"According to the latest update from the police station, a fisherman stumbled upon numerous severed limbs while fishing early in the morning two days ago," the news anchor reported calmly. "Forensic experts have confirmed the remains are human. Pathologists estimate the time of death to be roughly three days ago."
"DNA analysis indicates the limbs do not belong to one person. Patchwork comparison suggests there are likely nine victims in total."
"The police have traced the case back to an abandoned factory in Beiling City."
"During their search, investigators discovered a tape recorder inside a shipping container at the scene."
"The audio captured the victims' final cries—a chilling testament to a large-scale act of inhuman cruelty and dismemberment."
"With the recent spell of heavy rain concealing such crimes, citizens are urged to take precautions and avoid going out at night."
Mei switched off the TV and tossed the remote aside with little concern.
"Society is falling apart. Criminals are becoming arrogant," she muttered, rinsing her face before changing into fresh clothes. "Fortunately, I live right across from the police station." With that, she went downstairs to her café.
Mei had opened the café directly below her apartment. Most days it was empty, barely bringing in enough to count as income. The only reason she chose the location was because of the police station next door—it gave her a sense of safety.
Tinkling.
The door swung open.
Mei looked up. A man in a raincoat stood motionless in the doorway, a raven perched on his shoulder.
Before she could speak, the raven darted into her arms. "Master, the matter is finished."
"Finished?" Mei murmured, recalling the task she had assigned 001 regarding 002. "Good. You've done well."
Her eyes shifted to the man in the raincoat, calm and assessing.
"As for you," she said flatly, "I don't recall inviting you in."
The man dropped to his knees. His forehead struck the floor with a heavy thud. "I have nowhere else to go. Please, I beg you, take me in!"
Mei crouched to meet his gaze. "So, you can still transform back into a human?"
The man nodded quickly. "Yes… as long as I don't touch water."
Mei casually pulled out her phone. "Interesting. Come in."
He shut the door carefully and followed her into the warehouse behind the café.
"Now," Mei said, settling into a chair and opening her phone to take notes, "tell me your name—and what you're feeling."
"My name is… Chino. I crave water. I desperately want to drink, but when I do, I become Fish-Man again. I haven't drunk anything for twelve hours…"
Mei tossed him a bottle of mineral water. "Drink. Here, no one cares about you except me."
Chino snatched the bottle and drained it greedily. Within moments, his body swelled and twisted, reverting into Fish-Man form.
Tears spilled from his eyes uncontrollably. "Why… why is this happening to me?"
Mei's face remained calm, detached, even as she jotted notes. "Fascinating. Your transformation is triggered simply by drinking water. I'll need to record this in detail."
Then she frowned slightly. "But why are you crying? Is it tied to your mutation?"
Chino shook his head frantically. "I don't know. I just… I can't stop the tears!"
Mei rubbed her forehead in thought. "Strange. Anything else?"
Chino's voice trembled, but he nodded. "My body—it's stronger. In water I can move incredibly fast. I can breathe beneath the surface without pressure crushing me, and I can see clearly in the dark ocean."
He hesitated, then his eyes widened in sudden realization.
"And… if someone hears my voice, I instantly know where they are!"
With a sudden motion, Chino smashed the glass and yanked a man in a blue work uniform straight inside.
"I know you're listening!!" he roared, his voice reverberating through the room.
The man collapsed to the floor, trembling. "I—I'm just here to fix the air conditioner…"
Chino's eyes blazed blood-red. "No… I can't let you live. Do you hear me? Do you see me?!"
"Oh my god, I'm only an air conditioner repairman!" the man cried, legs quaking as tears streamed down his face.
"That's enough. Let him go," Mei ordered suddenly. At her voice, Fish-Man stilled, instantly subdued.
From the side, Raven tilted her head. "Master, he saw us. We can't let him walk away alive."
"No!" the repairman shouted, shrinking into a corner.
A fish-shaped human… a raven speaking in a woman's voice… When did the world become this insane?
Mei regarded the man calmly. "What is your name?"
"H-Han Verte," he stammered.
Mei's lips curved. "Would you be interested in assisting me with some experiments?"
"I—"
"You also have the option to refuse. Don't worry, I'm not threatening you."
"I'll do it!" Han blurted out before she could finish.
"Good. Then call your family. Tell them you're busy and won't be home for a while. Let your company know you'll be taking leave. Can you manage that?"
"No problem, I… I'll do it right now!" Han stuttered, fumbling for his phone with trembling hands.
…
A short while later, Mei pulled the curtain closed. Chino had dried his tears and shifted back into human form, though each time he reverted, his hunger gnawed at him once more.
"Let's clarify something," Mei said, her tone crisp. "My name is Aurora. Don't concern yourself with why I use it—it's just a title."
Han nodded rapidly. "I understand."
"Good. You're safe here for now."
Then she turned to Chino. "And you, 002—next time someone eavesdrops, don't smash the window."
Chino lowered his head in agreement.
Glancing at the jagged frame, Mei mused aloud, "Hm… can I use the shards from this broken window for Potion-making practice?"
She began gathering the glass debris before heading upstairs.
Left downstairs were only Raven, Han, and Chino—staring at one another in uneasy silence.
"Um… Chino, how are you?" Han asked nervously, extending a shaky hand.
Chino remained silent.
But Raven smirked, her voice curling with amusement. "You're rather fortunate, chosen by my Lady."
Han's face tightened. "What does that mean? I don't understand."
Chino finally looked at him, voice low. "Like me, you'll gain abilities beyond ordinary people. But you'll pay a price no ordinary person could bear."
Han's breath caught, his expression twisting as the implication struck.
"So… I'll transform like you too?!"