Jisun, dressed in a casual city outfit and walking with his unhurried gait, arrived at the director’s office. Inside sat Kang Su-won, his expression troubled and contemplative.
"Yo, old man," said the black-haired visitor, taking a seat across from him. "You look like hell."
"You should speak more respectfully to elders. Ji-sun, I bring bad news."
"Again? Lately, all we do is lose to the demons."
"Why are you smiling, Ji-sun?"
"Isn’t it ironic? Watching soone who devoted his whole life to duty, thinking the rough path was behind him. But now, all I see is a shadow of that iron-willed man, once ready to defy fate. You’ve beco a slave to the system. And the new generation? It’s wide awake."
"Maybe you’re right. I’m too tired for this job. I don’t even know who could take my place."
"You’ve sat on the throne too long, old man. Not that I want your seat—I couldn’t care less. But are you seriously considering your replacent now?"
The director hesitated, uncertainty flashing in his eyes.
"I don’t know anymore... I don’t even know what to think."
"Alright, Chief. Spill it. Why did you call ?"
"Lee Ki-hyun... he volunteered to guard the scientists during the Hive experint."
"Oh, and you couldn’t stop him?"
"No."
"Not even your own n listen to you now? You used to keep the Miracle Child on edge with death threats. Now he’s so valuable that not even you can say no. The tables have turned, Chief."
"I want... I want you to be part of this operation."
"Denied," Jisun replied firmly. "I’ve got more pressing matters. I need to interrogate the Demon of Hatred and protect him from Umbra. We’re this close to the truth, and I’m not moving until we find it."
"I understand. But if Ki-hyun dies—"
"What could possibly happen to him? You care for him like he’s your son. Were you close with his father? Does guilt still gnaw at you?"
Su-won didn’t respond. His broad shoulders trembled.
"I’ll say this, old man: Ki-hyun will be fine. Let him take part—I’ll give the green light myself."
The next morning.
I officially joined the Hive operation.
Upon arriving at the site where the foreign anomaly had manifested, I saw dozens of scientists in hazmat suits.
The street housing the Hive was completely barricaded and strictly off-limits to civilians. The military had the entire area under heavy surveillance.
The overcast sky cast a gray pall over everything, intensifying the unease.
Wearing my Association uniform, I stood out among the military personnel.
"Mr. Lee, please proceed. And put on your respirator."
I donned the transparent mask and walked forward accompanied by a soldier—then I saw it.
The Hive.
A massive, spherical growth clung immovably to a concrete wall. Sticky and encased in a chitinous shell, the object pulsed rhythmically. Inside, dozens of vague silhouettes floated—humanoid in shape, but not quite human.
I touched the wall and felt its horrifying vibration.
It was truly a nightmarish sight.
One of the scientists glanced back at and stepped away from the others.
"Kihyun, is that you?"
The man approached. Through his visor, I recognized Junho’s face.
"Good to see you, Junho."
"Now I can finally relax... There it is—the source of our headaches and heated scientific debates."
He pointed at the Hive.
"Are you saying all demons co from this thing?" I asked.
"For a ti, that was the only explanation. But now, demons have evolved. They’re humanlike and can reproduce naturally."
"This Hive... where did it co from?"
"No one knows. They always appear in the Red Zone. We don’t even know how they form."
"Have you begun analyzing it?"
"Yeah. So far, we’ve identified exactly twelve entities inside. Compared to last week, it’s grown larger. Its outer mbrane is starting to tear. That ans the demons will break free soon."
A male voice called out behind us:
"Alright, initiate full security protocol! All hunters and soldiers, be on alert!"
"Yes, sir!"
It was Yushin—an S-rank hunter from the Army.
I figured I should probably listen to his orders, too.
Spotting , he said:
"Kihyun! You’re here too—great to see a familiar face. No need to go anywhere."
"Yushin. What’s the situation?"
"No sign of demons in this area," he replied, then grabbed Junho’s head playfully. "Seems like a lucky day for the scientists!"
"Let go of , Sir Ha!"
Yushin chuckled and released Junho from his powerful grip.
"In any case, with two S-ranks guarding you, you’ve got nothing to worry about!"
The musclebound man pointed proudly to himself.
Junho adjusted his suit.
"Good to know. Anyway, I should get going. Need to run a test on the Hive’s chitin to see how much ti we’ve got before it ruptures."
It looked like Junho had gotten genuinely spooked when his head got grabbed—understandable, considering one of Yushin’s forearms was about the size of my head.
"Hey, how about we grab a bite?" said Yushin. "It’s only 8 a.m. and the shops should be open."
"I’m in. Where?"
"There’s a food stall just a street over. I bet one’s open already."
Nearby, on the adjacent street, a girl in a white apron stepped out of a small stall. She flipped the sign to "OPEN" and left the door ajar.
A small nu sign stood by the entrance:
[Sweet pies, pancakes, donuts, tea—everything for a delicious breakfast!]
It was a cozy sweets shop with a few tiny tables for dining in.
As she adjusted the window garlands, she overheard us approaching. Her bright earrings swayed as she quietly turned her gaze toward us.
Then, she stepped back inside and called the owner.
"So you volunteered for this mission?" Yushin asked, laughing. "Bet the old man had a heart attack. Oh, look! An open stall!"
We entered and were greeted by the owner and a female worker.
"Welco to Kokuto!" they chid cheerfully. "What would you like to eat?"
"Lucky for us you’re open!"
Scanning the display filled with pastries, I glanced at the girl. She smiled warmly at .
She was stunning—long black hair, a beauty mark near her lips. How does soone that beautiful end up working here?
The owner, an older man with closed eyes and a white apron, greeted us.
"Please, take a seat."
We sat at a table. Yushin said:
"One donut and pancakes with honey, please! What about you, Kihyun?"
"Hmm," I flipped through the nu. "So many sweet things... Pancakes and round waffles with condensed milk, please."
"And two coffees!" Yushin added cheerfully.
"Coming right up!" said the girl.
She brought us our food. As we enjoyed a peaceful breakfast, Yushin spoke again:
"Tis are changing... Strange things keep happening. It’s unsettling, and yet we keep fighting—for our future, for our children."
I nodded, sipping my coffee.
"Listen, Kihyun. I don’t know if you can hear it, but I do. That disgusting, pulsing vibration... It crawls into my bones. Because of it, we’ve beco the executioners of an entire race. This has to end. Whether I live to see the end or not doesn’t matter—what matters is that it ends."
A bitter smile flickered on his face.
We finished our al and left a tip before heading out.
"Co back again!" said the owner as we exited, while the girl cleaned our table.
As quiet settled in the stall, she brushed her hair back and turned to the owner.
"Masashi-san... those were hunters, weren’t they?"
The man nodded. His eyes opened just slightly, revealing a calm deanor.
"A Hive appeared nearby. They’re probably here for that."
"But I felt sothing else. Didn’t you, Masashi-san?"
"Yes."
"That guy... he reeks of a demon’s scent."
"I even rember whose scent it is. How could I forget? So, it’s returned."
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