073 took a deep breath, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips. His gaze pierced through the camouflage netting, settling on the distant coastline of Cape Apo. The white marine observatory stood silent at the edge of the bay.

"Let me tell you a story," 073 said, his voice low and steady.

"Long ago, there was an ancient forest. The creatures within lived in harmony, generation after generation."

"Then one day, a demon arrived without warning."

His fingers tapped lightly against the ground, the rhythm matching a heartbeat.

"The demon opened its crimson eyes, coveting the vibrant life of the forest. Envious of its beauty, it vowed to turn the woodland into a hellscape fit for its kind."

"It disguised itself as an ordinary animal, lurking in the shadows."

An Xiaohai noticed the sharpness in 073's gaze.

"The guardian of the forest sensed the disturbance and sent its finest hunter. Armed with a divine sword, the hunter swore to sever the demon's head."

073 paused, his eyes drifting toward the horizon.

"The hunter moved unseen through the trees. He witnessed monkeys bullying squirrels, boars trampling flower fields—yet he turned a blind eye."

"Until he saw a starving wolf tearing into a rabbit."

His fist clenched involuntarily.

"The hunter struck. One clean kill. But the scent of blood roused the demon."

The sea breeze rustled the camouflage netting.

"The demon retaliated with madness. It sowed more carnage, even twisting other creatures into demons."

073's voice grew colder.

"The hunter realized mercy was futile. He locked away his compassion and focused solely on the hunt."

"Then he encountered a fawn, pursued by a tiger."

Suddenly, 073 turned to An Xiaohai, his expression unreadable.

"The fawn was drenched in blood, its eyes burning with hatred—tainted by the demon's essence."

Seagulls cried in the distance.

"The hunter hesitated. He saw the demon's corruption spreading through the forest."

073 stood, brushing dust from his clothes.

"In the end, the hunter walked away. He knew only the demon's annihilation would end this plague."

The setting sun stretched their shadows long across the ground.

"As for that fawn..." 073 murmured, "if it truly becomes a demon, the hunter will draw his sword again."

Out at sea, the observatory's lights flickered to life, piercing through the twilight.