Chapter 17 : Mentality Adjustment

With the arrival of Robert and Joshua, our team now numbered five. It felt like a decent number for now, though I wasn't sure if that would change in the future. All I knew was… I hoped we could all survive—until the very end.

Our exploration of the fourth floor resumed. We walked slowly through the long, silent corridors, and the team began to warm up to each other. Olivia seemed to blend in the fastest—perhaps because she and Robert came from the same country, it was easy for them to find common ground in conversation. Meanwhile, Joshua and Hyunsuk were already immersed in the kind of chats typical of boys their age: school memories, hobbies, even light topics like games and girls.

I walked at the rear, keeping the formation intact. Not because I didn't care, but because that's just who I was. I was more comfortable observing, listening, and watching the surroundings. Not that I was cold or distant—if someone spoke to me, I'd definitely answer. But in a situation like this, my role felt more suited to a silent guard.

As we walked, my thoughts began to drift.

Were we the only team who had come this far? Were there others out there? Possibly. But how far had they gotten?

Maybe there were groups who entered this world before us. Maybe some of them had already reached higher floors, or even formed small settlements. Or maybe… they were all dead. We didn't know. There were no clues telling us whether we were part of the first wave—or just another drop in an endless stream.

But one thing was certain: if there were other groups, sooner or later, our paths would cross.

We continued exploring until we found a small room that looked like it had been abandoned for a long time. Inside, we discovered supplies—a sealed first-aid kit and a few pieces of clothing: plain shirts and worn-out military jackets.

A rare stroke of luck.

First-aid kits in this place weren't just boxes of medicine. They were symbols of hope—silent lifesavers in a world full of threats. Fatal wounds couldn't be healed with just alcohol and bandages, sure, but preventing infection, closing open cuts, or simply wiping away blood—those things could mean the difference between life and death.

We immediately distributed the clothes to Robert and Joshua. Their clothes were torn, stained with blood, and barely wearable. Olivia efficiently cleaned their wounds, while I checked through the items they'd been carrying.

Honestly, it was pitiful. A few emergency snacks, dented water bottles, and makeshift weapons—a dull machete and a few small knives. No protective gear. No survival equipment.

I could only wonder—did they not have time to gather anything on the previous floors? Or had they been too busy just trying to stay alive to secure essentials?

Regardless, they were part of our team now. And as a team, we would share—even if that meant cutting into our own supplies.

But we hadn't walked far from that room when we heard the voice.

"Someone… help me…!"

A faint, but unmistakable voice echoed through the corridor. A human voice. Desperate.

We looked at each other. None of us could pinpoint where it came from. The floor was too quiet, too wide, and the echo spread in every direction. We tried to trace it—but it was no use.

I let out a slow sigh.

In a place like this, there were too many possibilities. It could very well be someone in need… or it could be a trap. A monster. Or something worse. We didn't have enough information to risk making a foolish decision.

"What do we do?" Olivia asked softly, her voice tinged with hesitation.

I simply shook my head. "We can't save someone we can't even find. We're not strong enough to rescue everyone."

The words were heavy… but also firm.

Because that's the truth. This world holds no mercy. Here, having a gun or a knife doesn't guarantee your survival. Even wild animals in the real world require skill and experience to face—so what about monsters that don't follow the laws of biology?

This isn't a video game. There are no levels. No extra lives.

If you die, you die. That's all there is to it.

I'm not a hero. I won't try to save every stranger I meet. My job is simple: to make sure the people with me—stay alive. If that sounds selfish, then so be it.

Ignoring the faint voice still echoing in the distance, I took the first step forward, leading the team back into the dark corridor.

One step, one breath.

We had to keep moving. Because if we stopped—even for a moment—this world would swallow us whole.