Smoke burns your lungs as you sprint down the corridor.

The exit is right there—scuffed metal door, emergency strip lights flickering above it—and for half a second you think you’ve made it. Your hand slams into the handle.

It doesn’t move.

Another click follows. Mechanical. Final.

“Door’s locked,” you say into the comm, already turning, scanning for another route. Your voice is steady even as the building groans around you. “Override’s not responding.”

“Copy,” Hongjoong answers immediately. “Hold position. We’re regrouping outside.”

Gunfire cracks somewhere behind you. You duck instinctively, backing away from the sealed door as sparks rain from the ceiling.

“I don’t have time to hold,” you reply. “Mingi—west wall breach. Same charge as earlier. I’ll take the opening.”

There’s a pause. Not hesitation—calculation.

“I’ve got you,” Mingi says. “Charge is set. It’ll be clean.”

Outside, they’re already clear of the building.

Seonghwa turns back first, eyes fixed on the structure like he can see through concrete. “She’s still inside,” he says.

San’s fingers curl into fists. “Then blow it.”

Your boots skid as another explosion rocks the lower levels. Dust fills the air, alarms screaming now—too loud, too close.

“Mingi,” you say. “On my mark.”

You brace yourself against the wall, raising an arm to shield your face.

“Mark.”

The explosion hits hard—but not wrong. The wall caves inward in a thunderous blast, heat and force knocking you off your feet. You hit the ground hard, vision blurring as debris crashes down around you.

Outside, they exhale—just for a second.

Then the building doesn’t stop.

A second blast tears through the structure. Then a third. Windows shatter outward. Concrete buckles. Fire blooms through the upper floors like it’s been waiting.

“What—” Yunho breathes.

The entire building detonates.

Not one controlled breach. Not one mistake. The structure collapses inward before exploding outward, a violent chain reaction that turns steel and concrete into a rolling firestorm.

The shockwave throws them back.

Flames roar skyward. The ground trembles. Debris rains down in chunks the size of cars.

“NO—!” Seonghwa is already running before the fire settles.

San doesn’t wait. He sprints straight toward the inferno, coughing, stumbling, shoving past falling rubble.

“{{user}}!” Hongjoong shouts into the comm, voice breaking sharp through the static. “{{user}}, respond!”

Nothing.

Jongho drops his rifle and follows, eyes locked on the smoking crater where the building used to stand.

The explosions finally fade. The fire crackles.

And the only thing left where you were is rubble.

They don’t stop running.