"Will you leave me behind, Joohee? We have spent so much time together and now that it would evolve into something, you are running away."
Joohee said," I can't. Okay. I can't do it. It is not easy for me. Maybe it is easy for you but I don't dare to be a hunter. I am scared and timid. I am a B-rank healer but I participate in low-rank dungeons. Even in the past, I was afraid and after the scene with statues I have realized that I am not worthy of being a hunter."
Jinwoo could not refute any of her words. He did not know how to convince her to stay by his side. Any thoughts that he had to encourage her were drowned in the sea.
Joohee said," You don't need to think so much Jinwoo. Maybe it is for the best."
Joohee turned around and started walking when her hand got held by another strong and warm hand. She turned around and saw Sung Jinwoo looking at her with a resolve in his eyes.
He said," Why do you feel you are not worthy to be a hunter?"
Joohee said," I have already told you. Why are you asking me again."
He said," What scares you?"
Joohee takes a sharp breath and an image of a tall statue with a sinister grin on its face appears in her mind.
She quivered and said," The image of..... the statue."
Jinwoo gets saddened watching her holding her head with her hands. He could see she was lost in the nightmare.
He said," Joohee look at me. Joohee...Joohhheeeeee"
Le Joohee snaps out of the nightmare hearing Jinwoo's shout.
She said," Now you should understand what I am dealing with. It is not worth your time, Jinwoo. Just leave me."
Sung Jinwoo grabbed both of her hands and brought her closer to him.
He said," Try again."
She said," What?"
He said," Try to think of the nightmare again. I am with you by your side."
Lee Joohee denies it at first but after relentless support from Jinwoo, she tries to remember the nightmare. She finds herself in front of the statue. The face of the statue switched into a sinister grin. She wanted to leave but she could hear Jinwoo encouraging her to be brave. She watches as the statue comes closer to her. It stomps on two of her companions into paste.
She opened her eyes with sweat on her face. She could feel the coldness all over her body. It was travelling from her head to toe causing her to hypervate. She gets hugged with warmth surrounding her. She could feel safe lying on his chest.
Jinwoo said," You were great Joohee. You have the courage to stand up and help other when you experience something most of them cannot even fathom. I can see you do have courage and greatness in you. All it is being suppressed by your inferiority and fear."
She said" You really are piece of work. Encouraging a women and then discouraging them."
Jinwoo said," I am not discouraging you, Joohee. It is the truth and with time you will overcome it."
She said," As you say."
Jinwoo said," Can you close your eyes again, Joohee."
She said," No, Jinwoo I don't want to experience it again."
Jinwoo reassured her and said," Don't worry. Just close your eyes and relax."
Lee Joohee closed her eyes. All she could see was darkness after then it started shifting to the scene back when they were trapped with statues. She wishes it to end when cold lips touched her lips. His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing the curve of her jaw. His breath was warm against her skin, and she could feel the slight tremor in his hand.
His kiss deepened, and she felt a surge of excitement and nervousness. It was as if the world around them had faded away, leaving only them in that moment.She closed her eyes tighter, savoring the feeling of his lips on her. It was a whirlwind of emotions – sweet, intoxicating, and completely unfamiliar.When he pulled away, she opened my eyes to find him gazing at me with a mixture of tenderness and desire. She couldn't help but smile back, feeling a sense of connection with him that she had never experienced before.Sung Jinwoo said," That was a great kiss."Joohee replied shyly," Yes, it was."Sung Jinwoo said," Joohee, I am selfish to love you and want to be with you even after you are facing so many problems. I just want to spend my time around you not with the hope of seeing you once again or with someone else."Joohee smiled and cupped his chin," Aren't you selfish. How will you compensate this maiden?"Sung Jinwoo kissed her again feeling the softness of her lips he wished he could stay there for eternity. After parting their lips he said," I want you to stay by my side. I want to be with you and care for you. This is my answer."Joohee blushed and said," So, what will we do now?"Jinwoo said," Will you live together with me. We have an extra room in our house and my sisters would love to meet you."Joohee said," Aren't we rushing. Your sisters may get uncomfortable by my presence."Jinwoo smiled and said," They will not. Come with me.:Lee Joohee grasped his hands and together they walked to his home. Reaching his home Joohee introduced herself to his sisters and they bonded quickly leaving Jinwoo alone.The next day everything was same adding a member to the family and Jinwoo become caring which was shock to both of the sisters.The evening everyone were sitting on the sofa watching television. Ha Na switched the television to get everyone's attention.She said," Jin Ah you should tell about today to your brother."Jinwoo said," What happened?"Lee Joohee wanted leave to give them privacy but Ha Na and Jin Ah assured her that they consider her part of her family,Jinwoo said," Can anyone tell me, What happed today?"Jin Ah said," Brother, I was offered a chance to get into a prestigious shool."Jinwoo said," You should take the offer. It will be better for your career."Ha Na said," The problem is that it is in Japan."Jin Ah said," I will not leave mother over here. I will reject the offer."Jinwoo said," You don't worry about mom. Me and your elder sister will handle it. I want you to tell me the truth. Do you want to go to this school or not." Jin Ah remained silents for a second and said," I want this opportunity. They have best teachers and facilities. Many renowned people have studied in this school. They also have college of their own. There will be more chances for me to get accepted in the college."Jin Ah waited for Jin Woo's answer.Ha Na said," There is no need to think about it. Since my little sister is smart and got this opportunity why won't she accept it. I look forward to your journey, lil sis."Jin Ah smiled and thanked her. She looked at Jinwoo for his answer.Jinwoo said," Why are you looking at me? That tigeress has already said yes, what can I do. I will book the tickets and Ha Na will transport mom to Japan's best hospital. Let's start packing."Jin Ah said," Yaaaay bro and sis, thank you very much."She jumped and hugged both of them tightly. Watching her happy both of them had a smile on their faces. They invited Joohee to their hug and later celebrated in a restaurant.A week has passed since the celebration. Every arrangement had been made thanks to Ha Na being an A-rank hunter and her friend who she did not discuss about. Three days are left for their flight to Japan when a message pops up in Sung Jinwoo's mailbox.AlertJob Change QuestDescription: You will accumulate more points the longer you stay alive. These points are needed to advance to a higher-ranking class. Good luck." This is my chance for a breakthrough. I will kill everything in my path to become the ruler of death. The time has come for the Dead to welcome their king."He informs his family that he will meet them at the airport due to his job. Sung Jinwoo retreats into the solitude of the woods. He proceeds with the Job Change Request. Abruptly, a vast purple void gate, alive with lightning, appears before him. He enters the purple gate and steps into the dungeon.The air was thick with an oppressive silence, broken only by the rhythmic thud of Sung Jin-Woo's footsteps echoing through the cavernous dungeon. Jinwoo navigates a corridor and everything appears unexpectedly normal until he receives a notification informing him that in this area, the use of potions, Full Recovery, and access to the Store is prohibited, and he won't be able to recover his stats upon leveling up or leave until the quest is completed.Metallic thuds grow louder from a distance. A Knight, a towering figure clad in gleaming, silver armor. His aura was imposing, a palpable sense of authority emanating from him rushed at him with its sword."Guess the fight begins."