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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTG6VCdY3p
SLAM!
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgivybrJvj
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dJc6wIxBK
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yN0ayFBlK
"Are you crazy?!" Hanabi hissed through gritted teeth.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DHwlPI7uY
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWWDuSskwf
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RxSLA3Skl
She slammed the door shut, her hands pressing flat against the metal as she whirled around to glare at him.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvqdwN0mrI
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLNsd8CLv5
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMj4WYM4u3
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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡza8UURJUn6
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx9FPm5yXL
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmQ91jZt4K
P blinked, turning to look down at her with a dazed, unbothered face. His expression clearly asked: Why did you just do that?
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX9EP0LAE0
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhudu1XOthi
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9EQfoVQOZ
"Are you seriously just going to stroll out like that?" Hanabi demanded, crossing her arms.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYBJ1adjJp
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSAnIOpe6C
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSbsJPcmmg
"Do you even have a plan?!"
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8jf1Vjvha
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXCaUaa4CZ
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTme6nww166
"Ohhhhh..." P's eyes widened a fraction in sudden realization. He crossed his arms over his chest. "A plan. I totally forgot about that."
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjcVFKSwDg
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqaHGxB0kV
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JSSDEFeNe
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?!"
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90vPKKbSyH
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L6xjvKYZ5
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5xlIzKpo2
As Hanabi continued to lecture him, P just stared at her blankly. His mind began to wander elsewhere.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffFrFiB3Oj
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98nzGNvrZK
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkx4jRiZrEP
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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqwqhnPDiz
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgh91SSWns
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvkjF7gh6g
"Are you even listening to me?" Hanabi asked, stepping closer until her face was inches from his.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt56MQtR6E5
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLxYIIifK1
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyICtq5Uj0U
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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskJMrDDu4u
Hanabi fell quiet, looking at him with reluctant curiosity.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDkFfiUBaj
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4MQ8RoDqq
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbt7Y72ZkK
"Have you noticed the environment has become calmer than usual?" P asked, glancing around.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXmt7yqvdE
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvC50IcgYK
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhsabIpOl1
Hanabi paused, listening closely. "Yes... it seems so," she whispered, gazing up at him before quickly looking down, slightly
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpF32JEoR7
intimidated by the intensity of his stare.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLMnvkaFxK
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI4yEhAqFf
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRlAbH96gG
"The building suddenly went dead silent, and I can't hear any guards patrolling," P explained, resting his right hand thoughtfully under his chin.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDeFMmT2rC
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFplqOizk4
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmNlMKxFoe
"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."
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGfj1l6WN4
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTShyQn9WOe
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeIypXsQAT
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?
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gQdPq5LtV
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuDtrcrWfe
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaesU33bVr
"So, here's the escape plan," P announced.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxlvF0WlNK
Hanabi looked up, a sudden flicker of hope igniting in her chest.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMWWcKtcM3
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqlSbVZwmM
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4cM2Mcla0
"We fight our way out of here with everything we've got," P said with total confidence.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf4kqJxxlW
The room fell into a dead, suffocating silence.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeH0h3TlWm7
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNYHlVvwk0
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRZfqOuTZO
"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?!"
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hKeB8QR3v
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9E1yB4XTb
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJct3QhsD8
"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."
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKKFwtQlQX
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXLZ8XXF4v
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVaZqEdQaU
Says the guy who was about to walk out the front door like it was a brand new day, Hanabi muttered to herself.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNgXKzWNoX
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7mIrjacls
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnNv0tzunK
"We need to arm ourselves first," P said, turning around.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvoBvdDKFO
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZftPQ4CZq
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4XFuXPli6
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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcAJOqxRFT
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLDniR6HiI
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm1z8rBQhJ
"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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya3BE7e3v5
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE3R4yKTF6
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvnJN8Nol3
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."
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlxL0p9qPc
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8MPHdnckU
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TXY9i95sf
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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofPw1hNcoe
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuwJ0FSHPX
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrBdmnYHIO
"What about you? What are you going to wear?" she asked, a genuine note of worry slipping into her voice.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fLuOplu4B
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpFzcFwvjg
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBzoakhBMo
"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."
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGT3KcftfJt
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuh8W733Ze
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRI0HqEr83U
He held out the grenade. Hanabi cautiously took the heavy, metallic sphere, inspecting it with a puzzled expression. "What is this... round thing?"
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYefxDz8ujO
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vECNNeeGp
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lhik9Wg6o
"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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Dmq1olrfi
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAysA25SmLW
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhUQkM6q6K
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?"
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBV4DlMOLs
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ivXC1caCh
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJEWSQiKRt
"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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8MGZFNX9b
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAHLvU9QuO
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY890ozRDWN
"NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!"
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqFTmflGW8
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQrPU2k2pO
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsy5bpD5JBE
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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaPA0p9Gg2
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J5syGL02i
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxUX66acTa
"What?!" Hanabi asked, completely dumbfounded. "I was just going to test it! Why are you stopping me?!"
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgSPiRvpzM
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopDUhtkWDv
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XyF5DyRBe
"Are you seriously trying to blow us up before we even get a chance to fight for our lives?!" P gasped, his heart hammering.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ4RuN8Pgx
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwGtt06LmI
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wtwUzd7sc
"Blow us up? What does that mean?"
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbufpQpUOAF
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdmgUPJ85l
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAZXDGmlT7
"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!"
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJ8KxMFPpw
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5kLovK7cc
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzQZV45Bgx
Hanabi froze, a violent shudder running down her spine. Fire.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsd6JO2lsG
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVQUvodxkl
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffhXfXXy9g
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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYTa8dg38X
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT8QkAxOU0
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeemWmCctL
"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."
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaLMPWnHum
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkceyDLybPj
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFcWoJeQ2c
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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAr5fGIbD3
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIh4zJVEIki
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KFF0uQGeB
Which one do you choose?"
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX3vdafd85
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmUmLw7Zxc
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWzeK0AAvN
Hanabi stood frozen, his cold words echoing in her mind as her subconscious took over.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6StBMXWxt
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4u2jdSJvh
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7koNjpihQZ
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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgP1tY52w3
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRP2DFxFkmh
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmplRhn8ZwL
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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyeVNrjA0k
Her grip tightened on her dagger.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zZAbAirUp
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWGJwMpywA
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy7cYep7WA
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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsf1rGcqYaV
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBWjyXJupW
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6q157qmmFy
She looked up, locking eyes with the man standing before her.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0KQxf1kz4
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnYl0N3Q1v
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2GMdG5Y7s
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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ekbjsoTDj
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6gxAUT2Et
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbdi16qzZK
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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsOBXKYndt
A slow, subtle smirk broke through P's cold demeanor. "So. Are you ready?"
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tVeNdEXiq
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL6HzZtYjb
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuNCTuLJ3F
"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."
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUrEirrZcO
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTny5JQbRe
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdFit8NMMZ
"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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecUabIkYdw
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtC1sTTvRd8
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguxvj4WUMR
Hanabi's face flushed with annoyance.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFTnNC3XKb
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoEQrANNt6
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7TGs5Sk7X
"Whatever!"
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYnhOovl57
"You've made your choice. Let's not waste any more time," P said.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApVUouFF7C
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODPoVCTk5A
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkZr4aBI0Y
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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XG3naJrSo
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMPgggg26L
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwIdpAKFr9
Together, they took a few confident steps out into the light, completely in sync, ready to face the world.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMX6PsNbozp
But the cinematic mood vanished instantly.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzW4vkrezdj
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwL0vX4t5B
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScUj17ONS2
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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WYrtT14Z4
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYfjXgn4zI
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewtpNGz6qv
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.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMtgEFTkYf
P and Hanabi paused, completely still, just one step outside the exit.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRaMEVcE5B
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMQtJEvitd
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpJJiBZCJ4
Nobody moved.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYtydS6IPK
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrndyjx6DuM
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uUOypRTgo
Nobody shook.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvFXKNatOp
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr100a6uiLR
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhthNoCwLf8
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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYrLKbf1Pt
and then Add to home screen.