After completing the gruesome first scenario in the supermarket, Yun Ha-jin barely had time to process his actions before the Dokkaebi returned, floating lazily in the air, flashing its trademark grin.
"Surviving alone can be fun, but it's time to see how you play with others. Sub-scenario incoming!"
Sub-Scenario 1.1: Secure an Ally
Objective: Form an alliance with one other participant within 30 minutes. Failure to do so will result in instant death. The alliance must be genuine, meaning both parties must voluntarily agree.
The announcement made Ha-jin tense for a brief moment. He was far more comfortable handling things on his own, with his abilities and his demon persona at the ready. But the rules were clear. A fake alliance would mean certain death. He'd read about similar sub-scenarios in Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse, but actually experiencing one was different.
The Hunt for an Ally
Ha-jin scanned the wreckage around him. Others who survived the supermarket massacre had scattered, either hiding or desperately searching for potential allies. His precise sensory kicked in, allowing him to detect faint movements and whispered voices in the distance. He could hear the rustling of feet, the trembling of breath, and the creak of broken concrete as survivors navigated through the decaying cityscape.
He turned on his Noticed ability, instantly fading into the background, making it easier to stalk others without drawing attention. There were people nearby, just waiting to be approached, manipulated, or if needed, disposed of.
He spotted a pair of survivors—two young men huddled together behind a pile of debris. They were already in conversation, one desperately trying to convince the other to trust him.
"Come on, man, we'll die if we don't form a group!" one of the men said, his voice strained with desperation.
"How do I know you won't turn on me?" the other replied.
Ha-jin watched from the shadows. Their distrust was palpable. Perfect. His demon persona stirred inside him, eager to exploit this situation, but Ha-jin restrained it. This wasn't the time for brute force. He needed to play his cards carefully.
Making the Approach
Deactivating Noticed, Ha-jin stepped out from the shadows, drawing the attention of the two men. They immediately stood up, eyes wide with suspicion.
"Who are you?" the first man demanded, holding a broken pipe defensively in front of him.
"Just another survivor like you," Ha-jin said calmly, raising his hands slightly. "We all have the same problem, don't we? We need an ally, or we're dead."
They hesitated, sizing him up. Ha-jin could sense their fear and uncertainty with his heightened senses. They weren't sure if they could trust him, but with the clock ticking, they didn't have many options.
"Why should we trust you?" the second man asked, his grip on a metal rod tightening.
"You shouldn't," Ha-jin said bluntly. "But the alternative is worse. Either we work together, or none of us make it past this sub-scenario."
There was silence as they considered his words. Ha-jin's cold demeanor unnerved them, but the logic was sound. They didn't have time to argue or weigh every option. Finally, the first man gave a reluctant nod.
"Fine," he said. "We'll form an alliance."
"Good choice," Ha-jin replied, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He knew this alliance wouldn't last beyond the sub-scenario, but that didn't matter. All that mattered was survival.
Sub-Scenario Completed
The Dokkaebi reappeared above them, clapping sarcastically. "Well done! It seems you've managed to make a friend! Sub-Scenario 1.1: Secure an Ally—complete!"
Ha-jin exhaled quietly. It wasn't over yet, but he had bought himself more time. The two men were already starting to let their guard down, thinking they had found a temporary reprieve.
But Ha-jin knew better. Trust was a fleeting currency in this world, and alliances would crumble as the scenarios grew deadlier. For now, though, he had done what was necessary. He could feel his demon persona simmering just beneath the surface, ready for the inevitable moment when these temporary alliances would fall apart.
As Yun Ha-jin prowled through the shattered streets, his mind was already calculating his next move. The sub-scenario demanded an ally, but in a world like this, trust was as dangerous as a knife to the throat. His eyes scanned the area, picking up every sound, every breath.
In the distance, he spotted a woman kneeling beside an overturned cart, her eyes wide and frantic. She was clearly alone perfect prey.
With a simple thought, Ha-jin activated Noticed, his body seemingly fading from awareness. It was an odd sensation, to walk toward someone while their gaze passed over him as if he wasn't there. Noticed allowed him to remain undetected whenever someone focused on him, as though their conscious mind couldn't process his presence. He had used it many times now, experimenting with its effects, watching people grow confused as their instincts screamed but their minds refused to acknowledge him.
The woman's head whipped around in his direction, scanning the area, but her eyes slid right past him, missing his form entirely. He walked closer, watching her trembling hands grip a broken bottle.
"You can stop hiding," Ha-jin said quietly, releasing Noticed and letting himself materialize in her awareness.
She flinched, jumping back as if he had appeared from thin air. Her eyes widened, filled with uncertainty and fear.
"W-who are you? What do you want?" she stammered, raising the bottle defensively.
"Same as you," Ha-jin said, his voice calm but firm. "We need allies to survive this sub-scenario. We have less than 20 minutes left."
The panic in her eyes flickered with the realization. She glanced around, seeing no other option. The thought of failing alone was clearly weighing on her.
"We don't have to trust each other," Ha-jin added, his tone calculating. "We just need to stay alive. Form the alliance, and we walk out of this alive. It's simple."
She hesitated, but Ha-jin could feel the walls of her resistance crumbling. Her options were limited, and the alternative was death.
Finally, she gave a reluctant nod, lowering her weapon slightly. "Fine. But try anything"
"You won't even see me coming." Ha-jin smirked, knowing full well she never could, not with Noticed at his disposal.
Another temporary ally. Another step toward survival.
As the woman lowered her makeshift weapon and cautiously accepted the alliance, Ha-jin felt a flicker of satisfaction. This was how the game worked play on fear, give them hope, and secure his survival. For now, she was an ally. But for how long? His mind was already calculating how best to manipulate the situation.
Then, from deep within, a familiar voice stirred. Cold, dark, and relentless.
"So, what will it be?" his inner demon whispered, the tone dripping with malice. "Break her and use her like the others? Or do you actually believe this ally could be genuine?"
Ha-jin's expression remained neutral, his gaze fixed on the woman, who was still eyeing him with lingering suspicion. His demon was right. The question wasn't whether she was an ally now it was whether he could afford to let her stay one.
For a moment, he said nothing, letting the silence hang between him and the voice in his head. Then, with a slight smirk, he thought back to the demon within him: "We'll see."