The ruined streets of Seoul had turned into a maze of fire, smoke, and debris. Every step forward felt like navigating a puzzle made of corpses and memories.
Luo led the group carefully, eyes constantly scanning for both zombies and humans.
"Almost there," he whispered.
Mia's eyes widened. "Almost where? I thought we were just… running for survival!"
"You'll see soon enough," Luo said, a small grin forming despite the tension.
Lily smirked from behind him. "Finally, some proper shelter. I've had enough of alleys and crumbling buildings."
Mia scowled. "You're way too comfortable with everything, aren't you?"
"Not everything," Lily said mischievously. "Just with him."
Mia's face turned red instantly. She muttered under her breath, "I hate you…"
Luo chuckled softly. "You two are going to give me a headache before dinner."
---
The villa appeared as they rounded a ruined street corner. It was everything Mia imagined—and more. A modern fortress hidden among trees, walls still pristine despite the chaos.
Mia froze. "Wait… you actually own all this?"
"Yes," Luo said calmly. "Everything we need is inside."
Lily clapped her hands together. "Finally! Somewhere to sleep without worrying about zombies eating us for breakfast!"
Mia crossed her arms, muttering. "I can't believe this…"
Luo laughed quietly, shaking his head. "Welcome to my life. You're just now discovering it."
Mia's mind wandered for a second, remembering the day she almost kissed him years ago. If only… She shook her head, pushing the thought away. But Lily leaning on Luo as they approached the villa made her heart tighten all over again.
---
They approached the main door, but something felt… off.
The lock clicked in a strange way when Luo turned the handle.
"It's a trap," he muttered.
Before anyone could react, the ground beneath the doorway shifted slightly—pressure plates activating hidden mechanisms. Sharp metal spikes shot up from the floor.
"Watch out!" Luo yelled, shoving Mia to the side.
Lily jumped, rolling to avoid the spikes. "Who set this up?!"
Mia groaned, "You didn't mention traps in your villa!"
"I didn't think it would matter until now," Luo said dryly, then sprinted ahead, clearing the path carefully with a metal bar.
---
Once inside, the villa felt like a sanctuary. Canned food, bottled water, medical kits, and weapons were all neatly stored. The group breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Lily flopped onto a sofa dramatically. "Ahhh… comfort at last!"
Mia couldn't help but glare, sitting stiffly. "She just won't stop."
Luo laughed quietly, shaking his head. "She's harmless… mostly."
Lily leaned over Luo, nudging him with her elbow. "See? She's funny too."
Mia groaned. "You're deliberately doing this to make me jealous, aren't you?"
"Not at all," Luo said, trying to hide his own smile.
Lily winked. "Sure, sure…"
The tension was light, almost playful—but outside, danger waited.
---
A sudden noise startled them: the faint sound of boots on gravel.
Luo's head snapped toward the window. His chest tightened—not fear, but instinct. Something was tracking them.
"White Hand," he muttered.
Mia swallowed. "Again? How do they keep finding us?"
"They're good," Lily said, standing and peering through a broken shutter. "And probably pissed that we've been… surviving."
Luo checked the surrounding area, noting their escape routes and possible weak points. "We need to set up defenses," he said calmly.
Mia muttered, still glancing at Lily. "I swear, if she tries anything…"
Lily laughed. "Relax. You know he's mine—well, he's ours."
Mia's eye twitched. Luo sighed. Why did I let these two survive me?
---
Night fell.
The villa, once a peaceful hideout, became a fortress. They reinforced doors, blocked windows, and positioned themselves for the worst.
Lily, bored and restless, twirled a glass of water in her hand. Mia noticed—and froze.
"Uh… that water is… moving?" Mia whispered.
Lily's eyes widened slightly. The droplets on the floor bent subtly toward her fingers, forming tiny spirals. "Huh…" she murmured. "That's… weird."
Mia's jaw dropped. "You're controlling it."
Lily shrugged, confused and alarmed. "I didn't even think about it. It just… happened."
Luo frowned, his mind racing. Not fully… but it's reacting… to her… and maybe to me.
Mia flopped dramatically onto a chair. "Of course. She has powers too. Just to make everything perfect."
Lily laughed. "Hey! Don't act like you don't like him, too."
Mia groaned, hiding her face.
---
Outside, in the shadows, a White Hand operative observed the villa, speaking into a radio:
"Target group located. All units move in. Confirming presence of subject L and companions. Repeat: Subject L is inside the villa. Prepare for engagement."
Inside, Luo tightened his fists. Something in his chest stirred—familiar, strange, ancient.
He shook it off. Not yet.
Not tonight.
---
END OF CHAPTER 8