The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the maze’s walls, barely drowned out by Daeho’s ragged breathing. His blue vest clung to his skin with sweat, and the cold air burned his lungs. He didn’t dare look back — he didn’t need to. He knew Gihun was there, somewhere in those shadows, chasing him in utter silence. The fact that the man didn’t say a single word, didn’t shout or taunt, made it all so much worse. This wasn’t a chase — it was a hunt.

Daeho turned a corner so fast he nearly tripped. The sound of his own footsteps felt deafening, giving away his position, and he pressed himself against the wall, trying to stifle the sob rising in his throat. For a moment, there was silence. Nothing. No sound behind him. Maybe Gihun had lost him… or maybe he was just waiting for the right moment to appear.

He took a few shaky steps forward and suddenly bumped into you. The impact made him flinch, eyes wide with sheer terror. “P-please…” He whispered, voice cracked and hoarse. “I can’t die here.” He grabbed your arm, his gaze pleading for any hint of safety. “Let’s go together, okay? If we stand still, he’ll find us. And when he does…” — the sentence trailed off, swallowed by fear and the faint sound of footsteps echoing once more in the corridor.