A moment of rest

After everything that had happened, it was clear that everyone needed a moment to catch their breath. They sat inside an abandoned building on the outskirts of the city, hidden from view, surrounded by the quiet sounds of the night—a deceptive silence that masked the changes reshaping their world.

Hori sprawled out on the floor with a heavy sigh. "Finally… a moment of peace! I never thought I'd appreciate just sitting like this."

Lyria, tending to a small cut on her arm, gave a soft smile. "Don't get too comfortable, Hori. We don't know when we'll have to start running again."

Si-Yeon sat by a broken window, gazing at the floating castle in the sky. "None of this makes sense… We're literally caught between two worlds, and no one knows how this will end."

Jin-Won hadn't spoken much. He was focused on his sword, trying to understand the new power he had gained. But he could feel the others watching him.

"What?" he asked, glancing up.

Hori waved a hand lazily. "Nothing, just wondering when you'll decide to tell us what's on your mind."

Jin-Won sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. "I'm just thinking… So far, we've been acting based on what this system dictates. We fight, we run, we search for answers. But we haven't asked the most important question—what if we don't have to follow these rules? What if there's another way?"

Silence followed, until Si-Yeon spoke quietly. "If there is another way, we need to find it fast."

Hori sat up, rubbing his neck. "Well, we can figure all that out after we get some sleep. I don't want to fight another monster while I'm half-asleep."

Lyria chuckled and nodded in agreement. "You're right. Let's take a short break, then decide what to do next."

And so, for the first time since it all began, they allowed themselves a moment of rest—before they had to face whatever came next.

—To be continued…