The atmosphere instantly thickened as Sung Jin-Woo approached. He radiated a quiet intensity that Tae-hyun hadn't anticipated. He looked... different. More resolute than Tae-hyun remembered him from the few times he had seen him around town. Maybe being trapped with the world on his shoulders had toughened him up.
Jin-Ah, sensing the tension, stood up and placed a hand on her brother's arm. "Oppa, this is Jeon Tae-hyun. Tae-hyun-ssi, this is my brother, Sung Jin-Woo."
Tae-hyun nodded curtly, offering a minimal acknowledgement. "Sung Jin-Woo-ssi." He kept his tone neutral, carefully masking his internal anxieties.
Jin-Woo's gaze remained fixed on Tae-hyun, assessing him with a sharp, almost clinical eye. "Jin-Ah told me about what happened last night. About the dungeon."
"Yes, well, it was a rather...unpleasant experience," Tae-hyun replied, his voice laced with a hint of sarcasm. "I wouldn't recommend it."
Jin-Woo's expression didn't change. "Jin-Ah is worried about you. And she's worried about me getting involved."
"She's right to be worried," Tae-hyun said, his voice firm. "This is not something you should be getting involved in. You're an E-Rank Hunter. This is beyond your capabilities."
Jin-Woo clenched his fists, a flicker of anger flashing in his eyes. "I can handle myself."
"Can you?" Tae-hyun scoffed. "With all due respect, Sung Jin-Woo-ssi, you're barely capable of handling a stray chihuahua, let alone a hidden dungeon filled with unknown monsters."
Jin-Ah gasped, her eyes wide with shock. "Tae-hyun-ssi! That's not fair!"
Tae-hyun ignored her, his gaze locked on Jin-Woo. He needed to make him understand the gravity of the situation, to dissuade him from doing something reckless. "Look, I understand you want to protect your sister. But the best way to do that is to stay out of this. Let the Association handle it. They have the resources, the experience, the power."
Jin-Woo's jaw tightened. "The Association is slow and bureaucratic. They'll waste time, and people will get hurt. I can help."
"And how, exactly?" Tae-hyun challenged. "By bravely stumbling into a high-level dungeon and promptly getting yourself killed? That's not help, that's suicide."
He saw the anger simmering beneath Jin-Woo's stoic façade. He knew he was pushing him, but he couldn't stop himself. He needed to protect Jin-Ah, and if that meant alienating her brother, so be it.
"Tae-hyun-ssi, please," Jin-Ah pleaded, her voice trembling. "You're not helping."
Tae-hyun finally relented, turning his gaze to Jin-Ah. He saw the pain in her eyes, the conflict between her loyalty to her brother and her concern for his safety.
He sighed. "Fine," he said, his voice softening. "I'm sorry, Jin-Ah. I didn't mean to upset you. But I need you to understand that this is dangerous. I don't want you or your brother getting hurt."
He turned back to Jin-Woo, his expression more conciliatory. "Look, Sung Jin-Woo-ssi, I appreciate your concern. But I need you to trust me on this. I'll keep you informed of what's happening. But I can't allow you to get involved directly. It's too risky."
Jin-Woo studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Tae-hyun could feel his distrust, his skepticism. He knew that he hadn't convinced him, that Jin-Woo was still determined to do something.
Finally, Jin-Woo spoke, his voice low and measured. "I understand your concerns. But I can't just stand by and do nothing. I have to help. If not for myself, then for my sister."
He looked at Jin-Ah, his eyes filled with affection. "I promise, Jin-Ah, I'll be careful. But I can't just ignore this."
Tae-hyun felt a wave of frustration wash over him. He had failed. He hadn't been able to dissuade Jin-Woo. He knew that the guy was going to do something reckless, and there was nothing he could do to stop him.
"Alright," Tae-hyun said, his voice resigned. "If you're determined to get involved, then you have to listen to me. You have to follow my lead. And you have to promise me that you won't do anything stupid."
Jin-Woo nodded, his expression resolute. "I promise."
Tae-hyun looked at him, searching his eyes for any sign of deception. He saw only determination, a fierce protectiveness for his sister. He realized that he couldn't fault him for that. He felt the same way about Jin-Ah.
"Fine," Tae-hyun said, extending his hand. "Then let's work together. But you have to understand that I'm in charge. And if you do anything that puts Jin-Ah in danger, I'll..."
He stopped, unable to finish the sentence. He realized that he had become incredibly protective of Jin-Ah, that he would do anything to keep her safe.
Jin-Woo grasped his hand, his grip firm. "I understand," he said. "I won't let anything happen to her."
As they shook hands, Tae-hyun felt a grudging respect for Jin-Woo. He was still skeptical, still wary. But he recognized the genuine desire to protect his sister, the unwavering commitment to his family.
He knew that working with Jin-Woo would be difficult, that their personalities would clash, that their goals might not always align. But he also knew that they had a common purpose: to protect Jin-Ah. And that was enough to forge a fragile, uneasy alliance.
He looked at Jin-Ah, her eyes filled with relief. He smiled, offering her a reassuring nod. He realized that he was starting to care for her, that she had become more than just a friend. She had become someone he wanted to protect, someone he wanted to be around.
And that realization terrified him.
He had always been a loner, a cynic, a survivor. He had never allowed himself to get close to anyone, fearing the pain of loss and betrayal. But Jin-Ah had managed to break through his defenses, to touch his heart.
He knew that getting involved with her would be dangerous, that it would expose him to vulnerability and heartbreak. But he couldn't help himself. He was drawn to her like a moth to a flame.
He knew that the road ahead would be long and difficult, that they would face challenges and dangers that he couldn't even imagine. But he also knew that he wasn't alone. He had Jin-Ah by his side, and now, grudgingly, he also had Sung Jin-Woo.
And maybe, just maybe, that was enough to face whatever the future held.