chapter 8:Entering the Area

The helicopter blades roared above them, kicking up dust and debris as it began its ascent. Kai and Yuna stood on the rooftop of a crumbling building, watching as their only means of extraction disappeared into the sky.

"If the mission is completed, call us. We'll come back for you," the pilot's voice crackled through their earpieces before cutting off.

Kai exhaled. There was no turning back now.

"Guess it's just us," Yuna said, sheathing her katana.

"Yeah," Kai replied.

They descended from the rooftop, moving through the desolate streets of Busan. The city, once bustling with life, was now eerily silent. Abandoned vehicles cluttered the roads, their windows shattered, their interiors stained with dried blood. Some buildings had collapsed entirely, leaving only skeletal remains of their former structures.

Their destination was an abandoned military outpost marked on their map. Supplies, survivors—if any remained—and a chance to prove themselves. But as they moved deeper into the city, Kai's system suddenly flashed a warning.

[ System Alert: High-Level Threat Detected! ]

Warning: A horde of Infected Beasts is approaching. Estimated Rank: C.

Kai and Yuna immediately stopped, scanning their surroundings.

"Already?" Yuna muttered, gripping the hilt of her sword.

Then, a deafening roar shattered the silence.

From the darkness of an alleyway, a pack of creatures emerged. They were massive—lion-like beasts with jet-black fur, glowing red eyes, and jagged fangs dripping with blood. Their claws scraped against the pavement as they moved, their predatory gazes locking onto Kai and Yuna.

"They're fast," Kai noted.

"And strong," Yuna added. "Don't hold back."

The leader of the pack let out another roar, and in an instant, the entire horde charged.

"Here they come!"

Yuna reacted first, dashing forward with incredible speed. Her katana gleamed under the dim light as she sliced through the first beast, severing its torso clean in half. The creature didn't even have time to scream before it collapsed into a pool of its own blood.

Kai, meanwhile, focused on defense. A beast lunged at him from the side, but he pivoted, using his momentum to drive his foot into its ribs, sending it crashing into a nearby car.

"Nice one, Kai!" Yuna called out.

But before Kai could reply, another lion-beast pounced at him from behind.

"Kai, behind you!" Yuna shouted.

Reacting instantly, Kai raised his hand and activated his skill.

[ Earth Creation: Stone Spikes ]

A jagged stone wall erupted from the ground, impaling the creature mid-air. It let out a guttural screech before going limp.

Yuna whistled. "That's a damn good skill you've got."

Kai smirked, but their victory was short-lived. The largest of the pack suddenly let out a bone-chilling howl, and from the shadows of abandoned buildings, more beasts emerged.

They were surrounded.

Kai tightened his grip on his dagger. "This just got a lot worse."

Yuna glanced at him. "Can you create another wall?"

Kai checked his mana reserves—he had enough for one more use. "Yeah, but only once."

"That's all I need," Yuna said.

Kai didn't argue. He focused, channeling his energy into the ground.

Yuna took a deep breath, and for the first time, Kai noticed a faint energy radiating off her body. The air around her shimmered as she drew her katana.

"Stay close, Kai."

Then, in a blur of motion, she vanished.

Kai barely had time to process before a massive shockwave burst through the battlefield. Yuna reappeared on the other side of the wall, her katana gleaming with an eerie blue light. Blood rained down as the beasts she had just passed collapsed, their bodies sliced apart in a single stroke.

Kai was impressed—but the fight wasn't over. A surviving beast lunged at Yuna from above.

"Now, Kai!" she called out.

Kai understood immediately. He slammed his hand into the ground and raised another stone wall beneath her. Yuna used it as a springboard, twisting mid-air to dodge the attack before driving her blade straight into the creature's neck.

The last of the beasts let out a strangled cry before falling silent.

Then, all was quiet again.

Kai let out a slow breath as the system notification appeared before him.

[ System Alert: Battle Completed ]

- EXP Gained

- Item Acquired: Rank C Beast Core

- Skill Upgrade Available

Kai checked his inventory and noticed his Earth Creation skill had increased in proficiency. More importantly, his mana had begun regenerating slightly faster than before.

Yuna wiped the blood off her blade and turned to him, holding out a hand. "Good work, partner. You saved me back there."

Kai hesitated for a moment before grasping her hand. "Likewise."

Before they could rest, however, another sound reached their ears—distant gunfire.

Yuna turned her head toward the direction of their mission target. "We're not alone out here."

Kai narrowed his eyes. He could see figures in the distance, gathered near the military outpost. Soldiers—no, something was wrong. The soldiers were being overwhelmed.

Then, amidst the chaos, a voice rang out.

"What a disappointment. Is this all the so-called military can do?"

A man stood atop the pile of defeated soldiers, his foot pressing down on a groaning soldier's head. His aura radiated power, and the way he carried himself made it clear—he wasn't just another survivor.

Kai and Yuna instinctively lowered themselves into a crouch, observing from a distance.

"An awakened?" Kai whispered.

Yuna's expression darkened. "Not just any awakened. This one… he's dangerous."

The man in the distance cracked his neck before looking toward the outpost's entrance.

"I was hoping for more of a challenge," he muttered. Then, his gaze shifted—straight toward Kai and Yuna.

He smirked.

"Let's see if you two can entertain me."

The air crackled. A pulse of energy shot toward them, distorting the atmosphere as it approached with terrifying speed.

Kai and Yuna barely had time to react.

"Move!" Yuna shouted.

They both activated their movement skills—Yuna flickered out of the way in a blur, while Kai used Quick Step, narrowly dodging to the side as the blast thundered past them.

The moment the attack struck the ground, the entire street was consumed by a deafening explosion. Concrete shattered, sending dust and debris flying as buildings in its path crumbled under the force.

Kai landed on his feet, his ears ringing. He turned back toward the source of the attack.

A man stood amidst the chaos, electricity crackling around his body like a living storm. He had a confident smirk, his piercing eyes scanning them like they were mere insects.

Yuna, breathing heavily, activated her system's scan function.

[ System Scan Activated ]

Target: Youngho (Rank B Awakened)

Before she could process the details, Youngho suddenly turned toward her, raising his arm.

"Peeking at my stats?" His smirk twisted into a snarl. "You little rat!"

Without warning, he released another surge of electricity.

Yuna reacted instantly, twisting her body to avoid the crackling bolt that split through the air. It scorched the pavement where she had stood just a second before.

Kai gritted his teeth. This guy isn't just strong. He's a monster.

"Be careful, Kai!" Yuna warned. "He's worse than I thought!"

Youngho's gaze finally settled on Kai. He let out a mocking laugh.

"And what do we have here?" He sneered. "A Rank E brat thinking he belongs in a Rank B zone? That's hilarious!"

Kai clenched his fists, his mind racing. His earth-based abilities were useful, but against an opponent this fast, he couldn't afford to waste a single move.

Youngho raised his hand again, electricity surging between his fingers.

"If you're so eager to die, I'll grant your wish!"

The air vibrated with raw power as he fired an electric blast straight at Kai.

Kai's instincts screamed at him. Move!

He activated Quick Step, dodging to the side just as the blast tore through the ground. But even though he evaded the direct hit, the force of the explosion sent him tumbling across the pavement.

"Damn it…" Kai coughed, his arms scraped from the impact. He pushed himself up, but before he could steady himself, another attack was already coming.

Yuna blurred into action.

She intercepted the next bolt of lightning, slashing her katana through the wave of electricity, deflecting it away from Kai. Sparks flew as her sword absorbed the impact.

"Your fight is with me," she said coldly.

Youngho narrowed his eyes. "Oh? So you're getting serious now?"

He reached to his back and unsheathed a long sword. The blade hummed with power, arcs of electricity dancing along its edge.

"I was hoping for something more entertaining," Youngho said, stepping forward, his presence suffocating. "Come, let's see if you can last more than a few seconds."

Yuna gripped her katana tighter, her own aura beginning to flare.

She exhaled, her eyes sharpening.

"Come."