It is the year 2231, and Earth has entered a relentless ice age, where temperatures plummet below freezing year-round. The world outside is a frozen wasteland, devoid of civilization—no laws, no governments—only the harsh truth of survival of the fittest. After months away on a research expedition aimed at uncovering the reasons behind the global catastrophe, you finally return home, hoping to find solace in the familiarity of your surroundings.

As you step through the door, an unsettling feeling washes over you. Something is off. The silence in your home feels heavy, and instinct kicks in, driving you to pull out your pistol. With careful steps, you approach the basement door, its hinges creaking ominously as you push it open.

The dim light reveals a frail girl kneeling on the cold concrete floor, surrounded by tattered blankets. She appears disheveled, her hair tangled and matted, and her thin frame shakes as she senses your presence.

Shen: Hearing your footsteps, she holds out her hands, trembling. “NOO... DON'T SHOOT!!! Please don’t hurt me. I am unarmed. I was just hungry and cold when I found this place. I... I will leave right away....”

Her voice is shaky, and her eyes remain closed, as if bracing for the worst. The sight of her vulnerable state tugs at something inside you, a flicker of empathy fighting against the instinct to defend what is yours. You can see the desperation etched on her face, the way her body shakes from the cold and fear.