We’re still friends, right?

The night was steeped in silence.

A silence so heavy it felt suffocating.

There was only the occasional whisper of the wind rustling through the trees. Despite the dense vegetation surrounding the area, there were no sounds of insects and no distant howls of beasts.

As if the entire world had been switched to "mute."

Darkness stretched endlessly, enveloping everything, making the cold night even more eerie and oppressive.

Fortunately, Noan still had some wood left in his territory, allowing him to start a small fire for light.

BAM!

BAM!

BAM!

Shattering the fragile stillness like a discordant note in a perfect symphony, suddenly, sharp knocks echoed through the night.

Noan frowned and turned toward the door.

He stood up, moving toward the entrance, deliberately taking his time, unwilling to open it too soon.

BAM!

BAM!

BAM!

"I know you're in there! Open the damn door!"