In The Rubble

Han Taejin woke to the hushed sound of shifting metal. The hardware store was dim, lit only by dusty sunbeams filtering through the windows. He bolted upright, heart pounding, until he spotted Won near the barricade. The teenager was adjusting a makeshift plank that threatened to slip free.

Rubbing sleep from his eyes, Taejin rose. Everything hurt—his ribs ached where that orc's stray blow had impacted, and the scabs on his forearm protested every movement. Despite the discomfort, he felt better than he had in ages. Their group had finally gotten a few hours of unbroken rest. A small miracle in this ravaged city.

He glanced around. Goeun was already up, rummaging through the store's scattered shelves for anything they missed the night before. Yunhee still dozed lightly, leaning on a tool cabinet, and Mr. Park lay with an improvised cushion beneath his head.

Won turned, noticing Taejin. "Morning… or afternoon, maybe," he said in a quiet voice. "No trouble so far."

Taejin nodded, crossing to check the front door's barricade. They'd hammered nails into planks set against the threshold, enough to deter casual monsters. "Good job," he murmured. "We should figure out our next step soon."

The teen looked away, expression uncertain. "Think we'll find an actual safe zone out there?"

"We have to try," Taejin replied. "If not, we'll make one."

They shared a thin smile. That was the plan: Establish a Safe Base or Join an Existing Survivor Camp. The system's prompt from last night lingered in Taejin's mind like a half-formed quest objective. If other survivors had gathered, they might have resources or leads. If not, maybe the group could carve out a defensible stronghold themselves. Neither option sounded easy.

Goeun joined them a few minutes later, arms full of small items: rope, nails, a spool of wire. "We can't haul too much, but these might be handy," she said, setting them on a clear patch of floor.

Taejin rifled through them. Rope could help scale walls or tie down barricades. Nails and wire might be used for traps. "Nice find," he said. "Any luck with weapons?"

She shook her head. "Mostly plastic handles and cheap tools. Nothing better than what we already have. How's Mr. Park?"

They both glanced across the store. Mr. Park stirred, rubbing his eyes. He slowly sat up, grimacing as he felt his chest. "I'll live," he answered wearily, as if he sensed their gaze. "Hurts, but I'm not bleeding out."

Goeun huffed relief. "At least that's progress."

Yunhee roused soon after, stretching carefully to avoid aggravating the slash on her arm. She still looked pale. Taejin handed her a bottle of water. "Drink," he urged. "We'll need you steady."

She managed a small nod. "Thanks."

Once they were all awake, Taejin cleared his throat. "We should leave soon. The longer we stay, the more likely something finds us."

Won brushed dust off his clothes. "Do we head to City Hall? Or try the sports complex? Or just pick a direction?"

Mr. Park rubbed at the bandages under his shirt. "Historically, the government would coordinate relief at City Hall. That's a strong bet for an official fallback point, if it still stands."

Goeun folded her arms, baton resting at her side. "But it's probably across half the city, right?"

Taejin considered. Their hardware store hideout was in a district maybe two or three kilometers from the central administrative area. Under normal conditions, that was a quick bus ride or a half-hour walk. Now it could be a labyrinth of monsters, hazards, and collapsed roads. Still, that beat wandering aimlessly.

He exhaled. "We head toward City Hall. We keep our eyes open for signs of a large survivor group. If the route looks too dangerous, we pivot."

No one objected. Yunhee rechecked her knife, Mr. Park picked up his crowbar, and Goeun pocketed the rope coil. Taejin shouldered a battered tool bag stuffed with nails and wire. With Won bringing up the rear, they carefully dismantled the barricade enough to slip out, then replaced it from the outside.

The early afternoon light stung their eyes after the dim store. Broken pavement and scattered rubble greeted them. Taejin led the way, short sword at the ready. If they encountered more orcs, he'd prefer to avoid a pitched battle, especially with Mr. Park still wounded.

They trudged two blocks in tense silence. Clusters of abandoned cars lined the roads. Occasionally, they spotted a body or torn scraps of cloth. The city's normal noises—traffic, busy sidewalks—were replaced by eerie stillness. It frayed their nerves.

At an intersection, Taejin paused, kneeling behind an overturned van. Across the street, a huge crater had collapsed half the road. Beyond it, some kind of giant skeleton lay twisted, half-buried in concrete. He couldn't tell if it was a mutant beast or some monstrous summoning that died mid-battle. Either way, a testament to the scale of chaos that erupted.

Goeun crouched next to him, eyes darting. "No movement?"

"None," Taejin replied softly. "But let's circle around. That crater looks unstable."

They took a side alley, weaving around tangled chain-link fences. The pungent smell of rotting trash lingered, nearly overpowering. Yunhee coughed, pressing a hand over her nose. Mr. Park, behind her, leaned on the fence for support. He was managing, but each step clearly cost him.

A muffled sob startled them. Taejin froze, turning to pinpoint the sound. It seemed to come from behind a cracked dumpster. He motioned the group to hush and approached slowly.

A figure huddled there—a young woman with matted hair, clutching a makeshift spear. Her clothes were torn, face streaked with dirt. She looked up, eyes wide with fear, and jabbed the spear forward in trembling panic.

Taejin jumped back, hands raised. "Whoa, we're not enemies!"

She blinked, tears brimming. Her spear wavered. Goeun stepped closer, baton lowered. "Hey, are you hurt?"

The woman sniffled, shoulders shaking. "D-Don't come too close… I… I saw those monsters. Thought you might be—"

"It's alright." Taejin kept his voice gentle. "We're survivors, too. Just like you."

She scanned the group, noticing their battered weapons and bandages. Slowly, she lowered the spear. Her expression flickered between relief and lingering terror. "I lost my family," she said in a broken whisper. "We got separated when everything… turned into this."

Goeun crouched beside her, offering a water bottle. "I'm sorry. Are you alone now?"

The woman nodded. "I hid here… but it's been two days, I think. No food left, just scraps. It's so quiet and—" She swallowed, trying to steady her breathing.

Taejin glanced back at the others. Yunhee's eyes softened with empathy, Mr. Park exhaled a faint sigh, and Won fiddled with his battered extinguisher as though wanting to say something comforting. But words felt insufficient.

"We're heading toward City Hall," Taejin said gently. "You're welcome to come with us."

She hesitated, tears still fresh. Then, with a shaky nod, she said, "Yes… please. I—I'm Ji-eun."

"Ji-eun," Goeun repeated, offering a hand. "We'll do our best to keep you safe."

The new addition rose, leaning on her makeshift spear for balance. She was trembling from hunger or shock—or both. Yunhee fished out a protein bar from their dwindling stash. Ji-eun accepted it with wide eyes, devouring it in seconds. The group gave her space, understanding too well the desperate hunger of living on the edge.

They continued, now six in total. Taejin worried about the group's pace. Mr. Park and Ji-eun both needed rest and medical care. But the city offered no safe respite. He kept scanning the roads for signs of large activity. They occasionally heard distant roars or crashes, but nothing close enough to see.

After another half-hour, they spotted the faint outline of a tall building with a distinctive design—likely a government complex. Relief and dread mingled in Taejin's gut. If City Hall still stood, great; if not, they might find more carnage.

As they approached, the streets seemed less cluttered, almost as if they were cleared purposefully. Broken cars were pushed aside, forming a passable lane. Taejin's heart jumped—someone had done that. Humans, probably. Maybe a coordinated group existed up ahead.

He signaled the team to stay cautious. Goeun nodded, baton poised. Ji-eun clutched her spear, eyes darting with renewed hope. They crept forward, using vehicles for cover.

Rounding a corner, they finally saw it: the City Hall plaza. Part of the building façade was scorched black, windows shattered. Makeshift barricades of metal sheets and sandbags ringed the entrance. And at the top of the steps, a half-dozen armed survivors stood guard. Their gear looked mismatched—some wore scavenged police vests, others brandished rifles or bows. But they were clearly organized.

Taejin's tension eased. This was exactly what they'd hoped to find: a survivor camp. The group approached carefully, hands raised to show they weren't hostile. One guard shouted, "Stop right there! State your business."

Taejin complied, halting about ten paces from the barricade. "We're survivors," he called back. "Just trying to find safety. We mean no harm."

Another guard, a middle-aged woman, kept her rifle aimed warily. "We've had… incidents. Trust is earned, not given."

Goeun raised her baton slowly in a gesture of no ill intent. "We understand. We're exhausted, just want to see if there's a place we can rest. We have an injured man and someone malnourished."

The first guard exchanged a look with the others. Then he signaled them to lower weapons. "Alright, come forward slowly."

They filed closer. The guards inspected them: Taejin's short sword, Goeun's baton and bracers, Won's bizarre extinguisher, Yunhee's knife, Mr. Park's crowbar, and Ji-eun's spear. None of it looked threatening enough to handle the well-armed watch if a fight broke out.

A tall, wiry man in a tattered police uniform approached. He wore a nameplate reading "Sergeant Kim." "Names?" he asked briskly.

Taejin introduced them one by one. The sergeant nodded. "We can't promise a warm welcome. Resources are stretched. But if you'll obey our rules, you can enter for a short evaluation. We have a triage station."

A small weight lifted off Taejin's shoulders. "Thank you. We'll do whatever's needed."

"Alright." Sergeant Kim waved to a pair of guards. "Escort them in. Keep an eye out."

Inside the barricade, the City Hall foyer had been turned into a makeshift camp. Cots lined the marble floor, scattered around the reception desks. People in varying states of distress lay or sat, some with bandages, others gazing blankly. Taejin's heart clenched at the sight. There were more survivors here than he'd hoped, but they all looked worn down.

A few posted signs designated corners for food distribution, medical aid, and supply management. Here and there, volunteer nurses or ex-military types hurried about, delivering water or checking injuries. The entire place buzzed with tension.

Sergeant Kim guided them to a desk-turned-checkpoint. "The acting leadership is in the mayor's office upstairs," he explained. "For now, go see Nurse Ha for any medical attention. Then we'll have you speak with our coordinator."

Yunhee nodded, eyeing Mr. Park. "He needs help first."

An older nurse, presumably Nurse Ha, waved them over to a table piled with first-aid supplies. She scowled at Mr. Park's chest bandages, quickly unwrapping them to examine the wound. "You're lucky," she muttered. "Doesn't look infected yet." She cleaned it with practiced efficiency, ignoring his pained grimaces. Ji-eun's bony shoulders caught her attention next. The nurse handed her a ration pack. "Eat slowly. Stomach's likely in shock."

Taejin stepped aside, letting the nurse do her job. Goeun lingered near him, scanning the crowd. They overheard fragments of conversation: rumors about monster sightings a few blocks away, talk of missing supply runners, worries that the next scenario might strike soon.

A hush fell as a new figure approached—a stern woman in a dusty blazer, flanked by two guards. She surveyed the group with a calculating stare. "Sergeant Kim told me about fresh arrivals," she said. "I'm Min Hye-rin, acting coordinator for the City Hall camp."

Taejin introduced himself again, noticing the old city council ID clipped to her lapel. She studied him, then the others, as if sizing up their capability. "We welcome new survivors, but resources are tight. You'll be expected to contribute to the defense."

"That's fair," Goeun answered. "We're ready to do our part."

Min Hye-rin's gaze flickered to the battered weapons. "You look like you've fought your way here. Are you willing to join the next supply run or patrol duty once you've rested?"

Taejin hesitated—he wanted to ensure Mr. Park and Ji-eun were stable. But they owed these people for letting them in. "Yes," he said at last, exchanging glances with Goeun. "Once we recover, we can help."

Hye-rin nodded curtly. "Good. We rotate tasks. That includes scavenging for food or clearing nearby hostile presences. The city's turned into a battlefield, and we can't survive if we stay idle."

The mention of clearing threats gave Taejin a shiver of unease. He pictured the orcs they fought, or the monstrous wave scenario. But he squared his shoulders. "We understand. We've encountered some of the monsters ourselves."

Her expression softened slightly. "You're free to rest in the main hall for now. See me later about your assignment. One more thing—no violence inside these walls. We barely maintain order as is."

"Got it," Goeun said.

With that, Hye-rin left to address another matter. The group exchanged relief-filled looks. They were safe for the moment—officially part of City Hall's refugee camp. Better than braving the streets alone.

They found a corner near some stacked crates where they could settle. The nurse finished cleaning Mr. Park's wound and promised antibiotics soon. Ji-eun devoured the ration pack in small bites, tears welling in her eyes as she tasted real food again. Yunhee finally let the nurse apply proper bandages to her arm, wincing but clearly relieved.

Taejin sank onto the floor, back against the marble wall. The tension in his chest loosened incrementally. They'd made it. Not exactly a paradise, but a functioning haven amidst chaos.

Goeun sat next to him, quietly surveying their new environment. "Strange, isn't it? Everyone's on edge, but at least they have each other."

"Yeah," Taejin agreed. He glanced up at the high ceiling, remembering what it once looked like—pristine offices and bustling workers. Now it felt like the aftermath of war. "If we can help keep this place secure, maybe we can buy time to learn more about the system."

She brushed dust off her baton. "And eventually find a way to end it."

Taejin nodded, though that notion felt far off. The next main scenario still loomed, possibly bigger and deadlier than ever. If the system recognized City Hall as a hub of survivors, it might throw something monstrous their way soon. Or the watchers—those Constellations—could push for more "entertainment."

He closed his eyes, collecting himself. Then he felt that subtle hum of the system, a slight tingle in his vision:

Quest Notice:"Gain the Trust of City Hall Camp."Objectives:

Contribute to a successful supply run or patrol mission.Aid in defending the camp from external threats.Reward: Enhanced Access to Camp Resources, Increased Standing among Survivors

So it was official. The system recognized their new environment, offering a path to deeper involvement. He glanced at Goeun, suspecting she might've received the same notice. The slight furrow in her brow said yes.

"Looks like the system wants us to prove ourselves," he murmured.

She rolled her eyes. "Of course it does."

Still, Taejin felt a flicker of optimism. This quest was less about raw survival and more about forging alliances. If they built a strong network here, they stood a better chance when the next forced scenario hit. He inhaled, taking comfort in that small sense of direction.

Later that day, they learned more about the camp's structure. Min Hye-rin led a provisional council, deciding resource allocation and mission priorities. Sergeant Kim headed the security detail, organizing patrols. A handful of volunteer doctors and nurses ran the triage. Food was rationed strictly, and most newcomers had to volunteer for tasks like clearing debris or scouting for supplies.

Taejin and Goeun volunteered for a scouting run the next morning, after they got some rest. Won showed interest too, though he'd need a sturdier weapon than the extinguisher. Sergeant Kim said they had a few battered shotguns locked up if they could prove responsibility.

Mr. Park and Ji-eun were advised to stay behind for now—Park needed more recovery, and Ji-eun's malnourished state left her too weak to handle a fight. Both looked relieved to remain in relative safety.

While settling in, Taejin noticed many survivors had that wary, haunted look. They spoke in hushed tones about what they'd seen—some had run from gigantic beasts, others encountered roving orc gangs. A few used the word "Scenario" with the same hush, indicating forced trials they'd endured. Yet no one had a clear understanding of the system's grand design, just that it was deadly and unstoppable.

Taejin's group remained quiet about their own deeper experiences—like the wave scenario or the goblin dungeon. Not out of secrecy, but because it was overwhelming to process themselves. They had to piece it together more clearly before sharing widely.

Night fell across the shattered city, though the camp's interior was dimly lit by emergency lighting powered by a generator. Taejin sat with Goeun on a ledge near a broken window on the second floor, gazing out at the dark skyline. Flickers of fire glowed in distant blocks. Sometimes a roar or rumble broke the silence.

"Hard to believe it's only been a few days," he murmured, voice hushed.

She nodded, resting her chin on her knees. "We were just commuters on a subway. Now…"

She let the sentence drift. Taejin understood. They'd killed monsters, seen death up close, and become reluctant adventurers in a twisted world. Despite the horror, they'd found a purpose—protecting each other and seeking a glimmer of hope in forging alliances here.

He reached for the faint presence of the system in his mind, checking his status. Still Level 5. Strength: C, Agility: C, Vitality: C+. Basic Strike Lv.1. No new boons. But tomorrow's mission might lead to more growth if they faced threats. A double-edged fate—grow or die.

Goeun broke the silence. "Do you think we'll ever get rid of this madness? Or are we stuck with leveling up until we lose ourselves?"

Taejin swallowed, choosing his words carefully. "I want to believe there's an end. Maybe if we keep climbing the system's ranks, we can figure out who or what is behind it."

She exhaled, leaning back against the wall. "Then let's survive until we get answers."

He mustered a small, determined smile. "Deal."

Below them, the camp's flickering lights revealed dozens of survivors trying to sleep or standing guard. This was their new reality: a fortress of frightened souls, fighting tooth and nail to outlast an apocalypse that came without warning or mercy.

Yet in that grim tableau, Taejin sensed a thread of unity. Even strangers clung to each other, forging a fragile community. And for the first time, he felt they weren't just scrambling in the dark. They had a home base—imperfect, scarce in resources, but a haven nonetheless.

Tomorrow, the camp would test them. The system would test them. But they'd face it together, forging a path forward in a city reclaimed by nightmares.

With that resolve, Taejin rose, offering Goeun a hand. "Let's get some rest. Big day ahead."

She nodded, allowing herself to be pulled up. "Yeah," she said softly. "One step at a time."