They didn't slow down immediately after leaving the area.
Arin kept moving while checking behind at intervals. The distance had increased, but he didn't assume they were safe. Ren followed closely, his breathing heavy and uneven.
After a short distance, Arin noticed movement ahead.
A few people were approaching from the direction they were heading. They weren't moving quickly, but continuing forward would lead them into another risk.
Arin changed direction without stopping.
"This way," he said.
Ren followed without asking.
They moved through a side path that led away from the main route. The surroundings became quieter, with fewer structures and almost no movement. The lighting was weak, and parts of the area were left in shadow. Most of the buildings looked old and unused.
They stopped near a partially broken structure.
No people.
No movement.
Arin leaned against the wall briefly, steadying his breathing.
Ren sat down heavily, exhaling as he lowered his head.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
They didn't waste time.
Arin took out a small medical injector and used it first on himself, then passed it to Ren. The effect reduced the sharp pain, allowing them to move more freely.
Ren cleaned the wound along his arm while Arin checked the damage across his side. The bleeding had slowed, but the impact still lingered beneath the surface.
They stayed only a few minutes.
"We shouldn't stay here," Arin said.
Ren nodded.
They moved again, heading directly toward Arin's place.
By the time they reached, both of them were close to their limit.
Inside, Arin closed the door and leaned against it for a moment, steadying his breathing. Ren dropped onto the floor, exhaling heavily.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
Then Ren let out a sharp breath.
"Fuck… we almost died."
Arin didn't respond immediately.
Ren ran a hand through his hair, still catching his breath. "Those bastards… coming in groups like that. What the hell was that?"
Arin moved toward the table and started taking out the medical supplies.
"Planned," he said. "They knew what they were doing."
Ren let out a dry laugh. "Yeah, no shit. I'm the one who almost got cut in half."
He leaned back against the wall. "If not for that weapon, I'd be dead right now."
Arin glanced at him briefly, then continued treating his injuries.
"We lacked experience," he said. "That's all."
Ren looked at him. "That's all?" he repeated. "One of them could crush us in two hits."
Arin stayed calm. "Next time we won't let it reach that point."
Ren stared at him for a second, then shook his head.
"Next time?" he said. "I'm not going again."
Arin didn't argue.
He finished applying the treatment and passed the injector over.
After a moment, Ren looked at him again.
"Where did you even get those things?" he asked. "The bombs… that gun… you didn't buy those."
Arin replied without looking up. "I made them."
Ren paused.
"…You made them?"
Arin nodded once.
Ren stared at him for a few seconds, his expression shifting.
"…What the hell," he muttered.
He leaned back again.
"Next time I'm standing behind you."
After finishing treatment, the difference became clearer.
Arin's wounds stabilized faster. The semi-core inside him supported his recovery, allowing the damage to settle more quickly. Ren noticed the difference but didn't question it further.
The exhaustion came all at once.
Both of them lay down without discussion.
They slept for nearly twelve hours.
When Arin opened his eyes again, the light had already shifted.
It was afternoon.
His body still felt heavy, but the sharp pain had reduced. The injuries remained, but they no longer restricted his movement the same way.
He sat up slowly.
Ren was already awake.
They didn't speak immediately.
After a while, they checked the items they had brought.
Ren placed his items on the table, going through them again.
Arin did the same.
After sorting, Arin handed the storage cube to Ren.
"Use this."
Ren accepted it.
Arin placed the remaining items into a container.
The room became quiet.
Ren stood up after a moment.
"I'll go," he said. "Need some proper rest."
Arin nodded.
Ren paused near the door. "Take care."
Then he left.
They had survived.
Next time wouldn't be the same.