Solo Panicking

Double Dungeon

It was a typical morning at Sweet Crumbs. Y/N had gotten used to the rhythmic flow of customers coming in for their early morning coffee and pastries, and today was no different. She hummed a soft tune to herself as she wiped down the counter, glancing at the clock. The morning rush was about to start, and Mrs. Kang was busy in the back preparing fresh batches of bread.

"Y/N! Could you bring out the cinnamon rolls when they're done? They're almost ready!" Mrs. Kang called from the kitchen.

"Got it!" Y/N called back, turning her attention to the door just as it chimed open.

And there he was Sung Jinwoo.

Y/N's heart did a little flip, the same way it always did when she saw him lately. He looked the same as usual, though there was a certain determination in his eyes today. He greeted her with a tired smile, his worn-out clothes a clear reminder of the kind of work he was headed to. His cheeks still had those bandages from the last raid he went to. They hadn't brought a healer since it was an e-rank. Why did that seem familiar

"Morning," Jinwoo said, his voice a bit raspy from what Y/N assumed was another night of poor sleep.

"Good Morning," she replied, already reaching for a cup. "The usual?"

"Yeah. Thanks," he nodded, rubbing his neck as if trying to work out a kink.

Y/N felt a strange flutter of unease settle in her stomach as she handed him the coffee. She couldn't quite put her finger on why, but something about today felt... off. Jinwoo didn't seem particularly different, but the nagging feeling of anxiety had been lingering since she saw him this morning.

"Are you heading out on a raid?" she asked casually, trying to push down the uneasy feeling as she passed him the coffee.

Jinwoo nodded. "Yeah, I'm running a little late and thought I would get a coffee just in case they didn't have any for me there. Oh it's just a regular d-rank dungeon. Shouldn't take long."

Y/N forced a smile, trying to shake off the strange sensation again familiar. "Stay safe, okay?"

Jinwoo gave her a lopsided grin in response, holding up the coffee like a peace offering. "I always do."

But the look in his eyes lingered. Y/N knew he tried to hide it, but she'd seen the toll being a hunter took on him, the constant weariness, the physical strain, and the ever-present weight of responsibility for Jin-ah and his mother.

"Don't overdo it," Y/N said, a little firmer this time. Her voice held a note of concern that she tried to hide behind a casual smile.

Jinwoo's expression softened slightly, as if he appreciated the sentiment. "I won't. Thanks, Y/N. I'll see you later."

Y/N watched him walk out the door, her heart heavy with an inexplicable sense of foreboding. She had no idea why this felt like some kind of goodbye.

~♡♡☼♡♡~

The rest of the day passed in a blur, but Y/N couldn't shake the anxious feeling gnawing at her insides. She found herself zoning out at work, her mind drifting back to Jinwoo every few minutes. Mrs. Kang had even noticed her distracted behavior and teased her about being lovesick, but Y/N's laughter felt hollow.

She tried to push the thoughts away. Jinwoo was just on a normal raid. He'd come back like he always did, a bit banged up but still himself. He would show up at her work later, and they'd joke about how worried she'd been over nothing and then walk home together.

But the feeling of dread only grew as the hours ticked by.

~♡♡☼♡♡~

It was late afternoon when Y/N's phone rang. She had just finished her shift and was cleaning up the bakery when the screen lit up with Jin-ah's name.