Chapter 13: Unsteady Alliances

Sehan stepped closer to the fire, the crackling flames illuminating the wary faces of the survivors. A mix of men and women—some clad in armor, others in tattered clothes—sat in tense silence. Their bodies bore signs of exhaustion, their gazes sharp with suspicion.

As he approached, hands instinctively gripped weapons.

"Who are you?"

A man with a scar across his cheek spoke first, his voice edged with caution. His armor was dented and worn, battle-tested, but the way he carried himself spoke of experience.

Sehan raised his hands slightly, signaling he meant no harm. "Just a traveler who saw the fire and thought it might mean safety."

A woman with piercing eyes, her bow resting across her lap, studied him intently. "Safety is a rare thing in Valtaros. You're either prey or predator. Which are you?"

Sehan smirked, his gaze unwavering. "I suppose that depends on the situation."

The group exchanged glances—some intrigued, others skeptical.

The scarred man gave a slow nod. "Fine. Sit. But don’t try anything."

Sehan lowered himself near the fire, letting its warmth sink into his skin. He could feel their eyes still on him, sizing him up just as he did them. Judging by their gear and demeanor, they were early survivors, still trying to navigate this treacherous world. Unlike him, they had no advantage of knowledge.

"What happened here?" Sehan asked, his gaze sweeping over the makeshift camp.

The archer woman sighed, her fingers tracing the worn edges of her bow. "Monsters roam the night. We lost people getting here. We don’t even know if staying is safer than moving."

A younger man, jittery and restless, scoffed. "As if moving would help. We don’t even know where to go!"

Sehan remained quiet for a moment, calculating. These people were disorganized. Frightened. But that also made them useful.

"I have some information," he said, choosing his words carefully. "I might know where we can find shelter."

That caught their attention.

The scarred man leaned forward. "And what do you want in return?"

Sehan smiled. "Just cooperation."

The fire crackled between them, the unspoken tension thick. For now, an agreement had been made. Whether it would last… only time would tell.