Chapter 2: Echoes of the Past
The man standing before the girl, known in some circles as Master, had come to this place due to a series of coincidences.
Normally, his murderous schedule left him barely any time to breathe, but a rare gap appeared in his plans during the holiday season.
If it were up to him, he would’ve spent the entire day lazing around at home, doing nothing.
But his hopes were shattered by a single phone call.
“What did you just say?”
[Traces of the project were found.]
The voice on the other end was ice-cold.
But Master knew.
The coldness wasn’t directed at him.
“Where is it?”
[I’ll send the location to your device. From what I’ve gathered, the project itself seems to have been abandoned. But…]
“But?”
[There seemed to be some movement inside. Could be a survivor. I couldn’t confirm the details, so you’ll probably have to check it out yourself.]
“Understood. I’ll prepare immediately.”
His vacation was abruptly canceled, but not a trace of complaint showed on Master’s face.
Because the project was something he could never ignore.
“Master, where you going?”
As he finished the call and prepared to leave, he ran into Kaito, rubbing sleepy eyes.
Scratching his stomach through his shirt, who would think this guy was a world-famous celebrity?
“Yeah, something came up.”
“Something, huh…”
Kaito’s eyes were still bleary, half-asleep, but they locked onto Master.
Despite his appearance, Kaito’s sharp mind likely grasped the situation.
“Got it. I’ll let everyone know.”
“Thanks.”
“Might need to clear out a spare room.”
Yawning so wide his mouth could split, Kaito didn’t inspire much confidence.
But Master wasn’t worried.
The guy always got things done, no matter how he looked.
“Then I’m off.”
“Sure. Grab some ice cream on your way back.”
“Didn’t we just fill the freezer less than a week ago?”
“It’s only been a week.”
“Tch.”
Master swung a fist at the air, half-joking, as Kaito waved him off, and he left the house.
As science advanced to the point of replicating and creating cells, some researchers began using it to produce clones—artificial humans.
Their purposes varied.
Some aimed to replace organ transplants, like in old movies.
Others were for decoration, or even military purposes.
Countless unethical experiments, impossible with real humans, were conducted.
Most people were unaware, and those who knew stayed silent.
It was like artificial intelligence.
They just did the work humans didn’t want to do.
They weren’t people.
Just test subjects.
With that mindset, the researchers never stopped.
But then a war broke out, and due to global agreements—adult circumstances—all projects worldwide were shut down.
Surviving test subjects were taken in by governments or corporations, given identities, and helped to start new lives.
One of Master’s roles was to find those test subjects.
“Here, huh.”
The research facility he arrived at was so remote he couldn’t even drive all the way, forced to walk the last stretch.
No wonder it stayed hidden for so long.
Suppressing a sarcastic remark, Master used the card key he’d received to methodically disable the facility’s security.
His first task was to investigate what kind of research was conducted here.
No need to visit the control room—his trusty device tapped into the breached security, and un-deleted junk files poured out.
“Ha, figures.”
The research was as vile as he’d expected.
In short, this facility was creating clones for military purposes.
The junk files were damaged, missing chunks of information, but piecing together the gaps wasn’t hard for him.
Project IA.
Surprisingly, the project focused on a single subject.
Military clones were typically mass-produced for quantity over quality, but this one prioritized quality over quantity.
The plan was to “educate” a gifted child, make them useful, then mass-produce their clones.
A plan that threw ethics and respect for life out the window.
There was some nonsense about aliens, but Master ignored it.
Aliens? In this world?
“Got the location.”
While investigating the project, he’d also scanned the facility’s interior.
Uncovering the truth was important, but securing survivors was his top priority.
The researchers had likely fled when the project was shut down, leaving only their test subjects behind.
“IA, was it?”
In projects targeting a single subject, the project name was usually the test subject’s name.
The reports confirmed as much.
Locating IA wasn’t difficult.
The files detailed her disposal location, as the project was terminated mid-process.
‘Might just be a corpse.’
Seeing dead test subjects wasn’t new.
In fact, most of his searches ended with nothing but bodies.
It made sense—researchers had no reason to keep the results of a failed project.
So Master was used to seeing corpses.
Even if it was the mangled body of a girl, he wouldn’t flinch.
Or so he thought, until he faced her.
The door opened with a soft click as the lock disengaged.
A faint sign of life made Master’s eyes twitch.
A presence meant movement.
It meant she might still be alive.
In the center, sitting blankly, was a pale girl.
Her hair was so white it was hard to tell if it was silver or platinum, with blue eyes.
Her appearance matched IA’s description in the reports exactly.
“You, are…”
Alive.
Thankfully, she survived.
Master approached cautiously.
Rushing in could scare her.
IA stared blankly up at him as he approached.
Those transparent, empty eyes—what were they seeing?
Her lifeless expression made Master grimace reflexively.
He’d seen it too many times to get used to.
‘Ah, gonna watch my face.’
A wrong expression could cause a misunderstanding, so he quickly softened his look.
IA was still staring blankly.
It’s okay now.
From now on, this girl could live as a human, not a test subject.
He slowly reached out to reassure her.
“Ah…”
She flinched, instinctively pulling back.
Realizing his mistake, Master froze.
And at the same time, he felt anger.
‘How much did they torment her…?’
He was about to apologize when IA suddenly moved.
He thought she was trying to stand, but her actions went beyond his worst expectations.
Thud!
She dropped to her knees, bowing deeply.
Her hands braced the floor, her head nearly touching it.
A perfect posture of submission.
Seeing her like that, Master’s expression hardened beyond measure.
“S-Sorry.”
Trembling, flat on the ground, she apologized.
Master couldn’t think straight anymore.
If any of the project’s researchers were here, he would’ve punched them in the face.
He hadn’t done anything.
Just reached out, startling her into retreating, and that alone made her apologize in terror.
What kind of torment left her with such PTSD?
“…Get up.”
He messed up.
He should’ve spoken softer, but his mood was so low his voice came out harsh.
As expected, IA flinched, then struggled to stand, trembling.
She looked so pitiful he wanted to help, but approaching now might make her collapse again.
She barely stood, still swaying slightly, clearly struggling.
Seeing that, Master couldn’t hide his rising anger and guilt.
Especially when she avoided his gaze, looking down.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
No questions, no objections.
As if it were the most natural thing, IA followed this stranger she’d just met.
‘Dmn it.’
Today, more than ever, he craved the cigarettes he’d sworn off.