Solo Panicking

Job Change

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Jinwoo pov

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Jinwoo stretched one last time, arms reaching above his head as he prepared himself to enter the instant dungeon. Dressed in his usual gray hoodie and black sweatpants, he looked relaxed, though you could sense the faint edge of anticipation. After a moment, he lowered his arms but, instead of entering the dungeon, he pulled out his phone and checked the latest message from you.

Bakery Girl:

Good luck!!! DON'T eat everything at once, or the effects might not work. Be safe.

You:

Will do.

A small smile played on his lips. "Heh–I won't. Still... it would've been nice if Y/N could be here, though..."

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Earlier

"WHAT!? Are you crazy?" you exclaimed, clutching the incubator tightly on your lap as you leaned back against the couch. "The egg will hatch soon, and I really shouldn't be gone when that happens." You couldn't help but give him an incredulous look. Jinwoo, however, didn't seem deterred, sitting across from you with that persistent, steady gaze.

"Alright, I get it. But... will you still-" he paused, as if trying to find a subtle way to ask.

"Yes," you sighed, rolling your eyes with a reluctant smile. "I'll make some food for you. But since it's a job quest, I don't know if there are going to be limitations." You remembered how the system restricted him from accessing potions in this quest and wondered if your food's effects might be blocked as well.

Jinwoo leaned a little closer, his expression softening. "Any food that you make will be great. It doesn't need to have any abilities."

For a moment, your eyes met, the warmth in his gaze giving you pause. You shook your head, breaking the moment with a grin. "Fine. Anything specific you want?"

"You know I'm not picky," he replied, his voice low and a little softer than usual. As he spoke,a soft expression crossed his face as he glanced down at the egg.

You handed him the incubator reluctantly. Standing, you grabbed a few ingredients and began to prepare. "Well, I'll get started," you replied, already starting to gather items to make some sandwiches and some cookies. You couldn't help but glance over your shoulder, seeing Jinwoo watch you with that familiar intensity.

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Jinwoo stretched out his wrists and took a deep breath. "Well~ Let's begin." He watched as a bright, electric purple light burst into the air, forming the ominous gateway of the Job Change quest. The gate crackled with intense energy, and a fierce gust of wind swirled around him, pulling him forward until he was enveloped in the dark purple glow.

With a steadying exhale, he stepped through and found himself in a long, dim corridor. The walls were rugged stone, lined with deep shadows and faint torches that flickered with an eerie light. It reminded him of an old castle, one he'd seen in Jin-ah's dramas, though this place felt colder, darker, as if something sinister waited for him within.

A clunking sound echoed through the corridor, metal on metal, rough and unrefined. Jinwoo's eyes narrowed as he spotted the source: a tall, armored knight lumbering forward, its armor rusted and battered, dragging a heavy sword behind it. The knight caught sight of Jinwoo before it lunged, bringing the sword down in a brutal swing.

Jinwoo moved swiftly, sidestepping the blow with ease. He retaliated with a quick, decisive [VITAL STRIKE], driving his dagger toward a weak point in the knight's armor. But the blade barely left a scratch, clinking off the thick metal.