"MERCENARIES"

Yuna lay unconscious on the medical bed inside a dimly lit tent, her breathing slow and shallow. Beside her, Jiwook sat in silence, his fingers gripping the armrest of his chair as he watched over her.

He already knew. Jihae had made her move.

The Ironfang Association wouldn't get away with this. Not if Jihae had anything to say about it. Jiwook knew her well enough—if something happened to Yuna, she wouldn't hesitate to burn everything down.

As he gazed at Yuna's pale face, his mind drifted back to a mission from long time years ago. A brutal night that changed everything.

It was supposed to be a simple job—clear out a gang that had been interfering with Ironfang operations. But things had gone south fast.

Gunfire rattled through the abandoned building, bullets tearing through the walls. Jiwook ducked behind a rusted metal table, reloading his weapon as rapid shots whizzed past him.

"Hey, 003! What the hell are you doing?! Those bastards are gonna kill us—lend a hand, will you?!" he shouted, returning fire through the broken doorframe.

Jihae—known only as 003 back then—wasn't listening. Her sharp eyes had locked onto something in the dark corner of the room.

A child.

A young girl sat against the wall, bound and gagged, her body covered in bruises and strange, unnatural markings on her back. Her wide, terrified eyes locked onto Jihae's, pleading without words.

Jihae approached her slowly.

"…Who are you, little girl?"

The girl didn't answer. She couldn't. But the moment Jihae knelt down and reached for her bindings, the girl collapsed forward into her arms, shaking as she clung to her.

Jihae stiffened. This warmth… This feeling…

A foreign sensation stirred inside her.

She hesitated.

Then, the gunfire outside went silent.

The gang leader had arrived, step against the cold floor as he reached for the door.

The knob turned. The door creaked open.

Darkness swallowed the room.

A cocky voice sneered from the doorway.

"Alright, mercenaries, this is the end of the line. You think you can just—"

Thud.

A body hit the ground.

The gang leader's men barely had time to react before his head rolled to their feet, severed cleanly at the neck.

Silence.

Then—

The dim lights flickered erratically, plunging the space into flashes of black and white.

Panic set in.

"B-Boss…?" One of the gang members took a step back. "H-Hey—"

Slash.

Blood sprayed across the walls. Another body collapsed.

The others barely had time to scream before the nightmare began.

The lights flickered.

One by one, they were torn apart.

A lone survivor, shaking and drenched in blood, backed away into the corner, gripping his gun with trembling hands.

"N-No… No, stay away! You're a monster! A MONSTER!"

His breath came in ragged gasps as he fired blindly into the darkness.

The lights flickered.

Nothing.

He sobbed, struggling to reload his gun.

Then—

She was already there.

Jihae's claw was inches from his face.Her bloodstained claws gleamed as she reached forward.

"Oh my g—"

Her claws tore through his skull. Blood sprayed as she lifted his lifeless body before letting it drop to the floor with a wet thud.

Silence fell once more.

Jihae turned, her cold expression unchanging as she approached the girl.

Jiwook, who had been guarding her, exhaled slowly as he lowered his weapon. "Damn, 003… You really went all out."

Jihae ignored him. She knelt before the girl, who clung to Jiwook's sleeve, trembling.

The girl hesitated before slowly raising a bruised hand toward Jihae.

Jihae stared at it, something stirring deep inside her. Without thinking, she reached out, taking the girl's hand in hers. It was weak and cold.

Yet, it was… warm.

A pale, tired smile formed on the girl's lips.

Jihae froze.

Then, for the first time in her life…

A—tears.

A single drop rolled down her cheek.

"…What is this feeling?" she whispered.

Jiwook sighed, watching the rare moment unfold. "That's called love, 003."

Jihae scoffed, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "Tch… It feels disgusting."

Turning back to the girl, she gently pulled her into her arms, holding her close.

"I'll call you… Yuna. Do you like that, little one?"

The girl's eyes widened, then she nodded, a small, radiant smile forming on her face.

Jihae chuckled softly. "What a cute smile you have."

For the first time, something inside Jihae changed.

And she knew.

She would protect this girl.

No matter what.

Time passed.

Yuna had changed from a frightened child into a bright, lively girl. Though their world was soaked in blood, she had found joy in the smallest things. She laughed. She played. And she learned.

Inside an abandoned building, Yuna stood in front of a row of dolls, a pistol in her small hands.

Jihae leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching with amusement. "Oh my, your aim keeps getting better."

Yuna grinned, lining up her shot.

Jiwook, sitting nearby, frowned. "I don't think we should be teaching a kid how to shoot."

Jihae turned her gaze toward him, smirking. "What are you trying to say, 002? Didn't you wipe out an entire gang when you were ten?"

Jiwook scoffed, stepping toward Yuna. "Doesn't mean I want her to do the same." He gently placed his hands over hers, adjusting her grip. "Hold it steady."

Yuna narrowed her eyes, focused.

Bang.

A perfect headshot. The doll toppled over.

Silence.

Jiwook shook his head, exhaling. "I feel disgusting getting a compliment from you, 003."

Jihae chuckled. Yuna beamed.

But then—

Yuna's expression twisted.

Her breathing became uneven.

A sharp pain shot through her body, making rj

her feel pain in head.

Then—she screamed.

Jihae and Jiwook froze.

Yuna stumbled back, her body convulsing. Her eyes—once bright and warm—darkened, turning almost inhuman.

Jiwook stepped forward. "Hey, kid. What's wrong?"

Yuna suddenly lunged, slamming her fist into Jiwook's chest.

He staggered back, eyes wide.

"What the—?!"

Before he could react, she spun, delivering a powerful kick toward his face.

Jiwook barely managed to block, but the impact sent a sharp pain through his arms.

Jihae's eyes narrowed.

Yuna stepped forward again, her movements wild, uncontrolled—like a beast being unleashed.

Jiwook clenched his jaw. "Hey, what's happening to you—"

Before he could finish, Jihae moved.

She wrapped her arms around Yuna from behind, pulling her close.

"Don't let it control you."

Yuna struggled, her body trembling violently. Tears welled in her eyes as she fought against something unseen.

Then, suddenly—

She collapsed.

The cursed markings on her back pulsed for a moment before slowly fading.

Jihae stared at them, her expression unreadable.

This girl… was no ordinary child.

Jiwook exhaled, rubbing his sore arm. "What the hell was that?"

Jihae didn't answer. She simply turned away.

Jiwook frowned. "Where are you going, 003?"

Jihae didn't stop. "I'll be back soon."

Jiwook watched her go, silent.

That night, Jihae hunted for answers.

She infiltrated a hidden facility, tearing through security with ease.

In a dimly lit office, she flipped through old files. Bloodstained documents, forgotten reports, classified experiments.

Then—she found it.

A file labeled "Project Demon."

She scanned the pages. Genetic modifications. Cursed markings. Failed test subjects.

At the bottom—

An antidote.

Jihae's eyes narrowed as she grabbed the file.

The bodies of the researchers lay behind her, their blood soaking the floor. She had left no survivors.

As she exited the building, a figure stood in her path.

An old man in a long black coat.

His cold,eyes met hers.

Jihae's grip on the file tightened. "Edward Jones."

Edward smirked. "003."

Edward's voice was sharp. "whats up with that kid you brought?"

"That 'kid' is long-lost family of 002."

Edward's gaze darkened. "Is that so?"

She didn't trust him.

Edward chuckled. "Don't take me as a fool."

Jihae's claws extended from her fingertips.

Edward turned, stepping away.

His voice was calm, but laced with warning.

"If you betray us, 003. If you do… that kid will dies."

Jihae didn't move.

Her cold gaze followed him until he disappeared into the night.

Back in the hideout, Yuna lay asleep, her face uncomfortable despite what had happened.

Jiwook sat beside her, deep in thought.

Then, the door opened.

Jihae stepped inside.

She held up a syringe.

Then,

she injected Yuna with the antidote.

Yuna's expression softened. Her breathing steadied.

Jiwook watched silently.

Jihae exhaled, but her eyes remained distant. This antidote… wasn't permanent.

She needed to find another way.

"…002."

Jiwook looked at her.

Jihae's voice was quiet, but firm.

"Take Yuna and leave. Keep her safe from that man."

Jiwook's expression hardened. But after a moment, he nodded.

Jihae turned away.

She had a new mission.

To find a cure.

To protect Yuna.

No matter the cost.

Jiwook and Yuna had vanished.

Labeled a traitor to the Ironfang Association, Jiwook had a bounty on his head. Any mercenary, assassin would kill for the reward.

They fled to Korea, living under new identities.

To the world, Jiwook was an ordinary soldier—respected, well-liked, even promoted to captain in the army. Yuna was a high school student, famous as a Kendo champion. Their bond was known to others as a simple story of an older brother and his adopted little sister.

But secrets don't stay buried forever.

The mercenaries had started digging.

And one night, the past came knocking.

Jiwook walked through the quiet streets, carrying a small velvet box in his pocket.

Tonight, he planned to visit his fiancée. A simple night, a simple moment—a rare taste of normalcy in his otherwise chaotic life.

But something felt off.

A familiar, sharp sensation crawled up his spine.

His instincts screamed.

Jiwook kicked open the door.

And froze.

Blood.

The room was painted in it.

His fiancée lay motionless on the floor, her lifeless eyes reflecting the dim light. The Velvet box slipped from his fingers, landing beside her.

And standing in the center of it all—

Jihae.

Her claws dripped with blood.

Jiwook clenched his fists, his entire body trembling. His breath came out ragged. He took a step forward, rage clouding his vision—he wanted to kill her.

But then—he stopped.

Jihae gazed at him coldly. "You're getting soft, 002."

Jiwook swallowed his anger, his voice low. "What do you mean, 003?"

Jihae said nothing.

Instead, she tossed something toward him.

A ripped off hand.

The mark of the Ironfang Association was burned into her flesh.

Jiwook stiffened.

Silence.

Jiwook sank to his knees, his eyes fixed on the body before him. His breath hitched as grief took over.

He clenched his fists.

"Those normal life." His voice cracked, rage and sorrow twisting inside him. "But I guess that's just impossible, huh?"

Jihae reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him.

Jiwook swatted it away.

"Get out of my sight, 003."

Jihae flinched.

For the first time, the cold-hearted mercenary known as 003 felt… hurt.

The great Jiwook, the man once feared across the battlefield, now knelt on the floor—crying.

But Jihae understood.

She turned and walked away, disappearing into the night.

Jiwook wandered the streets, his hood pulled low over his face.

His heart was heavy.

Rage simmered beneath his skin, his mind clouded with thoughts of vengeance.

Then—

Footsteps.

Slow. Deliberate.

Jiwook's body tensed.

A figure in dark clothing stood before him, walking toward him with quiet confidence.

Jiwook's breath caught in his throat.

The man smirked.

"It's been a long time, 002."

Jiwook's grip tightened on the knife hidden behind his back.

His voice wavered. "001…?"

The man's infamous title echoed around mercenaries.

"Demon Vessel."

Jiwook narrowed his eyes, forcing himself to stay calm. "I thought you didn't take orders anymore."

001's expression didn't change. "And you've gotten soft." His voice was sharp. "What happened to you, Jiwook? You said you wanted to be like me."

Jiwook lunged.

001 sidestepped effortlessly, but Jiwook was fast.

He switched hands mid-swing, slashing upward—

Missed.

001 dodged again, but for a split second, his hood fell back.

And Jiwook saw his face.

The scars on his eyes blinding his visual.

Jiwook's knife slipped from his fingers. "What the hell happened to you…?"

001 simply pulled his hood back over his head, unfazed. "The world isn't kind to monsters."

Before Jiwook could respond—

A massive crash shattered the silence.

Jiwook spun around.

A creature burst from a nearby building.

A monster.

Its grotesque mouth stretched wide, rows of jagged teeth glistening with saliva.

It lunged straight for Jiwook.

But before Jiwook could react—

001 shoved him aside.

Teeth sank into flesh.

Blood sprayed.

001 gasped, his body jolting as the monster bit him in half.

Jiwook screamed.

"NO!!"

Rage flooded his veins. He grabbed his dagger and plunged it into the creature's eye.

It screeched, thrashing violently.

Jiwook yanked the blade free, stabbing again and again until the monster finally collapsed.

Panting, he turned back—

001 lay motionless, his upper body barely holding together.

Jiwook fell to his knees, lifting 001's upper body into his arms.

Their eyes met.

Jiwook's hands trembled. "You Bastard… why—"

A rumble.

Jiwook's breath hitched.

He looked up.

And saw hell.

From the distance, a horde of monsters surged through the city. Buildings crumbled. People screamed. The streets ran red.

An apocalypse.

Jiwook could only stare in disbelief.

Then—

A low chime.

A notification.

[You have awakened.]

Jiwook's vision blurred for a moment before a transparent window appeared before his eyes.

His heartbeat pounded in his ears.

Power surged through his body.

He stood.

The monsters charged toward him, their roars shaking the city.

Flames erupted.

Jiwook's body burned with new power, his blood boiling with rage.

He clenched his fists.

His voice was raw, filled with fury.

"COME, YOU FUCKING BASTARDS!"

The monsters lunged.

Jiwook roared, flames surging around him.

And then—

He charged.

Chapter End.