The growls of the Devourers grew louder, reverberating through the cracked walls of the building like a dark promise. Yeon-ah could feel the weight of the impending danger pressing down on her chest, her heart pounding in her ears. The creatures were close now, too close, and there was no time to waste.
She gripped her sword tighter, her yellow eyes narrowing as she scanned the darkened entrance for any sign of movement. The woman beside her was already preparing, her own weapon in hand, her body tense and ready for the fight ahead. Despite the injury to her arm, she moved with a practiced precision, a soldier through and through.
Juna, though trembling with fear, had steeled herself, her small frame hunched as she clutched a small knife. It wasn't much, but in a world like this, every weapon mattered. Her wide eyes flicked between Yeon-ah and the woman, seeking reassurance in the moments before the inevitable battle.
The old man they had pulled inside remained huddled in the corner, his frail body shaking uncontrollably. He was no fighter; that much was clear. His hollow eyes betrayed the depths of his fear, and Yeon-ah wondered if he would even survive the night. But now was not the time to dwell on such thoughts.
A sudden crash shattered the tense silence as one of the windows burst inward, glass scattering across the floor. The first Devourer had arrived, its monstrous form silhouetted against the dim light. It was grotesque, its body covered in thick, sinewy flesh, its many eyes gleaming with a sickly hunger. The creature let out a guttural growl, its massive claws digging into the floor as it advanced.
"We fight," the woman's voice was calm but commanding, cutting through the tension like a blade.
Yeon-ah's body moved on instinct. She lunged forward, her sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. The Devourer's head snapped toward her, its many eyes focusing on her all at once, but it was too late to react. Her blade struck true, slashing across its chest, thick black blood spraying from the wound.
The creature howled in pain, rearing back as it swung its massive clawed arm at Yeon-ah, but she was already moving. She ducked low, avoiding the strike by inches, her heart racing as she regained her footing. The adrenaline surged through her veins, heightening her senses as the battle raged around her.
The woman had already engaged a second Devourer that had broken through another window. Despite her injury, she fought with a grace and efficiency that was almost mesmerizing. Each movement was calculated, each strike deliberate. She danced around the beast, her blade flashing in the dim light as she drove it back with a series of precise blows.
Juna, though clearly terrified, stood her ground. She had taken up a defensive position near the old man, her eyes darting between the approaching threats. She was young, inexperienced, but she was learning. Surviving.
The first Devourer, though wounded, was far from defeated. It lunged at Yeon-ah with terrifying speed, its jaws snapping inches from her face. She barely managed to parry the blow with her sword, the force of the impact reverberating through her arms. The creature was relentless, its hunger driving it forward despite the blood that now poured from its wounds.
Yeon-ah gritted her teeth, her muscles burning with the effort as she pushed back against the beast. She could feel her strength waning, the fight taking its toll on her already exhausted body. But there was no room for weakness here, not if they wanted to survive.
With a quick flick of her wrist, she redirected her blade, aiming for the creature's vulnerable neck. The sword bit deep into its flesh, the creature letting out a strangled roar as it staggered backward, blood spilling from the gaping wound. Yeon-ah pressed her advantage, striking again and again, until the Devourer finally collapsed, its lifeless body crashing to the floor.
She didn't have time to catch her breath. Another crash echoed through the building, and Yeon-ah turned just in time to see a third Devourer forcing its way through the rubble. The woman was still locked in combat with the second beast, her movements precise but slowing as the fight dragged on.
"Juna!" Yeon-ah called, her voice sharp with urgency.
Juna's eyes snapped toward her, wide with fear but alert.
"Get the old man out of here!" Yeon-ah barked, her sword already raised as she moved to intercept the third Devourer. "Go!"
Juna hesitated for only a second before grabbing the old man by the arm, helping him to his feet. He stumbled, his legs weak and shaking, but with Juna's support, he began to move. They hurried toward the back of the building, away from the advancing creatures.
Yeon-ah swung her sword at the third Devourer, the blade cutting deep into its thick hide. The creature roared, its massive claws swiping at her with terrifying speed. She dodged to the side, barely avoiding the strike as it tore through the wall beside her, sending debris flying.
The fight was brutal, relentless. Yeon-ah's muscles screamed in protest, her body already pushed to its limits, but she refused to give in. She couldn't. Not now. Not when they were so close to getting out of this alive.
The woman had finally finished off her opponent, the second Devourer falling to the ground in a heap. She turned to face Yeon-ah, her expression unreadable but determined. Together, they moved in unison, their blades flashing as they cornered the final creature.
It was a fierce battle, the Devourer fighting with the ferocity of a cornered animal, but in the end, it stood no chance against the two of them. Yeon-ah's sword found its mark, slicing through the creature's throat in a final, decisive blow. The beast let out a wet gurgle before collapsing, its body twitching once before going still.
The room fell silent once more, save for the ragged breaths of the two survivors. Yeon-ah's chest heaved as she wiped the blood from her face, her hands trembling with exhaustion. The woman was no better, her injured arm hanging limply at her side, but her eyes were still sharp, still focused.
"They'll be back," the woman said quietly, her voice steady despite the situation.
Yeon-ah nodded, her yellow eyes dark with understanding. The Devourers were never truly gone. They always returned, hungrier, more desperate. This was far from over.
"Come on," Yeon-ah said, turning toward the back of the building where Juna and the old man had gone. "We need to move before more of them find us."
The woman followed without a word, her steps silent despite the exhaustion that weighed them down. Together, they moved through the ruins, the shadows of survival ever looming over them.