Where Safety Cracks

A dull hum filled the station's Safe Zone, as if the air itself exhaled relief at the ceasefire. Han Taejin stood by the faded convenience booth, checking the makeshift bandage around his upper arm. His entire body ached from that last stand against the Ripper Beast. Though the place was called safe, he couldn't relax. The system's messages weighed on his mind:

Scenario 2 Complete.Safe Zone Unlocked.Next Scenario in 12 hours.

Twelve hours. Not nearly enough time to recover from the nightmare they'd just survived. Around him, the surviving handful of passengers slumped on station benches or sprawled on the tile floor. Half the lights still flickered, revealing the dried blood and twisted metal from their battle. No illusions here: safety was only relative.

Goeun sat nearby, cross-legged, carefully wiping blood from her baton. She'd found a strip of cloth somewhere and used it to tie back her dark hair, which kept falling over her eyes. Every so often, she'd wince at the slash on her shoulder, but pressed on without complaint.

"You should let me clean that," Taejin said quietly, nodding at her wound.

She looked up. Even with exhaustion etched into her features, there was a spark of determination. "After you. You're the one who kept jumping at that beast's backside."

He managed a small laugh. "I'm fine. Just bruised."

A few feet away, Won hovered over an older man they'd been calling Mr. Park. The man clutched a broad laceration across his chest, wincing with each breath. Won dabbed at the wound with antiseptic from the convenience booth's first-aid kit. As he worked, Taejin noticed how the teen's hands shook but never faltered. Won wasn't a trained medic, but he was all they had.

Taejin pressed his lips together. They had no real doctor, limited supplies, and who knew what else lurked outside this "Safe Zone." But at least they were alive.

He rubbed at his temple, recalling the intangible status window:

Name: Han TaejinLevel: 4Strength: CAgility: CVitality: CIntelligence: ESkills: [Basic Strike Lv.1]

Not much to go on, but it was more than nothing. He could feel that each time he'd leveled, a tiny surge of endurance or power had coursed through him. Next to him, Goeun's gaze flitted, probably scanning her own status. The others likely had similar windows.

He looked around. Five survivors total huddled here. Out of how many? The memory of bodies on the platform weighed heavy on his chest. There had been more of them. Not everyone had made it. He drew a steadying breath, forcing away the knot of guilt.

"Well," he said finally, voice carrying in the hush, "we've got a Safe Zone, at least. Let's figure out what that means."

He turned toward the station's main corridor, beyond which flickered an eerie green barrier. The system had manifested a literal shimmering field in the archway leading deeper into the tunnels. According to the messages, that greenish glow marked the boundary of safety. Anything beyond it was still fair game for monsters or new scenarios.

Goeun rose, wincing. "We should confirm if it's really sealed from more intrusions."

Taejin nodded, stepping carefully around debris. The overhead sign read "SAFE ZONE: 12 Hours Until Next Scenario." In normal times, that would have been bizarre—now it was a beacon of hope. As he and Goeun moved to the boundary, they tested the barrier with tentative fingertips. A gentle static tingled against their skin, like an invisible wall. They couldn't pass through. He guessed that if they couldn't exit, maybe monsters couldn't enter. A two-way lock.

Goeun let out a breath. "So we're basically stuck here until the next event?"

"That's how it looks," Taejin replied, pulling back his hand. "Might not be a bad thing. We can rest, scavenge supplies… try to plan."

She made a soft huff of agreement. Taejin took a moment to glance at the ceiling. "Hey, do you feel that?"

The station lights were no longer flickering. It seemed stable for the moment. The air no longer reeked of death, though he suspected that was more his nose growing numb than anything. If the system had truly locked them in, they had time to breathe.

Back near the convenience booth, Won finished bandaging Mr. Park's chest. Another survivor, a soft-spoken woman named Yunhee, offered a bottle of water. They looked up as Taejin and Goeun approached.

Mr. Park managed a smile through the pain. "Thanks, kid," he rasped to Won, then looked to Taejin. "So what's next, boss?"

Taejin swallowed. Boss. He wasn't used to that word. He had no illusions about being a leader, but the others kept deferring to him. Perhaps it was because he'd orchestrated the last fights.

"I'm no boss," he mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. Still, he realized someone had to do something. "But here's the plan: let's gather whatever we can. Food, water, anything that might help us defend ourselves. Then we rest, keep watch in shifts. We've got half a day, and once that's up, we face whatever the system throws at us."

Won nodded, though a frown tugged at his brow. "Do you think it'll be another wave… or something else?"

"No idea," Taejin admitted, "but we need to be ready."

Goeun exhaled. "We also need to consider that we can't stay in this station forever. The system might force us into new areas. Or we run out of supplies."

Taejin agreed. Outside, the entire city could be in chaos, with more survivors in need of help… or more monsters ready to strike. But for now, they could only prepare.

They split up for a quick scavenging. The Safe Zone encompassed the station platform and adjacent convenience booth, plus a short section of corridor. Taejin found a locked janitor's closet. Inside, dusty shelves contained cleaning supplies, rags, a sturdy mop handle, and a battered tool kit. Not exactly an armory, but maybe they could rig something up.

Won, rummaging through a half-collapsed kiosk, emerged with a pair of flashlights and a single pack of batteries. Yunhee uncovered some instant noodles and a few bottles of sports drinks. Mr. Park, wounded as he was, insisted on helping by prying open a coin locker with a crowbar. All he found were personal knickknacks, but every bit counted, if only for morale.

By the time they reconvened, a small pile of salvage rested on the tile floor: about ten bottles of water, some snack bars, bandages, basic tools, and random items that might be turned into weapons—kitchen knives from a defunct eatery stand, broken pipes, broom handles.

It wasn't a lot, but it was a start.

They set up near the convenience booth, which had only one narrow entrance they could barricade if needed. Goeun assigned watch shifts. Yunhee volunteered for first watch, leaning by the corridor barrier in case something unexpected happened. Mr. Park tried to volunteer too, but his pale face and ragged breathing suggested he should rest. He finally relented after Taejin insisted.

Taejin and Won busied themselves crafting basic fortifications. They dragged broken seats around, stacking them to form a makeshift blockade across the booth entrance. Then they built a small perimeter along the open sections of the platform.

"I feel like I'm building a pillow fort," Won quipped nervously, hefting a bent metal bar. "Except it's life or death."

Taejin forced a rueful grin. "At least with a pillow fort, you know your biggest threat is mom telling you to clean up."

Won snorted, then fell quiet. The teen's eyes looked hollow. Taejin remembered the fresh trauma they'd all been through. But if humor helped them cope, so be it.

After an hour of rearranging debris, they collapsed onto the floor in the relative safety of the convenience booth. The adrenaline was wearing off fast, leaving Taejin's limbs trembling from fatigue. Every muscle cried for rest.

He leaned his head back against the booth's counter, exhaling shakily. Goeun sat across from him, carefully unrolling the bandage from her shoulder to assess the wound. Taejin gathered what little courage he had and shifted closer.

"Let me," he offered quietly. She nodded, turning her back so he could see the injury. It wasn't deep, but ragged enough to sting with infection if left untreated. He dabbed disinfectant on a cloth, pressing gently. She hissed but didn't pull away.

"You fight well," Taejin murmured, half to distract her from the pain. "That baton's no joke."

She chuckled softly. "Wasn't by choice. I was in a community watch program a while back. Learned a few self-defense moves. Never thought I'd need them like this."

Taejin tore a fresh strip of gauze. "None of us did."

He secured the dressing in silence, aware of Goeun's tense shoulders gradually relaxing. Once done, she gave him a tight smile. "Thanks."

They lapsed into quiet. Across the booth, Mr. Park rested fitfully. Yunhee peeked in periodically, nodding to show all was still calm at the barrier. The station felt eerily peaceful, like the eye of a hurricane.

"Earlier," Goeun said, voice low, "that thing about the watchers—Constellations, right?"

Taejin's jaw tightened. The memory of those system messages made his stomach churn. "Yeah. They were… observing our scenario. Like we're entertainment."

She studied him. "Any idea what they are?"

"No. The system's new to me, same as you. They're some kind of powerful beings who treat this like a game."

She cursed under her breath. "Well, I refuse to dance for them."

He nodded. He felt the same, though an underlying fear gnawed at him. If these Constellations truly had the power to warp reality, how could ordinary people fight back? The only immediate answer was the system's leveling—growing stronger through survival. But to what end?

Goeun shifted. "If we keep… leveling up, like a real game, maybe we can push back. Or at least avoid certain death."

Taejin tried to sound confident. "Yeah. We'll learn the system's rules, figure out how to use them. Then whoever's behind this will regret messing with us."

She offered a small nod, gaze flicking downward. Doubt lingered in her eyes. He didn't blame her. He had the same doubt himself. But if a little resolve kept them sane, that was enough.

The next few hours passed in fitful rest. Taejin dozed, head on his arms, drifting in and out of nightmares. Always monsters, darkness, and fleeting glimpses of those Constellations.

He woke to Won gently shaking his shoulder. "Hey… it's your turn to keep watch."

Taejin groaned, rubbing his stiff neck. He rose, stepping gingerly around the makeshift barricades. At the corridor, Yunhee huddled with a flashlight, eyes heavy. She managed a grateful smile.

He took over, leaning against the station's entranceway. The green barrier still shimmered, blocking the outside world. Occasionally he heard faint echoes—distant metal clanks or groans in the darkness. Or maybe it was just the old building settling. He shivered at the memory of a monster snarling in these very corridors.

An hour trickled by. At least, Taejin guessed it was an hour. None of the station's clocks seemed operational now. He watched his status screen half the time, scanning for new updates. Nothing. The system's quiet was unsettling.

At last, Goeun stirred, approaching with bleary eyes. "I'll swap in. Get more rest."

He nodded gratefully, stepping aside. He stifled a yawn. "Thanks. Wake me if anything changes."

She offered a wry half-grin. "Don't worry, if I see a single goblin ear poking through that barrier, I'll raise hell."

Goblin. The thought made him realize they'd only faced twisted humanoids and one horrifying beast so far. The mention of goblins or orcs was still hypothetical. He almost hoped for something that… normal, if they had to face enemies at all. A monstrous orc somehow felt less nightmarish than those mutated abominations.

He patted Goeun's shoulder gently and returned to the booth. Within minutes, exhaustion dragged him back under.

A sharp beep jolted Taejin awake. His eyes snapped open. The others stirred too. Mr. Park groaned, pressing a hand over his chest. Goeun spun from her spot at the corridor, baton raised.

Another beep echoed, then a digital chime:

Next Scenario Commencing in 5 minutes.Participants, prepare for Field Deployment.

"Field deployment?" Yunhee whispered, voice quaking.

Taejin got to his feet, heart racing. So much for a slow countdown. The shimmer in the corridor barrier flickered, shifting from green to a dull red. It reminded him of an alarm light.

Won scrambled to gather their meager supplies. Goeun bit her lip and dashed over. "If that barrier comes down, we might have to fight right away," she said. "Or it might teleport us somewhere else entirely. Who knows?"

Taejin gulped. "Everyone, gather up." He motioned for Mr. Park to lean on him if needed. The older man grimaced but managed to stand, gripping the crowbar for support. Yunhee clutched a kitchen knife with trembling hands, eyes glued to the barrier.

Time Remaining: 2 minutes.

A hum vibrated through the station floor. Taejin shifted his stance, pressing a hand to his battered pipe weapon. "Alright," he murmured, forcing calm into his voice. "No matter what happens, we stick together. Watch each other's backs."

They formed a tight knot. For a heartbeat, no one spoke. They'd spent only hours together, but the crucible of survival had forged a bond deeper than names. Goeun and Won braced themselves on either flank. Yunhee was behind them, brandishing her knife. Mr. Park stood near Taejin, ready despite the injury.

The station lights pulsed once. Then the barrier blazed red. A swirl of energy crackled around them. Taejin felt static rush through his body, like every nerve sparked at once. His surroundings blurred.

Then darkness.

He blinked. The Safe Zone station was gone. Instead, a dank corridor of rough-hewn stone walls stretched around them, lit by flickering torches. The smell of damp earth hit his nostrils. Moss clung to the corners, and somewhere ahead, water dripped.

"Everyone here?" Taejin asked softly, squinting in the dim light.

They were all there—Goeun, Won, Yunhee, Mr. Park. That was one relief. They exchanged stunned looks. They'd been teleported into what looked like an underground passage. A wide doorway loomed behind them, the faint glow of a swirling portal partially visible inside it.

You have entered: [Goblin Warren – Beginner Dungeon].Objective: Reach the Warren's Core and defeat the Goblin Chief.Time Limit: None.Reward: +150 Experience (Party Distribution)

Taejin exhaled. Goblins. So they truly were going full-fantasy. This felt… in an odd way, almost more standard than the monstrous horrors aboveground. But that didn't mean it was safe.

He scanned the text again, noticing the label: Beginner Dungeon. If this was the system's idea of an entry-level challenge, maybe it wouldn't be as lethal as the wave scenario. Then again, underestimating it could be fatal.

"Goblins," Goeun murmured, her voice laced with skepticism. "Little green men with clubs, right?"

"Usually in stories," Taejin answered. "Let's not assume they're harmless. The system rarely gives freebies."

She nodded. Won stepped forward, peering down the corridor. Mr. Park leaned against the rough stone wall, wincing. "Better than another wave of those twisted freaks, though," he muttered. "Maybe we can handle goblins."

"Let's move carefully," Taejin said. "We have no map. We'll proceed slow, watch for traps." He turned to Mr. Park. "Stay in the middle, okay? We'll shield you."

He nodded gratefully, crowbar in hand. Yunhee hovered near the back, biting her lip. She'd spoken little since they arrived, but her eyes held a quiet determination.

They pressed on, single-file through the torchlit passage. Water dripped steadily from the ceiling, forming shallow puddles. The temperature was humid, and an earthy scent filled the air. The faint shuffle of feet echoed ahead, but it could have been the wind—or maybe the goblins.

Goeun's baton tapped the ground before each step, checking for loose tiles. Taejin admired her caution. She caught him looking and flashed a tense grin. "Not stepping on any giant spike traps today."

"Smart," he replied softly.

They crept around a bend in the tunnel. A scuffling sound made everyone freeze. Taejin halted, holding out a warning hand. The corridor opened into a small chamber. Straw mats scattered the floor, along with old bones, half-eaten scraps. Two small, green-skinned creatures huddled near a guttering fire. Goblins. Each stood roughly half a person's height, with pointy ears, beady eyes, and crude clubs resting at their sides.

Taejin ducked back, pressing his back to the wall. The others gathered close, eyes wide. He mouthed, Two goblins. Goeun nodded, brandishing her baton. Won raised the extinguisher—he still clung to that battered thing, though it had saved them more than once.

Mr. Park looked to Taejin, silently asking, How do we do this?

"Let's see if we can take them by surprise," Taejin whispered. "Keep it quiet, so we don't alert any others."

They fanned out. Taejin inched forward with Goeun at his side, hugging the chamber's edge. The goblins' guttural grunts echoed in the small space. One sat on a rock, gnawing on some unidentifiable chunk of meat. The other dozed, chin tucked to its chest, hands around the club.

At a nod from Taejin, Goeun moved first, baton raised overhead. She sprang, cracking the baton against the dozing goblin's skull. It collapsed with a squeal, twitching. Taejin lunged at the other goblin before it could rise, swinging his pipe at its arm. With a satisfying thwack, the club flew from its grasp. The goblin shrieked, attempting to scramble away, but Won stepped in, delivering a blow with the extinguisher to its back. The creature toppled, squealing in alarm.

Taejin pinned it with his foot. He hesitated, heart pounding—this was a living creature, albeit a monstrous one. But there was no time for doubt. Its wild eyes flicked around, searching for a weapon. Gripping the pipe, Taejin forced himself to strike down at its temple. One last squeal, then it went limp.

He exhaled shakily, forcing down the churn of guilt. They had no choice. If the goblin had sounded an alarm, they'd be swarmed. Goeun wore a similar grim expression, baton trembling in her grip. The dozing goblin was definitely dead; it hadn't even had time to stand.

+10 Experience (Shared).Goblin Defeated.

A small gain, but it was a kill. Taejin felt that faint wave of system energy again. It was nothing like defeating the wave beasts above. He pressed his lips together, scanning the rest of the chamber. No more goblins here.

"Alright," he whispered. "If there are more, they'll be deeper in."

Mr. Park limped over, relief flooding his features. "That wasn't so bad."

Yunhee nudged the goblin's club with her foot. "Still ugly, though. And if there are more…"

Taejin crouched by the goblin's remains, grimacing. Each wore ragged loincloths and carried crude clubs—no treasure here. But behind them, near the fire, lay a small wooden box. He moved closer, flipping the lid. Inside were a few coins—like ancient copper pieces—and a single vial containing a murky liquid.

He picked up the vial. The system recognized it:

[Low-Grade Healing Potion]Effect: Slightly restores health over 30 seconds.

A flicker of relief. "A healing potion. This could help us." He glanced over at Mr. Park's wound, still raw beneath the bandages.

The older man nodded with trembling gratitude. "Let someone else who can still fight take it if needed," he said quietly, "I'll manage."

Taejin weighed the option. If Mr. Park's condition worsened mid-fight, they'd all be at risk. But they might need that potion to save a front-liner. After a beat, he tucked it into his jacket pocket. "We'll decide if things get rough. Hang in there."

They pressed on. Goeun led, baton raised. The tunnel sloped downward, air growing heavier with each step. More distant echoes of goblin chatter drifted up. Taejin's pulse quickened—there were definitely more of them. Possibly a whole nest.

Their makeshift party moved slowly, pausing at every shift in the shadows. Twice they spotted solitary goblins patrolling. Both times they ambushed them, dispatching them quickly and quietly. Each kill gave a trickle of experience—soon Taejin felt another small surge:

Level 4 → 5Strength: CAgility: CVitality: C+Intelligence: EFree Points: +1

He allocated the point to Vitality. Couldn't hurt to endure more. Goeun and Won also whispered about leveling up, with Goeun sighing in relief that her stamina felt a bit better. The party synergy was growing. Even Yunhee mustered enough courage to stab a goblin mid-lunge, finishing it off.

Despite the tension, Taejin almost felt a glimmer of hope. Compared to that wave scenario, these goblins were… manageable. It was still a life-or-death fight, but they had a chance to progress, to grow. And hopefully, to find their way out.

They crossed a rickety wooden bridge over a narrow chasm, slime dripping along the walls. A broken sign read something like "Warr… Co…"—barely legible.

Taejin halted. Ahead lay a larger cavern, torchlight dancing across stalagmites. He peered from behind a boulder. Four goblins milled about, rummaging through piles of bones. And beyond them, up a slight incline, a crude wooden throne sat. A bigger goblin with patchy fur draped over its shoulders. The Goblin Chief.

Goblin Chief – Level 7.

Level 7. That might be trouble, but they had surprise on their side. Taejin glanced at the group, gesturing. Four normal goblins plus the Chief. Five total. If they played it smart, they could take out the smaller ones first.

Goeun's eyes narrowed in determination. Won tightened his grip. Even Yunhee swallowed, nodding. Mr. Park braced himself, crowbar at the ready. Taejin steadied his pipe, adrenaline pounding in his veins.

He mouthed, "Take out the small ones first. Then we focus the Chief."

They crept forward, careful on the cavern floor. One goblin turned, sniffing the air. Goeun dashed in, baton cracking the creature's skull before it could raise an alarm. Taejin whirled behind another goblin, smashing it down with a Basic Strike. The extinguished thump of weapons rang out.

Two down. The other two shrieked, scrambling for their clubs. One managed a cry before Yunhee stabbed it in the gut, eyes squeezed shut. Won tackled the last small goblin, extinguisher crashing into its ribs. Another kill.

Then the Chief snarled. Towering half a head taller than the rest, it hoisted a crude iron mace. With a roar, it charged. The ground trembled under its steps. Taejin met the onrush, pipe braced. Their weapons collided—shockwaves jolted through his arms. The Chief was strong.

Goeun circled around, baton aimed for its back. The Chief twisted, batting her away with a sweep of its mace. She stumbled, nearly losing her grip. Won swung the extinguisher at the Chief's side, but the monster barely flinched, backhanding him to the floor.

A rush of fear flooded Taejin. The Chief's eyes gleamed with savage intelligence. It snarled and lunged again, forcing Taejin to brace. He channeled Basic Strike, slamming his pipe forward. The collision rang out. Pain shot up Taejin's arms, but the Chief's mace was deflected sideways, striking the cavern floor. Sparks flew off stone.

Mr. Park seized the opening, crowbar hooking the Chief's leg. The goblin staggered with a rasping grunt. Goeun took the chance to land a blow on its shoulder. The Chief roared, spinning to rake at her with sharp claws. Blood spattered as it cut across her forearm.

Taejin's breath caught. He rushed in, landing another blow on the Chief's ribs. "Now!" he yelled. Yunhee lunged from behind, thrusting her knife into the beast's lower back. The Chief howled, thrashing violently. Won, regaining his feet, dashed in and slammed the extinguisher at its knee.

Weakened, the Chief stumbled. Taejin gritted his teeth, focusing everything into one final Basic Strike at the Chief's exposed neck. The pipe connected. With a strangled grunt, the Goblin Chief collapsed.

For a few seconds, only harsh breathing filled the air. Goeun clutched her bloody arm. Mr. Park slumped, pressing a hand to his chest. The dead Chief lay sprawled across the ground, its fur cloak stained dark green with its own blood.

Goblin Chief Defeated!+150 Experience (Party Distribution).Dungeon Cleared.

A swirl of golden motes lit the cavern, and a message scrolled:

Dungeon Completion Reward:- 1 Basic Treasure Chest- +1 Rank to All Stats for Party

Taejin felt a warm rush, like a gentle breeze sweeping through his veins. His strength, agility, vitality—it all felt more solid. He allowed himself a shaky grin. They did it.

He glanced around. Goeun sank to a knee, blood dripping from her arm. Taejin reached for the healing potion in his pocket. This was the right moment. He crouched next to her, uncorking the vial. "Drink this."

She grimaced, eyes fluttering at the pain. "You sure?"

"Positive." He pressed the vial to her lips. She drank, wincing at the bitter taste. Slowly, the bleeding subsided. The raw gash knitted somewhat, leaving a faint scar. She breathed out, relieved.

Nearby, a wooden chest shimmered into view by the Chief's makeshift throne, courtesy of the system's reward. Yunhee stared at it, brow knit. Taejin stepped over, prying it open. Inside lay a small bag of coins, a tarnished short sword, and a pair of worn leather bracers.

Obtained [Short Sword – Common], [Leather Bracers – Common], +50 Bronze Coins

Won whistled softly. "It really is like a game."

Taejin lifted the sword, testing its weight. It wasn't fancy, but better than a bent pipe. He handed the bracers to Goeun, who slid them on over her forearms. They'd offer slight protection. Yunhee held up the coin bag, uncertain. Taejin shrugged. "No idea if these are any good in the real world, but maybe the system has a use for them. Let's keep them."

He surveyed the battered party. They were bruised and exhausted, but alive. Mr. Park managed a smile, leaning heavily on the crowbar. Yunhee's knife dripped green goblin blood, her eyes wide with adrenaline. Goeun cradled her newly half-healed arm. Won stood by, the dented extinguisher under his arm.

Dungeon Exit Unlocked.

At the cavern's far side, a swirling portal flickered into view. Their ticket out. Taejin exhaled, shoulders sagging. "Let's go home."

One by one, they approached, stepping into the portal's light. A dizzying sensation washed over Taejin, and he closed his eyes. When he opened them, they stood back in the subterranean train station corridor—except the place was different. No, time had passed. Daylight filtered faintly from an upper staircase. The system's battered signage near the tunnel still glowed, indicating the Safe Zone boundaries. But everything felt quieter, calmer.

"Look," Goeun murmured, pointing at a digital display. The next scenario timer was gone. Replaced by:

Free Exploration PeriodAwait the Next Main Scenario

A wave of relief mingled with confusion. A "free exploration period?" Taejin had no idea what that entailed, but it implied there wasn't an immediate death match waiting.

Mr. Park coughed, groaning softly. He was still hurt, but at least they'd gained some potions from the goblins. They had a moment to breathe, re-assess. They'd conquered a goblin dungeon, leveled up more, found some gear. For a fleeting moment, it almost resembled an RPG progression spree—but the fear and pain were very real.

Taejin turned to the group. They all looked to him for next steps. He swallowed. "Alright, I think we should regroup, scavenge more if we can. Then maybe we can head topside to see if there are other survivors or if the city's changed."

They nodded, battered but resolute. The knowledge that they had advanced—that the system considered them "worthy" enough to handle a dungeon—stirred equal parts dread and hope. If they kept growing stronger, maybe they could survive whatever was next. And possibly, just possibly, fight back against the watchers who orchestrated this madness.

Taejin raked a hand through his sweat-slick hair. Another scenario down. How many more to go?

He squared his shoulders. "Let's go. We're not done yet."