The apocalypse, focused intently on its target, didn’t move right away. It seemed that destroying an entire world required some preparation time.

Besides, “it” blinked from time to time. When its eyes closed and it turned into a black hole, not only did the Whiteout progression pause, but the mutation phenomenon also ceased. The exhausted Hunters used those moments to catch their breath and plan for the next Whitehole event….

In front of Pado Guild.

“Please stay in line~!”

“Everyone will get in, so don’t cut! We won’t admit anyone who cuts! We’re watching you!”

Hunters were cupping their hands to their mouths and shouting. Uijae pulled his baseball cap low, tugged his black mask up higher, and glanced sideways. Haeun was holding his hand, swinging their arms back and forth. She seemed bored. Urgent voices buzzed through the in-ear device in her ear.

― We must complete resident evacuation before the Whitehole shifts!

― Estimated black hole duration: 53 minutes remaining.

― Residents near the Guro-dong underground dungeon have been fully evacuated….

Once the Whitehole fully opened its eyes, schools near the Corrosion Dungeon had been shut down. Letters about shelter locations had been stuffed into mailboxes. Fortunately, Haeun and her grandmother were assigned to the Pado Guild shelter, and the grandmother, who had trouble moving, had been picked up early by a strange man in sunglasses. It was probably Minggijeok’s doing.

‘I should thank him when I see him.’

Uijae glanced up at the sky. The vortex above was still dark. Just then, Haeun tugged on his hand.

“Samchon.”

“Yeah.”

“My legs hurt.”

Haeun patted her legs. It made sense—she’d been standing for over thirty minutes. Uijae turned his back to her and squatted down. Haeun quickly wrapped her arms around his neck and climbed onto his back. A mischievous giggle tickled his ear.

“Heehee. Samchon, you’re the best.”

“You’re not faking, ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ are you?”

“No! It really hurts!”

“Okay, okay.”

“Samchon, I’m bored. When do we go in?”

“Hmm…”

Uijae leaned forward to see the line ahead. It looked like they were checking documents and IDs one by one. No wonder it was slow. Uijae shrugged.

“Looks like we’ll have to wait a bit longer.”

“Ugh.”

“Don’t make weird noises. Since you’re up there, just take a nap.”

“It’s too noisy to sleep…”

Haeun started swinging her legs like she was kicking. Uijae adjusted his position so she wouldn’t bump into anyone nearby.

“Park Haeun, stop kicking. You might hit someone. Didn’t your instructor teach you better?”

“…Nooo…”

Haeun pouted and buried her face into his shoulder. Uijae sighed softly. She wasn’t the only child whining. Parents were soothing crying kids all around. When one cried, others followed until it became a chorus. The sound of a child’s sob tugged at buried memories.

His parents.

The memories of his parents came in fragments.

‘Run!’

Hands pushing him in the back.

‘Uijae, run!’

A voice like a scream.

‘Hurry! Go! Hurry!’

Whips cracking at his legs.

“…Hurry, Samchon!”

“Huh? What?”

A weak tug yanked at his hair. Uijae snapped out of it. Haeun was pointing forward.

“A spot opened up!”

“Ah, right. Got it.”

Uijae gave a small bow to the person behind him and stepped up. As Haeun toyed with the hair sticking out under his cap, she pressed her cheek to his ear and whispered.

“Samchon.”

“Yeah?”

“Your hair’s super white.”

“……”

“You need to dye it again, huh.”

“…Yeah.”

“I’m the one who told you, okay?”

“Yup. Haeun’s the best.”

Pleased with the compliment, Haeun started humming and wiggling happily on his back. Uijae silently prayed she wouldn’t notice the cold sweat on his skin.

Cha Uijae stood in front of the mirror once a day. He checked the color of his hair, scanned himself from fingers to toes, and opened his mouth to see if anything had turned white inside.

What happens when I mutate?

Will I turn into one of those monsters I’ve been killing?

Every unanswered question always circled back to one—

If I become a monster, would anyone be able to kill me?

‘What if no one can?’

In that instant, a chilling sensation pressed down on his skull. While everyone else stared at the ground or their phones, only Uijae raised his head.

The black hole above was brightening. The darkness was clearing, and a brilliant white light poured out. Uijae set Haeun down for a second, then picked her up again. She blinked.

“Samchon?”

Static crackled in his earpiece.

― Emergency situation! Emergency situation! The Whitehole is opening faster than expected!

― Hunters assisting evacuation must prepare for monster response—

― Civilian safety is top priority!

Uijae peered ahead in the line. There was still a long way to go before reaching the shelter entrance. Even the Hunters managing the line were starting to talk seriously, sensing something was wrong.

“What’s going on, Samchon?”

“Just a second, Haeun.”

From every corner touched by the white light, he felt monsters stirring. Uijae cradled the back of Haeun’s head and scanned the area. Moving rashly would cause chaos.

‘It’s too dangerous to fight while carrying her.’

But he couldn’t leave her alone either. The monsters were starting to move. Drawn by instinct—toward the place with the most life.

Right here.

Uijae bolted from the line, running. He scanned the faces in the crowd. Anyone he might know. Anyone he could trust.

And then, his worn sneakers stopped in front of a broad-shouldered man.

“Director!”

It was Haeun’s taekwondo instructor, a man who looked startlingly like Bae Wonwoo. The man, who had been checking his phone, blinked in surprise.

“Haeun? And…”

“I’m her uncle! You’re heading to the Pado Guild shelter, right?”

“Uh, yes, I am, but…”

“I’m really sorry, but can you take Haeun in with you?”

“Me? What about you, uncle…?”

“Samchon!”

“I…”

There was no time. Uijae gently patted Haeun’s back.

“Something urgent came up. Haeun, Grandma will be inside. Go in with your instructor, okay?”

“No! I want to stay with you!”

“I’m sorry, Haeun. I really have to go.”

“Nooo! You always do this! You always leave me and Grandma behind!”

Haeun flailed her arms and legs. Uijae carefully pried her off, worried her little fists might get hurt. Just then, a large hand reached out and caught her.

“You really have to go, don’t you.”

Eyes uncannily like Bae Wonwoo’s stared at him. Uijae nodded, his face set. The instructor nodded back.

“Go. I’ll take care of Haeun.”

“No! No! Don’t go!”

“I’m sorry, Haeun!”

Uijae turned and ran. Her small hands couldn’t cling to his clothes as he pulled away. The instructor, cradling the wailing girl, muttered under his breath.

“Making the same damn face as that idiot…”

***

Tap, tap, tap—Bae Wonwoo was flying down the stairs, taking two or three steps at a time.

“Still not everyone’s inside the shelter?”

“Don’t even ask, boss! It’s a mess! Too many people flooding in! Some are forging documents, others are nutcases from that Prometheus cult—it’s all slowing things down!”

“And the Blackhole time’s already up?”

“That’s why we’re running like this!”

“Goddamn it! I’m drowning in work already!”

Bae Wonwoo and Kang Jisoo burst through the guild’s glass doors. A massive line still snaked in front of the shelter. Scratching his head roughly, Bae Wonwoo gestured to Kang Jisoo.

“Tell the shelter staff to move faster! If monsters show up, deal with them immediately. Got it?”

“Got it!”

“Sa-young… When are you getting here…”

Bae Wonwoo rolled his stiff neck. Paperwork, guild duties, logistics—he’d been handling everything alone. Even someone as tough as him was starting to wear down. But this wasn’t the time for excuses. They had to buy time until all civilians were inside.

“God, would it kill heaven to send down some backup…”

The Whitehole flashed. White ash drifted in the air. Monster howls echoed from all directions. The crowd began to stir. Bae Wonwoo pulled out his massive shield.

Can I protect all these people?

His throat tightened. He swallowed hard.

Even if I can’t, I have to try.

That’s the Hunter’s duty.

Then—

“Aaaahhh!”

A scream broke out from the middle of the line. Bae Wonwoo dashed toward the sound. A man’s limbs were twisting grotesquely. It was a mutation. Without hesitation, Bae Wonwoo slammed his shield down.

Squelch.

Pale blood splashed. He didn’t even have time to ask the people around if they were okay before another scream rang out.

‘Shit!’

Just as he turned his head—

A black shadow landed on his massive shield.

“I’ll take over.”

A distorted voice.

It was J!

Worn sneakers sprang from the top of the shield, launching upward. Bae Wonwoo’s eyes followed the figure in the air. A giant spear in hand, a gray hoodie, jeans, and beat-up sneakers.

Isn’t that… the same outfit as that kid working part-time at the hangover soup place?

But the voice… that was definitely Mr. J!

“…Huh?”

The mismatch between voice and look tangled up in his head.

“…Huhhh??”