Bong Me-Eon had done it without thinking.

Watching Song Woo-Ji so close to death—so utterly defeated—had broken something within her.

She couldn’t let it happen again.

Not to him.

Not when she’d already lost so much.

Her chest heaved as she struggled to remain upright, a sharp ache throbbing through her limbs.

Song Woo-Ji lay beside her, stunned but alive, saved by her last-minute intervention. She knew this was a fleeting moment, and yet, even a single second longer was worth it.

For Bong Me-Eon, the concept of loss was no stranger.

It was a shadow, always lurking, always waiting to take those she held dear. Her life was a story written in loss, a cycle that had begun far too young.

Her first memory of it was of her parents. She was barely a child, innocent and bright-eyed, clinging to her mother’s hand as they strolled down the busy streets of their town.

It was a vibrant day, filled with the chatter of vendors and the laughter of passersby.

But in an instant, it all shattered.

She remembered her mother’s scream, the way her father’s body twisted as he shielded her from the oncoming car.

The world blurred, and when it came back into focus, she was alone, her tiny hands stained with the blood of the people who had once been her world.

After that, she was taken in by her grandmother, a gentle woman who tried her best to heal Bong Me-Eon’s shattered heart.

For a while, things seemed better, as though maybe—just maybe—she could learn to smile again. But fate was relentless.

Her grandmother’s health began to fail, each cough a reminder of the inevitable.

Bong Me-Eon would sit by her bedside, watching the light fade from her grandmother’s eyes, helpless to stop it. And then, one quiet evening, her grandmother took her last breath, her hand slipping from Bong Me-Eon’s grasp.

Time went on, and the world continued spinning, indifferent to her pain.

She started school, making friends who didn’t know the depth of her sorrow. And for a while, she managed to convince herself that maybe she could lead a normal life. But then, one day, her best friend didn’t show up to school.

Rumors spread through the classroom like wildfire, whispers of an accident, of a life snuffed out too soon.

Bong Me-Eon attended the funeral, numb, wondering why this endless cycle of loss seemed to follow her.

It didn’t stop there.

In her teenage years, her grandfather, who had been her last tie to the family, fell ill.

She watched as his once-strong frame withered away, his spirit crushed beneath the weight of age and illness.

He had been her rock, the one who encouraged her to keep going. But even he couldn’t escape the clutches of fate.

She sat with him in his final moments, clutching his frail hand, feeling the last vestiges of warmth leave his body as he slipped away, leaving her once again alone.

She grew up fast, learning to guard her heart, to avoid attachments.

Yet, even in her guarded life, someone managed to slip past her defenses—a senior at college.

He was kind, with a smile that seemed to chase away the shadows that clung to her.

For the first time in years, Bong Me-Eon allowed herself to hope, to believe that maybe, just maybe, she could hold onto something. But then came the news—a tragic accident.

She stared blankly at the message, the words blurring as she felt the familiar sting of loss pierce her heart.

When the apocalypse came, she found herself part of a team—a group of survivors who, against all odds, became her family.

They fought together, survived together, each of them carrying their own scars.

She grew close to them, despite herself, finding comfort in their camaraderie. But the world was cruel, and the monsters that emerged from the spatial tears were merciless.

One by one, her teammates fell, their screams haunting her nights as she fought to stay alive amidst the chaos.

By the end, she was the last one standing, her heart heavier than ever.

After that, she found a mentor, a master who taught her the ways of magic, who gave her the tools to survive in a world that seemed determined to break her.

She respected her, admired her, even cared for her in a way she hadn’t allowed herself to care for anyone in years. But fate was relentless.

During this fight, she sacrificed himself to give time and awaken inside Song Woo-Ji this monster in front of them, her final words urging her to keep going, to live for the both of them, especially Song Woo-Ji.

So now, standing here, with her heart heavy with memories of everyone she had lost, Bong Me-Eon knew that saving Song Woo-Ji was a futile gesture.

She knew that this moment was borrowed, that his life was likely forfeit. And yet, even a second more—a single heartbeat more—was worth it.

If she could spare him from the same fate that had claimed everyone else, even if just for a moment, she would do it.

She looked down at Song Woo-Ji, her expression a mixture of sorrow and determination.

She had saved him, even if only temporarily.

Volk threw his head back and laughed, his deep, guttural voice echoing through the air like a rolling thunderstorm.

“PUNY HUMAN!” he bellowed, each word dripping with disdain.

“FUTILE EFFORTS! YOU THINK YOU CAN ESCAPE THE WRATH OF THE HORDE’S WARCHIEF? PATHETIC!”

His laughter grew louder as he took slow, menacing steps toward the weakened figures of Bong Me-Eon and Song Woo-Ji.

With every step, the ground trembled beneath Volk’s immense weight, each impact sending small shockwaves through the ground.

The dirt cracked and shuddered, each step more intense than the last, as if the very earth feared his approach.

His gaze burned, fixed on the two figures who had dared to defy him.

“WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE?” he boomed, his voice thick with scorn. “ANOTHER PITIFUL ATTEMPT? ANOTHER PATHETIC TRICK?”

Bong Me-Eon and Song Woo-Ji lay on the ground, struggling to summon what little energy they had left.

She glanced at Song Woo-Ji, her eyes a mixture of apology and determination.

She couldn’t give up, not yet.

With a strained hand, she began to conjure, the remnants of her mana sparking faintly in the air around them.

Her breath was labored, her body visibly shaking as she pushed herself past her limits, beads of sweat forming on her brow.

But Volk only chuckled, his laugh carrying a dark amusement.

“YES, TRY YOUR TRICKS AGAIN,” he taunted, spreading his massive arms wide, as if welcoming the attempt.

“ESCAPE! LET ME HUNT YOU. LET ME ENJOY THIS LITTLE GAME OF YOURS!”

His footsteps didn’t falter, his pace slow and deliberate, savoring every inch he closed between them.

Each time his boot hit the ground, Song Woo-Ji flinched, a terror consuming him that seemed to make the air thick with dread.

And then, Bong Me-Eon managed it—a flash, barely enough mana for one more teleportation.

She clenched her teeth, feeling the magic drain the last of her strength as she forced herself and Song Woo-Ji to vanish in a burst of light.

But as they reappeared a few yards away, Volk’s laughter echoed again, louder, more mocking.

“BRAGA HAHAHAHAHA! AMUSING AMUSING…”

Without a hint of hurry, he turned toward them, resuming his steady, relentless advance.

“IS THIS ALL YOU’VE GOT?” he sneered, his voice laced with ridicule. “RUN! RUN AGAIN, WEAKLINGS! I WILL CATCH YOU EVERY TIME.” His eyes gleamed with an unholy fire as he took another step forward.

Bong Me-Eon’s heart sank; her entire body screamed in protest as she tried to summon even a sliver of mana. But it was useless; her reserves were completely depleted.

She exchanged a hollow glance with Song Woo-Ji, the resignation clear in their eyes. They had reached their limit.

Volk loomed over them now, towering and unyielding.

He lifted his arms, each muscle rippling with power as he prepared to bring down his fist.

“NO MORE GAMES. ACCEPT YOUR FATE, HUMAN SCUM!” he snarled. His eyes glowed with feral glee, his breath hot and heavy as he prepared to strike the final blow.

As his hand began its descent, a strange resistance halted him mid-motion. His eyes narrowed as he tried to push through, but his arm froze, hovering inches from Bong Me-Eon.

“HUH?”

Volk grunted, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. He stared at his own hand, flexing his fingers as if trying to understand why his body had betrayed him.

Then, a chime resonated in his mind.

Ding!

| System Update Completed. |

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep