Chapter 5 : ESCAPE!

I stared at the creature with unwavering focus. My breathing was slow and measured, but my chest felt tight, like a war drum on the verge of erupting. My hand slowly reached for my katana, drawing the blade from its sheath with a cold, metallic hiss—almost inaudible, yet enough to raise caution.

The creature didn't move. It stood at the end of the corridor, its glowing eyes and rows of sharp teeth grinning from within the darkness. Whether it was a smile or merely the natural shape of its jaw, it was enough to send chills down my spine. I knew that the others behind me—Olivia and Hyunsuk—were too afraid to even take a deep breath. The air itself felt heavy. As if every molecule was saturated with threat.

In a whisper so low it barely escaped my lips, I gave them instructions.

"Back away slowly toward the other tunnel branch. Wait for my signal. When I say run, you run with everything you've got. Don't look back. Don't worry about where you're going. Just run. I'll cover you from behind. Got it?"

I heard no response, but I knew they heard me. Fear can silence your voice, but not your ears. In moments like this, primal instincts take over—and theirs understood the danger right in front of us.

We began to move. Each backward step felt like a game of life and death. No one dared to take their eyes off the creature. Predators—especially ones like this, which we'd never seen before—often strike when their prey turns its back. Even the slightest wrong move could be fatal.

And just as I feared, the creature began to move. It made no sound, but the way its gaze shifted from one face to the next made its intent clear: it was choosing.

I drew a deep breath, my lungs protesting the cold, heavy air. Then, in a moment that stretched into eternity, I shouted—

"Run!"

In an instant, the sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor. Hyunsuk and Olivia bolted toward the fork in the path, their bodies nearly stumbling from panic and adrenaline. I followed close behind, keeping just enough distance to protect them, making sure the creature didn't strike immediately.

I didn't need to look back. I could feel it. The presence. The massive shadow and crushing aura chasing from behind, closing in with every second. The concrete walls and rusted pipes around us no longer mattered—everything was drowned out by the rhythm of running feet and labored breathing.

This tunnel had become a maze, and we were the rats scrambling to survive.

Branches came and went in flashes of panic. Direction no longer mattered. Our legs knew only one thing: get away from the darkness behind us.

Terror crept over every inch of my skin. Not ordinary fear—this was pure, ancient terror. The kind that lived in the marrow of humanity since the first time we realized the darkness could devour us. Even with a katana in hand, I knew… one strike might not be enough.

And then it happened.

We reached a particularly sharp junction. Olivia, running just ahead of me, lost control. She slipped—hit the concrete hard—and her flashlight flew from her hand, bouncing twice before landing on the ground, still lit.

"Damn it!"

I cursed, gritting my teeth. Without hesitation, I halted, bent down, slid my arm under her, and lifted her into my arms. Olivia was unconscious. Her face pale, lips slightly parted. But her arms reflexively clung to me tightly—a survival instinct still burning dimly within her.

My body trembled under the weight. The gear on my back made each step feel like I was dragging the ground itself. But there was no other choice.

I kept running.

Sweat streamed down my face. My breathing was ragged, tainted by the metallic taste of damp, moldy air. Just as I thought I'd collapse, a low rumble came from behind. I glanced back briefly. The creature… had stopped.

It was staring at the light?

Its eyes were locked onto Olivia's fallen flashlight. That tiny beam of light had caught its attention. Slowly, it moved toward it—then crushed it beneath its claw.

Its head began to turn back toward us.

Shit. I was out of time.

"Hyunsuk! Throw your flashlight down a different tunnel! That thing's drawn to the light!" I shouted.

Without hesitation, Hyunsuk, farther ahead, tossed his flashlight down a right-side passage. The beam tumbled and bounced, finally coming to a stop in the shadows.

The creature moved.

It turned. Chasing the light. Leaving us.

I could barely believe it worked, but I had no time to feel relief. I could still sense its breath behind me, like a foul stench brushing against my neck.

"Hyunsuk! Throw another one if you have it!" I shouted again.

Without a word, Hyunsuk pulled out a second flashlight, turned it on, and flung it down another corridor. The sound of clattering metal and cracking glass echoed as the beam rolled away.

I kept running. My legs nearly gave out. But we had to keep going.

The creature was distracted again, turning away from us—for now.

We ran and ran, through turns that felt endless. Breath fading. My entire body felt like it was being stabbed by hot needles. Every muscle screamed, but I didn't stop.

Until finally…

A ventilation shaft came into view ahead—light filtered faintly through its grating, giving us a glimmer of hope.

I skidded to a halt and gently laid Olivia down against the concrete wall.

"We rest here," I said, barely audible between gasps for breath.

I collapsed to the floor, clutched my knees, and bowed my head. Heavy breathing echoed through the corridor, and sweat soaked through my clothes, dripping onto the ground.

"Hyung… are you okay?" Hyunsuk asked, worried.

"Water…"

It was all I could say. My throat was parched, like it had been lined with dust and sand. Hyunsuk reached into my bag, pulled out a bottle, and opened the cap. He handed it to me.

With trembling hands, I grabbed the bottle and drank quickly, water spilling down my face and neck. It mixed with sweat, and for a moment, I could only sit in silence, trying to catch my breath.

My temples throbbed. My vision was still hazy with exhaustion. But my mind immediately turned to Olivia.

"How is she?" I asked.

Hyunsuk moved over to her. He knelt and examined her condition.

"Noona's still unconscious. But she's got a few scrapes and a nasty bruise on her leg. Must've hit the floor hard, Hyung…"

I took a deep breath and nodded slowly. "Give her some water. Just enough to moisten her lips."

"Okay, Hyung."

The corridor still felt oppressive, but for now, we were safe. At least… for now.

But I knew. That creature was still out there. And this… was only the beginning.