The small room felt suffocating due to three people—and one beast—crammed into a space that was barely meant for two. The air grew warmer quickly, heavy with tension and fear. The dim emergency light flickered weakly, casting shadows that seemed to move with every sound outside.
And those sounds…
Didn't stop.
BANG.
SCRATCH.
SCREEEECH.
Something was tearing through the bunker.
Metal screamed under pressure.
Walls shook.
Every impact made it feel like the next one would break through completely.
Kiran sat on the floor, his back pressed against the wall, breathing fast.
Kiran: "They're going to get in… they're going to get in…"
Nami moved closer to the door, listening carefully.
Her senses—enhanced by the system—picked up everything.
Every movement.
Every scrape.
Every shift in position.
Her voice dropped slightly.
Nami: "There's more than one… at least five… maybe more…"
Stefan stood still, his mind racing.
They weren't safe.
Not truly.
Just… delayed.
Rex growled low, flames flickering faintly as he stayed near Nami.
Ready.
Waiting.
But even he didn't attack.
As if he understood—
This wasn't the moment.
Stefan finally spoke.
Stefan: "How much food is here?"
Nami quickly checked the cabinet.
Her movements fast, controlled.
Then—
She paused.
Her expression tightened.
Nami: "Two days."
Silence.
Kiran looked up instantly.
Kiran: "Two days…? That's it?!"
Nami nodded slowly.
Nami: "Water too."
That made it worse.
Much worse.
Because now it wasn't just about surviving the night.
It was about what came after.
The sounds outside suddenly grew louder.
Closer.
A heavy impact hit the door to the main bunker area.
Then another.
Then—
A loud tearing sound.
Like something had finally broken through.
Kiran covered his mouth, trying not to panic.
Kiran: "They're inside… they're inside…"
Stefan's eyes darkened slightly.
That confirmed it.
The outer bunker was gone.
Only this room remained.
Nami turned toward him.
Nami: "We can't stay here forever."
Stefan nodded slowly.
Stefan: "No… we can't."
Another scratch came—this time closer.
Right outside the small room.
All of them froze.
Even Rex went completely still.
The sound dragged across the door.
Slow.
Deliberate.
As if whatever was outside…
Knew they were here.
Kiran whispered—
Kiran: "It knows…"
Nami didn't respond.
Stefan stepped closer to the door.
His heartbeat steady now.
Not panicked.
Focused.
Because for the first time—
He realized something clearly.
This world wasn't going to give them time.
Wasn't going to let them grow slowly.
Wasn't going to be fair.
If they wanted to survive—
They had to become stronger.
Faster.
Ruthless.
The scratching stopped.
Silence returned.
But this silence…
Was worse.
Because it meant only one thing.
They were waiting.
And so were the things outside.