The system alert burned across Jin's vision.
[Territory Alert: Unidentified Movement Detected]
He was on his feet before he fully processed the words. His chair scraped against the floor, toppling over in his rush to move. Across the table, Seul and Joon had already started for the door, their movements sharp, instinctual.
Echo let out a sigh, stretching his arms overhead. "Didn't even get to finish sitting down," he muttered, pushing off his chair to follow.
The recruits flinched at the sudden change in atmosphere. Just moments ago, they had been introducing themselves, talking, adjusting to the idea that they weren't alone anymore. Now, the air had shifted—tense, electric, bracing for impact.
Jin didn't stop to explain.
They were already moving, pushing out of the cafeteria and into the halls.
Then the sound hit them.
A deep, metallic screech.
A crash followed, heavy and final.
Jin's chest tightened. The gate.
The sound was wrong. Not just broken—collapsed.
