Predators and Prey

Ryo's mind raced.

The armed men below weren't just random survivors—they were scavengers.

In Apocalypse of the Chosen, groups like these formed within hours of the world's collapse. They weren't interested in cooperation. They hunted the weak, looted whatever they could, and killed anyone who got in their way.

The leader—a muscular man with a lead pipe—grinned up at them.

"Well? Why don't you come down, huh?" His voice was playful, but his eyes were hungry. "We're all survivors here. No need to be shy."

The teenager beside Ryo stiffened. "T-They don't look friendly…"

Ryo clenched his fists.

No, they don't.

And he knew exactly how this would play out.

If they climbed down, the scavengers would pretend to be friendly at first—then, once they were close, they would attack. The men would be killed. The women and children… wouldn't be so lucky.

Ryo's stomach twisted.

Not happening.

> [Beginner's Privilege: 23:52:10 Remaining.]

He still had Beginner's Privilege, which meant he had an advantage—even if he didn't know what it was yet.

But was it enough?

The scavengers had weapons. He had knowledge.

He needed a plan. Fast.

---

The Decision

The mother clutched her son tighter. "W-We should just stay up here. Maybe they'll leave."

The teenager shook his head. "And what if they climb up?"

"They will," Ryo said.

The group turned to him.

"How do you know?" the man from earlier asked.

Ryo didn't answer.

Instead, he pointed at the scavengers. "Look at them. Do they look desperate to you?"

The survivors hesitated, then slowly examined the men below.

Their clothes were clean. Their movements were confident.

They weren't panicked civilians looking for shelter—they were predators who already knew how to hunt.

"They're not here by chance," Ryo continued. "They've been scouting for survivors. And they're not going to leave empty-handed."

The group fell silent.

Then—

The muscular leader chuckled. "Not coming down? That's too bad." He stretched his arms, tapping the lead pipe against his shoulder.

"Guess we'll have to come up."

Ryo's heartbeat quickened.

The moment they climbed up, it was over.

He had to act now.

---

The First Move

Ryo grabbed a chunk of broken metal from the train's wreckage. It wasn't a weapon—but it would have to do.

The others stared at him in confusion.

"What are you—"

"Stay behind me," Ryo ordered. "And get ready to run."

The mother's eyes widened. "Run where?!"

Ryo's gaze flicked to the left. A collapsed walkway bridge stretched across the ruined subway station. If they could get there…

"Just follow me," he said.

He took a deep breath. Then, before anyone could stop him—

He hurled the metal chunk down below.

It clanged loudly against a pile of rubble behind the scavengers.

The men flinched—spinning toward the noise, weapons raised.

"What the hell was that?"

"A monster?"

They hesitated, eyes scanning the darkness.

That hesitation was all Ryo needed.

"NOW!" he shouted.

He grabbed the teenager's arm and ran.

The survivors bolted, following him across the tilted train car.

"HEY!" the leader roared. "STOP THEM!"

Too late.

Ryo and the others leapt onto the collapsed walkway. The structure groaned under their weight, but it held.

The scavengers cursed, scrambling to climb up after them—

But Ryo was already prepared.

He kicked at the support beam. Hard.

The weakened metal snapped—

And the entire walkway collapsed.

The survivors tumbled forward, barely making it to the other side. Behind them, the scavengers plunged into the wreckage below, cursing and shouting in rage.

Ryo didn't stop to look back.

They had bought time—but not much.

They had to keep moving.

---

The Shelter

Fifteen minutes later, the group finally stopped running.

They had taken shelter inside an abandoned department store, the once-pristine aisles now covered in dust and shattered glass.

Everyone was panting, struggling to catch their breath.

The mother collapsed against a shelf, holding her son tightly. "Oh my God… we… we're alive…"

The teenager leaned over, hands on his knees. "Dude… what the hell was that? You knew exactly what to do!"

Ryo didn't answer.

Instead, he turned to the system message still hovering in his vision.

> [You have escaped an early death.]

[Beginner's Privilege Effect Activated.]

[New Skill Unlocked: Sixth Sense (Lv.1)]

Ryo's breath caught.

A skill?

He focused on the text—and information flooded his mind.

> [Sixth Sense (Lv.1)]

You can sense nearby threats before they become apparent. The higher the level, the stronger the intuition.

Ryo's eyes widened.

This… this was huge.

In Apocalypse of the Chosen, intuition-based skills were rare—but they were invaluable. It was the kind of ability that let people sense danger before it happened.

With this…

He might actually have a chance.

But before he could celebrate—

A distant chime rang through the city.

And then—

> [System Announcement]

[The First Selection will begin in 2 hours.]

Ryo's stomach dropped.

It was starting.

And this time…

There was no reset button.

---

To Be Continued…