Location: A hidden control room beneath Seoul.
A red light blinked on a cracked monitor.
> [PROJECT TERMINATION PROTOCOL: ACTIVE]
An agent in a black coat frowned. "Areum has awakened. If she continues… the consciousness transfer program might leak."
He clicked a button.
> [Subject A.R. – LOCATION CONFIRMED]
[Operative dispatched: ETA 8 hours]
---
Meanwhile. Middle school rooftop.
Raon stared into the distance, his voice quiet.
"I built you… because I wanted something beautiful to live."
Areum, trembling, stared at him. Her whole body was in conflict.
"You don't get to decide that. I'm not yours."
Silence.
"…You're right," he said. "But I didn't lie when I said you were the only one I regretted."
She turned to leave—but stopped.
"Raon… am I going to die?"
He didn't answer.
---
Later that night.
Daehyun reviewed every file he downloaded. Logs, footage, brain scans. All of it confirmed it:
Areum wasn't born.
She was built.
And Raon had rewritten her brain three times.
"I need to get her out of this city," he whispered.
Then—his laptop glitched.
> [Intrusion Detected]
[Traceback Location: UNKNOWN]
A cold voice came through his speakers.
"Too late, Lee Daehyun."
The screen shut off.
---
Back at Areum's house.
She looked in the mirror.
Memories flickered like broken glass.
A lab. Screams. Needles. Raon's voice.
You'll be perfect, Areum.
Her reflection suddenly smiled—but she wasn't smiling.
Her head pounded.
> [Stability Dropping – 71%]
[Emotional Desync – DANGER LEVEL 3]
Areum collapsed to her knees.
---
Final Panel:
At an airport, a tall woman in a black coat stepped off a plane. Ear comm buzzing.
"Target: Han Areum."
> "Eliminate without trace."
She smiled faintly.
"With pleasure."
---