???? ??? ????: ????? ??? ??? ????????

We stared at the wall for a moment.

"Let’s try another way," Jungwon said.

"Agreed."

We turned and started walking back the way we came.

The tunnel twisted beneath our feet, the path growing narrower. My legs ached. My head pounded. My breath was coming shorter and faster.

Then my foot caught on a jagged edge of rock.

I stumbled forward and let out a sharp hiss as pain shot up my ankle.

"Jini!" Jungwon grabbed my arm, steadying me.

I winced. "I’m fine."

"You’re not fine."

I tried to put weight on my foot and immediately regretted it. Pain flared up my leg, sharp and hot.

"Yeah," I admitted. "Not fine."

Jungwon knelt in front of me. "Let me see."

I sighed but didn’t argue. He rolled up the edge of my pant leg, his fingers brushing against my skin. I swallowed hard, focusing on the rock beneath my feet instead of the warmth of his hands.

"It’s swollen," Jungwon said.

"Fantastic."

He stood and extended his hand. "Come on."

I frowned. "What are you—"

He pulled me up and wrapped an arm around my waist, tucking me neatly against his side.

My face went hot. "Jungwon—"

"You can’t walk on that," he said simply. "Lean on me."

I wanted to protest. Really, I did.

But I was in pain and exhausted — and Jungwon was warm and steady against my side — so I didn’t.

We walked slowly, Jungwon supporting most of my weight. My ankle throbbed with every step, but it was manageable with him helping me.

"Thanks," I mumbled.

Jungwon smiled. "Don’t mention it."

We reached another dead end.

"I hate this," I muttered.

"Let’s take a break," Jungwon suggested.

"Gladly."

We sat down against the wall, side by side. Jungwon stretched his legs out, crossing his arms behind his head.

"You good?" he asked.

I sighed, leaning my head back against the wall. "Aside from the whole ‘trapped underground’ thing? Yeah, totally fine."

Jungwon chuckled. "You’re handling it better than I expected."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what exactly did you expect?"

"I don’t know. Fire. Panic. Some sort of dramatic meltdown."

"Don’t tempt me," I said, smiling faintly.

Jungwon’s eyes gleamed. "Noted."

We sat there for a while, the silence stretching between us. Jungwon’s arm rested lightly against mine, and his breathing was steady and calm.

The quiet between us was… comfortable.

And then —

A low grinding sound filled the air.