The days bled into nights, and Yeon-ah found herself lost in a cycle of survival. Every moment was a struggle, and every step she took felt like one more inch toward the abyss. The woman who had saved her, though cold and distant, was her only lifeline now. Without her, Yeon-ah knew she would have perished long ago in the ruins of the city.
They moved through the wreckage of what had once been a bustling metropolis. Now, it was nothing but a graveyard of twisted steel and crumbled concrete. The city was quiet, too quiet, except for the occasional distant roar of the Deborer. Each time Yeon-ah heard it, a chill would crawl down her spine, but they hadn't come across the creatures again—yet.
"You're getting better," the woman said one day, her voice breaking the silence.
Yeon-ah was surprised by the comment. It was the first time the woman had acknowledged her progress since the training had started. She glanced at her, unsure how to respond.
"Don't get comfortable," the woman added quickly, her tone flat. "You're still not ready."
Yeon-ah nodded, tightening her grip on the makeshift blade in her hand. She knew she wasn't anywhere near the woman's level, but at least she was learning. Every day, she grew a little stronger, a little more capable of handling herself.
As they moved through the maze of debris, Yeon-ah's thoughts drifted to her brother, Ji-hoon. He was still out there somewhere—or at least, she hoped he was. The last time she saw him, the world was crumbling around them, and then he was gone. The guilt gnawed at her. She should have done more, should have fought harder to stay with him. But it was too late for regrets now.
"We're being watched," the woman suddenly said, her voice low and sharp.
Yeon-ah froze, her heart skipping a beat. She glanced around, her eyes scanning the ruins for any sign of movement. But everything seemed still, the silence oppressive.
"Deborer?" Yeon-ah whispered, her voice barely audible.
The woman shook her head. "No. This is different."
Yeon-ah's grip tightened on her blade, the tension in the air palpable. She could feel it too now, the weight of unseen eyes on them. It wasn't the same mindless hunger that the Deborer exuded. This felt calculated, deliberate.
They moved cautiously through the ruins, every sound amplified by the eerie silence. Yeon-ah's senses were on high alert, her heart racing as they navigated the broken streets. The woman led the way, her movements silent and purposeful.
They rounded a corner, and that's when Yeon-ah saw it—a shadow darting between the wreckage. It was fast, too fast for her to get a good look, but there was no mistaking it. Someone—or something—was following them.
"Keep moving," the woman ordered, her voice steady.
Yeon-ah nodded, her mind racing. She wanted to ask who or what was following them, but the woman's cold demeanor told her that now wasn't the time for questions. They had to stay focused.
For what felt like hours, they moved through the city, the shadows never far behind. Occasionally, Yeon-ah would catch a glimpse of movement out of the corner of her eye—a figure slipping between the ruins, always staying just out of sight.
Eventually, they found themselves in the remains of what had once been a large plaza. The open space made Yeon-ah feel exposed, vulnerable. She scanned the area, but there was nowhere to hide, nowhere to take cover if they were attacked.
"We need to make a stand," the woman said, her eyes narrowing as she surveyed the area.
Yeon-ah's heart pounded in her chest. A stand? Against what? They hadn't even seen their pursuers clearly yet.
Before she could voice her concerns, a figure stepped out from the shadows, followed by several more. They were human—or at least, they looked human. But there was something off about them, something that sent a wave of unease through Yeon-ah.
The leader, a tall man with a sharp gaze, stepped forward, his lips curling into a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"You've been causing quite the stir," he said, his voice smooth and unsettling. "But you should know by now—there's nowhere to hide."
Yeon-ah's grip on her blade tightened, her mind racing as she tried to assess the situation. There were at least five of them, all armed. They didn't seem like ordinary survivors. They moved with too much confidence, too much coordination.
The woman beside her didn't flinch. Her eyes were locked on the man, her stance ready for anything.
"Who are you?" Yeon-ah asked, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides.
The man chuckled softly. "Names don't matter out here. What matters is survival. And you, my dear, are in our territory."
Yeon-ah felt a surge of panic. Territory? She hadn't even realized people had started claiming parts of the city.
"You don't belong here," the man continued, taking a step closer. "But I'm willing to make a deal. Hand over your supplies, and we might let you walk away."
Yeon-ah's mind raced. They had barely enough supplies to last a few days, let alone enough to hand over to these strangers. But she could tell by the look in the man's eyes that the offer wasn't as generous as it seemed.
"What if we refuse?" the woman said, her voice cold.
The man's smile widened, but it was a smile devoid of warmth. "Then we'll take what we want, one way or another."
Yeon-ah's heart pounded in her chest. They were outnumbered, and these people clearly knew the area better than they did. But something about the woman's calm demeanor gave her a sliver of hope.
"You won't get the chance," the woman said, her voice like ice.
And then, without warning, she lunged.
The fight that followed was brutal and swift. The woman moved like a shadow, her blade flashing through the air with deadly precision. Yeon-ah barely had time to react before the chaos unfolded around her.
The sound of metal clashing filled the air, and for a brief moment, everything was a blur. Yeon-ah fought with everything she had, her movements fueled by fear and adrenaline. She wasn't as skilled as the woman, but she held her own, managing to deflect the blows that came her way.
In the end, it was over quickly. The strangers lay sprawled across the ground, their weapons scattered among the rubble. The woman stood over them, her blade dripping with blood, her expression unreadable.
Yeon-ah's chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath. Her body was trembling, her mind struggling to process what had just happened.
"Are you okay?" the woman asked, her voice steady as she sheathed her blade.
Yeon-ah nodded, though she wasn't sure if that was true. She had survived, but the violence, the blood—it was overwhelming. She wasn't sure how much longer she could keep this up.
The woman seemed to sense her hesitation. "This is just the beginning," she said, her tone serious. "You'll have to get used to this if you want to survive."
Yeon-ah swallowed hard, her eyes lingering on the bodies at their feet. She knew the woman was right. This was the world they lived in now, and she would have to adapt if she wanted to make it through.
But as they left the plaza, Yeon-ah couldn't shake the feeling that something darker was lurking just beneath the surface. Something far more dangerous than the Deborer or these strangers.
And she wasn't sure if she was ready to face it.