The warehouse smelled of damp concrete and oil. The humans huddled in the shadows, whispers bouncing off the cracked walls. Jin-hee paced slowly in front of them, sword strapped to his back, eyes sharp. Min-ah stood beside him, gripping her rebar, shoulders tense but ready.
"Listen up," Jin-hee said, voice low but steady. "Tonight, we're moving. We're hitting a supply depot on the eastern side of the industrial sector. Robots guard it, yes—but it's poorly manned compared to the main streets. We take what we need, we get out, and we stay alive. No heroics. No mistakes."
The humans nodded, some fidgeting with scavenged weapons. Fear mingled with excitement in the air, creating a tense, electric energy.
Jin-hee continued, "We split into two teams. Team one—Min-ah, you and three others—distraction and recon. Make noise in the north alley, draw their attention. Team two—me and the rest—hit the depot, grab supplies, and get out. Understand?"
"Yes," several voices chorused, shaky but determined.
Minutes later, they slipped into the streets. Neon reflections danced across puddles, broken signs flickered overhead, and distant hums of machines reminded them that danger was always present. Jin-hee led his team silently, sticking to shadows, moving through ruined alleyways. Min-ah's group had already disappeared into the north alley, ready to create chaos.
As they approached the depot, the hum of robotic guards grew louder. Two patrol bots glided outside, scanning methodically. Jin-hee signaled, and his team crouched behind crates and debris. He whispered, "Wait for my mark… and move fast."
Min-ah's team began their distraction, throwing small scrap pieces into the street, causing sparks to fly and forcing the bots to divert their attention. The plan worked. The bots' sensors swung toward the noise, leaving the depot less guarded.
"Now!" Jin-hee hissed. They sprinted forward, leaping over broken fences and shards of glass, reaching the depot entrance. Using makeshift tools, one of the humans pried the lock while Jin-hee kept watch, sword ready.
Inside, the depot smelled of oil, metal, and machinery. Crates of food, medical supplies, and old tech lined the walls. For a moment, the humans' eyes widened—realizing how valuable this haul could be.
"Grab what you can," Jin-hee ordered. "Quickly. We don't have much time."
Min-ah's team created controlled chaos outside, throwing scraps and triggering small alarms. The patrol bots moved toward the noise, allowing Jin-hee's team to fill backpacks and barrels with supplies.
Suddenly, a sharp metallic click echoed through the depot. Jin-hee spun, sword raised, as a small maintenance bot emerged from behind a crate, sensors glowing red. Before it could raise an alarm, Jin-hee swung his sword, cutting clean through the bot's chassis. Sparks flew, and the robot collapsed.
"Keep moving!" he shouted. "Almost done!"
With supplies secured, they retraced their steps, shadows slipping past distracted patrol bots, neon reflections painting them in fractured colors. Outside, Min-ah's team gave one last diversion before joining them. The humans ran through the alleyways, hearts pounding, adrenaline pumping, until they finally reached the warehouse safehouse.
Inside, silence fell. The humans laid down their loads of supplies, catching their breath. Jin-hee looked around at their faces—some exhilarated, some terrified, but all alive.
"This," Jin-hee said, voice low but proud, "is how we fight. One step at a time. We survive. We learn. And eventually… we take back what's ours."
Min-ah placed a hand on his shoulder. "We did it… together."
Jin-hee nodded. "Together. Always."
Outside, the city's hum continued, indifferent and relentless. But inside that small warehouse, for the first time since the fall, humans weren't just hiding—they were fighting back. And for Jin-hee, that was the spark he had been waiting for.