Ep 7 "The Child That Shouldn't Exist"

Episode 7 - Opening

Inside the warm tent, the sound of nature still flowed softly. Leaves rustled gently outside, and the river continued to run with its calming murmur. Shin slept curled up in a small corner of the tent, his body tightly coiled like a cat, the blanket covering part of his face.

But beneath that peaceful expression, a dark dream began to creep in.

In her dream, Shin stood in a cold corridor lined with metal. Dim lights flickered overhead, and the walls smelled of antiseptic. The floor was wet—a mix of water, blood, and chemical fluids from unknown sources. She trembled, wearing a dull white prison uniform, bare feet against the cold floor.

Faint screams could be heard from beyond the walls. Screams... crying... and the sound of machines.

At the end of the hallway, she saw a small figure... a kitten, sitting silently with its head lowered. But something was off—its legs were human, its small hands had fingers. Its ears and tail twitched slightly, and its face looked like... her own. A mirror of a much more fragile past.

The child looked at Shin with the same eyes—eyes of trauma.

Then, a heavy sound echoed from behind. The steps of boots. Doors opened. Large metal hands grabbed the small figure, dragging it away. The kitten screamed, scratched, but couldn’t fight back. It was taken into the irradiation room. Its scream echoed, then... silence.

Shin tried to run, but the floor swallowed her. Her hands wouldn’t move. When she forced herself to turn her head, she was no longer standing—her own body now strapped to a metal chair. Cold. Unable to breathe.

A syringe approached. A white light shone in her eyes. Voices of uniformed people surrounded her.

“Object 404... final stage emotional test.”

Shin struggled. Her eyes widened. She screamed—

“NOT AGAIN!! I’M NOT—!!”

Suddenly she shot upright inside the tent. Her breathing was ragged, her body drenched in sweat despite the cold night air. The blanket had fallen away, her eyes red, her hands digging into the ground.

Her heavy breaths echoed in the silence. Morning light had yet to rise. Outside, the sky was still a deep blue. Only her rapid breathing filled the previously calm tent.

And in the haze of returning awareness, she murmured weakly:

"...Why... why do I still feel like I’m there...?"

---

#1

(Shin’s ragged breathing broke the silence. Her sudden movement caused the blanket to fall, and in her panicked reflex, she shifted back, accidentally touching Soutarou’s leg.)

Soutarou:

"...Hngh... Shin?"

Shin:

(startled)

"S-Soutarou...!"

Soutarou:

(slowly sitting up, still half-asleep)

"What’s wrong? You had a nightmare?"

Shin:

(pauses briefly, then suddenly hugs Soutarou tightly)

"...Don’t go... Don’t leave me alone..."

Soutarou:

(surprised, but quickly soothes her by rubbing her back)

"I’m here. Not going anywhere."

Shin:

(trembling)

"I went back... to that lab... they—they took me again..."

Soutarou:

"It was just a dream. You’re free now, Shin."

Shin:

"But it felt real... their voices... the machines... everything came back..."

Soutarou:

"Ssh... breathe slow. Look at me. You’re in a tent, not there."

Shin:

(sobbing quietly, still clinging tight)

"I don’t want to go back to that place..."

Soutarou:

"You won’t go back. As long as I’m here, no one’s touching you."

(Akuro, who had been sleeping on the other side, slowly opened his eyes. His pendant glowed softly, and in a brief flash, his body shifted into human form.)

Akuro:

(low voice)

"Something’s wrong?"

Soutarou:

"Shin had a nightmare."

Akuro:

(slowly approaching, looking at Shin seriously)

"...Did they appear in your dream?"

Shin:

(weak nod, hoarse voice)

"They... and a smaller version of me..."

Soutarou:

"That’s a wound that hasn’t healed. But we’ll help it heal, slowly."

Akuro:

(bows his head slightly)

"Dreams can reflect our deepest fears. But they’re also proof you still feel."

Shin:

"...I hate this feeling."

Soutarou:

"I know. But you’re not alone anymore."

Shin:

(breath beginning to calm, voice softer)

"...Sorry for waking you guys."

Soutarou:

"Don’t say sorry for being scared. It’s not your fault."

Akuro:

"With a whole body and soul, you’re allowed to be afraid. It’s part of survivin

g."

Shin:

"...Thank you. Both of you..."

Soutarou:

"Let’s lie back down. But now... we’ll all keep watch together."

2

(Shin is still sitting, his hands trembling, his face pale even though his body is warmer from the earlier hug. He bites his lip, then suddenly starts speaking fast—too fast.)

Shin:

"He... he was so small, like a kitten, but also like me! Then he was taken, then that machine sound came back, then I was sitting on a metal chair and—and—the needle—"

Soutarou:

"Eh—eh, Shin! Slow down... slow down first!"

Shin:

(breathing ragged)

"They pulled me! I couldn't move, the lights turned on, then—they said 'final stage emotion test'—I could only—"

Soutarou:

(holding Shin’s shoulders, firm but gentle)

"Shin. Look at me. Breathe. Slowly."

Shin:

(pauses briefly, still panicked)

"I... I have to talk... so I don't go crazy..."

Soutarou:

"I get it, but you need to calm down first. I can’t understand you if you talk that fast."

Akuro:

(calm, from behind)

"Deep breath, Shin. Then let it out slowly. Focus on the sound of the fire."

Shin:

(tries to breathe, but still sobbing)

"I... I just don’t want it to happen again..."

Soutarou:

"It won’t happen again. But we can help you better if you speak slowly."

Shin:

(takes a deeper breath)

"...Okay. I’ll try..."

Soutarou:

"Good. Now start from the beginning. Who did you see?"

Shin:

"...Myself. But small. Like... a kitten. Half-human, half-animal."

Akuro:

"...A reflection of your earliest memory. That form... might be the part of you most hurt."

Soutarou:

(pauses for a moment, looking at Shin gently)

"And you wanted to save him, didn’t you?"

Shin:

"...Yeah. But I couldn’t. I just... watched."

Soutarou:

"We’re gonna help you change that. So you’re not just watching anymore."

---

3

Akuro:

"...Change that? What do you mean?"

Soutarou:

"I mean... we’ll help Shin so he’s not just a victim in his dreams."

Akuro:

"But dreams aren’t real. How can they be changed?"

Soutarou:

"Dreams come from the mind. If we help calm his mind, the dream can change too."

Akuro:

"...You humans are weird."

Shin:

(smiles weakly)

"Sometimes... yeah."

Akuro:

"If I dream of being chased by a cat, I just wake up and chase it back."

Soutarou:

"That’s... not a common solution, but I like the energy."

Shin:

"So... I can chase them back too?"

Soutarou:

"Someday. But for now, what matters is... you’re not alone."

---

4

(The night wind calms again. The campfire has turned into warm red embers. After talking, the three of them begin lying back down inside the tent that now feels just a little more comfortable than before.)

Soutarou:

"When you’re ready, try closing your eyes again, Shin."

Shin:

"...If that dream comes back..."

Soutarou:

"I’m here. Wake me if you need to."

Akuro:

"I’ll wake too. I heard your breath change before you screamed."

Shin:

"...You guys are weird, but... I’m glad you’re here."

Soutarou:

"We’re glad you’re still here too, Shin."

Shin:

"If the nightmare comes back... I’ll kick it back."

Soutarou:

"That’s the spirit. Combat cat."

Akuro:

(slight smile)

"Just don’t scratch us in your sleep."

Shin:

"...No promises."

Soutarou:

"Haha. Okay, let’s get back to sleep."

(Shin curls up again in his favorite corner, blanket pulled up to his nose. His breathing begins to slow, his body relaxing. Soutarou and Akuro glance at each other briefly before closing their eyes too.)

The sound of nature returns as the background music, and that night... the three of them fall asleep again—this time with slightly calmer hearts.

---

5

(In the distance, beyond the darkness of the trees and shadows of the night, several fully armed figures move silently. They wear matte black combat armor, their steps silent. On their chests, an emblem shaped like a vulture skull—Vulture Team.)

Hunter 1:

"Target is within a 300-meter radius. Magic activity detected a brief transformation surge moments ago."

Hunter 2:

"Confirming primary target: Subject 404. Focus solely on that object."

Hunter 3:

"Same orders? Non-lethal capture?"

Hunter 1:

"For now. But if the subject shows extreme resistance... we initiate Black Wing protocol."

Hunter 4:

"So this... is a containment or execution mission?"

Hunter 1:

"Retrieval. But you know who we’re chasing. Don’t underestimate the target, or the ones guarding them."

Hunter 2:

"I still can’t believe it. That kid—404—can trigger high-level magic bursts. How is that possible?"

Hunter 3:

"Because he’s not a normal kid. We’re talking about a priority experiment subject. Half entity, half... something unclassified."

Hunter 4:

"Do we have updated intel on the two beings with him?"

Hunter 1:

"No. But the last visual confirmed the presence of a winged entity and one human with high energy potential."

Hunter 2:

"If they fight again like yesterday, we’re... doomed."

Hunter 3:

"We’re not a regular squad. We’re Vulture."

Hunter 1:

"Right. We don’t stalk. We hunt. Primary target: Shin. Secure or eliminate—whatever

 it takes."

(They stop at a ridge above, slowly forming a circular formation, setting up equipment and deploying a magic signal jammer. In silence, their pursuit mission begins anew.)

#6

(The night remains dark, but the footsteps of the Vulture Team hunters grow closer. They creep between bushes and stones until the small tent near the river comes into view. Three silhouettes are visible inside—one in the corner, one in the center, one near the door.)

Hunter 1:

"Visual confirmation. Target and two entities present."

Hunter 2:

"No active magic barriers. We have an opening."

Hunter 3:

"Stun devices ready. Fire simultaneously."

Hunter 1:

"Countdown... three... two... one—fire!"

BZZT-BANG!!

(A sound like an electric bullet whizzes through the air. Within seconds, the stunning agent pierces the tent, striking the sleeping bodies.)

Soutarou:

"AAAGH—!! What—?!"

Shin:

"AACKK!! W-what is that?!—Ugh... I... can't move!"

Akuro:

(in human form, reflexively wakes but collapses to his knees)

"Nghh—they... attacked... from outside—!"

Hunter 2:

"Impact successful. Physical responses confirm the agent is working perfectly."

Hunter 3:

"They're conscious, but paralyzed. Target is secure."

Soutarou:

(lying down, gritting his teeth)

"Who... are you...?!"

Shin:

(trembling, short breath)

"They... came... I know that sound..."

Hunter 1:

"Subject 404—locked."

Akuro:

(breathing heavily)

"If I could move... you'd—"

Hunter 2:

"You can't. This agent was specially made for active magical entities."

Hunter 3:

"Take them. Helicopter arriving in two minutes."

Soutarou:

(struggling with all his might, failing)

"We won’t... just sit here..."

Hunter 1:

"And we don't need you to speak."

(The hunters attach metal restraints to their wrists, then begin lifting each one from the ground. Shin is taken first—his body limp, but his eyes full of fear.)

Shin:

"...Please... don't... take me back..."

Hunter 2:

"Silence."

(The sound of helicopter blades grows louder—approaching fast, cutting through the night. Powerless, the three are taken… back to the world they tried to leave behind.)

---

#7

(The helicopter's blades roar louder, shaking the air. The generated wind sends leaves flying, pressing against the hunters now preparing around the tent. A blinding white spotlight from the helicopter floods the area.)

Hunter 1:

"Helicopter in position. Prepare extraction."

Hunter 2:

"Take Subject 404 first. He's the priority."

Shin:

(softly sobbing)

"N-no... p-please... don't..."

Hunter 3:

"Stop talking. You’re only making it harder."

Soutarou:

(low voice, gritting his teeth)

"If... I could move... you’d already—"

Hunter 2:

"But you can’t. The stun agent worked flawlessly."

Akuro:

(straining hard, face tense)

"...You’ll pay... all of you... I'll burn you down..."

Hunter 4:

"This one's too mouthy. Extract immediately."

(An automatic magnetic harness descends from the helicopter, locking onto Shin’s body first. He’s lifted slowly, dangling limp, his eyes still open, full of fear.)

Shin:

(whispering)

"Soutarou... Akuro... I'm scared..."

Soutarou:

"SHIN!!"

Hunter 1:

"Restrain that one. He’s resisting the paralysis faster than expected."

Hunter 3:

"Get him now before it wears off."

(Soutarou is next—his body stiff but his breath steady.)

Soutarou:

"I’ll come back. I promise..."

Akuro:

(quiet but burning with rage)

"And I’ll make sure... none of you... get away..."

Hunter 2:

"Take the winged entity. Now."

(The final hook lifts Akuro, his body still in human form—stiff, eyes glowing with fury despite his immobilized body.)

Hunter 4:

"All three targets secured. Prepare for extraction."

Hunter 1:

"Deploy smoke cover. Erase our trace."

(One hunter drops a smoke bomb. Thick smoke blankets the area, masking all evidence. The three figures vanish into the sky, taken silently, unwillingly. The Vulture Team's mission: complete—for now.)

---

#8

(Inside the rumbling military helicopter, the interior glows dim red and the electronic navigation hums constantly. Shin, Soutarou, and Akuro sit side by side on a long metal bench, their bodies still heavy from the paralysis. As soon as they’re seated, several hunters move in swiftly.)

Hunter 1:

"Secure wrists immediately. Prioritize Subject 404."

Hunter 2:

(sitting in front of Shin, fitting black magic-lined cuffs)

"Hands forward. Move even a little—I’ll cut you."

Shin:

(body trembling, head down)

"...I... can’t move much..."

Soutarou:

(jaw tight, trying to rise)

"Touch him rough... and see what happens next."

Hunter 3:

(while cuffing Soutarou)

"You’re in no position to threaten anyone."

Akuro:

(low voice, piercing glare)

"When I can stand again... you’ll regret it."

Hunter 4:

"Winged entity, double cuffs. He's capable of shape-shifting even while weakened."

Soutarou:

(whispering to Shin)

"You okay...?"

Shin:

"...No. But I can still hear you guys."

Soutarou:

"That’s enough for now."

Hunter 2:

"All targets secured. Restraint seats locked."

Akuro:

"Where are you taking us?"

Hunter 1:

"Not your concern. Your job now... is silence."

(They sit in silence. The helicopter continues into the night, carrying them toward an unknown place—but certainly not a kind one.)

---

#9

(The helicopter finally slows after a full hour of flying. The roar of the blades fades as they land at a hidden underground facility. Once the doors open, cold, dry air greets them. The hunters stand and pull the three off the bench.)

Hunter 1:

"Paralysis wearing off. Time to walk on your own."

Shin:

(standing shakily, soft voice)

"...Where... are we...?"

Soutarou:

(looking around, jaw clenched)

"This scent... sterilized metal... we’re back in a lab."

Hunter 2:

"Move forward. No repeated commands."

Akuro:

(forced along, eyes glowing with rage)

"I won’t... go quietly."

Hunter 3:

(light jab to Akuro’s back)

"You don’t have a choice."

Akuro:

(tries to shift, cuffs glow red)

"—Tch...! These cuffs... suppress transformation..."

Hunter 4:

"Custom design. No magical form can activate while locked."

Shin:

(silent, blank stare at the white walls and ceiling lights)

"...This place..."

Soutarou:

(standing tall, steadying Shin)

"We’ll get out. I promise again."

(They’re led through narrow, cold hallways. Each step echoes. Finally, they arrive at a large, pale white room. Three separate steel tables await—equipped with automatic body restraints.)

Hunter 1:

"Place them at the observation stations. Subject 404 in the center."

Shin:

(seeing the tables, trembling)

"...No... please..."

Hunter 2:

(pushes him toward the table without hesitation)

"Position."

Soutarou:

"Touch him again, and I’ll make you crawl out of this place."

Akuro:

(resisting, held down by two hunters)

"Damn all of you..."

(Metal clamps lock their wrists and ankles to the tables. White lights shine directly onto their faces. Machines nearby start to power on—displays showing graphs, vitals, and scanning data.)

They’re no longer just captured.

They’ve returned… to the old hell.

And this time, no exit is in sight.

---

#10

(The room’s lights stabilize—cold and blinding. Machines hum softly, scanning devices and injection tools auto-calibrate. In the corner stands one person—a white-coated scientist with a clipboard in hand, expression calm and void of empathy.)

(The scientist glances at the three without emotion. The hunters have exited, leaving only him and the three “subjects” on the steel tables.)

Scientist:

"Subject 404. Emotional activity spiked significantly during pursuit. Very interesting."

Shin:

(sobbing, eyes red, body shaking)

"...Don’t... I don’t want to be here... please..."

Soutarou:

(furious, struggling against restraints)

"Let him go. Now!"

Scientist:

(head tilts slightly, noting something down)

"Protective response from companion unit—Subject S. Stable, but beginning mental resistance."

Akuro:

(low, filled with anger)

"I swear... once I’m free..."

Scientist:

"Subject A, winged entity. Energy levels dropped significantly. Cuffs functioning optimally."

Shin:

(tears falling fast, voice breaking)

"...I don’t want... I don’t want more injections... don’t attach that thing..."

Scientist:

(steps forward, presses a button near Shin’s table)

"Subject 404 will now undergo final genetic code verification. If failed... termination procedures will begin immediately."

Soutarou:

(shouting)

"You’re insane?! He’s still a child!"

Scientist:

"He’s not a child. He’s a subject. And subjects follow protocol."

Shin:

(crying harder, squirming on the table)

"I’M NOT A TOOL!! I’m alive!! I don’t belong to you!!"

Scientist:

(cal

mly, preparing a metal syringe)

"Initial phase begins now."

(A mechanical arm slowly descends from above, aiming directly at the side of Shin’s neck. His cries echo through the room—piercing under the white lights and cold hum of machinery. No other sound remains—only panic... and the quick-growing sense of loss.)

11

(The scientist took a syringe filled with bluish-clear liquid from a small metal tray beside the table. He pressed it gently, making sure there was no air in the tube. A soft click sounded as the needle was prepared.)

Scientist:

"Subject 404... executing phase one: motor system suppressor and internal magic isolation."

Shin:

(trembling, staring at the needle with wide eyes)

"No... please don't... don't inject that..."

Soutarou:

(struggling hard, voice full of anger)

"STOP!! I said STOP!!"

Akuro:

(screaming)

"Let go of her! I’ll tear your face apart the moment I get free!"

Scientist:

(unfazed, injecting the needle into the side of Shin’s neck)

"You’ll feel cold and pain. Endure."

Shin:

"A-AAAAAGH!!"

(The liquid was slowly administered. Shin’s body immediately tensed, then shivered. Her breath caught, eyes blinking rapidly. The substance worked brutally—shutting down motor functions and isolating the mana flow from within.)

Scientist:

"Phase one complete. Biological response within estimate."

Soutarou:

(jaw clenched, growling softly)

"I’ll make sure... you don’t walk out of this place alive..."

Scientist:

(sealing the syringe and replacing it with a sterile small knife from the tray)

"Phase two: blood extraction. Manual method, light incision."

Shin:

(panting, small voice)

"...Why... do you always hurt me..."

Akuro:

"She’s not an object. She’s a child! She has a heart!!"

(The scientist didn’t answer. Calmly, he pulled Shin’s arm to the side of the table and made a small cut below her wrist. Fresh red blood began to drip into a small vial beneath the collector.)

Shin:

(weakly squirming, sobbing in panic)

"...Stop... please... it’s enough..."

Scientist:

(while jotting down numbers on a clipboard)

"Five drops. Viscosity stable. Active DNA. Phase two complete."

(The blood continued to drip slowly. Shin’s face turned pale, not from blood loss… but from the sense of losing hope, again.)

Soutarou:

(whispering, teeth clenched)

"Shin... hold on. We’re here. We’re not letting this go."

---

12

(Shin lay weak on the metal table, her body barely moving. The cut on her arm had stopped bleeding, but her skin was pale and cold sweat drenched her temple. Her breath was labored, irregular, chest rising and falling rapidly, then suddenly slowing.)

Shin:

"...Ughh... m-my head... hot... and cold... at once..."

Soutarou:

(yelling in panic)

"Shin?! Hey, answer me!"

Akuro:

"She’s lost too much mana at once! That stuff is too strong!"

Shin:

(her voice starting to fade, like talking in a dream)

"...I... hear water... there's light... blue... or... maybe purple...?"

Scientist:

(looking at Shin’s vital monitor, still in a flat tone)

"Unstable breathing. Body temperature dropping. Symptoms of dispersed magical concentration."

Soutarou:

(struggling in fury)

"YOU’RE KILLING HER!! STOP THIS NOW!!"

Shin:

(voice growing softer, eyes nearly closed)

"...I... want to sleep... just for a bit..."

Akuro:

(blood boiling)

"You’re killing her... for data?! She’s a child!!"

Scientist:

(not turning)

"Subject shows vital decrease, but not at critical limit. Observation continues."

Shin:

(unclear mumbling)

"...Soutarou...? You... still here...?"

Soutarou:

(his voice cracking)

"I’m here, Shin! I’m here! Listen to my voice! Don’t sleep!"

Shin:

(breath shaky, almost a whisper)

"...I’m scared... this place... it’s so dark..."

(The scientist stared at the monitor, then noted the slow drop in heartbeat.)

Scientist:

"Phase three should be postponed. Subject is on the verge."

But there was no certainty… whether they would really stop.

And time for Shin… was running out.

---

13

(Shin lay even weaker. Her eyes were half-closed, her body trembling faintly. Her breath now came in short, unstable gasps—like a candle about to go out.)

Shin:

"...Souta...rou..."

Soutarou:

"Shin! Hey! Hold on! Listen to me!"

Shin:

(faint voice)

"...If I sleep... and don’t wake up... you can be mad, okay..."

Soutarou:

"Don’t say that—don’t close your eyes!"

Shin:

"...Sorry... I’m just... so tired..."

(Her breathing slowly stopped. Her body went completely limp. Her eyes shut tight.)

Soutarou:

"SHIN!! SHIN!!!"

(The scientist checked the monitor, emotionless, then pressed a button on the side of the table.)

Scientist:

"Subject non-responsive. Status: unconscious. Phase three will proceed."

Akuro:

"YOU’RE INSANE?! She’s almost dead!!"

Scientist:

"Unconsciousness lowers magic resistance. Optimal condition for neural reading and core data exposure."

Soutarou:

(screaming)

"If she dies, I swear you’re coming with her!"

(The scientist connected cables from a device beside the table to Shin’s temple and chest. Each connection lit up blue, data beginning to stream rapidly across the large monitor.)

Scientist:

"Magic wave synchronization. 65%... 72%... 89%..."

Akuro:

(jaw clenched)

"You’re plugging her into a system like she’s a machine!"

Scientist:

"She’s not an ordinary subject. We must understand the origin of her power before time runs out."

Soutarou:

"Shin doesn’t belong to you!"

(The scientist paused, staring at Soutarou.)

Scientist:

"You... primary companion. You are not the main target, but... your blood shows resonance with Subject 404."

Soutarou:

"...What do you mean?"

Scientist:

"We’ll attempt cross-reaction experiment. Phase four: blood extraction from Subject S."

Akuro:

"Touch him and I’ll—"

(The scientist took a new sterile knife, approached Soutarou, and pressed his hand to the table, making a slow cut on his arm.)

Soutarou:

"ARGH—!"

Scientist:

"Calm down. Just five drops."

Soutarou:

"I will make you pay... one by one..."

(Blood flowed into a small vial. The scientist quickly sealed it and placed it into a bio-mana scanner.)

Scientist:

"Processing... matching with Subject 404's blood pattern..."

Akuro:

(voice full of restrained rage)

"You’ll regret being born into this world, human."

Scientist:

"Resonance level... 94.6%. Perfect. This exceeds the initial prediction."

Soutarou:

(eyes glowing with anger)

"What... does that mean?"

Scientist:

"The bond between you... is not just emotional. There’s a biological magical link."

Soutarou:

"We’re not experiments! We’re human!"

Scientist:

"Strong emotional response. Interesting. Will be studied further."

Akuro:

"She’s not a tool to be studied. And you are not a god."

(The scientist stored both vials safely. The machine was still processing data. Meanwhile, Shin’s body remained motionless—she was breathing, but weakly. On the monitor, her magical waves fluctuated unstably.)

Soutarou:

(soft whisper)

"...Wait for me, Shin. No matter what... I’m getting you back."

---

14

(The scientist now stood before a special experiment table, where a transparent reaction tube contained dark purple bubbling liquid. Floating inside were some synthetic biological tissues—illegal experimental cells. They were incomplete. Not yet... until now.)

(The scientist opened two vials of blood—one from Shin and one from Soutarou. His hands were steady, though his breath wavered slightly.)

Scientist:

"First trial—fusion of two high-energy biological essences. No guaranteed prediction for the reaction."

(Water dripped from the glass walls of the experiment chamber as Soutarou’s red blood was poured first into the reaction tube. The cells inside reacted mildly—softly rippling.)

Scientist:

"...Stable. No energy release. Now, integrating Subject 404’s blood."

(Drops of Shin’s blood fell into the tube.)

ZRAK!!

(Suddenly, the liquid in the tube began to foam, pulsing with red and blue light in rhythmic waves. The previously dormant cells vibrated violently, splitting and growing at incredible speed. A high-frequency sound emerged, disrupting nearby equipment.)

Scientist:

"What—reaction is too fast! This surpasses natural division phases!"

(The incomplete biological organism began to form structures—bone, flesh, and nerves—in seconds. Something began to grow inside the tube. A rough silhouette like a small body, faceless, yet clearly alive.)

GLUGH—CRAAK!!

(The tube's surface began to shake. Light in the lab flickered. Machines began to blare, detecting unstable magical energy activity.)

Soutarou:

(struggling up, eyes wide)

"...What are you doing...?!"

Akuro:

(yelling)

"Stop it now! That’s... NOT something you can control!!"

(The scientist—for the first time losing his emotional control—rushed to press the safety button, sealing thick metal plating around the tube.)

Scientist:

(voice trembling)

"...The entity is forming... not as designed... not... this isn’t an experiment... this is creation!"

(The entire laboratory trembled as the tube was fully sealed. Behind the metal shield, a heartbeat... began to echo.)

Thump. Thump. Thump.

(The scientist stared at the monitor, eyes wide, his whisper barely audible.)

Scientist:

"...What have we just... brought into being?"

---

15

(The scientist still stood at the control panel, fingers trembling slightly above the monitoring buttons. The screen's light cast a pale glow on his face. Behind the sealed metal cover of the tube, the strange heartbeat continued… louder… heavier.)

Soutarou:

(jaw clenched, staring toward the tube)

"Whatever that is... you can’t control it anymore, can you?"

Scientist:

(soft voice, full of fear)

"...This... is beyond the scenario. This isn’t an experiment... it’s evolution."

Akuro:

(heavy breath, eyes glowing red)

"You’re messing with something... this world isn’t ready to contain."

Shin:

(weak breath, whispering from the table)

"...That’s... not... me..."

Scientist:

"If this entity grows further... we all—"

—BOOOOM!!

(Next Scene)

The massive metal tube exploded. A piercing blast echoed. Shards of metal shot across the walls, and from the burst, thick green fluid gushed in all directions. Acidic... corrosive... melting parts of the floor and consoles instantly.

The liquid spread quickly, forming a hissing green pool that steamed and evaporated. In the middle—sitting still, drenched in the acid—was a small kitten-like figure. Half-human, half-cat, with sharp ears, a curled tail, and large golden eyes. Her skin was pale, but the body structure was almost 98% identical to Shin.

Yet she just... sat there. Not speaking. Not moving. Just staring at them—empty, yet full of knowing.

Meanwhile, Akuro broke free. Blue flames lit 

up from his body, melting part of the metal restraints. With one blast of fire magic, his shackles cracked and fell. He stood upright—breathing heavily, eyes glowing alert.

Akuro:

"...What... is that?"

(No one answered. They all stood frozen. Only the sound of the hissing acid... and the silent stare of the being just born.)

16

(Thin smoke rose from the floor consumed by acid. In the middle of the hissing green puddle, the kitten sat still. No taller than a five-year-old, its body was small yet proportional, with cat ears that twitched softly and a tail that swayed occasionally. Its skin was pale like snow, bright golden eyes scanning the surroundings—not empty, but as if studying.)

(Slowly, it looked at its hands, gently clenched them, then opened. Its head tilted slightly, then it raised its face and looked at the three of them without expression.)

Soutarou:

(heavy breath)

"...She... was just born, right...?"

Shin:

(soft sob)

"...Why... why does she look like me...?"

Akuro:

(squinting, staring at the acid and the small creature)

"She's... she's not just similar..."

(The scientist, shocked and starting to back away, slipped slightly on the slick floor, his body trembling.)

Scientist:

"No way... it wasn't time yet... she shouldn't be stable... not ready to grow!"

Akuro:

(silent for a moment, then rushes forward—his fist clenched, red fire wrapping around his punch)

WRAAAGHH!!

(Akuro strikes the scientist with a fiery blow full of rage. The scientist is flung against the wall, part of his lab coat burned before extinguishing. He falls unconscious.)

Shin:

(shocked, still weak)

"Akuro..."

Akuro:

(standing between them and the small creature, heavy breathing)

"...Don’t tell me this is... Shin’s reincarnation..."

Soutarou:

"...Or... a clone...?"

(The kitten stares at them without speaking. But its eyes... seemed to assess. As if trying to figure out: Who is safe? Who is not?)

17

(Thin smoke still rises from the damaged floor. The kitten, still sitting in the acid pool, slowly stands. Her steps are unsteady. She looks down at her own feet… then slowly climbs down from the remains of the tube.)

(Her body loses balance—she falls, landing hard on the floor with a small thump.)

Soutarou:

(moving slightly forward, reflexively)

"She fell...!"

Akuro:

(glancing at his two companions, then pulls a large flame sword from the air, its energy glowing)

"Hold on. I'll free you first."

(With one fiery slash, the metal restraints holding Shin and Soutarou melt and split. The barrier dissolves in the heat of magic and finally breaks.)

Soutarou:

(jumps down, immediately catching Shin's weak body)

"I got you—come on, slowly."

Shin:

(breathing hard, clutching Soutarou’s jacket weakly)

"...M-my legs... still shaking..."

Soutarou:

"I’m not letting go. Let’s stand up together, okay?"

(Shin nods slightly, her face pale but slowly rising with Soutarou's help. Akuro approaches the kitten first, his sword still faintly glowing, but no longer in an attacking stance.)

Akuro:

"...She’s... small. But..."

Shin:

(looking closer, silent)

"...Her ears... her eyes... that’s..."

Soutarou:

"...Just like you."

Shin:

(with a held breath)

"...But also... like you, Soutarou."

(The child sits silently on the floor, staring at them with an expression both innocent and sharp—as if recognizing something within them… as if made from them.)

18

Child:

(slowly stands, gazing at Shin with large glistening eyes)

"...Mommy?"

Shin:

(eyes widen, body tenses)

"W-what...?"

Child:

(turns slightly, looking at Soutarou, expression still innocent)

"...Daddy."

Soutarou:

(stunned, lips parting slightly)

"...Wait... did she just say..."

Shin:

(trembling, staring closely at the child)

"...Mommy... and daddy...?"

Soutarou:

(quiet voice)

"...She called us..."

Shin:

"...Her parents..."

Child:

(takes a hesitant step closer toward them)

"...Mommy, I’m cold..."

Shin:

(breath catches)

"I... I don’t know what to do..."

Soutarou:

"...This... this isn’t something logic can explain."

Akuro:

(raises a hand toward them, palm out, face blank)

"...Stop. Hold up."

Shin:

(turning to Akuro, panicked)

"I... I didn’t make her! I... really didn’t!"

Soutarou:

(flat, but clearly confused)

"Me neither! This isn’t... this isn’t one of us!"

Child:

(still innocent, stepping slowly toward them)

"...Daddy... carry me?"

Soutarou:

(totally still, staring blankly at the child)

"...Me... carry?"

Shin:

"She... she was just born. But she already..."

Soutarou:

"...Has instincts... toward us."

Child:

(arms reaching toward Shin and Soutarou, small smile)

"Mommy... daddy..."

Shin:

(whispers)

"...Why does my heart feel like... it’s falling..."

Soutarou:

(breathes deep, eyes fixed on the child)

"Because maybe... part of us... really is in her."

Akuro:

(still with hand raised, slowly covers face with one hand)

"...I am not mentally ready for this."

19

(The little girl laughs softly, the sound of a toddler just learning to speak. With both tiny hands, she raises them forward—wanting to be held. Her smile is wide, innocent, unaware that the world around her is frozen from her presence.)

Child:

(small giggle)

"Ehehe... carry?"

Shin:

(silent, staring at the child's hands)

"...She... wants to be carried..."

Soutarou:

(heavy breath)

"Yeah... I see it too..."

Child:

(still raising hands toward them)

"Carr~yyy"

Shin:

(takes one step forward, then stops)

"...What should I do?"

Soutarou:

"If... we don’t carry her... will she cry?"

Child:

(still smiling)

"No... no cry... but mommy... daddy... must... hug~"

Akuro:

(eyes narrow sharply)

"Why is she so cute when I’m terrified..."

Shin:

(shaking)

"...What if this is a trap? What if she—"

Soutarou:

(takes deep breath)

"Shin... look into her eyes. She’s... not a threat."

Shin:

"...But... I’m still trembling..."

Child:

(small voice)

"...Mommy... scared... of me?"

Shin:

(startled, eyes widening)

"N-no! Not... I... I’m just surprised..."

Soutarou:

(steps slowly forward, crouches before the child)

"...Can I carry you?"

Child:

(smiling wide, small nod)

"Daddy... strong..."

Soutarou:

(small laugh, hesitant)

"Oh my god..."

(Soutarou gently lifts the child into his arms. Her body is warm, light, and her heartbeat... real.)

Shin:

(standing frozen, eyes welling with tears)

"...She’s really alive..."

Child:

(in Soutarou’s arms, then leans on his shoulder)

"...Mommy... hug too?"

Akuro:

(standing still, mutters to himself)

"...What has the world come to..."

20

(Soutarou is still holding the child, her small body resting calmly on his shoulder. She doesn’t fuss, only gazes around with innocent curiosity. Shin slowly approaches, still not fully convinced. Her hand trembles as she reaches out.)

Shin:

"Can I... check a little?"

Soutarou:

(softly)

"I’m curious too..."

(Shin reaches out and carefully touches the child’s head. Fine fur is immediately felt on her fingertips. Soft... warm... like a real kitten.)

Shin:

(eyes wide)

"...This... real fur... not synthetic..."

Soutarou:

"I can feel her heartbeat too... it’s steady."

(Shin shifts her fingers to the child’s arm. As she touches, the skin feels real—soft, elastic, warm like human… with a living structure underneath. She can even feel blood flow beneath the surface.)

Shin:

(voice soft, almost a whisper)

"...This... isn’t a simulation. She’s... truly alive."

Soutarou:

"...A living being... created illegally..."

(The child looks at both of them in turn, then gently touches Shin’s hand.)

Child:

"...Mommy is warm..."

Shin:

(eyes widen, slowly kneeling in front of them)

"She... even has full emotional response..."

Soutarou:

"And she... was born from us. Or at least... from what they took from us."

Akuro:

(from behind, heavy tone)

"...A being like that should take years to stabilize... but she... became a 'child' from the very first minute."

Soutarou:

"...This isn’t cloning. This isn’t imitation."

Shin:

(pauses)

"This... is life creation. From scratch. Without consent. Without rights."

Soutarou:

(looking at Shin, then the child)

"But she... didn’t ask to be born like this..."

Shin:

"...But now she’s alive. And... she’s calling us mommy and daddy."

**

End of Episode 7

That chaotic night ended in a strange silence. The remnants of explosions, the slowly drying acid pools, and the ruined laboratory… were now wrapped in quiet full of questions.

In the middle of the destruction stood three wounded figures—Soutarou, Shin, and Akuro—gathered around the small creature now resting in their arms. A being that should not exist. Created from blood, trauma, and stolen hope.

The child was asleep on Soutarou’s shoulder, her breathing steady… peaceful. She looked like an ordinary child. But they all knew—she was not ordinary. She was born of illegal experiments. A violation of the boundaries of life. Yet—she was alive, real, undeniable.

Shin hugged her knees, still gazing at the child with complex emotions. Akuro stood with his back to them, silent, eyes staring far at the broken lab doors.

Soutarou looked up at the cracked ceiling, then murmured softly.

"...If she is the result of us... if she is a life not asked for, but now exists..."

He turned to Shin.

"...Then who will b

e responsible... for protecting her?"

**

And now, with the child's body warm in their arms...

Will they accept this being as part of them?

Or... is this the beginning of something far more terrifying?

Episode 8: "She’s Not Our Child... But She Has a Name."

—Can a life be redeemed, if it was born of sin?

Stay tuned guys.