Outside

As they approached the doors, a sudden tap on my shoulder startled me. I turned to find Yesil, who whispered, "Hey, it's me," while gently pulling Hae back from his shoulders. Concern marked her face as she asked, "Did you have a bad dream? You look malnourished," peering over Hae's shoulder.

"Let go of me first," Hae complained, pushing her away to regain some distance. His gaze anxiously flitted towards the hall entrance. "Isn't Haein supposed to be here too? All three of us completed the level," he inquired, trying to steady himself.

"I kind of just sneaked in; we don't talk about that though. Let's go," Yesil mumbled, grabbing his hand and leading him along. "Seems like someone from every district is here," she observed, scanning the surroundings.

"Hey, let go of me," Hae whispered loudly, attempting to free himself from Yesil's grip. Their hushed conversation drew the attention of onlookers, intensifying the air of mystery around their reunion.

"In the twilight of our dreams, where stars align, I found a love so pure, a love divine. With every beat, our hearts entwine a melody of love, forever in time," a song played in the background as they entered.

"This is so confusing; what is going on?" both mumbled in sync under their breaths. The hall was filled with groups and couples, freshly decorated with a new chandelier and tables numbered.

"You're the rhythm in my soul, the missing piece that makes me whole. In the symphony of life, you play the lead, a love so strong, a love indeed," the song continued.

"The tables seemed to be assigned," Yesil noted, scanning the room with a masked smile. In a hurry, she tightened her grip on his arm pulling him close.

"Oh, this love, a sweet serenade, in your arms, all fears fade. Our story written in the skies above, forever bound, an endless love," the song reached its poetic crescendo.

Suddenly, a screen popped up displaying everyone's table numbers. The higher the number, the higher the ranking, and the lower the number, the lower the ranking.

"Through the seasons, hand in hand, walking together in the warmest sand. In your eyes, I find my solace, a love so deep, a love so flawless." The sweet serenade echoed in the hall, setting the tone for the mysterious evening ahead.

"My ears are about to bleed," Hae thought to himself as the incessant serenade continued. He made his way to his seat at the front, labeled with the number 5. Meanwhile, Yesil found her place at number 36.

She couldn't help but make a face as she moved toward the middle, drawing the attention of everyone around. The hierarchical seating arrangement was clear— at the top were the royals, holding more power and strength. Those in the lower ranks might be the strongest in their respective regions, but when confronted with the higher ranks, they seemed like mere peasants.

The room was abuzz with whispered conversations, curious glances, and the undeniable tension that came with the complex hierarchy on display. As Hae and Yesil settled into their designated seats, the stage was set for an evening of intrigue and hidden dynamics.

"As the music fades, our love remains, In this eternal dance, our hearts sustain. A love song written in the stars, Forever ours, no matter the scars."

Suddenly, the music ceased, and a woman adorned in an elegant dress gracefully stepped forward, taking the center stage of the hall. "Good evening to you all. I'm Soo-Ae, your host for today. I will keep this meeting short," she began, her presence commanding attention.

"Sis?" Hae blurted under his breath, his gaze fixed on her with surprise.

"Let's get started then. This meeting is about the outside," she continued, her words carrying a cautious tone. Soo-Ae peeked at Hae and the stunned faces surrounding him. Mentioning the outside was a rarity within the city; it was a topic left untouched, almost taboo. Only the royals and upper classes dared to discuss it, referring to it as 'The Heaven Outside.' The outside was said to be a vast battleground, and completing a quest there promised a grand reward known as 'Heaven.' The origins of this outside world were shrouded in mystery, but warriors were known to venture out, driven by the desire to reach the elusive place they called home. However, the fate of those who embarked on this journey remained unknown.

"As we all know, one of our dear teams already ventured out there, but there seems to be no response from them, meaning something bad must've happened. This is the first time it has occurred," Soo-Ae explained, casting a solemn tone over the room.

Hae glanced behind at Yesil, finding her already staring at him. At that moment, the music resumed, playing a sweet melody. "With every sunrise and every sunset, our love's a journey we'll never forget. In the highs and lows, we'll find our way, forever together, come what may." Hae's face turned red, and just as quickly as the music started, Soo-Ae flicked her finger, abruptly stopping the melody.

"Ah, sorry about that. But as I was saying, we haven't gotten a reply back from them. That's why we called everyone here to decide who will be venturing out to find them. I know it's hard, but I want at least five of you here to put your hand up," she pleaded with a slight bow before straightening.

Silence filled the room as everyone contemplated the weight of the decision. Two individuals were the first to raise their hands. Questions arose about the timing of the expedition.

"We can start from tomorrow, anytime you guys agree on... so, anyone else?"

Hae pondered for a moment. "I do have that murder hunt quest thing, and I don't know the exact date. So, if I do this, I can avoid that. Hmm... Let's do it," he thought, raising his hand. He looked back at Yesil, who already had her hand up.

Seeing more than five hands raised, Soo-Ae surveyed the room, then opened her mouth before closing it. She took a deep breath, opened her eyes again, and said, "If you have a family to take care of, please put your hands down." The room shifted, and now there were 30 people with their hands up. Soo-Ae continued, "If you are over 25, put your hands down." The count was reduced, leaving 19 determined individuals willing to embark on this uncertain journey.

"If you are afraid of losing your life, put your hand down," Soo-Ae declared, her eyes scanning the room. Now only six hands remained raised, including Hae's. "Ah, thank you for your contribution," she said, fixing her gaze on Hae. "The six of you, please enter the room in the corner. We will begin from there. This meeting is now over, but you won't be going anywhere yet, so feel free to explore."

As Soo-Ae's words settled, a sense of anticipation hung in the air. The chosen six exchanged glances, a shared acknowledgment of the perilous journey they were about to undertake. The room, once filled with the buzz of conversations, now dispersed as people ventured into discussions or explored the space around them.