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Y/N moved ahead of the group, her presence commanding and steady. The bow and arrow slung across her shoulder, the weight of her sword resting comfortably at her waist-she was a warrior in every sense of the word. Y/N led the way, her posture steady and unwavering. Orion trotted ahead, with Haru sitting atop the horse, the reins securely in Y/N's hand. The little girl's focus matched Y/N's, her small frame holding steady on the larger animal.

Jiwoo, walking beside her brother Jimin, had Astra's reins in her hands, her eyes scanning the surroundings as she moved with purpose. Her presence was calm yet alert, always aware of her surroundings.

Jungkook and Jin brought up the rear, ensuring no one was left behind and watching for any signs of danger.

Behind Jimin and Jiwoo, RM and Hobi kept a steady pace. Hobi gripped Y/N's silenced shotgun tightly in one hand, his dagger in the other, his eyes sharp and unwavering. He moved with precision, alert to any threat. RM, ever the leader, stayed just behind them, his gaze constantly flicking between the path ahead and their surroundings.

Suga and Taehyung walked just behind Y/N and Orion, both of them vigilant and ready. Taehyung carried his rifle with ease on his shoulder, while Suga held his katana at the ready, his focus unbreakable.

The group moved in perfect harmony, each one alert, every step calculated. They were a team, and nothing-no matter how dangerous-was going to get past them.

By mid-noon, Y/N and the rest of the group had finally made their way to their town, still in the forest. They had reached their destination without encountering any trouble, the eerie quiet still hanging in the air like a thick fog. The usual signs of danger-stalkers, ambushers-were absent. No rustling in the trees, no movement in the shadows, no distant growls. Everything was unnervingly still.

Y/N's unease only grew with each step they took. The absence of the usual threats hit her like a truck to the chest, an overwhelming wave of realization that made her stop dead in her tracks. The ground beneath her boots suddenly felt heavier, as if the world was pressing down on her, urging her to acknowledge something.

No stalkers. No ambushers. No signs of any usual dangers.

She glanced at the group, her mind racing. It was too quiet. And that's when it clicked. Goliaths were rare, but they didn't roam alone. They always traveled in herds, accompanied by stalkers and ambushers, keeping to familiar patterns. The silence, the absence of these creatures, didn't sit right with her.

Her brow furrowed as she quickly calculated the possibilities. There were two main scenarios that made sense:

1. The noise from the herd had drawn the stalkers and ambushers away, luring them toward the northwest, away from their path.

2. Or, and this one made her skin crawl, the Phantoms had come through, feeding on the stalkers and ambushers that would normally have been a threat to them.

A third possibility nagged at her, but she couldn't put her finger on it yet. Her thoughts swirled like a storm in her mind, making her stomach churn.

Before anyone could speak up, Y/N raised her hand in a silent command for everyone to stop, her expression hardening into a mask of focus. She needed a moment to process what was happening, but the fear of Phantoms-the very thought of them-sent a chill down her spine. They were too dangerous, too unpredictable. She knew their patterns, their behavior. They didn't come out in daylight, which gave them a temporary sense of safety for now. But the fact that they hadn't encountered any of the usual threats was a sign that something far more dangerous could be lurking just beyond their perception.

She knew her silence would worry them, but Y/N wasn't ready to speak her mind yet. She couldn't afford to show any weakness, not while they were so close to safety.

"Keep your eyes sharp," she murmured, her voice low, as she began scanning the surroundings. Her gaze swept over the trees, the ground, every possible hideout. "We move forward, but stay alert."

Y/N spotted the tall tree in the distance and, without a moment's hesitation, gestured for the others to stop. Her eyes remained fixed on the trunk, its height almost mocking her sense of urgency. It was the perfect vantage point, but she knew the climb would be tricky, especially with her sword at her waist and only her bow and arrows on her back.

"Wait here," she commanded, her voice low and steady, as she moved toward the tree, determination in her every step. The ground was uneven, the forest floor thick with roots and scattered leaves, but she didn't falter. Her sword slid to the side, and with only her bow, she prepared to scale the tree.

At first, it was difficult. The trunk was smooth and slippery, offering little in terms of footholds. Her fingers gripped tightly to the bark, and her muscles screamed in protest, but Y/N didn't allow herself to hesitate. Each movement was calculated, each push upward fueled by the need to ensure the safety of her group.

The further she climbed, the easier it became. Branches started to stretch out, offering more leverage, allowing her to move more quickly. Still, her eyes never stopped scanning her surroundings, even as she focused on the climb. Her every sense was on high alert.

The height was dizzying, and as she finally reached the top of the tree, she perched herself on a sturdy branch. The view from here was unmatched, giving her the perfect vantage point to survey the area. Her heart was pounding, but she allowed herself a moment to catch her breath as she calculated the next steps, both for herself and her group.

Below, the others watched in quiet admiration. Haru smiled up at her, clearly impressed. "Y/N's amazing, huh?" she said, her voice filled with pride.

Jimin glanced up skeptically. "You sure it's safe up there?"

"It's Y/N," Jin answered, smiling. "She knows what she's doing."

RM gave a subtle nod, trusting Y/N's instincts without question. Still, the silence in the forest left him uneasy. Hobi, standing next to him, adjusted his short gun, a hint of amusement in his tone as he said, "This better not be just for a good view."

As Y/N steadied herself on the branch, her focus shifted to the landscape ahead. She took a deep breath, the stillness of the forest only adding to the tension building inside her. Everything seemed... too quiet. But she had to trust her instincts, as always.

As Y/N calculated the surroundings, she began to carefully climb down the tree, but her foot slipped. In a flash, she grabbed one of the prop roots, using it to slide down the rest of the trunk. With a practiced roll, she landed smoothly on one knee and her foot, steadying herself quickly.

Jiwoo was the first to reach her, her face filled with concern. "Y/N, are you alright?" she asked, crouching beside her.

Y/N nodded, brushing herself off with a small sigh. "I'm fine. Just a couple of scratches on my hand," she replied, examining her palm where the skin had torn slightly from the bark.

Jin, who had been a little more anxious about the climb, let out a breath of relief. "Always making everything look effortless," he muttered, shaking his head. "I swear, you've got the balance of a cat."

Tae, who had been quietly observing from the back of the group, stepped forward. "You've got to stop doing stuff like that," he said with a smile, his voice light but with a hint of concern. "Next time, let us do the risky stunts."

"Don't worry, I'm fine," Y/N assured, wiping the dirt off her hands. She gave them a quick look, her gaze turning serious again.

Harus' soft voice broke through the moment. She was grinning from Orion's back, clearly amused by the whole situation. "Y/N's like a superhero! She can do anything!"

The group chuckled at Haru's enthusiasm, the tension easing slightly. But Y/N's gaze was still sharp, as she stood up and motioned for everyone to get ready. Despite the brief moment of levity, the quiet in the forest still weighed heavily on her mind.

Y/N smiled faintly at Haru's comment, but it didn't reach her eyes. Without a word, she gripped the reins tighter and resumed walking, her mind focused on the path ahead. She could feel it-they were close now. The air felt heavier, more still, as if the world itself held its breath.

The group moved in tense silence, their footsteps muffled against the soft earth. Minutes later, they arrived at the outskirts of a town. It was eerily quiet, the kind of silence that made your skin crawl, as if something unseen was watching.

Y/N raised her hand, signaling the group to halt. She scanned the area before murmuring, "Keep moving. Don't stop for anything."

The group moved cautiously, their steps muffled by the soft forest floor. Soon, they reached the outskirts of a well-fortified base hidden deep within the trees. The walls were reinforced with layers of steel and wood, showing signs of recent care.

"This is it," Y/N said, her voice low as she slowed her pace.

Jiwoo stopped beside her, gazing at the familiar sight with a mix of relief and unease. "Feels strange being back. It's only been four days, but it feels longer."

Y/N nodded slightly but didn't respond, her eyes scanning the perimeter for any signs of movement.

"Why are we going to the back?" Jungkook asked, his voice breaking the silence as he gestured toward the sturdy main gate. "Isn't that faster?"

Before Y/N could reply, Haru chimed in, her tone playful. "Because Y/N is Y/N! She's different, and she always has her own way of doing things!"

Jiwoo let out a soft laugh, brushing Haru's hair back. "She's not wrong. Y/N always thinks ahead."

Y/N glanced over her shoulder, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "You're learning," she said, her tone almost teasing.

As Y/N pushed the door open, two horses came into view, standing calmly in the dim light. Their saddles were intact, the reins neatly tied, as though someone had left them there intentionally.

Taehyung tilted his head, his brows furrowing. "You've got two more horses?" he asked, the question hanging in the air.

Y/N didn't respond, her eyes briefly meeting Jiwoo's. The unspoken understanding between them passed in a single look before Y/N turned sharply and made her way to the back gate of the living room.

Reaching the gate, she knocked twice, her movements deliberate, before stepping back. She positioned herself in front of the group, her hand resting firmly on the hilt of her sword. Though her body radiated tension, there was no mistaking the slight curve of her lips, a knowing smirk that betrayed her confidence.

As Y/N moved backward, she crouched down smoothly, slipping a blade from her boot. Rising, she stood poised, her movements deliberate. The others stiffened, their senses heightened as the air grew heavy with tension.

Jiwoo, however, just shook her head, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. "She's going to do something mischievous," she murmured under her breath, already bracing herself for whatever was coming.

The sound of footsteps approached, each one steady and unhurried. A shadow stretched across the floor as a silhouette appeared at the door. Without hesitation, Y/N threw her blade, the weapon slicing through the air.

The figure dodged with a swift movement, the blade embedding itself harmlessly into the wall behind him. Stepping fully into view, Kai stood there, looking slightly offended as he glanced between the blade and Y/N.

Jiwoo broke into a smile. "Kai," she greeted, amusement clear in her tone.

A second figure emerged from behind him-Suho, his expression calm yet knowing, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Kai pointed at the blade still quivering in the wall. "Really, Y/N?" he said, his tone a mix of annoyance and disbelief.

Y/N just grinned, crossing her arms. "Well done," she said, a laugh bubbling from her lips.

Kai's face darkened playfully as he started toward her with full speed. The others tensed again, unsure of what to expect, but Y/N simply stood her ground, her smirk unwavering.

As he closed in, Y/N pulled her sword from its sheath with practiced ease, pointing the blade directly at him. Kai skidded to a halt just inches away, eyeing the sword with a raised brow. He knew she wasn't going to use it, but the challenge in her eyes made him pause.

Then, with a smirk of his own, Kai sidestepped the sword and moved closer-only for Y/N to lash out with a swift kick.

Kai's face contorted as he doubled over, clutching his groin and groaning in pain. "Damn it, Y/N!" he managed to gasp.

Haru erupted into laughter, clapping her hands gleefully. "That was amazing!" she squealed.

Jiwoo chuckled, shaking her head. "You had that coming, Kai."

Suho leaned casually against the doorframe, shaking his head as if he'd seen it all before. "You should've known better," he remarked, a faint grin tugging at his lips.

The others in the group-reacted in a mix of surprise and amusement. Jimin winced, unconsciously crossing his legs. "That's gotta hurt," he muttered.

Taehyung bit his lip, trying to hold back laughter, while Jungkook outright snickered, leaning slightly into RM for support.

"Should we... do something?" Jin asked, though he made no move to intervene.

RM shook his head, a small smile playing on his face. "Nope. He's on his own."

Suga just smirked, his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall. "Entertaining as always," he commented dryly.

Meanwhile, Hobi stood frozen, his mouth hanging open. "She really just-" He stopped mid-sentence, shaking his head in disbelief before breaking into a grin. "You're savage, Y/N. Poor guy never stood a chance!"

Y/N stood over Kai, still smirking as he glared up at her from the ground. "You're lucky I like you," she teased, sliding her sword back into its sheath.

Kai groaned, still clutching himself. "You have a funny way of showing it."

"Welcome back," Y/N replied, her tone light and mocking.

Hobi nudged Taehyung with a laugh. "If I ever think of getting on her bad side, remind me of this moment."

Taehyung snorted, shaking his head. "I don't think you'd even make it past her first glare, Hobi."

---

As everyone settled into the cozy living room, the group (RM, Suga, Jin, and Hobi) exchanged glances, quietly noting that the space seemed larger than necessary for just three people. However, none of them voiced their thoughts, opting instead to find comfortable spots around the warm, welcoming space.

The room was peaceful, with soft light from the fireplace casting a golden glow over the furniture and a sense of calm that filled the air. The quiet was only interrupted by the occasional creak of the wooden floor and the distant rustling of trees outside.

Y/N finally walked in, having checked the perimeter and tended to the horses. She moved with the confidence of someone used to this routine, her steps light as she removed the load from the horses and ensured everything was in order.

Kai, seated with a faint scowl, watched her enter. "Everything good now?" he asked, his tone a mix of sarcasm and genuine curiosity. "Why double-check if you already knew it was clear?"

Y/N didn't even glance in his direction, brushing past him as if his words hadn't reached her. Instead, she focused on Suho, who was sitting back comfortably on one of the chairs.

Suho caught her look and chuckled softly, finding amusement in Kai's obvious frustration. "Don't take it personally," he teased, his voice light as he met Y/N's eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Y/N asked bluntly, her tone clear and to the point.

Suho leaned forward, his expression serious but warm. "Sehun wanted to confirm you were safe," he replied. "Since he couldn't come himself, he sent us."

Y/N's expression shifted slightly at the mention of Sehun, but she didn't comment on it. Suho continued, "We arrived yesterday evening but couldn't find anyone here. So we decided to stay the night and head up to your treehouse tomorrow morning."

As Suho finished speaking, Y/N's expression hardened. She crossed her arms, her gaze sharp and unyielding. "No need to go in that direction now. It's not safe anymore," she said, her voice colder than before. "The horde has moved through there."

Kai and Suho exchanged a quick glance, both understanding what she meant. The others in the room, already aware of the horde heading that way, listened in silence. Hobi and Suga shared a brief look but didn't speak.

Y/N's gaze never wavered as she continued, "What's happening at Minho's base? Any updates?"

At her question, the room fell into a slight tension. Their expressions shifted, subtle but noticeable. Kai was the first to respond. "For now, everything's under control," he said, his voice steady but hinting at the weight of the situation. "Sehun's tactical team is on its way, and we've got Minho and Sehun handling things. They're planning to go face-to-face with the leader of the rival short gang."

Suga stepped forward, Hobi trailing behind him. "Are you in contact with Sehun and..... Minho h..hyung?" Suga asked, his voice calm but with a hint of concern.

Jiwoo, who had come back after tucking Haru into bed, spoke up before Y/N could respond. "Yes, Sehun live here only. All four of us Me, Y/N, Haru and Sehun."

The others in the room, sensed the shift in atmosphere but said nothing, each of them aware that something was quietly brewing between the trio. Hobi, after a beat, finally broke the silence, his gaze moving between Jiwoo and Y/N. "That's good," he said, though his words seemed directed more at Jiwoo than anyone else.

Y/N didn't respond immediately. She kept her focus on Suga, her face unreadable as her thoughts churned.

Suga's lips twitched as if he was about to say something but stopped himself. Instead, he just gave her a small, knowing nod. "Just making sure you're not completely isolated," he said, a hint of amusement in his tone, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.

After a brief but intense eye contact, Y/N stood up, her posture straightening as she let out a sigh. She knew there were too many questions to answer and to ask, too many things left unsaid, but now wasn't the time. The atmosphere in the room felt thick with unspoken words, but Y/N wasn't going to dive into it right now.

She turned to Kai, her gaze sharp. "Are U the ones who cleared the Stalker in the town?" she asked.

Kai nodded, his expression serious. "Not much. Just a few that came into contact when we got here. It wasn't a big deal."

As they mentioned clearing the Stalkers, Y/N's expression turned serious again. She turned to Suho, her tone focused. "When are you leaving?"

Suho glanced at Kai before answering. "Tomorrow morning."

Y/N nodded, thinking for a moment. "Then take Jiwoo and Haru with you. It's better they go now."

Jiwoo looked surprised. "Are you sure?"

Y/N met her gaze with a calm but firm expression. "Yes. I'll join the others in a few days. For now, it's safer for you to go with them."

Suho nodded in agreement. "Understood. We'll leave tomorrow, then."

Jiwoo gave a hesitant nod, though she didn't argue. "Alright... if you say so."

Y/N gave her a brief, reassuring look before turning to leave. She knew there was little time to waste.

---

After dinner, the group gathered outside, the evening air cool and calm as they prepared for the sparring session. Y/N, standing in front of the others, gave them a quick glance before speaking.

"Alright,