….
"I don't belong here, Tony–
"This... this isn't my world."
"You are still sticking to that story of yours."
Jin-Ho turned fully to face him. "We are way past the point to make it a joke."
Tony looked up. "Okay, fine… But what exactly do you mean - 'get going'? You can't stay, or you just won't?"
Jin-Ho hesitated, his gaze flicking toward the [System].
◤-----------------------◥
[Ding–! Mission Completed]
| Task - 1: Assist Tony Stark in his escape (Completed)
| Task - 2: Save Yinsen from death (Completed)
-> Rewards: Click here for rewards to reveal!
….
[Note: User can go back to his World after 24 Hours of completing his Mission]
◣-----------------------◢
It had been more than 24 hours, and clearly the [System] isn't forcing him to go back.
So, technically, he could stay.
Maybe forever.
Just then, he remembered something.
He sighed and shook his head.
"No… it's not that. I just need to leave. People are waiting for me back home, and are probably worried sick."
He scratched his head awkwardly, looking more like a kid than the guy who had just helped tear through a terrorist camp–
"I left a note saying not to worry, but thinking about it now… that probably made it worse."
Tony's lips twitched. "Oh, I could see that happening."
Jin-Ho fell silent for a while.
His gaze drifted toward the floor, mind replaying flashes he hadn't really processed until now - world travelling, war zone, the blood in his hands, and the narrow escapes.
He had gone into this whole thing thinking it would be simple, maybe even fun.
A chance to test himself, throw a few punches, push his limits. But somewhere along the way, it had stopped being a game.
People had died.
He had killed them.
That weight sat differently now.
After a pause, Tony tilted his head. "So why do it? All this traveling around, fighting, risking your neck. What's it for?"
Jin-Ho thought for a moment, searching for the words–
"To get stronger."
Tony blinked, then laughed. "Not to save the world? Or protect people? Figures. Doesn't sound like you."
"You think so too." Jin-Ho admitted with a shrug.
The words were teasing, but there was something else underneath them - an observation, maybe. Because Tony could tell this kid was special.
Good, in ways that Jin-Ho himself probably didn't realize.
The kid thought he was just traveling to get stronger, to have adventures, to test himself.
But he had saved Tony's life.
Saved Yinsen's life.
Fought like hell to keep them both alive when it would have been easier to cut his losses and run. That took more than just a desire for strength - that took character.
And Tony believed that Jin-Ho would help even more people in the future, whether he set out to do it or not.
It was just who he was, beneath all the sarcasm and bravado.
"What do you need?" Tony asked instead. "Money? Resources? A way to contact me if you need help?"
Jin-Ho smiled - genuinely smiled, not that sarcastic smirk he usually wore.
"The money's already handled. As for the rest..." He shook his head. "Where I am going, your resources won't reach. But I appreciate the offer."
"So this is it? We just say goodbye and pretend the last three months didn't happen?"
"The last three months definitely happened." Jin-Ho said firmly. "We survived and changed. We are both going to do things differently now."
They stood there in silence for a moment, two people who had been through hell together and came out changed on the other side.
Tony finally exhaled, trying to lighten the mood. "So… when will you come back? Or should I ask if you can even come back?"
He smiled faintly. "You do remember you will be owning ten percent of my company, right? You might wanna drop by sometime and see what it feels like to be one of the richest people in this world."
It sounded like a joke, but the way Tony's voice softened gave it away, he meant it. He knew this might actually be goodbye.
"Return back, huh…"
Jin-Ho muttered wishfully, glancing at the holographic window that had just appeared before him, data flickering across it.
◤-----------------------◥
[[Portal 002] (Updated)
- World Assigned: MCU
- Synchronization Rate: 10%]
….
[Note: When world synchronization reaches 100%, the host may freely travel to this world - the rate depends on your influence on the world.]
◣-----------------------◢
He still didn't understand what his 'influence' exactly meant.
Like does it mean he had to change the plot?
Or simply become an influencer figure?
He wasn't sure, but he didn't want to just sit back - and the reason he even asked for shares in Stark industries is because to check his theory.
Will his influence increase if he becomes rich, and in return increase synchronization rate?
Whatever the case might be, he wants to come here again.
And this gave him hope. Hope that this wasn't the last time he would see this world - or Tony.
"Nah." He dismissed the thoughts. "Don't worry. It's not that easy to get rid of me. Pretty sure I will be saving your ass again - probably a lot more times."
Tony chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah. We will see who ends up saving who next time."
Jin-Ho turned to his back.
"For what it's worth." Tony said finally–
"You are a hell of a partner, kid. Best sidekick I ever had."
"Sidekick? Pretty sure I was the main character of that rescue operation."
"Not even close."
"Agree to disagree."
Jin-Ho reached for the [Panku Locket] around his neck and pressed a small button.
Click.
The locket lifted from his neck, spinning in the air as light poured out - violet and gold, crackling with energy that didn't belong in this reality.
The silver morphed, expanding into a rectangular door of liquid glass that rippled like water standing vertical.
Tony squinted against the glare. "You sure this thing won't explode?"
"Eighty percent sure." Jin-Ho joked.
"Fantastic."
Jin-Ho smirked faintly. "You too, old man. Try not to blow yourself up with your toys."
Tony's grin flickered. "No promises."
"Hey, Tony?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks. For being stubborn enough to survive. For being smart enough to change." Jin-Ho's smile was soft, almost fond. "The universe needs more people like you."
"Funny." Tony said, voice rough. "I was thinking the same about you."
Jin-Ho nodded once, then stepped through.
"Well, goodbye–
"Iron Man."
Tony stood there silently.
He simply watched the last shimmer fade into the night sky. The sun was already dipping low, staining the world orange - a new day waiting to begin.
He turned toward the stairwell, mind already racing ahead - designs, equations, plans.
But some part of him stayed on that roof.
Remembering the kid who came out of nowhere, fought like hell, and vanished back into the unknown.
For three months and one wild day, Jin-Ho had been his partner.
Tony Stark walked off the roof carrying that memory - and a small fortune in stocks waiting for Jin-Ho, wherever he ended up next.
The least he could do.
Anyways–
"Iron Man?"
He chuckled–
"That's a dope name."
….
.
[Hospital Ward - Before the duo reached roof top]
"I need a change of clothes. This patient outfit is… uncool."
"…Yeah? And where the hell am I supposed to get one right now?"
"Do something. You are Tony."
"Yeah, I am Tony." pause "…Wait - how is that the point?"
"It is the point."
"Ugh, fine. Next time I will steal a suit from the nurse's closet."
"Make sure it's black."
….
Minutes later, climbing the final steps to the hospital rooftop.
"Hey - are you sure we are allowed up here? Big red sign says 'off-limits'."
"Don't care."
"…Right. Not my problem then." beat "Man, Yinsen is a heavy sleeper though."
"He is. Though he didn't snore, at least."
Quietly "Hmm, maybe… I should talk to him once more."
"You talk like you are about to go somewhere."
….
[Back to Jin-Ho]
Skid Row, Downtown LA.
The portal transported Jin-Ho to exactly where he had entered - behind the old convenience store, tucked between dumpsters that reeked of rotting produce and stale beer.
Jin-Ho stumbled forward, catching himself against the brick wall.
His legs felt like jelly, vision swimming for a moment as reality reasserted itself around him.
But he wasn't torn apart this time. No feeling like his atoms were being ripped in different directions, or nausea that made him want to curl up and die.
Like stepping off a boat after being at sea too long.
He straightened, taking a few experimental breaths. "Guess I am getting used to this so-called 'Portal sickness'."
The notification bar pinged in his peripheral vision.
◤-----------------------◥
[Ding–! System Notification!]
「You have successfully finished your first Dimensional Travel!」
[Mission Completed:
| Task - 1: Assist Tony Stark in his escape (Completed)
| Task - 2: Save Yinsen from death (Completed)
•---------•
-> Rewards: Click here for rewards to reveal!
◣-----------------------◢
Jin-Ho dismissed the screen with a thought, not even bothering to check the details.
Rewards could wait, but right now, he needed to figure out how much time had passed here, get home, check on his family, and maybe, get some actual rest in his own bed.
….
.
[To be continued…]
★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★
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