TPA 01

Chapter 1

The Wolf and the Hunter (1)

His wet clothes clung to his body. Without bothering to wipe the blood smeared all over him, he stood up and slowly surveyed his surroundings.

The result of giving himself over to uncontrolled rage was horrifying. Hundreds of villagers lay dead. Blood pooled on the ground as if a flood had swept through, reaching up to his ankles.

Ull slowly lowered his gaze to his hands.

The claws, unnaturally sharp for human hands, were stained with blood.

“What a masterpiece you are.”

A voice filled with admiration echoed.

When he turned, a woman in a pure white gown was standing there.

Despite the nauseating stench of blood and the horrific scene before her eyes, the woman approached him with an unusually calm demeanor.

“Ull, I knew you wouldn’t disappoint me.”

“…….”

“From this moment, you’ve been born as a beast with a first consciousness. Isn’t that glorious?”

Her voice was kind and gentle.

The woman standing before him had once been a lover he truly loved, and her voice, soft and warm as it had been back then, whispered to him now—but the feeling was completely different.

Ull realized this painfully now.

He violently pushed away her delicate hand that had rested on his shoulder.

She was a monster disguised as an angel.

“……Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Turn it back to how it was.”

“Ull, you were chosen. There will never be another masterpiece as beautiful as you. Isn’t this something to be proud of?”

“Beautiful?”

The man’s expression twisted in dry disbelief.

He laughed bitterly as if mocking her, and grabbed her neck.

“I don’t see anything beautiful here. Isn’t this a monster?”

“A monster? Ull, you’re beautiful. You’ve become a perfect being.”

A surge of anger welled up, the urge to twist her neck and end her immediately. Yet, though the desire remained, he couldn’t kill her—even though the very being he wanted dead was within his grasp.

Because beyond anger, he still harbored lingering affection for her.

“……Rena.”

“Why aren’t you happy? You cheered for me!”

She had shone at first, a rustic but innocent country girl with a warm, gentle smile. She was curious, ambitious, and dreamed of becoming an excellent scientist.

She was kind, beautiful, and had completely changed Ull’s life as an orphan living on the streets.

Had he never met her, he would have remained trapped in a life of crime, wandering the underground like a worthless human.

She had taken him in without hesitation when he was wounded, carefully nursing him.

Perhaps because it was his first experience receiving genuine care, he couldn’t leave her side and lingered around her.

He had never imagined regretting those moments. She had been his salvation, a turning point in life.

She had been recognized as the youngest scientist, a woman acknowledged by the country. He admired her passion for experiments, though at times he was envious. Unlike his trash-like life, she lived a truly meaningful existence.

“I didn’t know you’d go this far.”

“You think I’m insane?”

“Then… am I wrong?”

She had broken taboos. Dissatisfied with experiments on animals, she started experimenting on humans.

To move from a small rural lab to a city lab, she needed results.

Impatient for satisfactory outcomes, she gradually lost her mind.

She began to target humans.

It was Ull’s responsibility to provide test subjects.

It began with corpses. Graves were dug up to supply bodies. But Rena wasn’t satisfied; she soon wanted living subjects.

He knew she had gone mad, that she was no longer normal.

Yet he couldn’t stop her—she was a benefactor whose kindness had shaped his entire life.

“Every achievement comes with sacrifices. My research will greatly benefit humanity. I… will leave a name as a great scientist!”

“Do you think experiments that create monsters contribute to humanity?”

“They’re not monsters—they’re outstanding! A masterpiece born from my hands. A transcendent being beyond humans.”

“What you’re creating is nothing but biological weapons.”

“You don’t understand how weak and helpless humans are.”

“Then why release the failed experiments? The country is in chaos because of them—they kill and devour humans.”

Rena remained silent.

After a brief pause, she smiled.

“I only released those I couldn’t control. Why should I handle useless creatures? I wanted beings with consciousness, like you, not mindless, violent beasts.”

He realized she was beyond reason. Leaving her alive would escalate matters uncontrollably.

And yet, why couldn’t he kill her? Why?

He knew a slight twist of the neck would end it, yet his hands refused to act.

“Why are you angry? You’ve supported me all this time, been with me.”

She was right.

He had silently aided Rena’s experiments, making him an accomplice.

“Why… did you use me as a test subject?”

He never imagined the woman he loved would treat him this way.

“Because you’re the only man I love.”

“…….”

“I loved you, so I wanted to make you the greatest being. To remain by my side, beautiful and respected.”

It was his own fault.

The punishment for killing countless humans and allowing deeds he knew were wrong.

He needed to stop it here.

Ull slowly tightened his grip on her neck. Tears welled in her furrowed face. His heart wavered. Time and again, he loosened his grip and tried again.

“Ull, you’re too kind, aren’t you?”

Rena, sobbing, suddenly changed. She used the weakened grip of his hands to free herself and step back.

“I understand—it must be shocking at first… but you’ll understand soon. I’ll wait until then.”

She turned and left.

Ull reached out, but the test subjects blocked his way. His hand never reached her.

She smiled sadly as she disappeared.

Alone, Ull let out a low laugh and sank to the ground.

Would anyone know that the existence of a beast thought to be a mutant was actually created by one human?

Ull—the first beast with a consciousness and the only one who knew all the secrets of beasts—then disappeared.

Not as a human monster, but as a true monster.

“Ugh, dead again, huh?”

For the third time that week in this region.

The corpses found had terrorized the peaceful village of Sindra. All three had been found with their abdomens ripped open and organs removed.

The villagers didn’t voice it, but they had an idea of the culprit. Only one type could commit such horrors.

“Tsk, tsk… how can we live in fear like this?”

“Indeed. Three victims devoured, yet the authorities have done nothing.”

“When will the hunters arrive?”

Through the anxious crowd, a woman stepped forward.

Dressed in the imperial uniform, it was clear she was the empire’s hunter assigned to the case.

“They say talk of the tiger calls it—finally, you’re here. Quite prompt.”

“Hmph. I thought it would take at least five more deaths before they showed up lazily.”

Though it wasn’t her fault, the blame for the delays fell on the hunters.

Misa, along with the others, accepted it calmly.

It was true they hadn’t arrived sooner, but the terrain was rough. It was a feeble excuse. Regardless, three victims had already fallen.

Misa removed the cloth covering the corpse and examined it closely.

Her assistant whispered,

“The organs were removed.”

The body was hollow inside.

Normal beasts eat everything except bones, but this corpse had only the organs taken.

“Could it be the work of an intelligent one?”

Misa nodded.

“Likely. They left it like a display.”

Normal beasts cannot selectively consume organs—they act on instinct, leaving the corpse in disarray.

But here, only the organs were cleanly taken—a calculated, rational act.

Misa frowned at the corpse.

“There’s evidence of torture too.”

Two fingers were cut off, and the genital area was badly mutilated.

Intelligent beasts often enjoy the hunt, reveling in prey’s suffering. Most tortured corpses show such marks.

“Terrible. The genital area… looks butchered.”

Most victims are female.

“They seem perverse. Obsessed with specific parts. They prefer women and children; men are usually left alone.”

“Why target women and children if adult men could be subdued?”

“It’s easier and less taxing. Beasts prefer softer meat; men’s flesh is tougher due to muscle mass. Women and children are softer, making them preferred prey.”

Misa stood.

“Where are you going?”

“To catch the culprit.”

“Alone is dangerous.”

“I’ve always worked alone. Why?”

“But…”

“Even in groups, intelligent beasts can’t be caught. They’re too perceptive.”

“……What exactly will you do alone?”

“You patrol the village to prevent more victims. I’ll find the culprit.”

“But Team Leader Glam won’t stay idle…”

“I’ll handle him. You patrol and secure evidence—though there might be none.”

They silently allowed her to leave. She had started hunting at 18 and achieved countless successes. She had shattered prejudice by becoming the first female hunter.

“Then, I’ll be back.”

The corpses were recent. The culprit hadn’t traveled far. Given their habits, they were likely nearby.

Misa clenched her trembling fists.

“Worse than beasts…”

Those with intelligence who kill for pleasure are more terrifying than mindless animals.

She pulled out a necklace with a photo.

“Mom… give me strength.”

As long as they lived, she would hunt them down. Every last one.

Better to die than lose her mind and become a beast.

Whether this was common among beasts or a side effect unique to her, she was gripped by murderous urges several times a day.

She tried burning herself and even severing limbs—but couldn’t die.

No matter what she did, her body healed.

She wanted to die but couldn’t.

If she stayed, her consciousness would be consumed by instinct, and she’d rampage like other beasts.

“Kuh.”

Ull, in wolf form, bled and searched for a resting place.

Not far away, a cave appeared. He struggled inside and sat down with a low sigh.

“How long… must this hell continue?”

Unable to die when he wished, enslaved by desire when he wished to live.

“Is this my punishment? A debt I can never atone for?”

He closed his eyes, knowing this cycle was inescapable.

It was his own doing—so many lives sacrificed by his hand.

He desperately sought Rena to fix the wrongs, but she eluded him. Centuries had passed, yet she likely still lived.

She had transcended humanity, and as the beasts multiplied, she must still cling to her experiments.

While alive, he vowed to find and eliminate her.

Preventing another like him.

Now, maintaining sanity was nearly impossible. How long could he endure?

The end loomed.

The moment he would become a slave to desire, rampaging like a beast, was near.

He closed his eyes, suppressing the urge to slaughter humans.

Click, click.

Heels echoed through the quiet forest.

Misa had removed her uniform and boots, wearing a fluttering white dress and bright red shoes. She remained vigilant.

Her usual short bob was hidden beneath a wig down to her waist, and her makeup was heavier than usual.

She sprayed pheromone perfume—designed to attract beasts.

“Why do women buy this stuff? They’re insane.”

The scent supposedly attracts humans too, but for a hunter, it was perfect bait.

“Time to appear soon.”

Though reckless, she knew most beasts couldn’t resist such bait. Unless something unusual happened, the culprit would take it.

She paused, feeling her ankles ache in the heels.

“How do people wear these things? Madness!”

She looked up at the sky. Grey clouds loomed, dropping heavy raindrops.

“Ah… no.”

Rain would wash away the scent, ruining her preparations.

She searched for shelter and found a cave. Though it looked like a wild animal’s den, she was unafraid.

She removed her heels and walked barefoot toward the cave.

“If it’s not a bear or tiger but a beast… that would be perfect.”

It would save her from laying bait again.

She entered the cave and froze.

Eyes glinted in the darkness.

Misa shook off mud from her legs and locked eyes with a young man.

He was covered in blood.

His dazzling white hair stained with blood, the figure was terrifying yet unbearably beautiful.

Eyes like blue skies sparkled like precious gems.

“……Who are you?”

A sweet, low voice matched his beauty, echoing in the cave.

Misa could not respond.

The shock pinned her in place, and the eerie chill beneath his beauty made her tense.

The young hunter had encountered the injured wolf.