Somewhere at Certain Time

  "HEY, SNAP OUT OF IT, MAN! Don’t just stand there—GET READY TO DEFEND YOURSELF AND FIGHT!" shouted the male soldier as he nudged and shook his squad mate. His voice filled with a mixture of fear and desperation. He didn’t want to face the massive monsters alone—he needed his comrade’s strength and resolve to survive this.. true nightmare.

  As that male soldier shouted to his comrades, another soldier, a woman, finally snapped out from her paralyzed state of terror. She quickly raised her SMG (sub-machine gun) and opened fire on the giant monster. But her efforts were in vain. The bullets merely dented and bounced off the creature's armored scales, doing no damage.

  "Argh! My SMG bullets aren't working! They don’t penetrate the monster's scales! What should we do, Sergeant? SERGEANT MAKOTO!?" she cried out, panic and confusion clear in her voice.

  Her desperate call seemed to break the others out of their stunned state, including Sergeant Makoto himself. This was the most dangerous encounter of their lives, and none of them knew how to handle it. Their wide, terror-stricken eyes turned to Sergeant Makoto, awaiting direction, while some couldn't stop their bodies from trembling uncontrollably. Sergeant Makoto and his team were now facing a life-threatening situation—their worst living nightmare.

  Suddenly, a man with authority voice crackled through Sergeant Makoto's radio, snapping them back to their grim reality.

  "RETREAT, SERGEANT MAKOTO! ABORT THE MISSION! EVACUATE YOUR SQUAD! FALL BACK! GET OUT OF THERE! NOW!!" The authority-voice man shout momentarily halted the chaos, his urgent tone cutting through the tension in the air.

  Without further hesitation, Sergeant Makoto immediately gave the order, "EVERYONE, FALL BACK! RETREAT FOR…" His command was abruptly cut off as a loud shriek from one of the monsters ripped through the air.

  SCREEEAAAAAAK!!

  But it was too late; the first giant monster had already closed in on one of the soldiers. The creature’s enormous mouth opened wide, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth, and it slowly descended toward his defenseless upper body, ready to consume him whole.

  “NOOO!” Two nearby soldiers screamed as they raised their rifles, opened fire in a desperate attempt to save their comrade and stop the monster.

  RATATATATATA! TINK! TINK! PLANK! PLANK!

  RATATATATATA! TZING! TAK! TZING! CHAK!

  They fired their rifles frantically, but their efforts were in vain. The bullets bounced off its armored scales, completely ineffective, just as the sub-machine gun rounds had been moments ago. The creature’s thick, armor-like hide absorbed every shot, leaving no sign of damage. The other soldiers could only watch in horror as the beast devoured their helpless comrade.

  "HELP! AAARRGGHH!" His screams echoed through the room as his upper body was engulfed, the sickening crunch of flesh and bone reverberating as if he were being devoured by a tiger or shark. His final, desperate cries merged with the grotesque sounds of tearing flesh.

  The two soldiers nearby stood frozen, unable to save him. Within seconds, his entire body disappeared into the monster’s massive mouth, leaving nothing behind but the chilling memory of his final moments.

  "Goddamn you! You motherfucking monsters!! Aaaaarrgghh!" one of the soldiers watching from a distance cried out in rage and agony, unable to accept the tragic death of his comrade and friend. His anguished scream echoed through the chamber, filling the room with the sorrow of loss.

  The other soldiers, along with Sergeant Makoto, stood frozen in terror, their faces pale as sheets. They had watched helplessly from a distance as their comrade was devoured alive. Their bodies trembled, their legs shaking as they couldn’t believe that their friend had been eaten by one of the giant monsters. In a matter of seconds, the situation had turned deadly, threatening the lives of all of them.

  "AAAAAAAARGH! AAAAAAHHH!" Another female soldier, paralyzed by fear, screamed uncontrollably. Her entire body shook violently as she fell to her knees, dropping her dual handguns onto the floor. With shock in her eyes, she hugged herself tightly, shaking her head, desperately trying to deny the horror unfolding before her.

  At that moment, Sergeant Makoto realized his responsibility for his team's safety—he had to act. He couldn’t let his entire squad be wiped out by these alien creatures.

  "HEY, YOU TWO, REGROUP! Everyone, we will perform the defensive retreat formation!" Sergeant Makoto ordered the two soldiers who had been closest to the group of monsters to move back toward the team.

  "Don't worry; we’re getting out of here alive, TOGETHER!!" he shouted, attempting to encourage his remaining soldiers as they braced for the regrouping of their two comrades.

  Hearing Sergeant Makoto’s words, the soldiers snapped out of their daze, their expressions hardening. Though terror still gripped them, a renewed resolve sparked within. They weren’t going to give up—they would survive this nightmare. The female soldier who had fallen to her knees earlier took a deep breath, then slowly stood up, retrieving her handguns and cocking them with newfound determination.

  As the two soldiers ran to regroup with Sergeant Makoto and the team, more cracking sounds echoed through the massive chamber. One after another, many monstrous giant creatures burst free from their confinement. Their red, glowing eyes fixed on the soldiers. Yet they remained still, as if biding their time before launching a unified attack.

  “DEFENSIVE RETREAT FORMATION! Move toward the entrance! No grenades or explosives—wait for my command!” Sergeant Makoto ordered, directing his squad into a coordinated retreat as the two distant soldiers finally regrouped.

  "Yes, Sir!" the ten soldiers replied, steeling themselves with a fierce determination for a desperate escape to survive and protect one another.

  As the soldiers began their formation, some monsters began surged forward, screeching their monstrous roars as they crawled toward the squad with high speed. The rest of their kind soon followed, echoing their eerie cries through the massive chamber.

  SCREEEAAAAAAK! SCREEEEEE!

  "NOW! TO THE ENTRANCE!" Sergeant Makoto's voice rang out, commanding and authoritative, as the squad initiated their retreat.

  The soldiers sprinted toward the entrance of the massive room in a tight retreat formation. And they need to descend through many paths to reach the building’s main entrance on the first floor to escape. This was a race against time—and against death. Their hearts pounded, adrenaline surging through their veins.

  The creatures’ eyes glowed with an eerie, otherworldly red, casting a sinister light across the room. Their screams and screeches echoed ominously as they crawled rapidly toward the squad. Four soldiers positioned at the back of the formation ran backward, firing their weapons in alternating rifle-shotgun order to keep the monsters at distance.

  RATATATATATATA! TZING! TAK! TING! CHAK!

  BAM! Clack! Clack! BAM!

  The blasts of gunfire reverberated throughout the room. At the same time, the smell of gunpowder filled the air. But the beasts seemed unaffected by the rifle bullets and shotgun shots—they were unstoppable.

  Even as they were being chased, somehow the soldiers at the rear managed to keep the monsters at bay with their barrage of bullets. But then, the two soldiers at the back of the formation looked at each other and nodded, realizing that the whole team wouldn’t survive if there is no one hold the monsters and stay behind, to buy the others time to escape.

  Without hesitation, the two soldiers stopped running.

  One of them shouted to the others, "GO, LEAVE THIS PLACE! We’ll hold these freakin' monsters!! GO NOW!!"

  "HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? GET BACK IN FORMATION!" Sergeant Makoto ordered the two soldiers, but deep down, he knew their intention—to sacrifice themselves.

  "NO! JUST GO, SERGEANT!” One soldier shouted back, his voice resolute. “Please survive and escape! Do it for our beloved country, FOR JAPAN! Just don’t forget us—and destroy these monsters for good someday! NOW GO!" Kuroda shouted back with a determined expression.

  "NOOO! Don’t do it! I will never forgive you, come back here!" the female soldier who had earlier fallen into despair cried out loud, trying to go back and pull her comrades. But she was grabbed by a comrade at the front of the formation and dragged along with the team.

  "Sergeant! Take these! Give them to our families!" One of the two determined soldiers called out, throwing the both of their dog tags toward Sergeant Makoto. With steady hands, Makoto caught the dog tags and carefully secured them in his tactical bag.

  "THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY! Okay, we must go now!" Makoto shouted, his voice heavy with both grief and respect. He raised his hand in a sharp salute to the two brave soldiers before turning and running alongside the remaining nine, retreating in a tight new formation.

  The two selfless soldiers turned their backs on their comrades for the last time, facing the advancing monsters. Raising their rifles, they aimed at the creatures’ glowing red eyes.

  Kuroda, an explosive expert, shouted, "Thanks for being with me, Omura. You’re braver than most—even for someone who only joined the Special Forces last year. Let’s give these damn monsters a lesson they’ll never forget!"

  "Don’t mention it, Kuroda. If my sacrifice means protecting our people and country, then I’m more than happy to do it. FOR JAPAAAN!" Omura, a junior Japan Special Forces soldier, shouted, his voice filled with emotion as he prepared to fight the monsters to his last breath.

  Please, my comrades, make it out alive. I’m honored to have served alongside you.. Kuroda thought as he steadied himself for the inevitable.

  Then, both of them opened fire continuously, not looking back, trying to stop the giant monsters from chasing their comrades. They pulled the triggers and held the firearms to their shoulders, blasting their bullets at the beasts and tossing a few grenades as the creatures closed in.

  RATATATA! TAKATATAK! BANK! CHAK! CHAKA! BANK! CHAK! Tzing! BOOM!

  RATATATATAT! WANG! Bank! Tzing! Zetiing! Chaka! Zipping! TZING! BOOM!

  "DIE, YOU BASTARD! AARGHH!" Kuroda shouted at the top of his lungs after reloading his rifle and firing again.

  "UURAAAAAA! EAT THIS, MONSTERS!" Omura screamed, standing his ground and firing again after loading his last magazine.

  The horde of monstrous creatures seemed almost unstoppable. The bullets and explosions slowed them only a little, but still, they came, moving with terrifying speed.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  SHREEEEEEEEEKSSSSHHH!

  SCREEEAAAAAAK!

  “HEEAAAAAAAAA!!” Kuroda and Omura screamed in unison, standing their ground with unyielding courage as the wave of monsters closed in. They refused to retreat, fired every last bullet into the horde, holding the line with all their might.

  And then… everything went dark..

  . . .

  * * * *

  (Present Time)

  Monday, June 20, 2025

  Sakamiya City – Tokyo, Japan

  Sakamiya Station 1

  07:50 AM

  Tokyo’s subway trains were typically packed, especially during rush hour. Haruto Mori had grown used to standing throughout his commute, often finding it difficult even to stand comfortably because of the crowded conditions. At worst, the carriages would resemble a sardine can, with people squeezed together so tightly that even breathing felt restricted.

  That morning, rain poured steadily, creating a muted atmosphere across the city.

  Haruto arrived at Sakamiya 1 Station, he grabbed one of the plastic bags provided at the entrance to store his dripping wet umbrella. This helped prevent water from dripping onto the floor, ensuring he wouldn’t inconvenience other passengers. After placing the umbrella inside the bag, Haruto joined the line at the entrance gate, tapping his card to access the platform. The number of people waiting for the train seemed noticeably much fewer than usual. He searched for a less crowded lane to queue in, all while keeping an eye on the arrival of the train.

  Just then, a clear announcement came from the station speakers.

  "To all passengers, please prepare to board the arriving train. Make sure to stand safely behind the yellow line and avoid blocking the train doors. Please allow passengers to disembark first. We also kindly remind you to keep the train clean by not leaving any trash behind. Thank you for your cooperation."

  Shortly after the announcement, the familiar rumble of the train echoed through the station, signaling its approach. People began preparing to board. Surprisingly, the platform wasn’t too crowded—only a few passengers were lined up in the different lanes. The train gradually slowed down, coming to a smooth stop.

  As the train doors slid open, Haruto noticed only a small number of people exiting the carriage he was about to board. Once the departing passengers had cleared, he and a few others quickly stepped inside. But what greeted him inside left him momentarily stunned.

  The carriage was unexpectedly empty, with only about twelve people scattered around. It was Monday morning, usually the busiest time of the week, when the train should be packed with commuters, sometimes as many as fifty people crammed in, shoulder to shoulder.

  What on earth is happening?.. Haruto thought, puzzled by the unusually low number of passengers.

  Today, however, seemed to be an exception—an oddly fortunate one for Haruto. He scanned the carriage, his eyes quickly catching the sight of several vacant seats scattered throughout the otherwise deserted space. An empty seat during a Tokyo morning commute was practically a miracle, especially on a Monday.

  After making sure no one else was moving toward the seats, Haruto calmly walked over and sank into one in the middle of the carriage. A wave of relief washed over him as he settled in, laying his back against the long bench seat.

  This is rare.. he thought. A stroke of luck? Perhaps. But was it truly just luck?.. The thought lingered as he glanced around the eerily quiet carriage. Maybe the heavy rain kept people indoors this morning.. Haruto mused, stretching his legs slightly as he settled into his seat.

  Even as he tried to enjoy the rare comfort of a seat, Haruto couldn’t help but reflect on the peculiarity of the situation. The Tokyo subway, infamous for its chaos and overpopulation, was now uncharacteristically quiet. The bad weather—the persistent downpours over the past three days, and now again this morning—seemed to have cast an unusual hush over the city, leaving the normally bustling subway in an eerily tranquil state.

  This wasn’t how a Monday morning in Tokyo was supposed to feel. A typically bustling subway car now felt eerily calm, as if the world outside had pressed pause.

  Even so, Haruto felt a quiet sense of gratitude for being able to enjoy the ride seated comfortably, without having to stand or be squeezed between fellow commuters. For the next 15 minutes, he could sit back, relax, and savor this rare moment of tranquility on the train.

  To pass the time, Haruto watched a music video playing on the monitor at the center of the carriage, showcasing some of Japan’s most popular pop bands. Above the screen, a running text scrolled from right to left, displaying information about cleanliness, the next station, the temperature, arrival times, and other useful details.

  Shortly after the train departed from Sakamiya Station 1, the relentless rain finally eased, but heavy clouds still clung to the sky, with the faintest hint of sunlight struggling to break through. Then, a familiar notification sound chimed from Haruto’s phone.

  Ding ding... Ding ding...

  He reached into his bag to retrieve his phone, unlocking it with his thumbprint. The screen displayed a new text message— it was from Kanna Fujita, a 21-year-old female student at the same university, one of his college mates.

  Haruto assumed that Kanna might have sent another message, waiting for him at the main gate of Sakamiya University, just like she usually did.

  But this time, when he read the text on his phone, the message was vastly different from what he had anticipated. It carried an unfamiliar urgency that immediately caught his attention.

  The message from Kanna:

  "Haruto-kun, something huge is happening right now, and your presence is urgently needed. This could be a threat to all of humanity. I'll be waiting for you near the campus gate to guide you inside. Let me know when you arrive. See you soon."

  Kanna used to be shy and awkward, but over time, she had become much calmer and more composed. Perhaps because Haruto was always there. Now, she could easily talk to Haruto whenever they met on the train or at campus. However, the message he had just read carried an undercurrent of seriousness and anxiety—emotions she rarely displayed. Haruto still couldn’t fully grasp the meaning behind Kanna’s words.

  Haruto’s mind briefly drifted back to a particular memory from three months ago—his first meeting with Kanna, had left a lasting impression on him. Back then, she had been clumsy and a bit careless when they first crossed paths on the train. It was a morning he would never forget..

  * * * *

  (Flashback)

  Monday, March 17, 2025

  Sakamiya Station 1

  8:00 AM

  It was a crowded morning on the train, the air thick with tension as Haruto gripped the vertical handrail. Without warning, someone bumped into him hard from behind. Turning around, he saw a girl with light-brown hair tied in a ponytail, wearing a Sakamiya University jacket like his.

  As the train jerked into motion, she stumbled forward. Haruto instinctively caught her arm to steady her. “Are you okay? I'm sorry, I just wanted to make sure you didn't fall.” Haruto pulled his hand back, feeling a little awkward.

  The girl, flustered and red-faced, stammered in a soft voice, “T-thank you.” She clutched the handrail beside him, clearly trying to regain her balance. Haruto couldn’t help but notice her shy demeanor and awkward attempts to steady herself as the train continued to move.

  Suddenly, the train swayed again, sending several passengers tumbling—including the girl, who fell with a loud thud. Haruto moved before he could think, bending down to help her. “Whoa! Are you okay?” he asked, extending his hand. She shook her head and tried to stand on her own, only to stumble again, her book bag and umbrella scattering on the floor.

  Embarrassed and visibly struggling, she hesitated before finally taking his hand. Her fingers trembled as he gently helped her to her feet, while her other hand reached for the fallen umbrella. “I-I... T-thank you, s-sir." she murmured, bowing her head, her face burning with humiliation.

  Haruto, unaccustomed to getting involved with strangers, found himself oddly captivated by her timid and clumsy nature. Moments later, he noticed her book bag still lying on the floor. Picking it up, he handed it back to her. “Here, you dropped this too.”

  Her reaction was almost comically panicked as she reached for the bag, her fingers brushing his. The brief contact sent an unexpected jolt through both of them. “Oh, right. Thank you, sir." she stammered, her voice trembling. Her eyes darted away, and her face flushed as she gripped the bag tightly.

  “I’m really sorry for causing so much trouble.” her voice was laced with guilt. She bowing deeply in apology. Haruto felt his heart race for reasons he couldn’t quite explain. It wasn’t like him to care about strangers, let alone to a girl who seemed so timid and awkward.

  “No, no, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it." he replied, feeling slightly flustered himself. After a moment, he decided to introduce himself. “S-Sorry, I’m Haruto... Haruto Mori. Please, there’s no need to bow. What’s your name?”

  She looked up, startled, before whispering, “I-I’m K-Kanna, Kanna Fujita.”

  Sensing her nervousness, Haruto could tell she still felt embarrassed and guilty. He didn’t want to make her feel worse. “Okay, please, raise your head, Fujita-chan. It’s really okay. These things happen all the time on crowded trains." he said gently, hoping to put her at ease.

  Her shy gratitude and the way her eyes lit up with relief were strangely endearing. Kanna offered a timid smile, her cheeks still flushed.

  As Haruto glanced at her clutching her bag and umbrella, he couldn’t shake the strange feeling from this encounter. There was something about her—her clumsiness, her sincerity, or perhaps the warmth in her eyes—that lingered in his mind. Even amidst the bustling chaos of the train, her presence stood out, marking this moment as something he wouldn’t forget.

  * * * *

  (Back to present)

  Haruto’s eyebrows furrowed as he re-read the message several times. Did I misread it?.. At first glance, he hadn’t been particularly focused, perhaps assuming it was her usual casual tone. But no—upon closer inspection, the words were exactly as they appeared. There was no mistake. The message was real..

  "Something big? A threat to humanity? What could she possibly mean?" Haruto muttered to himself, his mind racing. Is it.. Could it be…

  He started to wonder if it had any connection to the unusually empty train this morning or perhaps the bad weather that had plagued Tokyo for the past three days. Or maybe… both were connected somehow?.. he thought. Haruto couldn't shake the inexplicable uneasy feeling over him—something felt off.

  Inside the train car, the atmosphere remained quiet, with about a dozen passengers scattered throughout, each lost in their own world. A stark contrast to the usual crowded carriage. The train moved steadily along its route, and everything seemed normal, nothing out of ordinary.

  As he observed the passengers around him, he noticed an unusual synchronicity—several people were simultaneously engrossed with their phones. Their faces tensed, brows furrowed, as though they had stumbled upon alarming news. Maybe it’s a major accident.. Haruto mused. Or perhaps there’s news about a violent labor protest, or some viral video spreading like wildfire on social media.. His thoughts wandered, trying to rationalize the scene.

  Today didn’t feel like just another day. Deep down, he felt an unsettling certainty that he was on the verge of encountering something that could shatter his regular life, all of it, and thrust him into the unknown.

  He glanced down at his phone, re-reading Kanna’s message once again:

  “Haruto-kun, something huge is happening right now, and your presence is urgently needed. This could be a threat to all of humanity. I’ll be waiting for you near the campus gate to guide you inside. Let me know when you arrive. See you soon.”

  It was strange. This wasn’t like Kanna at all. She had never sent anything like this, and for a moment, he wondered if it was a prank. But then, he remembered that Kanna wasn’t the type to play tricks on him, not even once..

  As Haruto glanced at the faces of the passengers again, their expressions filled with anxiety and growing restlessness, he couldn’t help but wonder if something extraordinary—or alarming—had surfaced that morning on the internet or social media. Whatever it was, it seemed to have shaken them, leaving an air of tension hanging heavily in the atmosphere.

  But then, a memory surfaced—one that seemed oddly relevant in this unsettling moment. He recalled rumors circulating at Sakamiya University about a secret organization, whispered to be investigating strange and unexplained phenomena.

  Kanna had invited Haruto several times to attend events organized by an off-campus group, hoping to spark his interest. Haruto, however, had always dismissed the idea. To him, it was just another ordinary and likely pointless club.

  There’s no way the rumored “secret organization” actually exists. She probably just wants me to join some random student group.. He thought.

  Yet, Haruto had always declined, his tone dismissive. His excuse was simple—he wasn’t interested in extracurricular activities, especially those unrelated to his studies. To him, anything beyond his academic pursuits and part-time job was a waste of time. Kanna’s persistent invitations felt more like an excuse to spend time with him beyond their campus routines rather than a genuine interest in the organization’s purpose.

  In Haruto’s eyes, her eagerness felt like a ploy to forge a deeper connection. She wanted to share something meaningful with him, but Haruto had other priorities. He much preferred focusing on his part-time job, earning just enough to sustain his daily life, rather than joining a vague, mysterious organization whose purpose seemed obscure.

  Why am I suddenly thinking about those rumors?.. Haruto wondered, his brows furrowing. And why now, of all times?.. He recalled how Kanna had always avoided explaining the organization, its goals or activities when he questioned her. She never gave me a straight answer.. and never even explained what it was about. Not that it mattered—I wouldn’t have joined anyway.

  Yet, as the train rocked gently on its tracks, Haruto couldn’t shake the feeling that something related to those rumors might be happening. The empty train, the strange weather over the past few days, and now the anxious expressions of passengers engrossed in their phones—it all felt oddly connected.

  What’s going on?.. he thought. Could that secret organization really exist? Do they know something the public doesn’t?.. His gaze swept over the passengers once more, their expressions etched with tension. Is Kanna.. really involved with them?

  Seeking distraction, Haruto’s gaze shifted to the monitor at the center of the train car. A soft music video played, providing a brief reprieve from his unease. Just as he began to settle, the screen flickered. The music stopped abruptly, replaced by the logo of a familiar news station. The sudden change immediately caught his attention, as well as that of the other passengers.

  A female news anchor from Tokyo TV appeared on the screen, her expression grim, radiating a sense of urgency. The tension in the train car thickened as the volume increased, ensuring no one could miss her announcement.

  “Breaking News. We interrupt this program to bring you an urgent report.” she announced, her voice firm and steady. Her expression reflecting the gravity of the situation she was about to convey.

  The air heavy with anticipation as everyone braced themselves for the urgent news to come..

  — — — — —