003: Who Are You?

The growling sounds outside the room grew louder, closer. Everyone froze, hearts pounding, fear gripping them as they waited for whatever was lurking in the shadows.

Jaeha's eyes met the bearded man's. No words were needed—they both knew they were in danger. The bearded man whispered to the crying woman, briefly brushing her shoulder before stepping forward to join Jaeha.

The woman wiped her tears and scrambled back from the door. Noah, wide-eyed, started to follow Jaeha, but Jaeha quickly motioned for him to stay with the women.

"Help them. Keep away from the door," Jaeha instructed in a tense whisper.

The two men approached the door cautiously. The bearded man cracked it open just enough for Jaeha to peek outside. At first, the hallway beyond was empty, silent.

Then something shifted in the corner of his vision. Something monstrous.

Jaeha's heart skipped a beat. He shoved the door shut. "Hold it! Don't let it open!"

The bearded man, caught off guard, threw his weight against the door as something slammed into it from the other side.

Sweat beaded on Jaeha's forehead as he scanned the room for something—anything—to block the door. The force from outside was tremendous, shaking the door as whatever was out there rammed into it again and again. The woman in office clothes caught a glimpse through the gap. Her eyes widened in horror, and she collapsed, fainting on the spot.

Noah, busy tending to her, hadn't seen the creature. The younger woman in the corner was oblivious, too absorbed in her trembling and nail-biting to notice.

Jaeha spotted a row of lockers and began shoving them toward the door. "Help me!" he yelled at the bearded man, who was straining to keep the door shut.

"What the hell is out there?!" the bearded man growled, his muscles bulging as he held back the relentless force.

Jaeha gritted his teeth. "It looked like... a dog. A dog's head, but with blood pouring from its eyes and nose. And it was wearing clothes."

The bearded man let out a frustrated laugh. "A dog... wearing clothes? This is insane!"

With the lockers pressed against the door, the men braced themselves, but the creature outside was too strong. The growling intensified, shaking the walls. The door's hinges were nearly torn from their frame.

"Stay back!" Jaeha barked at Noah, who was trying to help.

Noah quickly focused on the fainted woman, lying her flat and raising her legs to restore blood flow. His scouting experience had taught him basic first aid, though he never thought he'd be using it in a situation like this.

Jaeha and the bearded man exchanged panicked glances as they struggled to keep the door shut. The hinges finally gave way. The door burst open, revealing the creature in full.

It had the head of a blood-soaked dog, its skin melted away to reveal bone and raw tissue. Its tattered clothes clung to a humanoid body. The sight of it froze everyone in their tracks. Even Noah, calm until now, trembled as he looked on in horror.

The younger woman let out a scream, her voice only agitating the beast further. It lunged at Jaeha and the bearded man.

But before it could strike, the sound of metal scraping the floor echoed down the corridor, followed by a low whistle. The creature halted, turning its head toward the noise.

A shadowy figure emerged from the far end of the hall. Slowly, the figure came into view: a man in a worn leather jacket, patches stitched along the arms, a long blade dragging behind him. In his other hand, he carried a severed head.

The man's tone was casual, as if strolling through a park.

"So, there you are. I've been looking for you. Thought I'd bring your friend along..." He raised the monster's head, his eyes glinting.

Enraged, the creature charged. The man smirked, tossing the severed head forward. Then, in a blur, he moved, his blade slicing through the air.

The creature paused, as if confused, before its head slowly slid from its neck and hit the floor with a dull thud.

The man wiped his blade and sheathed it, barely sparing the fallen creature a glance. His red eyes locked on Jaeha and the others, and he began walking toward them, his face breaking into a smile.

Jaeha and the bearded man tensed, unsure if this newcomer was friend or foe.

"Looks like I arrived just in time," the man said with a grin, stepping into the room. His presence was as unsettling as the monster's had been.

"Is anyone hurt?" he asked, his tone oddly gentle. "Don't worry, I got here before the pack showed up. They're a pain to deal with in numbers."

He extended his hand toward Jaeha. "Name's Zero. I've been waiting for you."

Jaeha eyed Zero's bloodstained gloves but eventually shook his hand. "Yoon Jaeha. And this is..."

"Kim Taegeuk," the bearded man introduced himself.

Noah, starstruck, quickly followed, but the women remained silent, too shaken to speak.

Zero glanced at the trembling woman in the corner, his expression softening. Jaeha moved to stop him, but Taegeuk held him back, shaking his head.

Zero knelt in front of the woman. "Hey, it's okay. You did well to stay strong. You're safe now." He gently patted her head.

The woman slowly lifted her gaze, her tear-filled eyes meeting Zero's. Something in his red eyes seemed to calm her. She burst into tears, throwing herself into his arms. Zero hugged her gently, patting her back until her sobs quieted.

Once she fell asleep in his arms, Zero looked up at Jaeha and Taegeuk.

"You must have a lot of questions," he said with a sigh. "I'll answer everything once we're somewhere safe. For now, I need your cooperation."

He stood, motioning for Jaeha to help carry the sleeping woman. "It's almost dusk. This place will be crawling with those things soon."

Jaeha hesitated but complied, lifting the woman onto his back. The others gathered their strength, warily following Zero. No one fully trusted him, but they had no choice.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, darkness crept in. Whatever lay beyond the safety of the abandoned factory, they weren't prepared to face it alone.