The room felt colder than before.Kazuki stood still, not knowing where to look.Dr. Shirogane had already turned away from him, as if the decision he made was something simple. Something normal.
But for Kazuki… nothing about this felt normal assist him?.Why him?
Out of all the people in the Bureau, why choose someone like him?.Bring the scanning equipment,Dr. Shirogane said calmly.The researchers immediately moved.
No hesitation,no questions.It was clear that everyone here followed his orders without doubt.
Kazuki watched quietly.The body was placed under a large machine. Thin metal arms extended from the sides, slowly scanning the chest area where the demon core had been destroyed a faint blue light passed over the body again and again.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
The machine made a soft sound as it worked.Kazuki's eyes followed the light.
His mind slowly calmed down.When he focused like this, everything else faded away,fear,confusion,doubt.All of it became quiet,Look carefully Dr. Shirogane suddenly said.Kazuki blinked." Me?"
Yes. Don't just stand there,Observe.Kazuki stepped closer.The light from the machine showed a faint outline inside the body.Even without the core, something remained.Thin lines of energy spread through the chest and into the arms,like roots,like veins.
Kazuki's expression slowly changed.
"It's still there…"
Dr. Shirogane nodded slightly." Correct."
But… that shouldn't happen,Kazuki said. When a core breaks, the energy should disappear.Should,Dr. Shirogane repeated. "But it didn't."
Kazuki frowned.His eyes stayed fixed on the scan.It's not just remaining energy,he said slowly."It's… moving."
The room went quiet again.Dr. Shirogane turned his head slightly, looking at Kazuki with more interest than before." Explain."
Kazuki took a breath.The energy isn't fading,he said.It's spreading slowly. Like it's trying to rebuild something.One of the researchers spoke up.That's impossible. Without a core, the energy has no source.
Kazuki shook his head.I know. But look at the pattern.He pointed at the screen.
The flow is not random. It's following a structure.Dr. Shirogane stepped closer to the screen.His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Interesting."
Kazuki felt his heart beat faster again.
Not from fear this time, from excitement.
For the first time, someone was actually listening to him.Continue,Dr. Shirogane said.
Kazuki nodded It's like the core didn't just power the body,he said.It changed it. The body is still reacting… even after the core is gone.The room fell silent.That idea…
It was dangerous.One of the researchers spoke in a low voice.…Are you saying the body itself is becoming the core?.Kazuki hesitated.Then— " …Maybe "
No one spoke after that.Dr. Shirogane's faint smile returned.Not a happy smile.
Not a kind one.Something sharper."Good," he said quietly " Very good."
Kazuki didn't feel proud.If anything… he felt uneasy.Because the way Dr. Shirogane reacted—It didn't feel like this was new to him.…This is not the first case, is it?,Kazuki asked carefully.For a moment, the room became completely still.Dr. Shirogane didn't answer right away.Instead, he looked at the body again.Then back at Kazuki.
" …No,"he said simply.Kazuki's chest tightened." I thought so…"
Dr. Shirogane turned fully toward him now.
Do you understand what this means?,he asked.Kazuki shook his head.
"Not fully."
It means,Dr. Shirogane said slowly,that the demon core is no longer just a tool.Kazuki listened carefully.t is evolving,Dr. Shirogane continued.Adapting. Changing the host.
Kazuki felt a chill run through his body.
" Then… that hunter…"
Was already lost,Dr. Shirogane said without emotion.Kazuki looked down.His hands clenched slightly.He knew that.But hearing it like this made it feel heavier.Why is this happening?,Kazuki asked.Dr. Shirogane didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he walked toward the window at the side of the room.From there, the distant outline of Aokami District could be seen.
Dark.
Silent.
Waiting.
…
Because someone is pushing it,he said finally.Kazuki looked up " Someone?"Dr. Shirogane's eyes didn't leave the window.
"Yes."
The room felt colder again." Masaru,"he said quietly.The name meant nothing to Kazuki.But the way it was said—
It carried weight.Who is that?,Kazuki asked.
Dr. Shirogane turned back slowly.Someone who believes humans are weak.Kazuki frowned.That's… extreme.
Dr. Shirogane didn't smile this time.He believes demons are the next stage of evolution.Kazuki felt his stomach tighten.
That's insane.Is it?Dr. Shirogane asked.
Kazuki didn't answer.Because deep down…
After what he had just seen…
He wasn't so sure anymore.If the body can become the core…"Kazuki said slowly, "then humans could… change."
Dr. Shirogane nodded slightly " Exactly."
Silence filled the room again.Kazuki looked back at the body.At the faint energy still moving inside it.This is just the beginning, isn't it?,he said quietly.Dr. Shirogane didn't deny it. " Yes."
That single word felt heavy.Because it meant one thing:Things were going to get worse. A lot worse.Suddenly, an alarm rang.
Sharp,Loud.Cutting through the silence.
Everyone turned." What is it?"one researcher asked quickly.Another checked a monitor.His face went pale."Another case."
Kazuki's heart skipped a beat another…?"
The researcher nodded.Same area. Aokami District.The room went quiet again.Dr. Shirogane's expression didn't change.
But his eyes sharpened slightly.…Prepare a team,he said.Kazuki felt his chest tighten.
Another case so soon?.This wasn't random.
It couldn't be and deep inside—Kazuki understood something clearly.This was not going to stop.Dr. Shirogane turned toward him." You're coming."
Kazuki froze " …Me?"
" Yes."
Kazuki hesitated.His mind filled with fear.
Doubt Uncertainty.But then—
He remembered the moment in the street.
The pattern the weak point.The way everything suddenly made sense.Slowly—
He nodded "…Okay."
Dr. Shirogane gave a small nod "Good."
As the room moved into action again, Kazuki took a deep breath.There was no going back now.Whatever was happening in Aokami District—He was part of it.
And next time It might be worse.Much worse as he followed the others out of the room, one thought stayed in his mind.
If one parasite demon could do that…
What happens if there are more?
The answer came faster than he expected.