**Splash—** A flounder slapped the water’s surface with its tail, sending droplets flying. The Noryangjin Fish Market was quieter than usual, quiet enough to hear the sound of the fish’s tail. Most of the Hunters who would normally gather information there were either injured or too busy running around, leaving no other choice.

A week had passed since monsters rained down from the sky, and the world had quickly begun to settle back into place. Having already experienced similar incidents twice before, people were quick to recover. The government reported that the incident was caused by a rift, and that Hunters had resolved the issue. However, most people didn’t believe it. Hundreds of massive monsters falling from the sky couldn’t be merely the result of a simple rift!

Various conspiracy theories started to emerge: It was a failed experiment, the rifts were malfunctioning, it was a sign the white hole would disappear, and so on. However, the doomsayers who usually fanned the flames of such theories were notably absent this time. It was as if they had vanished completely. In the end, the conspiracy theories led nowhere and were soon forgotten. Life seemed to return to normal, at least for those unaware of the impending doom.

And now.

A man hurried through the quiet fish market. His dark blue hair fluttered with each step. As he passed, the vendors in their plastic aprons called out to him.

“Hey, are you feeling better?”

“Of course. I’m fine now.”