The night deepens. Thunder cracks the sky open. Aran and Kira hide inside the convenience store, surrounded by silence and dread. The mutated zombie in the back continues twitching, chained and foaming.
Kira (quietly):"You knew what that thing was… and you knew about the virus. You're not just some survivor…"
Aran doesn't respond at first. He stares at his reflection in a cracked mirror behind the counter — the "A" on his mask glowing faintly in the dim light.
Kira:"...Who are you?"
Flashback Begins
One year ago —
A pristine research facility, deep underground. White lights. Clean halls. Scientists rush around, military soldiers guard the doors.
A name flashes on a security screen:"Subject A-01: Aran Kazuki"Status: Terminated.
But inside a containment room, a figure lies still — heart barely beating. Connected to machines, wires in his skin. He's being experimented on. A soldier argues with a scientist:
Soldier:"He was the only one who survived full exposure to the virus. You turned him into a weapon!"
Scientist:"He IS the cure. He's what comes after humanity."
Suddenly — alarms blare. Containment breach. Screams. Chaos.Aran opens his eyes.
Aran (voiceover):"I was their first success... and their biggest mistake."
Back to present
Aran slowly removes one glove. The veins in his hand glow faintly with dark blue light — the virus lives inside him, but doesn't consume him. He has control.
Aran:"They created the virus to wipe out the weak. What they didn't expect... was me surviving it."
Kira (shocked):"You're infected?"
Aran:"Not infected. Evolved."
Suddenly — a bright flash explodes outside the building. Smoke bombs. Shouting. Red lasers scanning through the windows. A strike team has arrived.
Soldier (over loudspeaker):"ARAN! You're under arrest by order of the Eastern Zone Authority! Surrender now, or we open fire!"
Kira panics. Aran stands up calmly, pulling his mask tighter.
Aran:"...They finally found me."
He picks up his blade. His eyes glow slightly in the dark.
Aran (to Kira):"If I fall... run. Never stop running."