It's been three weeks, and Yuwon still hasn't woken up.
Every morning, I visit his hospital room— sit by his bedside, watch his chest rise and fall, and tell myself he's just… resting. That he's taking a well-deserved break after everything we went through.
It's worrisome, of course. But Yuwon isn't the type to give up and slumber for the rest of his life. He'll come back. I believe in him. I have to.
The only thing I can do now is look forward--keep moving. That's what he'd want me to do.
–––
Inhale. Exhale.
Sweat runs down my neck as I sit upright among dozens of recruits clad in black Bureau-issued suits and narrow ties. The hum of the ventilation fills the massive marble auditorium, cold and sterile like a museum.
Everyone sits in anticipation-, nervous, excited, pretending to be composed. It's the same uniform the two agents who rescued us wore. The same emblem on the chest: the insignia of the Bureau of Anomalous Affairs.
I tug slightly at my tie. The fabric feels stiff, foreign.
'Never thought I'd end up wearing something like this, certainly not after everything that happened.'
Yet here I am, one of them. A new recruit for the Rescue Department.
Yuwon's employment had been forced— a bargain struck to save our lives. Mine, though, was a choice.
Agent Ares had offered it to me personally while Yuwon lay unconscious beside us. He said someone like me, someone who'd survived a confrontation with a powerful anomaly— was rare.
He promised that if I performed well, Supervisor Ash himself might consider placing me directly under their team.
'If I pass this trial anomaly, that is.'
That's the deal.
Ares told me things he probably shouldn't have— that each department had its own type of trial. Some involved combat, others survival, others mental fortitude. It is said that The Research department and the Rescue Department has the "easiest" Trials though.
Most recruits would walk in blind, but I knew the truth:
The trial was an anomaly— a real one. A sealed, controlled zone where fear, sanity, and skill would all be tested.
They called it "evaluation," but it was survival nonetheless.
I glance around the hall, scanning the faces of the other recruits. Some whisper to each other; others sit with hands clasped tight, whispering silent prayers. Their eyes flick to the large central podium at the end of the room from time to time. Some in excitement, others in fear.
'I wonder if they're as scared as I am.
No… not scared. Uneasy.'
It's a strange kind of dread— the kind that doesn't make you shake, but roots itself quietly in your stomach. The kind that reminds you how easily you could vanish and never be remembered.
A sharp voice cuts through my thoughts.
"Welcome to the Bureau of Anomalous Affairs!" A woman's voice echoes from the towering podium. The words [RESCUE DEPARTMENT EVALUATION] project across the wall behind her in sleek, silver letters.
Standing tall, black shoulder-long hair streaked with white highlights, a proud smile carved across her face— she exudes command and confidence.
'So this woman will be overseeing our evaluation.'
Applause fills the hall, loud as fireworks. Even the nervous ones clap with trembling hands. Everyone's excited to have secured employment at the Bureau— or so they think.
"First of all, congratulations to each and every one of you who passed a 111:1 competition ratio!" she announced brightly. "The Bureau doesn't choose lightly. You've passed the physical and theoretical exams, and that's no small feat. You've earned your pride."
As the applause dies down, her tone shifts—calmer, colder.
"To ensure you're all truly fit for the work of our department, there will be a short probationary period before official employment. Don't be alarmed— it won't take long. We simply need to assess your practical readiness through an absolute evaluation."
Confusion ripples through the crowd like static.
"What? But we already passed the physical evaluation!"
"Nobody mentioned another test!"
"We weren't even given time to prepare!"
The boy beside me leans in, voice low and shaky. "Excuse me, did you know about this second evaluation? You seem… calmer than most."
I keep my gaze fixed forward. "No. I had no idea either." I lied
"But staying calm gives way to clearer thoughts," I continue smoothly.
He gulps, nodding nervously. "R-right… I'll try."
'Something tells me that guy won't make it far in this line of work…'
A satisfied grin spreads across the woman's face as she continues.
"Full participation is mandatory. Freeloading will not be tolerated. Evaluation begins shortly. Read the manual displayed behind me carefully."
The projection shifts.
---
「Anomaly — The Mirror Ward」
A sealed chamber filled with several mirrors.
Each recruit will be separated and trapped in their specific chamber.
Each mirror harbors a reflection representing a certain memory, emotion, or trauma.
These reflections do not copy— they speak and taunt.
They know secrets even you may have forgotten.
The only way to pass and escape the anomaly is to accept—not destroy— your reflections.
Failure to escape within 3 hours will result in erasure of all memories, traumas, and emotions tied to those reflections.
Damaging any mirror results in Death.
––
I read the text carefully, lips pressed into a thin line.
'They just had to choose One that deals with Traumatic experiences, huh?'
I sigh, pressing my fingers against my temples, trying to ignore the pulse of stress behind my eyes.
A few minutes pass, as the room fills with panic. Some argue, others discuss how to pass the fastest way. Some pray in silence, while a select view recruits sit in silence, less shaken than the others.
'I guess im not the only one who benefits from favoritism' I sighed.
Then— everything goes black.
The sound of shattering glass echoes in my ears.
My breath catches as I blink into a new space— pitch black. No walls, no floor, no ceiling. Just emptiness. And four mirrors, faintly glowing like lanterns in the dark radiating small shimmers of light.
"Here goes nothing" I steady myself as I approach the first mirror. I check the time: 1PM.
'So I have time until 4.'
A few delicate steps later and I stand in front of the first Mirror. The reflection stares back-- same face, same Bureau issued Suit, same sharp eyes.. But the Reflection remains silent.
"Aren't you going to start talking?" I asked the mirror nervously.
"Why should I start talking? So you can pass your little evaluation?"
'..!'
"So I can get this over with. Besides, you'd have more fun torturing me rather than staying silent."
"Tch. Torturing you would be redundant. You already do that to yourself."
It smiled- cold, precise.
"Barely survived one anomaly, only thanks to Yuwon. And now you think you can handle others? Joining the Rescue Department just to feel less useless?"
My fists clench. I want to argue, but the words sting because they're true.
'I only survived thanks to Yuwon. And now here I am, trying to rescue others when I cant even handle myself.'
"Honestly im doing the Bureau a favor, really. You're only going to get yourself and other civilians killed."
"Thats not true. Agent Ares told me I have potential." I mutter
"Dont make me laugh. He pitied you. That's all. You're a liability-, one who'll get herself and others killed. Even now, while the man who saved you lies unconscious, you're here playing hero.
My throat tightens as i resist the urge to punch the reflection in the mirror.
"What else am I supposed to do! Im no doctor! Besides he's supposed to be fine..! How is his unconsciousness my fault?!" I snap.
"You tell me Sarah. You're the one blames herself." She reflection smirks back
The air around me chills. My chest aches. The reflection's words twist like thorns through my heart.
'I only survived thanks to Yuwon… and now I'm pretending I'm strong enough to save others. Maybe she's right… maybe I really was just baggage.' I think as I remain silent.
"See? Deep inside you know you're a liability. Not just to him. But to the entire camp. They all died because of you. Every last one of them. You just didn't die fast enough to join them. And now you want to help others just so you can feel better about yourself? You're as pitiful as it gets, and the worst part is that you dont even realize it."
I remain silent. Mind empty. Heart empty. I feel tears creeping up my eyes.
"No…" I whisper, but the word barely escapes.
Memories flood in— faces by the campfire, laughter echoing through the halls of that nightmarish maze. Then screams. Silence. Death. The people from the camp that treated me like family. All the nightless evenings we spent at the makeshift campfire joking, laughing together-- promising each other to stay in touch after we get out.
My heart aches. It feels like someone's squeezing it. Its unbearable--
'Would they have lived if I was stronger? Would Yuwon be awake now if I had protected him? Would I really be here right now if I--'
Then the realization hit me.
The pain twists until I realize it;
The one aching my heart-, squeezing it-- was nobody else but me. I really did blame myself for their deaths. For Yuwon's state. Instead of being proud and glad I escaped and survived, I was so unfair towards my own self for something outside of my control.
My knees hit the ground. My chest feels like it's being crushed. Tears spill freely.
"I- Im sorry..." I stuttered.
"For striking a conversation with me? Or--"
"For hating myself. For blaming myself for things I couldn't control, for punishing myself like this..."
I clutch at my chest, voice shaking. "I was so cruel to myself… I just wanted to forgive you. Forgive me."
"Im so so so sorry...."
"Hey..." the reflection spoke, softly for the first time.
I sobbed for a few seconds more before looking up.
The reflection's expression softens into a faint smile.
"Good work." Then it fades.
I stay there for a while— crying, shaking, whispering apologies into the void.
When I finally lift my head, I wipe my eyes and stare at the remaining mirrors.
Only 3 mirrors left.