"Ahh… let me go…"
A man sat in a cage—thin and fragile, every rib and joint visible. His head hung low, his eyes blank and distant. He looked helpless, trapped in silent despair.
The boy stumbled back, heart pounding.
Suddenly—
Someone grabbed him from behind.
Frightened, he quickly looked back.
"Mom…"
"You mischievous boy," she scolded. "Always roaming here and there. Come here."
She pulled him away. The boy remained silent, still shocked by what he had seen.
---
Growl…
Yurim's stomach growled loudly, jolting her awake.
She blinked and looked around. Yunho and Rian were still asleep, lying so still it almost felt like they might never wake up.
Her head spun.
Hunger hit her all at once.
She quietly got up and made her way to the kitchen.
A few minutes later—
A loud scream echoed through the room.
Rian jolted awake and ran toward the kitchen, where Yunho was panicking, slapping Yurim's cheeks.
"Rian!!! Is she… dead?" he murmured .
Rian let out an exasperated sigh.
---
"You passed out because you were hungry?" Yunho giggled.
"I haven't eaten anything since I came to this world," Yurim replied, stuffing her mouth with whatever they had given her.
"How did you meet Rian?" Yunho asked. Yurim just stared at him, unsure of what to say.
He continued, teasing, "Do all human girls look like you?…..Unattractive?"
Yurim glared at him.
He laughed. "That glare is scary."
Meanwhile, Rian, preparing to go out, gave an uninterested look and was about to open the door when a knock came.
---
Meanwhile, back in the lab—
Strange machines hummed softly.
Glowing tubes lined the walls. Scientists and assistants wandered among bizarre inventions.
A loud announcement echoed through the hall.
"The contestants for tonight's competition have arrived!"
The crowd erupted as three groups stepped forward—three scientists in each group.
Their appearances were strange, almost inhuman, yet they smiled confidently, waving as fans cheered like they were celebrities.
The host raised his hand.
"Tonight's competition will show you things you've never imagined."
Huge glass jars were rolled forward, each containing wriggling, unnatural creatures.
Behind a sealed metal door, a man bound in heavy chains convulsed violently. He vomited as his skin twisted and darkened. A guttural roar tore from his throat.
---
Back at Rian's house—
"Rian! Open the door!"
The landlady's voice rang out.
Yunho dove under the couch. "Send her away quickly! If she finds me here, we're dead!"
Yurim crouched beside him, frozen in fear.
Rian opened the door.
The landlady stood there holding a plastic bag. "I made dumplings," she said cheerfully, pushing it into his hands.
Rian slightly bowed and gave her a quiet smile.
Then he began to close the door, a forced smile still stuck on his face.
"Wait!" the landlady stopped the door with her hand and—
Her nose twitched.
"…There's a strange smell in this house," she muttered, stepping inside.