Mystical Fantasy : Not the Destiny Heroine

The drunken man's body was still lying on the side of the restaurant. People stepped back, and the once noisy atmosphere shifted into murmurs of panic. But before Jinhyuk could process what he had just done...

"What did you just do to our friend, huh?!"

A shout echoed.

Three other men—friends of the drunk—came out of the restaurant. Their faces red with alcohol, eyes blazing with anger.

"You brat. Acting like some kind of hero, huh?"

Without warning, they lunged.

The first punch flew. Jinhyuk dodged, his body moving faster than usual. Then he retaliated—instinctively—a punch to the stomach of the man on the left. The body collapsed. Another tried to kick, but Jinhyuk twisted his waist and slammed his elbow into the attacker's jaw.

—BUGG!

The second man fell.

But the third one, larger than the rest, held a wooden beam in his right hand. His breath was rough. The killing intent in his swing was palpable.

"YOU'RE DEAD, BASTARD!"

The beam swung.

CRAKK—!

But it never landed.

Someone caught the man's arm from the side.

The movement was smooth. Fast. Like water slipping through cracks.

In a flash, the large man was thrown backward. His wooden beam fell.

The figure who appeared now stood firmly between Jinhyuk and the attackers. Average height. Messy short hair. Simple clothing—a gray t-shirt and loose pants.

But his aura... sharp.

With one strike, the remaining two drunks were down. His hands moved precisely, his footing like a result of years of harsh training.

"It's over," he said flatly.

Police arrived a few minutes later, sirens slicing the air.

The crowd dispersed. The offenders were apprehended. And so was... Jinhyuk.

At the police station.

"Wow, you again?" The middle-aged officer smirked during questioning. "Museum theft a few days ago, now a street fight in front of a restaurant. You sure are full of surprises."

"This time I'm innocent," Jinhyuk answered weakly.

"Innocent? Still, you're involved in a public disturbance. We have to detain you overnight as a penalty."

The only one released at that moment was the girl who had nearly been kicked—her name, Kang Han-na. Her face remained blank, only giving a small nod when the police told her to go.

And the man who had helped earlier? He was detained alongside Jinhyuk.

Inside the temporary holding cell, they sat across from each other.

Jinhyuk looked at him.

"Thank you... for earlier. My name is Jinhyuk. What's your name, sir?"

The man leaned against the wall. "My name's Gyeol. Lee Gyeol."

"Lee Gyeol... nice name."

"Yeah, I know. I'm kind of popular, hahaha."

Jinhyuk raised an eyebrow, but before they could talk more—the cell door opened.

"Ryu Jinhyuk!" called a guard.

The sound of high heels echoed.

Yoon Seri entered, her face darker than the night sky.

"Are you crazy?! Do you think life is a game?! Yesterday theft, today fighting on the street, what's next? Murder?!" Seri shouted angrily.

"Have you really gone insane because of that issue? You weren't like this before!"

Jinhyuk said nothing. His face emotionless.

Seri stepped closer, her tone sharpening.

"You embarrassed me, do you know that?! I just saw you this morning, and I have to come here... again!"

Jinhyuk stayed silent. Still no reply.

Until finally, Han-na—thought to have gone home but still standing nearby—spoke.

"He's not at fault."

Her voice was soft, but firm. "If not for him, I might've been beaten to death."

Seri turned, her eyes narrowing. She only now realized there was another girl there.

Looking at Han-na... she held her breath. The girl's appearance was concerning, her body looked malnourished, her clothes ragged, and visible scars marred her skin.

Seri frowned. The reflex of disgust on her face couldn't be hidden.

But she paused. Then... sighed.

"What do you mean... he's not at fault?!"

"Yes. You should be proud and praise him. He willingly got into trouble to protect someone like me," Han-na replied.

"She's right, Yoon Seri-ssi. This time he did something admirable," added one of the officers handling Jinhyuk's case.

Seri's tone changed. She looked at Jinhyuk intently. Then looked away. Her exhaustion with Jinhyuk's issues was starting to wear on her.

"Hm, fine. I'm sorry, Jinhyuk. I'll take care of the bail."

After a few signatures and formalities, Seri left without another word. Jinhyuk simply watched her back until she disappeared.

Han-na lowered her head. For some reason, she looked somber.

"My name's Kang... Han-na. Again, thank you for saving me," she said in a voice barely audible.

"Ah, right. Thank you as well."

"Was she... someone you know?" Han-na asked.

Jinhyuk nodded.

Han-na looked down again. She remained silent. But her eyes stared out the window. The night was almost over.

They then left the police station.

The street's hustle was gradually dying down, the usual crowd drifting back to their own business.

The world felt quiet. As if something was pushing the noise away from the two of them.

"Are you... okay?" Jinhyuk asked softly.

The girl looked at him with a blank gaze. Not from fear. But more like… she didn't know how to respond. Her eyes were cloudy, like a window left uncleaned for too long.

She only nodded.

"It's late. Where do you live? I can walk you home."

The girl shook her head slowly.

"I... don't have a home."

"Oh... how come? Then where do you usually sleep?"

She said nothing.

Jinhyuk sighed. His hunger started returning.

"Are you hungry?"

Han-na looked at him, then nodded once.

Wait, why did I ask that? No. Am I seriously about to treat her? Then why did she immediately nod when asked about food? Jinhyuk panicked in thought.

In his mind, he realized his money was almost gone. But after looking at Han-na's pitiful condition... just this once, he gave in.

"Alright, come with me. Maybe we can find a place to eat not far from here."

Without realizing it, Jinhyuk extended his hand.

"Sorry, sir," Han-na said, snapping Jinhyuk back.

"Ah, sorry, it's a habit. Hahaha."

Jinhyuk quickly lowered his hand.

But Han-na, though hesitant, slowly—very slowly—reached for it.

Her skin was cold like stone. But beneath that coldness, there was a faint tremble that made Jinhyuk shiver slightly.

Jinhyuk was slightly surprised.

But finally, they walked away together.

They sat at a 24-hour food stall in a back alley.

The owner didn't care what anyone looked like, as long as they paid.

The girl ate slowly, savoring each bite of the warm meal.

Jinhyuk just watched her while sipping hot broth.

Every movement of the girl was neat, but not from upbringing. More like the result of surviving too long on the streets.

"You don't like it?" Jinhyuk asked again.

This time, she paused her chewing.

"...It's good," she replied softly, almost inaudibly.

After eating, they sat on a bench in a small park across the alley. The night grew colder. Wind from the north began to blow.

Han-na hugged her knees. Jinhyuk lent her his thick hoodie. The girl simply stared at the faint stars in Seoul's gray sky.

Jinhyuk wanted to go home, but didn't feel right leaving the girl alone tonight.

"Why did you let them beat you? Why didn't you scream for help?"

"Scream for help?… I'm used to it," Han-na replied calmly. "If I ran, I'd get fired tomorrow. Then I couldn't eat. If I stay silent… at least they'll eventually get bored."

Jinhyuk fell silent.

For a long time.

Then he looked at the ring on his finger.

"Han-na-ssi…"

"Yes?"

"Do you think... someone can rise again, after being broken over and over?"

Han-na turned to him.

"I-I don't know," she answered.

Jinhyuk was silent.

Then, from within him—a pulse emerged.

—Dug!

A hard pressure throbbed inside his head. His vision blurred. His heart pounded. Too fast.

—Dug. Dug. Dug. Dug!

"Ugh…"

"Jinhyuk-ssi?!" Han-na panicked. "Hey, what's wrong?!"

But Jinhyuk couldn't answer. His body trembled.

His vision turned into white light.

—And he saw something.

A shadow.

A reddish light, like giant ropes… struck him. A man in a black cloak appeared. Smiling wickedly. And… holding an artifact shaped like a horn.

Han-na looked at the figure. Fear rose within her, enough to shake the heart of someone already fed up with the world.

Jinhyuk collapsed. His body burned. But his skin was cold.

"JINHYUK-ssi!!"

Han-na shouted. But Jinhyuk's world was already gone.

Dark.

Only one faint voice echoed:

"So you're the one who took it."