Chapter 12

Episode 12. The Future-Seeing Laptop (3)

***

“Did you call for me, Senior Researcher?”

The Special Forces of the Foundation’s Seoul Branch.

The ‘Moon of Seoul’ had returned from a long mission.

It seemed the Special Forces had been fighting the Foundation’s ancient enemy in the underground spaces beneath Seoul…

The specifics of the operation conducted by the Special Forces were classified even to me. I’d have to work hard to find out.

“Thank you for coming.”

I bowed my head and greeted the Special Forces Team Leader.

The Special Forces members came to my office either still in their combat gear or fully suited up. This was the first time I was meeting them.

Are they trying to take the lead by coming on strong? Maybe. After all, the command authority over the Special Forces lies with the Director.

Currently, the Director is absent.

If there’s anything needed, I, or the Director’s Office, would have to request it from the Special Forces. Usually, military-related matters are handled by Nanami.

But I’m not the Director, and my current appearance doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. So, I can understand the somewhat hostile reaction.

I briefly scanned the Special Forces with my eyes.

Urban camouflage colors. Bulletproof vests, joint protectors, the Special Forces’ night vision goggles with six lenses. Multiple optical devices were staring at me.

Like spiders eyeing their prey.

I let out a sigh.

“I know what you’re thinking.”

“What is it?”

“I’m not the Director.”

I pondered my next words.

“I also know how I must look to you all. I’m not a superhuman like Nanami, and I doubt you’d want to take orders from a girl who looks like she could be your daughter.”

“That’s not it.”

I smiled slightly.

“But. I’ll be honest. With the Director absent, shouldn’t we provide some leadership to this facility? But, I’m not capable enough on my own.”

“I’m not sure what you’re suggesting.”

“I have no intention of trying to assert my pride in front of the Special Forces. Team Leader. I’ll cooperate as much as I can, so let’s work together.”

The Special Forces Team Leader raised their night vision goggles.

“Alright. What do we need to do?”

“Today’s task isn’t anything major.”

Literally, just go to the Precognition Department and come back.

***

The Precognition Department, Personnel Department, and Information Department of the Support Division are quite close to the Director’s Office. Both in physical distance and in terms of their operational scope.

Today’s destination is the Precognition Department.

It’s a place that divines the future for the Foundation, but from what I remember, its performance isn’t as impressive as one might think. It’s not very accurate.

One peculiar thing is that it seems to require live sacrifices to divine the future. The Precognition Department kills dozens of goats and chickens every month.

Not my job, though.

“Let’s not get nervous and stick to the plan.”

“The only one nervous here is the Senior Researcher.”

“Ah, yes.”

I had my right hand in my pocket and the problematic laptop in my left. On either side of me were fully equipped Special Forces members.

“We’ve arrived.”

We quickly reached the iron door of the Precognition Department.

“Open the door.”

No need to knock.

This is the Precognition Department. They must have foreseen our arrival. If not, they’re probably watching us on surveillance cameras.

The effect was immediate.

The staff of the Precognition Department opened the door. Though they were still blocking our way.

“No, Director. What brings you here—”

The Precognition Department seemed quite flustered upon seeing me and my Special Forces members. How flustered must they be to mistake me for the Director?

Anyway. I didn’t come here today to harass the Precognition Department staff. I raised my left hand and showed them the briefcase.

“The laptop you were looking for. I’ve brought it.”

“Wait, you brought four armed Special Forces members just for one laptop?”

“This laptop is also a supernatural phenomenon. If it truly can see the future, having armed escorts isn’t excessive.”

“……”

“Please come in, Senior Researcher.”

***

“If you’re dissatisfied with our request to transfer Supernatural Phenomenon O-714, I’ll consult with the Head of the Precognition Department to resolve it.”

The Head of the Precognition Department sighed.

I smiled faintly and responded.

“Dissatisfied? Absolutely not. Just as the Precognition Department requested a few days ago, we’re only here to assist in researching the characteristics of the phenomenon.”

“Yes.”

“Is this the way?”

“Yes, the Precognition Department’s research lab is this way.”

I moved forward with my team.

***

Though I brought the Special Forces to intimidate, I had no intention of lying to the Precognition Department. There might be something they could help with.

After all, my laptop wasn’t a future-seeing supernatural phenomenon, so the Precognition Department no longer had a reason to demand it.

Of course, I did have some thoughts of harassing the Precognition Department. But I didn’t really want to fight them either. They’re still my colleagues.

A moment later.

A Precognition Department staff member in a suit entered the lab. As expected, an older gentleman with graying hair.

Entering the lab were me, four Special Forces members, the Head of the Precognition Department, and two other staff members. A total of eight people.

“Head of the Precognition Department, Kwon Si-an.”

“Nice to meet you, Director Kwon.”

I bowed my head in greeting.

Despite coming on strong initially, I needed to be a bit friendlier now. We’d need the Precognition Department’s help in the future.

“Hello, Senior Researcher. Did you bring the laptop?”

“This is the laptop in question.”

I showed the laptop to the Head of the Precognition Department. He immediately checked the chat logs and seemed to be pondering something.

[Have you found the Mirror of Parallels?]

[The supernatural phenomena that destroyed my world are not one or two. I don’t know everything, but I’ll do my best to find out and inform you.]

The Head of the Precognition Department looked at the chat window I was viewing.

“Interesting.”

“Yes, isn’t it?”

“Communicating with a Foundation from another dimension… Definitely not a future-seeing supernatural phenomenon.”

I nodded.

You’re not getting this laptop, fools.

“We can’t tell if what the phenomenon is saying is true, or if it’s a trustworthy person. We don’t even know if the information is useful. For now, we’ll just store it in the Director’s Office warehouse.”

“Yes.”

The Head of the Precognition Department glanced at me.

“I’m not trying to pick a fight, but it might be good for you to undergo an information contamination check at the Research Department’s Cognition Division or the Medical Department’s Psychiatry Division. Communicating with another dimension could be dangerous.”

“I’ll do that, Director Kwon.”

And.

“We’ll discuss the laptop with Headquarters, so for now, please don’t disclose any related information to anyone outside the Precognition Department.”

“Of course.”

That wraps up this matter.

“We’ll just run a few simple tests on the laptop and return it to you.”

The Head of the Precognition Department carefully placed the laptop in the briefcase, then picked up the black briefcase and stood up.

***

Director Kwon pressed his temples.

That was terrifying.

Honestly, I underestimated the new young researcher, but I didn’t expect them to bring along the missing Special Forces members and barge into the Precognition Department.

I thought they’d have committed suicide by now.

The new Senior Researcher is not only holding up well but also effectively gaining the cooperation of the Foundation’s staff. Whether it’s charisma, personal charm, ability, or some supernatural power, there’s definitely something different about them.

I’ve already apologized. From now on, I’ll just cooperate well with whatever the Director’s Office does.

***

[Regarding Supernatural Phenomenon O-714]

[Author: Head of the Precognition Department]

[To all staff of the Precognition Department:]

[After analysis by the Precognition Department, it has been confirmed that this phenomenon does not have the ability to predict the future. This phenomenon will be stored in the Director’s Office warehouse for the time being.]

[Also. Please avoid unnecessary internal politics and power struggles. Especially, try to avoid conflicts with the Director’s Office.]

[Also. Chickens and goats don’t grow out of the ground. There’s no need to waste them unnecessarily.]

***

[Prophecy Result Report]

[Author: Precognition Team 1]

[After sacrificing twelve chickens:]

[Is Supernatural Phenomenon O-714 safe: Yes]

[Is Supernatural Phenomenon H-1125 safe: Yes]

[Does the Mirror of Parallels exist: Yes]

[Today’s analysis of Supernatural Phenomenon H-1125]

[Tarot Card: 1 (The Magician)]

[Outstanding ability, dexterity, eloquence, eternity and infinity, ouroboros, self-centered, potential.]

[I think you know what it means. It’s a cliché and intuitive result that doesn’t need interpretation.]

[The Senior Researcher of the Director’s Office and the three related supernatural phenomena are generally safe, according to Precognition Team 1’s assessment. We’ll continue researching.]

***

[Supernatural Phenomenon O-714]

[Ordinary Laptop]

[Risk Level: Safe]

[Classification: Object-Type Supernatural Phenomenon]

[It’s just a laptop. Don’t overthink it.]

[The following content is restricted to Foundation executives:]

[The Director’s Office repaired it.]

[This phenomenon is one of the few means of communicating with other dimensions.]

[Communication is not always possible, and both sides do not experience linear time similarly. It’s also unclear who is being communicated with each time. Additionally, sharing files or other data is not possible.]

[There is at least one person on the other side of the communication from the laptop, and it’s believed that the communication connects to three or more dimensions.]