Chapter 13

Episode 13. Virgin Birth (1)

***

It’s been a while since I had a day off.

I didn’t know the Foundation even acknowledged holidays. Today, I’m just going to lie around and do nothing. I have a feeling tomorrow’s work is going to be hectic.

***

The next day.

“Dr. Kim, do you have a moment? The Humanoid Research Department wants to see you. The Director’s Office said they’d like you to personally examine the supernatural phenomenon ‘Antichrist.’”

I looked at Administrator Lee.

“Really?”

“It doesn’t seem like a major supernatural phenomenon. There’s one humanoid entity currently in the isolation room of the Humanoid Research Department, and they have a few samples. But they insist you come today.”

“Alright. I’ll go.”

I’ve seen the related files before.

They said it’s a small monster made of teeth, bones, nails, and biological tissue. I’m not sure why it’s dangerous.

Most of the important details were restricted. I could probably access them using the Director’s authority, but I haven’t had the time yet.

“Are you coming too, Administrator?”

“Sorry, but I’m a bit busy. Nanami will have to go with you this time.”

“Got it.”

I put on my lab coat and got up. Let’s see what they want from me.

“No time to waste, let’s go.”

***

The Humanoid Research Department.

The scariest place in this facility.

Of course, there are plenty of scary people in other departments too.

The Special Forces or Recovery Department could probably wipe out a small country with their firepower, the Precognition Department can predict or even shape the future, and the Information Department knows everything under the sun.

But…

The Humanoid Research Department is where humanoid supernatural phenomena are contained. It’s where they dissect and kill things that look like humans every day. The people working there probably aren’t exactly normal either.

Nanami looked at me.

“Because of the Humanoid Research Department?”

“Yeah.”

“They’re a bit creepy, but you don’t need to be too scared. The researchers there are still human. Just… a bit dangerous.”

“Really?”

“If today’s work was something embarrassing, they wouldn’t have called you. They’d have just handled it quietly and filed a report.”

“Right?”

“They probably have something they’re proud of. I don’t know why they didn’t tell you in advance, but… I don’t think it’s anything too disturbing or strange.”

I nodded at Nanami.

***

Arrival.

As soon as we entered the Humanoid Research Department, Nanami said she had urgent business and went back to the Director’s Office.

“Dr. Kim. Hello. It’s been a while.”

It was Dr. Cheon Gyeong-chae from the Medical Examination Department.

“What brings you here?”

“It’s about Supernatural Phenomenon P-3030, the Antichrist. There’s a humanoid entity here that needs an examination. I came to check.”

The fact that the phenomenon is classified with a “P” means it’s not just a human or a living creature, but a phenomenon.

I’m not sure I understand.

“Can you show me?”

“Sure. It’s under the jurisdiction of the Humanoid Research Department, though.”

A moment later.

I looked into the isolation room.

A young girl was sitting on the bed in the isolation room, surrounded tightly by the Foundation’s doctors and researchers.

The girl looked terrified, but she didn’t seem hurt. The researchers didn’t seem like they were trying to harm her either.

“Is that girl the supernatural phenomenon?”

“No.”

“Can I talk to her for a moment?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

I squeezed through the crowd of people in white coats and crouched down to meet the girl’s eye level. She looked at me with anxious eyes.

“Hi?”

“Hi…”

“What’s your name?”

“Kim Yeon.”

“Do you know why you’re here?”

“No… They said I have a serious illness and need to drop everything for immediate treatment…”

I nodded slowly.

“Are you in pain anywhere?”

“I’m just tired from all the tests. I want to go home.”

“Alright. I’ll do my best.”

She doesn’t seem hurt for now.

That’s a relief. She just looks tired, and the Humanoid Research Department doesn’t seem to have experimented on her.

What does the Foundation want from her?

A doctor standing nearby tapped my shoulder.

“Director. I’m Professor Lee from the Humanoid Research Department. We need to perform surgery on the girl as soon as possible, so while you’re here, could you approve it?”

Sigh.

“What kind of surgery?”

“We need to remove the supernatural phenomenon from her body immediately. We have a day or two of leeway, but we think it should be done today.”

“So, you’re saying you’ll perform surgery right now to physically remove the supernatural phenomenon from her body?”

“Exactly. Just give us the approval, and we’ll start.”

“I’ll approve it. But on one condition. Let me observe the surgery.”

The doctors in the isolation room all turned to look at me. Why? It’s not an unreasonable request, is it?

“And from now on, in emergencies, you can perform the surgery first and report later. I respect the judgment of the Research Department, so you don’t need to ask the Director’s Office every time.”

***

This is the Foundation’s 8th Operating Room.

“I’m Dr. Lee Min-sik, the obstetrician-gynecologist in charge of today’s surgery. Thank you for observing, Dr. Kim, but inside the operating room, you must absolutely follow my orders.”

“Is the surgery preparation complete? Is the patient properly anesthetized?”

“Yes.”

“You’ve heard the sterilization protocol, right?”

I heard the explanation before entering the operating room. That’s why I’m wearing a sterile cap, disposable gown, and sterile gloves.

“Yes.”

“Patient Kim Yeon, age 18, blood type AB. You’re here for a cesarean section, correct?”

“Confirmed.”

“Confirmed.”

The medical staff responded.

The patient was covered with a surgical drape, only exposing the area to be operated on. The surgical site was stained with an orange liquid, likely a disinfectant.

“Then let’s begin the surgery.”

“Dr. Kim. You can come closer to observe as long as it doesn’t interfere with the surgery. Feel free to ask questions if you have any.”

Dr. Lee stood in front of the operating table.

Around the table were Dr. Lee, one operating room nurse, two young doctors from the Foundation, and me. Five people in total.

Dr. Lee reached out his hand.

“Then… scalpel.”

Swoosh. The sharp surgical blade cut through the patient’s skin. Everyone watching held their breath.

“Should I explain the surgical process?”

“Yes.”

I nodded.

“Don’t shake your head on the operating table. You won’t see anything, and your hair might fall out.”

“Ah, got it.”

Dr. Lee began speaking as he operated.

“Most mature teratomas occur in children under 18. We initially thought the same. We thought Supernatural Phenomenon P-3030 was just a strangely shaped teratoma.”

“Right.”

The doctor’s hands didn’t stop.

“Incision complete. Insert the Richardson.”

A medical device was inserted into the incision, spreading the wound made by the scalpel. The outlines of organs began to appear amidst the blood and connective tissue.

“Hey, do you know where the uterus is?”

“Isn’t it here?”

“Right. Tissue forceps.”

The doctor handed Dr. Lee the tissue forceps. Dr. Lee turned his gaze toward me—well, not exactly, but he spoke to me again.

His eyes were fixed on the surgical site, and his hands were using what looked like tweezers to cut through the connective tissue around the uterus.

“Do you know what the Chinese characters for ‘cesarean section’ mean?”

“No.”

“‘Cesarean section’ literally means ‘the surgery to create an emperor.’ It’s named after the Roman Emperor Caesar, who was said to have been born this way.”

Dr. Lee’s hands paused for a moment.

“Uterine incision incoming. Scalpel again.”

The operating room nurse handed Dr. Lee the tweezers, then passed him the scalpel again.

“You’ve probably figured it out by now, but this isn’t just a teratoma. It’s something far more horrifying. It might be unpleasant to hear, but… the easiest way to create a portal to hell is through the womb of a virgin.”

The already chilly operating room froze over.

“Now, I’ll extract the target. Is the liquid nitrogen ready outside the operating room?”

“Ah, not yet.”

“You f***ing idiot, it’s still not ready? Are you kidding me? Go get it now!”

One of the doctors hurriedly ran out, and Dr. Lee sighed, bowing his head over the patient.

“Hey. Can you suture the wound?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll handle the organ repair, so you close the wound and finish up. Get ready.”

“Got it. Hand me the needle holder.”

Dr. Lee looked at me again.

“Lead Researcher, get ready to receive the target. Once the nitrogen bucket arrives, run out of the operating room and put it in the bucket. Wait outside when you’re done.”

“Me?”

“I just kicked out one doctor, so you’re the only one with free hands, Director.”

“Ah, right.”

Dr. Lee reached into the surgical site, and amidst the blood and amniotic fluid, something began to emerge.

A twisted mass of human flesh squirmed… and disgustingly, a single bloodshot eye at its center glared at me.

I barely held back the urge to vomit.

What the hell is that?

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