The moment the announcement ended, a sharp click echoed through the city.

Locks disengaging. Doors opening.

Something had been released.

Yukian's heartbeat pounded in her ears. Her breath came out uneven as she forced herself to move.

She wasn't the only one.

All at once, the other players scattered. Some ran for cover, ducking into alleyways or abandoned stores. Others sprinted blindly down the road, desperation in their eyes.

Find the exit before time runs out.

Yukian gritted her teeth. She didn't know where to start. The city stretched endlessly around her, streets leading into more streets, twisting alleyways, towering skyscrapers—any one of them could be hiding the Red Gate.

How the hell are we supposed to find it in two hours?

Her eyes flickered to the glowing timer in the sky.

01:58:43

Less than two hours now.

A scream tore through the air.

Yukian whipped around just in time to see a man collapse onto the pavement. Blood pooled beneath him, staining the cracked asphalt. A woman next to him stood frozen in horror, her body shaking violently.

Footsteps.

Fast. Heavy. Getting closer.

Yukian didn't stay to see what was coming. She ran.

The Hunt Begins

Her breath burned in her lungs as she sprinted down the empty street. Her mind raced, replaying the rules over and over.

"Only five may pass."

It wasn't a team game. It was a survival race.

And the city was massive.

She turned a corner, scanning the area. Rows of abandoned shops lined the sidewalk, their doors slightly ajar. Streetlights flickered weakly above her, barely illuminating the shadows stretching between buildings.

Somewhere in this city, the Red Gate was waiting.

She had no choice. She had to search everything.

Yukian forced herself to slow down, breathing hard as she reached a small convenience store. The glass doors were cracked, the inside completely dark. If the Red Gate was hidden, it could be anywhere.

She stepped inside, careful not to make noise. Shelves were still stocked with snacks, drinks, and random household supplies, as if the store had been frozen in time.

Her gaze darted around, searching for anything that stood out.

A sign. A glowing symbol. An open doorway.

Nothing.

She turned to leave—

Creak.

Her breath hitched. Footsteps.

She wasn't alone.

Yukian's breath caught in her throat.

The footsteps were slow, deliberate. Whoever it was, they weren't running in a panic like the others. They were approaching her.

She turned her head slightly, just enough to see a tall figure stepping out from the darkness between the shelves.

The first thing she noticed was his hair—a striking shade of red, slightly messy but effortlessly styled, as if he barely tried but still made it look perfect.

Then, his eyes.

A sharp, bright yellow that stood out against the dim light, gleaming with something between curiosity and amusement as they locked onto hers.

And then—he smirked.

Not panicked. Not desperate.

Amused.

"Wow," he murmured, tilting his head slightly. "You look like you just saw a ghost."

Yukian tensed. Who the hell is this guy?

He stepped closer, hands tucked casually into the pockets of his dark, slightly ripped jeans. Unlike her—who was still catching her breath from running—he looked completely at ease.

Like this wasn't a life-or-death survival game but a casual late-night stroll.

She took a step back, narrowing her eyes. "Who are you?"

His smirk widened. "You first, sweetheart."

Her stomach twisted. Sweetheart?

Was he seriously flirting in the middle of a death game?

She clenched her fists. "Yukian."

The boy let out a low hum, dragging his gaze over her like he was memorizing every detail.

"Pretty name," he said smoothly. "I'll make sure to remember it."

Yukian swallowed, forcing herself to stay composed. "Now you."

He chuckled, finally stopping a few feet away.

"The name's Shuntaro."

Something about the way he said it made her uneasy. Not because he sounded dangerous—but because he sounded too comfortable. Too relaxed for someone in this situation.

Yukian's grip on her bag tightened. She didn't trust him.

Shuntaro studied her in silence for a moment, his lips curling into an almost lazy grin.

"You're tense." He tilted his head. "You think I'm going to kill you?"

Yukian didn't answer.

His smile didn't fade. Instead, he took another step forward, just close enough that she could feel the warmth of his presence.

His voice dropped into a low whisper.

"Relax, sweetheart. If I wanted to kill you... I wouldn't make it so obvious."

Her entire body froze.

For a split second, she felt an overwhelming urge to punch him in the face.

But before she could react—

A loud BANG echoed through the city.

A distant scream followed.

The game was still happening. People were still dying.

Shuntaro sighed, running a hand through his messy blonde hair. "Well, guess we should get moving." His electric blue eyes flickered back to hers. "Wanna team up?"

Yukian's jaw clenched. Trusting him could be a mistake. But being alone might be worse.

She had seconds to decide.