The sound of a bell.
Chime.
That clear sound was proof of a presence.
Proof of some sacred force that drove back what was unclean.
Chime.
The next thing heard was footsteps.
Fast, unhesitating steps walking with straight purpose toward their destination.
Light, but not frivolous.
Those footsteps came closer and closer to the officetel, then paused for a moment in front of the open door, casting a shadow.
And then….
“Let’s see, the civilian who got here first would be… no.”
An agent of the Disaster Management Agency appeared.
A long scar running across his neck.
A smile.
Hyunmoo 1 Team.
The man who had once been my superior.
“Looks like there’s a sham company here.”
Agent Choi.
The mouth speaking was smiling, but the eyes sweeping the scene as he assessed the situation held no trace of a smile.
With sunken eyes, Agent Choi swept over the blood-soaked living room and the corpse that had torn out both its own eyes and died.
Then he spoke.
“This wasn’t a coincidence, was it?”
“…!”
Chime.
Agent Choi’s hand moved as though gesturing behind him. But I knew what would be there.
A massive jakdu.
A hallucination rose of blue light flickering along the blade.
Agent Choi moved his arm….
“Well then….”
“I surrender!”
Kang Yihak threw up both hands and dropped to her knees on the floor with fervent force.
“…?!”
[Oh, my. It seems knees are being sold at a discount today!]
But Agent Choi did not even blink.
“Really? That makes it easier, then.”
“Wait! Wait!”
Kang Yihak, desperately warding off the barrage of the jakdu, ran her mouth even faster.
“Come on now, Agent, you remember me, right? Didn’t we meet in that Darkness that gave out those expensive conch shells?”
“Oh, I remember.”
Agent Choi smiled.
“You’re the employee from that sham company who tried to escape by taking the injured children hostage, right?”