Solo Leveling: Banishment of the Anomaly

The morning air was crisp as Jake walked through the hospital corridors, a bouquet of white lilies in hand. The sterile scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, and the quiet hum of medical equipment filled the silence. With each step he took toward Sung Jin-Woo's room, Jake felt a knot tighten in his stomach.

It had been almost two weeks since his arrival in this world, and although he had grown more accustomed to his new reality, facing Jin-Woo was still a daunting task. The man was, after all, the protagonist of this world, destined to rise as the strongest Hunter.

Jake knew that his interactions with Jin-Woo were crucial to his plan, but the emotions swirling inside him were becoming harder to ignore.

Finally, after finishing his training, Jake decided it was time to visit. As he reached the door to Jin-Woo's room, he hesitated for a moment. Although both he and Jin-Woo were comfortable entering each other's rooms without prior notice, the weight of the moment pressed heavily on him. Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, he pushed the door open gently and stepped inside.

Sung Jin-Woo lay on the hospital bed, his eyes closed, chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. He looked peaceful, the bruises and wounds on his body having healed from the horrors he had faced in the double dungeon.

Jake's heart swelled at the sight of Jin-Woo no longer in pain, yet a shadow of sadness crept in as he recalled the terror that Lee Joo-Hee had faced in the same dungeon.

The memory was vivid, as if he had experienced it firsthand. If only you hadn't died after arriving at this hospital, you might still be living in this body of yours. I'm really sorry, Lee Joo-Hee, he thought, feeling a deep guilt settle within him for not being able to save her.

Jake quietly approached the bed, placing the bouquet on the small table beside it. He pulled up a chair and sat down, studying Jin-Woo's face closely. His dark hair framed his features, which bore a softness that contrasted sharply with the fierce warrior he would eventually become. Jin-Woo's skin was a warm tone, accentuating the strength that lay just beneath the surface. His lips were slightly parted in peaceful repose, and Jake found it hard to reconcile this vulnerable version of Jin-Woo with the legendary figure he would rise to be. How can someone so gentle become a force of nature?

Instinctively, Jake reached out, hesitating before gently brushing a strand of hair from Jin-Woo's forehead. The touch was light, almost imperceptible, but it sent a shiver down Jake's spine. What's happening to me? he thought, feeling both compelled and confused.

This urge to care for Jin-Woo was rooted deep within Lee Joo-Hee's memories, a natural instinct that felt foreign to him as a guy. Yet, as he sat there, he couldn't deny the tug of affection he felt.

"If Lee Joo-Hee didn't die, I'm sure she would still protect you, Jin-Woo," Jake whispered softly, a faint sigh escaping his lips. "But you're strong now; you can take care of yourself."

The absurdity of the situation struck him. Here he was, a guy in a girl's body, feeling the need to protect a man who was already powerful. It felt irrational, but combined with Joo-Hee's emotions, he couldn't help but also feel a protective urge swell within him.

Shaking off the thought, Jake's eyes just softened as he watched the sleeping Jin-Woo. He knew how much this man had suffered based on what he read, and how much he would continue to suffer in his journey to become the strongest.

A part of Jake wanted to reach out and help him, to ease his burden. But another part of him, the part that was still Jake Garcia from Earth, was terrified of the unpleasant growing feelings inside him caused by inheriting the body and memories of the late Lee Joo-Hee.

He leaned back in the chair, staring up at the ceiling as memories of his life on Earth flooded his mind. Back then, he had been a typical college student, focused on his studies and indulging in his hobbies. He had never once questioned his identity or his attraction to women. But now, in Lee Joo-Hee's body, everything was different.

Being in this female body, Jake felt as though he was no longer just himself but rather a blend of Lee Joo-Hee and his own identity. This duality both intrigued and terrified him. He worried about losing his sense of self as he became more integrated with Joo-Hee's body.

He had always viewed himself as a straight male, but the longer he remained in this world, the more he couldn't ignore the way his heart raced unpleasantly whenever he was around Sung Jin-Woo.

"This is just because I'm in her body," Jake muttered to himself as he sighed heavily, trying to rationalize the emotions. "I'm still me. I'm still Jake."

But the words felt hollow, even to him. He couldn't deny the pull he felt towards Jin-Woo. Suddenly, a soft groan pulled Jake from his thoughts. He looked down to see Sung Jin-Woo stirring, his eyes slowly fluttering open. Panic surged through Jake as he scrambled to compose himself.

"J-Jin-Woo?" he stammered, trying to sound as normal as possible.

Jin-Woo's eyes focused on Jake, and for a moment, there was confusion in his gaze. But then recognition dawned, and he gave a weak smile. "Joo-Hee... you're here."

Jake's heart skipped a beat at the sound of Jin-Woo's voice. It was soft, tired, but there was warmth in it that made Jake's chest tighten.

"Of course, I'm here," Jake replied, managing a playful smile. "I wanted to make up for the few days I wasn't able to come here. Shouldn't you thank me for that?" He added with a hint of smugness and joy in his tone, trying to lighten the mood.

Jin-Woo raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching into the faintest of smirks. "Thank you? For being late? That's not really something to be proud of, you know," he teased back, though there was warmth behind his words.

Jake chuckled, feeling the tension ease between them. "Hey, better late than never, right? Besides, someone has to make sure you're not getting into more trouble while you're supposed to be resting."

As they talked, Jake felt a strange sense of comfort during their friendly conversation. For now, he just wanted to be there for Jin-Woo, to support him in any way he could.

The conversation eventually shifted to lighter topics, with Jin-Woo asking about Jake's own well-being. Jake played along, acting as if he was still the same Lee Joo-Hee that Jin-Woo had always known. But in the back of his mind, he couldn't stop thinking about what the future held for all of them.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the hospital room, Jake felt the weight of reality settling in. He glanced at the window, where the last rays of sunlight filtered through, illuminating Jin-Woo's face. It was time to leave.

"I should go," Jake said, standing up and giving Jin-Woo a reassuring smile. "But I'll come back tomorrow, okay?"

Jin-Woo nodded, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. "Thanks, Joo-Hee. I appreciate it."

Jake held his gaze for a moment longer, feeling a mix of emotions swirling within him. Jin-Woo looked peaceful, a far cry from the fierce warrior he would soon become. As he turned to leave, a heaviness settled in his heart, knowing that this connection they were forging was becoming increasingly complex.

Walking down the corridor, Jake's mind raced with thoughts. How long can I keep up this act? he pondered. The persona of Lee Joo-Hee was becoming intertwined with his own identity, and it felt as if each day he spent in this body brought him closer to losing the sense of who he had been as he finally said. "Nothing feels normal anymore. This world is really changing me."