Chapter Seven: The Red Glasses

"JIN, you are the savior of this world!"

A woman's voice interrupted JIN's contemplation. He turned abruptly, and there, in the place he least wished to look, the mysterious woman stood, holding a compact laser gun, her gaze filled with anticipation directed at him.

"It's you!"

JIN was somewhat agitated—this woman... had survived the explosion? The blast had engulfed several floors of the building; he had escaped only by leaping out. How had she managed to get away?

"Go... go and fight!" the woman urged with excitement.

JIN paused, as if suddenly understanding something. Looking at the woman who so firmly believed he was the savior, he nodded slightly.

He spun around and, with lightning speed, kicked the black-clad man behind him who had just lifted his sleeve. The force sent the man flying.

"If only... I still had my laser gun..." JIN spread his hands regretfully. When the two black-clad men had brought him in, they'd already confiscated his weapon.

Yet, at that thought, his expression shifted oddly. He suddenly reached into his coat and, to his surprise, pulled out a laser gun!

Stunned for a moment, he had no time to deliberate. JIN swiftly fired a laser at the black-clad man lunging toward him, striking him squarely in the chest.

Silently, the man collapsed. The intense laser beam had in an instant caused highly localized burns, snatching his life away.

Sidestepping another incoming beam, JIN's expression remained cold as he fired repeatedly, taking down the black-clad men before him. Some beams pierced the tabletop, leaving charred black marks.

In the ensuing chaos, the white-haired woman quickly helped the man to leave, while the surrounding black-clad men engaged JIN in a firefight.

However, JIN, strengthened by the energy of light, moved with extraordinary speed and reflexes. His gaze flickered; with a mere lift of his hand, a laser beam shot forth, piercing his opponent.

Still, he was outnumbered. JIN stomped fiercely on the edge of the round table, flipping it up to block the black-clad men's view, then swiftly turned to drag the woman away.

In the dimly lit corridor, hurried footsteps echoed as JIN rushed forward with the mysterious woman. They soon encountered a wall blocking their path.

"I'm so glad you're okay!" the woman exclaimed happily.

"Please tell me—what does 'savior' mean?" JIN stared at her intently. She had called him this all along, and it puzzled him deeply.

"Use that, and you'll understand..."

JIN paused, about to continue questioning her, when urgent footsteps sounded behind. Glancing back, he saw a group of black-clad men pursuing them.

"Hurry!"

JIN raised his arm and fired a laser beam.

The beam was dodged by the black-clad men, who then lifted their sleeves and fired four consecutive lasers.

JIN's gaze sharpened. He shifted slightly, and the beams grazed his hair, shooting past him.

The wall exploded, wind whistled through the opening. Stepping forward and glancing out, JIN realized the building was suspended high in the sky—somehow, it had lifted off. Looking down, the structures below appeared minuscule.

"Ah..." The woman clutched her abdomen; a beam had struck her. She lacked JIN's agility and alertness, and could not dodge.

The black-clad men fired again. Without time to think, JIN wrapped his arm around her waist and urged, "Come with me!"

High above, the two leapt through the breach. Wind roared in their ears; the sensation of weightlessness rushed upon them. JIN, having experienced a fall from great heights before, was not overly afraid. The woman, remarkably, showed no fear either—her eyes wide, gaze fixed on JIN with complex emotion.

"How do I operate this?" JIN held her tightly, reaching his left hand forward, fumbling to activate the portable smart computer on his wrist. Its anti-gravity system should be able to save them.

"Use that," the woman said.

"That...?" JIN hesitated, then remembered. He reached into his coat and pulled out the item she had given him—a pair of red glasses.

With uncertainty, he looked at her. She nodded gravely.

For reasons unknown, JIN instinctively trusted this woman. K had warned him that aliens could mimic humans, so JIN had resolved never to trust anyone—not even himself.

Yet this woman had survived a catastrophic explosion—an impossible feat. The only explanation was that she was not human, perhaps an alien.

But with this enigmatic woman, shrouded in mist, JIN could not help but want to believe her—as if a recognition welled up from the depths of his soul.

It was as if he felt a profound, indescribable connection to her. Perhaps the best term was a 'familiar stranger'?

"If I die, so be it..."

He took the red glasses, hesitated only a moment, then put them on. Don't ask him how he knew their purpose—glasses, after all, are meant to be worn, and there seemed no other use.

In an instant, a torrent of energy surged behind his eyes; brilliant red light erupted, enveloping JIN and spilling over to the woman.

JIN's body instinctively absorbed the energy. He felt as if he possessed boundless power; excitement surged within him.

And somehow, the red light seemed familiar.

The sea...

He remembered the endless ocean, sunlight scarce, the depths shrouded in terror. From the abyss, fierce red light rose, wrapping around him...

He had seen this power before!

Under the darkened sky, a blinding red light fell, silent as a dazzling meteor, landing amidst the city. The light contracted, then burst forth, shining like a radiant sun, spreading endless brilliance over the earth.

Countless people leaned out from buildings, stunned by the dazzling red glow; warmth washed over them. Faces once indifferent to life now bloomed with happiness.

If JIN could see this scene, perhaps he would understand.

The savior is not simply one who destroys invaders.

He is also one who rescues those humans whose hearts have slowly frozen over...