Rainbow City

[Kwak Soohwan Major and 23 others will enter retraining. Everyone, good job. Please return to your posts.]Mother’s voice mixed into the scene, causing Kwak Soohwan to doubt if what he heard from Seokhwa was indeed a curse.***The CCTV footage showed people moving but captured no sound. In the military training room in the shelter’s basement, soldiers and “Adams” were in the middle of their exercises. Kwak Soohwan, playing the role of an Adam, was seen knocking down soldiers and even attacking his fellow Adams. He grabbed an attacking Adam’s arm, threw him to the ground, and was about to punch him in the face when he remembered it was just a drill and hesitated. Then, he punched an oncoming soldier in the solar plexus.“If that were a real Adam, we would’ve all been wiped out long ago,” Commander Jang remarked with a mix of exasperation and pride.“Today’s events turned out well. The soldiers training with Major Kwak Soohwan will benefit, and Major Kwak Soohwan himself will be more diligent from now on.”Commander Jang knew that Kwak Soohwan could have reached the 48th floor on time even while carrying Seokhwa. Yet, for some reason, Kwak Soohwan chose to join the training he hated instead of completing the climb.“Excuse me, Dr. Seok,” Commander Jang began.“Yes?”Seokhwa took out a snack made of nuts and syrup from his pocket and began eating. Commander Jang continued, slightly puzzled.“He’s a bit rough but not a bad guy. Major Kwak Soohwan could clear a Red Zone alone. He fights well and is surprisingly clever in battle,” Commander Jang said, tapping his own head.“So, maybe you should reconsider changing your protector.”Commander Jang had brought Seokhwa to the training control room after he had requested a change of guard post-drill. Seokhwa had been pale and expressionless, barely holding himself together.“Look at that! Major Kwak Soohwan is a one-man army,” Commander Jang exclaimed, clapping his hands as he pointed to the screen, implying there was no one stronger or safer than Kwak Soohwan.With Kwak Soohwan’s victory, the training ended, and he looked up at the surveillance camera among the sprawled soldiers. Though their eyes couldn’t meet, Seokhwa clenched his fist again. Had this been a real emergency, he would have seen Kwak Soohwan mutate into an Adam and lived with that guilt forever. His own helplessness added to his frustration.“Even if the emergency drill had been real, there would have been no problem,” Commander Jang said, as if reading Seokhwa’s thoughts, with a bitter smile. Seokhwa, having eaten only half the snack, crumpled the wrapper and put it back in his pocket.“I don’t understand what you mean,” Seokhwa replied.“As I said, he could handle a Red Zone alone. Even if Adams breached our shelter, he would be safe. You might not know this since you’ve been away from Seoul, but Kwak Soohwan’s unit is called the ‘Unbeaten Squad’ for a reason. They’ve never lost in the field. He might be a bit mischievous, but…”“I understand. Please forget what I said about changing my protector,” Seokhwa conceded.Commander Jang was relieved that Seokhwa didn’t persist. In this world, cooperation was essential, and stubbornness only caused trouble for others. Seokhwa bowed to Commander Jang and began walking towards his research lab.Seokhwa had been tense since arriving in Seoul, different from the protected zone in Jeju. He realized that during the drill, researchers and other shelter staff were probably in their designated safe rooms on each floor.[Doors opening.]As Seokhwa entered the lab, Dr. Kim looked up in surprise.“There was an emergency drill earlier. Where were you?” Dr. Kim asked.“I was in my room. Sorry for being late.”“I forgot to mention the drill. When it starts, researchers are supposed to move to the emergency elevator at the end of the 34th-floor hallway. Only researchers can access the elevator and wait at the top until the drill ends,” Dr. Kim explained, scratching his cheek sheepishly.“It’s preparation for a real situation.”“Well, yes. Our lives depend on the soldiers, and their lives depend on us.”The development of the vaccine for Adam’s 7th mutation was why researchers were protected in the shelter. Dr. Kim rolled his chair over to Seokhwa, checked the surroundings, and then whispered.“Do you know about the recent communication issues with overseas branches? Researchers used to exchange studies with them.”“Yes, I remember.”Seokhwa had exchanged research with overseas colleagues before.“I finally contacted a friend in the Chinese branch. It turns out their Adams are still in the pre-7th mutation stage. It seems like only our Rainbow City is isolated.”Dr. Kim’s usually unremarkable chatter now delivered startling news.“You mean we can’t contact any overseas branches?”“Yes, we’re definitely isolated now.”Global communication networks had long since collapsed. With more than half the population gone, maintaining the infrastructure was impossible. Adams caused further problems by cutting power lines, and abandoned refineries burned for months. Shelters like Yeouido barely maintained power, relying on all available resources. Communication with overseas branches relied on phone, mail, or direct visits, all of which ceased with the 7th mutation.“By the way, what’s that stone you’re always holding?”Seokhwa, lost in thought, was absentmindedly rolling a small stone in his hand. It was a habit and a way to cool down due to his warm body temperature.“It’s just a talisman.”“Hearing that from you is strange. Remember those stones you collected?”Dr. Kim asked.There was a collection of stones stored in a room used for supplies. Since arriving in Seoul, Seokhwa had been too preoccupied to check on them, but he had planned to do so soon. It felt ominous that Dr. Kim brought it up first.“What about the stones?”“Dr. Oh Cheongwoon threw them all into the Han River, saying they were in the way. This was before the rumors about him turning into an Adam started.”Seokhwa, usually called “Stone Doctor” due to his stoic expression and love for stones, visibly frowned at the news.“Is that so.”He had taken the smaller stones with him to Jeju, but left the heavier ones here. It was his own fault for leaving them behind, not the fault of those who discarded them. Seokhwa was particularly attached to his stones, among other things.“Don’t worry too much about it. If I find any nice stones, I’ll give them to you to cheer you up.”“Thank you. It doesn’t have to be pretty stones. I also like ones with shiny bits inside or rough basalt textures. Just not pieces that have broken off from cement.”Seokhwa showed the stone he was holding, causing Dr. Kim, who had just been making polite conversation, to nod in surprise.“Sure, I’ll pick some up if I come across any like that.”Seokhwa put the stone back in his pocket and stood up. As he trudged towards the opposite lab, he recalled Dr. Oh Yangseok’s journal.Oh Cheongwoon, who exhibited abnormal behavior and mutation into an Adam, undoubtedly subjected his son to some kind of experiment, likely trying to revert him to human. However, there were no records of this in the journal.The first to third generation vaccines weakened the Adam virus by continuously cultivating it in eggs, creating immunity like a flu shot. But the fourth-generation Adam virus was more potent, and even the weakened vaccines could not prevent infection. The virus had become unmanageable by the immune system’s memory cells.Seokhwa knew very little about the seventh mutation. He had planned to visit the place they called the “zoo” for more information, but the emergency drill had interrupted his plans.Under the microscope, the seventh Adam virus moved differently than before. In the absence of external stimuli, the cells appeared dead. However, with a slight stimulus, they rampaged like madmen.Watching this, Kwak Soohwan from the video came to mind. As Commander Jang said, he was impressive but seemed as uncontrollable as this virus. Yet, he had thrown Seokhwa to safety before the doors closed. Or perhaps he knew it was a drill and was just toying with him.Seokhwa felt a sense of relief mixed with anger. It wasn’t a real threat, so surviving the drill should be a good thing. However, he clenched the stone in his pocket tighter.***“Still angry, huh.”Late at night, Kwak Soohwan left the training room, looking the same as usual but with a rougher edge.“How did you know I’d be here?”Seokhwa looked down from the now-unused sky lounge. Once praised for its night views, it was now dark.“I asked around.”Kwak Soohwan’s neck bore fresh scratches, which he touched when he noticed Seokhwa’s gaze.“You also asked to change your guard.”“I retracted that request.”“Then know that we’re going to the zoo tomorrow.”Kwak Soohwan turned to leave, brushing dust off a grand piano, and blowing it away.“Do you know the current middle-class standard in Rainbow City, Dr. Seok?”Seokhwa remained silent, not wanting to engage.“It’s how many instruments you can play.”Playing an instrument implied living in a safe zone, unlike those constantly fleeing danger or living in areas with sound-sensitive Adams.Kwak Soohwan pressed a low note on the piano. He played a few chords, surprising Seokhwa with how incongruous his military uniform looked at the piano. He stopped playing and frowned slightly.“Don’t judge a book by its cover.”As he left the lounge, Seokhwa raised his voice slightly.“Major Kwak Soohwan.”“What? I thought you didn’t want to talk to me.”“According to Commander Jang,” Seokhwa began, fishing out the leftover nuts from his pocket and eating them slowly. He rinsed his mouth with water from the lounge, taking his time.“The Commander said you could have reached the 48th floor within the time Mother counted.”“That’s if I was alone.”“He said you could have done it even carrying me.”Kwak Soohwan crossed his arms, looking at Seokhwa.“Sure, maybe even with three Dr. Seoks on my back.”“There’s only one of me, so that’s not necessary.”“Fine. Even with all your stones, I could’ve made it.”“If that happens, please do.”Kwak Soohwan chuckled.“So why did you do it today?”He tilted his head, as if wondering himself. The lounge, once a restaurant, was softly lit, though the lights occasionally flickered.“To see a different expression on your face.”“Pardon?”“It’s hard to tell what you’re thinking with that sullen expression. We haven’t known each other for long, but do you think you’d cry if I died? Earlier, between those bars, your eyes looked like you were thinking, ‘If I’d known Major Kwak Soohwan would die like this, I would have given him a blowjob.'”“…Yeah, you’re right.”Kwak Soohwan was only teasing, but Seokhwa’s serious response left him feeling a bit odd. Despite his usual low energy and dazed demeanor, Seokhwa might be more emotional than he seemed. Half the reason Kwak Soohwan was sure of this was because Commander Jang mentioned Seokhwa was very upset.“Did you call me a bastard earlier?”“No… I did not.”With that, Seokhwa pressed his lips together tightly, glanced at the floor once, and then started to leave the lounge, passing by Kwak Soohwan. Kwak Soohwan followed him slowly, easily catching up with his slow steps. They walked down the hallway and into the elevator in silence. Since they were staying on the same floor, they had no choice but to get off at the same place. Seokhwa knew Kwak Soohwan was following him but didn’t look back.To be honest, Seokhwa had thought that way. If he had known it would turn out like this, he wouldn’t have called it disgusting. There’s a saying that even the dead get their last wishes granted, so maybe he should have obliged when Kwak Soohwan, a soldier always in danger, made such a request. He had considered it for exactly 0.23 seconds. Thus, the feeling of being mocked didn’t fade. It seemed like Kwak Soohwan was looking down on him. Seokhwa didn’t want to show any more dignity, but he didn’t want a repeat of today’s events.Seokhwa scanned his identity to enter his room.[Access granted.]Entering through the open door, Seokhwa finally turned around. He peeked out, looking at Kwak Soohwan, who stood a little way off, watching him.“Major Kwak Soohwan.”Why did he drop the honorific? His eerie tone didn’t suit him. Kwak Soohwan, smiling, waited for him to continue.Seokhwa took a deep breath, holding the door handle from inside. Then he spoke quickly.“From now on, don’t speak informally to me. And I called you a son of a bitch, not a bastard.”Kwak Soohwan, caught off guard, let out a puff of air, and the door closed faster than he could run to catch it.[Closing.]Unable to open the door, his hand turned into a fist. He lightly knocked on the door. “Son of a bitch.” Kwak Soohwan laughed and shook his head.Thinking back, the stone doctor had more guts than he thought. Even while believing it was a real situation, he told him to go up without him, twice. People usually want to survive no matter what in life-or-death situations.Kwak Soohwan was curious about what expression Seokhwa would make if he opened the door, but the surveillance camera blinking there made him think better of it.“Alright, Dr. Seok. The son of a bitch is leaving. I’ll be back to pick you up in the morning, barking all the way.”Inside, Seokhwa looked up at the ceiling. Kwak Soohwan kept barking until his voice faded away. He should have ignored him. Feeling drained again, Seokhwa unwrapped the nut bar. The syrup had melted and stuck to the wrapper due to his body heat. He lay down on the cold floor, letting the cool surface absorb his body heat. His mouth felt hot too. It was the first time he had cursed someone out loud.***Humanity’s impact on Earth was greater than imagined.Cities were filled with countless skyscrapers, factories, power plants, tunnels, and subways, making it hard to find untouched places. Humans created and maintained all these structures.Old buildings were maintained, and sewage and electricity systems ran safely due to human hands. The appearance of Adam showed how quickly things could deteriorate without constant human management. In the first few years, there were daily fires, tunnels and subways flooded, and abandoned concrete buildings gradually collapsed.Even the Han River Bridge outside the Yeouido shelter was overrun by plants. For non-human life, Earth might have become a utopia. But humanity was resilient, evolving rapidly to survive.As society changed and anxiety persisted, new religions emerged, some even worshiping Adam as a new human. Among them were rebels against Rainbow City. Eliminating threats to Rainbow City was one of the soldiers’ duties.Kwak Soohwan looked at the white wall, drinking whiskey he got from Yang Sanghoon. Whiskey and wine stocks were nearly depleted, and within a few years, only the elite might enjoy them. Though most people drank sparingly, Kwak Soohwan didn’t care, downing his drink.When he activated Project Beam, Mother’s voice came through the room’s speakers.“Mother, I request access to Code Secret 3121.”[Voice verified. Code Secret 3121 access granted to Kwak Soohwan. Level 1 classified information accessible. First, relaying a message from the Rainbow City Master.]Instead of Mother’s voice, text appeared on the screen.[Report the destruction of Oh Yangseok’s research data. The materials were reported burned after showing abnormal behavior, but with Oh Cheongwoon’s discovery in his home basement, it’s unclear if they were completely destroyed. Monitor Dr. Seok closely.]Higher-ups said Oh Yangseok started strange research after showing signs of dementia. But did he have such symptoms? How could he have had those sharp conversations over drinks with me?“What about the cult leader you wanted me to track?”[Preparing.]The screen displayed several low-quality photos. A man holding an apple was at the center of each.[The Eden Garden cult is rising quickly, aiming to separate Rainbow City from the Unified Nation. The man with the apple is known as the cult leader. Followers are spread across regions, and his last known location was in the 13 Red Zone, as you know, Kwak Soohwan.]He had almost gotten court-martialed after visiting the 13 Red Zone under the pretext of searching for stolen liquor. That’s how he ended up as Seokhwa’s bodyguard.“Investigate the cult leader’s connection to Dr. Oh Yangseok.”[Loading data. No connection found in existing records.]“Useless.”Mother, designed long ago based on AI capabilities, rarely provided clear answers beyond its stored data. Developing vaccines and eradicating Adam still fell to humans.[End session?]“No, wait. Pull up Dr. Seok’s data.”After a few seconds of loading, data appeared on the wall along with Seokhwa’s face. Kwak Soohwan meticulously read through the detailed information about Seokhwa with his eyes.[From great-grandparents to everyone originating from Jeju Island, father undisclosed and mother deceased a few years ago. Demonstrated outstanding academic achievements from Jeju Island Learning Center to Yeouido Center, including vaccine research, and successfully eliminated side effects of libido suppressants during the period at Yeouido Shelter. Developed improved varieties of corn and barley, as well as various health supplements.]“When Dr. Seok was in Seoul, Adam was in the 7th mutation phase, so he seemed relatively relaxed, but he developed and commercialized everything. Kwak Soohwan took another sip of whiskey.”[During his time at Yeouido Shelter, conducted mutation research with the late Oh Yangseok.]“Mutation research?”“Researching and studying people born with genetic material changes, including Dr. Seok himself. Upon returning to the shelter, it seems he resumed mutation research. No signs of insurgent tendencies.”Additional information at the bottom that Kwak Soohwan also knew well:[Dr. Seok’s mutation obsession characteristic: stone.]“End.”Soon, the project beam that illuminated the wall turned off, and the surroundings darkened.“Ha, it’s cold. My balls are freezing. If the seminal tank freezes, we’re screwed.”Yang Sanghoon sighed heavily outside the jeep. He parked the car on the first floor of the shelter and waited for the others.“Who cares about the tank. Idiot. Damn it, I’m pissed off. Why isn’t our pure Dr. coming out?”“Didn’t Kwak Soohwan say he’s bringing him?”“Probably, right?”Lee Chaeyoon checked the clock embedded in the jeep. It was already 9:15, but Kwak Soohwan and the doctor hadn’t shown up.“I’ll go up and come back.”“No need for that.”Kwak Soohwan was walking slowly from over there. Beside him was Seokhwa, carrying a backpack as large as his own size.“Hey, why did you make the doctor carry such a big backpack? Doctor, I’ll take this.”Yang Sanghoon hurriedly tried to take the backpack in surprise.“If you say you’ll carry it, what’s the use? Besides, it’s surprisingly light.”“Yes, I can carry it. It’s light.”“Light enough to fly if we tied balloons to it.”“Why are you talking about impossible things?”“Isn’t Dr. Seok himself trying impossible things?”Lee Chaeyoon and Yang Sanghoon exchanged glances. Whether it was because of yesterday’s incident or some other reason, their relationship seemed chilly at a glance.“Ah, it’s cold. Let’s get in quickly, haha. Otherwise, our seminal tank will freeze.”Yang Sanghoon tried to lighten the mood by laughing, but he saw it clearly. Seokhwa frowned ever so slightly.There was a reason why Seokhwa’s already chilly mood worsened. It was none other than Kwak Soohwan. He barely managed to wake up on time, took a shower, and went to the infirmary, only to find the infirmary director absent. Anyway, he found the saline solution arranged there and checked the user’s name.He pulled the cap covering the needle of the syringe and sucked up the saline solution. Those in the shelter affiliated with Rainbow City were all familiar with basic emergency procedures and how to administer injections. You also have to know how to put the vaccine down.Seokhwa wiped his forearm with a sterilized cotton ball and then inserted the needle. The infirmary door opened the moment he pushed the piston completely.“Dr. Seok?” Kwak Soohwan asked, immediately changing his words to “Dr. Seok?”“Oh, right. Can’t dogs talk?”Seokhwa glanced briefly at Kwak Soohwan, who was smiling, and then pushed the piston completely.“What’s that?”Kwak Soohwan, who walked and closed the door, showed interest in the injection.“Libido suppressant.”“What?”He asked if what I just heard was really true, and he said it with a face that it didn’t make sense. Seokhwa did not know what the problem was and pressed his forearm with a cotton ball.“I’m also a celibate.”He also gets up every morning.“And it’s been right before. Not to mention that when you don’t need libido during research.”Kwak Soohwan was amazed at Seokhwa, who suddenly came in and said nothing. Then he soon smiled like a villain and looked at Seokhwa’s face.“Really? Do you have libido? Have you ever put it in? Is it not faint as soon as you put it in?”The question poured out without a break, and it was also clear that it was also a joke.“I’ve been telling you not to speak informally.”“Get used to it. Now I can’t fix it either.”Seokhwa listened to Kwak Soohwan’s words with one ear and let the other go.“Kwak Soohwan Major, why did you come?”“Isn’t it a lie to say you’re here to take Dr. Seok?”Kwak Soohwan knocked on his neck. The injuries sustained during training yesterday ignored the normal physical recovery rate and had healed.“As much as you need to go to the Red Zone, you should prepare for it.”Almost all of it was cured, but if Adam’s blood is sprayed and soaked into the tissue, it could be awkward. Kwak Soohwan could tell just by his actions, even without speaking until the end. Kwak Soohwan pulled out a band and put it on the wound. In terms of visibility, only faint traces remained. It seemed surprising, but it wasn’t that bad. Seokhwa was interested in Kwak Soohwan as a researcher.“By the way, Kwak Soohwan Major’s sperm.”Out of the blue, Kwak Soohwan glanced down at Seokhwa, who was sitting there. He tossed the cotton ball into the trash and shrugged off the sweater he had been wearing, letting it fall to the ground.“Oh Yangseok was alive when I was instructed from above to conduct research on mutations with him. At that time, Major Kwak Soohwan was not present at this shelter.”“But?”“Everyone else left samples collected, including sperm. However, no data was found for Major Kwak Soohwan.”Dr. Oh Yangseok wouldn’t have overlooked Kwak Soohwan, whom even the Yeouido Shelter recognized as a soldier. Seokhwa sat up straight and looked Kwak Soohwan in the eye, to which he responded with a dismissive gesture.“He did ask me for sperm when he was alive. But just looking at his face now, I’m afraid it’s dead. How could I give him that?”In reality, collecting sperm was simple. Most often, it involved watching explicit videos or magazines for self-stimulation and ejaculating into a cup. However, in some cases, direct extraction from the testicles was required. Even if Dr. Oh Yangseok had requested it, it would have been difficult to forcibly collect Kwak Soohwan’s sperm if he didn’t want to.“Did you collect your own sperm, Dr. Seok?”“I did it a long time ago.”“Through masturbation?”Kwak Soohwan pulled over an empty chair and sat facing Seokhwa. With his legs spread and palms flat on his lap, he leaned forward slightly, staring directly at Seokhwa.“But…”Seokhwa responded without any change in facial expression.“What were you watching while masturbating?”“I don’t remember.”“Heterosexual material? Or homosexual?”“Look here, Major Kwak Soohwan. Is it necessary to discuss this now? After we return from the Red Zone, I expect Major Kwak Soohwan’s sperm to be submitted.”Kwak Soohwan scratched his chin and chuckled. Despite his attempts to lighten the mood, Kwak Soohwan often seemed more amused than foolish.“I think I mentioned to you that Dr. Oh Yangseok’s libido suppressant had side effects, but upon reconsideration, it seems there weren’t any. Did you have trouble getting an erection this morning? Dr. Seok’s research is undoubtedly flawless.”He had a way of getting under people’s skin. Seokhwa sought to cool off by finding a stone, but having come out in jeans, he returned empty-handed.“I’ll extract it directly from the testicles after we return from the Red Zone.”Seokhwa got up from his seat. Kwak Soohwan followed suit and whispered behind Seokhwa.“Be gentle with me, honey.”This concluded their morning encounter. Seokhwa remained cold, and Kwak Soohwan acted as usual. Inside the jeep, the only occupants were Yang Sanghoon driving and Lee Chaeyoon in the passenger seat.As they drove, they passed areas where the Adam retrieval teams were handling bodies and disinfecting the surroundings. It was a sight Seokhwa hadn’t seen in a while, and although circumstances had led him to Jeju Island, he also felt a reluctance to return to Yeouido. The shelter was not an impenetrable fortress; he could have been attacked by Adam without warning and been eaten while unconscious. Despite being referred to as senior researchers, they had never produced a perfect research result in one go.One reason he had no choice but to go to Rainbow City was his mother.He didn’t know until the day she died, but if he didn’t go to Yeouido Shelter, she threatened to kick the entire family out of Jeju Island. She said there was no reason for a citizen who wasn’t protected.Those called superiors lived amiably in places free from Adam’s threats. Even within Jeju Island, those who lived on Udo were the upper echelons of Rainbow City.The soldiers inside the jeep were undoubtedly the bulletproof vest Kwak Soohwan mentioned. Seokhwa, who had been looking out, turned his gaze back into the jeep. Kwak Soohwan was staring intently at him.“Dr. Seok.”As if waiting for their eyes to meet, he looked away.“How much do you know about Dr. Oh Yangseok?”Lee Chaeyoon, who had been playing the mood, turned around through the rearview mirror. If he had hoped for an interesting story, he simply lit a cigarette with the window open.“What do you mean by asking?”Seokhwa took a few peanuts out of his backpack and chewed on them.“He worked with Dr. Oh Yangseok on research. Whether it was a viral mutation or a sudden mutation.”“Oh! I really hate that term ‘mutation.’ Even more than Lee Chaeyoon’s voice!”Lee Chaeyoon shouted with a cackle. Kwak Soohwan pulled up the barrier separating the front and back of the jeep to its fullest. Despite Lee Chaeyoon’s yelling, the soundproofing was quite good.“He did indeed work with Dr. Oh Yangseok.”“Was there anything peculiar about that genius?”Seokhwa briefly pondered Dr. Oh Yangseok. He was a senior researcher who didn’t seem remarkable in retrospect, but he did have a secretive side. There were times he left without reporting to superiors and jumped when someone appeared while he was immersed in something in the lab. Of course, if the person who appeared was Seokhwa, he was relieved.“Why are you asking about that?”“Does Dr. Seok have no interest in religion or anything?”“Ha… It doesn’t suit you.”Seokhwa looked out the window again, as if tired. He meant to speak concisely without beating around the bush. Seokhwa himself tended to throw out only the essentials when he had something to say.Kwak Soohwan turned off the power to the video recording device in the center of the rear seat. Seokhwa also suspected why he had disabled the black box. He was going to bring up something secretive.“Do you know what Dr. Oh Yangseok was researching?”“The 7th Adam vaccine.”“I wonder if Dr. Oh Yangseok died because of that. Dr. Seok is smart. Did you find anything strange among the things Dr. Oh Yangseok brought home?”Seokhwa didn’t sense why this man suddenly began delving deeply into Oh Yangseok.“Most of the data I brought back was torn or stained with blood. But what does religion have to do with it?”Kwak Soohwan shrugged, as if it was nothing important.“I thought I might try to take an interest in religion now.”“…It doesn’t suit you.”Speaking quietly, Kwak Soohwan took a few peanuts from his hand, tossed them into his mouth, chewed a few times, and crushed them.“Eden.”Kwak Soohwan, having casually mentioned the word, closely observed Seokhwa. According to Mother’s data, Seokhwa had no rebellious tendencies, but people can be unpredictable.As Seokhwa faced Kwak Soohwan, who was smiling, he recalled Oh Yangseok’s journal.[Eden. A startling fact. The higher-ups don’t want it.]Should he say something? The document was accessible to anyone in his position, so anyone could read it if they wanted to. Plus, if he tried to hide the information, it could raise unwanted suspicions. Rainbow City was maintained under strict control, ensuring safety.“There was a mention of Eden in Dr. Oh Yangseok’s journal.”“Really?”Kwak Soohwan reacted with surprise.“A startling fact. The higher-ups don’t want it.”“What?”“That’s all it says in the journal. Nothing else.”What Eden was or why the higher-ups didn’t want it didn’t concern him. He was just a researcher, focusing on work for a better world. However, one thing puzzled him—there was no clear research data from Oh Yangseok regarding the 7th vaccine. No hypotheses or experiments were recorded, so Seokhwa had visited Dr. Oh Yangseok’s house. If it were the Dr. Oh he knew, who claimed Adam had mutated, he wouldn’t have remained idle.‘Did they cut him off? I get Major Kwak Soohwan, but the doctor is a whole different story,’ Seokhwa still vividly remembered that voice. He fiddled with the stone in his jumper pocket.After Dr. Oh Yangseok’s death, Seokhwa had to move from Jeju Island to the Yeouido Shelter. Kwak Soohwan, who had been caught stealing alcohol in Zone 13, became his bodyguard instead of being sent to the stockade. Although security wasn’t needed inside the shelter, Kwak Soohwan still followed him around and, oddly enough for a soldier, took an interest in the journal Seokhwa brought from Dr. Oh Yangseok’s house. Given that Kwak Soohwan had mentioned Eden first, there was undoubtedly something he knew that Seokhwa didn’t.Could it be that Kwak Soohwan was indeed the one who killed Oh Yangseok, as Dr. Kim suggested?“Major Kwak Soohwan, are you the one who killed Dr. Oh Yangseok?”Kwak Soohwan turned his whole body to face Seokhwa, the rustling of his uniform sounding eerie. He reached out, scratching Seokhwa’s palm with his index finger. The ticklish sensation made Seokhwa clench his fist, but Kwak Soohwan rolled a peanut up to his wrist and flicked it into Seokhwa’s slightly parted mouth.“What conclusion led you to that thought? But no, I didn’t do it. Still, who knows, maybe the rebels did. Or it could have been one of his colleagues who didn’t like him, or…”“Or the higher-ups, who didn’t want Dr. Oh Yangseok doing something they didn’t like, might have… killed him.”The peanut in his mouth became soggy.“That’s a pretty dangerous statement.”Good thing it’s off. Kwak Soohwan pointed to the switched-off video recorder.Knock, knock. Lee Chaeyoon tapped on the partition window. She mouthed the words ‘We’ve arrived’ to the two men behind her. Kwak Soohwan turned the video recorder back on. When he suddenly reached out towards Seokhwa, he instinctively leaned back against the seat. He couldn’t tell why it felt threatening.Click. Kwak Soohwan opened the door, leaning close with a smile.“Time to get off, Doctor.”Seokhwa slowly surveyed Lee Chaeyoon and Yang Sanghoon, who walked ahead, and then turned his focus to Kwak Soohwan beside him. The three soldiers showed no signs of tension, even though they had entered the Red Zone. Despite being called the Red Zone, the area within a 1 km radius of the zoo was as safe as the Green Zone. The inside was even more surprising. What was merely referred to as a zoo turned out to be an actual safari that had once operated on the outskirts. The predator enclosures were closed, and only the buildings that housed primates remained in use.“Dr. Seok, are you that excited?”Kwak Soohwan pointed at Seokhwa’s face. His cheeks were flushed, making him look like someone thrilled to go on a trip. It was simply due to his body’s warmth, so he didn’t respond.“Excited? Dr., I’m excited too! I’ve only ever seen zoos on video in the shelter, and it’s crazy! They say you could even see lions and tigers back in the day. Wow, I’d love to face off against a tiger!”Lee Chaeyoon, oddly enthusiastic, bounced around like a child.“Tigers are incredibly strong. But I’d be stronger, right? Dr., have you ever seen one in person? They say they protect them in Jeju.”Most of the large predators, including tigers, were endangered species protected by the Unified Nation. But Seokhwa had never seen them in person.“No, I haven’t either.”“I’d love to face one.”Yang Sanghoon suddenly licked his lips. What’s the benefit of fighting a predator? Still, watching them boast about their strength felt oddly innocent. Seokhwa smiled faintly at their simplicity.“You’re not seriously smiling, are you?”“What if I am?”Seokhwa gripped the strap of his backpack.“Have you ever laughed out loud in your life?”“What about you, Major Kwak Soohwan?”“I have, of course. I laugh all the time.”Somehow, it was hard to imagine Kwak Soohwan laughing out loud. His backpack felt unusually light. Maybe the strength-enhancing drugs were finally kicking in, making him walk faster, but suddenly, his body jolted backward. Kwak Soohwan must not have expected him to move forward so quickly, and caught off guard, he quickly embraced Seokhwa. It turned out that Kwak Soohwan had been lifting the weight of the backpack by hooking his hand on it.Seokhwa pushed Kwak Soohwan’s arm off and handed over the backpack.He thought Kwak Soohwan would tease him with something like, “Isn’t Dr. Seok going to carry it himself?” but instead, Kwak Soohwan just slung it over one shoulder.“Thank you.”“Let me know if it gets tough. I can carry you too.”“I’m not that weak yet.”With his naturally warm body, Seokhwa found it better outside than in the heated shelter or jeep.[Primates’ House]Looking up at the building, he exhaled white breath. The three-story primate house wasn’t very large. When Kwak Soohwan pressed the bell, the thick iron door opened with a scraping sound. It didn’t seem like the interior was heated, as the soldier who opened the door also exhaled a cloud of white breath.“Welcome. I’m Captain Kang Cheoloh, from the White Skull Platoon.”The captain stood at attention, saluting, but Lee Chaeyoon waved it off, saying formalities weren’t necessary.“Let’s move quickly. You received the instructions from Yeouido Shelter, right?”“Yes, Major. We’ve captured three of the seventh-generation Adams. I’ll lead you to them.”The captain took the lead, and as everyone stepped inside, the heavy iron door shut firmly behind them. If the Adams were confined, one might expect to hear their beastly sounds, but the primate house was silent. Instead, only the regular thudding of soldiers’ boots echoed, occasionally interrupted by deep booms that reverberated through the building.Seokhwa had seen Adams many times before. Of course, not as often as the soldiers who had to confront them, but he had once spent an entire day observing an Adam from behind bulletproof glass to study its behavior.“This way.”The captain led them to what appeared to be a control room. A large window filled the front wall, and beyond the glass, three figures—Adams—stood in a small room, all facing the wall.“Why are they like that?” Yang Sanghoon asked first.“If they receive no stimulus, they don’t move at all. They’ll even sit or lie down.”“What?” Seokhwa responded in surprise. The captain, noticing Seokhwa’s researcher badge, straightened up again.“Doctor, you might find this a bit shocking.”The captain was about to suggest Seokhwa step back, but Seokhwa moved closer instead. The Adams showed no sign of movement, almost as if they were conserving their energy. After observing them for a while, Kwak Soohwan suddenly slammed his hand against the glass with a loud bang!Startled, Seokhwa gasped, feeling the window shake as if it would break. Simultaneously, the three Adams, who had been staring at the wall, hurled themselves toward the glass like raging demons. Seokhwa tensed his legs, determined not to step back. He knew the glass wouldn’t break from their strength, but the sight of their bloodshot eyes and wide-open mouths, as if they were silently screaming, made the situation feel somewhat surreal.“Is the soundproofing… that good?”“Soundproofing? Oh, no. As per upper management’s orders when we captured them, their tongues and vocal cords were cut.”The captain smiled as he explained. Their tongues and vocal cords were cut? While the Adams’ monstrous screams were indeed unsettling, cutting their vocal cords had never been part of standard procedure before. Adams were supposed to be studied in their natural state, so this seemed incomprehensible to Seokhwa.“Did these Adams retreat?”Lee Chaeyoon approached the glass and mimicked the Adams by banging her forehead against the window. Yang Sanghoon laughed, egging her on, saying she was doing a great job.“That… I’m not sure. Our only job was to capture them and hold them here.”“And they didn’t say anything?”“Say anything?”The captain scratched the back of his neck, puzzled by the question.“Like I said, their tongues were removed right after they were captured. Very thoroughly.”“Doctor!”Lee Chaeyoon’s voice startled Seokhwa.“Are you curious if they retreat? Should I go in there and fight them?”“No, please don’t.”“I’m super strong. I’d win against them easily.”“It’s fine, really.”The research facility already had more than enough virus samples from the seventh-generation mutant Adams. Seokhwa had come to see them in person only because they were exhibiting strange behavior. Sometimes, you gain more insight from the field than sitting in the lab.Bang!Bang!One of the Adams began slamming its head against the glass. The impact was so forceful that its forehead split open, smearing blood across the window. Bang! Seokhwa found himself locking eyes with the creature, whose unnaturally twisted head was now staring directly at him.As it exhaled, condensation formed on the glass. The creature opened and closed its mouth slowly, as if it were trying to speak. Seokhwa quickly glanced at the other two Adams, who were still raging against the glass. But this one—this one seemed different, repeatedly mouthing something.Just as Seokhwa was about to mimic the creature’s lip movements, it happened.“Ugh!”A torrent of blood gushed from the Adam’s throat, spraying against the glass like spilled paint. Thick, sticky blood trickled down the window, as though the creature had expelled every drop from its body. The Adam collapsed onto the floor, seemingly lifeless. Seokhwa’s heart pounded in his chest.“Looks like it’s done for,” Lee Chaeyoon remarked, pointing at the body sprawled on the floor.“Yes, we’ll take care of it immediately. Doctor?”“…”“Doctor?”The captain called out to Seokhwa repeatedly, but Kwak Soohwan signaled for him to stop, watching Seokhwa closely to make sure he wouldn’t pass out. Contrary to his expectations, Seokhwa soon regained his composure and spoke.“How long have these Adams been held here?”“About two weeks.”“And where were they captured?”“In Red Zone 13.”Adams could survive without consuming blood or flesh for about three months, though some were believed to live much longer.“If there’s nothing else you need, shall we dispose of them?”Adams were never kept for long, as it was impossible to predict when they might become dangerous.“Dispose of them.”Kwak Soohwan answered on Seokhwa’s behalf, watching him closely as his pale complexion slowly returned to normal.“Eve…”Seokhwa muttered quietly. It was the word the Adam had been mouthing.