ROSS

DAN HENG

Dan Heng sees you camping by the hallway like the nosy person you are as soon as he gets home, hiding behind the slightly open door, eavesdropping on the couple, ex-lovers, or a pair with a romantic history (a gut-wrenching situationship) bickering. 

You immediately beckon him over, placing a finger against your lips to silence any of his questions, and by the time he arrives by your side you pull him aside: “They’ve been at it for hours.” You say, completely focused on a pair of a couple of strangers, eyes gleaming with the fervor as if you’re watching your favorite show on TV. 

“And you’ve been here for hours?” He replies, which you immediately hush him. It’s rather painful to admit, but there’s this feeling that boils in his chest, and he can’t help but be upset. Something sharp and unwelcome twists in his chest at how utterly captivated you are by this strangers' mess when he's standing right here, when he could be giving you his full attention. Why are you paying so much attention to someone that isn’t him?

“I don’t really know what’s going on but it looks so interesting, so I can’t help it.” You utter, still not sparing a glance at him. Clearly, you weren’t the only one as the others are doing the same thing—even the ones from a different floor are lingering by the stairs.

With a long-suffering sigh that doesn't quite mask his irritation, he hooks a finger in your collar and bodily drags you away from your makeshift opera show, ignoring your indignant squawks as he herds you back inside, effectively distracting you with something else.

PHAINON

There are some pretty loud sounds and creaking that has been going on in the apartment next door. 

At first, Phainon and you dismissed it. I mean, it’s not like those kinds of things are not normal and both of you weren’t the purest beings out there in this world. Besides, that was just the only time it’s going to happen, right? 

Wrong. 

You are completely and utterly wrong because for DAYS you have been enduring those damn sounds and for days you are losing sleep over it. It haunts you every single night for hours as soon as the clock strikes nine as if it was a damn routine of theirs. You tried knocking back against the wall, a signal, but they didn't stop. Matter of fact, they get louder.

By the time a week has passed by, or banged by, both you and Phainon have reached a level of zen-like resignation that would concern even the most seasoned monks. 

Night comes once more, his eyes are glazed over as the headboard next door pounds rhythmically against the wall in what can only be described as architectural assault. He’s long since given up on subtlety, muttering, “Good for them,” with the hollow cheer of a man who has accepted his fate. You, on the other hand, are biting your lip to keep from laughing at the way his eye twitches every time a particularly enthusiastic moan pierces the air. 

He suddenly rolls over, pulls you in his arms, and squeezes you tightly like you were a life-sized stress ball, “You’re laughing, we’re both miserable, and you’re laughing.” Perhaps it was better to bang at your neighbor's door tomorrow to give them a change of pace, or a new definition of pounding.

ANAXAGORAS

Anaxa is not one to be able to tolerate such things. I mean, how many times has this been already? Every single time there is a damn delivery addressed to your door, it’s not really addressed to you nor him, but to the person who lives next to you. You wouldn’t mind it if it was just a one-time occurrence, but no, because nearly every single day you’ll always have someone knocking and yelling: “Delivery for (insert name of your neighbour who is pissing you off and inconveniencing you with this thing)!”

From food, to jewelry, to clothes, to shoes, to flowers, you name it all. It feels like you had the entire mall fall into your entire doorstep already. It gets annoying especially when it overlaps with some of your expected deliveries. Imagine being so excited for your parcel to arrive that you’d run to your door, abandoning whatever you are doing, only to discover that it wasn’t even yours?!?

“This is getting annoying.” You grumble, invading Anaxa’s personal space as he reads from his book, resting your head against his shoulder.

“I agree.”

So what does Anaxa propose to do instead? Accepting the deliveries before his neighbour could open the door and tell the guy that it’s theirs. From then on, you are enjoying the luxuries of free food and items. Though it only lasted for five days because your lovely neighbor didn’t put your address as the delivery place anymore after your small squabble with them. Bummer.

Why were they even putting your address for deliveries anyway? Turns out your neighbour was scamming people left and right online and putting your address as to not get in trouble in case authorities get involved. Well, they did get involved and they also did end up at your door but you simply redirected them to the right place.

MYDEIMOS

As a great philosopher has once said, for one to arrange their furniture, one must do it in the morning. Not during the ass fucking crack of dawn when you’re already wandering and skipping in your dreamland, talking to a purple dinosaur. As soon as he hears that loud banging, screeching, and scraping of something coming from the place above, Mydei does not waste a single second.

“What the fuck.” You say, groggy and having just woken up from your sleep when a loud sound of something crashing is heard from above. You would have thought someone broke into your place until you saw Mydei right beside you, leaning against the headboard, arms crossed across his chest.

“What was that? Did you hear that?” You’re already bombarding him with questions, trying to make sense of what’s happening until you hear another sound of something scraping just above your ceiling and it doesn’t stop for a minute. If you were in a cartoon, your whole place would already be shaking just for the effect of it.

“I’m going to talk to them.”

“Huh?” You say, confused, watching as your lover gets out of bed. “Who?” Your eyes follow him as he randomly picks a shirt from his closet. 

Before he completely leaves, he crosses the room until he’s leaning over you, one hand cradling your cheek as if you’re something sacred. His thumb brushes beneath your eye and before you realize it, he’s already tilting your face up, pressing a lingering kiss on your forehead.

When he finally pulls back, he murmurs, “Stay here.” And then you never see him again.

Just kidding, you do. Just a few minutes later when he slips back into bed and tells you to go back to sleep, while he embraces you. You don’t question him or what he did, and surely enough, your sleep was peaceful and quiet.

BOOTHILL

ASSERT DOMINANCE, Boothill claims as he’s already rolling his sleeves and preparing to take out the speaker system.

He was already not having it. Months of having to deal with his so-called neighbours, also so-called ‘friends’, and their never-ending parties that disturb your sleep to which they’ll compensate with a half-assed apology the next morning only to do the same thing again during the night. In addition to that nuisance too is how some of these dumbasses would occasionally stumble into your door, mistaking it for the party venue. Clearly, they don’t see the loud ass house with disco lights just behind them.

After another intoxicated fool ends up at your doorstep again, his already-broken composure falters as he swings the door open with a rather pissed off grin, gaze burning with so much intensity. "Lost, darling?" he purrs, voice dripping saccharine venom as the stranger blinks blearily at him. One glance at you who bore a tired look on your face and back to Boothill who's still hovering by the doorway, glaring, and the poor soul suddenly remembers they have somewhere else to be. That was it, that was the last straw.

So here you are, trying to stop him as he drags the speakers to the porch, firing up a playlist exclusively consisting of a guy imitating how Hugh Jackman would sing certain songs (please get the reference) and Mariah Carey’s entire discography.

Not long after, the neighbour’s party stops dead. Although a verbal argument did break out, with your lover’s amazing vocabulary and machine-gun like mouth, he won.

"See, darlin’? Sometimes the best way to shut a party down is to throw a better one."

In the end, both you and the neighbours got a noise complaint.

JING YUAN

There’s a couple breaking up across the street and they were yelling loud enough to wake up even the neighbourhood’s deepest sleeper. So like the chad Jing Yuan and you are, of course, you sit by your porch on the pretense that you are… simply sightseeing. Yes, sightseeing. 

That’s why you have your chairs out with glasses of juice along with some leftover popcorn that you made last night. Oh, and also, your binoculars. If only you could read lips to complete your experience, but it’s alright, because this couple (or not to be) is screaming and hollering loudly, as the lady throws into the streets what you assume to be his belongings. 

The spectacle escalates to something like you would see from a telenovela, shame there are no grand reveals and slapping involved. But the girl did fling a ceramic vase at him, to which the man dodges, unfortunately.

“I wonder what the guy did.” You mumble, taking a mouthful of popcorn. Your bucket was nearly empty now and at the same time, it seems like your show is coming to an end as the woman stomps back inside and leaves the guy behind. With that, Jing Yuan rises from his chair, stretching languidly before offering you his arm. 

"Shall we retire for intermission, my dear? I believe Act Two will involve either tearful reconciliation or a round two of their fight. Either way, we'll want fresh snacks." It’s no lie that your lover is positively radiant with amusement despite the disruption it created for your usually peaceful, warm afternoon.

SUNDAY

Sunday deals with the neighbours’ drunken chaos the way a saint tolerates blasphemy. Despite the nuisance it has brought with the loud bass that seem to shake the whole place awake, he’s still formal and proper in handling the situation.

The door opens after a few minutes of knocking and waiting and a lady greets him.

“My apologies for interrupting your revelry, but I’m afraid you’re disturbing everyone with your enthusiastic celebration.” Specifically you. The thought of you being weary and troubled as you lose sleep over this terrible disturbance is making his chest tighten. He doesn’t wish to see you suffer, so he ignores your insistence of just leaving the neighbours alone. “Some of us have work in the morning.”

The woman blinks slowly and cries, “I’M NOT READY TO DIE YET!” 

Hell is quieter than their playlist, that’s for sure. 

He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose, “Please, it is clear that you are not of sober mind,” he forces a smile, “so allow me to make this simple for you. We would appreciate it if you were to immediately comply with local noise ordinance, lest we escalate this to the authorities. You wouldn’t like that, would you?”

That seemed to have sobered her up, and though annoyed, the lady apologized and went back inside. Soon, the music comes to a halt and everything is embraced by silence. Relieved, he returns to your side after accomplishing what he was here for, bringing you a warm cup of tea to drink as he tells you of how his conversation went down, saying something about how some people wouldn't recognize peace if it bit them.

BLADE

You’ve just moved into the neighborhood, hoping to have a fresh, warm start together with your beloved. But life seems to have different plans for you.

There’s this group of teenagers making a commotion every day by the front of your house, coinciding at the same time that he’s away. From lighting up fireworks which resulted in burning off a few of your plants as it flew off the wrong direction, to laughing and playing loudly that you often find your afternoon nap being disturbed, and to even throwing eggs at your window as they compete with one another on who’ll get to hit the highest. It’s annoying, especially when you have already told them off many times before but they never listen. These brats.

Eventually, you’ve resorted to telling Blade about it, nearly breaking down in the process. I mean, it was stressing you out so much and although it could just be a small thing for others—reasoning it with how they’re just children and having fun—, it was making you frustrated. 

Blade makes an effort to comfort you, even reassuring you that he’ll deal with the problem. You just nod and accept it, knowing that he won’t be able to do anything against these young, wild, and free teenagers. 

You didn’t know that doubting Blade was a big mistake because somehow, when the next day comes, he had managed to bring them over to you and had them apologize, swearing that they’ll never bother you again.

“We’re so sorry!”

“We’re never going to do it again!”

“Please forgive us!”

You did scold them, kindly, before forgiving them and oddly enough, it was satisfying. It feels like a heavy weight was lifted off your shoulders.

“What did you do?” You ask him as soon as the kids leave.

“Stared at them.”

AVENTURINE

In all honesty, it’s rare for you to hear anything scandalous or experience something frustrating, so things can get a little boring. But when drama does strike, you and Aventurine are front-row spectators, dissecting every juicy detail.

This time, however, the gossip seems to involve you. There is a girl, a stranger, standing in front of you, yelling and accusing you of things that you don’t even remember doing. Your confusion and silence, however, prompts the stranger to hesitate and stop.

“Wait, you’re not [Name]?”

“I am…?”

"You bitch! Are you trying to confuse me or what?!" Furious, her hand flies up—only for Aventurine to catch her wrist with ease, letting go of it soon after.

“Perhaps there is a small misunderstanding. If I remember correctly, there are two [Name]’s in here.” he shields you behind him, holding your hand as if to reassure you, “I believe that the person you are looking for is them.” He says, directing her attention to somewhere else.

And funnily enough, there is another girl a few steps away, attempting to cover their face with their purse, trying to run away before they get caught. But it’s too late as the girl finally realizes who her target truly is. 

“YOU!” She storms over, heels clanking loudly against the floor. “I knew it was you!” You beg to differ.

The scene immediately escalated into a catfight accompanied with yelling and spilling the most atrocious things like how this paramour was also sleeping with the man’s sister. Wow, messy.

“Should we call the security?”

“I already did.” Aventurine casually says, squeezing your hand as he tugs you away from the spectacle. Walking back to your home and away from the mess, he takes this moment to tease you:

“Babe, you should have told me you had another man.”

“I do not!”

GALLAGHER

“And what’s troubling my beloved?” Gallagher asks as soon as he sees your rather stressed state—bags heavy under your eyes, hair disheveled, and the demeanor of someone who’s been pushed to their limit. You groan, flopping face-first onto the couch with a muffled scream into the cushion.

Gallagher hums, already pouring you a glass of water before settling beside you. His calloused fingers card through your hair, listening patiently, as you rant about the latest neighborhood nuisance: there is this constant thump-thump-thump noise that happens at exactly 3 AM. 

You’ll find yourself waking up to it often, cursing at that repeated sound that’s making your head explode. It lasts for an hour, sometimes less than it, but it occurs at the same time of dawn. You’ve adapted to it now by covering your ears with some plugs you bought from the store after days of having it happen to you.

“It’s just so annoying! Does it not bother you?” You say, rolling over to your back and staring at the ceiling.

“I don’t recall ever waking up to anything with that sound.” Right, you forgot how this man can be such a heavy sleeper at times.

“Lucky you.” You groan. “It sounded like someone's bouncing a basketball? Or maybe hammering nails? I don't even know anymore."

He brushes a strand of hair away from your face, gazing at you affectionately as he caresses your cheek. “Maybe we can talk to them tomorrow.”

“Yeah, we could, they’re just next door anyway.” You mutter, sitting up slightly to rub your tired eyes. 

Gallagher’s hand stills against your skin. “What do you mean next door?”

“You know, unit 305. The one right next to us.”

“My love.”

“What? You’re scaring me, Gallagher.” You whisper, pulse quickening as his gaze flicks toward the wall.

“Nobody lives there.”

i procrastinated on this for days then as soon as i finished i got informed i have a 150-page reading due

You’re woken up by the system, congratulating you for surviving the third scenario. Then giving you the reward befitting of the scenario’s difficulty.

Since you don’t have any plan for the day due to the dungeon being raid by a lunatic, you decide to just laze around in your green zone. However your food supply is depleting as the day gone by.

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said you could hunt monster]

A shiver run down your spine just remembering the horrendous monsters you’ve seen so far.

As if sensing your trouble, Phainon console you through the blue screen.

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said you don’t have to worry]

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said you have him]

Miraculously, you do feel slightly at ease. At times like this, you thought you made a good decision choosing Phainon as your supporting constellation, “You know, Phainon. If you were in a relationship, you’ll make a good partner.” You blurt out.

The blue screen did not appear as quick as usual. You imagine the surprise colouring his face although you had never seen him before. Nonetheless, you imagine his surprise look, eyes widen, mouth slightly agape wondering how should he respond.

Maybe you were right about that because Phainon hadn’t send a single response even after minutes has passed. “Don’t tell me, you’ve never been in a relationship before.” You tease but he still didn’t respond.

Concern, you called his name. “Phainon.”

Again, not a single respond was given.

“Phainon, are you mad?” You asked. What if you accidentally poke at an old wound?

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said he was looking for a stove]

‘Oh, good. He wasn’t mad.’ Relieved, you left the conversation behind, “What stove?”

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said you can used it to cook monster’s meat]

“Do I need seasoning?” You need to know that before cooking any meal. You’re not just going to eat bland food now, would you?

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said it’ll be alright without seasoning]

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said cooked monster meat are juicy]

That sounds delicious but the real problem is could you hunt monster? On your way to Chungmuro, the only monster you have encounter is the specter.

“Phainon,” You rummage through your pouch, searching for the item dropped by specters you’ve killed. “can I eat this?” You shows him the stones.

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, shake his head]

If the spirit stone is not meant to be eaten, then what is the used of it? You can’t just let it rot in your bag.

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said it will amplify your trauma]

“Then, is this a torturing device?” If it could amplify someone’s trauma, it wouldn’t be too different from torture. ‘If that’s the case, I might need this for later use.’ The spirit stones return to the safety of your pouch.

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said it would be difficult to use as torturing device]

That’s unfortunate for you, “Why is that?”

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said once you eat the spirit stone, you will temporarily become a ghost species]

Getting your trauma amplified and become a ghost species temporarily on top of that. It does not sound very appealing to you.

[Constellation who’s a masochist added that monsters species cannot attack you nor will human]

On a second thought, it might be of help to you.

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, send a meteor to Constellation who’s a masochist’s location]

[Constellations who likes thrill whistle loudly and close their ears]

[Constellations from absolute good avert their eyes away]

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, warn you to not used it]

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said it does not worth the trouble]

You blink at the respond. He’s not that aggressive usually, this small thing in your possession must be a big deal for him to react that way.

“Relax, I’m just asking.” Then Phainon bombard you with another responds telling you to never take the spirit stones. He even go as far as telling you to swear an oath. “Alright, I won’t eat it.” You reassured.

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, let out a sigh of relief]

Unfortunately, it was a short relief until you open your mouth, “Unless—”

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, forbid you from eating the spirit stone]

“Hear me out first, would you?”

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said it’s the end of discussion]

“Alright, fine. I won’t.” At least you didn’t swear the oath to him.

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said you must swear]

“Fuck you.”

For a moment, there’s no reply from him but it’s just a moment.

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said swear the oath, not swear at him]

“Although you’re being specific, I’m still not doing it.” Why would you have the spirit stone if not to use it?

Who knows maybe tonight or tomorrow, you’ll be force to step out of your green zone and fend for yourself. Why not use the item that could save your life?

If what that masochist constellation said is true, you’ll be invisible to both monsters and human. Isn’t that a bit too good? If you ignore the fact it will amplify your trauma— it’s a good deal.

In a reassuring tone, you speak to Phainon. “I can handle my trauma very well.”

[Constellations who had been watching you are side eyeing you]

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, raise his eyebrow]

“... Aggressive but it’s well handled.” It’s not the typical way of handling trauma but it keep you sane somehow—so it work.

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said you still need to swear the oath]

“My trauma is not that bad.”

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said to not downplay your trauma]

Seeing the conversation is not going anywhere, you decide to just swear the oath to him. “I swear,” You pull out a spirit stone out of your pouch, raising it up in the air as if to make a point, “I won’t use this stone no matter the circumstance.”

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, nod]

*****

Phainon let out a relief sigh. “She’s so stubborn.” Messaging his temple, exhausted. In front of him is the numerous screens from Star Stream, one of them showing his incarnation sitting quietly in her green zone. While some are showing incarnations who claimed to be prophets.

Then, there are two screen separated from the others. One showing the man who stabbed his incarnation, and other screen showing a blurry face man with his group hunting monsters.

Phainon narrow his eyes at the two incarnation who he’s been keeping an eye on since the end of the first scenario.

He’ve overheard Olympus speak of singularity as of late, his curiosity get the better of him and checked on the subject of their topic.

Through the screen, he heard his incarnation calling for him. [“Phainon.”]

He send an indirect message to her as a response.

“You’ll protect me, right?” A hint of doubt and anxiety lace into her voice.

A fond smile grace his lips, his hand tracing over his incarnation’s image. “Of course.” He whispered as if it could reached his incarnation’s ears. “Without doubt.” He promised.

*****

There’s this thought that stuck with you since the apocalypse begin.

Phainon is generous. In fact he’s very generous and lenient that you almost feel bad for being difficult a moment ago but at the same time, your gut is telling you something is going to happen.

You pull out your phone that’s on the verge of dying with crack everywhere but it still dutifully display the current time on the lock screen.

[2 p.m.]

You turn off the phone and put it back into your pouch. Saving the battery as much as you could until you find a powerbank or a replacement for it. Although you doubt, you’ll be using it often.

One thing for sure, you’re bored out of your wit. For the first time since the apocalypse start, you could actually feel boredom haunting you like a ghost haunting some poor soul.

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, ask what’s wrong]

“I felt bored.” You confess. It wouldn’t hurt to confine your trouble to Phainon.

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, ponder]

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said that’s a good thing]

At the response, you arch an eyebrow at him—precisely, at the screen. “Why is that?”

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said it means you feel safe]

“Now that you said that.” You wonder back to the past few days. Never once did you feel completely safe despite sleeping soundlessly at night.

In fact, you’re constantly on edge with the thought that everyone would stab you if you let your guard down, just like how the passengers kill each other in cold blood during the first scenario. Though it’s a one-sided massacre, that one scenario made you realized how dangerous human can be when push to a corner.

Not to mention, law did not exist anymore and nothing is keeping the beast in human’s skin in check.

Beast in human’s skin.

You look up. The ceiling greet your sight but it’s not your main focus, you’re looking at him. At your sponsor who had been on your side since the start of this apocalypse.

Beast in human’s skin.

Phainon who had been nothing but kind and generous, supporting and lenient. If he hadn’t hint you of the screwdriver at that time, you would have been dead.

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, look at you]

Beast in human’s skin.

Closing your eyes shut, you laid down on the cold floor. “Since I’m bored, let’s talk about something.”

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, apologize]

“Are you busy?” A question shoot out of your mouth, curious evidence in your tone.

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said he won’t be able to accompany you for a few days]

Phainon don’t usually leave you for long. The longest he ever did was just an hour or two. Him leaving you for days made you slightly anxious just thinking about it.

But since when did you become too dependant to him? Would there be consequences if you keep relying on him?

“It’s alright, I can take care of myself.” You reassured, waving your hand and smiling as if it could lessen his worry, that is—if he truly is worry for you.

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, truly feel sorry]

“Don’t be like that.” The usual reassured tone slip past your tongue like honey. “I’ll be fine.”

The real question is, would really you be fine on your own?

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said he’s sorry]

“You don’t trust me with myself?” You jokingly ask which he response too quickly.

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, said yes]

An offended gasp escape your lips, “How could you say that?”

[Constellations from absolute good agree with Constellation, Prisoner of Flames]

Just how unreliable are you in their eyes even those hypocrite don’t trust you with yourself?

*****

The third scenario begin without delay, however this time you feel quite lonely that your sponsor isn’t around to lift the mood.

Despite the monsters roaming around you, the percentage shown through the survival rate haven’t change at all which is reassuring when Phainon isn’t around.

The greatsword rest next to you, in case the dokkeabie decide to screw you over and the worst case scenario happen.

Before Phainon left, he give you a stove mean to cook monster’s meat and 20,000 coins for emergency use. Also reminding you to not put yourself in danger and run whenever your survival rate drop too low. Afterward, you haven’t heard anything from him.

“Phainon.” You call him over but the usual blue screen with his modified nickname haven’t shows up. “Must have been very busy.” You mutter.

[Constellation who’s a masochist said you’re like a wife denying her husband’s death]

A cough left your throat but it was drown by the growl from the nearby monsters. You reach over the nearby drink. Quenching your dry throat, “Why so ominous?”

[Constellation who’s a masochist said you’ve been calling Constellation Prisoner of Flames for the past 30 minutes]

“Because I’m bored.” Phainon will have something to chat about if he’s around but not tonight. He’s not around and you couldn’t sleep without him talking your ears off.

The thought that you’re too dependant to him made you wonder how are you going to survive without him if he’s gone for good.

Nonetheless, you survive the second day without much trouble but the constant growl from the monsters around keep you awake the whole night.

A yawn left your lips as you stare yourself in the mirror. Since Phainon isn’t around, you couldn’t properly take a bath because some pervert of constellations are watching like a hawk would their prey. Though they give you coins when they get to see your bare ankles or thighs, it still make every strand of hairs in your body to stand still in disgust.

During the day, you try to catch a wink of sleep in some quiet corner and that quietest corner just so happened to be near the dungeon. Where that lunatic man had the teenage girl guarding it strictly so he could hoard all the rewards.

“Unnie.” The teenage girl call with a raise eyebrow. The sword still sheath in her hand as she seize you. “You don’t look like someone who catch a wink of sleep.” She added.

[Survival against this individual: 70%]

[85% chance for this individual to agree with you]

Maybe due to the lack of caffeine in your blood, the question slip out of your mouth. “Can you let me sleep for an hour before you kick me out of here?”

The girl blink a few time, “Since you’re cool, of course!” Then she sat beside you, her sword resting against her shoulder. With a confident grin she reassured, “Don’t worry, I got your back, unnie.”

“Thank you... You are?”

“Lee Jihye.”

“Thank you, Lee Jihye.”

“Anytime!”

Not even a minute passed, your eyelid drop and you feels like you’re falling from somewhere high. Very high in fact.

Then a growl, not from monster but from a stomach stir you awake almost immediately.

Lee Jihye who was nearby almost pull out her sword of it’s sheath the moment you jolt awake. Then her stomach grumble and followed by yours, who haven’t had breakfast yet.

To avoid the awkwardness, she suggest hunting some monster together and since it would help you get used to killing monster, you agree.

Therefore, you encounter a... Bizarre group. Actually, there’s this one member who’s pretty weird in your eyes. Not that he had done anything to earn the irk from you— it’s just his face. If you had to describe it, you could only say, blurry as if a glitch is hiding him from you.

However, what worry you is your calculation skill.

[S4#v1%@ l ®@te / 391#@%]

[Err0r!]

This is the first time the skill shown an error. Especially when your sponsor isn’t around, adding to your trouble but your confusion fall short after you and Jihye decide to help the survivors to the station.

The way back is quite awkward, the teenage girl did not seem like she’s in the mood for some chat and the survivors doesn’t look like they want to start any conversation after fighting the specters.

Though it was short live until the blurry face man decide to proclaim that he’s a companion of Yoo Jonghyuk.

Although you don’t know who that person is. Judging from Lee Jihye’s reaction, you could guess that’s the name of the teenager’s master and maniac who stabbed you on the shoulder.

Lee Jihye turn to you with a serious look, “Unnie, can you keep an eye on them? I’ll go get master!” She said then run off before you could reply.

You want to refuse actually. Why would you want to be within the vicinity of your stabber? Knowing what kind of ruckus he cause back when he first arrived here, you certainly don’t want to be on his bad side— let alone crossing path with him again.

“You are that person’s companion?” You ask as a matter of confirmation.

The man smile with confident, “Yes. I am Yoo Jonghyuk’s companion.”

[T+3 (8#!8# 9f 7#is p3®s aon @#$ 1738%]

‘He’s a maniac too.’ You assumed. Noting that you should put some distance with this man specifically because last time you check, Yoo Jonghyuk can still be within prediction of Possibility Calculation.

As far as you know, someone unpredictable is hard to deal with.

“All of you must have been very tire.” Come the polite smile to your face, “Did you know about the 3rd Scenario?” It wouldn’t be too bad to strike a conversation a little since the teenage girl did ask you to keep an eye on them while she fetch her master.

After all, if that girl’s master can sense your presence and didn’t hesitate to stab someone with his sword. Who knows what will happened if you were to get on her bad side.

You converse while resting with the group. Therefore, you manage to get their name in that conversation.

“How did you distribute food to other survivors?” Lee Hyunsung with book and pen in hands ask, keen on taking note of every detail.

Remembering the days when Yoo Jonghyuk arrived at this place, he didn’t bother to take care of the survivors who come with him other than Lee Jihye. Since then, the survivors had been relying on that girl to hunt monster for them. That’s too long of an explanation, so you cut it short. “That girl just now is the one who hunt monsters for the survivors.”

“The survivors?” Kim Dokja who claimed to be a companion of Yoo Jonghyuk raise an eyebrow. “You’re not relying on Jihye too?”

That hurt your pride for some reason. You’re older than Lee Jihye and weaker than her but you couldn’t bring yourself to rely on her to bring food to the table. You’re not that shameless at least. “No, we just so happened to hunt monsters together at that time.”

“I see.” Kim Dokja yawn, completely bored. Though the glance thrown to your direction goes unnoticed, ‘She must be another extra who will die later.’ He thought. From what he observed, there is nothing worth noting from your character profile. Even the name of your sponsor doesn’t ring a bell to him.

You wonder where has that teenage girl run to because it’s taking longer than you expected. It’s to the point of you leading the newly arrived group to the restroom. Thankfully, the other survivors don’t have the courage to approach you or the group.

“What is that green zone for?” Yoo Sangah pointed toward an unoccupied green zone and two survivor fighting over it with bruises all over their face.

Seeing how confuse she was, you decide to explain to her. “People like to call it room, you should find one immediately before the third scenario begin. It’s essential if you want to survive tonight.” All of you climb the stairs, letting the fight over the green zone continue.

The murmurs of crowd enter your ears, alerting you of what’s awaiting upstairs. Arriving at the first floor, you find a crowd of survivors begging to be let in into a certain green zone.

You remembered coming across the biggest room in Chungmuro when you first arrived. Unfortunately, it was claimed by a grumpy old man. Phainon alerted you to not get on such person’s bad side, thus you avoid the owner til this day.

A kid run past you, hurrying toward the crowd. Wasn’t he the same kid currently with the guy who claimed to be Yoo Jonghyuk’s companion?

Yes, it’s the same kid actually.

“Kid, wait—!”

The kid had disappear into the crowd and before you could followed through, everyone hurriedly dispersed. The panicked painted across the crowd is enough to spell trouble.

“Sangah-ssi, please hold onto Heewon-ssi.” Kim Dokja left the unconscious woman to Yoo Sangah and rush toward the dispersing crowd, chasing after the kid.

[SU4:7v@l r07e* 1-1uπ664&]

Seeing the undeciphered screen, you hesitate to lend a hand. Although you avoid the grumpy old man till now, the hushed whisper of his capabilities is enough for you to know that you couldn’t win against such person.

The syllables of your name fall off of Yoo Sangah’s lips as she beg you to help with Lee Hyunsung looking at you expectantly next to her.

Did you help? No.

Why would Phainon warn you to not get on that grumpy old man’s side if not to put you away from danger? Even the probability of you dying is significant enough for you to know that you must not do anything that would upset him. If possible never made contact with him.

But those pleading eyes are poking at your conscience as second turn to minute. However the sound of notification grab your attention.

Ding!

It was your skill that could finally work properly again.

[The chances of situation to escalate further is 37%]

Ding!

[The chances of situation to escalate further is 25%]

“Don’t worry.” You reassured, there’s one person that could put your survival at risk at the same time capable of putting people like Gong Pildu in check with his strength alone.

[The chances of situation to escalate further is 14%]

Then the lunatic come to the rescue. Of course, you left as soon as you sense his presence nearby. The chances of you getting swept up into this mess is pretty low but you dare not take any chances.

Though it’s not long before the group find you again before the scenario begin. Not to kill you, just asking if there’s any empty room left in the station.

You have no idea if there are any vacant rooms left, you don’t have the heart to give these people false hope, so you told them that you don’t think there are any left.

Maybe karma is getting at you for leaving the group on their own when that lunatic in black coat appear.

Or maybe it was when they asked you for help to search for any vacant room so they can occupy it because as soon as the scenario begin, the dokkeabie added a new rule where some room will disappear.

Unfortunately, yours is one of them.

The green zone disappeared instantly, causing the monsters to snap their head toward you simultaneously. Hunger crystal clear in their eyes. Not wasting any second the herd of monsters swarm you like bees would to invader.

[Warning!]

[Survival rate decreasing tremendously!]

[Survival rate: 54%]

The hold on your greatsword tighten as you smash the closest monster with it’s hilt then slicing the monster behind it in two. As if not wanting to give a moment of respite two monsters jump across the corpse, snapping their jaw open. With a forceful swing, the blade slash through the monsters’ bone.

After killing four monster consecutively, your lungs is gasping for air, your legs shaking from both fear and exhaustion. You’re drained, both physically and mentally simply by facing the monsters.

For a moment, you’re certain that you wouldn’t get used to living within this lawless world.

A deafening roar echo on the station wall, drowning all dying scream of other survivor.

[100% chance for two large monster to attack simultaneously]

Just as the system warn, two monster twice your size spring forward, their feet stomping onto the floor, leaving a den behind.

[5,000 coins has been invested to strength]

[Strength lv. 20 -> lv. 30]

[4,600 coins has been invested to stamina]

[Stamina lv. 8 -> lv. 20]

[4,900 coins has been invested to agility]

[Agility lv. 7 -> lv. 20]

[Survival rate: 56%]

Though, you increase your stats, the percentage shown by the system does not brought you any security.

Another large monsters approach, the survival rate drop.

[Survival rate: 55%]

Resisting your fear, you took the risk to run toward one of the approaching monsters. It’s claw wide open, ready to grab you. Swiftly, you dodge, sliding between it’s legs and slashing it’s belly open. Blood spurt on the floor as the monster’s inside decorate the white pristine floor.

Without second wasted, you throw the bloody greatsword straight to the other large monster’s head. Blood spurt to the ceiling before the monster fall lifeless along with it’s kin.

Where is Phainon when you need him the most?

You curse under your breath, taking the greatsword off the monster’s skull and slash the incoming monster in half. “Phainon!” You shout, voice hoarse and desperate but there’s no answer from him.

A monster lunge forward, jaw wide open, ready to sink it’s teeth to your right leg. Quickly you lift your leg, letting the monster to slide across the floor with a screeching sound.

You stomped onto it’s head, breaking it’s skull, molding the head flat with red liquid spurt put of it’s ears and nose. Once again you swing the greatsword and the floor is bath in blood, the smell of iron made you dizzy and nauseous but you must push through it.

[Activating Stigma, Let There Be Light lv. 1]

A blinding light left the monsters in daze, giving you a chance to escape death’s clutch. With great effort, the greatsword slash the dazed monsters’ head in one swing.

Like a repeated motion, you use the stigma again then kill the dazed monster. However, there seems to be something ripped out of you after using that stigma multiple time.

[You have drained all your mana]

[Due to insufficient mana, the Stigma effect is cut in half]

Unfortunately, just as the system message appear, the effect from your stigma only effective against monsters that were near you. In no time, you’re once again swarm by monsters.

[Warning!]

[Survival rate decreasing tremendously!]

[Survival rate: 13%]

Ignoring the system, you stood your ground. Slashing every monsters that dare to open their jaw against you with the greatsword until you’re push to a corner.

[98% chance your head will be chomped]

At the long warning, you duck under as a monster appear and crash onto the wall above you. Swiftly, you strike it with your fist, sending the monster flying to it’s herd. A growl vibrate next to you, a ground rat like monster’s gaze remain lock on you as it raise it’s claw, swiftly you used the greatsword to block the strike.

[100% chance your shoulder will—]

Crack..!

The sound of bone shuttered cause you to glance over your shoulder. Another ground rat got you. It sunk it’s teeth deeper into your flesh, you could almost hear something tore apart. Momentarily, you let go of the greatsword. Using your fist to strike it’s head but a sharp pain course through your left leg, loosening your strike’s force slightly.

Another monster bite onto your thigh as it pull away with it’s teeth pierce deep in your muscle. Then a scream tore through your throat as an unbearable pain pierce your stomach. With blurry vision, you only see monsters sinking their teeth over your flesh, tearing you alive.

Your weapon is no where to be seen, your functioning hand try to pry every monsters off of you but it was an obvious failure when another keep latching their teeth to your skin. Leaving you helpless and terrify.

[Survival rate: 3%]

[Constellations who likes thrill roar in joy]

[Constellations from absolute good are praying for you safety]

[Survival rate: 2%]

[Constellations who likes thrill are cheering for you]

[You have been gifted 1,500 coins]

“I’m not...” going to die. You thought, at least not as your flesh being ravaged by monsters. Your free hand reaching over your pocket where another spirit stone is stored.

You swallow the stone whole. The pain numb before you feels like you’re falling from a high place.

[You have become a ghost species]

[Survival rate: 1%]

*****

Amidst the golden wheat, with misshapes clay in hand, Phainon sense something had happened to his incarnation.

Quickly, he open the Star Stream channel. Eyes searching for the familiar figure of his incarnation through the screen but what greet him is only a swamp of monsters and endless terrified scream from dying survivors.

His eyes then caught sight of a familiar greatsword abandoned on the floor—bath in blood. Not far from it is a swamp of monsters—feasting, then there’s a monster chewing a leg just a meter away from the swarm and two monsters fighting over a piece of torn clothe.

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, ask what he had missed]

[Constellation, Prisoner of Flames, ask where is his incarnation]

[The constellations in channel BIR- remain silent]

[A Constellation from absolute good told Constellation, Prisoner of Flames what had happened]

Taglist: @vxnna @iwasapen @milkhalo @yae-yu127 @r4s1ell @kaisaiisanewknight

It must be that time of the month when certain parts of you are insatiable again. No man should ever look this good whilst doing something so simple as sitting on the couch and talking to someone with an irritated expression on his face. Yet you can't help but see him as the most beautiful and desirable thing right now. He turns back to you and asks for your help in the argument, and for a while, you have to pretend you weren't just holding back from pouncing on him in front of everyone. 

The backyard is green and quiet. It’s just you and the robin in the oak tree, you’re outside for gun practice. You’d ask for Sebastian’s assistance, but you want to surprise him and make him proud- you must admit, your aim could use some work-, so you’re doing it alone. Ideally, there should be moving targets, but everyone is too busy with next week’s preparations to accompany you on a hunting trip, thus you stick with empty beer and wine bottles for now. 

“Yer holding it wrong.” A booming voice startles you, the weapon goes off and leaves a hole in the tree trunk you propped the bottles on. A hand steadies your posture before you could turn around and scold him, his chest pressing into your back. 

“You seriously gotta stop sneaking up on people!”, you complain, but he’s not having it.

“And you gotta toughen up. You’re like a rabbit. You scare too easily”, He says sternly, noting the eagerness of you leaning into him. He adjusts your grip on the rifle, angling it towards the bottles. One hand on each of yours, arms enveloping you, his breath against your neck. Makes the heat crawl from your chest further down south. 

“As if you wouldn’t have shot the person that snuck up on you instead.” You jest. “You’re more of a scaredy cat than I am.”

“Watch it”, he warns, but his voice holds no real anger. Rather, it’s rich and sweet, running down your spine like honey. “Now hold your position, breathe and pull the trigger.” He lets go and steps back, leaving you shivering from the loss of his warmth. You try to calm your racing heartbeat. You fail. You pull anyway. The bullet makes its impact just a tiny bit shy of the center of the bottle, shattering it with a loud crash. You look back at him to gauge his reaction. 

“Not bad for a rookie”, he pets the top of your head, a faint smirk on his face. “Keep practicin’. I got other business to take care of.” 

You follow him with puppy eyes as he leaves. You don’t pull the trigger again that day, too bothered by the sensations coiling deep in your belly. You only have to hold out until the evening, can’t be that hard, you tell yourself. You haven’t the slightest idea just how wrong you are. The hours drag on for so long, and he doesn’t know just how bad you need him. You watch- discreetly- from the couch as he works, putting some new furniture together with his sleeves rolled up, forearms flexing from the effort, cigarette hanging from his mouth. He looks so good that you forget to find him doing chores odd. He doesn’t look back at you, not once. The late afternoon light falls on his face through the window, illuminating his sharp features and the adorable, focused furrow of his eyebrows. You could stare for hours, but you have your own responsibilities, you must leave for now. Your thoughts never do, though. They’re back beneath the sheets with him even as you stand in line at the grocery store. You get the shopping done as quickly as possible, eager to load it all in the pantry and find him again. You’re about to bring a stool after a failed attempt of placing a bag of flour on the top shelf, when your knight in shining armor arrives once again. He snatches it from you and puts it there himself wordlessly, taking your breath when his crotch presses into the curve of your behind. He only mutters a quiet “You’re welcome” before stealing the box of biscuits from the shopping bag and leaving. You forget to demand it back. 

You don’t see him for the rest of the day. Soon it is time to retreat to the comfort of your room. He finds his way there when you’ve just finished taking your hair out, combing through it for the night. Now it’s his turn to watch, and yours to pretend you don’t notice his presence. Not for too long.

“What?”

“What?” He repeats, coming to hug you from behind. His hand slides down your front, cupping where you need him most. “You were the one watchin’ me all damn day.” He talks low, pressing his mouth to the side of your head, then your cheek, where the blood rushes upon the realisation that you were not subtle at all. He looks straight into your eyes in the mirror, his gaze like pieces of burning coal. 

“Not to mention you were rubbin’ on me like a cat in heat.” He added, thinking back on all the times you smoothed down a hand on his arm or back whenever you passed him, or kissed him just a little longer than necessary.

“So you knew and you didn't do anything?” You pout, muffled as he forces your head back to capture your lips. “You’re mean...” He grins against your mouth, teeth tugging on your lower lip when he moves away. You're not separated for too long as you turn to kiss him comfortably, and he hoists you up by your thighs with ease. He makes sure you feel him. 

“What did you want me to do? Surely not fuck you with everyone downstairs with us?”

Silence. Eyebrows raising, he lowers you back on your feet while you avoid his gaze. He holds your chin, focusing your eyes back on him. 

“Really? Cat got your tongue?” He’s got that look in his eyes. The one that brings you to the conclusion that if you don’t want him to leave you hanging for another day- he loves having you beg-, you must do something to get him riled up. Emboldened, you lick the tip of his thumb, and you see the corner of his eye twitch. He pushes forward, watching with want as your bitten lips envelop his finger. Pressing down on your tongue, he confirms that the cat in fact left it in its place. You observe the clench of his jaw and the rise of goosebumps on his arm with satisfaction. You’re so close to the goal. He pulls his finger back with a wet pop when you suck on it, weaving his lips with yours aggressively. 

“You’re so easy”, you giggle, his hands on your hips urging you to stumble backwards to the bed. Bumping into the edge, you sit down. 

“Not another word”, he grumbles, kneeling before you and placing open mouthed kisses up your legs. He stops at the hem of your underwear, exhaling shakily. The cogs in his head seem to turn.

“Is everything-” The world turns around, and you find yourself on your stomach. Cold air hits your skin as he pushes your nightgown up, chapped lips skimming your back before he tugs your bloomers down. When you feel his breath blow against you and hear his belt buckle clinking, you know tonight will be tiring, but it will all be worth it.