Maybe K would scoff at her bravado or see through her bluff, but she clung to hope as long as she could keep pushing forward.

Ariana braced herself for K's reaction, but he remained silent, lowering his gun and walking toward her instead.

"Stay back!" Ariana said fiercely. "Don't come any closer, or I'1L shoot!"

K was only a few steps away, and with each one, Ariana's heartbeat quickened. She tried to frighten him off, but she knew it was probably useless.

Sure enough, K remained unbothered, moving closer like a predator eying its prey.