A year ago, the world completely changed.
Without warning, something began emerging from various places across Earth, transforming them into terrifying places. Whether small or vast, entering these places meant facing almost certain death.
It was as if the world had become one of those horror movies where terrifying creatures, ghosts, and unknown anomalies appeared.
Over time, the government began calling these places ‘CORRUPTED ZONES.’
Within these Corrupted Zones, if they were not cleared immediately, the anomalies would continue to grow stronger, eventually breaking free from the corrupted realm and bringing calamity to the outside world.
Those tasked with entering these zones and eliminating the threats within were known as PURIFIERS.
***
“THUD!”
The man lying at my feet gently wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
“Is the lady angry at me?” He asked while smiling innocently at me.
My jaw tightened at his sheer audacity to ask if I was angry with him. After pushing me into an unknown, corrupted place where death was all but certain, of course I was angry. Who wouldn't be?
Moreover, I wasn't even a Purifier to begin with.
Countless words clawed at my throat. I wanted nothing more than to lash out at him, but knowing he wasn't quite right in the head, I knew the man wouldn't even bother listening.
So instead, I tried to calm myself.
I pulled out a clean handkerchief from my pocket and carefully placed it on a table nearby. Only then did I lift my eyes to meet his once more.
“Angry?” I tilted my head a bit like a confused child. “Do I look angry to you?”
I smiled as I always did. At least, I thought I did. Yet the people nearby visibly stiffened. To them, my smile carried a terrifying indifference.
Perhaps the rage in my eyes was simply too overwhelming for an ordinary smile to mask it, warping it into something that resembled the grin of a madman.
Even that scientist froze for a moment.
"Are you not?" A soft laugh escaped him.
“But I threw you into the Corrupted Zone. Most people would be angry after that.” He raised a brow, studying me as though I were an experiment.
“Shouldn't you be angry too?”
“…”
For a heartbeat, I simply stared at him.
Then, without warning—
“Hah…”
A laugh escaped me.
Another followed.
“HAHAHAHAHA!!!”
I laughed without restraint. The composure I had struggled to maintain finally shattered, and with it, every ounce of patience I had left. This is too outrageous.
This crazy bastard is really looking for a fight. Fine then, I will surely indulge him.
“Oh~? It seems our genius scientist has greatly misunderstood me.” Then I sighed dramatically. “Blame me, then.”
“What?”
“Entering the Corrupted Zone, really brought me so much fun that even now, I can still feel the thrill coursing through me.”
My smile faded slightly.
“It really hurts.
The room fell into a terrifying silence.
“I needed an outlet, so I chose you.” My eyes locked onto his.
“After all, subjecting an innocent and complete stranger to it would be unethical.”
“Actually... what do they call that again?” I tilted my head, seemingly lost in thought.
“Ah… right.”
A faint smile returned.
“Inhumane.”
“…That would be really inhumane.”
I continued talking, “And from a human perspective… you are not exactly innocent.”
“…”
“Right now, why don't you play with me for a little while?” I smiled, my excitement growing with every word.
Before he could even response, I grabbed him by the hair and pulled him closer. The rage inside me burned hotter than ever.
Then, I struck.
The smile never left my face as I
slammed my fist into him.
Again.
And again.
The sound of each blow echoed through the room, but my smile remained
perfectly intact. The fury inside me was overwhelming, a storm I could no longer contain, yet none of it reached my expression.
I've never felt more satisfied.
“You crazy b*tch!”
His voice finally broke through the silence.
Since you insisted on being crazy earlier, I’ll play crazy too. Let's see whose insanity swallows the other first.
