"Run."

The word barely left Yukian's lips before she took off.

The creature was fast—too fast. Its long, twisted limbs moved unnaturally, its hollow black eyes locked onto them like prey.

Yukian didn't look back.

The pounding of her footsteps echoed through the empty city as she followed the red arrows marked along the buildings. She had no idea where they led, but they were better than running blind.

A few feet ahead, Shuntaro ran effortlessly, his blue hoodie billowing behind him, baggy shorts barely slowing him down. His pace was frustratingly casual, like this was just another game to him.

"Faster, sweetheart," he called over his shoulder. "Unless you wanna be its next meal."

She grit her teeth. I hate him.

A streetlight flickered ahead, revealing a third person darting into a nearby alleyway.

A player.

Yukian's heart jumped. We're not alone.

Without thinking, she and Shuntaro followed.

The alley was narrow, lined with rusted dumpsters and fire escapes. The other player—a tall, wiry man with dark hair and frantic eyes—was already scrambling to open a door at the far end.

"Let us in!" Yukian gasped, her legs burning from running.

The man turned, eyes wide with fear. He looked at them—then at the creature gaining on them.

And then—he smirked.

"Sorry," he panted. "Nothing personal."

He shoved the door open—then slammed it shut behind him.

Locking them out.

Yukian's stomach dropped.

"You—!"

A deep, guttural screech cut her off.

The creature was right behind them.

Shuntaro exhaled, shaking his head. "Tch. People are the worst."

Without hesitation, he grabbed Yukian's wrist and yanked her toward another exit.

"Move it, sweetheart. I'd rather not die because some coward threw a tantrum."

Yukian clenched her jaw and ran.

The timer on her wrist kept ticking down.

They needed to find the Red Gate.

And fast.

The creature shrieked, its unnatural limbs scraping against the concrete as it lunged.

Yukian barely managed to dodge, her shoulder slamming into a rusted dumpster as she stumbled forward. Her lungs burned, her heart pounded, and the timer on her wrist kept ticking down.

01:12:09

Shuntaro, still gripping her wrist, yanked her forward without missing a beat. "Not to rush you, sweetheart, but I'd rather not get eaten."

Yukian gritted her teeth. "You think I would?"

He just chuckled. "Well, you're slower than me, so..."

She almost kicked him.

Instead, she focused on running.

The alley opened into another street—rows of dark buildings, neon signs flickering weakly, the occasional painted red symbol pointing them forward.

But the creature wasn't stopping.

It moved too fast, too fluidly, its long limbs bending at unnatural angles as it chased them. Its empty, black eyes were locked onto Yukian.

Her stomach twisted.

It's hunting me.

Not Shuntaro. Me.

Why?

She didn't have time to think. The air grew colder, the creature's inhuman screeches cutting through the dead city like a warning.

01:09:32

Time was running out.

They turned another corner—

And Yukian's breath caught.

At the far end of the street, standing between two abandoned buildings, was a massive red gate.

"The Red Gate!" she gasped.

Shuntaro whistled. "Well, would you look at that?"

01:07:59

They had less than eight minutes left.

But then—

The Red Gate was closing.

The massive stone lid groaned as it descended, inch by inch. Three players had already made it through.

Only two spots left.

And the beast was right behind them.

Yukian's pulse pounded as she sprinted down the empty street, her legs burning, lungs screaming.

The glowing red timer on her wrist kept ticking down.

01:05:12

The beast's heavy, unnatural footsteps thundered behind them, its inhuman shriek piercing the air. It was gaining.

Shuntaro ran beside her, his blue hood pulled up, casting a shadow over his sharp blue eyes. Despite the chaos, he still looked annoyingly calm.

The gate was only a few yards away.

But the stone lid was falling fast.

Yukian pushed herself harder, her feet slamming against the pavement.

We have to make it.

01:03:49

The air grew colder.

A shadow loomed over them.

The beast lunged.

Yukian barely had time to scream—

When suddenly, her body was lifted off the ground.

"What—?!"

Shuntaro had grabbed her.

Before she could react, he scooped her into his arms—bridal style.

"Hold on tight, sweetheart," he muttered.

Then—

He sprinted.

The stone gate was barely two feet off the ground.

The beast's claws swung inches from their legs—

And then—

Shuntaro dove.

The two of them slid forward just as the lid slammed shut behind them.

A deafening crash echoed through the chamber.

Then—silence.

Shuntaro let out a low chuckle, still holding her. "Well, that was dramatic."

Yukian's heart was still racing. She could still feel the warmth of his body against hers.

Her face flushed. "Put me down."

He smirked. "Aww, but you fit so perfectly."

She punched his shoulder.

"Ow," he laughed, finally setting her down. "You're violent, sweetheart."

Yukian ignored him. Instead, she turned her gaze toward the space they had just entered.