A world where technology is strictly controlled within a terrarium

In a world where humanity’s reckless expansion led to the rise and fall of civilizations, the “Civilization Reconstruction Agency” now controls society with an iron grip, creating carefully curated cities to experiment with different forms of civilization. Citizens are confined to their assigned areas and technologies, unable to move freely or innovate beyond the limits set by the Agency.

Among them is Danwoo, a promising student, who harbors a deep secret: two mysterious voices have been whispering in his mind since a childhood accident that claimed his parents’ lives. These voices, cynical Number 1 and violent Number 2, insist that Danwoo is not who he thinks he is, and that his entire life has been a lie orchestrated by the Agency. As he embarks on a quest to uncover the truth about his origins and the fate of his parents, Danwoo discovers unsettling revelations about his identity and the extent of the Agency’s manipulations.

The novel explores the isolation of personal pain, emphasizing that individual struggles are often invisible and misunderstood by others. It questions societal norms around justice and morality, challenging why certain harmful actions are punished while others are not. The novel also reflects on whether people who don’t fit societal expectations should be condemned for simply existing and urges a reconsideration of how society treats those who defy conventional norms.