Collapse Begins
Artholius was no longer a city.
It was a controlled breakdown.
Shops were shut.
Supply chains dead.
Military checkpoints on every street.
And everywhere—
Hunger.
People fought over crumbs.
Literally.
A piece of dry bread fell to the ground—and three men jumped on it like animals. One stabbed the other. The third ran with the food.
No one stopped him.
Because no one had the strength to care anymore.
Screens across the city flashed the same message:
"Temporary food shortage. Stay calm. Military is in control."
But everyone knew the truth.
There was no control.
There was only delay.
The Cracked Barrier
At the edge of the city—
The barrier flickered.
Still damaged.
Still unstable.
Outside—
Thousands of BrainDead gathered.
Pressing.
Watching.
Waiting.
Military squads in full combat armor were deployed constantly.
Heavy suits.
Sealed helmets.
Energy rifles charged.
Because now—
No one knew what existed outside anymore.
Not after the Level-5 incident.
Not after evolution began.
The Mission — One Day Left
Inside the military base—
Tension.
Preparation.
Silence.
Only one day remained before the food expedition team departed.
And failure…
Was not an option.
Because if they failed—
The city would eat itself alive.
The Brothers
Lanuk sat across from Captain Alaric Alexander.
For once—
The war hero wasn't a legend.
He was just a brother.
Alaric leaned forward, placing a small tactical device on the table.
"Listen carefully."
His voice was calm.
Precise.
"Level-1 and Level-2—don't waste time. Kill fast, move faster."
He activated a hologram.
Different BrainDead types appeared.
"Level-3… don't fight head-on unless necessary."
"Target joints. Slow them down."
He paused.
Then his tone changed.
Serious.
Heavy.
"If you ever see anything above Level-4…"
A silence.
"Run."
Lanuk frowned.
"But—"
"I'm not asking."
Alaric's eyes locked onto his.
"I'm ordering."
A pause.
"We don't have enough data on them."
"They're not just stronger…"
"…they're different."
He pushed a weapon case toward Lanuk.
"Take this."
Inside—
Compact plasma blades.
High-density rounds.
Emergency stim injectors.
"Survival first."
"Mission second."
For a moment—
Neither spoke.
Then Alaric said quietly—
"Come back."
Not as a soldier.
As a brother.
The Team
Lanuk stepped out.
The air felt heavier.
He walked toward the preparation zone.
"Lanuk!"
Magnus waved at him.
Same confident smile.
Same reckless energy.
"You ready to die tomorrow?" Magnus joked.
Lanuk smirked slightly.
"After you."
Then—
Lanuk noticed someone.
A young soldier.
Nervous.
Trying to stand straight.
Lupin.
Sergeant Vyon's son.
New.
Unexperienced.
And already sent on a death mission.
Behind him stood Retired Sergeant Vyon.
His eyes—
Tired.
Worried.
Broken.
He stepped toward Lanuk.
"Sir…"
His voice shook.
"Please…"
"My son…"
"He's all I have."
For the first time—
Lanuk didn't respond like a soldier.
He responded like a human.
He placed a hand on Lupin's shoulder.
"Trust your senior."
His voice steady.
"I'll protect him with my life."
A pause.
"As long as I'm alive…"
"…nothing will happen to him."
Vyon's eyes filled with relief.
And fear.
Because promises like that—
Rarely survived war.
The Last Member
Lanuk turned to Magnus.
"One more cadet."
"Where is she?"
Magnus smiled.
"She'll report by evening."
Lanuk froze.
"…She?"
Magnus laughed.
"Ohhh…"
"Now I get it."
Lanuk's face dropped instantly.
"You've got to be kidding me."
Magnus grinned.
"Orders from Major."
Silence.
Lanuk closed his eyes.
Annoyed.
Irritated.
Helpless.
"Of course…"
He muttered.
"There's nothing I can do."
He walked away.
Already frustrated.
Already tired.
Drumyard — Waiting for a Savior
Meanwhile—
The Drumyard was dying.
No food.
No supply.
No support.
Even the military had stopped pretending to care.
People collapsed from hunger.
Children stopped crying—
Because they didn't have energy left.
But still—
They waited.
For one person.
Their Prince.
The one who promised them life.
But their Prince…
Was bleeding somewhere far away.
Aramis — Evolution
150 miles away—
The snowstorm raged.
But inside it—
A man walked like it didn't exist.
Aramis.
His body was covered in blood.
Not his.
The boar's.
The Level-3 monster he had destroyed.
His wounds—
Gone.
Completely healed.
His breathing—
Stable.
His eyes—
Different.
Fire flickered beneath his skin.
His body radiated heat strong enough to resist the ice storm.
Every step—
Cracked frozen ground.
Every breath—
Steam.
He raised his hand.
Flames gathered.
Controlled.
Alive.
He clenched his fist.
The fire vanished.
"…So this is power."
Not borrowed.
Not learned.
Awakened.
Adrich — The Weight of Protection
Back in the shelter—
Adrich sat quietly.
In his arms—
Sam.
Sleeping.
Peacefully.
For once.
Adrich looked at him.
And for a moment—
He wasn't a leader.
Not a warrior.
Just a man…
Who had failed once before.
And refused to fail again.
"This time…"
He whispered.
"I won't let it happen."
Then—
A sound.
A whisper.
Calling him.
He looked around.
No one.
He stepped outside.
Cold air hit his face.
"Who's there?"
No answer.
Then—
Kevin approached.
"You called me, sir?"
Adrich frowned.
"No."
Kevin paused.
"I was about to call you."
Silence.
Adrich narrowed his eyes.
Then shook his head.
"Forget it."
But something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
The Arrival
Back at the base—
A helicopter descended.
Wind blasted across the ground.
Soldiers turned.
The final member had arrived.
Lanuk stood with Magnus.
Talking.
Distracted.
Then—
A voice.
Soft.
Familiar.
Dangerous.
"Sir… can you tell me where I need to report?"
Lanuk froze.
His heartbeat spiked.
No.
Not her.
Not now.
He slowly turned.
And his world—
Stopped.
She stood there.
Calm.
Composed.
The one person—
He hated the most.
Memories flooded instantly.
Pain.
Anger.
Betrayal.
His eyes hardened.
His expression changed completely.
Without a word—
He turned.
And walked away.
Fast.
Like he couldn't breathe in the same space as her.
The girl stood still.
Her eyes followed him.
A flicker of hurt.
Of something unspoken.
Then—
Lupin stepped in.
"Senior! I'll show you where to report."
She nodded.
But her gaze—
Still searched for Lanuk.
Hoping…
He would come back.
He didn't.
Magnus Understands
Magnus watched everything.
Silent.
Observing.
"…So that's it."
He muttered.
Now he understood.
This mission wasn't just dangerous.
It was personal.
End Credit — The Plot
Somewhere far from the city—
A man stood in darkness.
Talking on a secure line.
"So?"
"Will it be done?"
A voice replied calmly—
"Don't worry, sir."
"Everything is arranged."
A pause.
Then—
"There is no chance…"
"…Lanuk survives this mission."
Silence.
Then the call ended.