8 DAYS AGO — BEFORE THE OUTBREAK
The city was alive, overflowing with people. In the midst of the crowd, one man moved with more urgency than the rest. He wasn't running from anything… not exactly. After weaving through the bustle, he turned into a narrow alley, finally escaping the crush of bodies. He leaned against a wall, sighing in relief.
He hated crowds. Not because he was in danger, but simply because... he was a typical introvert.
After regaining his composure, he continued walking down the quieter path, more relaxed now. Soon, he stopped in front of a small house. It wasn't much—a simple wooden structure, worn but warm. It stood quietly, like it was content with its place in the world.
He opened the door.
Woof! Woof!
A smile broke across his face as he knelt down and opened his arms. The dog leapt at him, tail wagging wildly.
He hugged him close, running his fingers through the soft fur, petting every inch of his beloved companion.
"Oh man... I wish I could stay with you all day! But alas..."
Woof! Woof!
"Right? You agree, don't you?"
Woof!
After a few more moments of lamenting his responsibilities, he headed into the kitchen, his dog circling his feet the entire time. He prepared food for both of them, serving his furry friend first, of course.
"Buddy, you know what? I'm thinking of changing jobs. That pet shop nearby is hiring a caretaker. What do you think?"
The dog tilted his head in that way dogs do—both adorable and full of curiosity.
Woof!
"Oh! Don't worry. No matter what, you'll always be my number one. You hear me?"
Woof.
"You don't believe me!? Come on! You have no idea how much I love you. I can't bring you the moon... but I'd definitely go there for you."
The dog gave him a look. As if asking, Really, man?
We'll never know what the dog was thinking. But he barked again.
Woof!
"It seems you understand! Let's get to bed, yeah?"
That night was peaceful.
No matter how rough the day was, no matter how tired he became or how heavy the burden, the night always brought him peace. The cool breeze cleared his mind. The moonlight shining down on his small home—and the dog waiting inside—washed everything else away.
That view, that feeling... was his reason to live.
"I could see this tonight, if I live..."
He used to say that to himself.
But the next day... everything shattered.
He didn't see that peaceful sight anymore. His will to live—his everything—was gone.
Dil, his one and only companion in this world... was missing.
Neighbors said they saw Dil leave the house. The man was devastated. Dil never left the yard, and even when he did, he stayed close and always returned on time.
He knew something was wrong.
Dil wouldn't just vanish like that.
---
6 DAYS LATER — AFTER DIL WAS LOST
The man sat at home, staring at a newspaper article.
"Humanity's Last Hope: Secret Project Begins!"
His hands trembled. Not out of fear.
But out of rage.
And sorrow.
"Don't worry, Dil... I'm coming."
He had been consumed by anger. Reason? Gone. Logic? Burned away.
---
BEFORE THE MEETING & THE BOY ENTERED THE LAB
Click.
"Hmm? What's that sound?"
Silence.
"Who's there? Co—"
BANG!
A gunshot. The researcher dropped, blood splattering across the floor—and the intruder.
The dog owner stood silently, now stained red.
He took the fallen man's ID card and stepped into the lift, descending into the underground lab.
Another researcher arrived moments later. Panic spread. Alarms blared. Security swarmed every floor—except the meeting room.
A guard spotted him first.
"Who are you!? Surrender!"
No response.
He took cover.
BANG.
The guard collapsed before he could even raise his gun. The others rushed to help—but too late.
The head of security was just about to give a report when—
Ring.
He held up his hand. Silence. Then he answered.
A woman's voice came through the speaker.
"Do not damage him."
"A direct order?"
"Yes. From the seniors."
"...Roger that."
Rime had given her command.
The head of security nodded. "You heard her."
"Clear, sir!"
Gunfire and screams echoed throughout the lab that night.
By dawn, silence returned.
The intruder had been caught.
But nearly the entire security team was gone.
Rime sat at her desk, facepalming in frustration.
"Those damn fools... They couldn't even handle one man. Now we've got to hire replacements. Ugh. Even the experiment's delayed!"
"Ma'am?"
"You. Tell my assistant—run special tests on the intruder. Got it?"
"Yes, ma'am!"
---
The man couldn't fulfill his wish... not yet. He was with Dil again—but he couldn't save him.
Perhaps if he had thought more clearly, he could've escaped this fate. But now… he would pay the price.
He met his "end."
In someone else's forge.
To become something else.
---