The crowd outside the hospital roared like a restless ocean — reporters, cameras, panicked fans, and angry protestors.
News anchors jostled for position behind microphones:
"No official statement yet—"
"—tight security enforced by the agency's elite guards—"
"—rumors swirling that the girl, Choen, has something to do with it—"
But then the agency released a statement — simple, stern:
"We are investigating this case thoroughly. We confirm that Choel's condition is not related to Choen. We ask the public for patience and respect."
The air buzzed with disbelief. But before the public could react—
The virus struck.
It began with subtle symptoms. Fever. Lightheadedness.
Then hallucinations.
Then silence.
Then transformation.
Doctors rushed to newsrooms, their faces pale with fear.
"We believe this is a mutated strand of an unknown virus."
"It spreads fast. In some cases... patients are not human anymore."
"We have no known antibiotic yet. We are working day and night."
The world froze.
But not for long.
It happened on the fourth day after Choel's collapse.
In a quiet alley behind a pharmacy, a man screamed —
and when he turned, eight black legs cracked from his back, stretching unnaturally, his eyes glassy red like blood diamonds.
The camera phone capturing it dropped, but not before the world saw:
A human turning into a spider-like creature, screeching, crawling across walls, chasing screams.
Back in the hospital, Choen watched the news unfold with the others. Her mouth dry. Her heart thundered.
ren stood nearby, arms crossed, tension in every inch of him. "This isn't just a virus," he muttered.
Sunwoo clicked through reports, one by one.
"Fifteen cities affected in twenty-four hours. No cure. No trace. No explanation."
And then—
Mathew burst in, his face drained of color. "Guys… look at this."
He played the security footage.
A woman stood in a dark hallway — half her face shadowed. In her hand, the ancient charm. The same one the little girl gave Choel.
Behind her: chaos. Blood. Crawling limbs.
Choen leaned in.
The woman smiled in the frame.