The sun hung high in the sky, casting its golden rays over Seoul. Jinwoo emerged from the Icefang Cave, his heart pounding with excitement. He had successfully defeated the Frost Wolf Alpha and gained his first level-up. The feeling of growth was exhilarating, unlike anything he had experienced before.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
You have reached Level 2.
New Skills Unlocked: Combat Instinct (Lv. 2), Basic Healing (Lv. 1)
Quest Update: Break the Shackles of Fate - Objective: Reach Level 5 within three days.
"Time to hit the training ground," Jinwoo muttered, a grin spreading across his face.
He made his way to a nearby training facility that catered to Ascendants. The building was bustling with young adventurers, all eager to improve their skills. Jinwoo stepped inside, his confidence high after his recent victory. He knew he had to capitalize on his newfound abilities to progress quickly.
In one corner, he spotted Donghyuk, his close friend, lifting weights far beyond what any normal 18-year-old could handle. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he pushed through his set.
"Hey! Jinwoo!" Donghyuk shouted, dropping the weights and approaching him with a wide grin. "You actually went solo in a dungeon? Are you crazy? You could have died!"
"Yeah, but I didn't," Jinwoo replied, his smile unwavering. "I took down the Frost Wolf Alpha, and I leveled up!"
"Seriously? That's awesome!" Donghyuk's eyes lit up with excitement. "So what's next? Are you going to challenge an E-rank dungeon?"
"Actually, I'm planning to keep grinding here for a bit," Jinwoo said, gesturing toward the training area. "I want to get stronger quickly."
"Good idea! I'll train with you," Donghyuk replied, clapping Jinwoo on the back. "Let's show everyone how it's done!"
As the two friends started their workout, the sounds of grunts and clashing swords filled the air. Jinwoo focused on honing his skills, practicing footwork and strikes with his sword while Donghyuk did his best to keep up with him, using wooden dummies to practice his defense and endurance.
"Man, you've really improved, Jinwoo," Donghyuk said between sets. "What's your secret?"
"I just have a different mindset now," Jinwoo replied, recalling the weight of his past life. "I want to protect my family and friends. I can't afford to be weak."
Donghyuk nodded solemnly, understanding the deeper meaning behind Jinwoo's words. "I get it. We'll get stronger together. Let's be the best!"
Just then, a familiar voice interrupted them.
"Are you two seriously training together?" Hyeri said, walking over with her arms crossed. "You both look ridiculous."
"Hey! We're not ridiculous!" Donghyuk exclaimed, flexing his muscles comically. "Right, Jinwoo?"
"Uh… sure," Jinwoo said, trying to suppress a laugh.
Hyeri rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her amusement. "You two need to focus. There are bigger threats out there than wooden dummies."
Jinwoo's smile faded as he thought about her words. "You're right. But I want to get stronger before facing those threats. I want to be ready."
"Well, if you're serious about leveling up, you should try group training," Hyeri suggested. "I can help with healing, and you'll learn teamwork skills."
"Teamwork, huh?" Donghyuk scratched his head. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to learn how to work with others."
"Alright, I'm in," Jinwoo agreed. "Let's do it."
After a few hours of training, they gathered in a corner of the training facility. Hyeri prepared a small healing spell, demonstrating the technique as it shimmered in the air. "This is a basic healing spell. It can't do much for serious injuries, but it's useful for quick recoveries during battle."
Donghyuk nodded, clearly impressed. "That's cool! Can you heal me if I lift too many weights?"
Hyeri smirked. "Only if you actually lift something heavy, you big baby."
Jinwoo watched the friendly banter unfold, feeling grateful for their camaraderie. But his mind kept drifting back to the Mystery Guide and the quest he had yet to complete.
As the day passed, they trained hard, pushing their limits and improving their skills. But as the sun began to set, Jinwoo noticed something peculiar—a dark shadow lurking at the edges of the training ground. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.
"Hey, do you guys feel that?" Jinwoo asked, glancing around.
"Feel what?" Donghyuk replied, oblivious. "It's just the end of the day."
"I don't know, it just feels... off." Jinwoo scanned the area, but whatever he sensed was gone.
Hyeri frowned, her intuition kicking in. "Maybe we should leave early. I don't like the vibe here."
"Agreed," Jinwoo said, determined to keep his friends safe. They gathered their belongings and headed out, but the feeling of being watched lingered in the back of Jinwoo's mind.
As they walked through the streets of Seoul, the city's bustling nightlife surrounded them, but Jinwoo couldn't shake the unease in his gut. He led his friends toward a nearby café, hoping to distract himself.
Once they settled in, they laughed and joked about their training, but Jinwoo's mind was elsewhere. He kept glancing at the door, half-expecting someone—or something—to enter.
"Jinwoo? You okay?" Hyeri asked, her brow furrowing in concern. "You've been staring at the door for ages."
"Just... thinking," he replied, shaking his head. "I just have this feeling we're not alone."
As if on cue, the café door swung open, and a tall figure stepped inside. The atmosphere shifted; the chatter faded as everyone's gaze fell upon the newcomer.
The figure wore a long cloak that obscured their features, but a pair of glowing eyes shone through the shadows. The mysterious figure surveyed the room before locking eyes with Jinwoo, an unsettling smirk playing on their lips.
"Jinwoo Han," the figure said, their voice smooth and chilling. "I've been looking for you."
End of Chapter 2