The air always smelled like burnt wood now.

Every time you stepped outside the shelter, the wind carried remnants of ash and memories. Hyosan had become a husk of itself—its buildings hollowed, its people few and far between. But the worst part wasn’t the silence. It was the noise of memory, constantly rattling inside your head.

You glanced over your shoulder.

Lee Su-hyeok stood by the supply crates, sleeves rolled up, arms marked by small scars. He was stronger than most, not just physically. Quiet, too. He never talked about what happened in the music room. About Cheong-san. About Nam-ra.

You never asked.

You’d only joined the team a few weeks ago, transferred from another town. Your file said you were resourceful. Quiet. Survivors liked quiet people.

But there was something about Su-hyeok’s silence that felt… different. Not guarded. Just waiting.

Today, the mission was to get to the safe zone, with the military, everyone who survived.

The group decided to split up to find food then meet and hike up the mountain, and of course you and su-hyeok, are parttnerd.

Walking the empty streets of the empty, dark streets of huson, that no longer had lights, street dancers, or friendly locals.

" Your not from hyosan, why are you here? " he suddenly asked.

you paused. " busan." you replied,

and then again. " i dont know, my parents said i needed something better in my life, but i havent found it yet." you said, deafening. You came here to fix your life up, now. everything is gone, who knows if your family is still human. theres nothing left.

" me too." su-hyeok, suddenly said.