It was because the boy named Archer had disappeared, Hannah was filled with regret and sorrow.

Seventeen had been jealous of Archer since three years ago.

Even though they were both stranded in Bry, Archer managed to receive Hannah’s protection.

While she could only hide in a corner, like a detestable insect that shunned the light, cautiously spying on them.

Now that Archer was gone, she should have been happy.

But Hannah was deeply saddened.

In all the years she had hidden in the dark, she had never seen her look so heartbroken.

No crying, no fussing, just sitting alone in silence.

Seventeen didn’t know how to comfort her and could only continue to guard the cave entrance.

As the night grew darker, the torrential rain also stopped.

Quietness once again returned to the world.

There was no light to the north, thankfully the moon had come out.

The dim moonlight fell upon the ground, stretching Seventeen’s shadow to the feet of Hannah.

She was still lost in a daze, her gaze unfocused, just staring at the darkest corner.

The person at the entrance to the cave hadn’t left yet.

The thought briefly flickered through her mind.

Hannah lowered her eyes again, hugging herself tighter, like a cat evading the noisiness and fear of sunlight, covering its head.

As if by doing so, she could be completely safe.

Archer was gone.

He didn’t want her anymore.

This was the only realization in Hannah’s mind.

She had been abandoned again.

The night was silent, and wild beasts were approaching, their paws stepping on broken stones. Even as they tried to step lightly, their sounds still alerted Seventeen.

It was nearly winter, and the wild beasts had begun to store food.

Seventeen clenched his fists as he met the gaze of the beast that was taller than a man, without shrinking back.

He wasn’t afraid.

In the fighting arenas, ordinary beasts were actually the least harmful animals because they hadn’t mutated yet, everything about them was still within an acceptable range.

His only concern was Hannah.

Because there wasn’t just one beast coming, but three.

They had smelled Hannah’s scent and also felt the threat from Seventeen.

Almost without hesitation, two beasts pounced towards Seventeen, while the remaining one headed for the cave where Hannah was hiding.

The cave entrance was small; the beast stretched its claws but couldn’t even touch Hannah’s hem.

It was extremely irritated, its claws constantly pushing inward, breathing huffily with anger, its claws sharp enough to easily slit a person’s throat.

Seventeen, who was held back, couldn’t take a single step closer to the cave entrance; the moment he was distracted, his arm was severely bitten by a beast.

The piercing teeth almost broke his bones.

Seventeen endured the pain and ran towards Hannah.

"Hannah!"

He could only call her name but couldn’t tell her to run quickly.

Because as soon as Hannah came out, she would certainly be bitten by the beast.

In the dark corner, Hannah just looked up, watching the sliver of moonlight that spilled through a crack in the cave entrance.

There was no change in her expression, no fear, no smile, just like a delicate doll, enclosing herself in a world of her own.

"Archer," she murmured softly, then lowered her head and hugged herself.

Archer didn’t want her anymore.

They had all abandoned her.

Archer was just like them.

The sound of the fight outside gradually diminished.

Seventeen was covered in blood, his left arm hanging limply, still clutching a sharp-edged rock in his hand.

The beast that was figuring out how to get Hannah out hadn’t noticed Seventeen’s approach, and what followed was a heavy blow to its head.