Antifragile

The forest felt alive with the sound of their footsteps. But no matter how fast they ran, the weight of their loss—the pain of losing Yena and Yuri—was always there, pulling at their hearts with every breath. Their sacrifices were too great, and their absence, too loud.

Eunbi led the group with a stern, unwavering expression, despite the hollow look in her eyes. She wasn’t a leader by default—she had earned the title, and this was what that responsibility had come to. To survive. To keep her remaining family alive.

Sakura felt her legs moving, felt the burn of exertion in her muscles, but she didn’t really hear the sounds of the jungle or the hurried whispers from Chaewon or Kazuha. She could only see the twisted image of Yena’s blood-streaked body and Yuri’s lifeless face in her mind’s eye. It kept replaying, over and over, like a constant reminder of their failure to protect those they loved most.

But they couldn’t afford to dwell on it.

“Keep moving,” Eunbi said, her voice clipped, harsh against the soft night sounds. “We’re not safe yet.”

Sakura, Chaewon, Kazuha—all of them knew it was true. But none of them had the strength to argue. They had learned to listen to Eunbi’s orders, not out of fear, but out of respect. She was their leader, their shield.

Sakura's eyes flicked toward Chaewon, whose usual brightness was shadowed by the tragedy they had just witnessed. Chaewon’s usual warmth and ease were gone, replaced by a hard edge of resolve. The grip on her sword was tighter than usual, her knuckles white against the hilt.

Sakura turned her attention back to the trail ahead of them, trying to ignore the memories of blood and death gnawing at the edges of her thoughts. She had to focus. They all did.

But as they pushed forward through the thick jungle, the sounds of their footsteps seemed to echo too loudly against the growing tension in the air. It was almost like the island itself was holding its breath.

Kazuha stumbled slightly, and Chaewon caught her arm, whispering something too soft for Sakura to hear. They didn’t have much time. The boat they were heading toward was at the far side of the island, and they had to reach it before the others found them.

It wasn’t long before the first whispers of pursuit reached their ears. The unmistakable sound of boots crashing through the underbrush, the faint murmur of voices—soft but certain. They weren’t alone. The Japanese royal soldiers were coming.

Sakura froze, her hand instinctively reaching for her blade that was no longer there. She cursed inwardly. The battle had stripped them of most of their weapons, and they were left with only their skills and whatever they could use from the environment. A broken stick. A jagged rock. But none of that would matter if the soldiers were as powerful as she feared.

“I know them,” Sakura whispered under her breath, more to herself than to the others.

Eunbi’s head snapped toward her at the mention of the soldiers.

Chaewon’s words hit her like a punch to the gut. “They’re from the Japanese royal family, aren't they?”

Sakura nodded, eyes hardening, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Yes. They are the Emperor’s elite. The strongest soldiers Japan has to offer. If they’re here… we’re in trouble.”

Chaewon looked at her sharply. “You know them?”

Sakura’s jaw tightened.

“I do,” she said softly. “They were trained by my grandfather. I know their tactics. Their methods.” Her voice was tinged with bitterness. “They’ll stop at nothing. They’re relentless.”

Eunbi’s eyes narrowed, and she quickly processed the information. “We need to keep moving then. We can’t afford to be caught. Not by them. Not now.”

Sakura’s chest tightened. It was one thing to face the Yakuza or Purple Kiss, but these soldiers were different. They were trained to hunt, to kill with ruthless precision. And they would do it without hesitation.

Eunbi, however, had no intention of allowing them to catch them. She was their leader for a reason. “We don’t run. Not unless we have to.”

Sakura knew that look. The same fierce determination that had pushed them through countless battles. But this… this was different. If they were caught now, there would be no escape.

They kept moving, pushing their way through the dense foliage. But the sounds of pursuit grew louder, closer with every passing moment.

Then, a loud crack shattered the air. It was the unmistakable sound of a branch snapping underfoot.

“We need to hurry,” Eunbi said, her voice hard.

Sakura’s heart was racing. She couldn’t help but glance back, half-expecting to see the soldiers emerging from the trees behind them, cutting off their escape.

And then, as if the universe had answered her fears, the shadows shifted, and figures emerged from the underbrush—dark, tall, and terrifying.

The Japanese royal soldiers had arrived.

Sakura froze, her breath caught in her throat. There were too many of them—at least a dozen. The soldiers were clad in black armor, their expressions hidden behind dark masks. Their movements were swift and precise, like a well-oiled machine.

They had no chance of outrunning them.

Eunbi looked at them, her eyes calculating. There was no way they could fight their way through this. Not without weapons. Not without strength.

But they weren’t giving up.

“We have to make it to the boat,” Eunbi said, her voice firm, despite the fear that flickered in her eyes. “Go. Now. I’ll hold them off.”

Sakura’s heart clenched at the thought of losing Eunbi, but she didn’t have a choice. They couldn’t all fight. They couldn’t all survive.

“Eunbi…” Sakura whispered, shaking her head. “You can’t—”

“There’s no other choice,” Eunbi said, cutting her off. “Go.”

Sakura glanced at Chaewon and Kazuha, who were already moving toward the boat. They were so close. So close to freedom.

But could they really leave Eunbi behind?

Before she could argue, Eunbi had already turned to face the soldiers, drawing a broken sword from the earth. Her stance was resolute.

Sakura hesitated for a moment longer, her body tense as she stared at the woman who had led them through every hardship. Then, with a sharp nod, she turned and followed Chaewon and Kazuha.

“We’ll be back for you,” Sakura said under her breath, though she wasn’t sure if Eunbi could hear her.

The boat was in sight now, the dock silhouetted against the moonlit horizon. They just had to get there.

But as they reached the edge of the beach, just as the boat came into view, a sharp shout pierced the night air.

The soldiers were faster than they had anticipated. They had flanked them.

Sakura’s blood ran cold. “They’re too close!”

Eunbi’s voice rang out in the distance. “Run!”

The boat seemed farther away now, the waves crashing against the shore more menacing than ever. The group didn’t hesitate—they sprinted for it, but every step seemed like it was taking them further from freedom. Behind them, they could hear the soldiers closing in, their footsteps like thunder, their voices like knives.

But before they could reach the boat, a loud crash rang out—louder than anything they’d heard before. A force like a wall of sound.

A massive explosion shook the ground beneath them. The beach, the jungle, everything seemed to quake. The soldiers had made their move.

The boat was engulfed in flames.