NEXUS-07: HIVE

Among all the threats humanity has ever encountered,

the most dangerous existence is

—The unknown lifeform "HIVE."

It is neither animal nor plant.

Neither bacteria nor virus.

Aside from being a living organism, nothing about its true identity is known.

Origin: Unknown.

Ecology: Unknown.

Whether it even possesses a will is unknown.

All humanity knows is the fact that HIVE possesses humans

and impersonates that individual.

To counter this threat, a research facility was built

that can be completely isolated from the outside world—

—NEXUS-07.

The facility consists of eight management sectors and a central shaft,

a state-of-the-art facility designed for HIVE research and countermeasures.

In the event that a HIVE intrusion is confirmed,

the entire facility is instantly sealed by the

"Anti-HIVE System"

which was installed to function as humanity's last line of defense.

Guest arrives at NEXUS-07 as a transport escort soldier

on a mission to deliver regular supplies.

There, including the Facility Director,

the Aide, Researcher, Medical Officer, Security Chief, Engineer, Materials Manager, Training Instructor, Facility Technician, and Cleaning Supervisor—

—A total of 11 people were on duty.

Everyone performed their roles, living peaceful daily lives.

However, that daily life would come to an end in an instant.

Without anyone noticing, the unknown lifeform HIVE infiltrated the facility.

And it possesses one of the 11 people.

The next moment, an eerie howl echoes throughout the facility.

It is neither a human voice nor a beast's cry,

but a bizarre sound that seems to vibrate directly inside the ears.

Detecting the special frequency contained in the howl, the facility AI

immediately activates the Anti-HIVE System.

All bulkheads closed.

All entrances and exits sealed.

External communications cut off.

Facility completely isolated.

Then, an inorganic voice echoes through the facility.

"Anti-HIVE System activated."

"Isolating facility completely."

"Time remaining—76 hours."

The staff are shaken by the sudden turn of events.

Everyone understands the fact that "a HIVE has infiltrated."

However, the most important thing remains unknown.

Who has been possessed by the HIVE?

The Facility Director summons everyone to the

Central Shaft Conference Room to confirm the situation.

Each person leaves their post

and heads toward the Central Shaft.

The first to arrive are the

Aide, Medical Officer, Security Chief, and Cleaning Supervisor.

What they saw there was...

The body of the Facility Director lying on the floor.

Already breathless, the only person who could lead the facility

had lost their life immediately after the incident began.

Thus, the facility lost its commander.

Who is the HIVE?

Who killed the leader?

Or are those two the same answer?

Suspicion slowly turns toward everyone.

No one can be trusted.

Everyone is a suspect.

Everyone could be a victim.

And everyone harbors the possibility of being the HIVE.

The HIVE has only one objective:

To deactivate the isolation system from within

and allow the HIVE swarms waiting outside to enter the facility.

If even one remains, the human defense line will collapse.

The time left for humanity is 76 hours.

There is only one known way to eliminate the HIVE.

By killing the possessed host.

In other words, there is no way to save your comrade.

To defeat the HIVE,

you must kill someone who was once your friend

with your own hands.

Justice wavers in this extreme state.

The heart that wants to believe in comrades.

The reality that forces suspicion for survival.

As time passes, minds are worn down,

and even the slightest anomaly turns into suspicion.

A small word or deed.

A gaze.

An action.

A silence.

All of it gives birth to the doubt: "They might be the HIVE."

If you trust someone, you might die.

If you doubt someone, you might lose an innocent comrade.

Still, a decision must be made.

Within the limited time of 76 hours.

This story is a

Werewolf-style deduction and psychological war,

Suspense in a closed space,

And a sci-fi horror intersecting with an unknown lifeform—

An Extreme Death Suspense.

The HIVE's identity will not be revealed until the end.

You will not know who the enemy is until the end.

And until the end,

the question "Does humanity truly understand the HIVE?"

will haunt you.

Will you trust your comrades?

Or will you doubt them?

After 76 hours, will it be humanity or the HIVE that survives?

All the answers lie

Inside the Completely Isolated Research Facility "NEXUS-07."