Solo Panicking

Drum Roll Please! And My New Neighbors Are...!

｡⋆｡˚ ʚɞ ˚｡⋆｡

The passing week seemed to have blurred together, it was a repeat process of trying to familiarize yourself with the new surroundings, doing research about the world around you, and looking for a job. You're able to write up a resume with some skills of your past and you really hope your future employer doesn't look too closely or call any numbers listed.

Whenever you're home you find yourself looking out the window. Its definitely not because you don't have a t.v, not at all... It is nice just watching people be people, at least till you see a group of people carrying equipment and most likely heading to a dungeon to complete. It still seems odd to you, being in this new world but there's no use complaining when you have bills to pay... in two months that is. Finding a job is your priority right now, and trying to find a way home. But to do that you would have to immerse yourself into the Hunter's Society, which you really didn't want to do at the moment.

Then, as if the universe were playing a cruel joke on you, fate throws a wrench into your carefully constructed new life. There is a knock at the front door. It makes you pause, you definitely weren't expecting anyone. The Landlord had already made an appearance when you moved in, so who could it be? The police? The Hunters Association?? Your heart sped up at the thought, did they somehow find out you're not native to this universe? ALREADY!?

Your panic was interrupted by another knocking at the door, this time much louder than the first time. You stood in front of your door, ready to open the door and hopefully not confront people questioning your existence.

"Uh... who is it?" you call out hesitantly, hand on the doorknob

"Excuse me! I think we're your neighbors!" a cheerful, high-pitched voice chirps from the other side.

For a moment, the word "neighbors" flutters in your mind, easing your panic just a bit. Of course it would be neighbors and not the government on the other side of your door! You open the door to reveal a young girl with brown, (no wait is it purple?) hair, couldn't be no older than 15 or 16, practically glowing with energy as she hops on the balls of her feet. Behind her stands a slightly taller young man with messy black hair and an expression that teeters between nervousness and weariness, but still offers a small smile when meeting your gaze. They must be siblings, but why are they so familiar?

You force a welcoming smile, internally thanking your experience in customer service "Hello there." you say, voice a tad strained from not using it much.

The girl beams, her eyes practically sparkling as she leans forward. "Hi there! I'm Sung Jin-ah! We live next door!" She gestures broadly toward the apartment across the hall, then points excitedly to the young man by her side. "This is my brother, Jinwoo."

Your mind reels as the name echoes in your ears, Sung Jinwoo. For a split second, your brain short-circuits. You had literally just promised yourself to steer clear of the main plot, acknowledge the possibility of not returning home again, and were ready to live like a mouse hiding from the cat or a panther in this case. And yet here he is, standing right at your doorstep.

Before you , you manage to choke out, "Uh... nice to meet you. I'm, uh...Y/N er– L/N Y/N. Please, just call me Y/N."

"It's nice to meet you too, Y/N!" Jin-ah exclaims brightly, completely oblivious of the internal panic buzzing inside of you. "We just wanted to say hi and welcome you to the building. I saw you move in a few days ago, but didn't want to bother you right away."

Jinwoo's voice is meeker in comparison, not quite shy but more of being tired. "That's right," he side-eyed Jin-ah, probably having stopped her from immediately trying to welcome the new neighbor. "But, we thought we'd give you some time to settle in first." Jin-ah's smile turned sheepish but then returned in full power. This makes your own smile turn softer before remembering who's in front of you. Sung Jinwoo, pre-shadow monarch... This can't be good can it?