004 - The Demonic Slug

⸻ Awakening Center ⸻

At the entrance to a chamber labeled '004: lvl 10 threat,' a pair of imposing steel doors stood as a barrier, separating 004 from the rest of the facility. Despite the doors being a whopping hundred inches of steel, a cacophony of laughter could be heard reverberating behind them, causing the steel to strain and groan under its weight.

Mother and Valk, standing before the doors, felt their eyes twitching from the intensity of the piercing sound. After what seemed like an eternity, the laughter finally ceased, prompting the operator at the control terminal to unlock the doors.

What followed was a sequence of clicks, and swooshes along with the grating of steel against steel heralding the opening of the doors. A thick plume of foul-smelling steam billowed out, accompanied by a voice as enchanting as an angel's, "Greetings, esteemed owner of this establishment, Miss Gertrude, also known as Mother. And greetings to you, Valk, one of the few who survived the awakening process without acquiring an ability." What followed was a deep, guttural laughter that made ones the skin crawl.

As the steam dissipated, it revealed a colossal slug-like creature, its size comparable to that of a shipping container, with its disproportionately large head weighing down its massive form.

Mother pinched her nose, futilely attempting to ward off the pungent stench that clung to the air like glue. She muttered to herself, "I would have brought a hazmat suit if it wasn't for the reports saying that they have no effect."

Looking at the gargantuan slug, she stated with annoyance, "I did not come here for idle chatter, but you should already know that."

"When have you ever engaged in idle chatter? Furthermore, don't look down on my expansive knowledge," the slug retorted, a wicked grin spreading across its features. "Called a hunter by those unfortunate enough to have stumbled upon his traps, deemed a scientist by the top genetic experts of this facility, and finally known as 'the predator' by those who have witnessed his combat prowess. It is 001, he is the reason you have come to me."

Valk tightened his grip on his board, his face etched with a deep frown. "You've been confined in this cage for years. How do you possess such knowledge?"

004 furrowed his brow, shifting his gaze towards Valk, his voice dripping with contempt, "I fail to comprehend why you insist on keeping this disappointment by your side."

As his words hung in the air, the sound of a pen snapping between fingers rang out, accompanied by Mother extending her hand to restrain Valk. She asserted, "I keep him because he is loyal, unlike you."

"So what if I indulged in devouring a few humans? Can you blame me?" the slug interjected nonchalantly, jiggling its massive form.

Mother shook her head, correcting him, "You consumed not just a few, but hundreds. Nevertheless, let us return to Valk's question. How do you know of his escape?"

This time, the slug shook its gargantuan head, "I have been in slumber for 358 days. First, I devour..." His head inched closer to Valk, his voice lowering ominously, "...then I..." Suddenly, his eyes widened in terror as he recoils in horror, his massive body trembling uncontrollably. He screamed, "005 is here!"

The very air distorted, revealing the presence of a bald man adorned in monk's garments, his head and face marred by scars.

005 opened his mouth, revealing teeth that gleamed like the scorching sun. "Greetings, 004. It has been an excruciatingly long time hasn't it?"

004's colossal frame crumpled against the wall, his breath erratic, as he pleaded, "I will comply with any demand you make, just keep that thing away from me!"

Advancing forward, Mother posed a question, "Who exactly is 001?"

Beads of sweat rolled down 004's massive form as he gulped, preparing to share a tale. "001 was born in St. Mary's Orphanage. It was 1875..."

Before he could continue, Valk interjected, a hint of skepticism in his voice, "But that orphanage was decimated by a hurricane in 1900. And don't you mean 'raised' instead of 'born'?"

Shaking his head, 004 clarified, "Born. That so-called orphanage was, in reality, a site of arcane rituals. Prior to the hurricane, a fire—more aptly termed 'the ritual'—engulfed the premises. The ritual was akin to a Kodoku, where various insects are confined within a jar, left to eliminate one another until only a single survivor remained. Although it would be more accurate to regard 001 not as a survivor but as the vessel. This is how the dream begins."