worriedly standing at the side, Jin-Woo took out a card before forwarding it toward the girl.
"Call this number if any situation arises. And return home before nine, okay?"
Jinah mindlessly looked at the card which had the name 'Ahn Sangmin' written in the middle before nodding toward her brother, still not sure what he was talking about.
Jin-Woo turned toward Haru once again before walking away after leaving his parting words.
"Take care of her."
*****
"I am sorry about my brother. He...he generally doesn't behave like that..."
Inside the subway, Jinah finally mustered up the courage to offer an apology for the sudden change in attitude her oppa had toward Haru even though there was nothing to get worried about.
Jinah never had made any friends without observing them, since she knew how a person could influence someone else with just their company. Yet her brother only saw Haru in the lights of suspicion, despite Jinah telling him that they were just friends.
The awkwardness arose so much between them, that from the school to the subway station, they talked not a single word. It was like yesterday when they were having a casual chat but now it seemed that was nothing but a false dream and here they were back to zero.
"You don't have to apologize, Jinah. Since from Sunbae's point of view, I can understand how he must be feeling."
Jinah tilted her head before turning toward her right where sat Haru. There were not many people on the train which helped both of them to sit comfortably and travel toward the main city.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you are a girl in her prime teenage and going on a date with a guy your brother has never seen you before with, naturally would raise some suspicion, no?"
Jinah was nodding all along but when she heard a specific word, her head froze in place and her face began slightly heating up.
'D-D-Da-Da.... '
Jin entirely forgot the thought of regarding this trip as a date which in all right seemed so. She was so occupied with helping Haru around and with her Oppa's behavior just now, that she completely skimmed over the fact that it was the first time for Jinah to accompany someone shopping other than her family. And more so, it was someone of the opposite gender.
At the current generation, it might be not much to ponder about but for Jinah who has devoted her life to studies and her family, she was a pure maiden through and through who never thought of having a romance in her schooling life. Yet here she was on the way to a shopping date with Haru.
'Really...you are realizing it now... '
At the side, Haru chuckled inwardly to see the all-time confident and easygoing Jinah, blushing so furiously since she must have realized now that it was a kind of date. Not a romantic one but still it was her first time so that reaction was natural.
He wanted to pat the girl and soothe her worries but he held back since that much closeness has yet to build and Haru was not going to rush things.
*****
The same day, late at night, Jin-Woo picked Han Song-Yi and took her to the C-rank gate which was assigned to the White Tiger guild.
Through special permission, Jin-Woo and Song-Yi along with other hunters entered the dungeon which in turn changed into Red Gate instantly throwing everyone into a different dimension.
Sensing the severity of the matter, the raid leader Kim Chul separated the strong ones from the weaker side of the team which included both Song-Yi and Jin-Woo so the raid leader could survive without the dead weights.
For some reason, the B-rank mage, Park Heejin chose to be with Jin-Woo and left Kin Chul's team. Later it was known that she trusted in Jin-Woo's capability which was why she followed him.
Unlike Kim Chul's team which went on the snowy path, Jin-Woo told the team to follow him to the forest because of the creatures they saw just upon arriving in the dungeon.
Ice Elves.
Since the forest was the territory of Ice bears they had to think about those only, and when Jin-Woo hit and killed one of the biggest sizes bears the team was assured that they did the right thing following the man.
After the day fell, everyone gathered around a campfire and began roasting bear meat to have dinner while chatting casually among themselves.
With Jin-Woo taking care of the surroundings, the raid team became relaxed and was able to feel a sense of security despite being still stuck inside a red gate.
Just like others, at a side, Song-Yi and Jin-Woo sat, side by side as they chatted about the single person who knows both of them mutually. Jinah.
Song-Yi was genuinely surprised to hear that at home Jinah was just like any other girl who like to eat sleep and play. Half of it she didn't believe even if it came from Jinah's brother since the grades Jinah gains are not something one could score while lazing around.
Finding the opportunity, Jin-Woo asked something he had in mind since evening.
"What do you know about Nanase Haruka?"
Song-Yi raised her brows as she tore off the meat from her stick and looked at Jin-Woo in perplexion to hear Haru's name all of a sudden from him.
She didn't ponder much before she spoke in between her chews.
"Umm...he's a good-natured guy, handsome as heck to get dozens of confessions, and also is good in studies. But why do you ask, mister?"
"And what about his parents?"
Song-Yi was really confused at this point about why Jin-Woo was suddenly interested in Haru but she answered anyway.
"He doesn't have any blood-related parents but I have met his adoptive parents onc-Wait! Don't tell me, Jinah is now a thing with Haru!?"
The stars in Song-Yi's eyes glimmered brightly which made it seem she was pretty excited about this ship, much to Jin-Woo's confusion. He shrugged it off before he got up.
"Where are you going?"
The green-eyed mage asked Jin-Woo to which the man replied vaguely before disappearing into the shadows.
"To exercise."
____________________
A/N: - Jin-Woo is not overprotective but he cares about his family a lot, as you guys have seen in the manhwa. Once Jin-Woo tests Haru's strengths and intentions, Jin-Woo would gladly let Haru have Jinah.
But it will take time tho~
Btw I write original works as well. You can write my name on Google and you may find my novels;)