It is a normal day in the future. Cars fly in the sky and move smoothly between tall buildings. People walk on the streets with advanced devices, and technology is a part of everyday life.Inside a research lab, machines are working quietly. Screens show different data and weapon designs. A 25-year-old man named Max is standing near a table, checking his work. He is a researcher of advanced technology and works in a company called Reo Tech, which makes weapons.Max is focused on his project, typing slowly and carefully. He wants everything to be perfect.Then suddenly, someone hits his back.A sweet but harsh voice says, "You are too slow, Mr. Max."Max turns back and looks a little annoyed. "Why do you hit me every time, Zoe?" he says.Zoe, a 24-year-old girl, is standing behind him with a small smile. She also works at Reo Tech as a researcher. She is fast, confident, and always finishes her work before Max."Because you work too slowly," Zoe replies. "At this speed, you will never finish your project."Max sighs and looks back at his screen. "I don't like making mistakes. Slow work is better than wrong work."Zoe crosses her arms. "Maybe... but in this company, speed also matters."Both of them continue their work. Around them, other researchers are busy creating new weapons. Some are testing small devices, while others are checking powerful systems. Every person in the lab has one goal — to make better and stronger weapons.In this world, every citizen has a licensed weapon. Wars are common, and technology keeps improving every day. Reo Tech is one of the biggest companies that creates these weapons.Max looks at his project again. It is a new type of weapon system. He wants it to be safe and perfect before it is used.Zoe finishes her work quickly and looks at Max again. "You are still working?" she says.Max nods. "Yes. I want to test it one more time."Zoe shakes her head but smiles a little. "You never change."The day continues like any normal day... with flying cars outside and weapon research inside the lab.Zoe walked a little closer to Max and tapped his desk lightly."Sir is calling you," she said.Max stopped typing and frowned. He leaned back in his chair and sighed."Why does that old man keep calling me?" he said in an annoyed tone.Zoe crossed her arms and looked at him. "He called me too," she replied. "Maybe it's something important."Max shook his head. "That pervert calls you every time," he said.Zoe's expression changed slightly. "Hey, talk with respect. He is our senior," she said seriously.Max turned his chair toward her. "I don't need to respect that man," he replied calmly.Zoe frowned. "Stop calling him that," she said.Max looked away for a moment, then said, "Forget it. Everyone in this office knows what kind of person he is."For a few seconds, there was silence between them. The sound of machines and keyboards filled the lab again.Zoe finally sighed. "Whatever... just go. He's waiting."Max stood up slowly and stretched a little. "Fine," he said. "Let's see what he wants this time."Then both of them walked toward the cabin. The hallway was quiet, filled with the soft sound of machines and footsteps.As they were walking, Max said quietly, "If that old man gives me useless work again, I'll lose my mind."Zoe glanced at him and shook her head. "Hey, I told you to talk with respect," she said.Max kept walking without looking at her. "Don't tell me what to do," he replied.After a few seconds, they reached the cabin. Zoe knocked lightly on the door, and then both of them stepped inside.A man was sitting on a chair behind a large desk. Papers and digital screens were spread around him. He looked around 50 years old. His name was Konr.Konr looked up as they entered. His eyes moved directly to Max."Max," he said, "I have an important task for you."Max stood straight, trying to look serious. But in his mind, he thought, I know it... he's going to give me boring paperwork again.He forced a small smile and said, "What work, sir?"Konr leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the desk. "Our team has found a new mine," he said. "I want you and Zoe to go there and check it."Max listened carefully this time. This didn't sound like normal work.Konr continued, "Our team believes that this cave may contain a new type of ore. We need proper analysis before taking any further steps."Max's expression slowly changed. The boredom on his face disappeared, replaced by real interest."Okay, sir," he said, this time with a genuine smile.Zoe nodded beside him. "Understood, sir."Konr gave a small nod. "Prepare yourselves and leave as soon as possible."Both of them turned around and walked out of the cabin. The door closed softly behind them.As they walked through the hallway, Zoe looked at Max and said,"Your tone changed so fast."Max smiled a little and put his hands in his pockets."I only care about two things—cake and new ore," he replied.Zoe sighed and brushed her hair back. "Still... why me? That mine dust will ruin my skin," she said with a slightly annoyed expression.Max looked at her and gave a small laugh."Relax. Don't act weak. This is actually interesting work."Zoe didn't reply immediately. She just walked beside him, thinking about the mission ahead.After three days, Max woke up early in the morning. Sunlight was coming through the window of his room. He sat up slowly, stretched his arms, and then got out of bed.He went to the bathroom, brushed his teeth, and took a quick bath. After that, he got dressed in his usual work clothes. Everything felt normal, but he knew today was different because of the mission.Before leaving, he walked to the table near his bed and picked up his weapon license.The license was not just a simple card. It was an advanced device that contained all the personal details of the user. It was directly connected to the government system, so every action was monitored and controlled. No one could use a weapon without it.Attached to the license was a small object, like a keychain. It looked simple, but it was actually a compact form of a weapon.When the owner pulled the keychain and detached it from the license, it instantly transformed into a real weapon. The small object expanded and changed shape within seconds.And when the weapon was touched back to the license, it would reconnect and return to its small keychain form again.This system allowed people to carry weapons safely and legally in their daily lives without showing them openly.Max checked his license once, then put it in his pocket and walked out of his house.He took his car and drove toward the mine. The roads were mostly empty, and a few flying vehicles could be seen moving in the sky above. The journey was smooth and quiet.After some time, he reached the mine. The area looked dry and rough, with rocks and dust all around. Large machines and equipment were placed near the entrance.He parked his car and stepped out. As he looked ahead, he saw Zoe already standing near the entrance of the mine. She seemed to be waiting for him.She turned toward him and said, "You are late."Max closed his car door and walked toward her. "Hey, I'm not late," he replied calmly. "You just came early."Zoe crossed her arms and looked a little annoyed. "Whatever... just don't be late again."Max shrugged slightly. "Forget it. Let's go inside."Zoe took a small breath and nodded.Both of them walked toward the entrance of the mine. The inside looked dark, and the air felt heavy with dust. Without saying anything more, they stepped inside together, ready to begin their work.Inside the mine, the air was dusty and the light was low. Small lamps were fixed on the walls, giving just enough light to see the path ahead.Max stopped walking for a moment. His eyes slowly began to glow with a faint light.He bent down, picked up a small stone from the ground, and looked at it carefully."Hey, look at this," Max said. "This is iron oxide... this one has sulfur... and this one is glowknight."Zoe looked at him with a confused expression. "What difference do you see in these rocks?" she asked.Max held the stone up and said, "I can see it with my eyes."Zoe frowned slightly. "Whatever... these are already known resources. Our task is to discover a new resource," she said.Max stayed quiet for a second and then dropped the stone. "Yeah... I know," he replied.Both of them continued walking deeper into the mine, looking around carefully.Both of them kept walking deeper into the mine. The air became heavier, and the path started getting narrower. Small pieces of rock were scattered on the ground.Zoe looked around and said, "This place doesn't feel safe."Max replied, "Relax, it's normal in mines."As they moved forward, a low rumbling sound came from deep inside the cave.Zoe stopped walking. "Did you hear that?"Max turned his head slightly. "Yeah... I heard it."Suddenly, the ground shook. Small stones began to fall from above."Something's wrong," Zoe said quickly.Before Max could reply, a loud cracking sound echoed through the cave. Large rocks started falling from the ceiling. Dust filled the air."Run!" Max shouted.Both of them started running back toward the entrance. The path behind them was breaking apart as rocks continued to fall.Zoe almost slipped, but Max grabbed her hand and pulled her forward."Don't stop!" he said.The shaking became stronger. A huge rock fell in front of them, blocking part of the path.Max quickly looked around. "This way!" he said, pointing to a narrow side path.They rushed into the side tunnel as the main path collapsed behind them.After a few moments, the shaking slowly stopped.Everything became quiet again...Dust was still floating in the air.Zoe took a deep breath. "That was close..."Max looked back at the blocked path and said, "Yeah... but now we're trapped."After a few moments, they started walking again through the narrow tunnel. The air was still filled with dust, and the path was unstable.Suddenly, a loud cracking sound came from above.Zoe looked up. "Max—!"Before she could react, a giant rock broke loose from the ceiling and started falling directly toward her.In that moment, Max didn't think. He quickly jumped forward, grabbed Zoe, and pulled her down.He turned his body and covered her to protect her.The rock crashed down on top of them.A loud impact echoed through the tunnel as dust and small stones spread everywhere.For a few seconds, everything went silent.Zoe was lying on the ground, protected under Max. She was safe...But Max had taken the full impact of the falling rocks on his back.Both of them were partially buried under the rubble, with heavy stones covering Max from above.Both of them lost consciousness under the falling rocks.After about three hours, Zoe slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was blurry, and her head felt heavy.As her sight became clear, she realized that Max was holding her tightly.For a moment, she stayed still... then she lightly blushed."Max... wake up," she said softly. "And leave me."Max slowly opened his eyes. He looked confused for a second, then suddenly realized the situation and quickly moved away."S-sorry," he said, looking a little embarrassed.Zoe sat up and looked around carefully. "Forget it... focus on the current situation," she said.Max also stood up and looked around. The place felt different. The walls were smoother, and there was a faint light coming from somewhere deeper in the cave.Zoe frowned. "This doesn't look like the same path..."Max nodded slowly. "Yeah... this is not where we were before."Zoe took a step forward and looked around. "Last time I remember, a rock fell on us... so how are we here?"Max stayed quiet for a moment, observing everything carefully. "I don't know... but this place feels different."Both of them stood there for a few seconds, trying to understand their surroundings.Ahead of them, a faint glowing light could be seen deeper inside the cave.Zoe looked at it and said, "Looks like we don't have a choice... we have to go forward."Max gave a small nod. "Yeah... let's move."Then both of them slowly started walking toward the unknown part of the cave.Both of them started moving deeper into the cave. The faint light ahead guided their path.Max walked in front, thinking and talking at the same time."If we follow the same direction, maybe we can find another exit," he said. "Or we can mark the path and come back later..."Zoe was walking behind him, listening quietly.Suddenly, a hand came from the darkness behind her and covered her mouth.Her eyes widened in shock. She tried to shout, but no sound came out.The hand pulled her back into the darkness. She struggled, trying to free herself, but the grip was too strong. Within seconds, she disappeared from the path.Max kept walking, still talking."So, how is this plan? We can try this—"He paused. There was no reply.Max frowned slightly. "Hey... why aren't you saying anything?"He turned back.There was no one there.The tunnel behind him was empty and silent.Max's expression changed. "Zoe?" he called out.No answer."Zoe!" he said louder, looking around quickly.The cave remained silent.
