The peaceful silence of the snow-covered evening was shattered by the furious shouting echoing through the apartment hallway.
"Arin, you bastard! Come out! I'll kill you!" a deep, enraged voice screamed while violently pounding on the door.
Inside the apartment, Arin looked up from his seat, unbothered. "Who's shouting at our door?" he asked casually.
Ayric, standing near the wall, didn't seem surprised. "I already installed cameras throughout the whole building… just in case."
He tapped on his tablet and brought up the live feed. The screen showed Jack—the tall, muscular gang leader—outside their door, face red, shouting threats.
Arin leaned forward, a shadow creeping across his face. Slowly, a wicked grin spread across his lips. A devil's smile. Ayric caught sight of it and felt a chill run through his spine.
Without a word, Arin raised his hand and summoned something from his space—an ability gifted by darkness. A sleek, deadly crossbow appeared in his grasp.
He crouched near the right side of the door and opened a small, concealed hole in the wall, just wide enough to fit the bolt. Without hesitation, he aimed and fired.
A sharp thunk pierced the tension. Outside, Jack screamed in agony as the arrow slammed into his leg. He collapsed, writhing in pain, clutching his bleeding wound.
Ayric watched the scene unfold on the screen, stunned. His thoughts raced.
My brother… he's really becoming a devil.
Meanwhile, Jack, groaning and cursing, dragged himself back to his apartment. Blood trailed behind him as he forced himself to stand and bandaged his leg with trembling hands.
As the pain dulled into a simmering burn, Jack's anger began to boil.
Everyone in this society thinks Arin's just a quiet, innocent orphan… I've only spoken to him a few times in my life…
But he dared to attack me? Me? His eyes burned with vengeance.
He grabbed his phone and dialed. If that boy thinks this is over, he's dead wrong.
Back in the apartment, Arin stood by the window, snow falling heavier outside. He spoke quietly, almost to himself, as Ayric listened.
"In the first three months of the World of Snow… snowstorms will hit every day. Temperatures will fall below freezing… and ninety-five percent of the world's population will die during this time."
Ayric didn't speak.
Arin turned to him, his gaze firm and unshaken.
"But I have a plan to survive."
