Jake—or rather, Lee Joo-Hee—stood in front of the hospital mirror, still trying to wrap his mind around the impossible situation he found himself in. His—or her—reflection stared back, the delicate features and long orange hair completely foreign, yet undeniably real.
The Sage Enlightenment System's screen had disappeared, leaving Jake alone with his thoughts.
"How am I supposed to do this?" he whispered, running a hand through the silky strands of hair that now framed her face. Every movement, every sensation, felt alien.
The absence of his old body's familiar weight and the new, unfamiliar heaviness on his chest were constant reminders that he was no longer Jake Garcia, the Filipino college student. He was now Lee Joo-Hee, the healer of the world of Solo Leveling.
Taking a deep breath, Jake forced himself to focus. He couldn't afford to panic—not now. He had to figure out his next steps, and that meant getting a handle on his new reality.
The plan was simple enough: find Sung Jin-Woo and begin the process of integrating into this world. But first, he needed to act the part.
"Okay, Lee Joo-Hee," he said to himself, practicing the new identity. "You've lost your memories, but you remember Sung Jin-Woo and some few events. He's your anchor, the only person you trust. You'll need to rely on that if you want to survive here."
A soft knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Jake tensed, the sound making his heart race. He wasn't ready for this, wasn't ready to face anyone yet. But there was no avoiding it. He had to play the role of Lee Joo-Hee, and that meant interacting with the world outside this room.
"Come in," he called out, his voice still strange to his own ears.
The door opened slowly, and a nurse stepped inside, her expression warm and welcoming. "Ah, Miss Lee Joo-Hee, you're awake," she said with a smile. "How are you feeling? You've been through quite an ordeal."
Jake forced a smile, trying to mirror the kind expression on the nurse's face. "I… I'm okay," he replied, his voice soft. "Just… a little confused."
The nurse nodded sympathetically. "That's understandable, considering what you've been through. You were in critical condition when they brought you in. It's a miracle you're alive."
Jake swallowed, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. The memories he had inherited from Lee Ju-Hee confirmed the nurse's words.
The double dungeon incident had nearly killed her—no, it killed her. But he couldn't let those memories overwhelm him. He had to stay focused.
"Sorry, everything is still fuzzy for me. I… I don't quite remember much," he admitted, carefully choosing his words. "But… there's one thing… one person I remember." He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Sung Jin-Woo. Is… is he okay?"
The nurse's eyes softened further. "It seems you are experiencing anterograde amnesia, I'll take note of that", the nurse was charting down records and continued. "Ah, regarding Mr. Sung, the young man who was with you during the incident. He's here in the hospital, recovering as well. It's good that you remember him. Maybe seeing him will help you recall more but please do make sure you are in good condition when you venture outside, Ms. Lee."
Jake nodded, relief washing over him. Sung Jin-Woo was close by. That was his first step—finding him, connecting with him. Everything else would come after.
"Can I see him?" Jake asked, his voice filled with a mix of hope and uncertainty.
The nurse hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "Of course. He's in a room down the hall. I'll take you to him."
Jake's heart pounded in his chest as he followed the nurse out of the room. The hospital corridor was quiet, the soft hum of machines and the distant murmur of voices the only sounds. Every step felt surreal, like walking through a dream that could shatter at any moment.
As they approached Sung Jin-Woo's room, Jake's mind raced as he thought. How would he react? Would he notice anything different about Lee Joo-Hee? Could I really pull off this charade? There was no turning back now, I guess. I had to make this work.
The nurse stopped in front of a door and turned to Jake with an encouraging smile. "He's right in here. I'll give you two some privacy."
Jake nodded, his throat dry as he reached for the door handle. This was it—the moment of truth. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from the small window near the bed. Sung Jin-Woo lay there, his eyes closed, his breathing steady. He looked peaceful as if the battles and horrors he had faced were just distant memories. But Jake knew better. Sung Jin-Woo was a warrior, a fighter who had faced death and come out stronger.
For a moment, Jake just stood there, staring at the man who had once been nothing more than a character in a novel. But now, Sung Jin-Woo was real—tangible. And Jake had to find a way to connect with him, to become a part of his life.
"Jin-Woo…" Jake whispered, stepping closer to the bed. His heart raced as he reached out, hesitating before gently placing a hand on Sung Jin-Woo's arm. The warmth of his skin, the rise and fall of his chest, it all felt so real.
At his touch, Sung Jin-Woo stirred, his eyes fluttering open. For a moment, he seemed disoriented, his gaze unfocused. But then his eyes met Jake's—or rather, Lee Joo-Hee's—and a spark of recognition lit up in them.
"Joo-Hee…?" Sung Jin-Woo's voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper, but it carried a weight of relief and concern.
Jake forced a smile, trying to keep his emotions in check. "It's me, Jin-Woo," he said softly. "Sorry for disturbing your sleep."
Sung Jin-Woo blinked and smiled, his expression shifting to one of confusion. "I'm really glad you're all right. I thought something happened after you escaped the dungeon" he asked, his voice filled with a mix of happiness and hope.
Jake nodded, tightening his grip on Sung Jin-Woo's arm. "How can you be so reckless! Why did you sacrifice yourself?!" he admitted, his voice trembling slightly, his acting was mixed of genuine concern and feigned bravado. "Wha... what if something happen... ed to you, Jin-Woo..."
For a moment, there was silence. Jin-Woo's gaze remained fixed on Jake, as if searching for something, trying to make sense of the situation. Then, slowly, he reached up and placed his hand over Jake's, his touch gentle but firm.
"I'm sorry," Sung Jin-Woo said softly, meeting Jake's gaze—whose doing his best to act—with a mix of regret and reassurance. "I thought it was for the best. We survived, and that's what matters, Ju-Hee. You're safe now. We're both safe."
Jake felt a wave of emotions wash over him—relief, gratitude, fear. He was safe for now, but he knew this was just the beginning. He had entered a world of danger and uncertainty, with only his wits and the Sage Enlightenment System to guide him.
But as he looked into Sung Jin-Woo's eyes, he felt a flicker of hope. This was his chance—a chance to rewrite Lee Joo-Hee's story, to forge a new path, and perhaps even find a way back to his own world.
But first, he had to survive. And for that, he would need Sung Jin-Woo by his side.