The First Night

The atmosphere in the Scrap Field grows tense as the remaining Scrapers gather, wary and uncertain. Ryo scans the faces around him, noting the fear and exhaustion etched into their expressions. He catches a glimpse of the scarred man from earlier, who stares back with a cold, calculating gaze. Ryo quickly looks away, knowing that trust is a rare commodity in a place like this.

The Manager's voice booms once more:

"Prepare for the Nightfall. Those who failed to build a shelter will face the terrors of the night. Task: Survive until dawn."

Ryo's stomach drops. The Scrapers scramble, forming groups, some looking for materials to build makeshift shelters. Ryo curses under his breath; he was so focused on the Crap Berries that he didn't think about shelter. Now he's left with only a few minutes to figure out how to protect himself.

He spots a timid girl, Hana, who is fumbling with a bundle of sticks and leaves, trying to construct some sort of lean-to. Her hands are trembling, her movements clumsy and slow. She looks familiar to him — her demeanor reminds him of the girls he's often drawn to in his games and manhua, soft-spoken and gentle, but now is not the time for distractions.

Ryo approaches her cautiously, knowing he needs to act fast.

"Need some help?" he asks, his voice coming out rougher than he intended.

Hana looks up, startled, her eyes wide with fear. She nods hesitantly, and Ryo kneels beside her, quickly assessing her progress. The structure is flimsy, barely standing on its own. He glances around and spots a fallen tree nearby.

"Here, grab the thicker branches. We need to reinforce this if it's going to hold," he instructs, taking charge. Hana moves quickly, following his directions. They work in tense silence, racing against the clock. Just as they secure the last branch, a deep rumble shakes the ground.

The sky darkens even further, and a heavy mist rolls in. The temperature drops sharply, and a chill settles over the field. Ryo feels a prickling sensation on the back of his neck — an instinctive warning that danger is near.

Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream echoes through the air. Ryo spins around to see a group of Scrapers being attacked by shadowy figures, their forms indistinct and shrouded in darkness. The creatures move with unnatural speed, their eyes glowing a sinister red. They snarl and hiss, tearing into their victims with savage ferocity.

Ryo's heart pounds. He looks back at Hana, who is frozen in place, her face pale.

"Get inside!" he shouts, pushing her toward the shelter. She stumbles, but he catches her arm and pulls her under the crude covering they've built. They huddle together, listening to the sounds of chaos around them — the screams, the growls, the sound of flesh tearing.

Ryo's mind races. He knows their shelter is far from perfect; it could collapse at any moment. He clutches a thick branch, the closest thing he has to a weapon, and peers out through a small gap in the leaves. The creatures are moving through the field, dragging their victims away into the darkness.

He feels Hana's hand clutching his arm, her grip tight. He glances at her and sees the fear in her eyes. A part of him wants to reassure her, but he's not sure what to say. Instead, he focuses on the shadows, watching their movements, looking for patterns.

Minutes feel like hours. The night drags on, the screams becoming less frequent. Ryo's arm is cramping from holding the branch, but he doesn't dare relax. He senses that the creatures are still out there, lurking just beyond the mist.

Finally, as dawn begins to break, the mist starts to lift. The shadows retreat, fading back into the darkness from which they came. Ryo exhales a breath he didn't realize he was holding. They've survived… for now.

The Manager's voice returns, its tone mocking:

"Well done, Scrapers. Those who survived the Nightfall have proven their worth… for now. But remember, each night will be harder than the last. Prepare yourselves."

Ryo releases the branch and flexes his stiff fingers. His whole body feels tense and sore, but he's relieved to be alive. He looks over at Hana, who is still shaking, her eyes wide with terror. He feels a strange mix of emotions — relief, guilt, and a small, flickering spark of connection.

"We made it," he says, trying to sound reassuring. She nods, but her expression is distant. Ryo knows that while they may have survived this night, the real challenges are only just beginning.