But for them, who could only be slaughtered like fish on a cutting board, it was just a nightmare.

They had to face it in order to survive.

Every time someone left, it felt as if Death itself was standing by their side, with a scythe poised at their neck, their lives in someone else’s hands.

The eastern sector and the refugee area, two completely different ways of living, it was just a matter of choice.

The former was risking one’s life, the latter living a life of constant fear, resorting to cannibalism.

In the second before seventeen stepped through the final door, Hannah hurried over.

There was no one else here, but the announcer’s excited voice could already be heard clearly through the door.

"It’s Beast Battle Night again this Tuesday, and tonight entering the ring is..."

Beast battles took place three times a week, on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.

Seventeen was surprised by Hannah’s arrival, but after the surprise came a rebuke, "Who allowed you to come here!"

His voice was harsh even when he wasn’t angry, and when he was, it was even colder.

But Hannah wasn’t afraid at all, she simply said, "I don’t need anyone to risk their life for me."

She could take care of her own matters, she had never needed anyone before, and she never would in the future.

So what if she was alone? She grew up alone, faced her fears alone, and struggled to the death alone.

...

In the end, it was Hannah who entered the match.

As a newcomer, she had just stepped onto the stage and already won the cheers of everyone.

The people in the stands were not welcoming her; they were eagerly awaiting the sight of her being killed in agony.

Maybe having her skull smashed by the beast, or her arm bitten off.

Even the announcer couldn’t help but get excited, "I can’t wait to see this little thing get its blood vessels ripped open by the beast, now, let’s start the countdown!"

The countdown started from ten, and with each number called out, a light above them turned on.

The glaring lights overhead, like the relentless sun in the desert, each beam of light seemed to scorch their skin, burning away their sanity.

Thick, pungent fresh blood still lingered on the vast ground of the arena.

Layer upon layer of blood had seeped into every crevice, and could never be washed away.

The shouting from the ring of spectators pierced throughout the entire beast fighting arena.

Seventeen’s hands gripped the iron railing in front of him tightly, while people who had rushed over from behind were pulling him back forcefully.

"Going up there now won’t help her; it might even drag her down with you to death. Is this really what you want to see?"

The countdown had entered the last three numbers, seventeen’s eyes were red with rage, veins protruding on the back of his hands, his eyes filled with ferocity and hatred.

In the arena, Hannah raised her head, her gaze fell on a huge opening to her left.

The entrance was blocked by iron bars, pitch black inside, but the roars of the beasts could be heard.

The announcer responsible for the iron bars’ control had his hand on the button.

"One!"

With the last count, the announcer, overwhelmed with excitement, pressed the button.

It was a sickening excitement, shared by every spectator at the scene.

This was the true face of the city.

Pride in bloodlust, pleasure in cruelty.

When the iron bars opened, several protective iron gates connected to the cave opened in succession.

The beast was running, the ground itself trembling.

The cries from the stands grew even louder, drowning out seventeen’s shouts.

Finally, the beast from the cave revealed its true form.