The tattered books from a certain library always seemed to follow a mysterious boy with messy hair. These books told heroic tales of long-forgotten people and deceitful romances that gave the false taste of being important to someone. And that was what the boy desired the most.
Standing still, he found himself thrown amidst the garbage bags near the back door of a public library from which he had recently been expelled. His eyes, cloudy and weary, adjusted to the intense light of the security towers rising above him, fastened to the cave ceiling, beyond the clouds. He surveyed the dirty alley, infused with the malevolent soul of the industrialized city, its shadows deepened by the growing filth of machines and smoke.
His cyan eyes, though in a deplorable state, gleamed like the flames of a star refusing to die. His disheveled hair, blacker than ebony, was stained with soot, and his clothes were made of cheap, old fabric, rented due to his lack of funds, for today was a unique day in his life.
"They should have searched me before tossing me out the back door," he muttered, his voice a mixture of frustration and bitterness. "Idiots."
He pulled a thin, dusty book from beneath his worn-out clothes. The title on the cover read: Children of the Abyss: The Offspring of Monsters. He had overheard a group of students talking about this book a few days ago. His curiosity about the subject led him to risk his health to acquire it, despite its seemingly trivial importance.
He didn't mind risking his life for something he so desperately desired to satisfy his curiosity—not out of madness, but from an understanding of his future. Today was the day he would be taken to the military camp, and he already knew that only one out of fifty candidates managed to arrive there unscathed. There were many rumors of participants who had to take their tests while carrying their own blood bags.
For someone who had never left his city, as was his case, the world beyond was filled with mortal dangers—monsters lurking, and strange, ancient relics that should be avoided, especially by someone as slim and frail as him. However, that choice was no longer his.
Sitting on a bench in the industrial district, he finished the book. It was a truly intriguing story about the curious nature of those born within the Abyss alongside the monsters, apparently written by the same explorer who had excavated the main tunnel, now infested with creatures seeking to make the human territory their own.
His desire to investigate the great discoveries of this author consumed him slightly; after all, he loved the idea of seeing things with his own eyes. It even gave him hope that if he survived the journey to his enlistment, there might be a chance to become an explorer of this beautiful world the adventurer had described in such an epic and passionate way, capable of touching even the most corrupted soul.
*I really wish I could know what that strange life form they call coral is like…*
A sharp yet angelic voice, commanding and assertive, reverberated behind him.
"Indeed, it's a great day for reading. It's rare to see one of us literate, Buck."
With the face of someone who had accepted death, young Buck placed his hands over the book's cover and replied in a monotone voice:
"… The queen of the nest I was born in is still alive, isn't she?"
"To your misfortune, I'm afraid so. Your nest wasn't documented, so it's possible she's still alive. And as you know, if the queen is still standing, you could be controlled by her. And we certainly don't want a rogue superhuman on the loose."
Buck nodded and slowly looked over his shoulder, surprised by the sight. Despite her older voice, the agent appeared youthful and healthy. She wore a long, dusky gray coat adorned with numerous medals on her chest, and her long, dark hair, tinged with a hint of emerald, flowed down her back.
If the queen of his nest were dead, they could expect a military convoy and, with some luck, reach the training camp before being attacked by any creatures on the way. Unfortunately for Buck, the queen of his nest remained intact.
He couldn't help but feel betrayed by his own fate. It was a feeling so cold and raw that his mind twisted, trying to cover itself with his own lies. And it showed clearly on his face.
The woman standing behind Buck nodded at his emotions, having gone through the same ordeal when she was young. Many are unable to wake up as humans after synchronization and lose their personality and humanity.
After a brief hesitation, her voice grew stronger, as if trying to offer some comfort.
"Abyss Spawn number one hundred and one, Buck, as a representative of the state military forces, I am here to initiate a forced synchronization with the current queen of your nest. Should you fail to expel her command from your system, I will also be your executioner. And I assure you, I will not allow her to lay a finger on anyone if you get controlled—that, I promise. So, fight… and show her what we're made of."