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The sound grew closer, and before anyone could react, Y/N was already positioned on a tall tree, binoculars in hand, eyes scanning the horizon.

Hyungsik blinked in confusion, his mind trying to catch up.

Jimin, furrowed his brow. "Wait, when did she even get up there?" He looked at the others, equally puzzled. How could they have missed her moving so quickly?

In the end, it didn't matter. Y/N was already ahead, already moving, already protecting all present there with the quiet precision that came so naturally to her. And as they watched her, they couldn't help but admire the way she carried herself-always one step ahead, even when they were too deep in their own minds to notice.

As Y/N descended from the tree, she stood still for a moment, watching as the rest of the group approached. Minho, Jungkook, Hobi, Xiumin, Kai, Taehyung, Yeonjun, Felix, Han, Changbin, and a couple more members from their group arrived, their presence reassuring yet still marked by the tension that lingered.

Felix was the first to approach Y/N, his voice light and teasing as he chuckled. "You already rescued them, huh?"

Y/N met his gaze without hesitation. "Well, now that you're here, let's get straight to the point. Take these five survivors-along with Lee Jong Suk and IU-to your military base. From now on, they're under your care, in your group."

Felix didn't need more words. He simply nodded, a quiet understanding passing between them.

Y/N's gaze then shifted to Yeonjun, who had just stepped forward. She continued, her voice steady but layered with unspoken weight. "I owe Chan now for this. Tell him thanks from me."

Yeonjun chuckled softly, shaking his head, while Felix added with a playful smile, "We're not just allies, Y/N. We're friends too, remember?" He winked, and Y/N offered a subtle smile in return, her usual reserve still in place despite the moment of lightness.

As the others gathered, Lee Jong Suk and IU stepped forward, having observed the exchange. Jong Suk, his usual calm demeanor faltering slightly, turned Y/N around by her arm-not harshly, but with a firm urgency in his touch.

"What do you mean by this?" Jong Suk asked, furrowing his brow, taken aback. "Are you sending us away?" His voice held a quiet disbelief.

Y/N met his eyes, but the faint flicker of pain was hard to hide. She smiled softly but couldn't mask the sadness that clung to her words. "You can't stay with me-not with IU being six or seven months pregnant. You understand what I'm saying, right?"

Before IU could speak up, Y/N raised a hand to stop her gently. "You need to stay safe, and I don't think there's anywhere safer than Chan's base. I can't risk both of you. Please understand."

Jong Suk opened his mouth to protest, his gaze drifting to Minho for reassurance. But Minho, without missing a beat, shrugged and spoke up. "Well, she's right. You should stay out of danger as much as possible."

Jiwoo, noticing the weight of the moment, moved forward and hugged IU, her silent support evident in the tender gesture. The two girls embraced, both feeling the emotional toll of the situation, but the unspoken bond they shared only strengthened with the tears that pooled in their eyes.

Y/N gave Jong Suk a soft smile, but he could see the sorrow behind it, the way the moonlight seemed to intensify the quiet ache in her eyes. Without another word, Jong Suk pulled her into a tight hug, pressing her face gently into his chest, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll come back soon. Don't think that just because Minho is with you, you can push me away from your side."

For a moment, Y/N stood still, the weight of his words sinking in. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around him, clutching his shirt tightly. The others watched, silent but understanding. There was no mistaking the deep connection, the silent communication between them. The concern, the bond, and the unspoken understanding were clear for anyone to see.

The group stood still, letting the moment stretch, before they all shifted, each of them quietly acknowledging the depth of Y/N's sacrifice.

Y/N took a step back, her gaze shifting to Felix, Yeonjun, and the others. There was a quiet intensity in her eyes as she asked, "Do you need any more members for your group?"

Felix and Han exchanged a confused glance, while Yeonjun and Changbin furrowed their brows, trying to understand her. The rest of Y/N's group stood still, unsure of what she was trying to say. The atmosphere shifted, a quiet tension building in the air.

Y/N continued, her words calm but loaded with meaning, "Others can come with you too."

Before she could explain further, Suho and Jungkook spoke in unison, their voices firm. "Don't you dare."

Jimin, not missing a beat, stepped forward, his expression serious. "We're gonna stay with you, Y/N. You get that? No more people are going away from you. Get that shit in your head..."

As Jimin's words echoed in the air, Y/N's eyes widened, taken aback by their sudden outburst. Her gaze darted to Minho, and then, almost instinctively, she met Hyungsik's eyes. He stared back at her, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern, as though he could sense there was something more going on beneath her calm facade. Maybe he understood, or maybe he was just trying to figure out what she was thinking. Either way, it felt like he was waiting for her to say something.

Y/N sighed, looking away from Hyungsik and back at Felix. "I think only seven people..." she trailed off, her words hanging in the air for a moment. She glanced again at Jiwoo, who held Haru in her arms, the small child fast asleep.

Jiwoo caught her gaze, and it was as if they both shared a silent understanding. The others knew too, but only Jiwoo seemed to be asking the question that lingered: Would she really let them go?

Y/N turned back to the walkie-talkie, her fingers gripping it lightly as she spoke, her voice low with hesitation. "Sehun, can I send Jiwoo and Haru with Felix and the others?"

There was a long pause before Sehun's voice came through, steady but distant. "It's on her. If she agrees, you can." Then the line went quiet.

Y/N let out a long breath, her eyes flicking to Jiwoo, who raised an eyebrow, clearly expecting an explanation. She knew what Y/N was thinking-this wasn't just about the children or the group anymore. It was about something deeper, something only Y/N understood.

Finally, Y/N spoke, her voice soft but firm. "Jiwoo, you should go too. IU may need you."

Before Jiwoo could respond, Lee Jong Suk stepped forward, his tone gruff but laced with concern. "What should I do there, huh? I'll be there for my wife, you idiot. Stop pushing everyone away from yourself like this. And don't forget, I'll be back after a few months, so stop acting like you're the only one who can keep everyone safe. No one's leaving, that's final."

Y/N bit her lip, her breath catching in her chest. She looked at Felix, then at the others. Her words faltered, and with a sigh, she shrugged. "Guess that's it then."

Han, with his usual lightheartedness, chimed in. "Let's move, guys. Don't want to stick around and get caught by your so-called enemy. Someone's going to have to escape and go get help from Chan, right?"

As the group prepared to leave, Felix, his team, and the other survivors, including Lee Jong Suk and IU, were mounted on seven horses, while the remaining four horses stood nearby. Y/N's eyes swept over the group, her focus sharp as they readied themselves for the journey ahead.

After a few final adjustments, Y/N stepped back, her gaze moving slowly across her comrades as they mounted their horses with the help of others. She inhaled deeply, steadying herself for the next steps.

Taking the walkie-talkie from her belt, Y/N's voice cut through the quiet. "Luhan, come back-make sure no one notices," she said, her tone calm but carrying a subtle edge of authority. "Sehun, stay where you are. We'll be there soon."

There was a brief pause as she listened, her expression hardening slightly. After a moment, she clipped the walkie-talkie back onto her belt, her eyes flicking toward the horizon before returning to the group.

The air hung heavy with silence-calm, yet fraught with unspoken tension. Y/N knew the journey ahead was fraught with danger, but there was no room for hesitation. The path had been set. Without another word, she gave a small nod to herself.

The journey had begun.

---

As the group managed to slip away from Kang Joon's compound, they breathed a collective sigh of relief. Yet, deep in the heart of the building, Kang Joon remained unaware of their escape, still engrossed in his work within the confines of his office. The heavy silence of the room was interrupted by the sharp sound of the door opening.

A man entered, his steps deliberate, his gaze lowered as if hesitant to bring bad news. He stood before Kang Joon, not daring to speak immediately.

Kang Joon looked up from his desk, irritation visible on his face. "What is it? Speak."

The man hesitated, his voice barely above a whisper, but his words still cut through the still air. "The captives... they managed to escape somehow. The guards... they were found unconscious."

Kang Joon's face contorted in frustration and anger, his fists tightening on the armrests of his chair. His eyes narrowed as he processed the information, disbelief mixing with the fury bubbling within him.

"How the hell did this happen?" Kang Joon's voice was dangerously calm, his anger seeping through each word. He shot up from his chair, his body tense, his jaw clenched.

The man lowered his head further, afraid to meet Kang Joon's gaze. "We don't know, sir. The guards are in a state of shock. They can't remember what happened. We believe someone inside helped them."

Without another word, Kang Joon stormed out of the office, his frustration palpable. He marched down the hall, his footsteps echoing with every step as he made his way to the room where the escape had occurred.

As he entered the room, his gaze swept across the scene. The faint scent of the unconscious guards filled the air, their bodies still sprawled on the floor. His mind raced, the realization hitting him like a ton of bricks.

His fist slammed into the wall in rage, the impact reverberating through the space. His mind returned to Y/N-she was the one who had orchestrated this. Her face flashed in his mind, a mixture of defiance and anger reflecting in her eyes.

"Y/N!" he shouted, his voice a low, menacing growl. "You think you can run from me?" His fury was almost tangible, the weight of his words heavy in the air. Kang Joon was no longer concerned with the escape itself-what gnawed at him was the fact that Y/N, the one person he thought he could control, had slipped away.

His mind spun, trying to piece together what had gone wrong, but all he could feel was the simmering rage, the desire to hunt her down and make her pay for this. The hunt was on-and this time, nothing would stop him.

---

The remaining 22 people, including Y/N, BTS, EXO, Minho, Jiwoo, Hyungsik, Saans, and Haru, trudged through the cold, their steps echoing in the silent night as they entered the town hall. The last of the nine horses followed behind, their hooves heavy against the floor. The group had made it here, exhausted and worn, but still standing-barely.

Y/N stepped into the center of the massive hall, her boots clicking against the wooden floor. The others followed suit, scattering around as they took in the unfamiliar space. It was past 2 a.m. by now, but the exhaustion didn't matter. They had no time to rest-survival was the priority.

Hyungsik, Jimin, Zitao, and Jungkook had just returned from tying the horses up in the stable. It was large enough for fifteen, but they'd only left nine in there, choosing to spare some space for their remaining resources. The town hall was vast, too big for the 22 of them, but it would have to do.

Y/N stood tall, facing the group, her presence commanding attention. The room quieted, all eyes on her as she prepared to give the orders.

"Alright," Y/N said, her voice cutting through the stillness, "Now we are only 22 in this big town hall. It should be a comfortable place for us to rest, but there's no time to waste. We need to stay vigilant." She paused, letting her words settle in before continuing.

"We'll be assigning rooms on the second floor for now. Everyone gets a room with a partner, except for Saans. He'll be getting a single room next to the stairs." Y/N glanced briefly at Saans, who gave a curt nod in acknowledgment. "Jiwoo and Haru will stay on the first floor, the room next to the stairs. The rest of you will pick your rooms on the second floor, as you like."

She continued, gesturing to the map on the wall. "Each room has a lamp, a window, and enough space for you and your partner to rest. We'll need to make sure everything is secure, but for now, you all need rest."

Her gaze shifted to the others, and her tone became more serious. "Saans, Luhan, Chen, Lay-you four are on lookout duty. Four of you, take your positions on the nearby tall, sturdy trees. The rest of us need to stay inside, no wandering. We're too exposed out there."

The group nodded in unison, and Y/N felt a sense of authority settle over her. They were still a family, a unit, even in the chaos. But she could sense the tension beneath the surface-everyone knew this place wasn't as safe as it seemed. Not yet, anyway.

"Got it, everyone?" she asked, her voice sharp. The group murmured affirmatively.

"Alright, then," Y/N said, stepping aside and letting them all begin to settle into the building. "Go get some rest. Watch your back. We're not alone out here."

As everyone dispersed, she watched them move quietly through the hall, heading to their rooms. Hyungsik, Jimin, Zitao, and Jungkook made their way back to the stable, checking on the horses once more. The rest of the group made their way to the second floor, while Saans, Luhan, Chen, and Lay went outside to take their positions in the trees. The sounds of footsteps faded, leaving the town hall eerily silent.

Y/N stood in the middle of the hall for a moment longer, her thoughts weighing heavily on her. She knew there was much to be done, but for now, the town hall would serve as their temporary haven. The fire crackled softly in the fireplace, casting flickering shadows on the walls as the night stretched on.

YN moved towards one of the two rooms on the first floor, the soft creak of the wooden floor echoing in the silence of the hall. She disappeared inside for a moment, returning shortly with a small metal tool in her hand. Her eyes remained focused on the task ahead as she made her way towards the staircase that led up to the terrace. The hallway on the second floor was eerily quiet, with everyone likely settling into their rooms.

Her footsteps slowed as she reached the door that had been locked until now. The door to the terrace. It had been sealed off, but not anymore. Y/N crouched down, starting to work on the lock with the small tool, the faint sound of metal scraping against metal filling the air.

The noise was enough to catch the attention of a few members, their curious eyes peeking from the open doorways. They froze for a second, unsure of what was happening, but once they saw it was Y/N, they silently returned to their rooms, respecting her space without a word.

As always, RM and Suga appeared at her side, both with furrowed brows, as though they knew she needed help, even if she hadn't asked.

"What are you doing?" RM asked first, his voice low and cautious as he approached her.

Y/N didn't look up but answered, her focus unwavering. "Unlocking this door. It's time we take control of every vantage point in this building."

Suga, always more reserved, crossed his arms, watching her closely. "You think it's safe up there?" he asked, his concern evident.

Y/N finally glanced up at them, her eyes sharp. "It's not about safety. It's about having options. We can't stay locked inside here forever." She returned her attention to the lock, twisting the tool with a soft click.

The door was now unlocked, and she slowly pushed it open, the hinges groaning as they released the tension from years of disuse. She glanced back at RM and Suga, who exchanged a look but said nothing further. They followed her as she stepped onto the terrace, the cool night air hitting her face.

The view was everything she had hoped for. From here, they could see the entire perimeter of the town hall, every tree, every corner, every shadow. It was the perfect place for lookout duty-and perhaps for something else.

"We can set up more watch posts up here," she muttered more to herself than to anyone else. "The higher ground gives us better sightlines. No one will get past us unnoticed."

RM nodded, his gaze scanning the area. "Good idea."

Suga, on the other hand, remained silent, his eyes trained on Y/N. It was clear there was more on his mind, but he chose not to voice it just yet.

YN glanced over her shoulder, sensing the presence of the others as they made their way up the terrace, following RM and Suga. Jungkook, Jimin, Taehyung, Hobi, and Jin appeared, their curiosity evident as they looked around at the expansive view the terrace offered. The cool night air was still, and the moonlight bathed the scene in a peaceful glow, but there was an underlying tension in the atmosphere-one Y/N had long grown accustomed to.

She didn't say anything immediately, focusing on the view herself, her back to them. The terrace was indeed much larger than she had originally let on, giving a perfect vantage point for the lookout. It had become her place of solitude, where she could think, plan, or simply escape from the chaos below. But now, it felt different. She wasn't alone anymore.

Jungkook, unable to hold back his question, broke the silence. "YN, you've been living here for the past three months after you left Minho's base? Why didn't you tell us?"

There was a slight pause as Y/N turned her head slightly toward them, her expression unreadable. She didn't respond right away, her eyes scanning the night sky before focusing back on the group.

"Why didn't I tell you?" she repeated, her voice steady but tinged with something difficult to place. "It wasn't necessary. I needed the space. I needed the time to think. And besides, nothing changes. It's still the same world out there." Her tone was clipped, defensive, but not unkind.

Suga, always the more perceptive of the group, stepped forward slightly, his eyes narrowed with concern. "You've been here alone all that time? Didn't you get lonely?"

Y/N shifted her weight, leaning against the railing once again. "Lonely, sure. But loneliness doesn't matter much when you're trying to survive. It's a small price to pay for safety and quiet."

Jin, always the one to speak his mind, frowned slightly. "But you shouldn't have had to do that by yourself. We're all here now. You don't have to hide away anymore."

She turned her gaze away again, looking out over the darkened landscape below. "I wasn't hiding," she said quietly, almost to herself. "I was just... thinking. Trying to make sense of things. It's not the same when you're with others, you know? You have to be more careful, more cautious."

Jungkook looked to the others for a moment, then back to Y/N. "But we could have helped. If you'd told us, we would have understood."

"Maybe," Y/N replied, her voice softening just a little.