Time passed.
Not quietly—
But with pressure.
Every day that followed brought worse news to Zoo.
More frozen accounts.
More abandoned sites.
More missing contacts.
Yusaku Kudo sat alone in his study, the room lit only by a desk lamp. Papers were scattered across the table—financial routes, chemical reports, containment lists.
All routes were closing.
"…Then this is the only path left," he muttered.
He picked up the phone.
And dialed a number that should never have existed.
Somewhere Underground — Secure Laboratory
The call connected.
"…Yusaku," a hoarse voice answered, laced with excitement and instability.
"It's been a long time."
"Atsushi Miyano," Yusaku said calmly.
"I need APTX-4869."
The silence on the other end trembled.
"…That drug is incomplete," Atsushi replied.
"Dangerous. Unstable."
"I don't care," Yusaku said.
"Use the herb batch we recovered."
Atsushi's breathing quickened.
"…You want an improved version?"
"Yes."
"As soon as possible."
A pause.
Then laughter.
Low.
Manic.
"…With those herbs," Atsushi said,
"I can push it further."
"Good," Yusaku replied.
"Zoo cannot remain buried."
"…Very well," Atsushi said eagerly.
"I'll begin immediately."
The call ended.
Yusaku leaned back slowly.
He didn't know—
That the herbs he trusted
were already killing him.
Elsewhere — News Breaks
Two days later.
The entertainment world exploded.
BREAKING NEWS — HOLLYWOOD ICON SHARON VINEYARD DEAD
Headlines flooded every channel.
Legendary actress Sharon Vineyard passed away peacefully overseas.
A private funeral will be held.
Cause of death undisclosed.
Paparazzi swarmed.
Media mourned.
Fans cried.
And in a quiet apartment—
Jodie Starling stared at the screen.
"…So it's real," she whispered.
Behind her, Vermouth stood calmly, now only Chris Vineyard.
"Sharon Vineyard is dead," Vermouth said softly.
"Officially."
Jodie turned toward her.
"…This is to erase her?" she asked.
Vermouth nodded.
"The FBI is too close," she replied.
"And Keith doesn't like loose threads."
Jodie clenched her fists.
"…You're really disappearing."
Vermouth smiled faintly.
"Only one mask," she said.
"Instead of two."
Across the city—
Runcandel Vision moved quietly.
Assets shifted.
Documents vanished.
Legal confirmations were sealed.
Sharon Vineyard—
Erased from the world.
Keith watched the news from his office, expression unreadable.
"…Good," he murmured.
Great Sage confirmed probabilities silently.
Zoo would accelerate.
And when they did—
They would poison themselves.
Keith turned his chair toward the window.
Yusaku was gambling everything on a mad scientist.
A drug that promised rebirth.
And a lie that would end bloodlines.
Keith closed his eyes briefly.
"APT-X won't save you," he said softly.
"It'll finish you."