The sunlight, filtered through a dirty window, speared through the gym, casting long shadows across the polished floor. Mirrors lining the walls reflected the scene in a distorted way, creating a confusing maze. Rows of gleaming weights, treadmills, and punching bags stood as a testament to the hard training regime happening inside.A skinny figure pounded on the treadmill, his face etched with the pain of exertion. Sweat dripped down his forehead, stinging his eyes as his long, messy hair stuck to his neck. This was Min Joon, his young face hiding none of the ordeal he'd been through. He grunted with each step, his muscles screaming in protest.Next to him stood a woman with a sculpted body. Sang-Ha Na, a very tall and beautiful woman with a body like a seasoned warrior, carefully wrote notes in a worn leather notebook. Her biceps, as big as Min Joon's thigh, bulged under a tank top that clung to her well-defined form."Rest for two minutes," she said in a low, deep voice that echoed through the big space. "Then you do fifteen more minutes."Min Joon wheezed and fell onto the cool floor in a heap. "Easy for you to say, Huntress," he mumbled, grabbing an energy drink. He felt ashamed as he watched his sister effortlessly complete her own brutal workout routine. Here he was, the supposed protector, struggling with weights made for giants.A shadow fell over him. He looked up to see Sang-Ha Na towering over him, but her face wasn't mocking him. Instead, there was understanding in her blue eyes."Focus on form, not just strength, brother," she said, her voice softer now. She knelt down beside him, and gently wiped the sweat from his brow. "Strength comes in many ways. You may not be strong yet, but you're learning fast."Her touch surprised him, a warmth spreading from his chest. He met her gaze, surprised by the intensity in her blue eyes. "Like what?" he stammered, his throat tight.A playful smile appeared on her lips. "Like knowing when to push yourself and when to be smart. Like learning from your mistakes."She held his gaze for a beat longer than necessary, then offered him a hand to help him up. The warmth lingered in his touch, leaving a strange feeling in his stomach."Now, come on," she said, her voice back to its usual gruffness. "Let's see what you can do with a lighter weight and some proper technique."As he pulled himself up, he felt determined. He felt warm and lighter – a sense that despite the challenges ahead, he wouldn't be alone.
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Days turned into weeks. Min Joon trained with an intensity fueled by desperation. He dove headfirst into learning about Hunters, the looming threat of the Gate Burst chilling him to the core. It was all eerily familiar, the details he remembered from countless hours reading Solo Leveling solidifying in his mind. This wasn't his real life, not truly, but it was the one he had now, and he'd make the most of it."Struggling again, brother?" Sang-Ha Na's voice echoed through the gym, laced with sarcasm.Min Joon lowered the dumbbells with a sigh, his cheeks burning. He glared at Sang-Ha Na, who stood with arms folded, her imposing presence a constant reminder of his limitations. Today, her workout clothes seemed even more distracting – a worn tank top that clung to her toned physique, revealing a sliver of her midriff.But this time, the smirk on her lips wasn't the only thing captivating his attention. A warmth spread through him, a heat that went beyond the exertion of the workout."Easy for you to say, Huntress," he grumbled.Sang-Ha Na chuckled, a rich, warm sound that surprised people considering her stature. "Don't whine, just focus on your form. You're using brute force, not technique."Min Joon scowled, but deep down, he knew she was right. He appreciated her blunt honesty. Ha Na wouldn't sugarcoat anything, but she'd always push him to be better.He set the weights down with a clang and approached her. "Fine, show me the proper form, Ms. Superhuman."Sang-Ha Na's smile softened. "Alright, come closer." Her tone was playful, but her eyes held a warmth that only Min Joon ever saw. As she positioned him, her hand brushed against his arm, sending a surprising spark through him. He hadn't realized how much he craved her touch, a touch that wasn't corrective or competitive. It was a touch laced with subtle care, a silent encouragement only a sibling could offer."There," Ha Na said, adjusting his stance. The way her tank top dipped as she leaned in showcased the long, sleek line of her neck. "Now, imagine you're pulling the weight towards you, not lifting it away."Min Joon focused, picturing the movement as she described. As he curled the dumbbells again, he felt the difference. The strain lessened, replaced by a controlled power. He managed two more reps than before, a flicker of pride warming him from within."See?" she said, a hint of pride in her voice. "That wasn't so bad, was it?"Min Joon grinned. "Alright, alright, Super-Sis. You win this round." He lowered the weights, lingering a beat longer than necessary.Ha Na's gaze flickered to his lips, the air crackling with a sudden tension. Neither of them spoke, but the unspoken question hung heavy. Was this just a training session, or was there something more brewing between them? The line between familial concern and a dawning awareness felt precariously thin.Min Joon broke the silence. He needed to clear his head, to focus on the task at hand. "It's time for the dungeon raid," he said, his voice regaining its usual confidence.