The afternoon air was crisp as Joo-Hee walked through the hospital corridors. The sterile scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, and the quiet hum of medical equipment filled the silence. With each step she took toward a certain room, she somehow felt a knot tighten in her stomach.
It had been almost two weeks since his arrival in this world, and although she had grown more accustomed to her new reality, facing Jin-Woo was still a daunting task. The man was, after all, the protagonist of this world, destined to rise as the "World's Strongest Hunter".
However, she knew that interacting with Jin-Woo was crucial to increase her chances of surviving in this world, but the emotions swirling inside her were becoming harder to ignore.
As she reached the door to Jin-Woo's room, she hesitated for a moment. Although both she and Jin-Woo were comfortable entering each other's rooms without prior notice, the weight of the moment pressed heavily on her. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she pushed the door open gently and stepped inside.
Jin-Woo lay on the hospital bed, his eyes closed, chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. He looked peaceful, the bruises and wounds on his body having healed from the horrors he had faced in the double dungeon.
Somehow, just seeing that Jin-Woo was recovering well brought Joo-Hee an inexplicable sense of relief. She couldn't quite place why—perhaps it was guilt, or maybe just the comfort of knowing he was safe. But then, like a cold breeze brushing against her soul, a shadow of sadness crept in. Her gaze dropped, and unbidden, fragments of memories surfaced—flashes of terror, helplessness, and the echo of screams in the cold, blood-soaked corridors of that cursed dungeon. The same dungeon where the real Lee Joo-Hee had faced horrors she was never prepared for.
The memory was vivid, as if she had experienced it firsthand. 'If only you hadn't died after arriving at this hospital, you might still be living in this body of yours. I'm really sorry, Joo-Hee,' she thought, feeling guilty for inhabiting her body.
Jake quietly approached the bed, placing the bouquet on the small table beside it. He pulled up a chair and sat down, studying Jin-Woo's face closely. His dark hair framed his features, which bore a softness that contrasted sharply with the fierce warrior he would eventually become. Jin-Woo's skin was a warm tone, accentuating the strength that lay just beneath the surface. His lips were slightly parted in peaceful repose, and Jake found it hard to reconcile this vulnerable version of Jin-Woo with the legendary figure he would rise to be. How can someone so gentle become a force of nature?
Instinctively, Joo-Hee reached out and brushed a strand of hair from Jin-Woo's forehead. The touch was light, almost imperceptible, yet it sent a shiver down her spine as she pulled her hand back.
'What's happening to me? Did I really just do that?' she wondered, feeling both compelled and confused.
This urge to care for Jin-Woo was rooted deep within the memories of the original Lee Joo-Hee, a natural instinct that felt foreign to her as a guy inside.
"If Joo-Hee hadn't died, I'm certain she would still be protecting and healing you, Jin-Woo. It's such a pity the author did her dirty by giving her trauma in the novel," she whispered softly, a faint sigh escaping her lips.
Shaking off her thoughts and her innate protective urge toward Jin-Woo, she continued to watch him sleep. A gentle smile graced her lips as she reflected on how much this man had endured through his daily quest, and how much more he would face in the journey ahea
A part of her longed to reach out and ease his burden, armed with the knowledge of the world's future. Yet another part of her—the part that was still Jake Garcia from Earth—was terrified by the unsettling emotions stirring within her, a side effect of inheriting both the body and memories of the late Lee Joo-Hee.
He leaned back in the chair, staring up at the ceiling as memories of his life on Earth flooded his mind. Back then, he had been a typical college student, focused on his studies and indulging in his hobbies. He had never once questioned his identity or his attraction to women. But now, in Lee Joo-Hee's body, everything was different.
Being in a female body, he felt as though he was no longer just himself but rather a blend of Lee Joo-Hee and his own identity. This duality both intrigued and scared him. He was worried about losing his sense of self as he became more integrated with Joo-Hee's body.
He had always viewed himself as a straight male, but the longer he remained in this world, the more he couldn't ignore the way his heart raced unpleasantly whenever he was around the protagonist.
"This is just because I'm in her body," Jake muttered to himself as he sighed heavily, trying to rationalize the emotions. "I'm still me. I'm still Jake."
But the words felt hollow, even to her, as she couldn't deny the pull she felt toward Jin-Woo. Suddenly, a soft groan snapped Joo-Hee out of her thoughts. Her gaze dropped to see Jin-Woo stirring, his eyes slowly fluttering open. A jolt of panic surged through her, and she scrambled to compose herself
"J-Jin-Woo?" she stammered, trying to sound as normal as possible.
Jin-Woo's eyes focused on Joo-Hee, and for a moment, there was confusion in his gaze. But then recognition dawned, and he gave a weak smile. "Joo-Hee... you're here."
Her heart skipped a beat at the sound of Jin-Woo's voice. It was soft and tired, yet there was a warmth in it that made her chest tighten. She thought desperately, 'For goodness' sake, body, please stop—I beg you!'
"Well, I wanted to make up for the few days I didn't come. Shouldn't you thank me for that?" she said with a hint of smugness and joy in her tone, trying to lighten the mood.
Jin-Woo raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth tugging into the faintest of smirks as he replied with a playful yet sincere tone, "Then... thank you, Joo-Hee."
"But really, there's no need for you to visit every day. I'm sure you're busy yourself… and don't forget, we're both patients here," he continued with a teasing reminder.
Joo-Hee smiled lightly as their conversation continued, a strange sense of comfort settling over her during their friendly exchange. For now, she simply wanted to be there for Jin-Woo, to learn more about the life he had lived through.
The conversation eventually shifted to lighter topics, with Jin-Woo inquiring about her well-being. Joo-Hee played along, pretending to be the same Lee Joo-Hee that Jin-Woo had always known, while masking her own lies.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the hospital room, Jake felt the weight of reality settling in. He glanced at the window, where the last rays of sunlight filtered through, illuminating Jin-Woo's face. It was time to leave.
"Sigh… just how fast time comes and goes," Joo-Hee murmured as she stretched lightly, glancing at the clock on the wall. "I think it's time I head back to my room now, Jin-Woo. But I'll try to visit again tomorrow. Bye!"
She stood up, brushing imaginary dust off her clothes before offering him a soft, reassuring smile—one that lingered just a bit longer than expected.
Jin-Woo nodded slowly, the faintest flicker of gratitude flashing in his eyes. "Thanks, Joo-Hee. I appreciate it. Bye."
Walking down the corridor, Jake's mind raced with thoughts. How long can I keep up this act? he pondered. The persona of Lee Joo-Hee was becoming intertwined with his own identity, and it felt as if each day he spent in this body brought him closer to losing the sense of who he had been as he finally said. "Nothing feels normal anymore. This world is really changing me."
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A/N: I have already re-edited this chapter, but there are lines that have comments already,y so I won't touch them to help the readers interact. Thanks for understanding!