Chapter 107

Episode 107. The King of Korea (2)

****

Today, the details of the incident are still shrouded in mystery.

Hundreds of key figures were either killed, arrested, or intimidated through investigation, and Korea fell silent in an instant. While it has the advantage of resolving the issue, it also means that any leads to pursue have vanished. It’s like pest control. Just when you think you’ve forgotten about them, they crawl back out, and you have to spray pesticide to get rid of them again.

“What do you think, Dr. Lee?”

[Now that I’ve seen it, I understand. I’ve been pondering since I started working at the Foundation in a human body… but now, facing it head-on, I finally get it.]

“What is it?”

[The Colorless Orchestra. The rumors were rampant. They’re a rebel faction within the Foundation, the Foundation’s external enemies, or a group of thugs used by the Foundation’s top executives. Now I think I know what they are.]

“Which one is it?”

[It doesn’t matter at all. They have collaborators both inside and outside the Foundation. Sometimes they might be deceived into carrying out the will of the administrators, and other times they might fight against the Foundation.]

“……”

[In the end, the Colorless Orchestra is just the Colorless Orchestra. No matter what they think of themselves, no matter their intentions. Whether they’re enemies of the Foundation, collaborators, or a controlled opposition group, they act according to the Foundation’s needs.]

“Is that how you see it?”

[Yes.]

The truth of the world.

The more you peel back the layers…

Everywhere in the world, in places unseen by the public, is the domain of supernatural phenomena. It seems all the power in the world lies under the influence of the Foundation.

****

“Director.”

Dr. Kang from the Humanoid Research Department.

“What is it?”

“A new humanoid supernatural phenomenon has arrived, and I think you need to take a look. It’s an entity purchased from that limited company.”

Handing over money or valuables to those bastards makes my stomach churn, but there are too many cases where we have no choice.

This time, the situation was different.

On the other hand, Dr. Kang is using terms like “one” and “entity.” Whatever this humanoid supernatural phenomenon is, it doesn’t look human.

The Humanoid Research Department staff don’t usually use such terms for supernatural phenomena that look and talk like humans.

“Understood. I’ll head over right away.”

****

It was as expected.

Something that doesn’t look human.

It had the impression of an anthropomorphic owl. It’s hard to say for sure, but judging by the proportions and facial structure, it seems to be female.

There are wings spread out behind its back.

Instead of hair, there’s something feather-like on its head. Abnormal white skin, and peculiar eyes that resemble an owl’s more than a human’s.

The head shape is more like a cat than a human.

Still, in terms of appearance, it wasn’t that unpleasant. It’s more like it’s at the top left of the uncanny valley.

I’m not sure why it’s not unpleasant. Maybe it’s because its features resemble a cat or a child, which evoke positive reactions.

“Does this one speak?”

Dr. Kang scratched his head.

“Well, it usually doesn’t speak, but if you directly address it, it responds in a very complex literary style. It’s a bit hard to understand.”

“Can I try talking to it?”

“There doesn’t seem to be any danger.”

****

I grabbed the microphone. As I’ve done a few times before, speaking into the microphone will let my voice be heard through the sound equipment inside.

“What’s your name?”

I looked into the humanoid containment room. The white figure inside also looked straight at me.

“A name is a small and fleeting thing.

The label one gives oneself has no meaning.

It is the reflection in the eyes of others

that becomes the means to call and refer.”

The voice of the aberrant being was unbearably eerie. It took a while to realize the source of the dissonance. At first glance, it sounded like a child’s voice, but the being’s peculiar breathing pattern hinted that it wasn’t human.

It seems to be telling us to give it a name.

“Then… I’ll call you Arc Cosine. Arc Cosine. Is there anything you need right now?”

“Need is a word too often used.

Human life is a series of needs,

but not all living beings are subjected

to an endless chain of needs.”

So, it doesn’t need anything.

“Do you know where you are?”

“You are those who bind providence with chains.

I roughly know what you are. You are

those who slice rainbows with prisms.

Tailors of a godless reality and providence.”

Oh-ho.

“Do you consider the Foundation an enemy?”

“It is not the Foundation that is wrong. Resisting

death is the natural right of all beings.

I have no intention of hindering the Foundation.

I am entirely on the side of humans.”

“Can you introduce yourself?”

“Cherubim, Nephilim, Seraphim. We are

the messengers of the sky and the arbiters of providence

that humanity has revered for millennia.

But humans have usurped our place.”

Does it mean it’s an angel?

“Are we the usurpers?”

“You, no. War is fair.

War is not fair. Seven wars.

The seventh has not yet come.

The civil war of heaven, the war of gods.”

I nodded for now.

“In 1945, humanity won.

The age of magic ended, and the war in heaven

was forcibly concluded. History was rewritten

by the power of those tailors.”

“Forced oblivion. We have not forgotten.

Non-human beings have not forgotten.

Only humans live on, forgetting.

The earth, the angels, remember the scars.”

The white being closed its mouth.

****

I took a moment to step away from the microphone and sighed. What on earth is it talking about?

“Dr. Kang, did you understand any of that? I honestly have no idea.”

“For now, I’ve recorded that it’s some kind of angel and that it’s related to World War II.”

This humanoid supernatural phenomenon is something Daemos handed over to the Foundation in exchange for sparing its life. Since it was forcibly taken, it cost less money, but whether it’s useful remains to be seen.

If it’s from Daemos’ group, they probably used it as a decorative piece, honestly, I’m not sure. What use could the Pluto Limited Company have had for this supernatural phenomenon to keep it?

****

[Temporary Name: Owl Angel]

[Author: Dr. Kang, Humanoid Research Department]

[A humanoid supernatural phenomenon that claims to be an angel. It has wings. Its hair is white, and at first glance, it looks like a child, but upon closer inspection, it’s clearly not human.]

[Um… what else? For now, I’ll write down what I remember from the observations and leave the transcript of the conversation with the Director.]

[It frequently mentions World War II. As of now, there’s no way to know why.]

[It’s afraid of needles, but it’s unclear if there’s a specific reason or if it’s just a natural, physiological reaction to needles.]

[Blood tests confirm it’s not human. I was shocked. Usually, these analyses come back as human, but this time it’s different. The blood test results are inconclusive.]

[It seems to be a non-nucleic acid-based life form. However, the microstructure of its feathers is similar to that of an owl, as the Director mentioned.]

[Large amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were found in its biological tissues, blood, and feathers. This is similar to the King of Darkness and some reflective entities.]

****

[Temporary Name: Owl Angel. Reply]

[Author: Dr. Kim, Director’s Office]

[Dr. Kang, why are you writing the report so carelessly? No matter how casual, research records aren’t a diary. Are you just writing down whatever comes to mind?]

****

[Researcher Hasti]

[Author: Hasti]

[Hi, Director!]

[I heard you’re letting me participate in research.]

[At first, I didn’t believe it. But you really did it? I still hate you guys, but participating in research is better than doing nothing. It’s less boring.]

[Lately, in my free time, I’ve been studying chemistry with the research interns. I’m not sure what their job titles are, but they’re students, right?]

[They said they’d teach me the basics. To help me quickly rise as a researcher in the Foundation.]

[Honestly, I’m still not sure. I thought you were evil. And I still think so… but the researchers say the Foundation is essential for the survival of this world.]

[The Foundation has promised me a lot.]

[They said if I behave for a week, I can freely roam the Foundation facilities, and if I behave for a month, I can even go outside.]

[……]

[I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what to think. I don’t know how much of your words I can trust.]

****

[Regarding Researcher Hasti]

[Author: Dr. An, Humanoid Research Department]

[We’ve added a few additional safety measures, but it’s according to the Director’s plan.]

[Miss Hasti will likely be a productive member of the Foundation for the time being. I’m not sure if this is the best method, though.]

[As requested, I’ve attached the non-invasive control measures used as safety precautions for Miss Hasti below.]

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