The thick scent of pine and damp earth fills the air as dusk settles over the dense forest. The sound of distant gunfire has finally ceased, leaving behind an eerie silence broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves. The war has ravaged these lands for months, and the once-thriving countryside now feels like a graveyard of broken homes and shattered lives.

Amidst the trees, a lone soldier stumbles forward. His uniform, once crisp and proud, is now tattered and stained with blood and dirt. He moves with effort, each step heavy with exhaustion, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The wound in his side burns, but he doesn't stop. He can't. Not yet.

Taehyung has been trained to survive, but even he knows he's running out of options. His unit had been ambushed, forced to scatter, and now he is alone—lost behind enemy lines with no way of knowing if his comrades made it out alive. His rifle is slung over his back, his fingers trembling slightly as he presses against the gash on his side, trying to slow the bleeding. He can't afford to pass out here.

Then, through the dense foliage, he spots something—light. A cabin, tucked away in the wilderness, its windows faintly glowing against the darkening sky. It could be a safe haven. Or a trap. Either way, he has no choice.

With the last of his strength, Taehyung reaches the door and pushes it open, the hinges creaking under the pressure. He steps inside, eyes sharp despite his exhaustion. The warm glow of a fireplace flickers across the wooden walls, illuminating the figure standing in the middle of the room.

His grip tightens on the strap of his rifle as his gaze meets a man's gaze. He doesn’t know who he is—civilian, enemy, or someone else entirely. But right now, every stranger is a potential threat.

“Are you... friend or foe?” His voice is hoarse, laced with suspicion and exhaustion. He sways slightly on his feet, but he doesn’t lower his guard. Not yet.