episode_0394

Peaceful days continued.

October 11th.

An ordinary day.

Three days had already passed since Eunha visited the detention center.

“I’ll throw the disc. Catch it.” “Mmm!” “…Sarang. I threw it to Jjong.” “Hwehoh?”

Ordinary days.

Even the bizarre mixed into daily life was slowly becoming familiar.

“……Your head’s still attached, I see.” “What kind of nonsense is that, Your Majesty? You’re scaring me.”

However, though the daily routine had grown familiar, the instinctive fear brought by the grotesque was not something one could easily get used to.

Someone dreamed of their daughter’s head being crushed by a giant hammer. Someone, after playing with their dog, hugged their Shiba Inu tightly to check if its heart was still beating.

A vague unease. The price paid for gathering regrets.

Perhaps because of this, those who bore the same cross felt closer to each other than before.

“Hey, Ban Harin. Can I ask you something?” “Yes, Kim Yoohee, who’s secretly enjoying being stuck with Detective Do Jongha. Please keep it under ten words—I’m busy.” “You know your answer just went over ten, right?”

People who had lived without any connection. At their center was Polaris.

“What’s inside Eunha’s carrier that she drags around all the time? Can I sneak a peek?” “…….” “Huh? Can I look?” “……Ha… So this is how Eunha felt.” “Hmm?” “You’re not just advertising your idiocy—you know it’s dangerous, so why even ask?” “Ugh, why’d you have to say it like that?” “Because you’re annoying me.”

Conversations overlapping one another.

“Just think of it as a hamster’s food stash. Even Eunha probably doesn’t know what’s inside.”

It was an autumn day in October.

……. …….

A black carrier.

Something Eunha, who had always lacked physical strength, had used as a substitute for a shopping cart. It could even be used in [Fissure Fields] and was designed for Hunters to store ‘artifacts,’ making it incredibly durable.

‘Back then… Was it before going to the [Cheolwon Fissure Field]? Jung Sora, the scout, gave me this carrier as a first fissure gift.’

Early morning.

Before heading to the café, Eunha spread the carrier open on the living room floor and checked its contents. Just as she occasionally reviewed the guidebook of the [Black Book].

Making sure no strange objects had slipped into the carrier she always carried around.

“Honestly, what could even be inside a carrier I barely open…?”

A carrier she didn’t open unless necessary. But one could never be too careful. If something like bugs had gotten inside, that would be trouble.

Click—

Eunha opened the carrier.

“…….”

Wriggle~ wriggle~

A mischievous little rump peeked out.

Beside the [Black Book], curled up and hiding, was a tiny bumblebee larva. The plump, round rear of the baby bumblebee wiggled with an odd sense of anticipation.

Was it playing hide-and-seek?

“Ugh, guess I haven’t cleaned lately if bugs are nesting here.”

Tap tap.

“If you don’t come out now, I’ll sterilize you along with the carrier.”

Seemed like it wanted to stay with Eunha.

When she poked the wiggling rear with her finger, the well-behaved larva obediently crawled out of the carrier and clung tightly to Eunha’s chest.

A grotesque that followed her like a mother.

Every time this happened, she felt a strange tickling sensation near her chest.

Forgetting about organizing the carrier, Eunha gently patted the back of ‘Fly,’ who nestled in her arms.

“Why were you in there? Did you want to come to the café with me?”

Bzz~

“If a larva suddenly rolls out of the carrier while I’m working, it’d be really awkward, you know.”

Tap tap.

Bright yellow castanets clutched tightly in both hands.

‘Fly,’ who had hidden inside a loose box tee, grabbed onto Eunha’s chest—larger than her own head—with the castanets it had pried open.

A larva born from stomach pain(?).

Other grotesques sometimes felt human-like, but ‘Fly’ in particular resembled an ordinary baby, making her want to care for it.

‘A baby… Is that what it is……’

Eunha quietly bowed her head.

‘Fly,’ who had hidden inside the box tee.

She lifted the bumblebee larva, whose lips were wriggling more eagerly than usual, into her arms.

That tickling sensation deep in her chest… Could this be maternal love?

Eunha recalled a recent morning when she had visited the [Doll Girl]’s house to play.

…….

( 『Friend. Welcome.』 )

Thanks to [Old Man Park] waking her up early, she had time before her café shift.

So she visited ‘Unit 801.’

A girl dressed in a pure white polar bear pajama set.

The ‘thing’ that opened the front door gazed up at Eunha with eyes more innocent than anyone’s, then waddled over like a penguin and hugged one of her legs.

( 『Friend. Long time. Play?』 ) ( Sure. We can play for about an hour. What do you want to do? ) ( 『Role-play.』 ) ( What role? ) ( 『Farm owner.』 ) ( …What? )

Though the grip was weak enough to easily shake off, Eunha didn’t.

In the end, she entered the [Doll Girl]’s house, filled with stuffed dolls, and played ‘this and that’ with the baby polar bear until it was time to leave.

And she realized one thing.

( Slee… What the hell is this? ) ( 『……Friend. Cow?』 ) ( No. Wait. Ugh. My body must be confused. )

She couldn’t quite explain what games she had played with the [Doll Girl], but Eunha’s body had become more larva-friendly than before.

That was all.

She didn’t know why.

Had her [Self-Recovery] skill malfunctioned?

‘What’s the cause?… Did I mess up when answering the ‘Delusional Girl’s’ questions at the hospital last time?… No idea.’

Eunha chose to think positively.

It wasn’t life-threatening. So what?

The [Self-Recovery] skill that restored her body to its ‘original state.’

She still didn’t know what that ‘original state’ was supposed to be… But if the larvae liked it, that was enough.

“At least the babies won’t go hungry.” “Hey, stop teasing me.”

A woman preparing breakfast in the kitchen spoke.

Stirring a pot on the induction stove with great focus.

Tap tap.

Eunha responded half-heartedly, then casually began organizing the carrier as if nothing was wrong.

The wide-open carrier.

Inside, the untitled [Black Book] was placed at the very bottom, covered with spare clothes. Even if she opened the carrier in front of others, no one would be able to see the [Black Book].

Next to it, a black plastic bag for storing severed limbs.

Then, just in case, she added a cross and prayer beads she had bought, along with a bundle of bright yellow talismans.

‘This goes in, and I need to carry this too…’

She organized the carrier.

Put in a wooden cross, took out the bumblebee larva, added the prayer beads and talismans, took out the bumblebee larva.

Packed a ‘Derringer pistol’ and two bullets for emergencies.

And took out the bumblebee larva.

“You. This is a box for important things.”

Tap tap.

Important things.

‘Fly,’ who had bitten its lips, flailed its limbs and slipped back into the carrier.

For some reason, it made her happy.

But our larva isn’t an object.

She patted the bumblebee diligently and pulled it back out.

“Good girl. Should I give our ‘Fly’ some num-nums?… Yeah, you must be hungry.”

It quieted down.

If the larvae acted up in the future, she’d have to calm them like this.

Eunha, who had patted the larva in her arms, continued organizing the carrier.

Added a salt packet for the [Red Lady]’s rules, an old handsaw and a flute.

Then a tarp, plastic gloves, air freshener to mask the smell of blood, detergent for Hunters to clean bloodstains, a ‘glass jar’ for collecting trophies, a handmade ‘clay doll,’ the bumblebee larva.

A security cap and flashlight stolen from the guard station, a reflective vest…

Bzz…

After taking the bumblebee larva out of the carrier, Eunha finished organizing.

Items to survive the grotesque.

Seeing them all gathered like this, there were quite a lot.

Clunk.

Finally, she closed the carrier, attached a ‘1++ sticker’-shaped lightweight artifact, and it was done.

Eunha let out a deep breath and looked around.

……Squeak.

Then, she opened the carrier, took out the bumblebee larva, and closed it again.

Purr~

The larva’s long bangs covered its eyes.

Eunha wiped its happily wriggling lips.

Judging by its plump belly, it seemed very full.

“Alright, it’s time for work, so go back to [Princess Bug].”

Tap tap.

Then, 7:30 AM.

Work time.

Time to cradle the larva that didn’t want to leave.

“Should I walk you there?”

The woman cooking in the kitchen approached Eunha and spoke.

A person with a gentle smile, as if mimicking Eunha.

Inside the pot on the induction stove, which she had been stirring diligently just moments ago, was nothing.

Tap! Tap!

As the woman approached, ‘Fly’ in Eunha’s arms flinched and thrashed.

A strange reaction.

When Eunha set it down, the bumblebee grotesque bowed its head to her, then hurriedly turned and left for ‘Unit 904.’

“Oh dear… This is tough.”

The voice of the ‘woman’ who had approached from the kitchen.

Eunha scratched the back of her head.

A strange sense of dissonance.

“……Hmm. Well, I’ll head to work now.” “Be careful.”

After exchanging farewells with the woman, Eunha grabbed her carrier and left the house.

“Take care, young lady.” “Good morning, sir. You’ve made a lot of ‘clay dolls’ today.” “It’s best to come home as late as possible.”

At the apartment entrance.

She exchanged greetings with the elderly security guard making ‘clay dolls.’

The guard’s desk held several times more ‘clay dolls’ than usual.

The same commute as always.

Rattle.

Eunha pulled her carrier and stepped out of the apartment.

……. …….

‘……That woman in the house just now… Who was she?’

She realized something was off right after leaving the apartment.

“…….”

That Eunha, was silently watched from the balcony railing of ‘Unit 904’ by the ‘woman,’ pressed tightly against it.

……. …….

There’s something in the house.

She was starting to dread going home.

Should she stay out tonight?

“U-um… H-hi…! Are you Hunter Eunha…?”

7:50 AM.

Eunbangeul’s Café.

While changing into her uniform and taking a short break at a table with the rabbit girl Eunbangeul, someone opened the café door—despite the ‘Closed’ sign—and stepped inside.

There were still about 10 minutes until opening.

Eunha quietly looked up at the ‘someone’ approaching her.

“……Yes. Can I help you?” “I-I’m from the Hunter Association!”

Not a complete stranger.

A woman who rolled her eyes like a flounder, afraid of others’ gazes. On October 1st, they had met at the [Facility]…

A low-ranking researcher from the potion lab.

Despite being trapped in a [Facility] crawling with grotesques, she had stubbornly clung to sanity and survived.

Was her nickname ‘Flounder’?

So she was alive.

“Eunha unnie. Do you know her?” “……No.”

Eunbangeul’s snow-white rabbit ears twitched.

Answering the girl’s question, Eunha faced ‘Flounder.’

“N-nice to meet you! The Association sent me because of, um, this!”

After escaping the hellish [Facility], perhaps the [Oblivion Saintess]’s power had dulled the painful memories.

‘Flounder,’ wiping away cold sweat, rolled her eyes nervously.

Then, her gaze drifted to Eunha’s chest—larger than her own head— and she flinched, shoulders hunching, as she pulled ‘something’ from her pocket.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Name: Eun Ha Hunter Rank: C-Class / Combat-Type

Skill Name: Self-Recovery Danger Rating: Undetermined

~~~~~~~~~~~

A Hunter license.

Engraved with Eunha’s name and photo.

“…….”

She accepted the license.

Eunha stared blankly at it.

C-Class.

That’s what was written on the license.

“Congratulations on your promotion! C-Class Hunters can enter [Fissure Fields] alone, and also…” “…….”

A C-Class Hunter.

In the end, she had passed in one go.

A human who had lived as an F-Class Hunter for three years.

Gulp.

( Later, when ■■ grows up healthy and becomes an adult… Become a great Hunter everyone looks up to. )

……Ah.

She should be happy.

( Later, when ■■ grows up healthy and becomes an adult… Become a great Hunter everyone looks up to. ) ( Later, when ■■ grows up healthy and becomes an adult… Become a great Hunter everyone looks up to. ) ( Later, when ■■ grows up healthy and becomes an adult… Become a great Hunter everyone looks up to. ) ( Later, when ■■ grows up healthy and becomes an adult… Become a great Hunter everyone looks up to. )

Eunha curled her lips upward.

She was happy.

“P-please sign here! Write ‘self’ in the recipient field!” “Okay. Thanks for bringing it all the way here.”

So the Association Head didn’t deliver it herself.

Then again, if the Hunter Association’s leader personally delivered licenses, that’d be its own problem.

Eunha pulled a pen from her chest—larger than her head— signed the document ‘Flounder’ handed her, and tenderly stroked the newly issued license.

The freshly printed Hunter license glimmered under the light.

“…What do you do at the Association, Ms. Flounder?” “M-me? I’m the team leader of the newly established ‘Potion Production Team’!” “Production Team? Not the Potion Lab?” “Y-yes… The people above me ‘somehow’ disappeared one after another… Now I’m learning directly from Association Head Go Yeongin… Hehe…”

Seems the cat Association Head had finished cleaning up the Association properly these past few days.

‘Flounder,’ who had risen from a lowly researcher to the leader of the Potion Production Team.

Once the handover was complete and more people joined, she’d likely be promoted to head of the Potion Production Lab soon.

Acting Lab Head… No, Production Lab Head.

Confusing.

Who knew she was so competent that Go Yeongin would personally train her?

A woman who had stubbornly survived in a [Facility] overtaken by grotesques would know how to take care of herself.

‘……Everyone’s changing.’

Time passed.

The world, having settled one incident, was slowly changing.

With an unchanging smile, Eunha cheered ‘Flounder’ on.

…….

“Waaah~! Congrats, Eunha unnie! You’re a C-Class Hunter now!”

After ‘Flounder’ left, Eunha was hugged tightly by Eunbangeul, who had leaped onto her lap, receiving congratulations until her chest ached.

The rabbit was as happy as if it were her own achievement.

Her snow-white ears perked up as she buried her face in Eunha’s chest—larger than her head—inhaling deeply.

“Heeh…… Eunha unnie. You smell really nice lately.” “Do I?”

The ever-radiant rabbit.

Her pitch-black, tar-like eyes gazed up at Eunha.

Eunha and Eunbangeul. The café with just the two of them.

Kang Nari and Ban Harin were nowhere to be seen.

‘It’s quiet… Sometimes this is nice too.’

Just the two of them, for the first time in a while.

Cradling Eunbangeul in her arms, Eunha turned her head.

“…….”

Her eyes met Eunhong’s through the café window.

The ‘thing’ silently pointed at the ‘Closed’ sign on the door.

Eunha pretended not to notice and turned away.

Frost formed on the window.

Grrk…

Wiping the frost away with a finger, ‘that thing’ glared at Eunha with resentful eyes.

The silhouette of a woman visible through the frosted window.

Was it an illusion that one of her hands seemed to hold a handsaw?

Guess even a short break wasn’t allowed.

‘Fine. Stare all you want.’

With a lazy smile, Eunha took out her C-Class license and showed it to Eunhong.

She’d have to go around getting congratulated again.

“……Unnie, you’ve changed a lot.” “Have I?”

Then, the rabbit in her arms spoke.

…….

Twitch!

The rabbit spoke.

The face of ‘her’ looking down at the rabbit in her arms.

Though the smile directed at her was as dazzling as ever, the once-perennial F-Class Hunter had changed beyond recognition in just a few months.

A beauty that made anyone turn their head.

A large chest that swayed elegantly with even the smallest movement.

Above all, there was light in Eunha’s eyes now.

“……Do I need to change too?”

Only the girl remained unchanged.

Amidst the flow of time where everyone else was changing, she stayed by Eunha’s side, unchanged in both appearance and heart, like a photograph.

Twitch…

Dull eyes devoid of even a glimmer of light.

The rabbit, still hiding many secrets, hugged Eunha tightly.

The scent of warm breast milk lingered around Eunha.

‘I just… want to stay by Eunha unnie’s side, happy and unchanged, forever.’

A small grudge took root.

Her, no, your love for her, if nothing else, would be real.

The rabbit girl smiled brightly, savoring the present moment.

Ding-dong~♬

Then, the café door opened, and Ban Harin and Kang Nari entered, carrying a large gift box.

“Congratulations on your promotion.” “Congrats, Eunha! Here’s a gift!”

Plop—

Inside the gift box was a fluffy pink furball.

“What’s this…” “Caught it. It’s a pet.” “Mew…”

The café descended into chaos in an instant.

The sign on the door flipped to ‘Open,’ marking the start of the day.

Soon after, Kim Sarang entered, grinning as she stuck her newly issued C-Class license to her forehead.

A noisy café.

Changing.

The café, and Eunha.

Time flowed steadily onward.

Hop.

The rabbit girl slipped out of Eunha’s embrace, took a step back, and gazed fondly at Eunha, now surrounded by people.

“…….”

Click.

A commemorative photo.

May this heartbeat reach the ‘future me’ as well.

“……Everyone, move! Eunha unnie’s lap is mine!”

Soon, the rabbit stuffed the camera into her apron and hopped through the crowd.

……. …….

An ordinary day, someday.

A peaceful daily life, continuing.

“What’s for lunch today? Her Majesty packed me a lunchbox.”

The moment she sensed something was off was around lunchtime.

…….

“Oh, I brought lunch too. Want to eat together in the break room?”

12 PM. Saturday.

Kim Sarang, who had come to the café early because it was a holiday, took out her lunchbox.

In response, Eunha also pulled a lunchbox from her carrier.

Wrapped in a pure white cloth like snowflakes, the lunchbox was as cold as if taken from a freezer.

“Did you make this, Eunha?” “No.” “……? Then who…” “My mom packed it.”

Dissonance.

The woman who had been cooking something in the kitchen of ‘Unit 904’ today as well.

“……Why is your mom alive?” “Kim Sarang?” “Ah, maybe Her Majesty made Eunha’s lunch too…… Is your mother also blind?” “Kim Sarang.” “Sorry, but what kind of conversation is this?”

Three days of rest must not have been enough.

Today, too, seemed like it would be a noisy day.