The Old Man and The Boy

The group sat in the dimly lit corner of the warehouse, the cold air settling in their bones. The tension from their encounter with Taro and his gang still hung thick in the air. Yuuto was leaning against a crumbling wall, his eyes closed as he tried to gather his thoughts. They needed to get out of the gang's clutches, but they were running out of options.

Rika stirred beside him, her voice soft but filled with worry. "We can't stay here much longer. I don't trust them. They're only letting us stay because they think they can use us."

Yuuto opened his eyes, nodding in agreement. "We need to find a way out, but we'll need a plan. Something quick."

Suddenly, the heavy metal doors of the warehouse creaked open. The group instantly tensed, weapons ready, expecting more of Taro's gang or worse—a new threat from the system. But what stepped through the door wasn't an enemy.

A small boy, no older than seven, cautiously walked in. He was wearing a large, oversized jacket that practically swallowed him, and his face was smudged with dirt. Following behind him was an elderly man with a long gray beard and a calm, steady demeanor. His weathered face held a wisdom that immediately drew Yuuto's attention.

The group exchanged surprised glances, lowering their weapons but staying on guard. The boy stopped in the middle of the room, glancing nervously at the strangers in front of him. The old man put a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder and took a step forward.

"Apologies for the intrusion," the old man said, his voice deep but gentle. "We're not with the gang. We've been... wandering. Looking for other survivors."

Yuuto took a step toward them, his eyes narrowed with suspicion but also curiosity. "Who are you?"

The old man nodded in acknowledgment, his hand still gently resting on the boy's shoulder. "My name is Gajin Miyamoto. This is Rin Touya. We've been surviving out here on our own for a while now."

Aya, still holding her weapon cautiously, asked, "How did you survive? It's been a bloodbath out here with the system throwing monsters at us."

Gajin sighed, his face somber. "I've lived a long life and learned to rely on my instincts. As for Rin, I found him not long after the games started. He was alone, hiding from the system's creations. We've been moving ever since, avoiding the worst of the dangers."

The boy, Rin, stayed quiet, his wide eyes scanning the group. There was something haunting about his gaze, like he had seen more horrors than any child his age should have.

Yuuto relaxed slightly, sensing no immediate threat from the two. "You're welcome to stay here, but I have to warn you. The gang that controls this place isn't exactly friendly. They only tolerate us because they think they can use us."

Gajin nodded in understanding. "I figured as much. We've crossed paths with similar groups before. But we have nowhere else to go for now."

Kazuki glanced at Yuuto, still skeptical. "We can't afford to trust everyone we meet. How do we know they're not with the system?"

Yuuto understood Kazuki's hesitation, but something about Gajin and Rin told him they were different. They had the look of survivors, not manipulators or enemies. "We have no reason to think they're part of the system. And even if they are, we'll handle it."

Rika, who had been watching Rin closely, stepped forward with a soft smile. "Are you hungry, Rin?"

The boy hesitated before nodding. Rika reached into her bag and pulled out a small piece of bread, handing it to him. Rin accepted it cautiously, his eyes wide with both hunger and gratitude.

Gajin smiled kindly at Rika. "Thank you. It's been hard finding enough food for the both of us."

Miki, who had been quiet throughout the exchange, spoke up. "We're planning to leave soon. This place isn't safe, and we can't trust the gang. If you two are coming with us, you'll need to be ready for anything."

Gajin nodded solemnly. "We've been ready for a long time."

Yuuto stepped forward, making his decision. "We'll leave tonight, once the gang is distracted. The longer we stay here, the more dangerous it gets. We'll head for the outskirts of the city, try to find another safe zone. Hopefully, somewhere the system can't reach us."

As they planned their escape, Yuuto noticed Rin silently watching him. The boy's eyes were filled with a strange mixture of fear and admiration, almost like the look Yuuto had once given Christian Heartfelt as a child.

Yuuto crouched down to the boy's level, offering a reassuring smile. "Stick close to us, okay? We'll get through this together."

Rin nodded slowly, his small hands clutching the piece of bread as if it were the most valuable thing in the world. "Okay..."

Gajin smiled down at the boy, his gaze softening. "Thank you. He's been through a lot, but he's strong. Stronger than he knows."

Yuuto stood back up, glancing at his group. They had survived so much already, but with each passing day, the weight of the system's games grew heavier. Now, with Rin and Gajin joining them, the stakes were even higher. Protecting the boy became a silent vow in Yuuto's heart, a promise to shield him from the nightmares they had already faced.

But as they prepared to leave, Yuuto couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was looming on the horizon. The system's cruelty was escalating, and every new player added more complexity to its twisted games.