Whispers rippled through the crowd.
"She's really a human… look!"
Dozens of eyes turned toward Yurim — wide, disbelieving.
The cat-like creature snarled and lunged, its sharp teeth flashing. Yurim panicked, trying to stand — but her legs gave out.
Before she could scream—
Thud!
A shoe slammed into the creature's head, making it stumble back with a hiss.
Yurim turned, startled.
"Yunho…"
He was running toward her, panting, one shoe missing.
But before she could speak, someone grabbed her wrist.
"Run — now!" Rian shouted.
He pulled her to her feet, and the three of them bolted through the narrow street.
"Look! They're taking her away!" someone yelled.
"Get them! Catch the human!"
The human-looking creatures roared and began chasing, their footsteps pounding behind.
"Running with one shoe is annoying," Yunho muttered under his breath — then yanked off the other and flung both at the nearest pursuers.
"Here — keep them!"
The streets twisted and split. They darted between stalls, down narrow alleys, trying to shake the mob.
"I can't… run anymore…" Yurim gasped, her voice breaking. Her legs trembled. "I can't…"
"Just a little more, Yurim!" Yunho shouted, breathless.
But she was already collapsing.
Rian caught her just in time, wrapping an arm around her before she hit the ground. Her eyes fluttered weakly, her body heavy in his hold.
Yunho glanced back — they were still coming, faster now.
"Damn it — they're not stopping!"
They burst into a crowded market — stalls, carts, and noise everywhere. Chaos was spreading.
Then Rian's eyes locked onto something — an open truck idling at the far end of the street, engine rumbling, about to move.
He gave Yunho a quick look, tightening his grip on Yurim's hand. Yunho understood instantly.
"Go!"
Yunho swung his bag at the crowd closing in, creating a powerful block with his body, forcing Rian and Yurim through the gap.
They sprinted, lungs burning, hearts hammering.
Rian and Yurim scrambled onto the truck bed. Rian turned back, his hand outstretched toward Yunho, who was now holding the pursuing monsters back with a fierce, challenging grin.
"Don't worry about me! Just take her away!" Yunho shouted, shoving the nearest pursuer back as the truck started to slowly roll forward.
Rian could only nod once, his jaw tight, as the distance widened. Yunho's voice and the crowd's shouts faded into the distance.
For a brief moment, only the sound of the truck's rattling engine filled the air.
Rian let out a long sigh and slowly sat opposite Yurim, breathing hard and coughing from exhaustion. His shoulders slumped, his shirt sticking to his skin from the heat.
He watched quietly as the rough pavement became a dirt road.
After some time, he glanced at Yurim — she was already asleep.
Her legs were pulled close to her chest, her head resting on her knees. The truck jolted beneath her, making her small body sway lightly with every bump in the road.
She looked almost funny in that curled-up position — her cheek pressed against her knees. Each time the truck bounced, her head bobbed, but she didn't wake.
The golden light made her look softer — almost peaceful — something Rian hadn't seen in days.
He watched her quietly, a faint, tired smile forming on his face.
For a moment, he remembered the time she had saved him from those rough-looking monsters — back when he'd thought she was just another lost girl.
Without thinking much, he looked ahead again. They were already far from the city now. Long grass swayed on both sides of the dirt road, golden fields stretching endlessly under a calm, clear sky.
The sun dipped lower, painting the world in the colors of dusk.
For the first time in days, everything was silent.
Just as he closed his eyes, the engine sputtered — stuttering, shaking the floor beneath them.
Both Yurim and Rian jolted awake.
They looked toward the front.
The truck door creaked open.
Someone was climbing out.
Rian and Yurim exchanged a panicked glance.