Kai didn't move this time.
Lina's voice echoed again.
"Kai!"
But instead of turning—
He stood still.
Counting.
"…three…"
"…two…"
"…one…"
The sound came.
Right on time.
"…so it's fixed…" he muttered.
Lina ran up to him.
"You're ignoring me now?"
"…we don't have much time."
"…again with that—Kai, what's wrong with you?"
"…you're going to die."
Silence.
"…what?"
"…I've seen it happen," he said.
"…many times."
She stared at him.
"…this isn't funny."
"I'm not joking."
"…then prove it."
Kai didn't hesitate.
"…there's a creature coming from the east street."
"…it'll appear in exactly—"
The sound echoed.
Lina froze.
"…how did you—"
"…we need to move now."
This time—
She didn't argue.
They ran.
Different direction.
Different route.
"…this should change it…"
The creature appeared anyway.
Closer.
Faster.
"…no… that's not right…"
It moved again.
Adapted.
"…it's changing…"
Kai's heart raced.
"…then we change faster."
He grabbed Lina's hand again.
"…stay with me."
They turned sharply into a narrow alley.
For a moment—
Silence.
"…did we lose it?" Lina whispered.
Kai listened.
Nothing.
"…maybe…"
Then—
A shadow dropped in front of them.
Blocking the exit.
"…no…"
The creature tilted its head.
"…you're trying harder this time…"
Kai froze.
"…you remember me…?"
"…you're different…"
Lina stepped back.
"…Kai…"
"…stay behind me."
But the creature didn't attack.
It watched.
Studied.
"…this isn't just a loop…" Kai whispered.
"…it's reacting…"
The creature smiled.
"…good…"
"…that makes this more interesting…"