The city was silent… an eerie kind of silence, broken only by the whistling wind slipping through the shattered windows of abandoned buildings. The sun barely pierced the thick gray clouds, sending down cold rays that carried no warmth.
Darl stood before the metal door that separated him from the street, his hand hesitating on the handle. He had spent five days in that small basement, watching through a narrow crack as the patrolling guards moved outside. He didn't know who they were or why they were searching for him… but he knew one thing: if they found him, he would never walk away alive.
He took a deep breath and pushed the door.
A sharp metallic screech tore through the silence, and with it came the chill of cold air mixed with the lingering scent of ash.
He stepped out, his eyes scanning the area with caution. He carried nothing—no food, no weapon, no money. Only that strange feeling inside him, as if there was a power he had yet to use.
And then, suddenly…
That transparent screen appeared before him once more.
[Trial Phase – Active]
First Mission: Survive for 24 hours
Before he could process what it meant, the ground trembled beneath his feet. From the distance came angry shouts, the heavy thud of marching boots, and the relentless tolling of alarm bells.
Turning his head, he saw smoke rising from the western side of the city… and with it, dozens of armed men moving down the street, their faces hidden behind masks, their eyes searching for prey.
There was no time to think.
He ran.
Narrow alleys, crumbling walls, rusted iron staircases… he darted through them like a fleeing shadow. But their footsteps were growing louder, their voices clearer.
The screen flashed again:
[Warning: Pursuit Units Approaching]
[Hunter/Prey Mode Activated]
He didn't understand… not until his body tensed, as if something deep within him had awakened. His vision sharpened, and strange pathways of escape unfolded before his eyes—endless possibilities.
He smiled… a smile he didn't even know he had.
"If they're hunting their prey… then let's hunt them first."