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yourownutopia · 2 months ago

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Chapter 3: "The Price of Protection"

When the Shadow Monarch adds you to his ranks, he has no idea what he's in for. Not only are you uncontrollable, but you also harbor a secret that even the System keeps hidden from him. As he searches for a way to bring you under control, it becomes clear that your existence exposes a flaw in the perfect structure of the shadows—one that no one could have foreseen. Why don’t you yield to his will, and more importantly, why doesn’t the System want you to remember? [Jin Woo x fem! shadow! reader]

─── ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ────── ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Chapter Index :

[Prologue], [1] ,[2] , [3ʰᵉʳᵉ]

─── ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ────── ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Song: Shadowborn - Hiroyuki Sawano

Calm before the storm - It's me they all are coming for

Be my shadowborn

We're back to take the pain - My soul is indestructible

I steal you from the grave - So cursed to be a slave

»»———-»--•--«———-««

make sure to read the previous Chapters!

Notes: I want to clarify that English is not my first language. I’m sorry if there are any mistakes or if I sometimes use incorrect word

Hey there! Sorry for the long wait T-T I went through a creative slump and just couldn’t come up with anything good! I hope you still like the new chapter though <3

Chapter 3: The Price of Protection

"[Y/N]!!" The voice rang muffled in her ears, the pain in her head sharp and unpleasant. Why did this feel like déjà vu? Only this time, it wasn’t a warm voice warning her—it was a worried one, belonging to none other than Jin-Woo, who was supporting her upper body and calling her name again and again. What had happened?

-‘๑’-

"Arise."

Jin-Woo’s voice vibrated softly, ominously, as the word left his lips. The way he said it sent chills down [Y/N]’s spine. Her whole body reacted instinctively, the fine hairs on her neck standing on end. Her grip around Baruka’s Dagger tightened ever so slightly. She felt it before she even saw it—the way the energy in the room shifted, the electricity in the air, just before the floor gave way to an ocean of black, inky shadows from which Jin-Woo’s army began to rise. Hundreds of creatures emerged from the darkness, their forms slowly taking shape. Right next to [Y/N], Igris rose from the shadows, while Beru—the Ant King—materialized beside Jin-Woo, clicking his claws menacingly. Perhaps it was due to their shadow connection, but [Y/N] could feel the raw desire of the other shadows to serve their master. Even though she knew just how powerful Jin-Woo was, she could barely believe her eyes as she looked around his army - and found herself locking gazes with Igris. His expression—or what passed for one beneath those glowing eyes—remained unreadable. But for a split second, [Y/N] sensed it… that piercing glance of doubt he threw her way. It wasn’t telepathy. Not really. It was more like… she knew what the others were thinking.

Aeternus watched it all unfold, and despite his skeletal, expressionless face, there was calmness about him. With a twitch of his bony index finger—frail, almost sickly—his soldiers began to move.

[URGENT QUEST: DEFEAT THE ENEMIES] [There are enemies nearby who intend to kill the player. Eliminate all threats and secure the player's safety. If you fail to comply, your heart will cease to beat. Enemies remaining: 426 Enemies defeated: 0 ]

The system window floated in the air in front of [Y/N] and Jin-Woo. No one else seemed to notice the transparent interface—none of the shadows, at least. But it clearly told [Y/N] that she would die if Jin-Woo did. It made sense—if he died, the shadow extraction would vanish too—but the realization that her life was entirely bound to his felt bitter. Her eyes flicked to the black-haired monarch, who was already preparing to attack. The tension in the air was almost tangible. His eyes had changed color, his aura colder—sharper, almost slicing through the atmosphere. A shiver ran down her spine. This wasn’t Jin-Woo’s aura anymore. This was the Shadow Monarch’s. But this time, that crushing presence wasn’t directed at her—it was focused solely on Aeternus, whose army was already on the move. [Y/N] adjusted her grip on her dagger and took half a step forward— —only for Jin-Woo’s arm to block her path.

"This fight isn't yours" Jin-Woo said sharply, not even sparing her a glance. His voice was low, serious—carrying an authority that allowed no argument. [Y/N] parted her lips, but no words came out. Something in his tone held her back. She wanted to protest, to fight by his side, to prove herself… But Jin-Woo was already moving. In a flash—so fast the normal eye could barely keep up.

The moment their powers clashed, she realized the truth—she wouldn’t have stood a chance.

The first impact shook the very structure around them. The ground trembled beneath her feet as Jin-Woo charged at Aeternus with inhuman speed. His shadows danced like flames in a storm, his silhouette blurring in the chaos of darkness. Aeternus rose slowly—measured, dignified—as though he had all the time in the world. Runes glowed along his bony chest, and a thunderous boom echoed through the chamber as he raised his arms and conjured a magical barrier to block the Shadow Monarch’s strike.

The resulting shockwave was massive, tugging at [Y/N]’s clothes and nearly knocking her off her feet—if not for Igris, who stepped in front of her protectively. The dark knight had driven his sword into a crack in the floor, his cloak whipping wildly, the metal of his blade groaning beneath the immense power of his master. Jin-Woo moved in jagged zigzags through the air, slamming relentlessly into the magical barrier.

[Y/N] saw nothing but blinding flashes of light and cascading shadows leaving tears in the air. The raw energy between the two combatants was overwhelming. Every blow, every movement shattered the floor, extinguished runes—or reignited them in furious bursts of magic. She held her breath for a second. And when she looked again, her [E/C] eyes widened in awe. She stood frozen, unable to look away from the infernal duel. Her body trembled—not from fear, but from sheer reverence.

Jin-Woo was faster, more precise—a storm of darkness and steel. But Aeternus was immovable, like an ancient law of nature that refused to bend.

Each of his movements carried millennia of experience, and the magic surrounding him followed no known rules of mana or logic.

“You are in the way.”

The strange voice snapped [Y/N] out of her trance. She turned her head—only to see the massive ant pushing aside one of the skeletal soldiers, his claws clicking ominously.

"THE ANT CAN TALK?!" [Y/N] exclaimed in disbelief, jumping to Igris’s side. He cast her a sidelong glance, and strangely, she felt safer near him than that insect.

Beru looked offended by her blunt comment, his antennae twitching. "Useless female", he said coldly. [Y/N]’s eyes narrowed. What the hell did that pest just say?

She opened her mouth to fire back, but before she could, Beru leapt past her—straight at a soldier who had tried to ambush her from behind.

The ant tore the skeletal warrior apart effortlessly, clearly enjoying himself in a grotesque display. That’s when [Y/N] noticed the floating name above his head.

[Beru. Rank: General]

The question of why he could speak could wait. Beru turned back to her, green blood dripping from his claws.

"How about not standing around, useless half-shadow?" he hissed, moving forward again. "Let’s see if the rest of the battlefield finds you worth the trouble."

That was apparently enough for Igris, too. He turned to engage in battle—but [Y/N] stopped him in his Tracks.

"We have to support Jin-Woo" she said, glancing at the chaos still raging nearby. The structure continued to tremble under the sheer power of their clash.

Beru let out a sound that almost resembled a laugh—but wasn’t.

"Show some respect to our master. If he doesn’t call for us, we have no place there" , he replied coldly before vanishing into the fray.

[Y/N] wasn’t so sure. How could Beru be so certain?

Her gaze flicked from the two blurred figures locked in combat to Igris—almost pleading, as if silently asking for his opinion.

But the knight only spared one last glance toward his master… …and then turned and followed Beru into battle. [Y/N] was torn. On one hand, she understood why the two were acting this way – it was their Master's command – but on the other hand… But she couldn’t finish the thought as the ground trembled once more and the two Monarchs clashed. Shaking her head, [Y/N] muttered: “Nope, definitely not.” She didn’t belong there. Spinning on her heel, she followed Igris, swallowing the lump in her throat. These soldiers weren’t as easy to defeat as the spider creatures, and yet – despite her racing heart and the uncertainty she felt – there was something else that grew within her as her eyes swept across the shadow army. Confidence. She had a feeling that, together, they wouldn’t have too much trouble destroying Aeternus’ army.

With fire in her chest, her grip tightening around Baruka’s Dagger, she picked up her pace and threw herself into the battle.

Number of Enemies defeated: 57

With every passing minute of the battle, the counter of defeated enemies increased. The room was filled with smoke, rubble, and the continuous sounds of combat between the shadow soldiers – and not to forget, Jin Woo and Aeternus. But the thick cloud of dust made it nearly impossible to see anything more than glowing flashes of light.

Number of Enemies defeated: 109

[Y/N]’s attention, however, was focused on her own fight. Her steps were light yet deadly as she darted back and forth between enemies, repeatedly striking them with her dagger – only to spin on her heels after landing to strike the next one.

Number of Enemies defeated: 211

It was a strange sight – she moved with such grace and deadly precision, as if she had never done anything else in her life. Mana surged through her veins, and her [H/C] hair whipped through the air as she jumped from the back of one of the bone soldiers and landed calmly on her feet. Her breath was fast but not uncontrolled, her heart pounded hard in her chest, and a bead of sweat sparkled on her forehead.

“At least you’re still alive. Or something like that” [Y/N] suddenly heard a deep voice beside her. Her head snapped around just as Beru landed next to her, retracting his wings and looking at the young woman who straightened herself up and wiped the ‘blood’ – a strange green goop seeping from the bone creatures – from her blue dagger. Beru’s tone was mocking, and yet [Y/N] figured that this was probably his way of giving a compliment? “Uhm… yeah?” she replied, glancing at the transparent window hovering in front of her.

Number of Enemies defeated: 345

“Not too many left…” she murmured, more to herself than to Beru, as her eyes scanned the battlefield. Not just the soldiers – even the shadows had thinned out considerably. She had no idea what happened to the shadows when they were “killed.” In the distance, Tusk was currently blasting one of the bone creatures away with a fireball, the heat hitting her face and sending her hair flying – only to be cooled again by the chill of the room.

“Do you hear that?” Beru asked, his antennae twitching slightly. She had been so engrossed in the fight, she hadn’t noticed anything around her. At his words, she paused and listened. There was nothing unusual.

“No,” she finally responded, about to get back to work when the realization struck her. Aside from the sounds of the few remaining shadows, it was silent – far too silent. She had been so focused that she hadn’t spared a single thought for Jin Woo and Aeternus, whose mana was still present – but less overwhelming than before. But she couldn’t see anything trough the thick dust. Without thinking, [Y/N] took a deep breath and yelled in the opposite direction:

“TUSK, PLEASE BLOW THE SMOKE AWAY!” Her voice was so shrill that Beru tried – unsuccessfully – to cover his ears with his arms. Tusk just stared at her, puzzled, which [Y/N] responded to with a deep sigh. He was… clearly not the brightest star in the sky.

She looked around and suddenly an idea hit her. A stupid one – a really idiotic one she should’ve discarded immediately, but right now, she didn’t care. With a precise throw, she hurled her dagger, hitting one of the bone soldiers squarely between the eyes – not enough to kill it, but enough to get its attention.

It turned to her, its eye sockets glowing as it yanked the dagger from its cracked skull, now bearing a narrow hole. It looked… angry. Very angry. It immediately shifted its target and charged at [Y/N], who turned and ran – straight toward the dust cloud that blocked her view. She had no weapon now – so all she could do was run and hope her plan worked. Taking a deep breath, she sprinted across the room, debris crunching under her feet.

“TUUUUUSK HELP ME PLEASE!!” she screamed, glancing behind her to see if he finally understood this time.

The red giant turned his head slowly in her direction, his eyes resting on her for a moment before spotting the enemy chasing after her. Without hesitation, he raised his hand, and a massive fireball launched toward them.

[Y/N]’s eyes widened – she had definitely underestimated the sheer firepower. The bright flame reflected in her eyes for a split second before she dove forward in a desperate leap. The fire blazed past her – the heat singed a few of her [H/C] strands and the blast wave slammed her onto the stone floor.

Number of Enemies defeated: 346

She landed hard on her side, sliding several feet across the ground before coming to a stop, clutching her aching head.

“...ow” she muttered, opening the eyes she had instinctively shut during the impact.

Without hesitation, she pushed herself back up. But when she looked toward the dust cloud that had just cleared, her breath caught in her throat.

Jin Woo’s arms were shaking slightly as he pushed both his daggers against the Monarch’s scythe, which he held back with near-effortless ease. His clothes were torn, scratches marred his skin – soot and grime covered him head to toe, with black strands of hair sticking to his forehead. His eyes glowed purple, and [Y/N] could feel the tremble of his mana. She now noticed the trembling of her own body, which seemed to respond to his current condition. Nothing was decided yet, but a sense of dread settled in her stomach.

Jin Woo stared into the hollow eyes of the Monarch, who looked back emotionlessly. His mana was draining with each passing minute, and his fatigue bar was fillinh. He felt himself slowing down, just barely. There had to be something – an opening, a weakness – but this opponent wasn’t like the others. He gave him no chance to land a heavy counterattack. Jin Woo’s thoughts raced, searching for a way to end the fight. But right now, he saw no way out. An unspoken truth hovered on the tip of his tongue.

“We are equals.” His eyes widened for a brief moment as the voice echoed his thoughts. Again, he heard that strange combination of bones cracking and leaves rustling. A voice that was neither male nor female. The Shadow Monarch’s eyes narrowed at Aeternus’ words.

“That’s what you were just thinking, isn’t it, Shadow Monarch?” There was no emotion in the voice, yet Jin Woo could’ve sworn he sounded amused. “But I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you.”

He raised his free arm, a beam of blue light forming rapidly in his palm. Its intensity increased at alarming speed. Again with that? Jin Woo had already dodged this attack before. Why would this time be any different��

“I don’t play fair.”

His eyes barely widened as he heard the words and realized Aeternus wasn’t aiming at him. His gaze darted sideways – the battlefield lay in clear view now. [Y/N] stood not too far away, directly in the line of fire.

He wouldn’t— “[Y/N]! GET OUT OF THERE!” he shouted.

[Y/N] froze in her tracks and stared at the bright light aimed directly at her. “Huh?!” she gasped, just as Jin Woo came into view, having stepped back. He now stood in her line of sight, holding his daggers protectively in front of her.

But Aeternus aborted the beam and instead launched an unexpected strike with his scythe, as if that had been his plan all along. Jin Woo couldn’t dodge in time and was knocked backward. With a groan, he crashed into [Y/N], sending her flying to the ground as well.

For the second time in mere moments, she found herself on the floor – only this time, she felt the crushing weight of Jin Woo partially across her legs, and the air knocked from her lungs.

“Ahhh…” she groaned in pain as she sat up and realized what had happened.

“Jin Woo!” she cried, her voice laced with worry as she reached for his shoulder – only to be stopped by his sudden movement. He was already back on his feet – showing no clear signs of weakness. But [Y/N] could sense his exhaustion and saw the slight furrow of thought across his face.

"Stay behind me" , he said, positioning himself protectively in front of her as he watched the figure still lingering at the same spot, staring at them for a brief moment before launching into another attack. Despite the trembling ground and the biting air, crackling with sparks and magic, it was the silence between the strikes that [Y/N] noticed most. A silence in which Jin Woo’s movements—normally razor-sharp and precise—carried a barely perceptible heaviness. A breath too long. A sidestep just a fraction slower than usual. [Y/N]’s heart clenched painfully as she stood frozen, unable to tear her eyes away. Jin Woo was powerful—words could barely capture the might of the Shadow Monarch—but he still had one critical weakness: He was still made of flesh and blood. A body through which blood coursed. A body that knew exhaustion. He was still human. And Aeternus, that ancient nightmare, noticed it too.

His voice was calm, like the whisper of a dying wind. "You cannot win this battle." No mockery. No glee. Just a cold, inevitable truth. [Y/N] felt something deep within her rebel. A part of her screamed to stay out of it—she knew she couldn’t defeat Aeternus.

She knew it. And yet, despite everything. Maybe they were strangers. Maybe they couldn't stand each other. Maybe they were two lost stars in different galaxies—but Jin Woo hadn't betrayed her, hadn't sacrificed her just to save himself. And for that reason alone... she couldn't just stand by and watch.

Her heart pounded against her ribs as she watched Jin Woo being driven into a corner. Aeternus had left him no openings to counterattack. His scythe swung again—and this time, Jin Woo saw no way to block it. He saw the blade, the scythe whose edge devoured the light and swallowed any hope of victory. His body rebelled against him, heavy, exhausted from a fight that knew no end. But the blow never landed— Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the movement—far too fast to react. For a moment, the world seemed to freeze around him. With a determination burning brighter than any fear, [Y/N] intercepted the magical strike. The scythe left a searing, glowing gash across her chest. A shower of sparks exploded between her and Aeternus. The air tore apart with a deafening crack as their energies collided. For Jin Woo, the world felt foreign one endless heartbeat. His eyes widened in shock and Adrenaline surged like wildfire through his veins, sharpening his senses to the point of pain. His Instinct took over. He saw it—that fleeting moment when Aeternus faltered. No visible expression—and yet, a shadow of surprise flickered across his posture. Jin Woo didn’t hesitate, with a final surge of strength, he lunged forward, his daggers like lightning born from desperation and unwavering will. His attack struck Aeternus' ancient body with the force of a storm, and the impact made the entire space tremble. Stone shattered, walls cracked, as Aeternus was hurled back like a lifeless meteor, crashing into the wall.

For a heartbeat—or maybe two—Jin Woo stood there, chest heaving, daggers still raised. His breath was ragged, muscles burning, his forehead drenched in sweat and blood. He ignored the floating notification announcing that he had defeated the Monarch of the Eternal Cycle—his focus was entirely elsewhere. On the unmoving body lying on the ground.

He swiftly stored his weapons in his inventory and knelt beside her within seconds, cradling her upper body. His shadows could regenerate automatically if he had enough mana—but she? She was different. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt something beyond the cold emptiness inside him.

The sudden silence was deafening, blood roaring in his ears. He called her name again, his gaze falling to the gaping wound across her chest and His eyes widened slightly. Instead of torn flesh and bone, her wound was filled with blinding light. He could feel the pulsing of mana—but it was unlike his own. Unlike the shadow mana he shared with all his shadows, and unlike what he had felt from her before. It was... less dark.

"You’re not dying here!" His voice cracked more than he realized, his fingers clutching the fabric at her shoulder as if she might slip away if he let go. But suddenly her Face Muscles twitched. "So loud..." she croaked, her eyelids fluttering weakly. But that tiny response was enough for relief to flood through him. Her vision blurred as she blinked several times, and her vision slowly grew clearer again. She looked up into a pair of stormy blue-grey eyes gazing down at her. No trace of the icy danger that had burned in them during the battle. For a moment, she felt disoriented before she tried to sit up—only to fail miserably. Her body felt as heavy as lead. Her chest felt heavy, almost suffocating.

"You don’t have to yell, Jin Woo. I can hear you just fine," she muttered weakly, her lips twitching into a faint smile.

Jin Woo’s face went blank. Had she hit her head too hard? What the hell was wrong with this woman? How could she still joke at a time like this?

His grip on her shoulders tightened briefly before he took a deep breath, locking eyes with her. Her [E/C] irises clear as she looked up at him.

"What the hell were you thinking?" he demanded, disbelief bleeding into his otherwise steady voice, as if he could force some sense back into her.

She didn’t answer immediately, simply staring at him for a moment. What had she been thinking? Nothing, really. Like with the spiders—it had been pure instinct, not a conscious thought.

Her mouth curved into a weak smile. "Isn’t it my job as a shadow?" she asked, half amused, half sarcastic.

The tension drained from Jin Woo’s shoulders, and he couldn’t help but drop his head slightly. A short sound escaped him—something like an amused snort. Not quite a laugh, but enough to show [Y/N] something he hadn’t shown anyone besides his family and Jinho in a long time: Humanity. Something that had slowly been buried deeper with every battle, every level up. Her words could have been just a casual joke to lighten the mood. But it was more than that. Her hostility toward him now felt almost like a lie.

Jin Woo wanted answers, but a sudden flare of presence—and a noise—made his head snap around, tension seizing his body. It couldn’t be—

And yet, the once lifeless body of the other Monarch rose, and a cold wind swept through the otherwise still space. Jin Woo’s eyes narrowed to slits. No. What stood before him was no longer Aeternus. The oppressive weight was gone—only the afterimage of his being remained.

"I understand." The voice was no more than a whisper, slipping into the cracks of the ruined space. His hollow eyes gazed down at them, yet the coldness had faded—replaced by something else. Something hard to grasp.

"A bond even I can not sever" His words floated through the air like dust—light yet heavy with meaning.

His gaze flicked briefly to [Y/N], then back to Jin Woo.

"Shadow Monarch" He spoke the title as if it hadn't passed his lips in centuries—even though only minutes had passed. As if it was something older than words themselves.

"Your loyalty... it’s worth more than any crown, any throne. I acknowledge it."

A soft current stirred the room, bringing with it a sense of finality. Aeternus' form began to flicker, as if he would vanish at any moment with the next breeze.

"The cycle never ends... We will meet again. This is for sure"

A faint glimmer flashed through the air, barely perceptible— and [Y/N]’s interface flickered with a soft pling, barely audible in the heavy silence. A new notification: An item had found its way into her inventory.

[New Item: Mystery Box Description: An unremarkable box with unknown contents. Will open when the time is right.]

Jin Woo noticed the shift in her expression when she saw the interface, but before he could ask anything, Aeternus' form began to fade completely. No explosion, no blinding light—just the quiet collapse of something older than time itself.

With him, the remains of his army vanished too, dissolving as if they had never been there. Only silence remained—heavy and tangible, weighing on their shoulders. Only the destroyed walls, the deep scars in the ground, and their battered bodies spoke of what had happened.

[Y/N] had been so distracted by what had just unfolded that she had forgotten the gaping wound in her chest.

"What—" she started to say, feeling a strange tingling sensation im her chest. Jin Woo followed her gaze to the spot on her body where the light had once shone. The light had vanished beneath thick clouds of shadows. It looked almost as if the shadows were swallowing the light, pushing it back—or consuming it. Within seconds, the cut was gone, and the stabbing pain had faded. All that remained was a destroyed top, revealing her bare skin underneath. For a moment, she stared at her exposed skin before realizing Jin Woo was also staring at her chest.

Her face turned scarlet, and she shoved him away with all her strength, covering herself with one hand.

"Look somewhere else!" she hissed, turning away from him. Why the hell was he blushing now—he hadn’t even seen anything! Or... had he? "That wasn’t— I didn’t mean—" he stammered, running a hand through his black hair, shaking loose dust and dirt.

The tense atmosphere had shifted, leaving both of them awkwardly flustered. [Y/N] knelt on the ground, trying desperately to hold her destroyed top together, her face as red as a tomato. She really was just an ordinary woman after all.

Before Jin Woo could say anything, they heard footsteps and a voice approaching.

"My Liege, we have eliminated all enemies" Beru landed at Jin Woo’s feet and knelt before him, Igris following suit shortly after.

Beru’s compound eyes flicked briefly toward [Y/N], and a low, unmistakably disdainful click came from his mandibles.

"Tch. Useless Half-Shadow’’, Beru muttered without even looking at her. "Still breathing, surprisingly."

[Y/N]'s head snapped toward him, eyes flashing. "Excuse me, you overgrown mosquito?" she snapped back. "At least I don't look like something you'd kill with a flyswatter."

Beru’s wings vibrated, his entire posture stiff with offense. "You should be grateful our Liege allows worthless scraps like you to stay near him."

"Oh, I'm sorry, are you mad because I don't need to buzz around like a desperate housefly to get attention?" [Y/N] said sweetly, flashing him a poisonous smile.

Beru's mandibles clicked sharply, and he stepped forward, clearly ready to escalate—

"Enough."

Jin Woo’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. The air itself seemed to tighten, heavy with command.

Both Beru and [Y/N] froze instantly. Beru dropped to one knee without hesitation, head bowed low. [Y/N] bit her tongue, fists clenched at her sides, but she wisely stayed silent—though not without an angry huff.

Jin Woo looked at both of them, his gaze cold and unamused. "If you have enough energy to bicker, you can use it for the next fight. I don’t have time to deal with internal nonsense." Beru and [Y/N] muttered under their breath but didn’t dare argue. Jin Woo finally checked his new level with a sigh. "Good work. The experience points were high, but since no bodies remain, there are no resources to collect," he mused. Under normal circumstances, he might have considered it a waste of time—but... His gaze drifted to [Y/N], who still sat with her back to him. His expression was unreadable. Maybe it wasn't a waste after all. The sudden hum and flare of mana signaled the appearance of a Gate, marking their exit. "You can go now," he said, and Beru nodded stiffly before vanishing into the shadows with Igris. [Y/N] mumbled curses under her breath until she felt something warm land on her head.

"Huh?"

A confused noise escaped her lips as she grabbed the fabric. Instantly, warmth spread through her, and his scent filled her nose. "Just for now," Jin Woo said without looking at her. She wrapped the cloak around herself and looked at him. Without his cloak, he somehow looked less like a god of war and more like... a stubborn young man, barely out of boyhood. She raised an eyebrow skeptically, sighed, and stood up. Jin Woo took a few steps toward the Gate and raised his hand. "You can join the others. I’ll summon you when I need you." "Okay," [Y/N] answered, but Jin Woo was already halfway through the Gate when her voice stopped him again. "And... how do I do that?"

"..."

˚₊•┈┈┈┈୨୧┈┈┈┈•‧₊˚⊹⋘ 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎... ⋙‧˚₊•┈┈┈┈୨୧┈┈┈┈•‧₊˚⊹

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇ! ꨄ︎ ︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

✿ Hm...[Y/N] can't enter the Shadow Realm. What kind of Difficulties could this bring for our Shadow Monarch? ☽

Thanks for all reblogs, likes & comments.'*•.¸♡ I really appreciate it <3 ♡¸.•*' ˋ°•*⁀✎ 𝑢𝑡𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑎

#shadow monarch #solo leveling #jin woo sung #solo leveling x reader #jin woo x reader #jinwoo sung x reader #x reader #anime #fanfic

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yourownutopia · 3 months ago

Text

Chapter 27 [Draft]

Sung Jinwoo/Trial Player!Reader

Content Warnings: This chapter contains Implied Yandere and slight gore—this is a work of fiction, I do not condone or glorify toxic relationships and violence in real life; experimental writings—a.k.a. me trying out a different style of being more descriptive and new p.o.v.s shifts.

See < End Note > for Bonus Contents, since I feel unhinged after writing this chapter. Might delete those bonus later? Depends.

[Masterlist🦋✨️]

Beru landed beside Igris with a faint thud, his wings folding neatly behind him. His antennae twitched; his gaze fixed on the peculiar scene unfolding ahead of them.

“Even my brethren do not deign to partake,” Beru intoned, his clawed hand sweeping toward the shadow ants. “Most unusual, for they oft descend upon such spoils without delay.”

Igris followed the direction of Beru’s gesture and noted the truth of it. The shadow ants, notorious for their ravenous appetites, remained in tight clusters, seemingly hesitant to approach the carnage. Other shadows, like the bears, also hovered at the periphery. Except for Tank, who was otherwise preoccupied with a particular albino young lady. He was making himself comfortable under a canopy, as to not disturb Blanche’s dozing off on his back, drowning herself in the thickness of his coat.

How exceedingly ironic, Beru mused, his multifaceted gaze fixed upon a ravenette as she wrenched a limb asunder with ease, offering half to her pale-haired kin—who, it seemed, struggled to sever her own share from the particularly stubborn carcass. They both then proceed to take a bite simultaneously with an audible crunch.

Is this, perchance, the sentiment humans harbor when they behold us feasting upon their brethren?

Beru’s mandibles clicked.

A most curious sensation, indeed.

“Who would have foreseen that the composed one harbored such… ferocity?”

Igris couldn’t help but agree, though he refrained from speaking it aloud, as they continued to watch Red skinned off and, subsequently, mutilated another carcass.

"Mhm,"

"KIEEEK—!"

By My Liege's—!

{“By My Liege’s will!”

—is what the full oath would’ve been, had Igris spoken aloud.}

"She's scary." Trick hugged herself, visibly shuddering.

“…When did you get here?" Igris hoped what was perceived on the butterfly’s end of the communication line wasn’t as clipped as he had realized his own voice would’ve sounded. Though outwardly composed, it was quite a bit shameful for a knight such as he to admit the slight tightening of his reflexes—the instinctive reach for his sword.

He had almost drawn his weapon at Lady (Name)'s beloved summon.

Though, to be fair, Trick did just… appeared out of thin air.

At the very least, Beru had fared no better. The ant had all but leapt away, wings flared, claws at the ready.

That fact alone granted Igris a measure of solace.

The mentioned silver-haired humanoid tilted her head innocently, “I’ve been here the whole time, though?"

Ah, yes, an illusionist.

Igris recalled Lady (Name)'s words—masters of deception, skilled in the art of trickery. He had merely not expected their craft to be potent enough to slip past his senses. Nor Beru’s.

Granted, the shadows soldiers had never before been the victims of the butterflies’ targeted hallucinations.

…Fortunate that we stand as allies.

No matter how battle-hungry one could be, Igris could not deny the headache these beings would pose as adversaries. And their mistress—even without My Liege’s evident fondness—would have proven a challenge herself alone.

“Speaking of...” Trick’s voice drew his attention as she turned her head and called over her shoulder. “Bestie!”

A blonde figure perked up from her crouched position a short distance away. Sol held a stick in one hand, its tip drawing crude lines in the damp earth. Around her, a small gathering of shadows and butterflies watched intently.

Igris squinted, realizing what Sol had been sketching. Iron, in particular, seemed pleased as he admired the drawing of himself. It wasn’t particularly skillful given the medium, but the exaggerated proportions made him appear larger and stand out more than the other shadow knights drawn into the mud.

"Lady of woe,” A single rose materialized on Trick’s outstretched hand, she brought it closer to plant a kiss. “Bids her halls,” The flower was then thrown, where it burst into a rain of red petals above. “A rosy banquet.” She bowed in curtsy, the extended fabric from behind her blown in the air from the exaggerated movement, momentarily showing the pattern of fluttering silver.

As she rose from the position, she gave a wink, “How's that for your next painting?”

Sol rolled her eyes in jest, giving a mock salute, but her smile bright. Trick bring a hand to her chest and made an expression as if she was hurt, but the subtle lift of her lips, if one would look just a little bit closer, would’ve told another story.

"Anyway," Trick turned back to Igris and Beru—who now had petals stuck all over their armor and exoskeleton respectively—yellow irises alight with something almost dreamy. “Isn’t my sister just the prettiest?!”

It was a well-known fact that the butterflies were far more...vibrant than the shadows—literally and figuratively. Yet even with that knowledge, Igris still found himself unprepared for the sheer whiplash of Trick’s one-eighty.

The stars in her eyes, clasping her hands together, and the swooning sigh were a stark contrast to mere moments ago, when he could practically hear the chills that ran down her spine.

“Did you not just claim she was frightening?” Beru asked, incredulous, every little movement he made causing petals to fly off.

“That’s exactly what makes her more beautiful!” Trick retorted, as if he just offended her.

Igris sighed internally.

Then again, ‘internally’ was the only thing he could achieve in regards to his current level-locked speech—

{Do we really need to remind him?

<<Yes>>}

Back to the situation at hand—

At that point, Igris had already begun tuning them out, letting their bickering fade as background white-noises as he plucked the petals off his armor, letting the reds fell down to the muddy purple-ish ground. His gaze had returned to the ballerina on stage.

The more he observed her, the more she reminded him of a particular kind of women he had only ever exchanged curt words with in his time as a human knight.

Sharp intellects, veiled beneath layers of practiced poise and intricately folded fans. Women who, in an era that condemned outbursts and demanded submission, wielded their wits often more so any man.

The way Red’s delicate fingers plucked a shard of flesh from the centaur-like corpse was not unlike the refined precision of slicing through a Mont Blanc at an olden tea party—silver knife and fork in hand, but otherwise the picture of grace.

And Igris could not help the thought that emerged then—those very same women could be as vicious as a knife to the back upon society’s stage. Ripping one another to shreds with honeyed words and carefully calculated maneuvers that would ruin rather than kill.

Whether one was complacent or bold, none were spared in the brutal games of favor, wealth, and power.

Igris knew that better than anyone.

“F-Father—"

Thump.

“…”

His gaze lingered, distant at times.

"She reminds me of the noblewomen of old..."

As he recalled how Red often followed Lady (Name) without fail—always at her beck and call.

With a contemplative hum, Igris continued his musing.

"Court ladies?"

Trick made a grand gesture with both hands of Igris for Beru to see—

Ding. Ding. Ding!

. . .

…Where did that sound even came from—

"See? He gets it!"

Ignoring one annoyed shadow ant, she turned toward Igris beaming, her voice brimming with pride. “You’re not far off the mark, Sir Knight! My sister was a duchess!”

… ‘was’?

“You should’ve seen her, Sir Knight!” Trick continued, practically vibrating with excitement. “She was such a riot! Even now—”

"Child. Fetch."

In an instant, Trick straightened, catching a tiny chunk of flesh casually thrown her way directly with her mouth. She bit into it immediately, her silver hair swaying lightly as her expression contorted into a disgruntled one a few chews in.

Igris could only stare, his judgment hidden behind his armored helm. Beside him, Beru clicked his mandibles in what Igris assumed was shared disbelief.

How... peculiar, this court of butterflies is.

——oOo——

Red approached the trio, uniform somehow remained as immaculate as ever. The white clean, the black and red mayhap hid any mess that might’ve been. Gracefully unhurried—as if she hadn't partaken in anything as taxing as a butchery in a rainy, muddy jungle.

"Well?" One brow was arched in pointed inquiry as her gaze settled on Trick.

"…Bitter." Trick swallowed with apparent difficulty before sticking her tongue out, as though the act would’ve contributed on getting rid of the horrid taste on her tastebud.

Red’s lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, Igris thought he heard her mutter under her breath, “At least she didn’t throw up.” Then, with a quiet sigh, she continued, “Didn’t you beg Mother to invest points into some < Devourer >’s skills for you?”

A picnic basket materialized in Red’s hand. She handed it to Trick.

"A < Devourer > can't afford to be picky." Red added, watching as Trick hesitantly took the basket.

When Trick lifted the lid, the scent of iron hit both Igris and Beru. The neatly packed cubes of raw meat inside were unmistakably from the magic beasts they had slain. Each piece was cut with surgical precision, their edges clean and uniform.

Trick wrinkled her nose, initially recoiling at the sight. But, as if she had a sudden light-bulb moment, her expression shifted. She turned around, scanning the area with renewed determination until her eyes landed on the sleeping duo under canopy.

“B—”

“Are you expecting her to cook for you right now?” Red interjected; her tone flat. “No.”

"Then–"

“Freeze it for later?” Red crossed her arms. “Sure, she could. Except the fact that it'll just be ordinary meat by then. The sooner you eat it, the more points you’ll gain. That’s the whole point of this exercise, isn’t it?”

"B-But—"

"Eat."

Trick’s shoulders slumped in defeat, and she complied, reluctantly picking up one of the cubes and placing it in her mouth. Her expression was dejected as she chewed, each bite taken with the exaggerated misery of someone enduring a punishment.

Chew.

“…”

Swallow.

“…hic.”

Red let out another sigh watching Trick’s display.

“…Have the garments been handed out?”

When Trick nodded pitifully in affirmative, Red plucked a cube of meat from the basket herself. The smell of burning wafted as the raw meat darkened and sizzled between her fingertips. Then, she brought it to the younger’s lips, and Trick took it gratefully.

"Better?"

Trick nodded vigorously as she chewed, her mood visibly improving. Red patted her head gently.

"Beru."

The shadow ant stiffened, mandibles clicking in surprise. He had not expected to be called. And yet, as her crimson gaze settled upon him, he swore—for reasons beyond his comprehension—that her eyes softened.

"Here."

Red snapped her fingers, and near Beru’s feet materialized several large stacks of... tupperware???

“We noticed the soldiers weren’t eating, so we took the liberty of saving some up for you all,” Red explained, gesturing toward the containers as she fed another carefully prepared morsel to Trick. “It’s only fair, considering most of the kills were yours.”

“We do not require—”

“I am well aware that shadows don’t require such sustenance,” Red cut in smoothly. “That eating is more habit than necessity. But we wanted to express our gratitude for the meal. It was also—technically—the first time some of us handled prep work. So please, it would make us very happy if you would accept our thanks.”

Beru hesitated before peering inside one of the containers. His antennae twitched as the scent of fresh meat drifted upward. True to her words, each was filled to the brim with neatly portioned flesh—cut into cubes, spheres, hearts, stars… even bunny-shaped pieces.

Igris, though remained silent, could not help but marvel too. When had the butterflies managed to harvest, prepare, and store all this without anyone noticing? A feat that bordered on the miraculous—or the terrifying, depending on one’s perspective.

Beru glanced from the containers to Red, then to Trick—who, upon feeling his stare, conspicuously turned away, still chewing.

After a pause, he straightened. “…On behalf of the shadows, I thank you, Madame.”

Red tilted her head but did not seem displeased. A faint smile ghosted her lips.

“Please send our regards to the others.”

She nodded once in acknowledgment.

Beru then turned his gaze toward Trick. “And you as well. Thank you.”

“…Hmph.”

Red shoved feed another cooked piece into Trick’s mouth with the same gentle care—ensuring that Trick didn’t start sulking again.

And so, Igris continued to observe. The way Red treated Trick and Beru—like children under her care.

It is… oddly endearing.

——oOo——

As the last vestiges of flesh disappeared into eager mouths, loose fabrics flowed like waterfalls. When the dark warriors merged back with their master of shadows, white tunics danced like packs of swans with the reemergence of kaleidoscope flights from behind. Thus, your newborns, ready to be greeted in your gardens—their home, joined their origins in kind and disappeared from the skies in dust of gold. Left in their wake, stark and gleaming, alabaster-white under the relentless rain—terrain of eerie beauty stripped bare of chaos.

"So..." Jinwoo cleared his throat, brushing rain-slicked hair from his forehead as the bags of essence stones disappeared into his inventory. "Is this something I should expect after every raid?”

He meant to say it in jest, an attempt to break the ice fell short when the beat of silence stretched, before you turned to him, your expression soft but distant, as though part of you was somewhere else.

“Sorry,” A fleeting gold, like light rippling through water. “Could you repeat that?”

Jinwoo’s gaze flickered briefly to the battlefield before back to meeting yours.

"...That," He jabbed his thumb toward the clearing behind—or rather, to what had taken place there just moments ago—with a faint smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Do I need to get used to that?”

“You don’t have to,” You replied softly, gaze drifting to the desolate expanse. But then, in a blink, as if only just now waking from a dream, your brows knitted, a look more concerned for him than the situation. Meeting gazes again, a thread of worry weaved your voice. “Does it bother you? I can—”

“Wait, slow down.” Jinwoo interjected quickly, raising a hand before you could go down the rabbit hole of drastic measures—only you could come up with—if you thought he was truly disturbed. Measures you would follow to a T, no matter the inconvenience. He knew you well enough by now to guess, and the last thing he wanted was for you to overthink this. “It’s just… new. Need a little time to adjust, sure—”

He'd long been desensitized to the horrors of this world. Keeping up with you had kept him on his toes more often of course, but who wouldn’t be at least a little shocked when those pretty little things displayed a primal side so openly that might’ve rivaled his shadows?

Systematic, elegant, and utterly ruthless.

Struggling to reconcile it with the image one had grown accustomed to—

You studied him for a moment, a quiet hum leaving your lips. “If it makes you uncomfortable, they don’t have to do it. They don’t need blood or flesh to function as usual, but… it’s more beneficial now.”

“How so?”

—and curiosity just won over in the end.

Your tone shifted to something more matter-of-fact. “For the younger ones, besides the extra exp to level them up, the bonus energy gained can make them more effective, stay active longer. As supports, you know the drill, but in terms of gathering information? They can further interact with people directly without being as quickly exhausted independent of me.”

Huh.

That’s useful.

Very useful.

As unsettling as the image of butterflies devouring raw flesh was, and the sight of human body made from the inside, the utility might be worth the goosebumps.

Other inappropriate uses aside—as far as his own shadows went, they were invaluable for protection and surveillance. But they weren’t equipped for subtle interactions. They couldn’t question people or coax out information—not in the way your butterflies apparently capable of at least.

As much as Beru’s value went, Jinwoo doubted anyone would open up willingly to a towering, insectoid figure interrogating them unless stated otherwise, or to any shadow soldiers for that matter, whether they could speak or not. Informed targets might not be ideal at times.

Fear was still a viable option, but he would rather not have his kids terrorize innocents.

Your butterflies, on the other hand, would definitely be more practical in extracting information if they could disguise themselves and blend seamlessly into society.

As for acting with autonomy—Jinwoo thought back to that time in the snow-land red gate and let a smirk tugged at his lips.

They’re persuasive alright.

They seemed freer also in the sense that they weren’t bound to other objects to move, with few exceptions but definitely still less than shadows were to his soldiers.

Imagine the possibilities.

Jinwoo was almost jealous.

All in all, his shadows were the perfect battle weapons, warriors, and guards. Yours? The perfect supports, spies, even informants.

How much more of a perfect complement could this be?

Speaking of...

Jinwoo’s gaze drift to you. His lips pressed into a thin line.

Should he ask you?

Should he attach a soldier to you?

Ah, so you don’t trust her after all.

The voice was insidious and sharp—like his daggers.

The pang in his chest was immediate and heavy—guilt?

I do, the heart argued, vehement.

It’s for her—

For her or for you?

Mocking.

Does she really need you to keep her safe?

Taunting.

You barely know who she is.

Then I’ll keep learning, to get to know her, properly.

Is that not just another excuse to keep her close then?

Ah.

All this time, still just scratching the surface—

He went through this before.

I want to know her (everything).

Silence.

"That's... convenient."

Really?

Jinwoo winced internally.

Was that all he can say? Couldn’t he come up with a proper compliment? Even saying something along the lines of the lame-old “cool” would be better at this point!

Why was he such a mess in front of the one person he wanted to—

“Thank you.”

Oh.

Damnit.

Damn you, for how tender you looked at that moment, standing just within his reach.

Damn you, for those knowing and fond eyes, staring back at him.

Damn you, for how soft your lips looked in that smile, directed at him.

Fingers twitched on his sides.

Damn him, for craving you to look at him (always).

“Take the < Illusionists > for example.”

You lifted your hand to his view, fingers curled, holding something out of sight, “Not only do they gain more knowledge to reach perfect mimicry…”

A single cherry blossom unfurled in your palm.

“…the duration of their skills also lasts much longer.”

Before Jinwoo could process, you exhaled softly.

He was then bombarded with multiple blossoms, straight to his face.

“Pfft.” You stifled a laugh behind your hand at his widened eyes and slightly parted lips. What made the sight sillier in your eyes was the silver butterfly perched on his cheek, chiming—

“Good day, Sir. Goodbye, Sir. Have a pleasant day!”

—before going poof!

Jinwoo didn’t move.

On instinct, his mana flared—to sense, to analyze—but there was nothing. He couldn’t detect the signature presence illusions carried, the usual flicker of magic that would have clued him in under normal circumstances.

No.

For a second there, he absolutely couldn’t sense you, even though his gaze never left yours.

And that—that was definitely not < Stealth >.

“The < Devourers > and < Conversion-ists> are more straightforward.”

You continued, as if you hadn’t just—

“To sum it up, the < Devourers > gain more physical bonuses—strength, durability, and such. While the < Conversion-ists > receive more ‘recipes,’ essentially.”

Jinwoo swallowed. His hand twitched.

“Jinwoo?”

You reached out, fingers hovering near his cheek but hesitated at the very last second, merely a hair’s breadth away before your fingertips could graze his damp skin, when you saw how empty his gaze had become behind dripping raven bangs.

“I can’t…”

His grip caught your wrist before you could retreat.

You neither flinched nor pulled away.

“You just—!”

Vanished.

Like a g̴l̷i̶t̴c̸h̴.̵

Jinwoo’s jaw tightened.

His eyes—

They reminded you of the last few chapters of the manhwa. Building up his decision to bear the fate of the whole world on his shoulders, alone. The way Normal Selner had looked at him, realizing he had already succeeded. How the illustration depicted his irises as pitch black, swallowing all light with naught a trace.

Oh, please don’t make that face.

"Jinwoo…" You gently brought his hand—the one gripping yours so tightly you felt the joints shifting under—and his other hand to your cheeks.

"See?" You closed your eyes, pressing your face against his touch.

Yeah.

Jinwoo exhaled, slow, unsteady.

Then—he leaned in.

Your presence—you—against his palms.

Right here. You’re right here.

Until his forehead could touch yours.

And so, so warm.

——oOo——

{In illustrations, we could take creative liberties to depict our reality.}

{Whether it’s creating multiple aspects out of proportions openly or changing just a single, subtle enough detail, one reason is to clue us in on the meaning behind it.}

{So, I’m curious…}

{If I described the moment Jinwoo leaned in, the moment light returned to his eyes at your touch, your warmth—

The black in his eyes rippled.

Like ink washing away, the pitch dark gave way to stormy grey. Then lighter. Until—

Against the glowing hue of blue, at the very center of it all—

(you)

If you simply knew, if you simply saw how that light reflected, unmistakable in its shape.

A heart…}

{How would you react, ‘Trial Player’? ~}

——oOo——

“What were you thinking about earlier?”

“Hm?” You blinked at him.”

“When I first asked about the < Feast >,” Jinwoo clarified. “You seemed… distracted.”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” You paused, gaze dropping. “Just…”

“Just?” He pressed gently.

“I can feel it,” Your voice was barely a whisper as your hand rose to your chest, resting over your heart.

“How happy they are.”

“‘They’?” Jinwoo asked, though he already suspected the answer.

"My children,” Your gaze met his then, and something in your expression shifted. The edges of your eyes softened, your expression so tender, so genuine, it took his breath away again. “Eating makes them happy."

“I’m happy for them,” you added simply, smiling so radiantly—

—so disarmingly, it almost made him forget the reality of your words.

Jinwoo found himself staring, wondering how someone could look so utterly beautiful in such unsettling context. Spoken of something so—objectively—disturbing with the way of tone so warmth, so truthful, so serene, that made it feel natural, made it feel... right.

And yet, he couldn’t look away.

And yet, he didn’t feel repulsed.

And yet… he was the one who felt strangely electrified—

No.

—Jinwoo was thrilled.

The hum of the gate beckoned, a low, resonant vibration that pulled you both back to the present.

It was time to leave.

End Note:

Unedited Draft of [28/02/2025]

Double update? Double update. 😉

Thank you @eternadreeblissa for providing this chapter's surprise illustration! The version I put here is cropped a bit to bring out more focus on the eyes. I'll provide the full-version + the alternate versions ('cause all of them are too good to pass up) in this chapter's reblog here! 🙏🥹❤️

How do we feel about breaking-the-4th-wall segments, Everyone? Yea or Nay? 🤔

Beru, I love you, but your pattern of speech is killing me. 😭

Igris, you're a good boy. I'm sorry I'm making you that-one-tired-roommate-of-Beru's-before-Bellion-arrived. I'm also sorry if me bringing up your past—which I also took some creative liberties on in writing—dug up any past trauma for you. 🙏🥹

Trick is dramatic, theatrical, and fangirl all-in- one. Low-key female & human-but-also-not-so version of Beru? Hmm, maybe. Hopefully, I can make her distinct enough from Beru so their kinda love-hate dynamic that I'm aiming for won't be boring. 🫡

Guess which < Children of 'Trial Player' > took after (Name)'s motherly nature the most? That's right, Red. I guess not much surprise there? She's that-one-older-sister-who-mothered but is still her mother's daughter. 🥹❤️

On crack, JinwooxReader in this chapter is basically these:

{ —1—

Jinwoo: *Making up his mind about something-something deep related to (Name)*

(Name): *Making Jinwoo question absolutely everthing about his decision just a few seconds later*

(And this won't be the last time this happen.) }

{ —2—

(Name): *Starting to openly show her dark side, still just the tip of the iceberg*

Jinwoo: "I feel scared, but that's hot."

These two are going to get more and more fucked up the further we go down this AU. Jinwoo is still in the process of falling, while (Name) is already further ahead than him in that void, she just hid it very well. Funny thing about this is part of their dynamics in the future that I'm aiming for (for now, future subject to change) being like this:

Wife!(Name): "This Jinwoo is my eldritch yandere husband and I LOVE him. I won't change him for any version of him and I'm the only who can handle this him in the multiverse." (and she can, this is not a drill, the Rulers and the World Tree bear witness, she's saying this matter-of-fact and with well-hidden yandere-ish.)

Husband!(Jinwoo): "(Name) is my wife, my only one in the multiverse, and I will tear everything apart if she's taken as much as a step away from me. Don't even try. Can she still scare me? Yes. But she's the only one who can while also makes me horny 'cause it's her, my goddess, and I'm her first and only."

TP AU!Suho: "I love them, won't exchange them for any multiverse version of 'my' parents. But mine are definitely too fucked up."

(Wait until it's your turn, boy. You might be the same or worse than them)

TP AU!Suho: "...Heh?"

(Somewhere in the abyss of my very very ancient drafts, forgotten until I feel like digging them up:

Guide!Reader: *Safe and sound until—* "Achoo!")

TP AU!Suho's younger sister (placeholder name for now): "Hmm? I love my family🦋💀."

TP AU!Cha Hae-in: "Yup, this is my reality alright. As long as my bestie is here, everything will be fine. Kudos to my other versions that married their versions of my second dearest friend Jin and have their versions of my dear nephew as their child tho. Still won't change mine for anything, my number one ship have sailed and I'm not going anywhere as long as they're here."

The ¿System?: *Chilling with the butterflies🦋 and shadows💀 somewhere* 😎🍹 }

That's all, folks!

Feedbacks are very much appreciated. Thank you for reading. 🙏💕

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