Yurim steps back slowly,her legs trembling, before turning back and hurrying away without making a sound.
She rushes downstairs, opens the front door quietly,and bolts into the empty Streets. The night is silent except for her footsteps until she hears angry shouts from an alley. Several rough- looking men are beating someone , calling him "half-human" in disgust .
Being the only human in this strange world, she feels the spark of hope after hearing the words "half -human " . Determined to help him, she throws her sandals at those rough- looking men, grabs the injured person,and starts running without looking back.
They duck into a narrow corner, breathing hard, when yurim finally lets go, she freezes– it's him again. His face is bruised , his expression unreadable, she lowers her gaze, afraid he might take her back to that old lady's house . Though scared, she doesn't run, because he is her only hope of getting out of here .
"What are you doing here"?he asks, his voice tired but sharp.
Yurim looked at him with a mix of disbelief and rage . " Don't you know? Your grandmother tricked me – and you were helping her." Her voice trembled , the words laced with betrayal ." I couldn't trust anyone in this world."
His jaw tightened." I didn't help anyone. I warned you before."
Her anger flared." Warned me? That's what you call–"
But before she could finish, a moment caught their attention .
From the misty alley ahead, a horrific sight emerged. A hulking , twisted figure – it's limbs too long, it's skin stretched pale and tight – was chasing the mafia demon who had earlier beaten the boy . The strange monster wasn't in a human disguise , and his mouth was filled with dragger- like teeth .
Without thinking, they ducked into a narrow gap between two stone walls, barely enough room for the two of them to hide. They peered through the cracks.
The mafia demon stumbled , roaring in panic –before the creature pounced, sinking it's teeth deep into him. There was a sickening sound of tearing flesh, followed by silence .
Yurim's heart pounded painfully – "W- what is that ? He's...not in human form."
" That is the night guard . The peacemaker of this world . He punishes bad demons roaming after dark..... and outsiders who don't belong here," he replied grimly.
The words hit her like block of ice. She had been terrified before– but this was worse. Her face went blank.
The monster straightened, sniffing the air. It's head jurked slightly in their direction .
"He's ....smelling me, right?" she whispered, her voice cracking . "What should I do ? Please save me...god , " she started mumbling in fear.
Without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms, " stay like this . My scent will cover yours ."
But as the creature came closer, his eyes darkened with sudden realisation . I'm half human. My scent won't be enough.
The monster's shadow fell over them.
"Do something, loser! " Yurim hissed, panic making her voice shake. "I don't want to die being torn apart." She kept mumbling frantically, her words tumbling over each other.
The night guard took another step..and then –
A deep, resonating bell rang through the air.
"End of inspection," he whispered.