The alarm didn't stop.It kept ringing through the halls of the research facility, sharp and loud, like it was trying to force everyone to move faster.Kazuki followed behind Dr. Shirogane, his steps quick but uneven.
Everything was happening too fast.Just minutes ago, he was staring at a dead body, trying to understand what went wrong.Now
there was another incident.Another case.
Another person… like that hunter.
" Location? "Dr. Shirogane asked as they walked.His voice was calm, too calm.
Aokami District, Sector 3,one of the staff replied quickly while checking a tablet. Same area as the previous incident.Kazuki felt a cold weight settle in his chest.Same area.That meant it wasn't random.It was happening in a pattern.
" How many?" Dr. Shirogane asked. Unclear,the staff member said.Initial report says at least two hunters are missing.One confirmed abnormal reading.Kazuki's heartbeat sped up.Two missing.One already changing.We're late,Kazuki whispered without thinking.Dr. Shirogane didn't respond.But his eyes shifted slightly.
They reached the main exit.A transport vehicle was already waiting.Several hunters stood nearby, fully armed.Among them—
Kazuki recognized a familiar face.
Mei.
She stood near the front, adjusting her gloves.Her expression was serious.Focused.
When she saw Kazuki, her eyes narrowed slightly. " You?" she said.Kazuki stopped for a moment."I was told to assist,"he replied.Mei looked at Dr. Shirogane.Then back at Kazuki.She didn't argue.But her expression clearly said—Don't get in the way.
" Move," one of the hunters said.Everyone got into the vehicle.Kazuki sat near the back, gripping his metal case tightly.
The door shut.The engine started.As the vehicle moved, the city outside passed by quickly,clean streets,tall buildings,normal life.
It felt so different from Aokami District.
Like two completely different worlds.
Kazuki looked out the window.His reflection stared back at him.Nervous also tired.
But something else was there now.Focus. He wasn't just support anymore.At least… not completely.The vehicle slowed down.
The checkpoint appeared ahead.The barrier separating the safe zone from Aokami District.As they passed through, the atmosphere changed instantly.The air felt heavier.Darker.Kazuki's grip tightened again." We're close " someone said.
The vehicle stopped then the doors opened.
" Move out!".Everyone stepped out quickly.
Weapons ready.Eyes sharp.Kazuki followed, trying to stay calm.The street in front of them looked… wrong.There were signs of a fight.Deep marks on the ground.Broken walls.Blood,too much blood.
" …Spread out,"Mei said,Stay alert.The team moved carefully.Kazuki stayed close behind Mei.Not because he wanted to.
But because it felt safer.Then—
A sound a low, weak voice." …help…"
Everyone froze.It came from inside a nearby building.Mei raised her hand." Careful."
They moved slowly toward the entrance.
The door was broken.Half hanging.Inside—
too much Darkness.Kazuki's heart pounded loudly.They stepped in.The smell hit them instantly.Blood.Rot.Something worse.
Kazuki covered his mouth slightly.There one hunter whispered.A figure lay on the ground.
A hunter.Barely moving.Still alive,Mei said.
They approached carefully.The hunter's body was shaking.His breathing was uneven." Please…"he whispered weakly.
Kazuki felt a small sense of relief.Alive.
But then he saw it.The faint glow under the skin.His chest tightened not again…
" Wait," Kazuki said quickly.Mei stopped.
" What?"
" He's infected,"Kazuki said.The room went silent.Are you sure? one hunter asked. Kazuki nodded.The pattern it's the same.
The hunter on the ground suddenly twitched.Everyone stepped back.
" No… no… please…" he muttered.Then—
His body jerked violently.The transformation began." MOVE BACK!" Mei shouted.
The hunter's back arched.His skin split.
Dark veins spread rapidly.But this time—
Something was different faster,much faster.
" It's accelerating,"Kazuki said, his voice shaking.The glow spread across the entire chest within seconds.That's not normal one hunter started.The creature screamed and lunged.The fight began instantly.This one was stronger.Faster more aggressive.
Mei attacked first.Her blade cut across its side.But the creature didn't slow down.
It grabbed one hunter and threw him across the room.Kazuki stepped back, his mind racing.Think find the pattern but it was harder this time.The energy wasn't stable at all.It was changing,constantly.There's no fixed point Kazuki whispered.The creature moved wildly, attacking from all directions.
Another hunter got hit hard.Mei blocked an attack, but was pushed back.Damn it she muttered.Kazuki's breathing became faster. If there's no pattern…Then how do we stop it?.He forced himself to focus,watch,don't panic,watch.The glow shifted again.Then—
For a brief moment It slowed.Kazuki's eyes widened.There! he shouted.Where?! Mei asked.Neck! The energy slows near the neck!.Mei didn't hesitate.She moved instantly.The creature lunged—
But she was faster.Her blade flashed.
A clean strike.Right through the neck.
The glow flickered.Then— Collapsed.
The creature dropped.Silence filled the room again.Kazuki stood frozen.That was closs,
too close.Mei lowered her blade slowly.
" That was different,"she said.Kazuki nodded." Yeah."His chest felt tight.
It's evolving…Outside—
The wind moved through the broken streets.
Somewhere far away.A shadow watched again." Faster than expected,"a voice whispered.Back inside the building, Kazuki stared at the fallen body.One thought repeated in his mind.This is getting worse.
And if it keeps getting worse…Then next time—They might not survive.As the team prepared to move again, Kazuki felt something heavy settle in his chest.Fear.
But also— Determination.Because now he understood something clearly:This was no longer just about studying patterns.This was a fight for survival.And he was already in too deep to turn back.
As they stepped out of the building, the sky above Aokami District seemed darker than before.Like something was waiting.
Watching.
Preparing.