Setting & Story Introduction
In the present-day world, the country is plagued by multiple strains of a dangerous virus. Some strains are used for good purposes, while others are exploited for malicious intentions. As a result, various special task forces have been established to deal with outbreaks and control the spread of infections.
Cayen Faak, 39
Head of the Special Virus Control Unit, Cayen is a key member responsible for screening and containing viral outbreaks. His extensive duties require him to coordinate with newly established security organizations distributing vaccines, stepping in for the public health department, which is under investigation for corruption.
Vivian Zhang, 30
A newcomer to the special task unit. Although thirty years old, Vivian has never worked before due to health issues. A "test-tube baby" with a fragile body, he was encouraged by his father's close friend to gain exposure to viruses through distributing antiviral vaccines to local communities.
Lupin Rare, 49
Vivian's father's close friend. Highly knowledgeable and intelligent, Lupin has advised Vivian's father since the beginning regarding the child's health and test-tube background. He has also collaborated on multiple virus research projects with Vivian's father, who tragically died from a viral infection that was too strong for even his family to approach his remains.
Semi Ryo, 39
Deputy Head of the Special Virus Control Unit and Cayen's close friend. Calm and polite, he comes from a poor family background. Semi is the one who can temper Cayen's temper, providing advice and support. He serves as everything to Cayen, who grew up as an only child with few close companions.
Will Billian, 39
Special Virus Researcher and another close friend of Cayen. Born into wealth, Will is exceptionally imaginative, sometimes more so than intelligent. He has a quirky and playful personality, often helping Cayen relax amidst the stress of their work.
Henry Yang, 30
Colleague of Vivian at the special unit. Quiet and observant, Henry excels at gathering information and prefers to avoid chaos and unnecessary conflict.
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A city of towering skyscrapers, where the sky hung heavy and gray, as if shrouded in perpetual mist not winter, not rainy season, nor any season at all. The world no longer had predictable seasons. Any day could feel like any season; there was no need for a weather forecast. Low or high pressure could shift in an instant, turning the world upside down in the blink of an eye.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Heavy leather shoes struck the floor, approaching a room. Laughter and chatter from the employees inside leaked through the walls. A tall, imposing figure in a high-ranking officer's uniform furrowed his brow slightly but did not lift his eyes from the documents in his hand. The black pen he carried bore a golden cross stamp at its tip a clear mark of his authority.
The large man stepped into the room, the palm of his hand pressing the pen down in the center of the folder before slamming the entire stack onto the table with a deafening crash.
BANG!
The room that had been filled with lively conversation fell silent instantly. A heavy, suffocating tension settled over the space, as if the air itself had thickened.
Every pair of eyes in the special task force office slowly turned toward the scowling face, the brows knotted like tangled ropes. His gaze cut through the room like a warning: the brief moment of peace was over.
The officers in the room scrambled to their feet, shrinking back as if they all knew an unstoppable bomb had just detonated.
Only one remained, calm in the face of the storm of fury radiating from the task force chief: Cayen Faak.
A thirty-nine-year-old man with a tall, muscular build and a face as sharp and wild as a predator's, emanating authority and danger…
But with his close friend, Semi Ryo, who lounged casually with a cup of coffee, he allowed himself a softer expression. Semi raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly at the fearsome chief, unbothered by the tense atmosphere.
Cayen nodded in acknowledgment. The aura of danger slowly receded.
Releasing his tension around a trusted friend was something a man like Cayen always did."Why did the Security Unit even set up a special division to oversee vaccinations? We already have the public health department, fully equipped with all the necessary medical devices. And now, with a new unit, they have to request a new budget? This is such a waste. Is the country not in debt enough already?"
Cayen spoke, his voice harsh and commanding, as if he were enraged at the world itself. Deep furrows creased his forehead, adding lines to a face that had barely reached forty, worn from constant irritation.
"Are you frustrated about this? Lupin is extremely meticulous. Why would you think his decision was wrong?"
Semi bent down to collect the pen belonging to the chief and handed it back with a small, knowing smile. His taut, youthful face made him look younger than his close friend, and the familiar way he addressed the chief reflected just how intimate their bond was.
Despite this, Semi's demeanor was gentle, open, and understanding quite the contrast to the short-tempered, volatile, and bluntly aggressive Cayen Faak.
Cayen was a man loathed by many. Decisive and unyielding, he crushed anyone who dared stand in his way, regardless of rank. Difficult to work with, he humiliated others with ease and had brought many subordinates to tears with his ruthless critiques. No one loved him not even his own team except for his deputy, Semi.
Semi sat cross-legged, listening silently. He didn't flinch at the outburst, didn't respond to the torrent of anger. He sipped his coffee slowly, nodding occasionally as a patient and attentive listener should, his composed presence far more elegant than his hot-headed friend, Cayen.
Though Cayen was approaching forty, his sharp, ruggedly handsome face carried a permanent air of scorn, which dulled much of his natural charm. His temper ruled over reason, and his recklessness was the hallmark of his high rank. Being the son of the previous leader only ensured that few dared challenge him, no matter their skill.
Dealing with someone like Cayen had honed Semi's patience. He had learned how to calm a friend more ferocious than a Rottweiler. Listening to his volatile friend complain about the inefficiencies of other departments had, over time, become an unspoken daily ritual.
Cayen held his position not just because of his lineage, but because of his decisiveness and audacity. He had maintained his role long after his parents had passed, left to navigate the world on his own…
"What the hell is the point? Look at the vaccine distribution routes in the yellow zones that turned deep red after the shots were administered. How massive is this? Why do we have to follow up and sanitize all the red zones afterward? They said it was supposed to lighten our workload, but it's clearly adding more work!"
His rough, calloused hand slammed the electronic tablet onto the table for his close friend to see. The map displayed half the country engulfed in red.
"Hm… maybe it's just a coincidence. The virus is spreading heavily anyway," Semi said calmly.
"This world's going to hell because of people like them. You submitted the request to the leadership, right? They want us to shadow this unit during every vaccination. I'll go get Will."
Cayen issued the order immediately, his face alight with a sly grin, as if he had just thought of something clever.
"Why? He's a researcher, not field personnel," Semi raised an eyebrow, puzzled.
"I need to find out what the hell is in that vaccine. Why doesn't it work? Why are they still going berserk? It's about time someone exposed that the so-called Security Unit isn't really secure at all!"
The massive man stormed out, his temper flaring. His fierce energy, raging since youth and only intensified with age, made Semi shake his head slightly in amused resignation.
A little while later, the other staff cautiously returned to the office after witnessing their fearsome chief speed off.