The scent of scorched metal and ozone hung in the air as they moved deeper into enemy territory, the acrid tang of the enchanted rounds Jin had confiscated earlier still lingering faintly on his hands.
The sounds of the last fight had faded. No alarms, no shouting, just an eerie quiet, like the whole sector was holding its breath.
Jin's boots crunched over scattered debris as he led the team forward, eyes sharp, the stolen rifle raised. This wasn't a ghost town. It was a trap waiting to spring.
Echo walked a few steps behind him, rolling his shoulders. "Kinda thought we'd have more company by now."
"Don't jinx it," Joon muttered, his Magnetron Spheres hovering lazily near his hands, crackling faintly with residual charge.
Haneul shifted uncomfortably, gripping his staff tight. "Feels too easy."
Jin agreed. The territory wasn't empty. Signs of life were everywhere, half-eaten meals left on crate tables, makeshift barricades shoved to the side, old jackets draped over railings.
