Jinwoo spun the dagger once in his hand, its curved edge gleaming with static.
"This golem's pretty strong," he muttered, eyes narrowing as he launched forward in a burst of speed. "But…"
He slashed—clean and fast.
The electric golem's second arm fell, severed at the joint with a crackling hiss of mana.
"…Not enough."
Blur after blur, Jinwoo danced around the golem like a phantom. It couldn't keep up. Its massive frame turned sluggishly, its movements delayed and confused.
And then—light began to gather in its chest.
No, in its mouth.
Electricity coalesced in a sphere of flickering, blinding power.
'Is it… charging some kind of special attack?' Jinwoo thought, a grin tugging at the edge of his lips. 'Let's see if I can take it head-on.'
The sphere detonated into a piercing beam of lightning, lancing straight toward him.
Civilians screamed. Hunters ducked. Joohee's heart froze.
"Jinwoo!!"
He didn't dodge.
The bolt engulfed him, swallowing him in light.
Was he insane?
Maybe. But he had a reason.
The Divine Lust Body.
If it could truly adapt to anything—then surviving this would be child's play.
Electricity tore through him, his nerves screaming in protest.
[Magic is acting against your body…]
[…]
[You have gained the passive skill: Magic Resistance (C)]
Pain still wracked his body—but far less than it should have. Jinwoo's eyes widened through the agony.
'I knew it…'
A soft gasp left Joohee's lips. She remembered that dungeon. The kiss. The way he touched her, the way their bodies became one, the way he had always cared for her. She'd never felt closer to someone in her life—and now, she could only watch as lightning devoured him.
"Hehe, don't worry," a voice hissed beside her. It was Medusa—her snake form lazily coiled near the barricade, eyes glowing. "Master won't lose to a pathetic thing like that."
She hadn't seen him fight before. But she felt it. Their bond ran deeper than flesh. His strength was real—almost rivaling her own.
The beam died.
Smoke drifted in the aftermath.
And then—a shadow stepped forward.
His shirt was gone, burned to ash. But his body—his body looked sculpted by gods. Muscles carved from marble, veins faintly glowing with residual lightning.
He cracked his neck. Smirked.
Then charged.
In a flash, Kasaka's Fang pierced the golem's chest. Jinwoo twisted the blade.
Straight through the core.
The monster froze.
Shattered.
[Level up!]
[Level up!]
[Level up!]
[You have obtained a new title: Golem Nemesis!]
[This title is granted to hunters who play with golems like toys. All your abilities will increase by 30% when fighting against magic-type monsters.]
"Nice," Jinwoo said, landing on the collapsing corpse.
[You have obtained: Electric Golem's Core!]
[Item: Electric Golem's Core]
[Rank: C]
[The core of the Electric Golem, rich with condensed lightning mana. Ideal for forging weapons with electric properties.]
"Hmm… interesting. I wonder if—"
He didn't finish.
Because suddenly, arms wrapped around him.
"Jinwoo!"
Joohee hugged him tightly, burying her face in his bare chest. Her breath trembled. Relief, shock, something deeper—it all poured out in that embrace.
And for a second…
The chaos of the battlefield faded.
Only the two of them remained.
Jinwoo gently patted her head, his hand resting with warmth and familiarity. He was finally taller than her now.
"When did you get here, Joohee?" he asked softly, his voice low and tender.
"I-I was just helping those hunters out…" she mumbled, eyes darting away in embarrassment. But then, her face scrunched in frustration and she yelled, "And you! What were you thinking? Charging a boss like that on your own?! Are you crazy?!"
Jinwoo met her gaze calmly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "But I won, didn't I?"
His answer made her freeze. She remembered—this was the same Jinwoo who used to get left behind in raids, the one barely scraping by.
"Y-Yeah…" she said, her voice softening. Her face was still red. "W-When did you get this strong—"
She didn't get to finish.
Because Jinwoo leaned in and kissed her.
A deep, sudden kiss that made her eyes widen.
When he pulled away, he looked right into her stunned eyes and said, "I love you, Joohee."
"Eh?!"
Her entire face turned crimson. Had he just kissed her in front of everyone?! And said I love you?!
The onlookers erupted into cheers.
It was like a scene from a movie—the hero saving the day, then sweeping the girl off her feet. Cameras flashed. Some hunters clapped. Even Medusa, still in her towering snake form, cheered with a hissing whistle. She already knew her master was destined to be surrounded by many women—Ra Hyeyoung's call had made that clear. So why be jealous?
"Jinwoo, I-I…" Joohee stammered, her heart racing like crazy. She didn't know what to say—the crowd's cheering, her spinning emotions, his new look, his power—everything was too much.
But she found her voice.
"I love you too…" she whispered—and pulled him into a kiss of her own.
Their lips met with a passionate hunger that made the crowd roar louder, a wave of applause surging around them.
When they finally separated, breathless and flustered, Jinwoo smiled and said, "Let's save the rest for later, Joohee."
"Okay… Jinwoo," she nodded, her cheeks glowing red. There was something more mature about him now. The Jinwoo she used to know would've melted in embarrassment—but now… now he was confident, composed, still kind—but stronger. A man.
Medusa slithered back to his side, shifting into her mini snake form, coiling gently around his neck like a scarf once more.
Jinwoo, still holding Joohee's hand, stood tall as the people around them clapped and shouted his name.
And then, pushing through the crowd, the general of the Mapo District—the same man who had tried to rally the hunters to protect the civilians—stepped forward. He bowed deeply, his voice thick with respect and emotion.
"On behalf of all of Seoul—no, of all South Korea… thank you, hero."
To be continued...
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How was this chapter? It was a little short, I know, but it's better like this.
Also, like how it's going so far?