Location: Daehyun's Apartment – Night
Areum—no, the other Areum—moved like a ghost.
She sat on the edge of Daehyun's bed, expression blank, posture too perfect.
Daehyun stared at her.
Gone was the shy smile. Gone were the stutters and soft looks.
This one looked calculated. Dangerous.
"Areum…?" he asked again.
She tilted her head, slowly.
"She's resting. I'm the failsafe."
---
Raon's Lab – Underground Facility
In a hidden facility under the city, Raon stood before a tank.
Inside: another girl. Same face. Same proportions.
But with a colder, sharper expression, even in sleep.
> [VESSEL 2 – ONLINE]
[NAME: SEO RAEL]
Raon touched the glass, voice like a prayer.
"She won't collapse like the first. No fear. No dreams. Just execution."
The pod hissed open.
Rael's eyes snapped open—glowing faintly blue.
"Directive?"
Raon smiled.
"Find her. Observe. And when the time is right…"
"…replace her."
---
Back to Daehyun
The failsafe-Areum paced his room.
"She was never meant to remember. Raon made sure of it. But someone—you—stirred the memories."
Daehyun's jaw tightened.
"She deserves to know."
"She's not ready," the failsafe replied. "She's cracking."
"…And you're the glue?"
A bitter smile.
"No. I'm the cage."
---
Meanwhile: The School Rooftop
Rael—Vessel 2—stood atop the high school building.
She looked out over the city like a predator stalking prey.
Target locked: Han Areum.
Her lips curved into a smile.
"Let's see if I'm really the better version."
---
Final Panel:
In the depths of Areum's mind, the real her curled in a dark corner.
Alone.
Whispers echoed:
"He made you perfect."
"But you were never real."
"Just a dream stitched from someone else's body."
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"…Who am I?"
---