Stronger than silence

We sat down at a simple but well-lit restaurant, right in the middle of a street that smelled like food and wet asphalt.

It was one of those places where everything was served in metal — bowls, plates, even the cups.

The tables were cramped and the benches, hard.

But after nearly dying to an aberration that looked like undercooked meat… comfort wasn't exactly a priority.

I made it clear I was paying.

It's not like I was swimming in money, but I could still get by for another two or three months.

That was the beauty of being single with no expenses, no luxuries… no one.

Yeah.

Sounded a lot sadder when I put it that way.

''So…'' I started, while Jin-Woo looked at the menu without much conviction. ''You come here often, or only after almost dying?''

He let out a light, still shy laugh.

''I think I'd rather almost die than make this kind of place a habit.''

''Fair enough.''

I ordered two budae jjigae. I was in the mood for something hot and spicy. Something that didn't remind me of blood and screams.

The conversation took a while to pick up. Jin-Woo was quiet. Not in that cold, distant way that romance novels always describe, but… more like a guy trying to survive all of this without drawing attention.

''Can I ask you something?'' I said, resting my chin on my hand.

''Sure.''

''Why are you a hunter?''

He hesitated. The answer was on the tip of his tongue… and then swallowed.

''I could ask you the same thing.''

''That's a cheap trick to deflect, Sung Jin-Woo.''

''And did it work?

I shrugged.

''Works better than it should.''

He laughed again.

It was strange. Not so familiar when you looked at the background of who he was supposed to become, according to the manhwa.

But almost nice.

''So, why are you a hunter, Liam Han?''

''Because someone has to keep sarcasm alive in this ungrateful world.''

''Ah, I see. Social responsibility.''

''Exactly. I'm the hero this country deserves.''

The budae jjigae arrived steaming, red like hell, fragrant like redemption. The cheese melted over the ramyeon and chopped sausage. Kimchi, tofu, spam chunks, and noodles bounced in the bubbling broth.

God bless random ingredients.

I took the first bite. Burned my mouth.

Activated: pretend-it's-fine mode.

That's when he spoke again:

''I have two questions.''

''Go on.''

He pointed discreetly to the side.

''First… what is she doing here?''

I didn't even need to turn.

''Song Hana.''

She was two tables away, enjoying her own jjigae with a smile on her lips and eyes shifting from me to Jin-Woo like she was watching a real-life romance drama.

''Hi to you both'' she said casually.

''Hana, what are you doing here?''

''Monitoring the patient'' she shrugged. ''Just following Association protocol. Someone has to make sure Mr. Jin-Woo is okay after nearly being dragged into a monster's intestines. It's not like I want to interrupt your date.''

''This is not a date'' I said before she could twist it into anything else.

''Sure, sure,'' Hana smiled, taking a sip of her iced tea. ''Go on. I won't interrupt your date.''

''It's not a date.''

[Detected excessive repetition of the term "not a date." Statistically suspicious.]

''Shut up, damn it'' I snapped. Then gestured. ''It was not meant to you, Sung Jin-Woo. Nor to you, Hana. It's… just...''

''Do you do that a lot?'' Jin-Woo asked, not sure whether to look at me or at the empty air.

''Like I said before, a habit'' I added.

''Got it…''

He took another bite. Then looked up.

''Second question: how can a Rank E be that strong?''

I chewed my noodles slowly. Sighed.

''Training.''

''Just training?''

I thought for a moment.

I wasn't exactly good at lying.

''And coffee. Lots of coffee. And a few bad decisions. Mix it, shake it, throw it in the oven.'' I opened my arms, dropping the utensils. ''Voilà! You've got a reawakening.

He frowned.

''Seriously?''

''Nope. Not a chance. But it's the best I can give you right now.''

He looked at me for a moment.

His eyes almost seemed to be trying to figure out if I was being serious.

Maybe even I didn't know.

But he smiled.

And for now, that was enough.

''What about other teams?'' I asked, poking at the bowl with my chopsticks. ''Do you know anyone else you could run dungeons with, besides us?''

Jin-Woo tilted his head slightly.

''I know a few. But I don't have anything solid with anyone. It's more like… when there's an open slot.''

His tone was calm, but the eyes gave away the exhaustion.

The dark circles, poorly hidden, were there.

It wasn't the kind of tired that came from training the body, but the kind that came from holding the world on your back. For far too long.

''I get it.'' I nodded. ''Well… in two days, we're running an E-rank dungeon.''

Jin-Woo raised an eyebrow.

''E-rank?''

''Yep.''

''But why? I mean, you guys are clearing D-ranks without much trouble. Going for a weaker one seems… odd.''

''It's a strategic thing.'' I said, smiling. ''Polishing. Like fielding the backup team in a friendly match, you know?''

''Hmm.''

''Rest with purpose. Sync training. Test stuff without worrying about dying every five seconds. That kind of thing.''

''Makes sense,'' he nodded, taking another spoonful of the broth. ''Got info on the dungeon?

''Of course. I'll send it to you later. I already checked the Association's report. Should be clean, simple. Just don't forget to rest too.

''I never forget…'' he expressed, and his tone was so low it sounded more like he was trying to convince himself.

We stayed silent for a few seconds.

Not the awkward kind of silence.

Just… peaceful.

After everything, maybe we deserved that.

''Sung Jin-Woo,'' I called, before he stood up. ''Anytime you want to call someone. For a hunt, to talk, or just because you're bored… text me, alright?''

He looked away, like he was processing that.

Then, he pulled out his phone and looked at the screen.

From the sound, a message.

His face tensed a bit — not out of coldness, but focus.

There was something there. Urgent, maybe.

But he still gave me one of those small smiles.

''Thanks, Liam Han. For real.''

''Hey, don't start trying to charm me now. Next time, you're paying.''

''That's fair,'' he laughed and stood up. ''Good night, then.''

''Good night.''

The little bell on the door chimed as he left the restaurant.

I barely had time to turn back to my food when I heard the chair next to me being pulled out.

Song Hana.

''That was a good "date." she said, with a smile hidden behind her spoon.

''It wasn't a date.''

She gave a smirk.

''Of course not.''

''Hana.''

''Liam.''

''Seriously. You are thinking something that is not true.''

She shook her head in denial.

''I am absolutely not thinking anything right now.''

Her smile widened.

I just sighed.

But deep down, I knew.

She was definitely thinking something weird.

And that was a problem for later.

____________

I got home after another long walk with Hana.

Nothing major — small talk, subtle teasing, comfortable silence.

That strange gray area between friendship and something I probably wasn't ready to face yet.

She kept giving me openings for flirting, but didn't seem to want anything serious.

We didn't even know each other well enough yet, honestly.

''Finally.''

The door to my apartment closed behind me with a soft click.

I was exhausted.

Body wrecked. Mind in pieces.

But rest?

Ha.

As if I had that luxury.

I tossed my jacket onto the chair, kicked my shoes into a corner, and dropped myself onto the floor of my room.

No shower, no pajamas, no pillow.

I was going to sweat anyway. 

Might as well save time.

''Luxxion,'' I called, staring at the ceiling. ''I'm listening. Go ahead.''

His voice echoed in the back of my mind, clear as ever.

[Performance analysis complete.]

''And?''

[Based on current parameters, you can be classified as a mid-level Rank D.]

"Mid-level'? Wow, how modest.'' I let out a short laugh. ''So now I'm just slightly less pathetic?''

[Still pathetic, but lethal.]

''Comforting.''

[Your progress isn't just about stat increases. It's more about effectiveness.]

[Your efficiency in using your abilities has improved significantly. The time spent in simulations with the holograms created an adaptive routine.]

''And what's the meaning in plain Korean?''

Wasn't in the mood to decode that much crap.

[You didn't just get stronger. You learned how to use what you already had, better.]

''Hm. Funny to think all this started just because I didn't want to die like an idiot.''

[Progress motivated by fear is still progress.]

I went quiet for a moment, my eyes growing heavy.

On the nightstand, my phone buzzed once, twice, three times.

Jisoo.

Song Hana.

Sung Jin-Woo.

Short messages, each in their own style.

But I just turned my head the other way and left the phone alone.

I'd answer later.

Right now...

''Luxxion'' I started. ''Start training mode. Simulation. Theme: aura.''

[Confirmation received. Initiating training protocol.]

[Replicating information stored in user's memory.]

I closed my eyes.

The holographic lights began to flicker around the room.

Aura.

A replica, really, but far better than anything I could do on my own.

The manifestation of one's will, presence, inner strength.

It was time to figure out how to make the world feel mine.

Even if I still didn't know whether I wanted it to know I was here.