[Earth – Global Reaction]
When the world learned of the tragedy, a wave of grief swept across nations.
The victims of the Desert Zone Massacre were not ordinary soldiers—they were elite S-ranked Superhumans, each handpicked to represent their country in a joint expedition to explore one of the richest Zones ever discovered.
Two S-Ranked representatives per country. Fifty nations. One hundred dead.
At first, the citizens mourned—tributes flooded social media, vigils lit up capital cities, and flags flew at half-mast. But sorrow quickly mutated into outrage.
"What really happened in the Zone?"
"Why weren't they protected?"
"What are you hiding from us?"
Governments around the globe issued joint statements:
> "We are currently investigating the incident alongside allied nations. The cause of death remains unknown. We ask for your patience and cooperation."
But their calm tone only fueled public distrust.
Protests erupted in major cities. Some citizens accused the government of covering up a failed experiment or sacrificing their elites for political motives.
Others dismissed these conspiracies, reasoning:
> "They were our best. No nation would willingly throw away its strength."
Still, whispers and rumors multiplied online.
Was it a creature stronger than a Dragon?
Was it a message?
Or something ancient... awakening?
---
[Home – Kevingu's Family Residence]
"Damn… sucks to be them," muttered Kevingu, lounging lazily on the living room couch.
The TV screen displayed solemn newscasters recounting the annihilation of the S-ranked expedition. Footage showed rows of greyed-out life indicators, a grim symbol of total loss.
It had been a week since Kevingu returned home.
When he first arrived, the house had been empty. The next morning, his father returned from work—but his two stepsisters had already been dispatched to Zone 12, where the Dragon was sighted. His younger brother and sister were sent on a student expedition to gain field experience.
Now, with both Martha and his father assigned to investigate the desert massacre, Kevingu figured it was time to leave.
The house, once filled with energy, was quiet again.
---
[Nearby – Another Family]
A few blocks from Kevingu's home, a different family of three sat around a breakfast table.
"Good morning," said the father.
"Morning, honey," replied his wife with a smile.
"Good morning, Dad," chirped their daughter.
The warmth of the scene contrasted the cold reality of their day.
"Your mother and I won't be home for a while," the father said. "We've been assigned to Zone 12. Recon mission."
The daughter nodded, unsurprised.
"Same here. The university's sending all third-semester students for a supervised expedition."
The father smiled. "Busy family. Stay safe, sweetheart."
"You too, Mom. Dad."
---
[Kevingu's Departure]
"You could stay longer, son," Martha said as she stood at the door.
Kevingu zipped up his bag. "I've been here a week. Time to check on my store."
She nodded, though her eyes lingered. "Alright. But visit again soon, okay?"
He smiled faintly. "Okay, Mom."
"Want me to drop you off?"
"Nah, I'll grab a taxi."
They exchanged a long look, the kind that didn't need words.
"Bye, son."
"Bye, Mom."
He stepped out into the sun, unaware that the world around him was beginning to unravel.
---