Born in Blood
I woke up. It was damp. Yet it carried a subtle warmth. Liquid had been trickling down my cheek for a while now—probably drool from sleeping, or maybe a leak from the house. Wait, liquid? Come to think of it, when did I even fall asleep? I remembered clicking start on the game, but nothing after that. Had I dreamed about creating a new character? Nah... no way. I was definitely sure I'd made the character. Must've passed out from exhaustion. Forgot to close the window or something, letting water drip in. Doesn't make total sense, but hey, people nod off without realizing sometimes. Still, blacking out like that without noticing feels risky. I should hit up a doctor soon. Falling asleep randomly in weird places could be trouble.
"Kuhuhuhu..."
Who's that, crying so pathetically? Sounded like some guy chugging soju in broad daylight, blubbering away. Nothing worse than a man whining.
"Kuhahaha!!!"
Whoa, startled me. Not just drunk—straight-up crazy. So noisy, how's anyone supposed to sleep? Golden holiday ruined; talk about bad luck. Whatever, pretend I stepped in shit and just close the window. Heave-ho...?
My body wouldn't move. Hell, even opening my eyes was a struggle. What the hell was going on? When I finally cracked my eyes open, the sight hit me—nothing like I'd expected.
Through my blurry vision, I saw a blood-soaked old man. Wild white hair sticking up like he'd been hit by a bomb. Plain white coat draped over him, soaked in dripping gore. Ah, got it. It's a dream. You rarely realize you're dreaming, right? People in dreams think it's real until they wake up. Calmer now, I scanned around.
The "water" was blood dripping from a surgical scalpel in the lunatic's hand. He kept laughing maniacally, and right beside him lay a woman hemorrhaging out, on death's door. Yeah, if this isn't a dream, what is? The old guy's face even looked like that mad doctor from the game who tormented me. Like the game's graphics had bled into reality. Smart as I am, this had to be the birth of the calamity—that infamous scene whispered among players. My obsession with the game must've manifested in my sleep. So the woman next to the doctor was Lily, huh? Game logs gushed about "Researcher Lily," but no illustration, leaving players dying of curiosity. Talented and beautiful! Top researcher after the doc! Who wouldn't be hooked? And here was that "missing data" right in front of me.
Huh... she's gorgeous. Lily exceeded expectations. I'd never seen anyone so stunning. Her lush hair cascaded like waves. Delicate features each shone with perfect allure. And above all...
Damn, those curves... Even drenched in blood and tragedy, pure awe escaped me. Lust? I'd own it, but those feminine lines from head to toe were living art. For the record, I'm no necrophiliac. Sucks she wasted that on research, though. Not a bad job, but tragic. Whatever—it's just a game. Dream. Time to wake up after eyeing this once-in-a-lifetime beauty.
I wanted to stir. Lucid dream maybe? How do you wake from those? I'd been trying to move, but this dream world wouldn't budge. All I could do was blink. Boring. Let me out already.
Drip. Drip. Another blood drop. I flicked my eyes; the doc was waving that filthy bloody scalpel over me. Whoa, back off. Don't drip that weird shit. Even in a dream, gross. Already stuffy enough, now it's tickling my cheek—driving me nuts.
"Success... Humanity has finally taken a step forward."
Lucky break—the scalpel just grazed my cheek. Then his bloody hand stroked it; smelled weird, all sticky. Mood ruined twice over. But... I'd been calling it a dream, yet the sensations felt too real. Mistake on a mistake. Realizing that, my heart plummeted. Still full of unknowns, but one thing crystal clear: this scene was reality. And with it, the stench of gruesome death filled my nose.
"It doesn't cry..."
Dr. Licht's eyes narrowed. His murmuring words made my heart sink again. Right then, after supreme effort, I lifted one arm.
Baby...? Chubby, round newborn arm. Still weak—barely up, it trembled like a dying machine. Judgment swift: Yeah, yeah, sure. A newborn not crying in this mess is weird, right? Didn't think of that—I'll cry right now...!
"I like it."
Pardon? "Yes, a life befitting the new humanity shouldn't wail noisily like ordinary human infants. That would lack dignity."
Oh. Haven't cried yet, Doc. "Emma."
"Yes."
"Take it away."
Surprisingly, others here besides Licht and Lily. Couldn't turn my head to check. Light footsteps approached, revealing the voice's owner.
A kid? Sure, I'm a newborn, but a girl with a worldly cold expression in this slaughterhouse? Shocking. Especially with blood-soaked hands. About ten years old. Emma gripped the basket handle I was in. More blood dripped down, but whatever. Just grateful to be alive. If this is real, Doc wouldn't kill me anyway.
The basket moved. Lily's eyes trembled—still alive. "Baby..." Her frail arm brushed my head. Bloody again; my face felt like their canvas. All taking turns marking their territory. They knew my value.
...Hah. Still couldn't accept this as reality. I'd go mad without ranting! Why was I born the calamity? Didn't I pick the protagonist? No other characters selectable! No weird start message either! Fine, concede it's game possession. This char had killer curves invested—guaranteed cutie later. In... 20 years. Why 20? Calamity first steps out under Doc around then. Main story start. So I'm stuck 20 years in this dingy underground lab. Maybe brainwashed like Emma, dripping blood without a care. No kid that young murders emotionlessly. Didn't see her kill, but Doc and her bloody hands, Lily gushing blood from her gut? Obvious.
Tragic, whoever it was.
A week passed. Sadly, not a dream. I had to fully accept this reality. Silver lining: Doc hasn't brainwashed me yet! Silly for a newborn, but facing him made it feel plausible. Brainwashing's simple: modified P.V. Virus parasite via ear into brain. So convenient. Seal-clap for Doc's genius. Not a big secret to players—kill lab folks, out pops "parasite." Obvious.
Emma cared for me that week. Praise the parasite tech? She followed orders diligently, no fuss. Fed on time, dangled the mobile endlessly. Fun. Would've grinned and charmed her if not adult-minded. Pity. Love (maternal mostly) might break her brainwashing. Then endless kisses. Wait, risky other way. Point is: excruciatingly boring. Heart raced at first realization; now Doc's MIA, kid dutifully shakes mobile. Time'll pass.
Clang. Small sound, but shattered the quiet. "Have you been well? The new humanity needs befitting power. You don't know the suffering making this serum took this week."
Talking to who? One's brainwashed puppet, I'm week-old infant. Mad scientists suck. But syringe in his hand. Serum? Weird green color. Chlorine gas mix-up? No, don't—
Stab! My fierce resistance (blinking) ignored, syringe plunged in. Liquid flowed smoothly. Baby body okay with this? Die and your research vanishes! Needle in frail flesh hurts... doesn't?
"Kuhuhuhuhu..."
Lost in inner panic, Doc's laugh snapped me back. Following his gaze, my arm—unbelievable for baby—veins bulging. Looks dangerous; why's he thrilled? "Perfect...! Surpasses theory! No rejection. Humanity's wish nears fulfillment."
Ah! Thanks for explaining. Serum my ass—virus shot. Knew this body perfectly adapts to virus. He'll inject samples gradually to strengthen. Looks bad, but he says no side effects. Fine, right...? Yeah. Early Central Sector boss seed survived that. Okay. Just don't over-adapt into monster. Future's dark...