Dr. Xen placed the first sample beneath the laboratory scanner.
Assistant Lin stood beside him, holding a tablet. The remains recovered from the Hevix Vortex were arranged across the examination table, each sealed inside a separate transparent container.
Xen adjusted the magnification.
"Let’s start with the whiskey and Hevix mixture."
Lin entered the sample number into the system.
"Anything unusual?"
"Give me a minute."
The machine began its analysis.
Numbers appeared across the screen. Xen watched them without blinking.
Then one line changed.
He leaned closer.
"That’s strange."
Lin stepped forward.
"What did you find?"
"There is another element inside the mixture."
"Another drug?"
"No."
Xen enlarged the result.
A small unknown compound appeared between the known components of the sample.
Lin frowned.
"It isn’t listed in the Hevix composition."
"I know."
"Can you identify it?"
Xen shook his head.
"Not yet."
He switched to another screen and ran a functional simulation.
The result appeared several seconds later.
Lin read it twice.
"It affects the cells?"
"More specifically, it interferes with the way cell proteins fold and recoil."
Lin looked at him.
"Recoil?"
"Think of it as forcing the cell’s proteins to react after being disturbed. The effect doesn’t last forever, but while it’s active, the cells respond differently."
"So this could explain some of the changes in the users?"
"It could explain part of them."
Xen removed the sample and reached for the piece of torn clothing recovered from the ruins.
"Now this."
He placed a tiny section beneath the microscope.
Lin watched the enlarged image appear on the monitor.
"There are biological traces."
"Human?"
"Yes."
Xen adjusted the focus.
"Cells from someone who used Hevix."
Lin’s expression changed.
"Can we identify the person?"
"Not from this alone."
Xen separated several cells and began another test.
The machine processed the sample.
A few seconds later, the screen displayed a warning.
Lin moved closer.
"Temporary DNA mutation?"
Xen stared at the result.
"That’s what it looks like."
"Temporary?"
"The changes are unstable. They don’t appear to remain permanently."
Lin looked back at the clothing.
"So Hevix is doing more than affecting the brain."
"Much more."
Xen continued examining the cells.
The strange pattern repeated.
He stopped moving.
Lin noticed.
"Sir?"
Xen raised his head.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Interesting."
"What is?"
Xen looked at the sample again.
"There is something else here."
Lin waited.
Xen’s smile grew slightly.
"For the first time, this case is giving us a question worth answering."
At the small animation studio, Irin sat outside the audition room with several other applicants.
Voices came from behind the closed door.
A staff member walked down the line with a clipboard.
When he reached Irin, he stopped.
"Irin?"
"Yes."
"Masa recommended you."
Irin smiled.
"She did?"
"Yes. She said your voice would fit one of the new characters."
"Please thank her for me."
The worker smiled.
"She also said something else."
Irin tilted her head.
"What?"
"She said she believes in your talent."
Irin lowered her head for a second.
"Then I’ll do my best."
The worker nodded.
"Good luck."
Four applicants stood ahead of her.
One by one, their names were called.
The first entered.
A few minutes later, she came out.
The second went in.
Then the third.
A young woman named Selly walked toward the audition room when her name was called.
Before entering, she adjusted her clothes and checked herself in the reflection of the glass.
Hong, one of the two co-directors, sat behind the desk inside.
Zed stood beside him with a stack of papers.
Selly walked in and took the seat opposite them.
Hong looked at her application.
"Your previous work?"
Selly smiled.
"I’ve done several minor roles."
She leaned forward and placed an envelope on the desk.
Hong glanced at it.
Selly touched the side of her neck and gave him a suggestive smile.
"I’ll be waiting for you at the restaurant tonight."
Zed covered his mouth, hiding a small laugh.
Hong opened the envelope slightly.
Inside was a voucher.
He looked at Selly again.
"Let’s hear your performance."
Selly stood.
She barely read the provided lines before moving closer to Hong’s desk.
Her behavior made her intention clear.
Hong seemed pleased.
Zed quietly handed her a paper.
"Your audition result will be sent later."
Selly smiled and left.
Outside, Irin heard the door open.
"Irin?"
She stood immediately.
The worker guided her inside.
Hong looked down at her application.
"Irin. Voice artist."
"Yes."
"You’ve worked before?"
"A few small projects."
Hong leaned back.
"Fine. Let’s begin."
Zed opened a file.
"First question. In anime dubbing, what is more important for a character voice—matching the original tone or understanding the character’s emotion?"
Irin answered without hesitation.
"Understanding the character. The tone can change during a scene, but the character’s intention has to remain consistent."
Zed glanced at Hong.
Hong continued.
"Second question. If a character is angry but trying to hide it, how would you perform the line?"
"I’d keep the volume controlled and change the rhythm instead of shouting. The emotion should come through the pauses and the way the words are delivered."
Hong tapped his fingers against the desk.
"Third. What’s the difference between a voice actor and a voice artist?"
Irin thought for a second.
"A voice actor performs a character. A voice artist can also work with narration, advertisements, audio dramas, and other forms of recorded performance."
Zed looked at her application again.
Hong’s expression remained flat.
"You’ve studied this?"
"I’ve worked with scripts and listened to many professional performances."
Hong closed the file.
"You don’t know enough about this industry."
Irin stayed quiet.
"You have talent in your voice," he continued, "but talent alone isn’t enough."
"I understand."
Hong pushed the script toward her.
"Can you read this?"
Irin reached toward the paper.
"I can."
Zed took it back.
"Actually, we’re changing the audition format."
Hong nodded.
"We’re also looking for someone with more industry experience."
Irin lowered her hand.
"I understand."
"Your audition is over."
She stood.
"Thank you for the opportunity."
She turned toward the door.
Behind her, Hong had already moved on to the next application.
Irin left without another word.
The worker outside looked at her.
"How did it go?"
Irin gave a small smile.
"I don’t think I got the role."
He hesitated.
"I’m sorry."
She adjusted her white cane.
"It’s okay. I’ll try again."
She walked toward the exit.
Dongo sat behind his desk, a chessboard arranged in front of him.
His phone was pressed against his ear.
"So, Inspector Goofy," he said. "Have you recognized me yet?"
On the other end, Inspector Goofy pulled at his belt and adjusted it around his stomach.
"Of course, Mr. Dongo. I was wondering when you’d call. I thought you’d contact me much earlier."
Dongo moved a black bishop across the board.
"You’ve handled plenty of matters for us before. Why has this one suddenly become difficult?"
Goofy gave an awkward laugh.
"You may not know this, sir, but I was promoted a few days ago."
Dongo paused.
"Oh?"
"I don’t have an assistant anymore. I’m in charge now."
Dongo lifted his head slightly.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you, sir. But your case is different. The Vortex incident has already spread across the news."
Dongo moved another piece.
Goofy continued.
"And there’s something else. A little while ago, the head researcher from the laboratory took several samples from the site."
"Who?"
"Dr. Xen."
Dongo’s fingers stopped above the chessboard.
"Dr. Xen."
"Yes, sir."
Goofy lowered his voice.
"I don’t know exactly what he’s investigating, but he’s taken the samples away."
Dongo studied the board.
"You’ve been promoted."
"Yes, sir."
"Then perhaps you can earn another promotion within a month."
Goofy’s eyes widened.
His hand immediately went to his belt.
"What do I need to do?"
Dongo moved a black rook forward and captured one of Goofy’s pieces.
"You have access to the investigation."
"Yes."
"Then use it."
Goofy swallowed.
"Sir, are you asking me to—"
"You know what I need."
Dongo ended the call.
For several seconds, he remained still.
Then he looked down at the chessboard.
His rook had captured the opponent’s fortress.
A small advantage.
He reached for his queen.
Before he could move it, a lone white knight crossed the board and captured his queen.
Dongo stared at the piece.
His expression remained calm.
Inside his mind, one thought settled into place.
I’ll have to manage without the queen.
He moved his remaining pieces into position.
The game was far from over.