P stood in the center of the doorway, bathed in the blinding white exit light. The cold breeze caught his hair as he closed his eyes, entirely losing himself in the cinematic perfection of the moment.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHXGlQNsWa
SLAM!
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahAgrqFrLv
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEJ8bIiNkb
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQ9kjEiTuQ
"Are you crazy?!" Hanabi hissed through gritted teeth.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGd8I6QIuA
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VjnMJ827P
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnjzi8HK1k
She slammed the door shut, her hands pressing flat against the metal as she whirled around to glare at him.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumTAsWRn9I
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWcSJX0n1o
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxBMBN1O6O
Her expression was a mix of pure shock and are-you-utterly-insane? Her sudden intervention instantly blocked out the light, darkening the room and completely ruining the mood.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXy2aOD7na
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24g5OP2u8Q
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx8yjrOgsx
P blinked, turning to look down at her with a dazed, unbothered face. His expression clearly asked: Why did you just do that?
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXVY6f1hw2
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQqit4626f
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx33wS2fco
"Are you seriously just going to stroll out like that?" Hanabi demanded, crossing her arms.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyLbiLdr1f
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1p0DkCuQg
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BJJwerX8V
"Do you even have a plan?!"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhyLGQofKv
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqRMit0W1Z
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAzTPnscv9
"Ohhhhh..." P's eyes widened a fraction in sudden realization. He crossed his arms over his chest. "A plan. I totally forgot about that."
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDq8TNbWgl
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvDyn33wM2
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQeLqjNuJX
Hanabi slapped her right hand over her face, letting out a heavy, defeated sigh. "How can you forget the most crucial thing at a time like this?!"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8YAiFzdqF
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LcOkYQOZb
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetJnsNKB5S
As Hanabi continued to lecture him, P just stared at her blankly. His mind began to wander elsewhere.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB53GqNyA59
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1oRXGjDyW
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25jJfDYGS8
Huh, he thought in his subconscious, wasn't she the terrified girl shaking in a chair just moments ago? Suddenly she's bolder, lighter, and lecturing me. She kind of reminds me of someone I know.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtTegAqouH
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WoVm2B4EW
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGkT50ZVik
"Are you even listening to me?" Hanabi asked, stepping closer until her face was inches from his.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT8Qj7SA1z
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiRvnA1OHT
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7IEicgKb4
P didn't flinch. He reacted with absolute calmness, pretending he had been hanging onto her every word. "Of course. And since you reminded me about a plan, I actually just came up with one," he said, his face turning serious.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgg78RxUET
Hanabi fell quiet, looking at him with reluctant curiosity.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfq0TNEQPjp
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8w544Rrwkp
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FaagnisWg
"Have you noticed the environment has become calmer than usual?" P asked, glancing around.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d5kbM4aJU
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ054k3s1YKM
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybvAZP3N9x
Hanabi paused, listening closely. "Yes... it seems so," she whispered, gazing up at him before quickly looking down, slightly
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5wNVq9kAy
intimidated by the intensity of his stare.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5tbnJmZuB
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9KQp3jlmt
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NsYFpbA4Z
"The building suddenly went dead silent, and I can't hear any guards patrolling," P explained, resting his right hand thoughtfully under his chin.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCiPjiFJq0
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJqab4a90m
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5C3JSHT1SQ
"If I'm correct, they are either all gathered in one place for a massive meeting, or they're taking a synchronized break. I can feel faint vibrations traveling through the ground. It feels split, but it's gathering toward a single point."
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rf21ODSEZ
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsFm9mlHnP
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVFUu18zOI
Hanabi stared at him, her mind racing. How does he know all this stuff? Is he even sure about what he's saying? Who the hell is this guy?
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1bXkAM57g
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OQX6pTPel
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk87EhDXoI
"So, here's the escape plan," P announced.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXz5cGnQ15
Hanabi looked up, a sudden flicker of hope igniting in her chest.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYP25z9RpB
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Cbvm2MAAx
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ865CYf5oLT
"We fight our way out of here with everything we've got," P said with total confidence.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgK9QIOQk2
The room fell into a dead, suffocating silence.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FlvPCeWj1
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcvRSOtzE0
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkF4BbrPr63
"Seriously?!" Hanabi lunged forward, grabbing his crossed arms with her right hand and yanking him forcefully, completely forgetting she was still holding a sharp dagger in her left hand. "Is that the brilliant plan you came up with?!"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYwkFKt8gi
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk63sybG19
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrHtb9uaWM
"Yes. There's literally no other option," P replied smoothly. "Even if we came up with a highly professional, stealthy plan, we would still end up fighting our way out in the end. If there was another way, I would have suggested it. We only have a fighting chance. But do not fret—just because that's the plan doesn't mean I intend to jump recklessly into battle."
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrlPOIhDsi
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT6DO7VkOk
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Omi4lPIfb
Says the guy who was about to walk out the front door like it was a brand new day, Hanabi muttered to herself.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p8weqXJ1N
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJCwyirzvN
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdeGROL4si
"We need to arm ourselves first," P said, turning around.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcVtboWcxD
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJLvfWVkSj
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXx1LRdnED
He walked over to the two unconscious guards slumped against the wall. Grabbing the guard on the right, P began unbuckling his tactical vest. As he pulled it off, his eyes caught the gleam of a grenade attached to the front. He snatched it, then searched the second guard on the left. There wasn't another vest, but his fingers brushed against a firearm tucked into the small of the guard's back.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN6UOwBBA2
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEW4VPXXFP
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKH4PDukaT
"Damn it... well, this will be more useful anyway," P muttered. He slid the handgun into his waistband, letting his shirt fall over it to conceal it.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGB40HPoeG
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaMdSV17ci
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmru8LR7uUa
Walking back over to Hanabi, he held out the heavy tactical vest. "Here, put this on in case you get shot. It has armor plates inside."
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7j2VeoqB0
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1DerCJ2IG
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlkopa26Jl
Hanabi looked at the vest draped over P's left arm, her eyes drifting slightly to the round metal object gripped in his right hand. She carefully slipped the vest on, tightly clutching her dagger, and glanced up at him.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNAhPs6JOU
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVw5i7kSie
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqcuV0o5RN
"What about you? What are you going to wear?" she asked, a genuine note of worry slipping into her voice.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUO24qRGRy
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiMAlpNeb9
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMoCJpFEVJ
"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine," P said. He noticed how badly she was trembling. "When we step out, always stay behind me and stay alert. Here, take this."
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiom0YJJxf
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhvII1TT5N
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eo1vuCAbl
He held out the grenade. Hanabi cautiously took the heavy, metallic sphere, inspecting it with a puzzled expression. "What is this... round thing?"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T2YJOmG26
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifUGLSlFYV
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KK4hnjheu
"Listen. If you start getting too scared, or if things escalate and some guy pisses you off, just remove this ring," P instructed, pointing directly at the pin at the top.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjSdIGsZwM
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ78PwqGsnW
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO5Swmi91b
He began shaking his head and waving his hands emphatically, like an intense instructor trying to drive a point home. "Then, you throw the whole thing at your desired destination. Do you understand?"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkIW0t0stb
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NbW7vzf3j
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6c4LLe12fj
"O-Okay... I've got this," Hanabi said, nodding firmly. Desperate to prove she was ready, she immediately hooked her finger into the ring and began to pull.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ543lzTD91S
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMy4ne0dCjF
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1wmltJEid
"NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPABXSPYAUI
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSVylEpdho
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6cdtXXhqW
P yelled in sudden, uncharacteristic panic. He lunged forward like a madman, instantly grabbing both of her hands in a vice grip before she could dislodge the pin.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs6BufIpNt
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjISe8VlEu
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fj8IV22Wp
"What?!" Hanabi asked, completely dumbfounded. "I was just going to test it! Why are you stopping me?!"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuopTWuq4t6
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4PIIbLsVD
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDRVA8mVZ7
"Are you seriously trying to blow us up before we even get a chance to fight for our lives?!" P gasped, his heart hammering.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91m3tcP0b3
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSYOCS2nzK
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9M4DzQZ6Q
"Blow us up? What does that mean?"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTwnGSKziq
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGWxkq8AaR
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujvEnkfeJB
"What?!" P stared at her, utterly shocked. "You don't know what this is? It's a grenade! When I say 'blow us up,' I mean this entire hallway will explode into a ball of fire, and both of us will die instantly!"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnWkQKz0Ou
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT7wNW9Tgd
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdQyUE58Fw
Hanabi froze, a violent shudder running down her spine. Fire.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dWaYkPMGC
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfVk495oyT
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq4QmM8e5e
The word instantly dragged her back to the horrific phone call—the mental image of her beloved spa burning to the ground. A wave of pure terror washed over her face, and P instantly noticed the shift in her energy.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhDH0EqrLY
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabdPVnqkNN
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHuoTnCVcP
"Hanabi, listen to me," P said, his voice dropping into a cold, grounding calm. "I don't know what you've been going through lately, and honestly, it's none of my concern. I just want to get out of here, which I am perfectly capable of doing. But if you want to survive and walk out of this place alive, you better get your head in the game."
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvPrgI6uQO
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFcuTuj5rX
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFak7eSYjf
He looked directly into her eyes. "Always keep your eyes on the path ahead, never on your past. It will only hold you back and make you act like a wimp. I'm giving you two options right now, and you need to decide: either stay caged here in despair and die..." he stretched out his hand toward her, "...or give everything you've got to escape, even if it means you die trying.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEl5HzGxFkc
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrArOjhgPyx
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPCg2XzWDQ
Which one do you choose?"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrtxSA3e4R
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCm85oeqbq
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNBE87MdFX
Hanabi stood frozen, his cold words echoing in her mind as her subconscious took over.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aXOrgydU3
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquwCJtw1r4
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGg7Se3RrA
All my life, ever since I was a child, I've been cursed with bad luck. Countless setbacks, getting thrown into worse situations mentally and physically day by day. I've never experienced anything good, and even when I did, it never lasted. Life just kept playing me like a toy.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ajeI0HIlD
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhSq4oDrCk
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61cJFIVLED
But I never gave up. I pushed through school, I pushed through college. It was a horrible life, but I still graduated. I never failed. Even when people laughed at me, I always fought to make things right.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31Sc5JRnOz
Her grip tightened on her dagger.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G5zuKuChc
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8aKPT8eH8
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbHskaWGQE
The only people who ever supported me were my family and my friends. I can't let them down. I'm not going to give up. I want to see them again. I want to be at their side and be happy. Apart from them, no one in this life ever cared about me because I'm cursed. And just today, everything I worked so hard for was destroyed. My life is just filled with darkness and chaos... nothing ever feels bright.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVj8kupDk5
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyphbZNNv5
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOo4QZEBci
She looked up, locking eyes with the man standing before her.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8TOmNL0rN
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtW4kbqBpbJ
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyvtFmqqmj
Then why is this man... why are his eyes so bright? Like a blinding light... Could he be... A small, involuntary smile tugged at her cheek before she fiercely shook her head. No... no way. But either way, I need to survive. I hate my past, and I am not going to let it hold me back ever again.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurai2scqKH
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Z7YsHEQHx
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DDvOivjLX
With a bold, bright expression, she reached out and firmly grabbed P's hand. "My future is in my hands," she said aloud, her voice ringing with newfound confidence.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AWE90V8Kh
A slow, subtle smirk broke through P's cold demeanor. "So. Are you ready?"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESTZByTnBT
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovf9cgb409
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zGeTIHWsv
"Yes," Hanabi said, her eyes flashing with determination. "Besides, I'm sick of this place anyway. Let's get out of here. Even if it means dying."
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYz5g12sbsf
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9ZkaPkQgN
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvFZoGkHdE
"Pff... Ppfft." P let out a sudden, involuntary snort of laughter, completely ruining the heavy emotional weight of her speech. He let go of her hands and turned toward the door.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPotFdRH57F
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡappouYZgmu
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GXpFerRqY
Hanabi's face flushed with annoyance.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgozSrwCRIo
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2SjCiaAq1
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pRZPADuou
"Whatever!"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hv3Jxzj1S
"You've made your choice. Let's not waste any more time," P said.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JWwbBum3e
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i28VvJZGA
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvB3LCyihI
He gripped the handle and threw the door wide open. Once again, the brilliant, blinding light flooded the room, accompanied by a sweeping cold breeze.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhvIgT11Rn
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKU55E9Gza
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQFfGRthkf
Together, they took a few confident steps out into the light, completely in sync, ready to face the world.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFHo3UkszI
But the cinematic mood vanished instantly.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiBy9hPf8S
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1a2yOX9f7
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkre2Yzz8b
The bright light faded, revealing a lone guard standing mere inches from the exit. He was frozen mid-stride, holding an AK-47 in both hands. His eyes were wide—so wide they looked like they were about to pop right out of his skull—and heavily bloodshot.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe3uc2Jlee
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZaBbIa6nJ
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xntVeBK7S
His head trembled slightly in sheer, unadulterated shock, staring at them as if he had just come face-to-face with a pair of vengeful demons.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNatx0fMie0
P and Hanabi paused, completely still, just one step outside the exit.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAjiG1oSWh
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiA2LGf32d
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaRbk8JrPF
Nobody moved.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9CPoqE7Fo
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDEIQ1lOTF
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZEQfcJsV6
Nobody shook.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoySdy4lQB
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDwmqqZCoJ
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDpcyqCbbh
The guard didn't raise his gun, and P didn't draw his weapon. The three of them just stood there in the echoing, dead silence, staring each other down.248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkiMQoiGK0
and then Add to home screen.