In a remote town in Ursus...
The hooded girl hurried toward the outskirts, carrying something in her hands.
"Phew... I finally bought it. Now I can paint the picture Alina wanted."
The wind lifted a corner of her hood, revealing silvery-white hair. It was Talulah, who had secretly gone into town.
She had intended to quicken her pace and leave, but a roadside conversation made her stop.
"Did you hear? A Black Forest appeared out of nowhere on the eastern snowfields! It covered the entire snowfield!"
"Isn't that fake news? The authorities even issued a notice."
"What do you know? My friend saw it with his own eyes!"
"Really? Then why would the authorities hide it?"
"I heard someone higher up wants to monopolize it..."
"Hey! You standing over there! Come here!"
Talulah, who had wanted to keep listening, frowned and turned around. What she saw was an Infection Patrol dressed in black military uniforms.
The Ursus residents chatting by the roadside went pale when they saw them.
"[Ursus profanity!] These black bugs again!"
"Keep your voice down! If they hear you, they'll arrest you as an Infected!"
"Wait, they don't seem to be coming for us."
Talulah turned and headed into an alley. Seeing her run, the Infection Patrol instead became excited and chased after her, cursing.
"[Ursus profanity!] She actually dared to run! She's definitely an Infected!"
Outside the alley, the residents who had just been quietly cursing the Infection Patrol underwent a drastic change in expression when they heard the word "Infected."
Their sympathy and indignation rapidly vanished, replaced by undisguised disgust, fear, and revulsion.
"An Infected?!" The burly man who had just been complaining about the Infection Patrol spat fiercely.
"[Ursus profanity!] What a waste, I actually thought she was pitiful!"
"Stay back, stay back! Don't