The silence outside didn't last long.
It never did.
A slow scraping sound dragged across the door again, followed by a low, distorted growl that didn't sound fully human anymore. The creatures had stopped attacking wildly—but that didn't make things better.
It made things worse.
Because now they were waiting.
Thinking.
Hunting.
Inside the cramped room, no one moved for a few seconds. Even breathing felt loud.
Then—
Stefan's system appeared again.
Sharp.
Clear.
Unavoidable.
> [SYSTEM NOTICE]
[CONVERSION OPTION AVAILABLE]
[CHANGE TYPE 2 → TYPE 1]
[EFFECT: SIGNIFICANT POWER BOOST TO USER AND ALL CONTRACTED TARGETS]
[WARNING: TARGET WILL LOSE AUTONOMY]
Stefan's eyes froze on the last line.
His jaw tightened.
So this was the trade.
Power…
In exchange for someone's freedom.
He didn't move.
Didn't speak.
But Nami noticed immediately.
Nami: "What happened?"
Stefan hesitated.
Then answered.
Stefan: "The system… gave me another option."
Her expression sharpened.
Nami: "What kind of option?"
Stefan looked toward Kiran.
Then back at her.
Stefan: "If I change a Type 2 contract… into Type 1…"
He paused.
Because even saying it felt heavy.
Stefan: "…we all get stronger."
Silence filled the room.
Nami didn't respond immediately.
She already knew what Type 1 meant.
Stefan continued—
Stefan: "Not just me. Everyone connected to me gets stronger."
Kiran slowly looked up.
His face pale.
His voice shaky.
Kiran: "…What does that mean…?"
Stefan didn't answer him directly.
Instead, he turned to Nami.
Because she understood.
Because this decision…
Wasn't just his anymore.
Nami lowered her gaze slightly, thinking.
Her enhanced senses were still tracking the movements outside.
They were getting closer.
Closer to this room.
Time… was running out.
She spoke quietly.
Nami: "How much stronger?"
Stefan clenched his fist slightly.
Stefan: "The system says 'significant'."
That was enough.
More than enough.
Kiran's breathing became uneven again.
He looked between them.
Kiran: "Wait… wait… what are you talking about…?"
No one answered him.
Not immediately.
Because the truth…
Was too direct.
Another scratch came from the door.
Closer.
Slower.
As if something was right on the other side.
Listening.
Waiting.
Nami closed her eyes for a second.
Then opened them.
Her decision made.
Nami: "We might not survive this night."
Stefan didn't argue.
Because he knew it too.
Nami: "If we stay like this… we're weak."
Her eyes met his.
Steady.
Firm.
Nami: "Too weak."
Kiran shook his head slightly.
Kiran: "What are you saying…?"
Nami didn't look at him.
Not yet.
Instead, she spoke to Stefan.
Nami: "Tell him to go to the washroom."
Stefan blinked.
Stefan: "…Why?"
Nami finally turned her gaze toward Kiran.
Her expression calm.
Too calm.
Nami: "Because we need to think clearly."
Kiran's fear spiked instantly.
Kiran: "No—no, wait—what's going on?!"
Stefan hesitated.
But then—
He spoke.
Stefan: "Kiran."
Kiran froze.
The command carried weight.
Authority.
Something he couldn't ignore.
Stefan: "Go to the washroom."
Kiran's body reacted before his mind could.
He stood up slowly.
His eyes filled with confusion and fear.
Kiran: "Stefan… what are you doing…?"
Stefan didn't answer.
Because if he did—
He might stop himself.
Kiran took a few steps back.
Then turned.
Then walked.
Each step heavier than the last.
He entered the small washroom attached to the room.
The door closed behind him.
Click.
Silence returned.