Screams everywhere. Terror and despair. The roar of a beast.
"Ugh!" Mikail grunted as he turned, struggling to stand. His left eye was blinded by blood, but he could still see—the white Tall Man, skeletal like a spider, tearing through the boys. They fought hard, but it was useless.
"RENZOU!" Mikail shouted.
Renzou turned, his silhouette framed by crumbling buildings and fire. He smiled.
Klein gripped his hand, staring at the Tower beaming red.
"Dain… is he still alive?"
—Cut. Glitch back to the present.—
"Arrgh!" Renzou dropped to his knees, dragged forward by two boys Mikail had sent to fetch him.
"Open the door," Mikail ordered.
Renzou looked at the sealed iron door and smiled faintly.
"Not a good idea."
Pow! Renzou stumbled as Kaz's fist slammed into him.
"He won't ask a second time," Kaz warned.
Renzou laughed, creeping closer to the door.
"Number 445. Centipede Protocol. Code name: Renzou."
The door beeped, then slid open. Inside, stairs spiraled downward into shadow.
The boys exchanged uneasy glances before turning back to Renzou.
"You go in first," Mikail said coldly.
The echo of footsteps on the metal stairs wasn't loud, but in the silence, it was deafening. Even their heartbeats seemed audible.
Before long, the lights flickered on. A bad feeling swept through them.
Warning. Warning.
The whole room echoed with the alarm, startling everyone.
"What did you do?!" Kaz shouted.
"Nothing," Renzou replied calmly. He knew the system. Only one person was authorized to enter. If another stepped inside, it meant the Keeper had been compromised—and immediate shutdown protocols for the camp would begin.
"Stop the alarm!" Mikail demanded.
But the damage was already done.
Renzou moved to the control panel, his fingers working quickly. Soon the alarm ceased, but the lights remained red, bathing the chamber in a sinister glow.
Mikail turned to face him, his voice sharp.
"How much are you still hiding?"
Renzou sighed. "Give me a moment."
In truth, he was only following orders—orders that instructed him to reveal what he knew to the test subjects. But this, too, felt like another test. No details had been transmitted. No explanation.
It had been a month since Renzou's last direct communication with HQ. All he received now were anonymous mails, each one detailing further instruction, each one colder than the last.
While Renzou was lost in thought, something strange stirred within the Tower.
In the darkness, something detached and fell to the floor with a wet plup. Then three more followed.
The shapes began to expand, limbs stretching unnaturally as they crawled upright. The Tall Men were ready.
Inside their bodies, the embedded devices activated, issuing instructions: Protocol of Recuperation — engaged whenever a camp was under attack, rebellion broke out, or the test subjects uncovered the truth.
The four Tall Men rushed out, their movements swift and predatory.
Amidst the chaos, two mappers from another camp happened to witness the scene.
"What was that about?" one asked, his voice trembling.
"I don't know," the other replied, eyes wide. "But it looks like the other camp is facing the Annihilation Drill."
The computer loaded… and the AI began to speak:
"In 2027, a disaster struck that reshaped humanity. One by one, the world powers fell. Those that remained were forced to unite against the aftershocks of the catastrophe.
But soon, another strike followed. People began to fall sick, collapsing and dying.
To halt the spread, the World Health Organization was reborn—no longer a medical body, but a post‑apocalyptic authority stronger than any surviving nation. With absolute control, WHO imposed its will on all.
Its mission: to cure the virus consuming humanity, and to push mankind toward a new stage of evolution.
Across the world, Stage Camps were constructed—facilities where countless experiments were carried out in search of a vaccine and a cure.
WHO declared itself humanity's hope, its savior, its heroes. But at the apex of their creed stood a single motto: Sacrifices are needed.
The organization was commanded and controlled by Dr. Lukene Adelle."
She presented the theoretical procedure to find a cure and elevate humanity to another level—and she was still working tirelessly toward it.
Candidate Number 445:
Your mission is to provide samples to the laboratory for immediate dissection and study. You are to monitor and report all behavioral changes and conduct. In the event of an emergency, you will be considered terminated and disposed of.
This is not a joke. As a Keeper close to infected subjects, you are highly susceptible to contracting the prototype A‑Virus (AV). Your sacrifice is deemed worthy, to be recorded and shared.
However, all personnel must sign confidentiality agreements. This means that once your mission is complete, you shall not be remembered.
Everyone stood silent at Renzou's words. His introduction carried a weight that pressed down on them, leaving an eerie coldness in their chests.
"There's no exit."
That was the fact. The labyrinth Tower had no way out.
"There is an exit," Renzou said suddenly.
All eyes snapped toward him.
"However… the exit is near impossible to breach. Something is keeping watch over it."
"What thing?" Klein asked, his voice sharp.
Renzou looked at him, sighed, and murmured:
"The Second Keeper."