Game of Mass Destruction (COMPLETE AND AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK)

♕Night One - Part II: Family Honour♕

Yanyu and her uncle were drawn towards the lake. Fan suggested that the lake would be the ideal place to top up their water bottles. Fan had been pushing for Yanyu to drink as much water as possible. She dipped her bottle in the lake and looked up at her uncle. "Uncle Fan!"

"Yes!"

"Do you really think I'm going to die here?"

His response was quick and sharp. "No."

"What makes you so sure?"

"You're a strong woman." Standing by the lake, he crouched next to her. "You have your father's good brawls and brains. Both are vital for this island."

The words sunk in. Standing up, she hovered her torch around. Sickle in her belt. Cicadas cried. Wet grass tickled her leg. "Should we look for Chang-Hoon and Sook-Jo?"

Fan held her back. "Not now."

"Why not?" Yanyu shivered.

"They might betray you."

Overcome with shock, she couldn't bring herself to buy into the blasphemy. Fingers frozen, and heart rate accelerating, she had to show her uncle that they could be trusted. "They're my friends..." she said with her hand on her heart. "They would never betray me."

Fan stood still. "People show their true colours in situations like these."

"I'm sure I saw them venture off into this area and my friends Yuzuko and Sakura too!"

"They'll be fine – they're tough cookies like you said."

Grunting, Yanyu threw her arms in the air. "Why are you acting like such a dick?"

Fan folded his arms. "Why are you acting like a spoilt child?"

She was silent for a moment. Lips quivered as she tried to think of an elaborate reason. In the end, she kept her response simple. "I'm worried about them."

"Worry makes you weak."

There was a high-pitched cry coming from Fan's direction. "HELP!" Yanyu trembled as the voice sounded so familiar.

"Who's that?" Fan asked, turning his head.

"That sounds like Sook-Jo!" Yanyu fled towards the screaming.

"Yanyu!" Fan chased her. Dodging stumps and skipping logs, he ducked under branches following Yanyu's torchlight.

The robots radiated rays of red light in the dark. They had Sook-Jo by the leg. Her cries for help continued.

"Sook-Jo!"

Sook-Jo looked up. "Yanyu!"

"It's okay!" Yanyu raised her sickle from her waist. "We'll help you."

Fan had his air rifle ready. "Are you ready, Yanyu?"

"Hmm." She nodded.

Yanyu charged towards them and hacked away at the robot pinning Sook-Jo. The robot defended itself with its arms. The gunshots were loud and direct. Even though none of the bullets hit Yanyu, she smelled the smoke and felt the burn.

Sook-Jo was free. Howling, she crawled towards something shining under the tree. Yanyu couldn't see what she was doing as she was surrounded.

Evading quick claws and iron kicks, Yanyu slashed some of the loose wires. The engines roared inside the robots as their movements became jerkier as if they were breakdancing.

Yanyu dented four of their heads. Fan whacked his gun against the others. Sook-Jo assisted as well and slashed the robots' defensive points. The robots fought back until the lights flickered out. The sound of a dozen robots shutting down grated Yanyu's ears. Drawing back, she escaped the smoke as the robots tumbled to the ground.