Inhumans Among Humans _ Part 7: Partner and Promise
[Sung Jinwoo x Alter AU Shadow Monarch Female!Reader - Romantic | Monarch Change AU]
Request Base ― Teaser/Prologue ― Part 1 ― Part 2 ― Part 3 ― Part 4 ― Part 5 ― Part 6 ― Part 7 (here)
“You think something was wrong with that Hunter Sung?” You laid on the couch upside down with your head nearly touching the floor, your legs swinging in the air back and forth while your arms hugged a pillow close to your chest. In fear of you stumbling onto the ground, Cerberus had laid itself on the ground, luckily for you―and Dongsuk’s apartment―he could shrink his size down.
“Everything is wrong with that man.” Baruka snarled, playing with his daggers near the windows. Though his eyes idly watched the outside, his sharp ears were trained on every movement and sound you made, including your idle thoughts spoken aloud. “He is suspicious.” His head turned away from the window, a scowl on his face as he turned to you. “Another Shadow Monarch? One that’s practically tasked to kill you to complete a job well done? We should strike him down when we have the chance and continue onwards!”
You shook your head; that was enough to silence Baruka. You didn’t want to admit it, but it was odd. His words rang true about the key and you’ve gained Cerberus easily without much effort. You were even trying out something new, something you weren’t used to, yet the fight was quick and effortless on your part. You thought hard. Jinwoo didn’t want you to continue after, saying that it would be a challenge inside. You only compiled because Jinwoo’s words seem to have some weight to it, yet…
“It wasn’t a challenge at all…” You pouted.
Igris placed dish upon dish on the dining table, Dongsuk following behind to set up the table. Cerberbus’ heads nudged you back to the upright position, your feet on the floor and your head over the top of the couch’s back. The armora of food brought your body over to the dining table, Igris stood behind your chair, pushing it in as you took your seat.
You habitually ate after thanking Igris for the meal, your mind still racing as you tried to decipher Jinwoo’s actions and reasoning behind. You wanted to invest in this relationship, in him. He was different, just as you were to your home world. The only one who could grow stronger, the only one who could communicate with dungeon monsters, the only one who could bring the worlds to ruin. The only difference between you two was your views. Jinwoo appears to care for humans and their prosperity, hence taking the quest to come to your world. Meanwhile, you couldn’t care less about humans and frankly, you saw them as tools to use, you don’t want to destroy the world but you don’t want to save it.
A hum escaped as you chewed on your food, eyebrows furrowing in deep thought―you weren’t even aware that it was Igris, Baruka, and Taeshik constantly refilling your bowl with food to eat, then there’s Dongsuk refilling your cup.
Jinwoo’s state while growing strong would be out of desperation. He has something to protect, righteous, and loving. He was aware of the Red Gate Incident but appears to be confused and horrified. Even more so when you had Baruka and Cerberus as your Shadows. “He didn’t ext- No… He couldn’t extract their Shadows…” You turned to air, “System, can you see what Shadows Hunter Sung has?”
[THE ENTITY HAS WEAK SHADOWS AT HIS COMMAND IN THIS WORLD.]
[IN HIS WORLD, HE HAS IGRIS, KNIGHTS, MAGES, ICE BEARS, A WYVERN, HIGH ORCS, AND MORE.]
“No ice elves or humans like Dongsuk or Taeshik?”
[NO.]
Then if he were like you, facing the same events. He should have faced the same, there were two possibilities. One, he didn’t want to extract humans, maybe due to morals. Two, he didn’t have the power to do so when he was facing them.
If your theory about Jinwoo being in a rush to grow much stronger for some goal was right, then the Demon Castle he faced then would be a challenge to him, truly S-Rank. Yet for you, who had grown strong enough to manage stronger foes and aim for an advantage, most quests were a breeze to complete. You could even choose your Shadows. For Jinwoo, his battles were actual battles with a challenge. For you, your battles were Shadow recruitment. His worries are unfounded and unnecessary, sweet as they may be.
One question could overturn it all, “When Hunter Sung fought in the Demon Castle, what Shadow could and did he extract?”
[THE WYVERN NAMED KAISEL.]
High orcs are most likely from another dungeon, since the only Shadow Jinwoo got from the Demon Castle was a wyvern. If his extraction ability was active and he was desperate to be stronger, why not the demons as well? He would have done so, so he wasn’t able to? Why?
“System?”
[YES?]
A thought, a curious thought rang in your head. If you were indifferent to humans and he was caring for humans. If you treasured the System as it did to you… “You said Hunter Sung’s relationship with his System was business-like. Does his System hide information from him? Sets restrictions for him?”
[YES.]
[CERTAIN INFORMATION ARE RESTRICTED.]
“Also, has Hunter Sung failed to extract the Shadows he wanted?”
[YES.]
That answers that. It could be that his System didn’t want him with certain Shadows, or his power levels weren’t on par. There could be other reasons as well, though you couldn’t figure that out at the moment. You know for a fact that Baruka and Cerberus were Shadows he couldn’t obtain, hence his disbelief. Perhaps it was a balance, fairness when he lived well and you didn’t, now favouritism from the System? You can’t be sure of that, this was all idle thoughts.
Cling. You blinked and looked down at the empty plates and bowls before you. “Oh.”
“Dessert, My Lady?” Taeshik offered.
You smiled, “Yes!”
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It made no sense. No sense at all.
At the moment, Jinwoo was back in his apartment, connecting through his animalistic Shadows while searching through the city for you and your Shadows.
Forget about the humans you extracted, since he did the same with Iron. What about the ice elves? Baruka? You had their whole tribe as your Shadows. How was that possible? From what he learned through his chat with you, you certainly were stronger than he was when he faced the same situations and you had your Shadow Monarch title later, yet everything was twisted and mixed together as a result.
Your timeline changed from his perspective, and it flowed just as smoothly from your perspective. Both of you had shadow extraction when the Red Gate Incident happened, yet both of you had different results. While you two joined, it was under different circumstances.
Jinwoo had searched online and researched the incident. There was no mention of a mysterious helper; there were no survivors from the team. Everyone died. While he couldn’t know exactly what happened in the Gate, he doubt you joined openedly like he did with someone vouching for you. Then again, wouldn’t that mean Song-Yi would be entering dangerous Gates since she never learned her lesson?
No… Jinwoo shook his head from the train to train heading to a wrong direction. He needed to look at the bigger picture. You. You who will be the worlds’ end should he fail to convince you. Yet… Was there anything to convince? Clearly you didn’t care for humans and you saw lives as a means to an end. You were in a way stronger than him with the System as your true ally without strings. Hold up…
Ashborn of this world wouldn’t have given up the possession willingly to you after seeing your actions, right? Though that Ruler mentioned that it was indeed you who brought the world to its knees. Did Ashborn allow you to do that? Or the Architect? Was that manipulator the cause? No, he might have given you power, but your mindset and ways stemmed from something deeper, something more tragic―a tale of pain and suffering unlike him.
But… If you saw no meaning, can’t he just give you meaning? Show you what his friends and family showed him in his darkest times. You need someone to help you out of that spot. So then… What’s a good start?
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You patiently waited as you adjusted yourself on the seat. An odd sense of nervousness over you as you waited for Taeshik to bring Jinwoo over to this secluded room within a cafe. Perhaps it was because you’ve been thinking of him more so than yourself and your own plans for the future more these days after meeting him. Or it could be cause of the little hope and anticipation towards this interaction with him.
Emotions and thoughts that you wouldn’t care for. That man you met before, when he tried recruiting you into a guild, you had forgotten all about him, you didn’t care if he was alive or not, so long as he didn’t spread information about you. Dongsuk and Taeshik, whom you killed and have been serving you since, you didn’t think much of their human selves or regret doing the deed. Yet it was different with this Jinwoo person.
Your cheek leaned into the space between your curled fingers and lower palm, and your elbow plopped on the table. Your finger lightly touched the rim of the cup, your eyes blinked from time to time. Applying a bit of pressure to the cup, cracks appeared.
“I’ll have it changed, My Lady.” Baruka took the cup away just before its contents could stain the tablecloth or worse, your hand.
“Thanks, Baruka.” You smiled, moving your idle hand to the plate. Yes, with Jinwoo, you were a bit different. More human? You silently laughed, your shoulders jolting up a bit and your eyes closed momentarily. Human… How interesting.
Knocks came at the door and you granted permission for entry. Taeshik’s face greeted you first before he stepped aside and there was Jinwoo with his hands behind his back. You nodded at him and gestured for him to sit down. Taeshik left the room while Baruka returned to your shadow, you wanted privacy.
An awkward silence stilled the room, but you happily enjoyed his presence. How long had it been since the last time you were this at ease with someone other than your Shadows or the System? You were, however, ignorant of the inner turmoil Jinwoo was having opposite you.
“Ah, yes.” Jinwoo’s hands removed themselves from behind his back and placed a box on the table, then slid it over to you. “A gift, for you.” You carefully unwrapped it layer by layer accordingly. As you got to the inner box, Jinwoo spoke just as you opened it to reveal what was inside. “It’s a hairpin, enchanted with fire-resistant charm. I thought it would help when you go back to the Demon Castle.”
“Really? A gift you won’t take back? A gift without strings?”
“I want you safe and… happy.” Jinwoo looked you in the eyes, a hint of sadness and maybe pity. A small gift like this was enough to move you? To bring you to tears. How cruelly has your world treated you.
You sniffed and wiped your eyes, chuckles and laughs came out broken and short. “You know, once a friend gifted me a pen but then told everyone I stole it, which happened when I was a child. Another time, a Hunter teammate gave me a bag of supplies, but it was coated with blood that attracted monsters towards me, they used me as bait. I hated being gifted with something… But…” Your hand shook lightly, cradling the gift close to your heart. “I can’t explain this, I feel so… light…”
Jinwoo felt his face flush. A little gift like this was enough to make you shed tears of happiness. He lamented that he couldn’t have met you earlier. Things would be much different, now. Yes? “So why have you called me here?”
“Ah, yes.” You composed yourself, placing down the hairpin back into the gift box. “I’m planning on returning back to the Demon Castle and continuing onwards with the quest. I believe it would prove to be less of a challenge for me, than it was for you.” You chuckled, speaking honestly. “You’re welcome to join, but I’d appreciate it if you would only spectate like last time with Cerberus. No hints or help this time as well.”
Jinwoo nodded in understanding. He had expected that you would want to continue with the Demon Castle question, but he had to ask. “Your parents. How are they? Would one of them be suffering from an illness by chance?”
There was a minor jolt. Jinwoo noticed how the light from your eyes faded a bit. Your entire figure slumped down as if something pushed you down by force―a trigger. Your voice dulled, words came out as if programmed, “My parents are well, they are perfectly healthy. Thank you for your concern.”
“...” Jinwoo observed with the senses of a seasoned Hunter. The practiced smile, the neutral tone, and the rigid posture. It was all wrong. He’d heard that your life was troubled, pained, and full of suffering like his. Yet, yours pushed you to the brink. For now, you were still holding onto what you have left, but… How long would that last? How long until it snaps and the world finally pays for how they treated the sleeping lion?
It wouldn’t do him good to just take from you. The gift he gave you now would seem like an exchange for information. By the knowing tone you had about the dungeon, your System must have told you things about him. You’d know he knows something about you too, so, it’s best if he gently dismantle the walls around you by lowering himself to your level. At this moment, he’s not the saviour sent from another world to neutralize you. He’s just Sung Jinwoo.
“You don’t have to lie to me,” He started, his voice soft as intended, like talking to a child or someone of the same level. A friend to a friend in school. He leaned forward just slightly, his eyes staring into your dull ones that refused to waver even with his words of truth you knew well. “You knew I’m from another world. So let me share my story.”
This wasn’t pity. Jinwoo was trying to build some form of connection with you. The you who was hurt, stabbed, and betrayed to the point of embracing the darkness for some semblance of warmth.
“My mother… She suffered from Eternal Slumber not long after my father disappeared in a Gate. I was awaken as an E-Rank, the weakest. Money was tight and I had to watch over my younger sister Jinah as well. So I became a Hunter, I risked my life in every raid, just to pay for my mother’s medical bills and my sister’s tuition, the remaining was for living and rent and other things.”
Jinwoo paused, searching for some form of reaction. Understanding, connection, sympathy, anything. There was none.
“Every raid, I was looked down on. Sometimes I was left behind, sometimes I was betrayed. But there was always someone there to make things better. A light in the darkness before the System came and I grew stronger to carry the weight with ease.” Jinwoo couldn’t help but smile at the memory. It was because of those moments and people that he didn’t fall into despair. He wanted to pull you out of there as well. “I know… I know what it’s like to have the weight of family and life crushing you down. So tell me… Tell me your side. Your truth. We share the same powers, we share the same growth, but the pain, it’s not the same experience and I can’t say I understand you just because you are also a Shadow Monarch…”
Your eyes blinked, your lips pressed together. Jinwoo noticed your fingers twitching before you retrieved your hands and placed them under the table, away from view. An agonizing silence fell. Patiently, Jinwoo waited.
Then you spoke. Your face tilted down that your eyes were overshadowed. “How nice… to have light before the System. I… I wasn’t so lucky…” Your voice was like that of a broken doll’s, stating fact as if your life was written on a script. “I suppose, I wasn’t human enough to be like you? Holding out and triumphing…”
“That’s not what I was trying to say.”
“I know.” You cut him off the second he finished the sentence. You swallowed and told with a painfully indifferent tone. “My parents were monsters, worse than those in the dungeons. Somehow I find myself wishing they suffer Eternal Slumber… Cruel, I know, but… They never wanted me to begin with. I was an accident, a burden to them. My Awakening was just a way for them to make quick money. If I die, that’s too bad. If I live, remember to transfer what you earn. I would rather live in the forest than in the same place as them, and I did… It was peaceful and quiet, I thought this was a turning point and things would be better from here on out. It didn’t…”
Jinwoo watched as your shoulder slumped even more, as if the matters with your parents weren’t even the tip of the iceberg.
“School? I suppose I had been lying to myself the entire time. Friends were a luxury I never had. Try and befriend the lonely quiet kid and see how long she’ll realize it’s all a joke. It’s a game to them all.” Your eyes landed on the hairpin, another pause came and you switched to another topic as if those few words were enough to sum up every little pain you’ve gone through. “Hunters? Teammates? I’ll bet it’s not too different from your situation…” You looked up at him, “I was the weakest one too, but I never had anyone that’ll look after me. No light in the darkness as you’d claim.”
It was a noticeable shift, your Shadows moving and twisting around your table. Jinwoo knew which Shadows would be more sensitive to what you’re about to say.
“I noticed the look you gave me when I admitted I did let monsters loose after the Red Gate, just to protect myself. How cruel, how cold, and how inhuman I must have appeared to you when I don’t treasure human lives as you would.” You smiled with your head tilted innocently, your voice cracked but your smile remained as warm and genuine as ever. “Can you blame me? When all my life as a Hunter, everyone else saw me as the perfect disposable bait. I can’t fight back, I’m not valuable, I’m not really part of the team.”
The shadows reacted to your words, twisting more vigorously as if holding back from lashing out.
Your eyes glowed that familiar purple hue faintly, “The Double Dungeon’s where I acquired my companion, the System. Well, it wasn’t the first time I was left behind. But it was the first time I was left for certain death. My teammates looked me in the eye and promised they’d tell everyone about my noble sacrifice. My life for theirs, it was a good bargain.” An airy bitter laugh escaped your lips, “And you know what the Hunter Association asked me when I miraculously survived? Did you fake your rank? Did you lead the team into that suspicious second dungeon? Suddenly, I was suspected of being a false ranker, a traitor.”
The words that summarized your years of suffering and pain struck Jinwoo to the core. Everything he faced, you faced it as well, but in a worse position than him. You only had yourself. You were broken and beaten to the point of relying on the only thing that actually saved you, no matter how weird and impossible it was. You didn’t question your System, but rather bonded with it because it was the only pillar that stayed by your side and actually helped you.
“Why I extracted humans… It’s simple. In death, they are finally truthful and loyal. In death, they can’t betray me. They keep their memories, their skills, their usefulness… but the rot from within them, the greed and cruelty, that’s all gone. Washed away like a clean slate. I know it’s inhuman and a violation. What you may see as a monstrous act that defiles, Jinwoo, I see it as the only way I could ever build connection that last.”
Jinwoo’s eyes widened, your smile soft and serene. The shadows behind you formed, just faintly, as though comforting you.
“It’s the only way I know and can ever feel safe.”
“...”
You stood up from your seat, putting the hairpair back into its box with a soft click. “If for that, I’ll be sentenced to death by another version that grew in righteousness. I don’t mind it because I’d do it again.” You slid the gift back to Jinwoo. “Thank you for listening to my side of the story before you took any action.” You left your seat and hummed, “I know you have your mission and it doesn’t sound like you have much of a choice to abandon it if you want to return to your lovely world and perfect life. I won’t hold it against you, but I won’t take things lying down.”
Jinwoo wanted to say something, but the eerie peaceful declaration you were giving him stunned him to stillness.
“Come at me whenever, I’ll put up a fight for my life. No matter how dreadful it has been, with what I have now, I prefer it if I were the one on top.” You walked away from the table, leaving Jinwoo behind. “Even if I have to stand atop the corpses of humans in this world.”
At least, that was the intent. A cold dread of the end washed over Jinwoo and he swiped the gift you refused into his hand before he called forth his realm; The Realm of Eternal Rest. The world disappeared in a blink, darkness surrounded both him and you in an instant. You paused in your step. Jinwoo watched as you flicked your wrist and slowly turned around with a glow in your eyes. From within your shadow, Igris, Baruka, and Cerberus emerged, all taking up their stations on either side and behind you with unwavering loyalty.
Jinwoo stood still and unmoving, not even releasing his aura to counter your oppressive one. This was the act of a cornered animal with the sole focus and mind to do what the mind believes to be the best. He eyed you who glared at him with caution and subtle fury, wariness even. You knew he knew you weak, weaker than him who could easily put you down without effort. Yet even now, you had yet to act and attack, it could be excused as the act of self-defense, protection. Since you knew he was there to prevent a world-end scenario.
In his eyes… You were the villain and he the hero.
And what do heroes do?
They kill the villain for the world.
“My system used me and I used it.” Jinwoo spoke through the suffocating silence.
You flinched at attitude of his words. Clearly expecting something else.
“I knew it was using me, but I didn’t care. I got stronger and I got the power to protect others, my friends, my family…” A pause, Jinwoo thought carefully how to deliver it as clear as he could without the usual lies he’d tell himself. “I rushed through everything to get stronger, more powerful. I held onto my morals, but sometimes, it doesn’t align with what the system wants of me.” He looked into your eyes, its glow dimming. “I put humans above monsters, I… care… for humanity and its peace. But I was still selfish.”
He noticed the confusion in your posture; a slight jolt and a subtle tilting of your head.
“The Lizards, I was forced to kill them, a mission from the system. Tae-Shik, a mission was also triggered, but I was more… relieved since he had tortured my… friends… before their death; the mission was an excuse I used to justify my revenge. But I killed without one, I killed Hwang Dongsoo for hurting and torturing Jinho, and I extracted his Shadow to serve me as Greed.”
Jinwoo paused again. Taking in the curiosity that was visible in your gaze and slight confusion.
“I have also extracted a brilliant S-Rank Healer, but it was out of necessity of the situation, to save a life and I released him soon after.”
Your eyebrows furrowed, “...That is foolish… He’d be an asset to your army…”
Jinwoo chuckled bitterly and smiled, “It was, but it was done out of kindness and morality. See, we are opposites.” He lingered, testing to see if you had any other comments before continuing. “You and I are both Shadow Monarchs of our own world, commander of a loyal Shadow Army.” He gestured to your three Shadows around you, still on guard. “But still so different…”
It was an unspoken truth you both could see; Jinwoo, the light with a hint of vengeance, and you, the darkness with a dose of longing. You both wanted what you didn’t have: Jinwoo with a complacent system like yours and you with welcoming connections to others like him. The irony wasn’t lost on both of you now that everything was laid out in the open.
“Please.” Jinwoo raised the gift in his hand to you, an offering, a plea for you to not abandon the light and paint yourself as the irredeemable villainess. Don’t turn away from the light that is still there. “Let me stay by your side as well, not as a Shadow bound by forced loyalty―”
“How dare you claim our loyalty is forced! You―” Baruka’s shouting was halted by your raised hand.
Even Igris, who had taken a step with his sword drawn, froze in his advances.
Your Cerberus’ three heads bowed, snapping their jaws shut and their ears pinned.
“―but as a companion.” Jinwoo had spoken as if your Shadows never interrupted. “You aren’t as cold and heartless as you imagine yourself to be.” He smiled as he recited what he had found out. “You let Ahn Sangmin, the recruiter from White Tiger Guild, and his associate go with just a warning, right?”
You remember that, but you corrected him, “I threatened him. And… scammed him into giving me money…”
Jinwoo chuckled, truly in this grim and serious conversation where the balance of all the worlds was the prize for one wrong behaviour, action, and word. “Haha, don’t worry, I did too.” He calmed and smiled at your confused expression. It was cute―a better expression than the guardedness you were forced to always display. “What I wanted to focus on was why you didn’t just kill him and replace him with a Shadow. Wouldn’t that be better? Just as you did with the Lizards and Tae-Shik.”
“We were… in a public space… I can’t…”
“You could have led him somewhere quiet and done it. So? Why not?”
“...”
“See? You’re not all bad.”
Jinwoo’s words were a beam of light in the darkness that surrounded you, a spotlight on stage. The smile he was giving you, it was more genuine than any you have seen directed at you. A smile you wished your parents would give you or your ‘friends’ would when you all chatted together. Alas, you saw that as a dream never to come true.
Once more, Jinwoo gestured to the extended gift in his hand. “I can’t force my companionship on you; it’s two-way. Like you with your Shadows now. I’m not asking you to change. I’m not asking you to forgive them. I think you just needed someone to reach out a hand before the shadows were the only thing left to hold onto. And even if I’m late… I’d like to try.”
You looked at Jinwoo, the gift, then back at him again.
“Give me a chance.”
Simple words. So simple and so insignificant to others. But for you, it was everything. A choice to give your fragile trust to another. How many times have you been betrayed? How many times have your trust been trampled away in the mud? How many times have your life and sense of self been shattered because of your misplaced trust? You lost count to the point you cling to what you knew was pre-programmed loyalty and a higher power that seemed to favour you for unknown reasons.
“Give the word and I’ll kill him.” Baruka hissed with venom, his eyes glaring sharply at Jinwoo.
Cerberus growled lowly in response to your growing unease and anxiety.
Igris had his sword put away; instead, he knelt to your side. His helmet tilted up so that he was looking directly at you as if saying, “the choice is yours to make”, even when he couldn’t speak a word.
The System was uncharacteristically silent. No warning, no additional information, nothing. It was a subtle reassurance that there was no pressure for you to do anything nor place others before your own will. For it had always treasured your own choice before anything else, from start to now.
You took a step, walking towards Jinwoo. The distance was a few steps, but it felt like walking through a pool of tar. Every step was heavy, every second was suffocating. Memories of the past echoed in your mind, second-guessing the answer you wanted to give. It was so simple. To just do it and be normal. Yet you could never. Not with all that you have survived through.
Standing before Jinwoo, the patient man who watched and waited for your answer, you looked up at him, your eyes hardened and teary. You searched. For that hint of pity. For that deception. For that cruelty from your memories. A falter, maybe, or a nervousness that you saw through him.
Nothing. There was none of that.
You looked down at the gift. One he gave, then you rejected, and here he was, offering it back to you, but this time with the affirmation and reassurance that he will be by your side. As not a Shadow, but as a person, another being the same as you. Accepting it was a show of mutual trust, a mutual want for this relationship to flourish and grow between two humans. Humans… Can you two even be called that? No, inhumans would be the better description.
Wordlessly, your hand raised and you took the box in your hands. Again, you opened it and saw the same hairpin, now it carried another layer of meaning. You blinked and took it out; you held the hairpin to your lips and did your hair till you were satisfied; finally, you inserted the hairpin into your hair. You met Jinwoo’s gaze. This was your answer.
Jinwoo smiled warmly with a nod of understanding, his hand raised to hover over your cheek, just cupping the space around it without touch. His gaze, compassionate and warmhearted. “It looks lovely on you.”
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You stood before a luxurious apartment complex. This was a place you used to frequent and took pride in returning to, but not anymore. Now it was just a place of horrid memories of the past and present, you were striving to not have it chained to you even in the future, soon rather than later. But today, you were anxious for another reason.
Maybe I shouldn’t have told him about it… It’s my issue… But he said he wanted to help… He said he’d be by my side… Are you a dummy?! He’s obviously just saying that to make you let down your guard! But he was sincere… You paced around. If only you could twirl a dagger or slash a monster to help you with these rushing thoughts!
“Hope I didn’t make you wait too long.”
You flinched. Actually flinched from the voice and tone of it. You robotically turned your head and saw Jinwoo walking over casually with his hands in his coat pockets. He flashed you a smile and you blinked at him. He’s treating this too lightly, isn’t he? Like we’ve known each other for forever… You straightened up and met his eyes, “No, I didn’t wait too long…”
“That’s good.” He gave you that smile again, light and soft, small and genuine.
Meekly, you nodded and looked away.
Jinwoo’s hands curled into fists in his pockets. He had forced himself to push down the urge to pat your head or hug you. He had spent a while recalling how his sister would treat her friends—physical contact and gifts; it was simple enough. That is… If he were also a female, but… Man to a woman… That would push things too fast. In time… In time… One step at a time…
After awkwardly clearing his throat, Jinwoo eyed the apartment complex, “So, we going?”
“...Are you sure you want to come with?” You blinked at him, uncertain if you wanted him to see how they were like. Telling him was one thing, but meeting them, face to face? Now that was another. “You could just wait out here.”
Jinwoo turned back to you with a confident and reassuring smile, “Of course, I’m sure. No way would I leave my partner like this.”
“P- Partner!?”
Jinwoo blinked at you before realizing why your face was flushed, making his own face flushed as well as he corrected himself. “I- I mean, as in friends! Just friends! Like companion or partner-in-crime or partner, like couples! Wait- No. I mean, a pair. Not romantic but… I…” He sighed, seeing that it―he―was getting worse and worse. “Just… I won’t leave you alone in your time of need.”
You sighed in relief, “Right, yes. Of course.”
Once Jinwoo had returned to normal, he asked, “Your System, you have recovery potions, right?”
You eyed him with an eyebrow raised, “Yes, I brought plenty and have plenty from loots as well, why?”
Jinwoo smiled innocently that promised to be more sinister, “Just in case.”
.
.
.
“You- You little…”
“Have you no res- respect for your elders!?”
“Did I tell you to speak?”
Well, now you know why…
As you stared down at the beaten bodies of what used to be your parents, you swallowed, trying to maintain a neutral look with a small smile. Millions of questions echoing in your head while your Shadows were cheering on Jinwoo like proud parents? They were certainly enablers… I thought… I thought Jinwoo was the righteous one??
So there’s a very very good explanation as to why your parents were on the floor and beaten to black and blue, and purple. It started with you two visiting your parents, you were polite to inform them you had acquired all the money that would relieve you of them, aka you’d be free of them and them of you. But as usual, they were making a fuss and complaining all the hard work, time, and energy into raising you―practically and subtly demanding more even though the amount you gave them was enough for them to enjoy retirement with monthly vacations.
You were used to it, you had placed your foot down on this being the last time you’d give them money and end the parents and child bond then and there. That was the agreement. However, Jinwoo, who saw everything happen, couldn’t stand for how you were being treated even though you said nothing and just took it. Since it was easier that way, quick in and out, no fight, no prolonged event. You’d be back in your world and enjoy it then.
Jinwoo had intercepted a slap to your face by your mother, he got between you two and grabbed onto her wrist with a firm and threatening glare. With a bit of pressure, your mother’s wrist snapped like a twig and her screams pierced the silence of the apartment. Your father had rose from his armchair―previously checking the bank accounts and cash you gave―and shouted at Jinwoo and you for bringing something (yes, he did refer to Jinwoo as ‘thing’) like him into their home. Jinwoo’s {Ruler’s Authority} activated and crushed your father into the floor.
Your eyes blinked at the scene. Is this a dream? Am I dreaming??? Did I dream Jinwoo being violent towards my parents???
“Hey,” You snapped your attention to Jinwoo, who smiled at you, “You have those recovery potions? I might have broken something.”
Might have??? “Yes….” You took the potions out of your inventory and handed them to him.
“Thanks.”
You watched as he poured the potions on your parents as if watering plants. An aura of light enveloped them and their injuries were healed in an instant. Yet before they could get up from their positions, the pressure slammed them back onto the floor once more.
“Sorry, I thought I saw a rat there.”
Potions were applied.
Bang!
“Ah, I think there was a cockroach over there. I’ll help you.”
Potions were applied again.
Crash! Bang! Bang!
“This place is filthy. Maybe you two should move into an elderly care home.”
Potions were applied again…
Once, you had thought, what if you killed your parents and made them into your Shadows? To have them serve you with loyalty and love? Something that could easily be forced upon by the System’s influence. It was tempting, it was wishful. But you didn’t want to in the end. Yet, seeing them as your Shadows, it would bring more pain and anguish than joy and happiness.
When you saw Jinwoo about to continue the third time, you stopped him, “That’s enough, stop wasting your time and energy on them.”
“...” Jinwoo’s eyes were on your parents and their pathetic shaking forms; his eyes glowed purple from rage. “It’s not enough until they reflect. All that they have done. All that they have taken from you…”
You were moved. Truly, you were, but you didn’t want him to hurt the people he was supposed to save for your sake. You placed a hand on his forearm, “Jinwoo.” That got him to turn to you, “They hold no power over me anymore, and I don’t let them as well.” You smiled at him, “I’m not chasing after your love and approval anymore.”
“S- Sorry… We’re sorry…”
“Pl- Please… Please… Make it… Stop…”
Their weak voices muttered from pain and distress.
You held onto Jinwoo before he could do anything. You smiled up at him, “I’m a bit hungry, can we try that new cafe down the street?”
Jinwoo looked at you. He released his skill and let them breathe. “Okay, if you say so.”
You glanced at the corner to see your Shadows twisting and curling as if anxious to do something. You eyed Jinwoo, who was already putting on his shoes at the entrance, and you thought for a moment before you cheerfully told him, “Can you wait for me at the entrance of the building? I’ll be there in a bit!”
“...” Jinwoo turned to you and observed your smile, he nodded and turned to leave, “Don’t take too long.”
When the door shut, you listened until his footsteps faded and his presence wasn’t within your area of detection. You turned your back to your parents, slowly, and you set more healing potions on the dining table while your parents recovered, thinking everything was over.
“You know, if, if only I’d known you’d listen and bend to violence…” You hummed as you purchased more healing potions, higher-grade ones, and set them with the others on the table. When you were satisfied, you turned to them with a smile, “Perhaps I’d done this sooner.”
“What…?”
You met their eyes, yours with disinterest and clinical assessment. “I don’t want you in my family circle and I’m not one for torture, you see.” The shadows twisted and rose around you and within the apartment. “But there are others who are more keen on it.”
Igris didn’t have his sword drawn―since that would cut the entire building in half from the inside―but he was curling and uncurling his hand into fists. Baruka grinned and cackled, playing with his daggers ominously. Cerberus had adjusted his size to no bigger than a wolf’s, but it was still scary since he had three growling heads ready to snap at anything nearby.
“Hold on―!”
You turned to the front door, putting on your shoes, “There are plenty of healing potions on the table, you three divide them among yourselves.” You tapped the tips of your shoes to make sure they were securely on. “Wounds can be healed but death can’t. Ah,” You paused and tilted your head, “I suppose scars don’t heal, do they? Especially emotional ones?”
“Wait!”
You waved bye to your Shadows, “They’re all yours.”
“Wait! My daughter―!”
“We’re sorry, my child―!”
The door closed and their shouts were cut off. Only now do they…!! You turned and walked away from the apartment, taking a deep breath while you made your way to the lift. It’s fine. You’re fine now. The lift dinged and you entered. You sighed and let a stray tear fall, you quickly wiped it away. You composed yourself before you exited the lift when it reached the ground floor.
Your smile spread on your face when you saw Jinwoo standing where you were when you waited for him. This time, he waited for you. His face lit up and smiled when you neared, “That was quicker than I expected.”
You didn’t say anything and just stood in front of him, then you leaned your head down until your forehead was pressed against his chest.
“!?” Jinwoo blinked and looked down at your mob of hair, his arms raised and his hands hovered over your back. “A- Are you okay?”
You nodded. “Thank you…”
Jinwoo sighed with a smile, one arm looped over your shoulder and the other patted your back softly. “Anytime. You’re not alone anymore…” He whispered a promise louder than any curse directed at you in your whole lifetime. “I won’t ever let you get hurt. Over my dead body.”
Manhwa Chapter: N/A
Note: This got delayed from the usual upload cause I was stuck on revising the last scene. Was wondering if I should just end it at Jinwoo and Reader being friends or add the parents scene. But this was what happened cause this part was covering the private matters and the next one is focusing on the Demon Castle, so now or never.
Anyways, hope you guys like this one! See you in the next update! (thanks for everyone who stayed and waited, I know it's too long of a wait, but thanks to all the support!!)
𝕮𝖎𝖗𝖈𝖊 𝖄.
My Works: MASTERLIST *(regarding requests, check the Masterlist to see if it’s opened or not and other info related before sending one. Thanks.)
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