Sijun, Joon Woo, and Dr. Kim ventured into the ruins of the city, seeking out Echoes. They navigated through crumbling buildings and narrow alleys, avoiding monsters and traps. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and desperation.
As they explored, they stumbled upon a hidden underground market. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and desperation. Merchants peddled their wares, from scavenged goods to rare resources. Sijun's eyes widened as he took in the sights and sounds.
"A black market," Joon Woo said, his eyes scanning the area. "We might find Echoes here."
Sijun's gaze locked onto a shady-looking vendor. "Let's try our luck."
The vendor, a grizzled old man, eyed them warily. "What do you want?"
Dr. Kim stepped forward. "We're looking for Echoes."
The vendor snorted. "Those are rare. And expensive."
Joon Woo's eyes narrowed. "Name your price."
The vendor smiled, revealing crooked teeth. "I have one Echo. It'll cost you 1000 credits."
Sijun hesitated, but Joon Woo nodded. "We'll take it."
The vendor handed over a small, delicate vial filled with a shimmering liquid. "Be careful with that. It's fragile."
Dr. Kim examined the vial. "This is indeed an Echo. It contains the essence of human emotions and memories."
Sijun's eyes locked onto Joon Woo's. "This could be the key to restoring your humanity."
Joon Woo's expression remained skeptical, but Sijun saw a glimmer of hope.
QUEST UPDATE:
_Echoes Collected: 1/5_
_Reward: 400 EXP, increased trust with Joon Woo (35%)_
_Humanity +10%_
As they left the market, Sijun noticed a group of survivors watching them from the shadows. They seemed to be from a rival faction.
One of them, a young woman with a scar above her left eyebrow, stepped forward. "You're from the Safe Haven, aren't you?"
Sijun nodded. "We're just trying to survive."
The woman's gaze narrowed. "We've been watching you. You're getting close to something big."
Joon Woo's eyes locked onto hers. "What do you mean?"
The woman smiled. "Meet us at the old clock tower at midnight. We'll share information... for a price."
Sijun's mind raced with possibilities. What could this rival faction want?