The laboratory known as the “End of the Earth Lab” was in a situation where the term “chaos” was the most fitting description. There were simply no other words to properly encapsulate the current state of affairs.
Sosik had been deployed into a Singularity for testing, but due to an unknown cause, this Singularity escaped and began an assault on other Singularity-isolated chambers.
Isolation rooms, losing their effectiveness one by one, were promptly abandoned as the Singularity moved to the next target, repeating its destructive patterns. These rooms, relatively fragile against external shocks, were torn apart like paper by the Singularity’s touch, thereby releasing their captured contents into the world.
Of course, the released Singularities did not hold hands with each other and massacre the lab workers. The problem originated from the Singularity labeled 1324-KR, which was peculiar for wandering around unlocking isolation chambers. Singularities don’t collaborate; this was unheard of behavior.
However, it wasn’t a light-hearted situation to joke about lack of neighborly affection. The fact that they weren’t collaborating on purpose didn’t mean they weren’t acting unpredictably.
“T-that thing… the n-number…”
“Remembering its number is weirder! Anyway, if you close one eye, they won’t be able to see us.”
“Wait a sec—”
“Y-yeek! Ack!”
Mistaking the characteristics of a Singularity could be fatal, but the more pressing matter was the insufficient number of people to prevent such mistakes. The team’s failure to fully comprehend the nuances didn’t make their deaths less unjust.
Still, there were deaths where ignorance was not bliss.
“M-move, and you’re dead. If you—just stop and wait a bit—”
“What about the Singularity chasing from behind!?”
“It said don’t move!”
“You’ll die even if you don’t move!”
A Singularity which reacted to limb movement was in front, but the one chasing from behind offered no reprieve. Ironically, this setup led to clashes between Singularities, which was somewhat fortunate for anyone caught in the middle who hadn’t already suffered the consequences.
As with the shrimp crushed between colliding whales, those caught in the crossfire had no joy left in their final moments.
Whenever a Singularity fell upon those already crushed by another, a brief silence would settle. Soon, however, cries of terror would erupt from elsewhere, indicating the chaos in the “End of the Earth Lab” showed no signs of stopping—a living hell where even the Singularities were falling like flies.
There was no contingency plan for multiple Singularities to simultaneously escape the facility. Without adequate resources, any improvised solutions were bound to fall short.
That’s how the “End of the Earth Lab” transformed—not into a wasteland, because nothing grew there in the first place—but into a blood-soaked void.
While similarly fleeing from Singularities, a man’s mind conjured up the image of a small blue girl.
“Huh… gah…”
He assessed his situation. His best chance at survival was getting out. The Singularities escaping the lab were beyond his control, and his rational decision was to escape.
Still, running only took him further from the outside. He was a mere man; he could not bypass Singularity-infested areas while muttering “Excuse me” as if he could pass through easily.
Isolation had worked fine until now, but not anymore. The Singularity would silently reap his life, as if whispering, “This isn’t your game to play anymore.”
Most Singularities now wandering freely around the corridors operated on their own rules, so they were relatively easy to distinguish. Those that remained immobile or showed no interest in humans stayed locked away.
Even so, there were far too many.
Not even the weakest Singularity could be handled by a single human.
Somewhere, gunshots sounded—clashes were occurring. However, these acts of resistance likely attracted more attention than helped, so it might’ve been safer to steer clear.
Naturally, then, the image of the small blue girl came to the man’s mind.
He was a Jelly worshipper—maybe even an enthusiast.
He recalled her last-known test chamber and directed himself there. Though called a “test chamber,” insiders referred to the place as the “Coliseum.” He felt a pang of shame but reminded himself that worrying about etiquette was pointless amidst such chaos.
If he lived, he could repent or apologize later—
“Aaaaaaah!”
The man flinched at the screams accompanying the gunshots. What lay ahead? Breathing carefully, he dreaded what Singularity might appear before him, imposing whatever rule it fancied.
Though facing random regulations was undesirable, in this chaos, some Singularities that attacked without any rules were the most dangerous. Humanity could hardly manage such a catastrophe.
Perhaps, it was better to just run.
Would he be able to evade pursuit? If he reached the small jelly girl, then perhaps things could change.
A game of cat and mouse for his life.
He had nothing to lose but his life, and success may or may not even grant him survival.
Since the issues originated near the testing site, reaching there was a mere hope; it offered no guarantees.
But the man realized he lacked other options.
Thump… thump…
He noticed something moving toward him after the gunshots ceased.
The darkened hallway, cut off from power, flickered its last sparks as the emergency generator’s energy dwindled.
Though shadows loomed ahead, he trusted his memory for the route to the testing site.
Run toward the flickering light, then turn.
Thump-thump went his heart. Though it raced toward a hoped-for reunion, cold sweat drenched his back.
Could he just keep running?
But what if it reacted to running?
Could he outrun it?
Or maybe it tracked those walking?
Gah… how is this even possible?
The situation had him contemplating quitting this job altogether once it was over.
No matter what arguments others might present, being alive, even if memory was erased, was what mattered. Therefore, first things first—he needed to survive.
Taking a deep breath, the man braced himself.
With all his might, he leaped forward, heading toward the test chamber where he believed the small blue Jelly Girl awaited.
He refused to entertain the thought that she might not be there; it would nullify all his prior calculations and directly lead to his death.
As his sprint began, the gentle “thud-thud” of someone’s feet behind him transformed into resonant “BOOM-BOOM-BOOM,” clearly tracking him.
Without hesitation, the man poured every ounce of energy into his dash.
Refusing to look back — the darkness would reveal nothing, so staying focused on running was the best option.
Yet.
The growing footsteps distorted his face with fear. They were much faster than his own speed, shaking the ground like a giant was in pursuit.
Panting, his breaths became hotter, almost touching his body. It was as if the predator’s breath was getting closer and closer, its warmth intensifying and growing sticky, whispering promises of death.
His mind went blank. The physical cries of pain vanished as adrenaline surged through his veins.
With one hand, he slammed against a wall and twisted his body with a groan, narrowly dodging what had lunged for his throat, likely.
The pain in his damaged wrist was secondary as he pushed through, spotting a faint bright light ahead.
He kept running, the pain creeping back in, blood trickling from his tightly clenched jaw.
“Ugh! Aagh!”
BOOM! BOOM!
He felt whatever it was start moving again toward him, even faster, angered perhaps. The hot breath returned, closing in.
The vibrations.
The tremors.
The footsteps.
All reached him from directly behind, and in a final burst of speed, he flung himself forward. His broken wrist failed to steady him as his body rolled like a live grenade toward the light.
“Ugh… uuh…”
A ringing sound filled his ears as he lost any awareness of his surroundings. Though his immediate goal was reached, the agony rushing through his body dominated his thoughts. The ringing deprived him of any situational information but allowed his pain to amplify.
His eyes fluttered shut amidst the overwhelming tremors.
“Gr… Huff… Huff…”
How long had he been lying there gasping? With pain creeping higher, he mocked himself.
“…Pain means I’m alive, right?”
With a twisted smile despite the agony, he forced his eyes open. Though blurred by the brightness, repeated blinking revealed the faint contours of a blue figure.
Ah.
As he suspected.
Before passing out, he glimpsed the small blue girl cutting down the creature that had chased him. She appeared inexplicably larger than before, but that was the last thought before darkness claimed him.
