As Jin-Woo walked home under the gentle glow of the moonlit sky, the night seemed quieter than usual, as if it were inviting him to linger on the memories of the evening.
He couldn't help but replay each moment from dinner, from Joo-Hee's bold and corny jokes that left him flustered, to the unexpected closeness they shared.
He felt a warmth rise in his cheeks as he recalled her teasing words, the way she made him laugh and blush in ways no one else had.
It was the first time he'd ever felt this… noticed, this appreciated. Her straightforwardness had caught him off guard, and now, the memory of it made his heart beat a little faster.
"Date… huh? Didn't expect to hear that... from her," he murmured to himself, a quiet chuckle escaping his lips. She'd joked about it so easily, yet now he couldn't get it out of his mind.
His voice softened as he continued, "Ever when I was just a weak Hunter barely scraping by, she was there. Helping me and... looking out for me." The thought of her steadfast presence filled him with a strange warmth—a blend of gratitude and a growing desire to protect her, just as she'd protected him.
No one had ever been so direct with him, yet so genuine. He couldn't deny it—there was something undeniably special about Joo-Hee.
Lost in these thoughts, Jin-Woo glanced at a nearby café and stopped walking. His mind shifted to his earlier conversation with Yoo Jinho.
"30 billion won… To think someone would offer me that much now. When, not long ago, I was even struggling just to pay for my mother's hospital bills."
He paused, looking down at his hands as memories of past hardships came flooding back—days spent worrying over his mother's health, wondering if he could keep Jin-Ah safe, and feeling helpless in a world that demanded strength he didn't have.
He shook his head, a bittersweet smile crossing his face. "How ironic."
The journey had been harsh ever since he got his System, but it had brought him here, to this unexpected opportunity, and... friendship.
He was no longer the Jin-Woo of the past; he now had people he could attempt to trust—potential companions who might stand by him through the trials ahead.
Just as he contemplated this, his phone chimed, breaking his train of thought. He glanced down to see a message from her.
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Lee Joo-Hee: Thank you for the food 😊.
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A smile tugged at his lips, warmth flooding through him at the sight of her cheerful emoticon.
Inevitably, his mind drifted back to the accident in the park. Her sudden slip had taken him completely off guard, activating his instinct to catch her, leading to a moment far more intimate than either of them had anticipated.
This is not good… I should stop thinking about her, he thought, his heart racing.
But it was no use. He immediately recalled how his hand had gripped her slim waist tightly, the soft fabric of her turtleneck offering only the faintest barrier between them.
In that fleeting moment, he had felt the warmth of her body so close to his, her sweet scent enveloping him, leaving a lingering warmth on his hand long after they had separated.
He closed his eyes, recalling the soft brush of her breath against his skin, sending shivers of electricity through him. She's my friend, for goodness' sake. How could I have such thoughts? he wondered, a flicker of confusion crossing his face.
Jin-Woo felt his cheeks flush as the memory washed over him.
He tightened the hood of his jacket, pulling it down to hide the heat spreading across his face. It was silly, really—this mix of embarrassment and thrill—but he couldn't help it.
Every thought of today's meeting sent his heart racing.
He exhaled deeply, shaking his head in frustration, trying to clear his mind. Does Joo-Hee even see me as a man... Jin-Woo wondered, feeling a pang of annoyance with himself.
No! Stop thinking about it, Jin-Woo! he chastised himself mentally, quickening his pace as he made his way home, determined to push the thoughts away.
As Jin-Woo stepped inside, cheeks still flushed, he was immediately greeted by his younger sister, Jin-Ah. Her eyes narrowed in curiosity, picking up on his reddened face almost instantly. "Oppa, are you okay? You're all flushed! You're not sick, are you?"
Jin-Woo barely had a chance to respond before Jin-Ah's eyes lit up with mischief, recalling his earlier message about meeting someone. "Oh, don't tell me that person who called you earlier—"
He shot her a look, biting back a smile. "Shut it, I just met with that Yoo Jin-Ho guy and… a friend," he said, trying his best to keep his tone casual, though he knew he wasn't fooling her one bit.
Jin-Ah crossed her arms, smirking. "Sure, sure. It's just… you're still single at your age, and I almost thought you were…" Her voice dropped into a playful whisper, "...attracted to guys now."
With a sigh, Jin-Woo leaned over and lightly smacked her on the head. "Stop with your weird fantasies, alright?"
Jin-Ah squeaked, rubbing her head but still grinning at her successful teasing.
Jin-Woo tried to look stern, but he couldn't keep up the act. The truth was, he was grateful for these moments with his sister. These little interactions were the heart of home for him, and no matter how serious his life became, he never wanted that to change.
Clearing his throat, Jin-Woo turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "And speaking of things, why aren't you in bed? You still have school tomorrow—go to sleep!"
Jin-Ah rolled her eyes, but she smiled as she headed to her room, tossing back a quick, "Alright, alright, Mr. Grumpy. Goodnight, Oppa!"
Alone now, he made his way to his room, where he collapsed on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
His gaze hardened as he clenched his fist, the warmth fading into a steely resolve. I don't have the luxury to be happy yet, he reminded himself. I'm still too weak...
He couldn't risk letting Jin-Ah, Joo-Hee, or anyone else get hurt. Lingering on these feelings was a temptation—an indulgence he couldn't afford.
One day, he promised himself. One day, when I'm strong enough to protect them… then maybe—
...
On the other hand, Joo-Hee found herself in the same predicament when she returned home. She flopped onto her bed, her heart racing as thoughts of Jin-Woo flooded her mind.
This is getting bad… she thought, feeling a sense of unease wash over her. Something really changed after I absorbed Joo-Hee's soul fragment. If this goes on, I might... lose myself before I can go home.
The lingering memory of the earlier accident sent her cheeks burning, and she lightly slapped her own face, gritting her teeth in frustration. Focus, Jake! You can't get distracted by this, she lectured herself.
Suddenly, she sat up.
Her eyes widened as a realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. That's right! Jin-Woo met with Jin-Ho today at that café! So it means... it will happen soon
The pieces fell into place, and she felt her heart race. He's going to undergo a training arc, raiding into multiple dungeons to grow stronger.
The thought filled her with a new sense of urgency. The world will undergo some major changes soon. Tch. I can't just sit back... and do nothing. Determination surged within her, igniting a fire of resolve.
"I have no choice. I need to take that restrictive quest... alone at that," she muttered to herself, feeling the weight of her decision. Nothing will change if I don't take risks…
Her gaze sharpened as she clenched her fists. If Jin-Woo can rise to become an S-rank, then so can I—with the help of this system.
The image of Jin-Woo, powerful and unstoppable, flashed through her mind. If she wanted to stand by his side—to be there at the end of this story and face whatever trials lay ahead—she had to slowly close the gap between them.
Jin-Woo had his own path, but so did she, and hers was just beginning.
With a fierce determination burning in her eyes, she whispered, "I must level up."