Just as the formation ended after the fiery speech, a soldier approached me.
"Prodigy, the battalion commanders request your presence. Be there in five minutes."
"Understood."
As he left, platoon leaders came to address each squad. To my surprise, the commander of our platoon was none other than Minho—the same Minho I'd met on the day of the ceremony.
I still remembered his striking Kuroen armor, bulkier than the rest. It was said that his gear could withstand a direct hit from a grenade launcher.
"Comrades!" he announced, stepping in front of us. "Ladies and gentlemen of the Third Squad, Third Platoon—I'm your platoon leader. Call me Ghost."
His codename, Ghost, was known and feared—even among high-class demons. Throughout Korea, he had a reputation as a protector of justice.
Minho glanced at me and smiled. I nodded back.
"The other two squads are already patrolling the second and third sub-districts. As you've been briefed, your squad will be stationed in Seongwan-gu—one of the most dangerous zones in this sector. Your mission is simple: stay alive and make it back home!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Our operation will last one week, but as you were told—Nightwatch protocols have changed. No one is allowed to return home once morning comes."
A murmur spread through our squad. Some hesitated, especially Salez. He looked visibly shaken.
"Why weren't we told about this...?" they whispered among themselves.
But it was stated—in the fine print of the documents we signed to join this operation. It was easy to spot who hadn't bothered reading the rules.
"Ahem. You'll be allowed to rest before sunset, as much as needed. But once the sun is down, the territory you patrol becomes your home. Dismissed. Prepare for the raid."
Minho tossed Taehwan a folded map.
"This is for your squad. It includes your patrol routes for each day. Use it to stay coordinated."
"So we won't be guarding one fixed point?" Taehwan asked.
"Correct. Each day, you'll protect a different post together."
"This is the first I've heard of an operation like this for a squad..."
"It's meant to prevent clustering. Keep you moving."
Taehwan fell into thought. He'd need to draft a full operational plan to ensure everyone did their job without breaking formation.
"Prodigy," Minho said to me in a lower tone, "can I have a word?"
"Of course."
We stepped aside, standing near the edge of the port. The lake's breeze carried a chilling wind.
"Forgive the formality—I'm just doing my duty."
"No problem."
"After all, we're in the same boat here. You do remember your mission briefing before deployment, right?"
"Yes. I haven't forgotten."
The day before the operation began, Chairman Kang summoned me for a private meeting. He explained that my presence in Nightwatch was key—to lure demons into the Orange Zone.
In other words, I was the bait.
"The more powerful demons gather, the more we can slaughter," he had said.
I accepted his plan, fully aware of the risks. If I played it smart, I might stand a real chance at surviving—and taking out demons in the process.
Minho added with a grave tone:
"This operation counts on intelligent demons targeting you. But what really matters is that you prove your loyalty to the Association. They're scared of the power inside you. Wouldn't surprise me if they're testing whether you're still... human."
"To be honest, I figured as much. Don't worry about me—I'll do what's required."
"Good. Now head to the officers."
"Yes, sir."
Just as I turned to leave, Minho called out again. His face was shadowed with bitterness and doubt.
"Kihyun... stay sharp. I was told not to trust anyone—not even your squadmates."
"...What? Why not?"
"I don't know exactly. But rumors say there's a traitor among us. Someone's leaking everything. Don't speak of this to anyone. If it's true... the entire Association might undergo DNA screening."
What the hell?! Why am I only hearing this now? That means anyone at this base could be a demon's ally?
This changes everything. If the rumor is true... could there be a demon hiding among us in human form?
A few minutes later, I arrived at the designated room. Inside were the three battalion commanders—and the regimental commander himself.
I knocked, then stepped inside. The room was warmly lit by hanging bulbs. The officers sat around a wooden table, sizing me up.
"Apologies for the delay. Did you request my presence?"
"Ah, Mr. Lee. Glad to meet you in person. Please, take a seat."
The regimental commander's voice was calm, his face composed. I sat down at the table, where candles flickered gently.
"My name is Vincent Kwon. Let's get to the point. Has your mission been explained to you?"
"Yes, sir. My role is to attract as many enemies as possible."
"In our planning, we accounted for many outcomes. But one thing remains uncertain—how exactly the demons will act. Have you heard of the message, 'Umbra was here'?"
"Yes, sir. Allegedly a criminal group operating in the Orange Zone."
"Still unconfirmed. But if true, they may include individuals of Category Four threat levels. We've already identified one—a red-haired demon in white. From what we know, Umbra members wear black masks. If you spot one... run. You won't be able to handle them alone. Even if you survive, your entire squad might not."
"We don't know their strength. But I'll do everything I can to keep my squad safe. That's my duty—as a Nightwatch soldier."
"Your duty," another officer cut in with a rough voice, "is first and foremost to stay alive. You're too valuable—to us, and to them. No matter how hopeless the situation gets—save yourself."
Save myself? That directly contradicts everything they just said. What kind of logic is this?
"Commander Son means," Kwon clarified, "that you must not take unnecessary risks. A massacre may be coming. Who knows... perhaps even the Blood Moon will rise."
"The Blood Moon?! Is that even possible? It only appears every few years!"
I couldn't make sense of what they were saying. To me, it sounded like nonsense—madness. Why would the Blood Moon rise now?
"As I said," Kwon replied, "these are only hypotheses. Let's not drift too far. We'll stick to the plan. If you understand, you're dismissed."
I clenched my fists. They weren't telling me everything. And their opinions didn't even match… Did they themselves not know what's really coming?
"Understood."
I stood up and left the room.
Outside, a girl stood near her unit—short, snow-white hair, slim build. Glasses rested on her face, and through them, she observed me as I stepped out.
Her calm demeanor set her apart. It was hard to tell what emotions lingered behind her gaze.
A male teammate touched her shoulder and spoke proudly:
"Well, princess, looks like we're in the same squad. How about a little walk once we reach our checkpoint?"
"Take your hands off. You're making a fool of yourself."
His sly eyes revealed his narcissism.
"Oho, feisty! What a prickly lady! I like girls like you. We'll be living together for a whole week, might as well get to know each other."
"Unfortunately for you, I'm far too busy for that."
"Those eyes of yours… can't tell if you want to kill me or if you've got feelings for me. You keep staring at that guy—what's his name again? The SSS-rank? You into him?"
She sighed and gripped his wrist with her hand—the one that had touched her shoulder.
"Ow-ow-ow! Alright, Yeonghee, I get it! Let go!"
"Stop talking nonsense. You're disturbing my focus."
"Yes, ma'am, Lady Kang Yeong-hee! I shall bother you no more, my queen!"
She sighed again and tightened her grip.
"And yet, clearly, you still don't get it."
"OW-OW! You're gonna break my arm!"
Losing sight of me, she thought to herself:
"Looks like our patrol will be near his area. If they're assigning the strongest to the First Subdistrict... then the stakes are high."
Thirty minutes later, we arrived at our first patrol point via military truck.
We set up a small outpost in the First Subdistrict, pitching tents and lighting lanterns to cast away the darkness. Each of us retrieved gear from our crates—everything prepared for battle with demons.
But all the while, as I prepared for the night watch, I couldn't shake a feeling...
As though something watched us from the shadows—grinning with bloodshot eyes—from every corner of the dark.
Midnight struck.
Six hours remained… until the first night was over.