Prologue
Prologue
"Guess this is the end."
Cigarettes... I don't have any. When I started quitting smoking a few days ago, I handed over all my remaining tobacco to a junior who smokes.
Instead, I popped the lollipop I had been carrying around into my mouth.
I was prepared not to die of natural causes the moment I chose this line of work, though.
I didn't expect that end to come this early.
"I wonder if the remaining guys managed to evacuate safely."
Even if they didn't, there's nothing I can do.
I've done as much as I could.
Beyond this, even if I wanted to do more, I couldn't.
Chi-i-ik—.
A sound of something melting could be heard.
There was no change in the light source.
The fluorescent lights didn't flicker, nor were any new flashlights turned on.
Nevertheless, a shadow that wasn't there a moment ago could be seen starting to cover the top of the door.
A shadow growing progressively darker.
Rippling as if boiling, it completely swallowed the iron door, which had been the sole barrier.
The anomalous phenomenon temporarily named 'Dancing Shadow'.
If I had known it would be this dangerous, I would have given it a name that intuitively revealed its danger rather than such a ridiculous one.
"Well, whatever. Guess there's no point in regretting it now."
I lowered my gaze, which had been directed toward the door.
And I looked at the red capsule held in my hand.
This is the first time trying this out.
I read the precautions written on the capsule's packaging.
"Take when captured by an entity or when unable to escape an urban legend... huh."
Talk about a half-assed warning.
A suicide poison issued to agents.
I never expected the day would come when I'd actually use this.
"Right about now fits the bill."
I pulled out the lollipop in my mouth and swallowed the capsule.
Ggul-ggeok.
I felt the pill going down my surging throat into my esophagus. And then.
:: You worked hard ::
:: You truly lived so hard. ::
"?"
Inside my flickering consciousness.
Suddenly, an unknown voice echoed out.