My elder brother always told me that if humanity were to disappear, it would surely be its own fault. Well, my brother was lying.
A sharp sound jolted him awake. His eyelids felt heavy, weighed down by brutal brainwashing and sedatives. Buzzing filled his ears, and shadowy figures loomed in the blur.
"Lift him up!" a sharp, commanding voice barked. Then darkness swallowed him again.
When he regained consciousness, he was alone, naked, clean, and washed. His hair was shaved, his past erased. He had no memory of who he was, not even his name. Quiet and confused, he stood in a confined chamber that seemed to be moving upward.
Bang! The heavy noise signaled he had reached the summit. The door slid open. Rain poured down in sheets, but it wasn't ordinary rain. The outside world was bright yet terrifying, the sun blinding him for a moment. As his vision adjusted, he stepped onto a platform, drenched in liquid that shimmered green. He raised his hand, staring at the unnatural droplets clinging to his skin.
The platform shook violently and began to rise. As it lifted him into the open, voices pierced the storm.
"Wow! Look at those balls!" someone shouted, laughter erupting around him.
"Hey, look—it's just a kid," another voice mocked.
"Don't act big. We're all kids here," a third voice cut in.
Cold, trembling, and naked, the boy's eyes darted around in fear.
"Okay, shut up, guys. The kid looks scared. Let's get his name first," said another voice—calm, authoritative. The boy glanced at the speaker, who seemed to be the leader, flanked by others.
"Welcome to Sentinel Seven, new member. We're your team now. Your family," the leader declared.
The boy hesitated, then nodded.
"My name is Renzou. What's yours?" the leader asked.
The boy's gaze drifted toward a distant tower. His lips parted uncertainly.
"My name is… Klein?"
Renzou nodded, signaling one of his companions, who handed Klein a blanket. He waited for Klein to wrap himself before continuing.
"Well, welcome, Klein, to the last place on Earth-the Centipede Trail." Renzou laughed, but the sound carried no warmth.
Klein's mind raced. Where was he? And where the hell had his brother gone?
"Follow me, boy," Renzou said, striding away. The other boys smirked in strange, unsettling ways that made Klein shiver.
"Okay, guys, back to your duties. We have a trial tonight," the leader ordered.
Distracted, Klein kept his eyes on Renzou's back as he followed.
"Trial?" he asked quietly.
Renzou glanced over his shoulder and smiled.
"Well, to put it simply, our section is called Sentinel Seven. As you might guess, there are others—Sentinels One through Eight."
Klein looked around, realizing this place was a vast green plain. He heard the squeals of pigs, the clatter of ships, and saw what looked like a farmhouse. He had never seen one before.
Renzou noticed Klein's curiosity but continued his explanation. It was necessary for Klein to understand the rules of the Sentinels.
"Let me explain the foundation behind the Sentinel. You see…" He paused. "Klein?"
Renzou turned and saw Klein staring at the tall, looming tower. He walked toward him, his gaze following Klein's.
"Well, everyone who comes here is curious. Since we're here, let me present to you the trial zone—the Centipede Tower."
Klein's eyes widened as he took in the sight: a tall, dark structure crowned with a massive ouroboros-shaped centipede emblem, its coils endless and menacing.
"The Centipede Tower…" Klein whispered.