The next day, Rina sent a message.
> [Private Gate Detected – Seongnam Mountains]
[Only Two Can Enter – Want to come?]
Jinhyuk replied with a simple:
"Fine."
That night, under the silver moon, they arrived at a hidden dungeon entrance—a swirling rift in the air guarded by ancient stone pillars.
She glanced at him. "You're too calm."
"You invited me."
"I don't trust people easily."
"You trust me?"
Rina hesitated. "…I don't dislike you."
---
Inside the dungeon.
It was a forest of glowing crystals and floating orbs.
They moved in silence, battling mutated beasts in sync. Her ice, his fists. Her traps, his tactics. A perfect rhythm.
But then—
A trap went off.
An explosion of corrupted mana surged toward Rina.
"Ha-Yoon!" Jinhyuk shouted.
Without hesitation, he threw himself in front of her—absorbing the entire blast with his bare body.
His shirt was torn.
The illusion spell that blurred his figure flickered—just for a second.
And Rina saw it.
A flash of lean muscle.
Toned shoulders.
A carved jawline beneath cracked illusion runes.
Her breath caught. "Wait…"
Jinhyuk noticed and instantly turned his back.
He quickly recast the illusion, pulling up his coat. "You okay?"
She stared, suspicious. "You… don't look like you did before."
"I've been working out."
"…That's not just 'working out,' Jinhyuk."
Silence fell between them, tension thick in the air.
> [System Alert: Illusion Stability 73% – Danger of Discovery Increasing]
He turned to her with a calm smirk. "Maybe I'm just more than what I look like."
She narrowed her eyes. "I'll figure it out."
"I'd like to see you try."
---
> [Rina Ha-Yoon's Curiosity Level Increased]
[Status: Slightly Obsessed]
[Affinity Update: "You're hiding something—and I want to see it."]
---