Si-woo only chose three spells:
One that granted him super speed and enhanced reflexes.
One that gave him short-term premonitions and sharpened his instincts.
And finally, a mirror ability—because Si-woo, as he was just beginning to realize, was an extremely resentful person.
The doctor waited patiently while Si-woo finished his preparations.
Then he charged forward, arms outstretched.
Si-woo had crafted a whole plan in his head, but the moment Dr. Kim reached him, he panicked—and ran.
He used his super speed to retreat out of range.
The doctor frowned, while Si-woo marveled at his new power.
He felt so light, and moving like that had come so naturally...
— You keep running, Do-Woo scolded. Or bowing your head. You're not allowed to do that anymore, Si-woo.
Si-woo flinched. The tone alone made it clear—this was serious.
— Is this some kind of test?
Do-Woo chuckled.
— I like you. But don't waste my time. Attack me.
When Si-woo didn't move, Dr. Kim leaned forward slightly and patted his knees.
— Come on, boy! Attack!
His voice was soft, almost cheerful. Like he was talking to his favorite dog.
Si-woo clenched his teeth so hard they clicked.
The interface's rage mirrored his own.
Si-woo lunged forward.
He didn't have a real plan—he just wanted to wipe that smug smile off the doctor's face.
Just as his fist was about to crash into Do-Woo's nose, an image flashed through his mind.
A fireball burned into his vision and engulfed his body.
The shield protects me from magic attacks, right?
Si-woo ducked just in time to dodge the flame—
—but he took a brutal uppercut to the gut.
He staggered back, barely staying on his feet.
Dr. Kim wasn't playing around.
He was ready to kill him.
— Why…?
Do-Woo smirked.
— Didn't we already agree? No answers until the fight is over.
This time, lightning sparked from his fingertips.
He aimed it directly at Si-woo.
Si-woo barely dodged using his speed, his body wasn't trained for this.
His breathing grew shallow, ragged.
Every time his feet touched the ground, another bolt cracked just above his head.
Forced to stay in constant motion or risk getting fried, he tore off his tie to breathe more easily.
Each of the doctor's attacks triggered a wave of destruction across the darkened dimension.
Shadows turned to ash. The building began to crumble.
— I told you to stop running, Do-Woo growled.
With a flick of his head, he shrank the dark sphere surrounding them.
The walls closed in, forcing Si-woo toward him—or risk being crushed.
— I'm not running. I'm catching my breath.
Not helping!
Si-woo drew in a shaky breath.
He had never fought before in his life. Normally, he'd already be lying on the ground, pretending to be unconscious, praying someone would stop Jeunk from beating him up.
But this time, he was alone.
Truly alone.
Alone with this Do-Woo—whom he was discovering all over again.
He hadn't even thought to buy attack spells.
Only ones to sense danger.
To escape.
— You've got the wrong guy for that kind of thing. Il-seong's the hero, not me.
— Hit me, Do-Woo whispered.
It wasn't a command.
It was a wish.
A quiet plea from a man speaking to a broken high school kid.
Si-woo clenched his fists.
The man in front of him radiated unwavering confidence—not in himself, but in Si-woo.
That look alone gave him the strength to rise.
He dashed forward at full speed.
The scene, already cloaked in dark mist, blurred.
He focused on his breath, the cold sweat sticking his uniform to his skin, and the glowing shape that was Do-Woo—distorted by the speed.
Si-woo ran so fast that his fear couldn't keep up with his thoughts.
Or so he hoped, as he jumped.
His leap launched him all the way to the ceiling.
He came down right above Dr. Kim, who didn't even bother dodging.
Instead, the doctor raised his hands and fired another fireball.
This time, Si-woo didn't run.
He couldn't—not mid-air.
He rubbed his palms together, then thrust them forward.
The flame slammed into an invisible surface—
—and bounced back at Do-Woo.
The doctor raised his eyebrows.
He stepped back just in time to avoid the boiling crater his own spell left behind.
Then, he grinned—baring all his teeth.
— Now you're getting serious.