The moment Min-ho's hand slipped off the last ledge, he found his life flashing before his very eyes.
His heart beat thundered into his ears, his limbs numb as though his soul nearly slipped away.
As he stared at the ledge that he missed, Min-ho then registered in his brain that there was a window here.
A window that led into the building. He was unable to see it minutes prior because he was above it, if only he had known, perhaps things would have been different.
Just as Min-ho was about to curse himself for dying so easily and shamefully, a hand reached out from the darkness within the window and grabbed his hand.
Min-ho's descent was immediately halted, but he rammed face first into the wall. Though pain still flared, it was drowned by the overwhelming sense of relief.
Min-ho did not get to relish in the fact that he was still alive before a shadow fell over him.
The Spectors that were airborne, and the one that was climbing down had now reached him.
Only inches separated them from him.
In a heartbeat, Min-ho was pulled up so aggressively, he felt his arm would tear off.
Before he knew it, he was welcomed into the darkness of the window, so that the only light he saw was the one showcasing the monsters that crashed into the window, claws a centimeter away from his eyes before he fell onto the floor.
He was frozen in place as he lay, watching the Spectors claw at the window in an attempt to reach him, but the window — though damaged — did not give out so easily.
The world fell silent to Min-ho, all he could hear was a deep ringing in his ears that accentuated the reality that he was so close to death.
And with death, was the end of everything he had worked for.
His heart pounded so hard he could feel pain emanating from his chest. The hair on his body stood and sweat beaded on his face.
The thought frightened him to his core.
Finally able to move, Min-ho rested his head on the floor, panting hard, ignoring the Spectors still clawing for him and the window getting wider by the second.
He just needed a minute to steady his breath and collect himself.
Unfortunately, he did not get that chance.
As he laid, he heard a muffled voice telling him to get up.
He didn't know if the person... his savior was hurt, or if Min-ho couldn't hear because of ringing in his ears. But he hoped it was the latter reason.
Forcing himself onto his feet, he tried to quell his beating heart.
Standing fully, Min-ho bit his lip as a wave of pain washed over him.
His ribs that slammed into the ledge, his bleeding knuckles, his aching face and his right arm that was now making strange popping sounds.
It all came to him at once, reminding him of everything he just went through.
But he couldn't let this pain weigh him down, he needed to get to safety and he knew that would entail more danger and more pain.
Though he was tempted to open his System and check the Shop for healing potions or the likes of which, he decided against it.
The pain emanating throughout his body, though searing, was not incapacitating. He could still move, still fight, and that was what mattered.
Whatever Coin he had now, he needed to spend it wisely.
Soaking in his surroundings, Min-ho could scarcely see anything. A good bulk of the light from outside was being blocked by the Spectors, leaving only trace rays of light beaming into the room.
Apart from that, the second source of light Min-ho could see was that emanating from his and his savior's Z-Eye. Or specifically, the translucent numbers floating above them.
Looking at his Z-Eye, Min-ho finally noticed the number 1. Upon seeing it, his eyes lit up. He actually got a viewer.
Though Min-ho felt a sense of joy at this prospect, he likewise felt a hint of dread regarding who was watching.
Shaking the thought off, he turned his sights to the other Z-Eye in the room. Upon taking a closer look, his eyes widened when he saw the numbers above it.
10.
His savior already had 10 viewers despite just entering the tower.
This realization shocked Min-ho.
He turned his gaze to the person that saved him, but he couldn't quite make out his features.
All he could tell was that his savior was small in stature, and had a hair that reached the length of his neck.
Looking at the number of views above his Z-Eye, Min-ho wondered how this person managed to get 10 views so soon.
He wanted to be jealous but knew it was wiser to be cautious, as the reason for those views were still unknown to him.
What he did know was how indebted he was to this person for saving his life. Min-ho couldn't die, not without achieving his goal.
"Let's go," the muffled voice called out, then he made his way further into the darkness.
Min-ho followed, using what little light he did have to tread his path.
They made their way across the room, exiting through an open door that lead to a flight of stairs lining the walls and leading both up and down the building.
At this point, Min-ho could barely see. The lights from their Z-Eyes were not bright enough to illuminate more than a very small portion of their immediate vicinity. And there were no windows present in whatever building this was.
Min-ho thought to tread carefully so as to avoid any weak foundations.
But his savior did not share the same sentiment. He moved with a speed that made Min-ho wonder if his Affinity was night-vision or something to that degree.
Though he thought it was foolish to follow the same speed of his savior, he knew his savior wouldn't slow down, and he didn't want to be left behind. So he unwillingly kept pace.
As he walked down the stairs, his body screamed at him. He bit his lip and tried to keep his focus.
'I can endure this, right now I need to get somewhere safe.' Min-ho thought.
Trying to distract himself from the pain, he diverted his attention to a question.
"The... the others, are they... alive?" Min-ho asked, but Savior gave no response, hw made his way down the steps in silence, seemingly eager to be away from this place.
It was either that, or Savior wasn't very chatty.
Now forgoing his initial intention of distracting himself with conversation, he bit his lip and watched the steps as they got closer and closer to the ground.
As the seconds went by, the darkness began to recede, giving way to the soft caresses of light from the opening below.
Looking down, Min-ho could see a statue. It was broken down to a degree that he could not decipher what it once was. Yet despite its worn-out condition, the pedestal on which it stood was in pristine condition.
Furthermore, there was a tablet at its base, with a carving Min-ho couldn't discern from this distance.
"Be on your guard, getting to the Safe Zone won't be easy." Savior said.
Min-ho hesitated. "How do you know where we're going?" The question slipped out before he could stop it.
But then he began to wonder, why did she move about with such confidence? She acted as though she knew her way around here, or what awaited them.
Didn't she arrive here along with the others? Surely she hadn't run all the way to the Safe Zone and then run back while Min-ho was clambering down the tower. Did she... did she...
Min-ho paused. His footsteps clattering to a stop, along with his Z-Eye.
Furrowing his brow, he turned to Savior, who had noticed his pause and likewise stopped to find out why.
Turning to him, Min-ho confirmed the voice he heard was that of a woman.
She looked to be in her early twenties.
Her build was lean yet full in the right areas, her eyes were a deep gold, contrasting her black neck lenth hair.
The parts of her skin he could see were as porcelain as a doll, and her red lips were more perky and plump than a cherry. In summary, she was nothing short of stunning.
Snapping out of his daze, Min-ho bit his lip as he reorganized his thoughts.
"How do... you know where we are going?" he asked, suddenly becoming apprehensive.
As a matter of fact, why was she even helping him? He doubted kindness was the answer—people didn't survive here by being generous.
As he watched Savior who was staring at him in a daze, he could see her eyes shimmer with a green hue for a split second, before she wobbled to the side, clutching her head.
'What was that?' Min-ho wondered, taking a step backward.
"You're going to make things complicated." Savior said, her voice cold.
She turned her gaze to the exit below, then she turned it back to Min-ho.
"Listen, my first Affinity gives me the ability to see the future." Min-ho's eyes widened. "Of course it is limited as of now, but that is not important. What is important is that I need you now and will be needing you some time in the future. So none of this was because I'm some generous person or anything, so don't think I'm doing you any favors. You owe me."
She said, then darted her eyes to the exit, an anxious aura resonating around her. Both their Z-Eyes watched with rapt attention.
"Please don't ask questions, we don't have enough time to get to the Safe Zone." Savior said, making her way down the steps.
"The nearest Safe Zone will be full not too long from now. We need to get there before that happens," she didn't stop, rather, she continued on her way down.
When she reached the ground, she realized Min-ho wasn't following.
Looking up, she clenched her fist, annoyed by his apprehension of her.
"Do you want to fucking die?!" Savior asked, startling him.
Min-ho lingered, doubt gnawing at him. He knew for a fact that he didn't have any time to waste.
But what he didn't know was whether there was an ambush waiting for him outside.
Min-ho bit his lip and followed.
"Good," Savior said, then she inched to the exit, peering outside for danger, her Z-Eye hovered behind her.
While she did so, Min-ho took the opportunity to summon his System.
With a thought, it appeared before him.
[Name: Mee Min-ho, Rank: E]
[Affinities, Equipment]
[Inventory, Relics, Shop]
[Coins: 100]
[Developer Options]
Once again, the section labeled "Developer Options" caught his eye, but this was no time for investigations.
Turning his sights to the Shop section, he thought to expand it, and so it did.
The screen before him was replaced with another.
[—Shop—]
[Weapons, Gear, Relics, Potions]
Looking to the Weapons section, Min-ho focused on it, then it expanded once more.
[—Weapons—]
[Swords, Shields, Spears]
[Daggers, Bows, Arrows]
[Bludgeons, Lances, Bombs, Others]
Looking at the options, Min-ho felt irritated by how arduous it was to reach his desired screen. Unfortunately he wasn't given the time.
"Let's go," Savior said, then she ran out.
Still unsure, he watched as Savior made her way out into the open.
Though he felt the need to be cautious, he wondered what purpose his death would serve anyone.
Who would waste time killing him for a measly 100 Coins when there were more important things at stake.
Taking in a deep breath, Min-ho held fast and dashed forward, choosing to trust in his seemingly destined companion.