The alarms wouldn't stop.
Flashing red lights painted the cracked walls as smoke and screams filled the laboratory. The failed experiment—the monster—had broken free.
But unlike the other creatures, this one wasn't killing blindly. His rage had direction. He tore through the walls, targeting the scientists who had made him what he was. Every move, every roar, was filled with agony and vengeance.
A man in a white coat tried to crawl away through the debris. The monster's heavy footsteps shook the ground, and before the scientist could reach the exit, a massive hand grabbed him. A single scream—then silence.
The creature turned, smashing through another corridor, destroying everything that dared to move.
Outside, the night air carried the sound of chaos.
On the next building's rooftop, Yurim and Rian were fighting their own war.
"Yurim!" Rian shouted, throwing himself forward. His fingers barely caught her wrist.
Her other hand gripped the old woman—his grandmother—who dangled below.
Yurim's breath came out in sharp gasps, her arms trembling under the impossible weight.
"Hold on!" Rian gritted his teeth, trying to pull them both up. But his strength was fading; his injuries from earlier battles hadn't healed. His half-human body was exhausted, shaking under pressure.
"Rian… she's slipping!" Yurim cried, her voice breaking. The old woman below growled, her eyes wild with madness—the demon side of her fully awakened.
"Don't let go!" Rian yelled again, desperation cracking in his voice.
"I—I can't!" Yurim sobbed. Her fingers burned, blood mixing with dust. The old woman's strength was far greater—she wasn't just heavy; her resistance made it worse.
Then, before Yurim could react, the grandmother twisted violently, screaming something unintelligible. Her clawed hand struck Yurim's wrist—forcing her to let go.
"No!" Rian's scream tore through the chaos as the old woman fell. The sound of her body hitting the broken floor below echoed like thunder.
Everything went still.
Yurim froze, tears spilling uncontrollably.
Rian just stared, blank—his eyes wide, empty, disbelief swallowing every thought.
Smoke rose between the buildings, and from within it, the monster emerged. His massive figure broke through the wall, stepping out into the open air. His shadow crawled across their rooftop like death itself.
Yurim's body stiffened.
"Rian," she whispered, trembling.
He didn't respond. His eyes were still fixed on where his grandmother had fallen.
"Rian!" she shouted louder, panic taking over. "He's coming—please, move!"
He didn't. He couldn't.
Yurim looked at the creature, then back at Rian. Her voice broke.
"Let me go. If you don't… you'll die too."
"No," he whispered. But his grip had already weakened.
He gathered all his strength, muscles burning, and pulled her up with a final, desperate effort. She landed beside him, coughing, eyes wide with terror.
But there was no time to breathe.
The monster had reached the building's edge, its arm drawing back for a devastating strike.
"Move!" Rian shouted, grabbing Yurim's wrist again.
The monster lifted his hand to punch the building — but before his fist could land,
a sudden, piercing cry split the air.
The monster froze mid-motion, letting out a guttural sound of pain.
A dark figure dropped from the smoke —
It was the night guard.