The Eternal Pact

Ryo slowly awakens, pain gnawing at his body, to find himself in a small hut surrounded by dense trees. Dim light filters through the window, and the sounds of birds fill the air with a temporary calm.

Beside him sits Jin, wrapping a bandage around his injured hand.

Ryo (in a weak voice):

"You're here? I thought you'd leave me behind."

Jin (without looking at him):

"If I wanted to leave you, I would've done it. But you're stubborn, like you're determined to die every chance you get."

Ryo (with a faint smile):

"You have a talent for making everything sound worse than it is."

Jin sets the bandages aside and looks at Ryo seriously.

Jin:

"You don't understand. People who believe in idealism end up dead. The world doesn't afford us the luxury of hope."

Ryo stares at the ceiling, reflecting on Jin's words.

Ryo:

"You might be right, but I won't let the world break me. If we all give up, who will build something better?"

Jin doesn't reply, but his eyes carry a mysterious glimmer, as if Ryo's words stir something deep within him.

Hours later, while Jin is out scouting the area, Ryo sits alone. The System suddenly appears, its translucent interface glowing before him.

System (in a sharp tone):

"Congratulations on staying alive. Barely."

Ryo (sarcastically):

"Thank you. Your moral support is always perfectly timed."

System:

"You're lucky Jin was here. If it were anyone else, they would've left you to face death alone."

Ryo (thoughtfully):

"Jin isn't the villain he tries to be. He has a heart, but he hides it behind a mask of strength."

System (calmly):

"You might be right. But he's also teetering on the edge. If you don't find a way to pull him back, he might turn into something you can't stop."

Ryo (with determination):

"I'll bring him back. No matter what it takes."

The System pauses briefly, then displays a new message on the screen:

"New Objective: Prove the Strength of Will. Don't fail."

Meanwhile, Jin returns carrying some supplies, but his face is clouded with anger.

Jin:

"I found tracks near here. It seems those who attacked us haven't given up."

Ryo (struggling to stand):

"Then we have to face them before they find us."

Jin (angrily):

"You can barely stand. Let me handle this."

Ryo (firmly):

"No. I won't hide behind you. If we want to change the world, we have to start here. Now."

Jin stares at Ryo silently for a moment, then shakes his head.

Jin:

"Fine. But if you die, don't blame me."

Under a stormy sky, amidst trees that conceal hidden dangers, Ryo and Jin confront a group of unknown attackers.

First Attacker (shouting):

"Surrender yourselves! Or we'll finish you here!"

Jin (mockingly):

"Alright, just try."

The battle erupts, with Jin charging like a storm, using his devastating strength to deliver fatal blows. Ryo, on the other hand, moves with agility and precision, dodging attacks and exploiting his opponents' weaknesses.

But the enemies are more coordinated than expected. Suddenly, one of them uses a small explosive to scatter the pair.

System (in Ryo's mind):

"Look to your left! There's a trap!"

Ryo reacts instantly, avoiding the trap and shouting to Jin.

Ryo:

"Watch out! They're trying to corner us!"

Jin (mockingly):

"Let them try. They won't succeed."

The battle stretches on, showcasing the contrast between Ryo's cunning style and Jin's brute force. In the end, they prevail, but not without sustaining severe injuries.

After the battle, the two sit by a small fire, the air between them heavy with unspoken words.

Ryo (quietly):

"Why didn't you leave me behind?"

Jin stares into the fire silently for a moment.

Jin (in a low voice):

"Because… I saw someone I needed beside me. Not a friend, but a partner."

Ryo is surprised by Jin's honesty but doesn't comment.

Ryo:

"Then don't let me down. I won't let you down either."