Chapter 13 – Echoes of the Past
The sterile glow of the corporate HQ's server room cast long shadows on the cold walls. Aya's fingers flew over the keyboard as encrypted files spilled onto the screen, revealing layers of hidden truths that chilled Kaito to his core.
"This… this isn't just about bugs," Aya whispered, eyes scanning lines of code and distorted images. "They were experimenting with bio-weapons—engineered insects designed to manipulate and control the city's population."
Kaito felt a cold knot tighten in his stomach. "Who would do such a thing?"
Aya glanced over her shoulder, her expression grim. "Powerful people, hidden behind the facade of corporations and government. They saw the bugs as tools to gain control. But something went wrong… the experiments got out of hand."
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Haunted Memories
Kaito rubbed his temples, the memories swirling back—his late nights working as an exterminator, the strange glow of the orb in his palm, and the way the bugs seemed to watch him.
His mind flashed to his ex-girlfriend's mocking laughter the night before, her cruel words echoing in his ears.
He clenched his fists. "They've been watching me too. All this… it's connected. I can feel it."
Aya nodded. "The system inside you isn't a coincidence. It's linked to the experiments—maybe even designed to combat the outbreak. But no one told you the full story."
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A Flicker of Hope
Suddenly, the monitors flickered, displaying surveillance footage from across Tokyo.
Kaito's eyes widened. "Look at this—infected swarming the city in groups, but… they're moving like they have a purpose."
Aya leaned closer, pointing at a figure in the shadows.
"That's not a bug… that's a human, or was one. Some of them have been transformed—mutated by the experiments. They're becoming something else."
Kaito's heart pounded. "So this is bigger than we thought. We're not just fighting insects—we're fighting what's left of humanity."
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An Urgent Warning
Suddenly, a red alert flashed on the system interface in Kaito's vision.
Warning: Infection spreading rapidly in Sector 7. Immediate action required.
Aya's face hardened. "That's where your apartment is."
Kaito's breath caught. The thought of his home, his sanctuary, now under threat, shook him to the core.
"We have to go," Aya said urgently. "If those infected reach civilians, it'll be chaos."
Kaito grabbed his gear, heart heavy but resolute. "Let's move."
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Nightfall in Sector 7
The city streets were empty, swallowed by the eerie silence of night.
Kaito and Aya moved swiftly through alleys, the orb's faint glow lighting their path.
The distant sound of scraping claws and low growls echoed through the urban canyons.
Kaito's new ability — Bug Sense — tingled sharply, warning him of nearby threats.
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An Unseen Threat
Suddenly, from the shadows, a swarm erupted—dozens of small but vicious insects, their eyes gleaming with unnatural intelligence.
Kaito swung his crowbar, crushing several, but more poured in like a living tide.
Aya fired a small pulse from her device, emitting a high-frequency wave that scattered some of the swarm.
"Keep moving!" she shouted.
Kaito nodded, adrenaline surging as he fought through the relentless attack.
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The Edge of Despair
Breath ragged, Kaito spotted his apartment building ahead—dark, foreboding, and eerily quiet.
As they approached, he saw figures lurking in the windows—shadows that moved too quickly to be human.
Aya whispered, "They're already inside."
Kaito swallowed hard. "I have to go in. Alone."
Aya protested, but Kaito was resolute. "This is my home. I have to protect it."
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Inside the Darkness
The lobby was littered with debris—broken glass, scattered papers, and a lingering smell of decay.
Kaito's Bug Sense flared wildly.
Suddenly, a figure stepped from the shadows—his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend, twisted and mutated, eyes glowing with a sinister light.
"You again," Kaito said through gritted teeth.
The creature snarled, advancing slowly, claws extended.
Kaito raised his crowbar, preparing for the fight of his life.
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End of Chapter 13.