Chapter 130

Episode 130. The Blue Roses (5)

The Blue Roses had set a trap. Reality distortion levels rising. Tachyon and other supernatural physics levels rising. Slight increase in radiation levels as well.

“It’s a type of phase dimension.”

The line drawn by Nanami.

Behind it, a supernatural space overlays the real space. What’s inside is unknown. But since it’s a trap set by the Foundation’s enemies, it can’t be anything good.

“Popo. Enter the phase space, find out what’s inside, and kill the caster.”

Six Popos disappeared into the darkness. I pondered my next move. How many enemies are inside the phase space?

All the remaining Blue Roses? I hope not. Come to think of it, how many Blue Roses are left? Six detected?

If they can deploy a phase space, they must be high-level mages, right? Multiple Blue Roses? Do they have guns? Professional equipment?

There’s too much I don’t know.

I reconsidered my weapon choice. Since the enemy is invisible, holding Niguras-5 wouldn’t mean much.

There’s too much room for messing around in the phase space. The rifle I’ve been using so far might not even work inside the phase space.

This will do. I took a shotgun from one of the Popos gathered around me. The type of gun doesn’t matter as much as the ammo.

Botulinum dust rounds. A slug round containing a potent neurotoxin that can kill with just a few nanograms.

Small enough to fit on a thumb, capable of killing dozens, even hundreds, with a single shot… a type of weapon never used in human warfare.

*Click.*

I loaded the botulinum dust round into the shotgun. One round in the chamber.

“From now on, we’ll be using biochemical weapons. Take one pralidoxime pill now and check your gas masks. You have 10 seconds.”

Nanami sent a hand signal.

[Wait. Here—]

“Direct entry in 10 seconds.”

I peered into the phase space.

How many people are inside? No way to know. But if the botulinum dust round breaks, all living things in the area will die. At least, anything without the Foundation’s neurotoxin vaccine.

10 seconds passed.

I leaned out and fired the dust rounds into the phase space. Two shots, left and right. If there were people there, they’d be down by now. I raised my hand and signaled.

“Moving in.”

The Popos, perhaps scared, disappeared. I ran forward with the shotgun raised.

*Bang!*

I hid behind a pillar inside the phase space. As expected, the entrance vanished as soon as I entered.

The special forces members were gone too.

“Radio. Can you hear me? HQ? Nanami?”

No response. Well, expected.

I draped the invisibility cloak and moved along the facility walls as much as possible. The walls twisted and bent in strange patterns… but for now.

A presence.

*Bang!*

If there was one person in this space, they’d be dead. If there were a thousand, a thousand would be dead. Still not sure.

*Bang!*

This time, it wasn’t the heavy sound of a shotgun, but a sharper pistol shot. No silencer, so their equipment doesn’t seem top-notch. The sound came from the 4 o’clock direction.

I couldn’t see the enemy, but they couldn’t see me either. Or maybe, as a mage, they can see through the invisibility cloak? Or is this their phase dimension, allowing them to see?

I aimed the shotgun in the direction of the gunshot. This should end it.

*Bang!*

No more ammo. I set the shotgun down, drew my pistol from my waist, and hid back in the shadows.

****

Silver reloaded the pistol.

The equipment Silver currently had: sound-dampening shoes, a gas mask, a few Post-it notes for drawing talismans.

Only one person was trapped in the phase space: Blue Rose-13. Silver wanted to approach and talk, but… resisted the impulse.

Talking would only increase the chance of death.

Blue Rose-13 was using some kind of invisibility ability. If it were just invisibility, magic could track it. No, if it were just invisibility, footprints alone could be tracked.

This is also a type of cognitive interference. Not just blocking specific senses, but degrading the perception of Blue Rose-13.

“……”

Anyway, it can be killed. Judging by the way it’s running around, it doesn’t seem to have any special weapons, and it probably can’t pinpoint Silver’s location as the master of the phase space.

*Bang!*

Silver turned toward the direction of the gunshot. What kind of gun? Not automatic, judging by the lack of rapid fire.

Can’t rule anything out. Could be a pistol, a supernatural weapon, a sniper rifle… the possibilities are endless.

This is the battle of supernatural beings. You can’t be sure of anything about the enemy, not your senses, not common sense, not anything.

You just do your best and leave it to fate.

Silver aimed the pistol at the blurry shadow. Where did Blue Rose-13 go…

*Bang!*

No effect.

Silver pondered the next option. There were a few minor artifacts and spells, but nothing that would help in a gunfight…

Fireball? By the time I finish the incantation, I could empty a magazine. Curse? Well, if we’re fighting for a month or two, it might help.

Already doing things like dampening footsteps and hiding appearances.

Silver drew an eye on a Post-it and stuck it to the wall. Or maybe it’s better to stick it on the forehead. Now I see.

“Gods of darkness and shadow, rulers and guides of humanity. Please grant me the sight to see the unseen…”

Seeing with eyes that aren’t eyes, I could finally see the opponent.

Director Kim.

Cloaked over combat gear, face completely covered by a helmet and gas mask. Black, careful not to move too quickly, aimed the pistol at Director Kim.

This time, I can definitely get them.

*Bang!*

Director Kim clutched their chest. The bullet seemed to hit, but… the reaction was like getting hit by a baseball. Silver’s trembling hand realigned the pistol’s sights.

“There you are.”

*Bang!*

Silver’s gas mask shattered.

****

Ah. My shoulder hurts.

Of course, pistol rounds can’t penetrate the Foundation’s bulletproof gear. The stuff I use is also adjusted using supernatural phenomena.

But. The physical force of a pistol round is still comparable to a martial artist’s punch. Regardless of protection level, pain is pain.

That’s not the important part.

Now that the enemy’s position is exposed from close-range pistol fire, I aimed the shotgun in their direction. Roughly here.

*Bang!*

Botulinum toxin dust scattered everywhere. This time, I hope they’re definitely dead. I hid behind a pillar for now.

Reality began to crumble all around.

The phase space is collapsing.

The relatively intact subway station interior turned into a corroded ruin with exposed rebar and rough concrete. The faint lights shining from somewhere all disappeared, returning to the original pitch-black darkness.

Where are you…

I walked forward with the gun raised. The gunshot came from this direction earlier, so whatever it is, is it dead? Or still alive?

As I walked forward, something caught my foot, and I checked the ground. Sure enough. A person lay sprawled out.

Ugh, startled. I reflexively fired the shotgun, shattering the target’s knee. Can’t have them running or resisting.

Neutralized for now.

I stood back and looked at the corpse.

Casual clothes, holding the pistol that hit me a few seconds ago. Wearing a gas mask, but for some reason, the lens was cracked. That must be why they died.

Just moments ago, they seemed to be layered with magic. They created the phase space, had no footsteps, and were invisible until they shot me…

Wait. I was wearing an invisibility cloak too, so how did they see me?

Must be some magical means. A hastily scribbled talisman resembling graffiti was stuck to their face (gas mask).

Does that make it easier to see?

“Ugh—”

Startled.

“Blue Rose-13. Is that you?”

I debated whether to answer.

Like a fairy that steals the names of those who break the rules, this being might cause harm just by speaking.

“This cursed blood, it doesn’t let you die easily. I am Blue Rose-4, Silver. If you don’t want to answer, just listen, sibling. We plan to release Blue Rose-0.”

“……”

“Do you know what Blue Rose-0 is? Our origin. The monster from the sea, Leviathan, the chained god. The source of miracles and the blue roses. The monster of the Red Sea parted by Moses.”

I didn’t answer, but…

It was an interesting mention. The reassembled monster of Aden Bay. Something I’ve researched since my past life, and come to think of it, something I fought against on Jeju Island.