In the passing landscape, a head of brown hair flickered into view. Yoon Gaeul was running for her life. From the radio clutched in her hand, the transmission from the Awakener Management Bureau crackled through.

—…Report received: a gate has opened on the field of Saebom Girls’ High School. Caller is the school’s vice principal. Prioritize dispatch of support personnel…

—…No immediate personnel available to move…

Yoon Gaeul passed through the front gate and ran into the school grounds. Students and their families were using the gym as a shelter. Schools were considered higher-priority rescue sites than ordinary shelters, so people flocked to them. Stumbling, nearly falling, she ran toward the gymnasium. She squeezed the radio tight and shouted.

“Dayeon! Minji!”

Then she stopped dead, staring at the rift splitting the air above the field. From within it, a massive, white monster was forcing its way through. It screeched—a shrill, skin-crawling cry—and reached out a hand, gripping empty air as it pushed its head through the gap. Its limbs trembled violently.

A voice, shrill as a scream, burst from beyond the gym windows.