Human beings are always thought to live in search of some kind of stimulation.
Naturally, those stimuli will vary from person to person.
It could be food, or perhaps the explosion of satisfaction one gets from reading a novel on the commute home, or maybe the sweet times spent with a lover.
Then again, some may indulge in activities that satisfy intellectual vanity for the sheer joy of it.
Or there might be those who find stimulation in cultivating life itself.
Even I, saying all this, only desired a tiny spark to liven up the repetitive grind of life.
A small stimulation that could add color to the everyday routine, which felt like running in a hamster wheel.
“—!”
And the price…
Was the horrifying experience of my body melting away without even the chance to scream—when I could have simply gone home after work and cracked open a can of beer.
Though there are those who constantly engage in self-destructive behavior in search of a thrill, I wasn’t one of them.
Had I known this would end in death, I wouldn’t have wanted it.
Because I was a typical salaryman who feared death.
…Most likely.
My vision began to fade.
That seemed to be the only way to describe it.
Unidentifiable screams echoed—though, could this even be considered “hearing”?
As my vision faded, it grew darker.
It was astonishing that I could still maintain consciousness.
They often say that when death approaches, one’s life flashes before their eyes in endless detail.
But all I felt was peace.
The fading was tranquil, a soft, spongy sensation.
And as my vision turned completely dark…
The cold grip of death arrived.
Or so I thought.
<Report Regarding the Securing of ■■■-KR>
At 19:05, a breach of ■■■-KR was confirmed, and a request for the deployment of the suppression team was received.
At 19:08, ■■■-KR came into contact with an unidentified civilian. Shortly after, both the civilian and ■■■-KR merged and entered ■■-KR.
The merged entities have been provisionally designated as ■■■KR-1, with further clarification awaited.
At 19:15, the suppression team arrived on-site and began a search.
At 20:15, the search was concluded without success in securing ■■■-KR-1. Based on the commanding officer’s judgment, it was deemed impossible to enter ■■-KR, and the suppression team was withdrawn.
Entry into ■■-KR is currently negatively assessed due to the presence of ■■-KR-B. Additional support is considered necessary.
* The individual responsible for the ■■■-KR breach has been issued disciplinary action and is scheduled for transfer to the ■■ Branch.
End.
■■ Branch Suppression Team Leader, Hwang■■
