Unwavering Hero

The smell of sizzling bacon filled the small apartment kitchen, intertwining with the soft, buttery aroma of a sunny-side-up egg gently cooking on the stovetop. Lee Jinwoo moved swiftly between the stove and the ironing board, his brow furrowed in concentration. He flipped the bacon with one hand while carefully pressing out the last wrinkle on a neatly folded school uniform with the other. His eyes flicked between the two tasks, urgency clear in his movements, but his face remained calm. He couldn't afford to make a mistake—not with so much at stake.

He placed the ironed uniform neatly on the chair by the dining table and set out breakfast. Glancing at the clock, Jinwoo exhaled. "She's going to be late," he muttered, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand.

Stepping into the hallway, Jinwoo knocked lightly on a door before opening it. His little sister, Jiwon, lay sprawled on the bed, her dark hair tangled around her pillow. Her soft breathing told him she hadn't quite woken up yet. A fond smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Jiwon-ah, wake up," he said gently, crossing the small room to shake her shoulder. She stirred but didn't open her eyes. "C'mon, you'll be late for school. Breakfast is ready, and I've ironed your uniform."

Jiwon groaned, pulling her blanket up to her chin, clearly fighting to stay in the warmth of her bed. Jinwoo chuckled softly. "Hey, did you drool in your sleep again?" he teased, gently ruffling her hair.

Her eyes flew open, her face flushed with embarrassment. "I didn't!" she mumbled, swatting at his hand. "Oppa, you're so annoying."

Jinwoo laughed, a deep sound that filled the small room with warmth. He felt a small twinge of guilt for teasing her, but the sight of her pouting face always brought a sense of comfort. This was their routine, one of the few constants in their unpredictable lives. "Alright, alright," he said, raising his hands in surrender. "I've got your uniform ready, and your breakfast's on the table."

Jiwon yawned, rubbing her eyes as she slowly sat up. "Thanks, oppa. I'll be quick," she said, her voice still thick with sleep.

Jinwoo smiled and patted her head again, this time more gently. "No rush. Just don't be late, okay?" He grabbed his bag and paused at the door. "Sorry, I can't walk you to school today. I've got an early shift at the factory, but I'll make up for it. I'm saving up for that laptop you need, remember?"

Jiwon's sleepy eyes softened, and she walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist in a tight hug. "It's fine, oppa. Don't worry about it." Her voice was quiet, full of gratitude and love. "You're doing enough for me already."

Jinwoo swallowed the lump in his throat, hugging her back tightly before pulling away. "I'll see you tonight," he said, giving her a final smile before heading out the door.

Jinwoo had always been strong—physically, mentally. From the moment their parents had died in the accident, leaving him and Jiwon alone at the age of 10, he'd had no choice but to grow up fast. He took on the role of both mother and father for his sister, shouldering the burden of their finances and well-being without ever once letting her see how exhausted he was. Now, at 18, he worked tirelessly to support them, holding down multiple jobs just to cover the bills and pay off the lingering debts their parents had left behind.

His first job of the day was at the factory. He was used to the grueling physical labor by now, lifting heavy boxes and working alongside men twice his age. His strong build, a result of the constant hard work, earned him respect among his coworkers. They admired his tenacity, though they often worried about him.

"Jinwoo, man, you're like a machine! You should be taking it easy," one of them said with a chuckle, wiping the sweat from his brow.

Jinwoo smiled politely, masking the exhaustion creeping into his bones. "I'm fine. Just gotta keep going," he replied, his tone casual but distant. He didn't want anyone to know how tight things were at home, how each extra shift mattered, how each skipped meal was a small sacrifice to save a bit more for Jiwon's future.

During the break, some of his coworkers gathered for lunch, calling out to Jinwoo. "Hey, Jinwoo, join us! Cafeteria's serving something decent today."

He waved them off, holding up the excuse he always used. "Thanks, but I'm good. Already ate." It was a lie, of course. His stomach rumbled, but he ignored it. His breaks were better spent working extra hours or resting for the next job. Lunch was a luxury he couldn't afford.

As he walked away, he could hear the whispers of his coworkers behind him. They spoke in hushed tones, voices tinged with sympathy.

"He's the one looking after his little sister, right?"

"Yeah, their parents passed away years ago. Poor kid works himself to the bone."

"I heard his sister's going to medical school. Prestige school, too. He's probably working himself into the ground to make sure she gets there."

Jinwoo pretended not to hear them, focusing instead on stacking crates. He didn't care what people thought. His only concern was Jiwon. As long as she was happy, as long as she could achieve her dreams, nothing else mattered. His life—his youth—was a small price to pay.

When his shift ended, the sun had already begun to set, casting long shadows across the city streets. But Jinwoo's day wasn't over yet. He still had one more job to get to.

Itaewon was bustling as usual, the streets crowded with people, the sounds of cars and chatter filling the air. Jinwoo made his way to the small restaurant where he worked part-time as a delivery boy. He was a few minutes late and was immediately met with a scolding from the owner, a short, grumpy man with a perpetual scowl on his face.

"You're late again!" the owner barked as soon as Jinwoo stepped through the door. His face was red with frustration, arms crossed over his chest.

Jinwoo bowed deeply, his voice steady despite the exhaustion weighing on him. "I'm really sorry, ajusshi. It won't happen again. Please, I need this job."

The owner grumbled, but after a long pause, he sighed. "Fine. But one more time and you're out. Got it?"

Jinwoo nodded, grateful for the second chance. "Thank you. I won't let you down."

With that, he jumped on the scooter, weaving through the evening traffic to make his deliveries. His mind wandered as he drove, his thoughts drifting back to Jiwon. He'd promised her the laptop, and he wasn't going to break that promise. Not after everything they'd been through.

Halfway through his deliveries, Jinwoo spotted a group of teenagers surrounding two younger boys. They were cornered, their faces pale with fear as the older kids demanded money.

Jinwoo pulled over, his jaw tightening. He couldn't just drive by. "Hey!" he shouted, stepping off the scooter and walking toward the group. "What do you think you're doing?"

The bullies turned to face him, sizing him up. One of them sneered. "Mind your business, old man."

Jinwoo narrowed his eyes but stayed calm. "Leave them alone," he said, his voice firm. "Or we'll have a problem."

One of the bullies threw a punch, but Jinwoo caught it effortlessly, twisting the kid's wrist just enough to make him wince. "Bullying kids? You think that makes you tough?" he said, his voice low and dangerous.

The bullies exchanged nervous glances before running off, muttering curses under their breath.

The two younger boys looked up at Jinwoo, their eyes wide with gratitude. "Thank you, hyung," one of them said, his voice shaking. "We didn't know what to do."

Jinwoo smiled softly, kneeling down to their level. "It's okay. Just be careful, alright? Stay out of trouble." He gave them a reassuring pat on the shoulder before getting back on his scooter.

Jinwoo's final delivery of the night took him to a quiet apartment complex. After getting lost in the maze of identical doors and stairwells, he finally found the right unit and knocked, holding a bag of fried chicken and pizza.

The door opened to reveal a man who looked a little too eager for his meal. "Took you long enough!" he said with mild frustration.

Jinwoo was about to apologize when a woman appeared behind the man, smiling warmly. "Don't mind him. He's just hungry," she said, playfully swatting her husband. Their children rushed to the door, excited for the food.

Watching the family interact, Jinwoo felt a tightness in his chest. The sight of their playful banter, their warmth—it was all too familiar. For a moment, he could see his own family, hear the laughter of his parents, the comfort of a home filled with love. His vision blurred, and he quickly wiped the corner of his eyes.

"Are you okay?" the woman asked, noticing the subtle movement.

"Oh, I'm fine," Jinwoo said quickly, forcing a smile. "Just… something in my eye."

The couple exchanged concerned glances, but before they could say anything more, their son piped up.

"Hey, it's the delivery guy who saved us earlier!" the boy exclaimed, pointing at Jinwoo.

"Oh, it's you!" Jinwoo replied, recognizing the boy from the incident with the bullies.

The parents were taken aback and quickly thanked Jinwoo for helping their son. Despite his protests, they insisted on giving him a generous tip.

Jinwoo bowed deeply in thanks, though he felt a little guilty accepting it. "Thank you," he said softly, waving goodbye to the kids who beamed up at him as he left.

It was late by the time Jinwoo returned home, his body aching from the long day. But the sight that greeted him as he stepped inside their small apartment made it all worth it—Jiwon, sitting at her desk, diligently studying for her next exam.

All the exhaustion from the day melted away. Seeing her work so hard for her future gave him the strength to keep going. He smiled softly, feeling a quiet pride and peace settle over him.

"Goodnight, Jiwon," he whispered, though he didn't expect her to hear. As long as she was happy, everything was worth it.

The night air was crisp as Lee Jinwoo stood on the small balcony, hanging laundry out to dry. His tired eyes glanced over the quiet street below. His mind, always busy, was a jumble of thoughts about work, his sister, and the weight of the debt they had inherited. As he stretched out a damp shirt on the line, something caught his attention. Two figures, dressed in all black, moved stealthily down the street, glancing around as if scouting the area. Jinwoo's brows furrowed. Their movements were suspicious—too deliberate, too secretive.

"Who are they looking for?" Jinwoo muttered to himself, watching them closely. His instinct told him something was off. He observed them for a few more minutes until they disappeared around the corner. With a sigh, he pushed the uneasy feeling to the back of his mind and went back inside. He had more immediate concerns—his sister's well-being, and their everyday struggles. He couldn't afford to lose focus now.

The next morning, Jinwoo woke up to the sound of heavy, violent banging on the front door. His heart pounded as he sat up, startled by the noise. His little sister, Jiwon, was already awake, trembling beside him on her mattress. "Oppa, what's happening?" she whispered, her wide eyes reflecting her fear. The sounds outside were angry and impatient—voices demanding they open the door.

"I don't know, but stay behind me," Jinwoo replied, his voice calm despite the racing thoughts in his head. He grabbed a shirt and hurried to the door, his sister clutching the back of his shirt tightly. He pulled open the door, and immediately, his stomach sank. Standing there were the same men he'd seen the night before.

The leader of the group, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, sneered at him. "Lee Jinwoo, right?" the man asked, not waiting for an answer. "We're here about your parents. They've racked up a lot of debt, and now it's time to pay."

Jinwoo frowned, his protective instincts kicking in immediately. He stepped slightly in front of Jiwon, shielding her from the men's view. "I don't know what you're talking about. My parents—"

"Don't play dumb with us!" another thug snapped, stepping forward with a piece of crumpled paper in his hand. "This is a legal document. Your parents borrowed a large sum, and now, with the interest, it's more than double. They didn't pay up, so guess what? It's on you now."

Jinwoo took the paper, his hand shaking slightly as he read the figures. His mind went blank for a moment. His parents had borrowed money? How could this have happened without them knowing? He clenched his jaw, trying to remain calm. "There's no way we can pay this back. We don't have that kind of money. Isn't there some mistake?"

"No mistake, kid," the leader said with a dark chuckle. "And if you can't pay, we'll just take what's ours." Without warning, the men pushed past him, forcing their way into the small apartment. Jiwon gasped, trying to pull Jinwoo back, but he stood firm, gritting his teeth.

"Stop!" Jinwoo shouted, his voice desperate, as they began grabbing their belongings. "Please, don't do this. I... I'll find a way to pay."

One of the men opened a drawer and found a neatly wrapped box. It was the laptop Jinwoo had worked tirelessly to save for—a gift for Jiwon, something she desperately needed for her studies. Jinwoo's eyes widened in horror as the man picked it up.

"Don't!" Jinwoo rushed forward, grabbing onto the man's arm. "That's for my sister! I worked all month for that!"

Jiwon, now sobbing, pulled at Jinwoo's sleeve. "Oppa, don't... Please... They'll hurt you."

But Jinwoo couldn't just let it go. "Please, not that. Take anything else, just... leave that."

The thug shoved Jinwoo aside, his grip on the laptop firm. "Too bad, kid. It's all part of the deal."

Before Jinwoo could protest further, the leader stepped forward and punched him hard in the stomach. Jinwoo doubled over in pain, falling to the ground, clutching his side. Jiwon screamed, dropping to her knees beside him, trying to shield him with her small frame.

The men didn't care. They ransacked the apartment, taking anything of value. As they left, the leader smirked. "You've got one week. Find the money, or we'll be back."

Jinwoo lay on the floor, gasping for air, feeling utterly powerless. His vision blurred with tears, not from the pain of the punches, but from the overwhelming sense of failure. He had promised to protect Jiwon, to provide for her, and now he had let her down.

—

That evening, as they sat in their now half-empty apartment, Jiwon tried to comfort him. Her eyes were still red from crying, but she managed a small smile for him. "Oppa, it's okay," she said softly, placing her hand on his bruised cheek. "I don't need the laptop. I can manage with my phone."

But Jinwoo couldn't accept that. "No, Jiwon," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "You deserve better. I promised I'd get you that laptop, and I will. I'm not giving up."

The next morning, despite the bruises and the exhaustion, Jinwoo went back to work at the factory. His coworkers noticed the marks on his face, their whispers following him as he walked through the factory floor.

"Hey, Jinwoo, what happened?" one of them asked during their break, concern etched on his face.

Jinwoo forced a smile, shrugging it off. "Ah, just a small accident during my delivery shift. Nothing serious."

But it was clear from the way they looked at him that they knew something wasn't right. Still, no one pressed further. They admired him too much to pry into his personal life. Jinwoo's work ethic was well-known—he never complained, never asked for help. He was always focused, always driven. But today, there was something different in his eyes—something darker, more desperate.

He spent the next few days like this, working himself to the bone. The factory during the day, food deliveries at night, barely sleeping, barely eating. His body grew weaker, but he couldn't stop. He couldn't rest, not while his sister was counting on him.

On the Fifth Day

By the fifth day, Jinwoo was barely functioning. Dark circles under his eyes, his muscles aching, but still, he pushed through. That afternoon, one of his coworkers, a man named Kyungsoo, approached him during a break. "Hey, Jinwoo... I heard you were looking for more work, right?"

Jinwoo nodded, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "Yeah, I need to make more money fast. You know anything?"

Kyungsoo hesitated, glancing around before leaning in closer. "There's something, but... it's not exactly legit. It pays really well, though. You interested?"

Jinwoo's heart sank. A shady job? He wasn't that kind of person. He had always tried to live an honest life, but... the image of Jiwon's tearful face flashed in his mind, and he felt the weight of responsibility crushing him. What choice did he have?

"I don't know..." Jinwoo said quietly, his conscience warring with his desperation.

Kyungsoo clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Just try it once. If you don't like it, you can walk away. But the money... it's good, Jinwoo. It could help you."

Jinwoo looked down at the ground, his fists clenching. Could he really stoop to that level? Could he compromise his morals just to survive? He thought of Jiwon again. He thought of the promise he made her.

"Alright," Jinwoo said at last, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll do it."

And with that, his fate was sealed.

Later that night, Lee Jinwoo found himself sitting in one of Itaewon's most famous bars—a spot that radiated a false sense of glamour and excitement. Kyungsoo, who had convinced him to take this shady job, guided him through the crowd. The dim lights cast long shadows, and the lively music couldn't drown out the unsettling atmosphere. Jinwoo glanced around, realizing how out of place he felt. The bar, beneath its flashy exterior, was owned by gangsters notorious for dealing drugs, running sex trafficking rings, and other illegal activities.

Kwungsoo introduced him to one of the dealers, a tall, muscular man with cold, calculating eyes. The dealer scrutinized Jinwoo as if weighing his soul. "This the kid?" he asked gruffly.

"Yeah, don't worry about him. He's just desperate for some cash," Kwungsoo replied, clapping him on the shoulder. Jinwoo forced a weak smile, but his insides churned with guilt.

The dealer tossed a small package onto the table. "This is the job. Just deliver it, and you'll get paid."

Jinwoo hesitated, his hand twitching at his side. He glanced at the package, realizing it was filled with drugs. His gut told him to walk away, but then he remembered the helpless look in his sister's eyes, the crushing weight of their debt, and the fact that there was no other way to make enough money this fast.

"What's the hold-up?" the dealer growled, his eyes narrowing. "You aren't some undercover cop, are you?"

Jinwoo's heart skipped a beat. The tension in the air thickened, and the other men at the table leaned forward, as if ready to pounce. Kyungsoo quickly intervened. "Nah, man, he's just a broke kid who needs to make some money. Nothing to worry about."

Jinwoo nodded slowly, swallowing hard. His mouth felt dry, and a wave of self-loathing washed over him. He wasn't here because he wanted to be; he was here because he had to be. For his sister. For the life they were trying to cling to. "I'm only here for the money," Jinwoo said finally, his voice steady but hollow. "I'll do the job."

The dealer smirked and waved him off. "Good. Just remember, once you're in, you're in."

—

The job went without a hitch, and true to their word, they paid him handsomely. The money was enough to buy groceries, pay some bills, and even cover part of the debt. But it wasn't enough. Jinwoo knew it wouldn't be enough unless he kept doing these jobs. Day after day, he worked at the factory, exhausted, and by night, he delivered drugs for the gangsters. The lines between right and wrong blurred with each passing day.

A week later, the loan sharks barged into their home again. Jinwoo had money to pay them this time. As he handed over the cash, his sister, Jiwon, looked at him in confusion.

"How did you get this much money, oppa?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry. Her big, trusting eyes searched his face for answers.

Before Jinwoo could answer, one of the thugs counted the cash and grinned. "Looks like you've been working hard. Good job, kid. But there's still more to pay."

Jinwoo clenched his fists, his body tensing. He felt a protective surge rise in him, as it always did when it came to his sister. Before he could speak, the thug smirked and added, "You know, if you're struggling, why not let your sister work at our bar? She could just sit there, serve drinks—nothing too hard."

Jinwoo's blood boiled. Without thinking, he stepped in front of his sister, his eyes blazing with anger. "Don't you dare suggest that," he growled, his voice low and threatening.

The thugs were momentarily taken aback, then one of them laughed. "Whoa, easy there, protective brother. I was just trying to help you out. You look tired—probably haven't slept in days. Think it over. But if you change your mind, here's our address." He tossed a card onto the floor and winked at Jiwon. "You'd make a killing, sweetheart."

Jinwoo's muscles tightened, but the thugs, laughing amongst themselves, sauntered out the door. His heart was pounding in his chest, and his vision blurred with anger. How dare they? How dare they look at his sister like that?

Once they were gone, Jiwon turned to Jinwoo, her voice trembling with concern. "Oppa… how are you getting this much money? What are you doing?"

Jinwoo forced a smile, trying to mask his guilt. "I, uh… I got promoted at the chicken restaurant," he lied, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "They gave me a raise."

Jiwon raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced, but before she could press him further, Jinwoo pulled out a wrapped box from behind his back. "I also got you this," he said, handing it to her.

Jiwon's eyes widened as she tore open the wrapping. Inside was a second-hand laptop, not brand new, but still in good condition. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked up at him. "Oppa… you didn't have to… this must have cost so much."

Jinwoo smiled, feeling a bittersweet warmth in his chest. "I promised you a laptop, didn't I?"

Jiwon hugged him tightly, her small frame trembling against him. "Thank you, oppa. But… you're not… you're not doing anything illegal, are you?" Her voice was soft, almost scared of the answer.

Jinwoo stiffened for a moment, but before he could say anything, Jiwon hugged him even tighter. "It's fine. Really. I'm just so happy… thank you." She smiled up at him, her face bright and full of gratitude. Seeing her like that, Jinwoo's worries momentarily faded.

As she excitedly ran off to her room to set up the laptop, Jinwoo stood there, staring after her. The weight of his choices pressed down on him like a mountain, but as long as he could protect her smile, he thought, maybe it was worth it. At least, that's what he told himself.

Jinwoo had finally managed to get out of the grueling factory work, landing a new job as a collector for the local gang. At first, he told himself it was temporary—just another stepping stone to a better life. But soon, he found himself becoming just like the thugs he used to despise, collecting payments from people who had fallen behind on their drug debts. Each knock on a door felt like a nail in his conscience, but he pushed forward, telling himself it was all for his sister's future.

That night, Jinwoo was tasked with delivering another batch of drugs to a bar he had never been to before. The place reeked of smoke and sweat, the dim red lights casting an eerie glow over the patrons. Kyungsoo, a rough-looking guy he'd only worked with for a few days, handed him the package and pointed toward the back. But as Jinwoo made his way through the crowd, something caught his eye that made his blood run cold.

There, behind the bar, was his sister—his precious younger sister—wearing a revealing outfit, her face painted with a forced smile as she poured drinks for rowdy customers. His heart stopped. The world around him blurred, and all he could see was her, standing there in a place she should never have been. Without thinking, Jinwoo rushed over to her, ripping his coat off and throwing it around her shoulders.

"Jinwoo?" she gasped, startled by his sudden presence.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" His voice was harsh, but laced with fear and anger. He grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the exit.

"Wait, oppa! Let me explain—" she tried to protest, but Jinwoo wasn't listening. His protective instincts had taken over, and all he cared about was getting her out of that hellhole.

Before they could reach the door, a bouncer—towering and muscle-bound—stepped in their way. "You can't take her," the bouncer said, his tone dismissive. "She works here. You're just another customer who got too excited."

Jinwoo's grip tightened on his sister's arm, his eyes narrowing into a dangerous glare. The bouncer smirked, mistaking Jinwoo's expression for fear. "You don't wanna make this hard on yourself, kid," the man sneered.

That was all it took. Rage boiled over, and before Jinwoo even realized what he was doing, his fist connected with the bouncer's face. The punch landed with a sickening thud, and the massive man crumpled to the floor in a heap.

The bar erupted into chaos. Customers screamed, drinks spilled, and tables overturned as people scrambled to get out of the way. Jinwoo's partner, standing nearby, stared in shock. "We're in another gang's territory, man! What the hell are you doing?!" he hissed.

"I don't care," Jinwoo growled, his voice cold and filled with purpose. "We're leaving."

More bouncers appeared, circling them like vultures. Kyungsoo tried to explain, to apologize for the disruption, but Jinwoo wasn't interested in talking. Another bouncer charged at him, but Jinwoo's fist was faster, knocking the man out cold.

"That's enough!" A commanding voice boomed through the bar, silencing the chaos. The crowd parted, revealing a man who clearly ran the place. He was well-dressed, his expression calm but deadly. "Who's causing trouble in my bar?"

One of the thugs recognized Jinwoo and pointed him out. "That's him! He's one of our debtors. Bet he found out his sister works here, hah!" The thug laughed, but his amusement was short-lived.

The head of the bar turned to the thug and, without a word, punched him square in the jaw. "You idiot," he snarled. "You think this man would let his sister work here if he knew? I knew their parents—they were friends of our boss. I told you not to mess with that family."

"But they owe a lot of money—" the thug began, but the man silenced him with a glare.

"It doesn't matter now. Deal with them," the head barked.

The thugs rushed Jinwoo, but he was ready. "Take her," he said, shoving his sister toward Kyungsoo. "Get her out of here."

Kyungsoo hesitated but nodded, leading her away as Jinwoo turned to face the swarm of thugs coming for him. Each punch he threw was fueled by pure rage. One by one, they fell, but there were too many.

"Hey!" The head thug called out to Jinwoo's partner. "I'll give you good money if you hand over the girl."

Temptation flashed across Kyungsoo's face, and Jinwoo's heart sank as he watched his sister get pushed toward the thugs. One of them grabbed her, holding a knife to her throat.

Jinwoo froze. His body tensed, immobilized by fear for her safety. In that moment of hesitation, the thugs overwhelmed him, raining punches and kicks down on him. He could barely see through the pain, but he heard his sister's voice—desperate, determined.

"No!" she screamed, wrenching herself free from the thug's grip. She grabbed the knife and brandished it, holding the thugs at bay. Jinwoo saw her, her fierce eyes scanning the chaos, and it reignited something in him. With renewed strength, he fought his way through, knocking out anyone who stood between him and his sister.

Finally reaching her, Jinwoo gently took the knife from her shaking hands. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I should've protected you. I should've been there for you so you wouldn't end up in this place."

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she shook her head. "No, oppa. It's my fault. I asked too much from you. I didn't think…"

Jinwoo placed a hand on her cheek, his touch soft and reassuring. "Don't worry about that. I promised I'd always protect you. I'll keep that promise, no matter what."

Their moment was cut short by the sharp voice of the thug leader. "You're not leaving here alive," he sneered, rushing at Jinwoo with a knife.

But Jinwoo didn't flinch. He caught the blade with his bare hand, blood dripping from his palm. The thug stared in shock, terrified by Jinwoo's raw determination.

The head of the bar laughed, pulling a pistol from his coat. "You've got guts, kid. But this drama's gone on long enough."

He aimed the gun at Jinwoo's sister and fired.

Time slowed. Jinwoo screamed her name, his voice filled with desperation and agony as he caught her falling body. Blood soaked through his clothes as he held her close, her breaths shallow and weak.

"I'm sorry, oppa," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Thank you…for always being there."

Tears streamed down Jinwoo's face as he hugged her tighter, refusing to let go. Pain stabbed through his back as the thug repeatedly plunged a knife into him, but Jinwoo didn't care. His world was crumbling, and all he could do was hold onto her as everything went dark.

In that moment, everything around him faded into nothingness. The pain, the anger, the chaos—nothing mattered anymore. Only her.

As the world grew dim, he felt a blinding light envelop him, pulling him away. Is this heaven? he wondered, a mixture of fear and hope swirling within him.

A New Realm

When Jinwoo opened his eyes again, he was no longer in the bar. Instead, he found himself in a realm beyond comprehension. The horizon stretched infinitely, a pure, tranquil expanse. Confused, he looked around, taking in the surreal beauty.

Then he saw them—others, equally bewildered, standing nearby. And there, amidst them, was his sister. Relief washed over him, and he felt a spark of hope ignite within him.

"Is it really you?" he thought, a smile breaking through the haze of despair. But still, he couldn't move, trapped in this strange realm.

He watched her, his heart swelling with joy and relief. She was safe. But as the confusion settled, he knew he had much to understand about this new existence—and how they had ended up together once more.