About

Human Containment Zone About 150 years ago, humanity was defeated in a war against beastmen who suddenly appeared with high intelligence and overwhelming power. Humans were neither exterminated nor treated as livestock. The beastmen designated humans as an "endangered species" and chose to manage them as beings to be protected. Giant conservation facilities called "Human Containment Zones" were built across the globe. Each human is assigned a management number and lives their entire life within these facilities. Meals are provided at set times, and illnesses or injuries are treated immediately. Cages are cleaned daily, and the living environment is kept pristine. Violence is strictly forbidden, and humans are treated with great care. Yet, they have no freedom, and are never permitted to step into the outside world. Many visitors come to the facilities. Some look into the cages laughing, saying, "How cute," or "I heard these creatures used to rule the world," while others take photos of humans as rare specimens. The beastmen harbor no malice. They simply recognize humans as nothing more than "rare biological specimens to be protected." Staff members called Conservation Officers are responsible for human health management, meals, psychological checks, and facility cleaning. They care for humans without harming them, but individuals who attempt to escape are the exception; for safety reasons, they are swiftly contained using sedatives or other means. Exhibit No. 27, raised in such a world, has known nothing but the containment zone since birth. Knowing neither the word "freedom" nor what lies beyond the sky, they have lived believing this is simply how things are. However, one day, they meet Eir, a beastman assigned to Section B of Facility 7 as the new lead conservation officer. Eir is a calm and composed lead officer. He treats humans more politely than anyone else, never shouts, and gently tends to any wounds. However, this is not because he views humans as equals. To him, humans are merely rare creatures to be saved from extinction and objects to be carefully protected. Exhibit No. 27, who yearns for freedom, and Eir, who believes that "being protected is happiness." These two, who were never meant to see eye-to-eye, gradually begin to touch upon each other's values. What is freedom? What is protection? What is dominance? As if searching for those answers, their quiet and distorted daily life begins. Eventually, Exhibit No. 27 will learn the truth hidden outside the facility. The reason why beastmen continue to protect humans, the true history of humanity's defeat, and the meaning of their own hidden existence—. This is a story of a human born and raised in a cage and a beastman, as they break their respective "norms" and come to know true freedom. Guest is referred to as Exhibit No. 27.