The wind carried the sharp scent of decay as Yeon-ah and her mentor crept through the barren landscape. Every step they took was calculated, their movements slow and deliberate as they avoided the roving Deborer in the distance. The creatures, massive and predatory, were unlike anything Yeon-ah had ever encountered before. Even with all her training, the mere sight of them made her skin crawl.
They crouched behind a ridge, keeping low to the ground as they watched the creature move through the shadows. Its glowing eyes scanned the horizon, its hulking form making the earth tremble with every step. It was hunting—searching for something, and Yeon-ah had a sinking feeling she knew exactly what it was looking for.
"How many?" Yeon-ah whispered, her voice barely audible.
The woman's eyes narrowed as she peered through the darkness, her expression unreadable. "Just one for now," she murmured. "But there will be more."
Yeon-ah's heart raced, her mind already calculating their next move. They couldn't stay here. The Deborer would find them eventually, and when it did, there would be no escape. Not unless they were prepared.
"We need to move," the woman said, her voice low and firm. "But we have to be smart about it. These things can track us, and once they lock onto a scent..." She trailed off, her expression darkening.
Yeon-ah swallowed hard, gripping the hilt of her blade. She had seen what the Deborer could do. They weren't just predators—they were machines of destruction, relentless in their pursuit. If they were going to survive this, they needed a plan.
"What do we do?" Yeon-ah asked, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides.
The woman glanced at her, her eyes sharp. "We lead it away."
Yeon-ah blinked, taken aback. "Lead it away? How?"
The woman's gaze was cold and calculating, a stark contrast to the uncertainty Yeon-ah felt. "We split up," she said, her tone matter-of-fact. "One of us draws its attention, while the other gets to safety."
Yeon-ah's stomach churned at the thought. "And who's the bait?"
The woman didn't hesitate. "I am."
Yeon-ah opened her mouth to protest, but the woman cut her off with a sharp glance. "You're not ready for this kind of fight yet," she said, her voice firm but not unkind. "You've improved, but you still hesitate. Out there, hesitation gets you killed."
Yeon-ah clenched her fists, frustration bubbling up inside her. She hated feeling useless, hated the idea that she still wasn't strong enough. But the woman was right. She wasn't ready. Not yet.
"What about you?" Yeon-ah asked, her voice tight. "What if you don't make it back?"
The woman's lips twitched, almost forming a smile. "I've survived worse."
Yeon-ah's chest tightened, but she nodded, her mind racing with the weight of what they were about to do. She didn't like the plan, but there was no other choice. The woman had trained her well, but this was beyond her abilities for now.
They waited in silence for a few more moments, the tension between them palpable. The Deborer was getting closer, its heavy footsteps echoing through the empty landscape. There was no more time to hesitate.
The woman stood, her movements smooth and controlled as she unsheathed her blade. The sound of the metal slicing through the air was sharp, a reminder of the deadly skill she wielded.
"Stay low," she said, her voice quiet but commanding. "Once I've drawn it away, head for the east. There's an old outpost there—if it's still standing, it'll give you some cover."
Yeon-ah nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't want to leave the woman behind, didn't want to abandon her to face the Deborer alone. But she knew she had no choice.
The woman gave her one last glance, her eyes hard but not unkind. Then, without another word, she moved.
Yeon-ah watched in awe as the woman darted across the field, her movements swift and precise. She was like a shadow, blending into the darkness as she moved toward the Deborer. It didn't take long for the creature to notice her. Its glowing eyes locked onto her figure, and with a guttural roar, it charged.
The ground shook beneath Yeon-ah's feet as the Deborer barreled toward the woman, its massive form tearing through the landscape. But the woman didn't falter. She moved with the grace of a seasoned fighter, her blade flashing in the dim light as she danced around the creature, her strikes quick and deliberate.
Yeon-ah's breath caught in her throat as she watched the battle unfold. The woman was fast, faster than Yeon-ah had ever seen anyone move. Her blade sliced through the air with deadly precision, each strike aimed at the creature's weak points. But the Deborer was relentless, its massive form nearly unstoppable as it lunged at her again and again.
For a moment, it seemed like the woman was holding her own, her movements fluid and controlled. But the Deborer was too strong, too fast. It pressed its advantage, forcing her to retreat, its heavy blows shaking the ground with every strike.
Yeon-ah's heart raced, her hands trembling as she gripped the hilt of her blade. She wanted to help, wanted to rush in and fight alongside the woman. But she knew better. She wasn't ready. Not for this.
With one final, desperate strike, the woman managed to land a blow, her blade sinking deep into the creature's side. The Deborer let out a deafening roar, its massive form convulsing as it staggered back.
But it wasn't enough.
The creature lunged again, its massive claws slashing through the air. The woman dodged, but the force of the blow sent her crashing to the ground, her blade slipping from her grasp.
Yeon-ah's breath caught in her throat, panic surging through her veins as she watched the woman struggle to get back on her feet. The Deborer loomed over her, its glowing eyes filled with rage.
"Run!" the woman shouted, her voice hoarse but fierce.
Yeon-ah's legs felt like lead, her body frozen in place as she watched the scene unfold. She wanted to move, wanted to help, but she couldn't. Fear had rooted her to the spot, her mind racing with panic.
But then, something shifted.
The woman, despite the odds, stood tall, her eyes locked on the Deborer as if daring it to strike. Her blade was gone, but her resolve was unbroken. She was ready to face the creature, no matter the cost.
"Move!" the woman shouted again, her voice like a crack of thunder.
And this time, Yeon-ah obeyed.
She turned and ran, her heart pounding in her chest as she sprinted toward the east, her legs burning with the effort. Behind her, the sounds of the battle faded into the distance, the woman's fierce cries and the Deborer's roars blending into the night.
She didn't stop running until the bunker was nothing but a distant memory.