The forest did not let him rest.
It only let him run.
Ryo pushed through the dense trees, his breath breaking with every step. His legs burned, his chest felt tight, and every movement sent pain through his body.
Still—he didn't stop.
He couldn't.
The sounds behind him had faded.
No more screams.
No more destruction.
Only silence.
Too much silence.
Ryo slowed down.
His steps became uneven. His breathing rough.
He turned his head slightly.
Nothing.
Only trees.
"…Did I get away…?"
The words felt empty.
His stomach growled.
Loud.
Sharp.
Ryo paused.
He hadn't felt it before.
Now it was all he could feel.
Hunger.
Thirst.
Weakness.
He swallowed dryly and kept walking.
No direction.
Just forward.
Time passed.
He didn't know how much.
Then—
Through the trees—
He saw it.
A village.
Ryo stopped.
Hope flickered.
He moved toward it carefully.
Step by step.
This village… was different.
Not destroyed.
Not burning.
But still—
Something felt off.
Ryo stepped inside.
The paths were empty.
Doors half-open.
No voices.
"…Hello?"
No answer.
He walked further in.
Slow.
Careful.
Then—
A voice.
"Stop."
Ryo froze.
He turned.
A man stood a few steps away.
Simple clothes.
Tired eyes.
Nothing special.
Just… a normal man.
Ryo stepped back slightly.
"…Who are you?"
The man looked at him quietly.
Then at his condition.
Dust-covered.
Injured.
Starving.
"…You're not from here," the man said.
Ryo didn't reply.
The man sighed.
Reaching into a small cloth bag, he pulled out some food.
Without another word—
He tossed it toward Ryo.
"Eat."
Ryo hesitated.
Only for a second.
Then he grabbed it.
He ate quickly.
Too quickly.
Like it would disappear.
The man watched him in silence.
After a moment—
He spoke again.
"You shouldn't stay here."
Ryo slowed slightly.
"…Why?"
The man looked toward the far end of the village.
His expression changed.
"They don't stop at one place."
Ryo's grip tightened.
"…What do you mean?"
The man didn't answer.
Instead, he turned away.
"If you're alive…" he said quietly,
"keep moving."
And just like that—
He walked away.
Ryo stood there.
Confused.
Uneasy.
After a few seconds—
He looked down at the remaining food.
Then at the empty village.
Slowly—
He picked up what was left.
And left.
The path ahead was wider now.
Not like the forest.
Broken carts lay on the side.
Wheels shattered.
Wood splintered.
This was a road.
One that once connected places.
Villages.
Maybe even a city.
But now—
It was abandoned.
Ryo walked along it.
Step by step.
The air felt heavier.
Then—
He saw it.
Another village.
But this one—
Was different.
Completely destroyed.
Houses crushed.
Ground broken.
Wood scattered everywhere.
No signs of life.
Not even silence felt normal here.
Ryo slowed.
His instincts screamed.
Something was wrong.
He stepped forward carefully.
Then—
He saw it.
On the ground—
A mark.
Too large.
Too deep.
A footprint.
Ryo's breath stopped.
Another one.
Closer.
The earth around it was crushed.
"…No…"
Ryo slowly turned.
And there—
At the edge of the broken path—
A massive figure stood.
Silent.
Watching.
It had not stopped.
It had not lost him.
It was the one who followed.