Ultraviolent Heart Part II
â°â⤠A year has passed since you walked away from the hunter world, from him. The ache in your chest never left, but tonight, you let yourself surrender to it, if only for a moment. Thatâs when you feel itâa faint flicker of mana. Hope surges, fragile and desperate, at the thought that it could mean Jin Woo. But as you follow the spark, it's not Jin Woo who greets you..
Jin Woo x Isekai'd!Player2!Fem!Reader | Part II | Heartbreak | Angst | Jealousy | Crying | Violence | Blood
Crywolf - ultraviolent [she sang to me a language strange]
âWhat if I manage to kill you and your puppets as well?â
Jin-Wooâs voice was cold as ice, his eyes glowed, and his face was smeared with blood as he stared at the half-destroyed statue, which was looking back at him with a hint of panic.
The power emanating from the young Hunter made the room tremble. The room where everything had begunâthe room he could now finally return to, only to discover that the creator of his powers was also the root of all evil.
The half-destroyed statue responded, its jaw already shattered, and deep gashes marked where Jin-Wooâs daggers had struck.
âI am the architect of this system. If you were to kill meââ
ââIâd become an E-rank again?â the black-haired Hunter finished the sentence, sweat glistening on his bloodstained forehead as a manic smile spread across his lips.
âIâve already considered that possibility⌠but a system that exists wonât simply collapse if its creator vanishes, will it?â His grin widened, and the statue realized what that meant.
By the time its own system denied it access, its fate was sealed.
âI used to think I had no choice but to follow the system, that Iâd become nothing more than an avatar, bend to its willâ Jin-Woo whispered, tightening his grip on his blades. The glowing aura around him and the second heart he just got beating in his chest quickened his movementsâeach beat releasing more mana.
âIâll just devour the entire system,â he declared, preparing to strike. But then the Architect said something that froze him mid-attack.
âĚ´HĚľaĚľv̡eĚś ĚľyĚ´oĚľuĚ´ ̡nĚśe̡ver̡ woĚľnĚ´de̡rĚ´eĚśdĚś Ěśw̡hĚśeĚľreĚ´ ̡sĚ´he̡ d̡iĚľsĚśaĚ´p̡pĚśeĚľaĚľrĚľeĚľdĚľ ĚľtĚľo̡?ĚľâĚ´
The Voice began to tremble, static and flickering â like a broken TV.
The Shadow Monarchâs eyes remained unchanging, and he kept the statue in his sights. Was this a dirty trick? Was it trying to exploit his only weaknessâyou?
The Architectâs tone shifted as he noticed the young Hunterâs hesitation. He had struck a nerve. Not even a second heart could fill the gaping hole in his chest that you had left behind. But the thought of what the system might have done to you made uncontrollable rage boil within him.
Heâs just playing with you, Jin-Woo. Donât listen to him.
Your voice was loud and clear in his headâor at least the voice he still remembered.
Maybe he had a screw loose, or he was completely losing his mind, but after some time of your absence, your voice began appearing more and more clear in his mind. Especially in situations that were inherently dangerous, when adrenaline coursed through his veins. It wasnât real â he knew that too well, but it was enough to give him strength.
Suddenly, it all made senseâthe reason why he couldnât find you anywhere, not even a single clue about your whereabouts, no matter how long and intensely he searched. Who could let you disappear, if not the System itself?
As he followed this train of thought, a massive knot formed in his stomach. The mere idea that he might have done something terrible to youâwho knows whatâwas enough to drive him to the brink of madness.
His grip on the dagger tightened, the weapon creaking under the sheer force of its wielder. His entire body burned.
âWhat have you done?â
His voice trembled with furyâa rage that sent fear coursing through his shadows.
A rage with the potential to turn this dungeonâno, the entire city or even the world, to ashes.
And he likely would if it meant avenging you.
A deep laugh filled his ears as the battered statue laughed.
"That's the funniest part of all this, I didn't have to do anything", its voice was smug, less panicked. Now, he had enough time to do what should prevent his death.
What did he mean by that?
"You did this for me" the architect added. Jin Woo felt a sharp pang in his heart at the thought that he was responsible for what had happened to you. If only he had looked after you betterâŚ
The wounds inside him, which he had sporadically patched up, ripped open again at the thought.
He didnât want to believe itâcouldnât believe it. Not coming from the mouth of this monster, yet his words ate their way into his mind.
His voice distorted, as though there was interference, but the grin on the stone shell didnât fadeâin fact, it grew wider.
The black-haired man didnât want to listen any longer and prepared to attack, but a voiceâyour voiceâstopped him. So clear and distinct, as if you were right beside him. And then he saw you out of the corner of his eye.
âJin-Woo?â you asked softly, almost hesitantly. Your [E/C] eyes shone. This time â your Voice rang crystal clear in his ears, as if you were just beside him. It felt too real. His whole body reacted to your voice, a shiver ran down his spine.
His mistake: he turned his gaze away, just to finally see you again.
The world stood still for a second as he looked at you, his mouth opening to say something, anythingâbut by then, it was already too late.
The stone spear of the statue pierced his stomach, sending waves of pain through his entire body.
Blood gushed from his mouth, his eyes wide in shock. He had⌠fallen for it.
He saw his HP plummet drastically, his vision blurred, and his strength drained away.
Was this the end? Would he die here?
The sharp scream of his name that came out of Hae-Inâs mouth, who stood with the other S-Rank hunters not far from the battle, didnât reach him.
Everything around him grew dark, his eyes fluttered, and he shut out all the sounds surrounding himâonly your image remained.
He was tired, so unbearably tired. He didnât want to continue; it was all too much. And knowing he would never see you again shattered the last bit of resolve that had driven him forward.
What reason did he have to keep suffering? He might as well succumb to the darkness and finally let his soul rest. Stop fighting, at last.
This feeling⌠death reaching for him, pulling him to the other side.
Was the Double Dungeon truly to be his eternal resting place after all, despite escaping it the first time? How ironic.
âItâs okayâ your voice gently reached his ears.
Could he finally be happy with you if he gave in?
He exhaled one last time and closed his eyes.
âYouâve fought enough; you can let goâ you said softly, and he felt the warmth of your hands cupping his cheeks.
When he opened his eyes, the Double Dungeon was goneâeverything around him was white, and he gazed into your beautiful [E/C] eyes, your face framed with a soft smile on your lips.
Was this an illusion? A figment of his imagination to ease his passing?
âYou can let go, Jin-Wooâ you said calmly, your lips mere inches from his.
But just before you could unite your lips with his, something dawned on him, something that reignited life in his limbs.
âNâŚâ he began, but only a raspy sound escaped on his first attempt.
âNeâŚverâŚâ Jin-Woo made a second attempt.
âNeverâ he finally croaked, and your eyes widened.
â[Y/N] would never say something like thatâ, he declared, his numb limbs moving again.
You had always cheered him on, stood by his side, and motivated him to keep going, even when he didnât want to. You had taken his hand and encouraged him to surpass himself, to never give up.
âWhen youâre backed into a wall, tear the damn thing downâ, you had told him after youâd both barely survived Cerberus, when the situation seemed hopelessâbut you had pushed through and pulled him along.
The illusion began to crumble around him, and the soft smile of your mirage twisted into a knowing, satisfied grin. As if Death himself was satisfied with his own Defeat, almost proud of Jin Wooâs resistance.
Jin-Woo straightened up, his hands instinctively gripping the spear in his stomach. The light disappeared, along with your form, and his eyes snapped open. Life flooded his body, and the second heart in his chest pumped even more pulsating mana through his veins as he pulled out the Speer, blood dripping down to his feet.
The triumphant grin of the statue shifted to pure horror at the sight of him getting back in action, after it had already claimed its victory.
âYou really donât know her if you think sheâd ever say something like thatâ, Jin-Woo said as he spat the blood from his mouth, the metallic taste still lingering on his tongue.
In a flash, he sprinted forward and cleaved the statueâs face, its terrified eyes staring at him. It was over.
âApparentlyâŚâ the statue began to speak, its voice growing quieter toward the end, but its horrified expression turned into one of satisfactionâa faint grin.
What now? Had he underestimated something?
No, Jin-Woo could feel the presence of the Architect fadingâit was clear, its mana dwindling. And yet, the creature acted as though it had won.
âIâll leave her a message from you,â were the monsterâs final words, spoken with just enough strength for a wide grin, before its presence faded.
Jin-Wooâs eyes widened at the words. Noâthis couldnâtâ.
He reached out. No way would he let this monster go wherever you were, no matter where that might be.
When his hand finally felt something warm, he gripped it as tightly as he could and felt his body being pulled along.
A blinding light forced him to shut his eyes, a wave of energy surging toward him so intensely that he could only grip tightly onto whatever threatened to slip from his grasp. Suddenly, the ground beneath him vanished, leaving him weightless in the embrace of a strange warmth.
The warmth seeped into his wounds, and the pain vanished instantly.
For the first time in months, the crushing weight on his chest lifted, and he could breathe freely. It was a sensation he hadnât felt since your absence.
The warmth enveloped him, soothing his battered soul like a gentle, healing touch. For a fleeting moment, everything felt right. But then, just as quickly, the feeling disappeared. The light receded, the emptiness returned, and the electric hum of mana that usually coursed through his veins was gone.
His feet hit cold concrete, dizziness overtaking him as his back slammed against the ground. The impact forced the air from his lungs, leaving him gasping as he lay motionless. The screech of tires pierced the air, snapping his head upwardâonly to be blinded by a pair of glaring headlights.
Jin Woo flinched, squeezing his eyes shut as he instinctively raised a hand to shield himself. Confusion flooded his mind; the abrupt change of scenery and his sluggish reflexes left him utterly perplexed.
Moments later, the car door creaked open, and a voice rang outâboth alarmed and irritated.
"You canât just run out into the road like that, man! Whatâs wrong with you?!"
His head whipped toward the source of the voice as a figure stepped into view. Worry flickered in the stranger's lavender-colored eyes as he crouched down to examine Jin Woo, who looked thoroughly disoriented.
"Are you hurt?ââ, the man asked, his initial anger giving way to concern, likely born of the shock.
For a moment, Jin Woo didnât answer, his breathing uneven as he tried to process his surroundings, before Jin-Woo crouched back.
 But his movements were⌠slow. Far too slow. What was going on?
It felt as though he had no Mana left at all.
He immediately glanced down at his body, only to find the gaping wound in his stomach gone, along with the blood on his clothesâand even his shirt was no longer completely shredded.
It felt as though all the Mana in his body had vanished. An icy wave of panic clawed its way through him.
"Beru?!" Jin Woo called out; his voice edged with urgency. He expected a response, a reassuring presenceâbut there was nothing. Silence pressed in around him. He was truly alone.
Instead, the stranger in front of him gave him a puzzled look, clearly unsure whoâor whatâJin Woo was calling for.
The man had striking lavender eyes and stark white hair, the contrast making his features all the more vivid. Jin Wooâs gaze lingered on him for a second too long before snapping away.
"I'm fine," Jin Woo replied curtly, though the sharp edge in his tone was undermined by his obvious disorientation.
The stranger raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. And who could blame him? Jin Woo looked far from "fine," his body tense and his expression filled with panic.
"Are you sure?" the stranger pressed, leaning in slightly, his tone gentler now.
Jin Woo let out a defeated sigh. He couldnât afford to waste time arguing, not when something was clearly wrong. He swallowed hard before asking, his voice quieter than before:
Exactly one year since you had returned home and turned your back on the world of Hunters.
A year spent trying to move forward, even though your heart had shattered into a thousand pieces.
A year filled with bitter truthsâbecause you no longer had a place to return to.
It became painfully clear that no one remembered youânot your parents, not your friends. As if you had never existed.
But that pain was nothing compared to the emptiness you felt when you realized your decision was final.
The moment your mind caught up with what you had done, you had screamed. You had cried out prayers to gods you didnât believe in, slammed your fists against the ground in desperation, hoping your pleas would be heardâthat the System would reappear.
But it had all been in vain.
By leaving his world, you had also left behind your abilities as a Hunterâor a Player.
All that remained were memories and the emptiness in your heart, proof that you had ever been part of that worldâthat his warmth, his fingers intertwined with yours, the joy in your heart when he laughedâit had all been real.
Eventually, after weeks of unbearable pain, you managed to pull yourself back together.
You pushed the dark thoughts aside and tried for a fresh start.
You got a job, found an affordable place to live, and finally felt like you had regained a sliver of control over your life. Things were getting betterâjust a little. But every now and then, the memories caught up with you. The questions crept in: How was he doing? Were he and Hae-In happy now, while you were still mourning someone who was never truly yours?
And today, on your "anniversary," the weight of those memories was especially crushing.
You flinched as something cold brushed against your cheek, snapping you back to reality.
The dull music that had filled your ears became sharp and clear again.
Your head jerked to the side, where a glass filled with dark brown liquid hovered inches from your face. Behind it was the concerned face of your bestâand onlyâfriend, as well as your roommate: Nika.
Her lavender-colored eyes studied you with a mixture of worry and exasperation.
âYouâve got that look again,â she said, her voice loud and direct as she slid onto the barstool next to you.
âWhat look?â you asked, taking the glass from her hand. The amber liquid inside swirled lazily as you turned it in your hand.
âThe âI donât belong here, someone save meâ look,â she replied with a faint smirk, taking a deep sip of her own drink.
âWhat are you thinking about this time?â she asked, setting her glass down on the counter with a dull thud.
You knew you couldnât tell her the truth. She was aware of your heartbreakâthough you had spared her the detailsâbut she hated it when you wasted even a single thought on him.
After all, it was Nika who had painstakingly put you back together, who had offered you a place to stay after you confessed youâd been sleeping in a rundown motel.
You had been nothing more than coworkers, yet she had taken you in.
She had seen through your sadness, the pain you carried with youâthe nightmares that haunted you, the lack of sleep, and how little you left the apartment. Eventually, sheâd had enough and confronted you, practically dragging you out of the house.
At first, you resisted, but the sobering realization that you could now drink yourself into oblivion again since your huntersâ powers were gone, had quickly changed your mind. So much so that even Nika occasionally worried about your drinking habits.
Apparently, your âitâs nothingâ had taken too long, because her piercing gaze told you she wasnât buying it.
âYou canât be serious,â she said, letting out a heavy sighâas though your pain were her own. You understood why. In moments like this, you felt so small again, like youâd made no progress, like the pain had never truly gone away and happiness was something youâd never feel again.
âIâm sorry, itâs just⌠itâs been a year now. The melancholy kind of sneaks up on you,â you admitted, offering her an apologetic smile.
âI get itâyou loved him, yada yada. But life moves on. Weâre young. Weâre hot. He didnât deserve you anyway. I mean, look at you.â
Her voice brimmed with confidence, the complete opposite of your own. She was strong, self-assuredâa little reckless, sometimes abrasive, but her heart was always in the right place.
Her enthusiasm was infectious, and despite yourself, you couldnât help but laugh.
âItâs time you finally realize what youâre worth. I mean, guys hit on you all the time. Grab one and have some fun. Or reject themâthatâs fun too,â she said with a playful grin before downing the rest of her drink in one gulp.
Then she grabbed your hand.
âCome on, weâre going dancing,â she declared, pulling you off the stool.
âWait,â you protested, but she shot you a knowing look.
Her grin widened as you downed your own drink in one go, relishing the burning sensation before letting her drag you to the dance floor.
Maybe she was right. At some point, you had to let go. Jin Woo was your past, a closed chapter in your story.
Maybe it was time to try something new.
You felt the cold wall against your back as two strong hands gently but firmly pushed you backward, and you instinctively wrapped your hands around his neck.
Perhaps you had followed Nikaâs advice and gotten involved with something⌠or rather someone, whose hands were now sliding under your black dress, leaving a warm tingling on your skin. Whether it was the alcohol this time, or if you simply wanted to prove to yourself that you were finally over Jin-Woo â you had no idea. But his hands on your skin made you feel desired again, something you hadnât felt in a long time. Even if it was just a quick fling, right here in this moment, it felt good, even though the icy cold grazed your bare skin because you had left your jacket in the coat check.
His warm breath brushed against your neck, and you could clearly feel how your body wanted to give in.
At least, until the moment when his lips were only a few centimeters away from yours, and you wanted to close your eyes.You jolted upright as a familiar feeling coursed through your body, snapping your attention away. Your head whipped to the side, toward the source of the aura.
It couldnât beâit was impossible.
And yet, you had felt it.
There was no mistaking it. That distinct surge of a mana streamâsomething you thought youâd never feel again.
That spark was enough to reignite something within you, something you had thought long dead.
Hope that you might see him again. That you could apologize. Say all the things youâd never allowed yourself to say. Could it really be?
The black-haired man in front of you had stopped immediately, concern in his striking green eyes.
You stared at him, unable to form a coherent thought as the sensation consumed you, blotting out everything else for a fleeting moment.
âIâm sorry, IâŚâ you began, disentangling yourself from him, unable to meet his gaze.
You didnât owe him anythingânot reallyâbut you wouldnât have let this happen if youâd known it would end like this.
He was probably angryâdisappointed at the very least. Bracing yourself for the worst, you were surprised when no harsh words came.
Instead, he simply nodded, understanding in his eyes, and stepped back, releasing you.
âItâs okay. You donât need to explain,â he said gently, his green eyes following you as you began to turn away.
âThank you,â you whispered before rushing off in the direction of the mana stream.
The sky above was clear, dotted with stars. It was late December, and the temperature had plummeted below freezing.
Your lungs burned, and the cold lashed at your exposed skin, but you didnât slow down. You couldnât risk losing this chance, couldnât make the same mistake again.
Tears welled in your eyes as Jin-Wooâs face filled your mindâhis warm smile, the one that had always sent butterflies through your stomach.
No. You wouldnât make the same mistake twice.
You rounded a corner into a dark alley and came to an abrupt halt, gasping for breath. Your exhalations formed small clouds in the freezing air as your heart pounded like a drum in your chest. Blood rushed through your veins as you scanned the shadows ahead.
You barely noticed the biting cold. Your eyes were locked on the figure hidden in the darkness.
For a moment, you bent over, bracing your hands on your thighs as you caught your breath.
âWhat do you mean, sheâs gone?!â
The white-haired manâs voice rang out sharply over the carâs speakerphone, his focus fixed on the road ahead.
The voice on the other end was trembling, frantic.
âIâI donât know. Oh god, itâs my fault. I told her she shouldââ
âCalm down. Itâs not your fault,â Hide interrupted, his voice steady but his body tense. Jin-Woo, sitting in the passenger seat, could clearly see the strain in the way Hide gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles whitening, his eyes darting nervously. Still, his voice remained calmâfor his sisterâs sake.
âTake a deep breath, Nika. Iâm coming to pick you up, okay? Weâll find her. I promise,â Hide said reassuringly.
A small, muffled sound of agreement came from the other end of the line before the call ended. Hide exhaled heavily, running a hand over his forehead.
Jin-Woo had been staring out the window in silence, his thoughts a tangled mess, his gaze fixed on the blur of passing buildings.
He was still in Seoul, but something was wrong. He had no connection to his Shadows, no access to his abilities. The System had gone silent, leaving an ominous knot in his stomach. He felt weaker than he ever had beforeâeven weaker than when he was an E-Rank.
The white-haired manâHideâwas the one who had almost run him over. Out of guilt, he had insisted on giving Jin-Woo a ride so he wouldnât have to walk all the way home. But their route had taken an unexpected detour when Hide received the call.
âI need to make a quick stop. I hope thatâs okay,â Hide said apologetically, glancing over at Jin-Woo.
âItâs fine,â Jin-Woo replied quietly, his eyes still fixed on the dark street ahead.
Hide wasnât much of a talker, which Jin-Woo appreciated. But now, perhaps sensing the tension, maybe it was time to break the Silence.
âMind if I ask whatâs going on?â Jin-Woo asked, his gaze finally shifting to the driver.
Hide leaned back slightly in his seat, rubbing his forehead with the back of his hand. A half-hearted chuckle escaped his lips.
âMy sister and her friend went out. Apparently, they got separated. Probably nothing serious,â he replied, stepping harder on the gas.
Jin-Woo nodded slightly. That sounded exhausting. Thank goodness Jinha wasnât into partyingâit wouldâve been a headache he didnât need.
By breaking several traffic laws, the white-haired man managed to get them to their destination quickly.
Hide slammed on the brakes and parked the car by the roadside when he spotted his sister.
She stood at the entrance of the club, neon signs casting colorful reflections on the ground. A cigarette dangled between her lips, and she held [Y/N]âs jacket in her armsâretrieved from the coat check.
Her eyes darted nervously, scanning her surroundings. The moment she saw her twin brotherâs car, she ran toward it as Hide stepped out.
Jin-Woo watched the scene unfold through the side window, clearly hearing their exchange thanks to the slightly ajar driverâs door.
Hide placed his hands on his sisterâs shoulders, speaking to her in a calm, soothing tone. The resemblance between the two was strikingâsave for their height and gender, they were unmistakably twins.
âTake it easy. Start by telling me what happened,â Hide said, his voice steady. His sister stumbled over her words as she tried to explain.
âShe was so down again, so I told her to relax and have some fun. I shouldâve kept a closer eye on her, but the guy seemed so niceâŚâ she trailed off, the glowing cigarette in her hand entirely forgotten.
Jin-Woo, sitting silently in the car, wondered what kind of strange drama heâd stumbled into. His musings were interrupted when the white-haired girl suddenly bolted.
A young, black-haired man had just exited the club, and she charged toward him.
âYou! Tell me where she is!â she demanded, her tone sharp as she nearly leaped at him. The startled man raised his hands defensively.
âWhoa, take it easy,â he said, taking a step back. Before she could get closer, Hide intervened, holding her back.
âCalm down, Nika,â he said, though she fought against his grip.
âThatâs the guy! He went outside with [Y/N]!â she exclaimed.
Jin-Wooâs eyes widened at the sound of your name. A sharp, unbearable ache tore through his chest as vivid memories of you filled his mind. Your radiant [E/C] eyes, your angelic smileâthe one he had loved so deeply.
Your voice echoed in his head, louder and more persistent the longer you were gone. How many times had he thrown himself into battles, eschewing his shadows, because your silhouette seemed to appear in his mind when adrenaline coursed through him? You had given him strength, even in your absence.
Regret burned through himâleaving you, failing to reach out, being so selfish.
No. It couldnât be you. He convinced himself it was just someone with the same name.
But his fragile hope shattered when the black-haired man responded to a question Jin-Woo hadnât caught:
âOh⌠You mean the little one? [H/C] hair, [E/C] eyes?â
Without thinking, Jin-Wooâs hand shot to the door handle, and he stepped out.
Hide noticed Jin-Woo from the corner of his eye, his head slightly lowered. Despite his calm demeanor, his posture was tense.
âWhere is she?â Jin-Wooâs voice cut through the air like icy arrows, forcing the dark-haired man to turn his attention away from the white-haired woman beside him. She, too, turned to look at Jin-Woo.
âWho are you?â The dark-haired manâs green eyes darted to Jin-Woo, who immediately grabbed him by the collar, yanking him forward.
âTell me where she is,â Jin-Woo demanded, his voice carrying the weight of his former power as the Shadow Monarch, as though he could crush the man in an instant.
âHeyâcalm down,â Hide said, startled by the sudden shift in Jin-Wooâs demeanor. But Jin-Woo ignored him completely.
âWhoa, take it easy! I didnât do anything to her,â the man stammered, raising his hands to show he had no intention of fighting.
âWe just... messed around a little. I didnât know she had a boyfriend,â he added, apologetically misreading the situation.
Jin-Wooâs eyes widened at his words. Pain pierced his chest at the mere thought of you having any sort of involvement with this man. Anger flared at the idea of him even touching you.
âBesides,â the man continued, âshe blew me off before anything serious happened. She ran off like sheâd been chasedâ
The dark-haired man was about Jin-Wooâs height and likely much stronger. A fight without Jin-Wooâs powers would not end in his favor. The only reason the situation hadnât escalated was the strangerâs defensive stance.
For a brief moment, Jin-Wooâs grip on the manâs collar tightened, his gaze piercing. But the sincerity in the manâs voice was evident, so Jin-Woo reluctantly let go.
âWho the hell even ARE you?!â the white-haired woman snapped, her lavender eyes burning with intensity. She had just been released by her brother and now glared at Jin-Woo.
When Jin-Woo looked at her, realization struck within her. His Appearance fitted the one [Y/N] gave her.
âYOU!â she spat, pointing an accusatory finger mere inches from his face.
âDo you even know how much you hurt her? How much she suffered because of you?!â Her voice trembled with fury as she threw the rhetorical question at him. She wasnât waiting for an answer; her anger didnât need one.
âHow dare you show up here after a whole year?!â
Jin-Woo held her gaze, unflinching, but for the first time in a long while, he felt powerless. It wasnât just his lack of strength â no, her rage overwhelmed him, her emotions exposing just how much you meant to her.
He stared at her coolly, but her words cut through him like a thousand tiny knives. What had he done? What on earth had happened?
The thought of how you must have felt had already cost him countless sleepless nights. But now, faced with the real consequences of his neglect and selfishness, it hit him harder than ever before.
Suddenly, the Architectâs words made sense â how he had said youâd left willingly.
Jin-Woo froze. His stomach churned, a dreadful feeling settling deep within him.
He had followed the Architectâs trail to stop him, but by the time he arrived, the Architect was gone â and now, so were you. It couldnât be a coincidence. He had to find you before he did.
The guilt and regret eating away at him wouldnât ease as long as he knew you were safe. But the guilt heâd feel if something happened to you? That would destroy him.
He took a sharp breath, shoving aside the rising panic that crept into his entirely human body.
âStay out of this. Iâll find her,â he said, turning to leave. But a rough grip stopped him mid-step.
âWait!â the white-haired woman barked. Her voice was firm, but she let go of his coat as soon as he turned toward the direction the dark-haired man had pointed out.
Jin-Woo tuned out her loud protests, vanishing into the streets. His steps quickened.
At least his physical conditioning hadnât failed him. Mana or not, his rigorous training paid off.
He sprinted through the dark streets, his breath forming clouds in the icy air as his sharp eyes scanned his surroundings. It was 2 a.m., and the streets were deserted. The dark night sky stretched endlessly above the city, stars visible despite the light pollution. But Jin-Woo didnât notice.
His heart pounded wildly in his chest, his palms sweaty. With every passing minute, the panic threatening to overwhelm him transformed into fear, clouding his rational thoughts. He couldnât think straight at the idea of something happening to you
You were strong â he knew that. Heâd fought beside you. But in this world, where neither of you seemed to have powers, and with no knowledge of your current condition, anything could happen.
And it would all be his fault. He could live with he blame that he left you â that he hurted your feelings. But he would never be able to forgive himself if something happened to you.
He froze when he heard a muffled scream and felt a brief flicker of mana. His head snapped toward the source, and he pivoted on his heel, his body instinctively going on high alert.
âPlease, just hold on a little longer, [Y/N],â he muttered, his feet carrying him in the direction of the mana surge.
Breathless, you stared at the shadowy figure stepping out of the darkness.
âJin-Woo?â you whispered, your hoarse voice barely audible.
But your hopes shattered when a tall figure stepped into the dim streetlight.
It was a man, perhaps in his early to mid-thirties. His hair gleamed a fiery orange, and his dark red eyes sent a shiver down your spine.
Your hand instinctively clutched your aching chest, the old wounds flaring at the realization that it wasnât Jin-Woo.
How foolish you felt â incredibly foolish. Youâd run here as fast as you could, all because of a feeling. A naive hope.
A hope that the unrealistic scenario youâd played out in your head thousands of times might actually come true.
That youâd get your happy ending â or at least the chance to explain yourself, to cast off the burden of guilt and regret weighing on your shoulders.
Why had you been so unbelievably stupid? Hadnât you learned anything? Who else but you would be foolish enough to run through the streets in the middle of the night, dressed lightly, with no phone â all because of a feeling?
Your body trembled, the cold raising goosebumps on your skin. You swallowed back your tears, lowering your head.
It suddenly felt like every ounce of strength had drained from your body.
,,Disappointed?ââ, the voice rang into your ear.
"Uh... uhm, sorry. I was expecting someone else," you said, feeling a little embarrassed as the stranger approached you with slow, deliberate steps. But...
You looked at him, and the smile on his lips sent a shiver down your spine. Who was he?
Something about his presence felt familiar, yet you couldn't sense any Mana from him. Still, you were certain he had been the source, he seemed... out of place, almost inhuman.
"Oh, donât tell me you donât recognize me?" he asked with feigned surprise, glancing down at himself as though he were just now noticing his appearance. His hands reached for a strand of his orange hair, which he stroked thoughtfully with his thumb.
"Fascinating. I didnât expect to get such a realistic body," he said, his red eyes locking onto yours again.
Your confusion seemed to amuse him. What was he talking about?
"Come on, [Y/N], use that little brain of yours," he laughed, his steps slow and deliberate as his red eyes gleamed at you challenging.
No matter how hard you thought, you couldnât make any connection. He knew your NameâŚ
He was now standing in front of you, looking down with that same unsettling smile.
Clearly, he had grown tired of waiting. His red eyes sparkled, and his voice distorted as he spoke:
"Do you really want to leave the game? Yes or no?" he asked playfully.
Your eyes widened in pure shock at his words, at the distortion in his voiceâit sounded exactly like...
Your voice trembled as you voiced the thought aloud. That couldnât be.
The sheer shock on your face seemed to excite him. He relished every ounce of your fear and disbelief.
"Bingo!!! But you can call me by my real name. I think itâs only fair, given your naive foolishness saved my life. Thanks for that, by the way," he said casually, his voice dripping with mockery as you stared at him, dumbfounded, unable to process his words.
This couldnâtâmustnâtâbe true. Kandiaru, the Architect of the Systemâthe one Jin-Woo had eliminated after Ashborn denied him access to the System. How in the world had he ended up in your world? Did this mean Jin-Woo had lost? How had the timeline gone so awry when youâd gone to such lengths to prevent exactly that? You didnât even want to imagine what this meant for Jin-Woo.
"Howâ" you began, but he cut you off immediately.
"Oh, do you think it was just a coincidence that you ended up in our world?" he asked with a smirk, disdain evident in his voice.
"I needed someone knowledgeableâbut not too knowledgeable. And your disgustingly kind heart? That was just the icing on the cake," he said, his fingers gripping your chin and tilting your head up, forcing you to look at him.
"Through your world, I saw my future and devised a Plan B to ensure Iâd survive."
Slowly but surely, his facade of calm began to crack. His piercing gaze and the unhinged grin spreading across his face triggered every instinct in you to flee.
The alcohol clouded your thoughts, but even in this state, you felt a shiver run down your spineâa strong sense of danger.
You needed to run. Now. But your body wouldnât move.
"It was only a matter of time before your love for him forced you to make a choice. After all, thereâs no future for you and him," he continued as you stood there, helpless to do anything but listen.
"And with that, you weakened himâseverely. Longing is such an ugly emotion, isnât it?" he whispered, pulling your face closer to his. His grip was unyielding, and any resistance you managed was useless.
The gears in your head began to turn. He had... used you from the very beginning? Known all along that youâd return with a broken heart, leaving Jin-Woo vulnerable?
No, he hadnât just knownâheâd banked on it. He had meticulously planned everything, using you as a pawn for his own survival.
"If it were up to me, Iâd have handled things differently, but it was hard enough keeping my intentions hidden from Ashborn. Truly tedious," he muttered, clearly irritated at the thought of the Shadow Monarch, who had tasked him with finding a suitable human.
"But no matter. I can just as easily plunge your world into chaos," he laughed, gazing up at the dark night skyâuntil your hand gripped his wrist, pulling at his sleeve.
His laughter stopped abruptly as his eyes darted down to you, his head tilting to the side.
"Hmm?" he asked, amused by your defiance.
Your actions were no longer rational, driven instead by a simmering rage. Deep within, it boiled and churned. All the pain and effort... for nothing?
"Oh no, did I make you angry?" he taunted, mockery lacing his words.
"Youâre a filthy bastard," you spat, your [E/C] eyes glaring fiercely at him. You couldnât hold back anymore.
For a brief moment, Kandiaru looked surprised before bursting into laughter.
"Oh, oh, such harsh words from such a pretty mouth."
He leaned down, his hot breath brushing against your face as his fingers dug painfully into your chin. His eyes roamed over your form, taking in your exposed skin and the black dress that hugged your curves.
"I can see what he sees in you," he said with a wicked grin.
That was the last straw. Without thinking, you swung at him. Your fist collided with his open palm as he released your chin to block your weak punch.
He gripped your hand tightly, the pressure forcing your fingers to ache as you let out a pained gasp and dropped to your knees.
"Know your place, human. The only reason you were ever strong was because of my powerâbut here, youâre nothing. Just another insignificant human among many."
The playful tone in his voice vanished as if a switch had been flipped. His gaze turned icy, his voice cold as he looked down at you.
Your bare knees scraped against the rough asphalt. He eased the pressure slightlyâenough to avoid breaking your fingersâbut his words burned themselves into your mind.
He was right. You had no real power, no special abilities. You were just a human. A powerless, ordinary human.
He let go of you, obviously not wanting to deal with you any longer. As he turned his back to you, every fiber of your being screamed at you to stop himâno matter how.
âWait,â your voice trembled slightly as you got back on your feet, the cool night wind brushing against your bare legs.
He sighed, clearly annoyed by your persistence, but turned his head slightly in your direction. âWhat now?â he asked gruffly, throwing you a sidelong glance.
âWhat⌠happened to Jin Woo?â you asked then. You had to knowâhad to know if he was okay. He couldnât have lost to him. That just couldnât be true.
The Architect paused for a moment, as if thinking. Then, a smile returned to his lips. He could tell you anything, and you would believe him.
âOh, right. I should pass on his last words,â he said, his voice growing quieter.
âAlthough⌠he never got the chance to say them.â
His words flipped a switch in you. Overwhelmed with anger, you charged at him. Every part of your body wanted to tear him apart, even though you knew you didnât stand a chance.
With a loud scream, you stormed toward him, your hands clenched into fistsâyour body tense.
âOh, man,â Kandiaru muttered, rolling his eyes as he lazily prepared to block your feeble attack. But to both his and your surprise, your punch carried far more weight than the last one.
So much so that he stumbled back a step, staring at you in confusion.
It was nothing compared to your former strength, but the fury and adrenaline gave you power. And apparently, his body wasnât as strong as the one he had in his own world.
âYouâre really starting to get on my nerves,â the Architect growled, his expression darkening with irritation. He was slowly but surely losing his composure.
âI really hoped I wouldnât have to kill you,â he sighed, reaching behind him.
A shimmering dagger appeared, its blade catching the light of the streetlamp as he moved.
Your eyes widened at the sightâit bore a resemblance to Barukaâs dagger, but this one was deep red.
âThatâs enough,â he said, and in an instant, the weapon in his hand began to pulsate. The mana flowing from it was the same as the one that had drawn you here in the first placeâbut now, it was far stronger.
He didnât give you time to think. He lunged at you.
Unlike his strength, his speed wasnât inhuman, which allowed you to dodge his strike.
The blade grazed your cheek, and your back hit a wall painfully as you tried to evade.
His crimson eyes locked onto you, the grin returning to his face as he saw the fear in your eyes.
Your heart pounded wildly in your chest, terror flooding your body as you stumbled to the side. The dagger embedded itself into the wall where your head had just been.
He really intended to kill youâout here, in the open!
Blood trickled down your cheek as you broke into a sprint, his footsteps echoing right behind you.
âCome on, [Y/N], donât make this harder than it has to be,â his manic voice called out from behind, steadily catching up.
Your legs grew heavy as you ran through the alleys, panic gripping your throat. Was there really no one around? No one to help?
The fear was suffocating. The walls to your left and right hemmed you inâyou had no choice but to keep running straight.
But his steps drew closer, and when he caught up to you, you saw the dagger flash toward you from the corner of your eye.
Your life flashed before your eyesâthe last image in your mind was that of the black-haired Hunter.
âIâm sorry,â you whispered faintly as your foot twisted, causing you to lose balance.
Resigned to your fate, you were weightless for a brief momentâonly a fraction of a second. You squeezed your eyes shut, bracing for the pain.
Instead, your body collided with something hard and warm.
An arm wrapped around your waist, pressing you tightly against the warm figure in front of you.
Your cheek rested against soft fabric, beneath which a warm body rose and fell with irregular breaths.
âGet your hands off her.â
Your entire body reacted to the voice. The chest you were pressed against vibrated as he spoke, and your eyes flew open.
Tears welled up in your eyes, darting upward.
The familiar scent filled your nose, the warmth spreading through your chilled body instantly.
You wanted to look at him, to confirm that he wasnât an illusionâbut he held you firmly in place.
Warm blood ran down his arm, dripping onto the ground beneath him. The sharp pain coursed through his entire arm, but it was nothing compared to the relief he felt as he held your body against his. The warmth that flooded him as he inhaled your scent. His body had longed for this for so long. The deep hole in his chest stopped aching.
Kandiaru didnât hesitate for a second. He pulled the dagger free and jumped back several steps,
âHow did youâ?â Kandiaru began, disbelief laced in his voice.
Jin Woo, however, simply glared at him darkly, his eyes narrowed to slits and his arms protectively wrapped around you. Not for a second did he let any weakness show, despite his lack of abilities.
Only when the orange-haired man retreated slightly did Jin Woo turn his half-focused attention to you.
The tone of his voice, directed at you, was gentle and warm. You had almost forgotten how it felt when he spoke to you like that.
You pulled away slightly to look at him, your [E/C] eyes brimming with tears.
He hadnât changed a bitâonly his eyes hinted at the deep sorrow and suffering your disappearance had caused.
In contrast, you had changed a lot. You had lost weight, your cheekbones were more pronounced, and the dark circles under your eyes spoke volumes Jin Woo didnât need to read to see that you hadnât fared any better than he had.
So many sleepless nights, so much unnecessary pain, so much longing and desire that had haunted you both equally.
His hands now rested on your shoulders, and you noticed the blood on his arm. Worry surged through you, but the gentle pressure he appliedâwordlessly telling you it was okayâbrought your attention back to his face.
All at once, everything came rushing backâall the words you had never been able to say.
You wanted to beg for his forgiveness, to tell him how terribly you had behaved and how foolish you had been.
The black-haired man interrupted you with his index finger pressed gently to your lips, silencing you softly. His lips curved into a faint smile.
His eyes told you everything you needed to know in that moment. Even after all this time, you still understood him without words.
A hot tear rolled down your cheek, dampening it before dripping off your chin. You nodded in understanding.
It could wait. For now, the most important thing was getting both of you out of here in one piece.
The Architect, meanwhile, had quickly recovered after realizing that Jin Woo no longer radiated any mana. In this world, he was weaker than even an E-Rank.
âJin-Woo Sung,â Kandiaru called, his eyes flickering with pure murderous intent as he lunged forward, dagger in hand, its blade pulsating.
âItâs my pleasure to cut you to pieces,â he laughed as he charged at you both.
Jin Woo tensed and pushed you behind him, ready to somehow fend off the attack. His reflexes might no longer be those of an S-Rank Hunter, but he still had close combat experience and enough muscle strength.
The energy radiating from the blade was palpable in the airâelectrifying and oppressive.
Everything happened so fast, you had no time to react. The black-haired man shoved you aside with gentle force, pushing you out of the line of fire.
You stumbled but managed to catch yourself in time to avoid falling.
Wide-eyed with fear, you spun around.
Jin Woo had deflected the attack with a skillful move, pushing the orange-haired manâs hand upward at the right moment.
Tension gripped your body, and you sucked in a sharp breath.
Your head darted around, searching for ANYTHING that could help you.
Jin Woo could do nothing but block the Architectâs relentless attacks. Kandiaru struck with brutal force, slashing with the dagger in his other hand.
More cuts appeared on the Hunterâs skin as he was forced back. Kandiaru gave him no reprieve, and you could see sweat gleaming on Jin Wooâs forehead. His movements slowed as the fight dragged on. He couldnât hold out much longer.
Jin Woo slammed into one of the parked cars as the Architect grabbed him by the throat and threw him. Jin Woo was hopelessly outmatched.
Blood clung to his forehead as Jin Wooâs eyes briefly flicked toward you before focusing again on the orange-haired man, whose wild grin remained as his red eyes sparkled with malice.
He struggled against the grip on his neck, which tightened, choking the air out of him as Kandiaru pressed him harder against the vehicle.
A sharp pain shot through the back of his head, and a choking sound escaped his throat as the lack of oxygen began to affect his brain. His vision blurred, and he felt the burning in his lungs.
This was it. For the third time, he was losing to this monster, but this time, it would be the last.
Kandiaru raised his weapon, holding Jin Woo firmly in place.
âItâs been a pleasure,â he laughed, ready to strike, when suddenly his grip loosened, and he was shoved to the side.
You had thrown yourself against him with all your might, sending him staggering.
Your body hit the cold asphalt hard, scraping your hands and knees as a searing pain shot through your arm. Kandiaru also met the groundâthe force of your impact had hit him with full strength.
Jin Wooâs lungs filled with air again, adrenaline pumping blood through his body. Suddenly, he could see again, gasping for breath.
The dark red dagger clattered across the cold ground, sliding several meters away, but the Architect quickly scrambled to his feet and grabbed his weapon.
âYou damn whore,â he growled, his psychotic grin replaced by pure rage, his focus now on you.
Jin Woo had also gotten back to his feet, his entire body aching with pain. He took a brief moment to overcome the stabbing headache.
This human body severely limited him, but his will to protect you drove him forward.
You were a good distance away from him, and with his battered body, every step felt like twenty.
You gasped in pain, your knees burning like fire and refusing to cooperate as Kandiaru set his sights on you.
Fear flooded your senses, robbing you of reason and freezing you in place as the Architect charged at you, dagger in hand, its tip glowing brightly with small bolts of lightning sparking from it.
â[Y/N]!â Jin Wooâs sharp cry reached your ears as he realized he wouldnât make it in time to save you. His voice trembled as he stretched out his hand toward youâbut it was in vain.
You didnât even have time to scream. All you could do was reflexively close your eyes.
The faint hum of an engine barely reached your ears.
An ear-piercing screech enveloped your body, bracing itself for incoming painâbut none came.
Jin Woo stood frozen, his wide eyes trembling as his hand quivered at what had just unfolded before him.
For the moment, nothing else mattered to him except you. You were still sitting motionless on the ground.
ââ[Y/N!]ââ, you didnât react.
Without hesitation, he hobbled toward you, dropping to his knees and placing his hands on your shoulders, shaking you gently.
âCan you hear me?!â Jin Wooâs usually calm voice trembled with fear. Unknowingly, he held his breath.
Finally, your eyes fluttered open, and your [E/C] irises met his stormy gray ones. The tension visibly melted from his face as he let out a shaky breath. Relief washed over him like a tidal wave, but you still said nothing.
You blinked a few times, dazed and confused.
âWhat?â you whispered faintly, your mind struggling to process what had happened.
Jin Wooâs worried expression softened further, and without warning, he pulled you into his arms, holding you tightly against his chest.
âI⌠I thoughtâŚâ His voice cracked, and whatever words he meant to say dissolved into silence. The walls he had painstakingly built around his heart during your absence crumbled entirely. His body trembled, and his embrace tightened.
Never in all the time you had known Jin Woo had you seen him so consumed by fear.
As the shock in your own body subsided, you, too, began to sob uncontrollably. Your hands clung to the fabric of his black shirt as you returned his embrace.
The two of you clung to each other like drowning souls, finding solace only in each other.
Abruptly, Jin Woo pulled back. Your tear-filled eyes questioned the sudden separation until he cupped your face with his hands and pressed his lips to yours.
He had waited too long for this moment, envisioned countless scenarios where it might happen, and convinced himself repeatedly that it had to be perfect. But now he understoodâit didnât need to be perfect.
The moment was messy, far from ideal. You were both battered and bruised, covered in blood and sweat, adrenaline still coursing through your veins.
And yet, that kiss was the most beautiful thing Jin Woo had ever experienced.
All the longing, the yearning, and the love he had carried for you poured into that single, imperfect kiss.
Tears streamed down your face once more, but this time they were tears of joy.
It felt as though his love seeped into the cracks of your heart, slowly but surely filling every void and healing every wound.
You only broke apart when a voice disrupted the moment.
A quick exchange of glances was all you managed before both your heads turned toward the source of the sound.
âHOLY SHIT, NIKA! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?!â a male voice yelled as a car door swung open.
Only now did you notice the lifeless body lying on the ground, orange hair splayed in all directions.
Hide tugged at his hair, staring in wide-eyed disbelief at the unmoving figure in front of his car, then at his sister climbing out of the driverâs seat.
âDear brother,â Nika began in a calm, angelic tone, inhaling deeply.
âDID YOU MISS THE PART WHERE HE WAS THREATENING [Y/N] WITH A FREAKING GLOWING KNIFE?!â she screamed, her tone switching to pure outrage as she glared at her brother.
âYOU CANâT JUST MOW HIM DOWN!â Hide yelled back, utterly floored by her reckless driving and lack of judgment.
,,OF COURSE I CAN, DIDN'T YOU SEE??!'', she yelled back.
âWEâRE BOTH GOING TO JAIL! How the hell do you plan to explain this to the cops?!â he paced frantically, running his hands through his hair.
But Nika ignored his panicked questions entirely, her focus shifting as she spotted you and Jin Woo. Without hesitation, she sprinted toward you.
â[Y/N]!!!â she cried, her voice thick with emotion, throwing herself to the ground beside you and wrapping her arms tightly around your neck. Jin Woo had to shuffle aside to avoid the collision.
She clung to you desperately, sobbing uncontrollably.
âIâm so sorry,â she wept, pulling you even closer.
Your tear-filled eyes drifted to Jin Woo, who gave you a soft, knowing smile.
You felt nothing but overwhelming gratitude that everyone was safe.
âTake good care of her,â Nika said firmly, releasing you from her embrace and shooting Jin Woo a stern look.
He paused briefly, his gray eyes locking onto yours before he gave a gentle nod.
A faint smile tugged at your lips as a blush crept onto your cheeks. Jin Wooâs sweetness still left you in awe, and it was hard to grasp that all this love was directed at you.
It had been a week since Jin Woo had entered your world, and now it was time to return home.
The Architectâs body had not been human; it dissolved into mana before merging with his dagger upon his death. That blade turned out to be the System, manifest in an object, and it allowed Jin Woo to create a Gate back to the Hunter world.
Explaining this to Nika and Hide had beenâŚchallenging. Even after witnessing it themselves, disbelief lingered in their expressions. Without the firsthand evidence, they might have deemed you insane.
As for destiny? The events that unfolded proved that the Systemâs claim of inevitability wasnât absolute. Its deletion was imminent, and you now believed you could shape your own story.
Jin Woo, however, wasnât leaving anything to chance.
He refused to let you out of his sight, constantly staying close and cherishing every moment together. âFor all the lost time,â he would say.
Now, you both stood before the Gate Jin Woo had conjured. The Twins in front of you.
âGo on, before I start bawling,â Nika said, wiping at her teary eyes. Leaving her behind hurt, but you had to return. There was still so much left to do, so many monsters to fight.
What mattered most, however, was that you were together again.
You nodded, biting your lip to hold back tears.
âShall we?â Jin Woo extended his hand.
Without hesitation, you intertwined your fingers with his, meeting his eyes. His reassuring squeeze grounded you.
Together, you stepped through the Gate, returning to the Hunter world.
â§Ëââ˘ââââŕ¨ŕ§âââââ˘â§âËâšâ đđđđđđđ đđđĄđ... ââ§Ëââ˘ââââŕ¨ŕ§âââââ˘â§âËâš
đŠę¨ď¸đŞ á´á´á´á´Ęá´á´á´! ę¨ď¸
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Holy shit i finally did it. It took so much thinking and rewriting because i wasn't happy - there were so many things that changed during the writing process. I am not fully satisfied, but i hope you like the second part as well! :)
As i already mentioned in my last Post - there will be a few side Stories, adapting this Two Shot~
Thank you for all your support! likes, reblogs & comments or just reading <3 .'*â˘.¸⥠I really appreciate it <3 âĄÂ¸.â˘*'
âĄÂ¸.â˘*' Ë°â˘*ââ đ˘đĄđđđđ
@phisen @bunniotomia @mysterylilycheeta @uchihaclan27
