Crackling sounds.

As the body moved slightly, something fell off like powder.

It was ashes.

The body had already lost its vital functions. What remained was nothing but a charred 'something' that used to be human.

Yet the traces, which should have been absolutely impossible to move, were now moving as if nothing was wrong.

Calling it “as if nothing was wrong” feels odd to say, though.

The creaking movement was far from normal.

The figure examined its own body one part at a time, then tilted its head slightly and looked at me.

[Impressive.]

The first words that came …