My name is Kim Su-Jin.

Orphaned and often bullied during my military service due to my lack of education and physical weakness, I found solace in the world of web-novels and writing. Despite my circumstances, I excelled in

hero of this world.

Life was solitary, until the world fell into ruin. On December 19, 2036, our tranquil blue sky bled crimson, and the world as we knew it was transformed.

Animals and plants mutated into monstrous beings, leaving a path of destruction in their wake. From my apartment, I watched the world crumble. The government scrambled to gather survivors, constructing bases as safe havens. I was among the fortunate ones who survived.

I rejoined the military, but the familiar sting of discrimination followed me. Just when I thought I'd be alone again, three individuals approached me. They were members of one of the top 10 teams completing dangerous B-Class missions.

"Oi! You wanna join us?"

I stopped eating and looked up to see two males and one female who were familiar because they were always the liveliest group.

I swallowed the food I ate before leaving.

At the cafeteria once again, without asking for my permission, they sat beside me and one by one introduced themselves.

The male who looked like the leader of their team was the first to speak and said "My name is Park Jum, and this is Ahn Shin and Sung Il-yeong."

"What's your name?"

I swallowed the food I was eating and did not bother to reply as I just pointed at the name plate on my chest.

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['Kim Su-Jin']

"Ah! Su-Jin, it means 'Long Life' isn't it? What a wonderful name!" Ahn Shin said with a bright smile.

I was indifferent to her words and just silently ate.

After that, we started to hang out more together until I was finally able to speak nonchalantly with them.

Somehow, as I see Sung Il-yeong and Ahn Shin fighting while Park Jum sighs tiredly, I couldn't help feeling warm and unconsciously smiled.

The moment they saw me smiling, the three of them froze and my smile disappeared immediately and was replaced with confusion. "What's wrong?"

"Su-Jin-ssi! You can actually smile?!"

The three of them had the very same question while Ahn Shin blushed and said "Wow! You look really pretty when you smile Hyung!"

I showed an indifferent expression to their words before walking forward without looking back.

The three of them giggled before catching up with me, shouting "Oi! Wait up for us!"

Seeing them bicker while Park Jum sighed in exasperation, i felt warmth in my chest, I couldn't help narrowing my eyes into crescent moon, smiling.

I wished that every day would be always like this.

But, Fate had other plans and reality was cruel.

The sound of explosions sounded.

My friends lay bloodied and broken. They smiled at me, encouraging me to grow stronger, to live on.

"Su-Jin-ssi, you bastard, don't cry you're a man. Continue to, grow stronger..." Sung Il-yeong said.

"Hyung, I, love you..." Ahn Shin spoke softly.

"Su-Jin..."

"Stop!" I shouted but Park Jum just laughed and still continued.

"Stay alive, okay?"

Finally, I couldn't resist anymore and cried out, "Why should I, huh?! How can you say such cruel words when you guys already left me?!" Their words felt like a cruel joke.

"Kim Su-Jin!"

Suddenly Park Jum shouted my full name and I flinched, he was frowning and said sternly, "Then are you just gonna let our sacrifices go to waste?"

"Kim Su-Jin" Park Jum looked at the crimson sky and said "If one day you ever see the stars again, try to think that it is us, watching over you."

I fell silent as I watched their hands slowly fall lifelessly.

My eyes shook greatly and I couldn't breathe. What was I feeling?

I never knew what love is nor friendship.

Is this, how people felt when they are frustrated and lost someone special to them?

I couldn't hold it back anymore. I screamed, releasing my pent-up frustration and sorrow.

"Am I, alone again?"