Inside the Awakeners' Association headquarters, the day moved steadily as usual. Staff passed through the halls, the quiet hum of work filling the air.
That calm was broken when a young staff member from the Field Operations Department rushed out of the elevator, holding a folder tightly in both hands. He didn't stop until he reached a door labeled:
"Director Kim Seohwan – Department of Awakeners' Field Operations & Safety"
This department handled all active mission monitoring, field safety protocols, and missing personnel reports — anything involving awakeners outside the city.
The staff member knocked quickly, then pushed the door open.
"Director Kim! Urgent report!"
Kim, who was reviewing mission files, looked up, alert. "What is it?"
"A registered party of five awakeners has been missing for over a week. Their last known location was a remote village. There's been no contact since they took a mission."
Kim frowned. "What village?"
