Chapter 48 — "Ten to Four"
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**Observation Tower – Top Floor**
Colonel Hasegawa stood in the center of the cramped room—rifle slung low, eyes scanning every corner. The air smelled of rust and old coffee.
She turned to Kim Ji.
"We came from HQ. No one was there. Just blood."
Kim Ji—still pale—nodded slowly.
"We don't know. The moment the caves broke out, HQ ordered us: do not leave the tower. Stay put. No exceptions."
Hasegawa stepped closer.
"Did you hear her voice?"
Kim Ji met her gaze.
"Yes."
"Anything weird? Scared? Sad? Anything?"
Kim Ji shook her head.
"No. Her voice was… normal. Like always."
Hasegawa's eyes narrowed.
"When did you receive her last message?"
"Three days ago."
Hasegawa's voice dropped—low, dangerous.
"And after that… you never checked on her? Never tried to contact?"
Kim Ji flinched.
Hasegawa exploded.
"How can you be so careless?! You're team leader! You know responsibility! Do you think this is a game? If you want to go home, then go!"
Kim Ji's face drained of color.
Heart pounding—visible in her throat.
Park Hyung stepped forward—fast.
Blocked Hasegawa's path.
"It's normal," he said—voice steady, but tight.
"She rarely contacts us. Only when necessary. We do the same—ammo resupply, food storage. That's it."
He looked Hasegawa in the eye.
"You say 'go home' like we have one."
Kim Ji grabbed his arm—tight.
"Hyung—"
He didn't stop.
"Do you seriously think we joined this for fun?"
His voice rose—cracking at the edges.
"We love our nation. And which home are you talking about? It was destroyed years ago."
Kim Ji's grip tightened—fingers white.
Hyung's voice lowered.
"We're not privileged like you—to spend time with family."
Kim Ji's hand trembled.
Hyung looked down—saw her grip.
Softened.
"I'm sorry."
He bowed—deep.
"I'll take any punishment."
Hasegawa exhaled—long, slow.
"No. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."
She turned away.
Hyung looked back at Kim Ji.
She still held his arm—eyes down.
He whispered.
"It's alright."
She let go—slowly.
But kept looking at the floor.
Kaito—quiet until now—spoke.
"You're just four people here?"
Jin-young—leaning against the wall—answered.
"At first… ten. Eight girls. Two boys."
He looked out the cracked window.
"Remaining six died in time."
Kaito stared.
"Then… why are you doing this? You're male. You could live better. As an asset."
Jin-young laughed—small, bitter.
"If I live peacefully… I can't sleep peacefully."
He looked at Kaito.
"I'm here to protect my people. I'll protect them till my last breath."
"I made promise to save even one person."
He smiled—tired.
"By the way… why are you here? They wouldn't send a male on a mission like this."
Kaito glanced at Mio—still staring out the window, silent.
"Unofficial. Keep it secret."
He pointed at Mio.
"I'm here to find her sister."
Jin-young looked at Mio.
She didn't turn.
Kaito continued.
"Do you know anything?"
Jin-young shook his head.
"I don't think so. If her sister was here… she survived."
He shrugged.
"Breakouts are common. Happens all the time."
Kaito looked at Mio.
"But I feel… her sister is alive."
Jin-young laughed—light.
"Did you watch too many dramas or what? How can you feel she's alive?"
He paused.
"But… if she feels it… I'll let it go."
He grinned.
"I was joking."
Hasegawa cleared her throat.
"Listen up."
Everyone turned.
"From here—we enter the caves. Search for anything. Clues. Survivors. Anything."
She looked at her team.
"Wear headphones. Firing will increase. In close spaces—it's bad for ears."
She looked at Kaito and Mio.
"You two—stay sharp."
They nodded.
The group moved—slow, weapons ready.
Toward the stairs.
Toward the dark below.
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*End*