Work Text:
The day Sung Jinwoo had awakened as an E-rank, the soulmark that appeared on the inside of his right wrist had been instantly recognizable.
Seven red stars—the world’s number one S-Rank, Liu Zhigang.
Jinwoo had only felt dismay. Nothing would ever come of it so he hadn’t told anyone; it certainly wasn’t a cause for celebration.
Shortly after, his mother had contracted Eternal Sleep and he no longer had the time or energy to think about his soulmate, too busy working his fingers to the bone to put food on the table and pay his mother’s medical bills.
For all that, he couldn’t help paying extra attention when Liu Zhigang showed up on the news. In the short breaks he had between raids—usually when he was laid up recuperating at home—he would collect newspaper and magazine clippings that mentioned the Hunter. Jinah had stumbled across the folder by accident and teased him mercilessly about being a “fanboy”, but the next day a scrapbook had turned up on his desk.
This was as much as he would allow himself—meeting the man was no more than a fanciful dream.
Or so he had thought.
Then the Double Dungeon tragedy occurs.
Sung Jinwoo reawakens.
~
“Hurry up! He’s almost here! You’d better not miss this. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting in line so you can see your favorite hero?” Jinah’s words are scolding, but she can’t hide the excitement in her voice.
Jinwoo grimaces into his cell. “Please stop calling him that.”
Liu Zhigang was passing through Seoul and people had swarmed the airport to try and get a glimpse of the S-Rank. Jinwoo had mixed feelings about seeing his soulmate in person and had been waffling over whether to go when the date and time of Liu Zhigang’s arrival had been announced. Late evening, which slightly overlapped with a porter job he couldn’t afford to cancel so the decision had been made for him. When he told Jinah, he had been surprised at her vehemence as she insisted he had to go and that she would save a spot for him.
“Wow, it’s crazier here than at those idol events. Oh! I see you! Over here, over here!”
He squeezes through the mass of bodies murmuring apologies. Jinah reaches back to grab his arm and pulls him next to her at the front of the crowd. He’s just in time to see Liu Zhigang walking towards them.
He wouldn’t have thought it possible, but Liu Zhigang is even more striking in person. The brief TV clips he’s seen weren’t able to capture the man’s commanding presence and cocksure attitude as he stalks down the hall, unbothered by the massive crowd or blinding camera flashes. The Hunter is dressed to kill—black leather jacket over a red dress shirt with the top two buttons undone, dark jeans accentuating his long legs.
Liu Zhigang turns his head in his direction and for a moment it seems as if he’s looking right at Jinwoo. A pang of longing goes through his chest and a jumble of wistful thoughts flit through his head—he wishes he could meet and talk to his soulmate one-on-one, wishes that he had a chance to get to know him. They’re no more than fleeting fancies, but one of his shadow soldiers responds to them with a faint “my liege” whispered in his ear.
Igris?
Before he realizes what’s happening, the knight darts out to slip into Liu Zhigang’s shadow as he passes by.
Jinwoo’s heart stutters in his chest and he quickly checks Liu Zhigang’s expression, but it’s unchanged—relaxed with a slight curl to his lips as he waves at the crowd.
Maybe he didn’t notice?
Uneasy doubt churns in his stomach. What are the chances a National Level S-Rank wouldn’t sense his ability?
He wants to order Igris to return, but Liu Zhigang is passing through a section of the airport with an open sunroof. The movement of his shadow would be too conspicuous and unnatural; he’ll have to wait for a better time.
But later he finds that he’s still unaccustomed to the newly obtained sense sharing, unable to tell from Igris’s vague impressions what the situation is like around Liu Zhigang.
He can’t risk getting caught. Unintentional as it may be, this takes stalking to a whole other level.
Jinwoo decides to wait until Liu Zhigang is asleep, when he’s least likely to detect any movement, to take his shadow knight back.
~
He’s searching the web for suitable raid jobs when he feels a tug at his awareness from Igris. Abruptly, he finds himself looking through the knight’s eyes at Liu Zhigang who seems to be in a hotel room. The Hunter is lounging back in an armchair, elbow on the table beside him with his cheek propped against his fist.
He’s looking directly at Jinwoo.
“Why don’t you join me?” he invites him in lightly accented English.
Jinwoo somehow knows, heart in his mouth, that Liu Zhigang is not talking to Igris.
Caught red handed invading the privacy of an S-Rank in the worst possible way. And…this one probably has all of China’s top hunters at his beck and call. Even if he doesn’t show up, Liu Zhigang could probably find a way to drag him out. He does owe the man an apology and can only hope he will listen to Jinwoo’s explanation.
Surviving this meeting should be his only goal, but he still runs a hand through his hair and straightens his clothes checking his appearance in the mirror. He rapidly types what he wants to say into a translation app and mouths the words to himself.
Taking a deep breath, he activates Shadow Exchange.
When he opens his eyes he’s standing in front of Liu Zhigang whose intense golden gaze pins him in place. An oppressive aura presses down on him, the weight reminiscent of that unforgettable Double Dungeon but the quality of it is completely different it...doesn’t feel aggressive?
The thought spurs him on to speak in halting English. “I’m sorry for intruding on you like this, Liu Zhigang-nim. My name is Sung Jinwoo. I lost control of one of my shadow knights and it followed you from the airport. I didn’t intend for it to happen and meant to take him back by tonight. I would have called him back earlier but there wasn’t a good time.”
Liu Zhigang studies him thoughtfully and he lifts an eyebrow at Jinwoo’s words. “‘It was an accident’? Hm. Since I have you here I might as well put you to use. Have a seat,” He waves languidly at the chair across the table from him. “I imagine a local must know the best places for a late night snack. Know any good places for…” He squints down at his cellphone, “..tteokbooki and hotteok?”
Everyone has been speculating over why the world’s #1 Hunter stopped over in Korea, the nation known to have some of the weakest S-Ranks worldwide. The conspiracy theories had run rampant on the forums—everything from the first step in a ploy to take over Asia to global-level machinations.
…did Liu Zhigang actually just come here to play?
Jinwoo was expecting an interrogation at the very least, maybe even having to plead for his life so he’s thrown off by Liu Zhigang’s easygoing demeanor. He hesitantly goes to sit and then stares as Liu Zhigang holds out his phone to him.
“Type in your recommendations. The guide they assigned me can go pick it up for us.”
Unconsciously, he receives the phone with both hands like the awestruck fanboy Jinah accused him of being. Jinwoo stomps down the sentiment—he’s being ridiculous and he’s not off the hook yet no matter how amiable Liu Zhigang seems.
It sounds like he’s interested in authentic Korean street food rather than anything fancy so Jinwoo types in a few of his favorite mom-and-pop street stalls taking it upon himself to add a few orders to the text. Might as well let him try the full selection of Seoul’s best food culture.
Their fingers brush as he hands the phone back to Liu Zhigang who glances at the screen before sending off the text. He sets the phone down on the table and gives Jinwoo his full attention.
His gaze is distinctly predatory as he drawls, “I have to say, I’m a little disappointed that my soulmate wasn’t intentionally peeping at me.”
Jinwoo doesn’t hide his reaction in time and there’s a triumphant curl to Liu Zhigang’s lips as he catches the way Jinwoo’s eyes widen with shock.
“…are you guessing?”
“My mark is pretty suggestive if you have the right context,” Liu Zhigang says, unbuttoning his shirt.
Unable to tear his gaze away, Jinwoo watches as a toned chest and cut abs are revealed.
He swallows, throat dry.
Liu Zhigang shrugs off the shirt and turns to show Jinwoo his back, pulling his ponytail to the front so it’s out of the way.
The soulmark sprawls over his right shoulder blade—a pair of crossed daggers nearly eclipsed by their own writhing black shadow with flickering deep colored edges. Subtle violet tones within the bulk of the shadow outline numerous eerie amorphous figures.
He’s never seen such an intricate mark and that pattern…it’s undeniable proof of their match. Jinwoo has to remind himself to breathe.
“This is you.” Liu Zhigang gestures to the mark.
It’s not a question but he still answers.
“Yes.”
Liu Zhigang turns back around and looks at him expectantly. “I showed you mine.”
Jinwoo huffs and undoes his right shirt cuff, pulling up the sleeve to show him his soulmark. Liu Zhigang leans over and takes his forearm in a large palm, the heat of his touch like a brand against his skin. His thumb strokes over the seven red stars and Jinwoo has to suppress a shiver.
The grip on his wrist suddenly tightens and Liu Zhigang frowns at him.
“You’re freezing.” He seems to come to a realization “Ah, sorry, I tend to run hot so I always turn the AC up. My guild members complain about it all the time.”
Jinwoo is about to tell him that the cold doesn’t bother him—his body temperature has just been dropping after his reawakening—but Liu Zhigang releases his wrist and turns to grab his leather jacket from the back of his chair.
Jinwoo’s mouth snaps shut.
“Put this on for now. I’ll set the temperature higher.” He hands him his jacket and walks over to the side of the room to fiddle with the AC panel.
Liu Zhigang is only an inch or two taller than him, but he’s broader in the shoulders so the jacket is loose on him. As he tugs the collar in closer he catches the faint scent of the man’s cologne and a low heat creeps up his neck as he breathes it in.
When Liu Zhigang returns, Jinwoo cuts to the chase.
“I’m a C-Rank hunter.” A rough guess at best without an official measurement. Better than E-Rank at least, but there’s probably little difference to a National Level Hunter. He’s not sure himself why he’s testing Liu Zhigang like this, but it’s true that he doesn’t know how much the System will allow him to grow.
“I know.” Liu Zhigang is looking at him as if he doesn’t understand why that matters. His brow creases and his heavy mana immediately lifts, “…I forgot to control my mana, was it uncomfortable?”
Jinwoo nearly gapes at him. “No—I don’t care about that. Aren’t you disappointed your soulmate is a C-Rank?”
“Jinwoo—may I call you that?” Liu Zhigang continues on at his nod. “Jinwoo, if today I was the one who was a C-Rank and you were the S-Rank, would you not want to meet me? Would you be disappointed?”
“...You’re my soulmate” and Liu Zhigang is...Liu Zhigang. Larger than life, his presence fills the room the moment he enters it. S-Rank, E-Rank, unawakened, it wouldn’t change who he is or how Jinwoo feels about him. “I would want to see you. I wouldn’t be disappointed but that’s—it’s not the same.” It’s different is what he wants to say, because he’s no Liu Zhigang.
“Is it not?” Seeing the denial on Jinwoo’s face, Liu Zhigang knits his brow in disagreement. His lids lower in thought before he tries a different tack. “Do you have family or friends who are unawakened?”
“Yes.” Jinah. Mom.
“They’re normal people, not even ranked. Jinwoo, do you love them any less for it?”
Oh.
His voice is hoarse as he replies, “No. I’ll always love them. Awakened or unawakened it...doesn’t matter at all.”
Liu Zhigang holds his gaze. “It’s the same for me. I get why you were worried about it—there’s a lot of idiots who think a person’s rank is the only measure of their worth, but I’m not one of them.”
Those words, said by the man he holds in such high regard, lift a great weight off his chest. Jinwoo’s E-Rank status has been the subject of ridicule for so long, treated with contempt and mockery by almost every hunter he has met. ‘The Weakest Hunter of All Mankind.’ He has heard this shameful title almost every day for the past four years while he struggles with all his might to support his small family.
He can pretend all he wants that it didn’t bother him but it doesn’t change the reality—it made him feel small. Worthless. And no matter how much stronger he gets, trying to bury those memories, he always feels it’s still not enough. He’s not enough. But Liu Zhigang he...
“If you were an E-Rank I would still want to meet you,” Liu Zhigang is saying.
His back stiffens but Liu Zhigang doesn’t seem to realize he hit the nail right on the head.
The words are unbelievable. They just don’t make sense to him but he thinks over what Liu Zhigang said again. If Jinwoo was the strongest person in the world and Liu Zhigang was a ‘lowly’ E-Ranker…it would be different, but it wouldn’t affect whether Jinwoo liked him or not as a person. Rank just isn’t important to him when it comes to this.
“Sung Jinwoo,” Liu Zhigang takes his hand giving it a gentle squeeze, “I would like to know you better. Will you give me the chance?”
It doesn’t feel real, but there’s only one answer he can give.
“Yes. I...would like to get to know you too, Liu Zhigang-nim.”
“Good. I’m glad.” Liu Zhigang looks...relieved? Did he think Jinwoo would ever refuse him?
“That’s quite the mouthful though, just call me Zhigang.” He gives Jinwoo a sly smile “Or you can call me hyung.”
“Liu Zhigang-nim!” It comes out strangled.
“Sorry, I didn’t quite hear that,” Liu Zhigang lies shamelessly as if an S-Rank couldn’t hear a whisper across a ballroom. “Could you say it again?”
His pulse ticks up as he imagines calling Liu Zhigang hyung but...he can’t do it.
“...Zhigang.”
He’s rewarded with a warm smile on that handsome face.
They’re interrupted by the ring of the doorbell.
“Looks like our food arrived.”
Jinwoo stands to follow. He...may have been a bit overzealous when he was ordering. He should at least help carry some of it. He’s dazed for a moment as he’s presented with the sight of Zhigang’s sculpted back as he walks towards the door, sharply defined muscles shifting as he flips his ponytail back over his shoulder.
He shakes it off and heads over.
It’s only when Jinwoo sees the startled guide and the two guards outside that he remembers he’s not supposed to be here. He didn’t walk through the front door and...Zhigang is still shirtless. Uh..
“This...This is…?” The man’s arms are laden with takeout bags as he looks at Jinwoo with confusion.
“Not your business,” Zhigang says warningly as the pressure of his mana leaks out.
The guide’s face pales and the guards on either side of them tense up.
“Of course, my apologies Liu Zhigang-nim. Here’s the food you ordered.”
Jinwoo murmurs his thanks as he helps take some of it.
As they’re spreading their spoils out over the table Zhigang says, “I don’t care if people know, but the press can be unbearable. I wanted to ask how you want to handle it before saying anything.”
An E-Rank being the soulmate of the strongest Hunter. The reporters would have a field day and make his life a nightmare. He has Jinah to worry about and his mother is still in the hospital.
“Let’s see how it goes first. My situation is a bit difficult right now.”
“No problem. You don’t have to worry about those guys, they’ll keep their mouths shut. And if there’s anything I can help with, just let me know.”
Zhigang doesn’t press him when he stays silent and instead draws him into a conversation about the local sights as they dig into the food. Jinwoo is usually more reserved, but Zhigang is easy to talk to and he doesn’t feel the need to fill the silence when he doesn’t have anything to say. He feels gratified with how delighted Zhigang is with the street food. Watching him eat with such gusto wakes his own appetite, though Zhigang still ends up clearing most of the table himself—an S-Class’s metabolism is no joke.
When he’s finished, Zhigang licks his fingers clean which is…distracting.
And unnecessary. There are wet wipes right there on the table.
…Also, his chest is still bare.
Jinwoo can’t take it anymore. He thought he lost the ability to blush after his second awakening but his face is about to combust.
“Zhigang…you can put your shirt back on.”
“I can’t believe my soulmate is telling me to put on more clothes,” Zhigang complains. He slouches back insouciantly. “Is Jinwoo not satisfied with the view?”
The view is perfect and this idiot hyung knows it.
“I don’t think you need me to stroke your ego. Do people not compliment you enough?” He asks dryly.
“Other people are other people. I only care what Jinwoo thinks,” Zhigang says with a boyish grin.
Why is he like this.
“Fine, you’re gorgeous ok? Put your shirt on Liu Zhigang-nim.” His face is probably the color of a tomato right now.
“Alright, alright. You don’t need to pull out the full name card,” Zhigang says compliantly but he looks obnoxiously pleased with himself as shrugs on his shirt. “That shadow teleportation skill you have seems convenient. If you don’t mind, would you tell me how it works?” he asks as he buttons up the shirt.
Jinwoo was wondering when he would ask about it. He tells Zhigang about his shadows, the sense sharing, and his shadow exchange skill. Maybe he shouldn’t be so trusting, but he’d bet Zhigang already guessed at least half of it and he does deserve to know what he’s been...subjected to, so to speak.
“So you can attach your soldiers to someone’s shadow and it doesn’t cost mana to maintain them. The soldier can observe the target and report back to you and you can also share their senses but you would have to concentrate to do it. You can switch places with any soldier with a three hour cooldown. Can your soldier maintain their form outside the target’s shadow? Can it follow basic commands if they’re not coming from you?”
The questions Zhigang is asking...it’s not what Jinwoo is thinking, right? He’d have to be crazy.
“They can exist and take action outside the person’s shadow. Hiding them in the shadow is just to not alarm the...target. If I tell them to, they can follow someone else’s commands.”
“So if you told them to listen to me and I order the soldier to go hang out in the living room indefinitely, they would do it?”
“Yes.”
“Hm. Would it affect your combat ability if you had one less?”
...this crazy hyung. “It wouldn’t. I have a low level soldier I could spare. Zhigang, are you seriously thinking of letting me put a spy on you?”
“More like a free grunt who can fetch and carry. I can give them a floor of my apartment to stay in and go pick them up whenever I need them. They don’t even take up any space since they would follow along in my shadow. Portable grunt. Very nice.” His golden eyes gleam with enthusiasm.
Are apartments supposed to have multiple floors?
“That...”might actually work? Zhigang eliminated the privacy issue.
“More importantly, you can come visit as long as you have three hours free with zero travel time. Sounds like a good deal to me.”
Jinwoo looks at him blankly. Is he not seeing the glaring problem with this? “If you leave the soldier in your apartment, you realize that you’re giving me unlimited access to your home right?”
“Sure. Am I supposed to be worried about something?”
Liu Zhigang is an S-Rank. But, “I could steal from you or leave something—dangerous.”
“Are you going to?” He continues to look exasperatingly unconcerned.
“No, but—you believe me? You’ve known me for two whole hours and I stalked you. Without permission.” He’s being redundant, but he feels like it’s necessary to get it through Zhigang’s thick skull.
“And you looked horrified you did it. Unintentionally, I might add.”
“Even if someone has a good character, that might not necessarily hold in the face of temptation. What if I...give in to temptation?” Zhigang probably has a lot of amazing artifacts and weapons right?
“I mean, I’ve been trying to tempt you for the past two hours and it hasn’t worked so yeah,” he shrugs, “I’m not that worried.”
“Liu Zhigang!” Jinwoo leans his elbows on the table and drops his face into his hands. His cheeks are practically steaming.
He knew Liu Zhigang was doing it on purpose!
Zhigang is chortling. “Ok, how about this. I’ll put a lock on that floor until you feel more comfortable.”
Until Jinwoo feels comfortable with it? Are all S-Ranks this insane?
He scrubs a hand over his face.
“Jinwoo, I’m willing to put the time and effort into a long distance relationship but if there’s an easy solution, why suffer? That being said, the convenience is not worth causing you distress to me. Why don’t you think it over?”
Are they moving too fast? This all feels like a dream to him. He’s been convinced for so long that even talking to Zhigang would be impossible. At the same time...Jinwoo doesn’t want to wait either. Zhigang’s schedule must be overflowing as the leader of China’s largest guild in charge of the country’s most dangerous dungeons while Jinwoo has to take care of Jinah, find a cure for his mother, and focus on leveling. They don’t have to cross an ocean to reach each other but with the heavy responsibilities on the two of them, neither have the time to spare to travel the distance for a simple date.
It does seem like a good option and Zhigang is trusting him this much...
“Let’s try it.”
“Are you sure? There’s no pressure. It’s not like we can’t talk over the phone; I’m just being impatient.”
“I’m sure. It doesn’t take much effort to bring the shadow soldier back if it doesn’t work out.”
“Great. You can just shoot me a text whenever you want to visit. Give me your number.”
The blunt request startles a little laugh out of Jinwoo. “So smooth, Zhigang.”
Zhigang smirks at him. “Am I being too forward asking my personal stalker for his number?”
“There are so many things wrong with that question,” Jinwoo mutters as he digs out his phone.
They exchange numbers. He surreptitiously checks that Zhigang is focused on his own cell before he quickly types “Hyung” as the name. It would be hard to explain if someone saw him receiving texts from “Liu Zhigang” on his phone.
“How long are you staying in Seoul?”
“I’m flying back to Shanghai tomorrow night. If I mess around for any longer Yichen, my Vice, would scold me to death and stage a revolt. Any chance you have the time to show me around?”
His schedule is packed for the next two days since it’s almost time for his monthly rent payment.
“I wish I could, but I can’t miss the jobs I have tomorrow.”
“No worries. Just thought I’d ask on the off chance you were free.”
“I could give you some recommendations if you like?”
“I’d love that.”
They spend the last hour with their heads bent together over the map, planning out Zhigang’s one day tour of Seoul. Jinwoo confirms that Zhigang is a foodie. Half the destinations are eateries or snack stands and Zhigang diligently writes down his food recommendations. It’s…kind of cute.
His restlessness must be showing when the cooldown is up because Zhigang asks, “Time to go?”
“Yeah. I didn’t tell me family I would be out and I have to prepare some things for tomorrow.”
Zhigang comes around the table and Jinwoo reflexively stands to meet him. He lets Zhigang take his hand.
Looking into his eyes, Zhigang tells him, “I’ve wanted to meet my soulmate for a long time. I’m so glad it’s you, Jinwoo. I had a great time today.”
Heat climbs up the back of his neck, but Jinwoo holds his gaze. “It’s the same for me. I...really enjoyed spending time with you.”
A soft smile brightens Zhigang’s face. “Don’t be too hard on that shadow knight of yours, ok? Him following me home was the best thing that’s happened to me in a long while. It brought you to me, right?”
Jinwoo huffs out a laugh. “Alright.”
Zhigang brings their tangled hands up and presses a kiss to the inside of his wrist, right over the mark. “Take care, Jinwoo.” He gives his hand a gentle squeeze before letting go.
Jinwoo gives into impulse and leans up to kiss Zhigang chastely on the cheek. “Good night, hyung.” Instantly, he exchanges out with one of his shadow soldiers.
When he emerges into his own bedroom, his heart is pounding. Reality seems to reassert itself as he takes in the familiar room. He fumbles out his phone and scrolls to ‘Hyung’.
It was real.
He holds the phone to his chest and closes his eyes.
Liu Zhigang likes him. He wants to see him again.
...He’ll thank Igris after he gives him a thorough scolding first.
[End.]
~
Bonus scene:
Jinwoo stares at the black leather jacket in his hand. He forgot he was wearing it.
A blue window pops up in his field of view.
...it’s an S-Rank item? The rarer the equipment, the more fancy and ostentatious it tends to be. Zhigang’s jacket obviously looks good but it’s so low key he hadn’t even considered it might be an item. He’s practically salivating as he reads the description—incredible protection effects with a long list of resistances. Zhigang said he wasn’t worried about Jinwoo being tempted, but he’s pretty tempted right now.
Jinwoo: Sorry, I forgot I was wearing your jacket. When would be a good time for me to return it?
Zhigang: Keep it, it looks good on you.
Jinwoo: Don’t talk nonsense, it’s not my size
Zhigang: You look good in my clothes ;)
Jinwoo: …
Zhigang: Please?
Jinwoo: Zhigang, this is an S-Rank item I can’t accept this.
Zhigang: To tell the truth, I was hoping you would wear it into dungeons.
Zhigang: Please don’t think I’m looking down on your abilities, I swear I’m not. Dungeons are dangerous regardless of rank and accidents happen.
Zhigang: I just worry
Jinwoo: …Fine, a loan then.
Honestly, this unassuming jacket seems more like an SS-Rank item if there was such a class. Monsters from even A-Rank dungeons probably wouldn’t be able to scratch it and if he’s able to level up to S-Rank then he should be able to pay it back even if it’s damaged.
…and he maybe likes the idea of wearing Zhigang hyung’s jacket a little.
Jinwoo: I won’t accept any more than this though.
Zhigang: Understood. Thank you, Jinwoo.
Jinwoo: What are you thanking me for, I should be the one thanking you.
Jinwoo: At least it’s not red.
Zhigang: I wear red ; ;
Jinwoo: For me I mean. I don’t wear flashy clothes.
Jinwoo: …are you fishing for compliments again
Zhigang: But I need to know if Jinwoo doesn’t like me wearing red
Jinwoo: …
Jinwoo: You’re terrible
Jinwoo: …You look good in red
Zhigang: :DD