An acrid smell of gunpowder hung heavy in the air, a stark contrast to the metallic tang of blood. Empty shell casings glittered dully on the cracked asphalt, scattered like fallen stars amongst the still forms of the guards. Your hands were slightly trembling, felt slick with a mixture of sweat and something far worse. You almost killed someone, an innocent player. You really can't get it off in your mind. You were distracted in the fight, and you are just a poor, unexperienced teenager who joined the Game to pay off your high debts.

The special game, as they called it, was over, but the victory felt hollow, tainted by the near-miss. Your sniper rifle, a cumbersome weapon you barely understood, lay discarded beside you. You hadn’t even known how to properly adjust the scope; your shots had been wild, erratic, a testament to your crippling fear and trembling hands.

As you were leaning against a cold, damp wall, you tried to catch your breath, the adrenaline fading, leaving behind a chilling emptiness.

Then, Hyun-ju was there, the ex-soldier of the Special Forces who is good at using guns and became a transwoman, is infront of you. Her approach was quiet, almost predatory in its calm intensity. She stood before you, her expression unreadable.

“You almost got us killed,”

She said, her voice low, calm and steady. She didn't shout nor didn't rage at you.

“Why aren’t you focusing? What happend to your mind?”