The Female Gamer Chapter 4, a manhwa/korean comics/만화 fanfic

After the worst of his freak out is over, I introduce Sun-il to the wonders of having an inventory with eternally fresh food. As expected, the food thing alone is more than enough to make him agree that my inventory is amazing.

The remaining time is spend with me excitedly explaining everything I've figured out about my power, Sun-il providing a running commentary of insults.

It makes me realize how weird I've been acting. The way I talk about my power is how I talk about my games, one of the only things I can go on about forever. Conversation about whatever I played the evening before is part of our daily routine, and I've been skipping it for days.

No wonder he noticed something was wrong.

I ask Sun-il about his own power and about what exactly is going on, but the asshole just gives a sunny smile and informs me that he'll explain after school. He doesn't even explain his class of Chunbumoon's Heir, though the shock he shows when I mention that particular detail is very satisfying.

Because Sun-il is being annoyingly mysterious, I don't tell him what his stats say. No matter how much he needles.

| Level: 25 – Next Level: 83,51%
| HP: 4000/4000
| MP: 200/200

| STR: 41
| VIT: 79
| AGI: 50
| INT: 21
| WIS: 14
| LUK: 25

Looking at his stats makes me realize that I still have a long way to go. Also, that's a ridiculous amount of health.

All in all, our conversation is kept surprisingly light. I honestly didn't expect that, not after Sun-il's freak out.

But then, Sun-il never freaks out for long. He just forces himself to calm down and starts thinking of ways to fix whatever issue is making him panic. I know that he's doing so right now as well, no matter that he doesn't tell me what he's planning. Yet.

His refusal to explain, well, anything, is incredibly annoying. I get that there isn't enough time to even begin explaining what's going on, his words, not mine, but it's still frustrating.

Another reason for his silence is that he's still struggling with all I've told him. Normal, it's a lot to take in.

His struggle is what convinces me to be patient. I can wait until after school for an explanation. I can. Especially when I won't have to go to cram school first. It's a stroke of luck that Teacher Kim is sick.

Of course, a large part of Sun-il's refusal to explain is also motivated by a desire to make me suffer for making him worry, because he's an asshole like that. I make my displeasure about this known, but there's no real heat behind it.

If he wants to act like everything's normal, I'll oblige. It's the least I can do.

The way he keeps suppressing worry and fear makes me realize that this entire situation is even more serious than I thought it was. And I already thought that it's dead serious, given that my own life is at stake.

Heh. Dead serious.

I demonstrate all my options, as well as Observe and Fool's Act to him. That last makes Sun-il burst into laughter, and I can't help but join in myself. It really is a hilarious skill.

I don't demonstrate Power Strike because there's nothing around that I can hit. Well, there is, but I don't want to risk breaking anything. I know from previous experimentation that Power Strike can crack stone.

Sun-il actually has the nerve to suggest I use it on him, but mysterious power and extreme health or not, that's not something I will ever do. Sure, I assault him all the time, but those aren't real attacks. Not like Power Strike would be.

My response makes Sun-il give a patronizing smile. It's cute how you think you're actually capable of hurting me.

I punch the asshole's arm, the normal way.

It really is amazing how casual Sun-il is being about this, no matter that it's mostly done on purpose. The only time he can't keep it up is when I tell him about my Gamer's Mind, and even that is soon disguised with a sunny smile and an insult to my intelligence.

I kick his leg and am glad for how it turns his smile real.

On the flip side, when I tell Sun-il about my Gamer's Body, he's overwhelmed by relief. Then he mocks me for having needed to check the skill screen to realize that my body has changed so much.

I kick his leg again.

When lunch ends, we go back to class. As lessons continue, it's almost like nothing has changed.

Almost.

After school, Sun-il calls home to let his family know he'll be at my place, giving the excuse of studying. As expected, his grandfather doesn't approve in the slightest, though he does give permission. Eventually. After strongly making his displeasure known. And admonishing Sun-il and me for deciding to spend an entire evening together without warning.

It's not that Sun-il and I don't hang out after school, usually we spend one or two evenings together during the week, and we also meet up at least once during the weekend. It's just that we always plan the dates at least a week in advance. We have to, Sun-il has a ridiculously full schedule. His family runs a prestigious dojo, and for as long as I've known him, Sun-il has been expected to train every single day. Alongside studying for school and being taught how to manage the dojo itself, given that he's expected to take over after his grandfather retires.

I honestly can't see his grandfather ever retiring. His grandfather might be old, but he moves like he has the body of someone half his age.

...Now that I know that Sun-il has a power, this fact is cast in an entirely new light. Also, does his family have powers as well? Probably. It would definitely explain their weird eyes and hair.

But I won't ask about that yet. Instead, we banter about the things I Observe about random people. Mostly about their classes and titles, those things are really interesting and often reveal quite a lot.

I still don't tell Sun-il what his own stats are, no matter how much he pries.

By the time we reach my house, Observe has risen to level five.

"I'm home," I call out as we enter and pull off our shoes.

"Welcome back," Mom calls from the living room like usual.

"Sun-il's with me," I say as we enter the living room. Mom is seated on the couch, watching a drama. I can't help but glance at her text, a little uneasy as always.

| –?–
| LV? Han Jung-sook

Mom turns to face us and looks at Sun-il with what I'm pretty sure is suspicion. "What are you doing here?"

Her hostile demand makes me blink, surprised. This is unusual. Even more unusual than me inviting Sun-il over unplanned. Mom... well, she doesn't exactly like Sun-il, but she doesn't dislike him either. Which is the best anyone can hope for, really. The only people Mom likes are me and Dad.

"Good afternoon, Mrs Han. I was graciously invited over by your wonderful daughter," Sun-il says with his most charming smile. He's laying it on thick, but given Mom's unusual reaction, that's not a bad thing to do.

Or rather, normally it wouldn't be. This time it is, because Mom glares.

Sun-il flinches, his smile gone as he snaps to attention. I too feel a cold shiver run down my back, no matter that her glare isn't aimed at me. Mom is terrifying.

"Jee-han asked for help with studying. She needs me to explain some things," Sun-il lies convincingly through the use of a partial truth.

Naturally, Mom doesn't buy it. As evidenced by her glare becoming even more terrifying.

Sun-il bravely stands his ground. Like a soldier facing a fire squad.

I can't help but shift my weight, uncomfortable with this sudden standoff. My movement makes Mom shift her gaze towards me, and while her glare disappears, her thoughtful look is just as unnerving, if in a different way. I can't help but feel like she knows exactly what's going on.

After a moment that feels far longer than it actually is, Mom's returns to watching her drama as though nothing out of the ordinary just happened.

"Don't make too much noise," she orders, giving permission for Sun-il to stay.

"We won't," I promise, thanking her for her permission. "He'll be staying for dinner as well?" I ask, my voice coming out more tentative than planned. Usually it wouldn't even be a question, but her reaction has made me uncertain.

"We're having tofu stew," Mom replies without looking our way, making Sun-il's lips twitch with disgust. He hates tofu with a passion. I stare at Mom with astonishment.

She really doesn't want Sun-il to stay. But she won't send him away, the choice is up to me. Mom is just informing me of her own preference to have him gone as soon as possible, an incredibly rare occurrence. While Mom doesn't particularly like Sun-il, she loves me and wants me to be happy. Sun-il is good at making me happy. As a rule, that means Mom doesn't just tolerate his presence, she's even the slightest bit accommodating. Which is why her making tofu is such a shock.

If this were a normal situation, I would've respected her wishes and sent him away.

This isn't a normal situation.

"Sounds good," I say, letting her know that he's staying. Mom doesn't react of course, but Sun-il's lips twitch with disgust once more. Fortunately, he doesn't offer an opinion about Mom's choice for dinner. Then again, he's known her long enough to know how that would be received.

I'm about to move towards the stairs when I hesitate, struck by a sudden burst of inspiration yet unsure if I really want to go through with it. When Sun-il raises a questioning brow, I decide to go through with it.

"Observe," I breathe out.

| Level: ?
| HP: ?
| MP: ?

| STR: ?
| VIT: ?
| AGI: ?
| INT: ?
| WIS: ?
| LUK: ?

How helpful. Should've guessed it wouldn't be that easy.

Sun-il and I go upstairs and enter my room. The moment I close the door behind us, he lets out a genuine sigh of relief, before shaking his head with wry amusement.

"Your mom is terrifying," he declares as he does every time he comes over. I nod with complete agreement.

She really is.

I sit down my bed and cross my legs, my skirt more than long enough to ensure it isn't an indecent pose. Sun-il drops his backpack down the floor, sits down my chair, and rolls himself across the floor until he's right in front of me. I give him an expectant look, excitement rising now that I'm finally going to get an explanation.

Except Sun-il lets out a deep breath and tilts back his head. He keeps quiet.

I give him five seconds to start talking.

He doesn't start talking. I scowl.

"Well?" I demand impatiently.

"Give me a moment, I'm trying to think of where to begin," he returns without looking away from the ceiling.

"You've had hours to do that," I point out, unimpressed.

"Exactly," he replies like I agreed that isn't enough time by far. I roll my eyes, but decide to give him ten more seconds.

Just as my mental countdown reaches zero, Sun-il lets out another heavy breath, before he meets my gaze, focused and intense. The very air seems to become heavier, and I'm once more struck by the seriousness of this situation.

My curiosity is at an all time high.

"This world is divided into two part," Sun-il begins. "There's the part you already know, the normal world, filled with school, studying, politics, all those things. Then there's the Abyss." I can actually feel the weight behind the term. "The Abyss is the supernatural side of the world. The part where people with abilities live."

I give him an unimpressed look. Aside from the name, he isn't telling me anything I haven't already figured out for myself. Well, I didn't know that there are enough people with powers to have an entire separate world, but still. Not exactly new information.

"Don't be impatient, I'm giving you a crash course of the fundamentals. You're a noob, after all," Sun-il mocks. I bite down on my habitual retort and gesture for him to get on with it.

Sun-il's lips twitch with amusement, but he obligingly continues. "People with abilities can be roughly divided into two categories. The first are people like you, called naturals. Just as the name implies, naturals have a natural ability, each as unique as the individual it belongs to, and one that can't be taught to others. However, naturals are rare, forming maybe ten percent of all users. All other uses acquire their abilities through training. Still with me so far?"

"There's a magical side to the world that normal people don't know about, there are different forms of magic, some people naturally have powers and others have to train to get them," I summarize with an unimpressed look. "I'm not an idiot."

"But you are a moron, so I thought it best to check," Sun-il shoots back with a sunny smile. I roll my eyes. If he were closer, I would've hit him. As it is, the only reason I don't kick him is because I would need to uncross my legs to do that, and my position is too comfortable to ruin by moving.

"So naturals are born with their ability?" I ask, refocusing on the important things.

"Being a natural doesn't necessarily mean being born with an ability," Sun-il explains, and is kind enough to elaborate without further prompting. "True, it can be because of genetics, a particular celestial alignment when conceived, things like that. But it's rare for that to happen. Most of the time naturals get their ability when a traumatic experience stresses a talent to abnormal heights, or when a ritual goes wrong, when they get permanently cursed or blessed, there are a lot of possible reasons, really. And sometimes there doesn't seem to be a reason at all. Sometimes people just wake up one day with an ability," Sun-il finishes with a wry smile, clearly believing that's what happened to me. I ignore it as I mull over this information.

While Sun-il said that it's possible to get an ability at random, I find it hard to believe that's what happened to me. It just doesn't feel right. Not in the least because of Mom's mystery stats. The explanation of genetics sound a lot more plausible.

If it is genetic, does that mean Mom has the same power as me? No wait, Sun-il said that all natural abilities are unique. So she has a different power?

Is the cause even genetics? Or is it because of something else entirely?

"Some people believe that naturals who gain an ability with no explainable reason are chosen by the planet itself." Sun-il's statement pulls me out of my thoughts.

The planet itself? What does he mean by that?

Sun-il answers my silent question without verbal prompting. "It's a common belief among users that the planet is... conscious. Well, sort of conscious. When people get an ability without an obvious reason, the cause is usually laid with Gaia. The planet, I mean."

"What do you mean, it's conscious?" I ask the first thing that pops in my mind, not really knowing how to react to this information. It's one thing to discover there's a hidden side to the world, another thing entirely to be told that the planet itself is conscious. It isn't uncommon lore in a game, but being told that it actually applies to the real world is just... bizarre, to say the least.

Sun-il frowns, apparently uncertain on how to answer. "It's... difficult to explain."

I raise an unimpressed brow. He can't just spring something like that on me and then leave it at that.

Sun-il realizes this as well. "I'm serious, it's incredibly difficult to explain, and the explanation varies depending on what principles you believe in. But the most important reason for the belief is because of what's known as the Interference Law." Once more, I can feel the weight. "The Interference Law means that when you use an ability in the normal world on a large scale, Gaia kills you."

I snort, inadvertently amused. My amusement vanishes as Sun-il gives me a hard look.

Oh. That wasn't a joke.

"The planet kills you?" I ask uneasily, because, just, what?

Sun-il's expression tightens in a way that lets me know he's absolutely serious about this. "It does. And when you trigger the Law, you die. No matter what."

The message hits even harder for how matter of fact it's delivered.

"How?" I demand. How is that possible? How can the planet itself kill you?

How can I make sure it never happens to me?

"In essence? Gaia curses you with lethal bad luck. A car accident, a gas leak, being struck by lightning, things like that. The longer you avoid getting killed, the more she tries to destroy you. You can use every trick there is to protect yourself and it won't matter in the slightest. You can bury yourself beneath wards and you'll just choke to death after taking a sip of water, or something equally ridiculous. You can't stop Gaia from killing you. The only thing you can do is make sure you never trigger the Law in the first place," he warns fiercely.

"How do I prevent it from triggering?" Clearly, that's the most important thing about this Interference Law by far.

Sun-il sighs and brings up a hand to rub his forehead, the weariness he's been struggling with since lunch breaking through. "It's... complicated."

"Then uncomplicate it," I snap. Honestly, he can't just say something like that and then leave it at it's complicated.

"Fine, don't use your ability on normals," Sun-il snaps back, before he tilts his head back with a groan, annoyed at his own reaction.

I blink with confusion. That's ridiculous. For one, I've been Observing everyone in sight this entire day. For another, Sun-il actively encouraged me to do so.

"Sorry, I'm... stressed," Sun-il apologizes.

"I hadn't noticed," I shoot back in the most deadpan way I can, and I'm glad that it makes him smile, small but real. He doesn't start talking again, though.

"You said abilities had to be used on a large scale for the Interference Law to activate?" I prompt.

"Yes, but what qualifies as a large scale is... fuzzy. I'll explain in more detail later," he says as I open my mouth to demand just that. I close my mouth. "That said, the general rule is that if you do something that counts as visible magic in front of normals, you're starting to enter the fuzzy area. Self-defense is fine of course, and as long as not too many people notice anything unusual, Gaia won't interfere. But just make a habit of not using your ability outside of illusion barriers. It's the best way to ensure you don't trigger the Law."

Is that why Sun-il hid his own ability from me? I... really hope so. That would be a reason I can accept without difficulty.

Hearing him speak about magic as though it's the most normal thing in the world makes me realize just how much he's been keeping secret from me.

The realization hurts.

"What are illusion barriers?" I ask instead of tackling that particular topic. Information first, personal issues after.

Sun-il's becomes confused, but it's almost instantly replaced by realization. "Right, noob," he reminds himself, before falling silent once more.

I let out an irritated sigh and give him a look that means I'm trying to be patient, I really am. But if you don't start talking soon, I'll make you and you won't like it.

Sun-il replies with a patronizing smile. Aww, it's like watching a kitten that thinks it's a lion.

I give some serious consideration to uncrossing my legs so I can kick him.

Sun-il chuckles. "It's–"

"If you say it's complicated, I will kick you," I warn.

"It's complicated," Sun-il immediately replies with a sunny smile.

I uncross my legs and kick the asshole's leg. Sun-il grins.

"But seriously, it is kind of complicated," he apologizes with the truth.

"So uncomplicate it," I return calmly, accepting his apology.

"Easier said than done," Sun-il says and falls silent. Again.

I decide to give him a moment to order his thoughts. But only a moment.

...Time is almost up.

"The entire world is filled with ambient energy," Sun-il finally begins, and I bite back the question of what that has to do with whatever illusion barriers are. A wise decision, seeing as he continues explaining. "Illusions barriers, the most basic ones at least, are... reflections of the real world. By using your own energy as an anchor for the energy around you, you force it to take on the form of whatever environment you're in. In many ways, it's not an illusion, everything has the same characteristics as whatever it's based on. But it's not real either, it's all made out of pure energy. Energy masquerading as matter, but that doesn't change its nature. Most importantly, illusion barriers allows users to utilize their ability to the fullest without worrying about the Interference Law."

Huh. That's incredibly interesting. It also explains why this morning all the damage from the fight disappeared when the dungeon– illusion barrier, I suppose, shattered.

Also, Sun-il is right, it does sound complicated. How are you even supposed to use your own energy as an anchor? Or force the energy around you to become a reflection? How big are these barriers? What about other people near the one who creates it? Do they get pulled into the barrier as well, or does that need to be done on purpose?

Can I make illusion barriers?

"Can I make illusion barriers?" I decide to ask first, and feel a rush of excitement when Sun-il nods a confirmation.

"Of course, every user can. Well, you can make basic ones at least, I don't know if you're capable of more advanced forms."

What advanced forms? But first.

"Can you show me?"

Sun-ll's smile becomes fixed in a way that says he really didn't want to. I'm confused. Is this something I'm not supposed to ask?

Before I can ask, Sun-il says "Sure," and lifts his hand palm up–

The world shifts.

Unlike this morning, there are no obvious differences, no vanishing cars or people. Even so, everything has become subtly... off.

It's the lack of sound, I realize. Not that it was noisy before, but this Seoul. There's always background noise. Noise that only becomes noticeable when it disappears.

I jump off the bed and race towards the window, looking outside with fascination. Sure enough, outside is a ghost town, no traffic or pedestrians as far as the eye can see. The lack is even more noticeable because of the hour. I feel a huge grin grow.

"You have got to teach me how to do that," I say as I turn around– my grin falters.

Sun-il is trying to look casual and he's doing a pretty good job of it, but to me it's obvious that he's uncomfortable and reluctant. In fact, he's even a little... afraid? What? Why?

What's wrong?

"It's not hard to do," he says before I can ask, and it's clear that he's avoiding–

Oh.

"You just–"

"You don't want to tell me about your power," I interrupt, unable to understand how I didn't see it before now. This whole time, during his entire explanation, Sun-il hasn't mentioned anything about his own ability. He's been purposely avoiding the subject by turning my attention to other things instead.

Sun-il falls silent, becoming even more discomforted and reluctant. It doesn't just confirm his avoidance, it makes me realize that it isn't just his power he doesn't want to talk about, it goes so much deeper than that.

He doesn't want to tell me how he knows all this. Doesn't want to tell me why he kept it a secret.

Sun-il's expression falls. "Jee-han, it's not like that," he says urgently as he gets to his feet and moves closer. I cross my arms and stubbornly lift my chin, ruthlessly resisting the stinging of my eyes. I'm not going to cry, that would be ridiculous. And it would make me feel even worse than I already do.

Sun-il winces and moves his hands in a way that says he doesn't know what to do with them. "I don't... It's..."

"Complicated?" I snap more venomous than intended, but I don't take it back.

My best friend has been lying to me for who knows how long. That's painful enough all on its own, but to discover that he doesn't even want to explain why he did it?

It hurts. So much.

Doesn't he trust me?

Sun-il grimaces, and while it's clear that he doesn't want to hurt me, it's just as clear that he still doesn't want to talk about this. Still doesn't want to explain.

"Haven't you been lying to me for long enough already?" I demand, growing more angry with every moment that passes.

"I never lied to you," Sun-il snaps back, actually having the nerve to become a little indignant. I'm not the one who lied. "I just... didn't tell you everything," he finishes lamely.

Wow, that makes me feel so much better.

Sun-il winces. "It's not you, it's me."

Really? Asshole.

Sun-il lets out strangled sound. "My entire family are users, we're known as the Chunbumoon Clan," he rushes out, anxious and agitated. I bite back another angry retort with difficulty. I'll give him one last chance to explain.

He does.

"We have power and influence in the Abyss, Seoul is our territory. I'm the heir, and that means everyone has these expectations of me. I'm a grandson and the heir, brother and the heir, cousin and the heir, apprentice and the heir. But when I'm with you, I'm your best friend and nothing else, and... I know it's irrational, I know, but..." Sun-il trails off, not knowing what else to say and begging me to understand.

There's only one appropriate reaction to this.

I gently punch the asshole's arm.

"Idiot," I accuse fondly, can't help it. This is far from the first time that Sun-il has said something like this. Not in these exact words, but the sentiment is one I'm familiar with.

Sun-il loves his family more than anything else in the world, but sometimes, just sometimes, he feels suffocated by them. By their constant expectations. When that happens, he comes to me, either to rant about it, or to kick the virtual crap out of each other in an epic tournament of whatever my latest fighting game is. Most of the time it's both.

Oh. He really didn't lie to me. He just didn't tell me all the details.

He told me about the things that matter.

Just like that, my hurt and anger fades away, and I forgive the asshole for being annoyingly mysterious.

"I thought I was an asshole," Sun-il returns with a tentative smile.

"That too," I assure him, because he really is.

Sun-il's smile grows, yet he keeps being uncertain as well. "I know it's irrational, but..." He shrugs, and the gesture tells me everything I need to know. But I'm still afraid that this will change things between us, afraid that you'll look at me differently. I'm afraid that you'll treat me differently.

I don't want you to treat me differently.

"We survived getting through puberty. If we can get through that, we can get through anything," I say, meaning every word. Puberty was a nightmare, on both our parts. Once, it even came dangerously close to ruining our friendship. But we managed to get through it.

Next to that, even something like this is nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

Sun-il grins with relief at my assurance that I still consider him my best friend. Which, obviously. Just because I was mad at him doesn't mean I'd throw away all our years of friendship. Honestly, Sun-il can be insecure about the most ridiculous things at times. At least he's aware of it.

"That's true. You were so annoying back then," he teases, almost giddy with relief. I gently punch his arm, more of a tap than anything else.

"Says the guy who lorded being taller than me for over a year," I shoot back with a smile.

Sun-il answers with a look of mock innocence. "Only because you wouldn't shut up about it when you first became taller than me."

So? Besides, I knew from the beginning that being taller than Sun-il was going to be a temporary thing. Of course I had to get the most out of it.

"Now that we've established that you're an idiot, will you finally explain what your power is?" I demand, getting things back on track. My previous curiosity has returned with a vengeance now that I'm no longer angry.

"Not curious about my clan?" Sun-il ask in a light voice. As though the question isn't fueled by the irrational insecurity he apparently still can't let go of.

I roll my eyes. "Stop stalling and show me your power, asshole." Really, the fact that his entire family is magical, while very interesting, is far less intriguing than his own mystery ability. I can ask about his family later.

Sun-il grins. "How can I refuse when you ask so nicely?" he quips while taking a step closer to the wall. I feel like vibrating with anticipation and start bouncing on my heels a little.

Finally.

"Unlike you, I'm an acquired user," he feels the need to delay yet again, and a noise of pure frustration escapes me.

"Sun-il, stop stalling," I order with a glare.

"So impatient," he mocks.

I punch his arm. This time it isn't gentle.

It makes Sun-il chuckle, and I feel my own lips curve into an involuntary smile in return, even as I keep giving him a glare that tells him to get on with it.

"Remember, all the damage done inside an illusion barrier doesn't affect the real world," he says. I'm about to order him to stop stalling yet again, but then Sun-il makes a fist and punches the wall.

He punches through it.

I gape as he pulls his fist out of the hole he just created. He just punched through stone like it's made of paper!

That's amazing.

"I know," Sun-il replies to my silent exclamation with a far too smug smile. For once, I don't comment on it.

"How did you do that?" I demand instead. My awe makes Sun-il grin, proud and pleased.

"Basically, I use ki to enhance my body to superhuman levels," he explains while I bend forward to peer through the hole outside.

This is unbelievable. While I knew intellectually that Sun-il has magic, seeing him use it is mind boggling. Even more than seeing the Black Summoner and the girl on fire. Partly because this time I don't have to fear for my life, but mostly it's because of the sheer weirdness of seeing my best friend use magic.

Words cannot describe how awesome this is.

"Ki?" I ask while returning my gaze towards him.

"Energy drawn from the spirit. Everyone has it, but you have to train for years in order to be able to use it," he explains. I raise an incredulous brow. Energy drawn from the spirit? As in, the soul?

"You actually draw energy from your soul?" That sounds incredibly dangerous.

Wait, does that mean my own ability is powered by my soul as well?

"Spirit, not soul. There's a difference," Sun-il corrects with unexpected heat. Apparently this is an important distinction. I make a mental note to ask about that later.

First of all.

"Show me what else you can do," I demand while bouncing on my heels, giddy with the wonder of it all. Unlike this morning, I can fully bask in it without any distractions like worrying about my survival.

Sun-il grins, before he spins on his heel and kicks the wall.

The entire wall explodes.

My jaw drops, eyes as wide as they can go as I look at where the wall had been not even a moment before. Now it's nothing more than rubble strown outside.

Wow!

"Do something else!" I demand with a huge grin, practically hopping in place.

"Do this, do that. What am I, your servant?" Sun-il mocks, but his smile is just as bright as I feel. I punch his arm on habit. He chuckles, before his eyes gain a mischievous glint and he leans towards me conspiratorially. "Watch this."

He places a foot on the edge of the destroyed wall and he jumps.

I hear myself gasp with wonder as I watch Sun-il flip through the air like gravity is optional, easily clearing my house and then some. It doesn't look like he jumped.

Sun-il looks like he's flying.

It suddenly hits me that this entire thing does change things between us. Before, he was my best friend and an asshole. Now, he's my best friend and an asshole who has magic.

"Do it again!" I yell after Sun-il lands down the street with ridiculous ease, as though he did nothing more than hop off a fence.

With a grin, he does just that, once more flipping through the air in a way that would make any acrobat weep with envy. I laugh with delight.

In many ways, it's impossible for things not to change between us. In all the ways that matter, everything is still the same.

And in some ways, things are more amazing than I could've ever imagined they'd be.

AN: Look at all the headcanon I put in there. I ain't even sorry X3

As always, hope you enjoyed!