Amid the passing scenery, a flash of brown hair appeared.
Yoon Ga-eul was running desperately. From the radio in her trembling hand, the distorted voice of the Awakened Management Bureau echoed through the static.
"...We've received a report of a gate forming at Saebom Girls' High School athletic field. The report came from the vice principal. Prioritize deployment of support personnel..."
"...There's no available team ready to move immediately..."
Ga-eul pushed through the school gate and sprinted inside. The students and their families were using the gymnasium as an evacuation shelter. Schools had higher rescue priority than other shelters, so people preferred them. Though she was staggering, nearly collapsing with every step, she kept running toward the gym.
Gripping the radio tightly, she shouted,
"Da-yeon! Min-ji!"
Then she froze. A crack had split open above the athletic field. From that gaping rift, something enormous and white forced its way out: a massive monster, shrieking with a chilling, ear-splitting cry. One clawed hand grasped at the air, dragging its head through the gap. Her legs trembled violently.
From beyond the gym window came a panicked voice.
"Ga-eul! Why are you still out there? Get inside, now!"
It was her teacher's voice. Ga-eul clenched her fists and pulled out the collapsible baton issued by the Bureau. Snap! It extended with a metallic sound. She caught her breath and muttered under it.
"It's okay..."
Pressing a trembling hand over her heart, she whispered,
"I just need to hold out until support arrives... I can do this... I've had basic training, and I'm an S-rank... It's fine. I can do this."
SCREEEEECH!
The monster's scream shook the ground. Ga-eul lifted her chin. Behind her glasses, her eyes gleamed gold. She broke into a sprint, straight toward the monster forcing its way through the rift.
Yoon Ga-eul.
The sand tangled around Eui-jae's feet dissolved into dust.
"Damn it, what the hell is that thing...?!"
Nearby, fallen hunters coughed up blood as they struggled to stand. In front of them loomed a monster with a crocodile's head on a kangaroo's body, swinging a broken utility pole like a club. It roared and lunged.
At that moment,
BOOM!
Someone shot forward, smashing a fist into the monster's face. Dust and debris burst into the air. When it cleared, the figure stood revealed, broad, scarred, muscles stitched like a patchwork doll, streaks of gray in his black hair. He glanced back once.
It was Song Jo-heon, the long-missing Guild Leader of Samra Guild.
"Guild Leader S–Song...?"
"Go."
He adjusted the knuckle guards on his hands. His eyes gleamed.
"I'll take care of this one."
"Th–thank you, Guild Leader!"
The Hunters stumbled away, dragging each other. Song Jo-heon charged. His fist met the monster's skull.
THUD!
He grinned through his teeth.
Song Jo-heon.
The ground underfoot grew lighter.
Sweat streamed down Jung Bin's chin. Before him towered a golem larger than a five-story building. Blood dripped steadily from his arm. He tore off his sleeve and bound the wound tight with his teeth. The old scar on his forearm, a reminder of a previous battle with a golem, was reopened. He wrapped his arm in a coil of black chains.
"Team Leader, should we call for support?"
"No. We're short on manpower already. I'll hold this position. Everyone else retreat and reinforce another area. Maybe that high school mentioned over comms..."
"How can you handle that thing alone?!"
"I'm not handling it, I'm stalling it. We have to move efficiently. That's not a suggestion, it's an order. Fall back."
"Team Leader!"
Jung Bin didn't answer.
He was good at close combat, but weak against massive, heavy-type monsters. If neither the best nor the second-best option was possible, he'd choose the lesser evil.
He stepped into the golem's shadow. The massive creature creaked, its stone body grinding as it slowly turned its head.
Jung Bin exhaled a low breath and pulled several pitons, tools meant to drive into cliff faces, from his belt.
"Let's buy as much time as we can... until backup arrives."
He threw a piton, lodging it into the golem's arm. Then, as he turned his head, his eyes met Eui-jae's for a brief instant.
"...I'm counting on you, J."
Jung Bin.
The sand around his ankles scattered into mist.
"Haap!"
Clang! Bae Won-woo's shield deflected a massive sword strike. The moment he lowered his guard, vines shot up on either side of his head, piercing through the monster's arms.
KIEEEEK!
It screamed and dropped its weapon. Won-woo leapt up and drove the bottom edge of his shield into its neck.
Thud. The creature crumpled.
Outside the Pado Guild's evacuation shelter, the ground was tangled with roots and trees. Bae Won-woo wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Damn it, of all places... a gate opens right in front of the shelter."
"Should we split up, Vice Guild Leader?"
Kang Ji-soo tied up her red hair and looked at him. Bae Won-woo shook his head.
"No. If something strong comes out while we're split, it'll be a nightmare. Protecting the shelter comes first."
"Ugh, I wanted to help the others, though."
"Can't be helped. Go check inside before the next wave starts. I'll yell when it begins."
"Got it, Vice Guild Leader."
Ji-soo quietly opened the side door and peeked inside. Families huddled in small tents. Somewhere, a child sobbed. The granddaughter of the hangover soup restaurant owner clung to her grandmother, crying.
"...Damn."
Ji-soo shut the door and crouched back beside Bae Won-woo.
"Back already?"
"Can't stand seeing kids cry."
"...Yeah."
Won-woo clicked his tongue softly.
"It's hard to watch."
Then, the gate flared again. Both of them rose, shields and weapons ready.
Bae Won-woo. Kang Ji-soo. And... the grandmother and Ha-eun.
Their feet felt weightless.
"..."
Cha Eui-jae no longer looked back at the past he could never return to. He no longer stood still, chained by regrets he couldn't undo.
Because now he had somewhere to return to. People waiting for him.
Eui-jae increased his pace, running beside Sa-young. Sa-young glanced at him, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"Looks like you've finally figured something out."
"...Thanks to you."
"Then pick up the pace. The ones outside can't hold out forever."
"I know that!"
Hand in hand, they ran faster, matching each other's steps, catching one another whenever one stumbled, slowing slightly when the other gasped for air.
Around them, countless memories streamed past, faces and lives they didn't know, people who, like them, had run toward the heart of the apocalypse. Weapons in hand. Faces set with grim determination.
Then, the white sand beneath their feet gave way to something solid, a roughly beaten path, uneven but firm, like a mountain trail carved by many feet.
Eui-jae knew instinctively: This path had been made by those who came before. Others who had resisted the end. They failed, but they left their mark, this road was proof of it.
'Will we be the same? Just paving a road for others before disappearing... or…'
They slowed, walking along the path until it ended abruptly.
Before them stood a massive white wall, stretching endlessly upward. Eui-jae struck it with his fist, no mark. He thrust his spear, no effect.
Sa-young placed his hand on the wall, focusing. A sweet scent filled the air as poison poured from his palm. The surface hissed, slightly melting, but it wasn't enough.
Eui-jae kicked the wall hard.
"Damn it... we came all this way...!"
He ran a hand through his ash-gray hair, eyes tracing the endless height above. 'Did the others stop here too? Unable to go further?'
"Let's back up and observe first."
Sa-young said, tugging Eui-jae's wrist gently.
Eui-jae nodded and stepped back.
Just then,
Flap.
Two black shadows passed by their sides, familiar figures, black hair and black coats.
"You two...!"
It was the Eui-jae and Sa-young from the ruined world. Their eyes met. The other Eui-jae grinned darkly, his black eyes gleaming. They thrust their hands into the wall and pulled hard.
CRRRRKKK!
The wall tore open, revealing a small gap.
A chance!
Eui-jae grabbed Sa-young's wrist and leapt toward it. The gap was shrinking fast. He jammed his foot inside, holding it open.
"Are you insane?!"
Sa-young shouted.
"What now?!"
"You'll lose your damn foot! You've got a spear, use it!"
"Oh, right."
"Why does your body always move before your brain?!"
"Shut up and get your hand in there too!"
Clicking his tongue, Sa-young thrust his hand into the gap beside Eui-jae's foot. Eui-jae kicked left, Sa-young pulled right, like prying open a door.
Two Eui-jaes, two Sa-youngs. Together, they twisted the gap wide open.
CRRRK!
The sound of tearing echoed as the gap widened just enough for two people to fit through.
Panting, Eui-jae caught his breath, then felt a sudden shove from behind.
He turned sharply.
The other Eui-jae and Sa-young stood there. The first raised a hand in a lazy wave. The second, arms crossed, jerked his chin: 'go on.'
"Those bastards…!"
Sa-young cursed as they tumbled forward.
Eui-jae let out a breathless laugh then burst into full laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
At the same time,
THUD.
The gap closed behind them.