Chapter 133

Chapter 133. Escape (2)

****

Research Department Head Lee Se-ah stared at Dr. Chloe through the bulletproof glass. Dr. Chloe sat in the isolation room with a bored expression.

“Answer me, Dr. Chloe.”

Dr. Chloe frowned.

“Security! Security! Any other researchers? Is there anyone else? Can I talk to someone other than this psycho woman?”

“Please be quiet. No one here is going to take your side, Dr. Chloe.”

A sigh.

Though the restraints were removed, Dr. Chloe’s situation of being trapped in the isolation room remained unchanged.

“Can I speak to the Director or any other executive? I have important information.”

Lee Se-ah shook her head.

“You keep asking for the Director, so I suspect you might be trying to harm him through cognitive disasters or other means. Dr. Chloe, you won’t be meeting the Director.”

“What do you mean?”

Director Kim is currently recovering after today’s battle. Most people thought there was no reason to bother him with this matter. Above all.

Dr. Chloe, no matter how you look at it, is the person who tried to kill Director Kim on Jeju Island. It’s unclear how he would react to the news that Dr. Chloe has come to the Seoul Branch.

The chances of a positive reaction are slim.

Dr. Kim isn’t the type to easily believe things. He’s the kind to beat first and ask questions later. He doesn’t trust what he can’t control.

If he hears that someone he killed has come back to life, he’d definitely freak out. He might even order to kill them immediately without further discussion.

“Meeting the Director won’t do you any good. Given his personality, he might just order to kill you quickly. Director Kim really hates smart enemies.”

“Hmm.”

“Start by telling us how you came back to life. Reports say that Dr. Kim killed you and even confirmed the kill.”

Dr. Chloe shook her head.

“That damn bowling ball shattered my leg and pushed me down the stairs. The bullet Dr. Kim shot lodged in my chest.”

“Wow.”

“It’s the facility that created the Blue Rose, right? If they can fix things by force, there’s no reason they couldn’t fix one person. Though I was severely injured.”

Lee Se-ah pondered for a moment.

That seems like a likely lie.

It’s more probable that other means were used. Like clone techniques, substitutes, or androids. The being in front of her might not even be Chloe.

Outside the isolation room, Dr. Chae and the Director’s secretary, Paper Yang, were waiting. Inside, Lee Se-ah was talking about something.

“When should we tell the Director?”

“Let’s inform him tomorrow when he comes to work. No need to upset Dr. Kim unnecessarily.”

“Who is this person?”

Dr. Chae shrugged.

“Someone Dr. Kim killed on Jeju Island. Thought to be a humanoid supernatural phenomenon working for the Foundation. Not entirely sure.”

“You don’t know what kind of person they are?”

“Not at all.”

“Is it really okay to leave this to Dr. Lee? I’m a bit suspicious.”

“Ah, don’t say that. If Dr. Lee doesn’t handle it, I’ll have to. Let’s just leave it.”

Dr. Chae waved her hand dismissively, and Paper Yang nodded. It’s not like it matters anyway.

****

A few days ago. Advisor An placed a hammock bed in the lounge next to the Director’s office.

At the time, I objected. But it’s comfortable to lie on. The Director’s office desk is uncomfortable for lying face down. And you can’t just lie flat on the floor.

I petted the Popo sitting in front of me. Paper Yang stood by the door. It seemed she had something to discuss today.

The hammock bed swayed slowly. No need to get up just for Paper, right?

“What’s the matter?”

“There’s a prisoner in the Foundation’s isolation room right now. A Dr. Chloe. The Research Department Head and Dr. Chae said not to bother the Director with this.”

“Well… we can’t just ignore important work-related matters. You did well.”

Though I wondered if it was necessary to mention that the doctors said not to tell. It must mean Paper Yang’s loyalty is strong.

“So. Dr. Chloe is in the isolation room? Right now?”

Dr. Chloe. I remember her as deceased.

I killed her on Jeju Island.

Thinking back, I just shot her to confirm the kill when she wasn’t moving and moved on.

This is why Nanami cuts humanoid supernatural phenomena into twelve pieces and smashes their heads…

It’s really annoying to think she came back to life.

Well. Next time, I’ll make sure to kill her properly.

“Did you kill her?”

“No. The Research Department Head is managing her.”

“Why hasn’t she been killed yet?”

“I don’t know. She claims to have information to provide to the Seoul Branch.”

There might really be something.

“I don’t plan to take risks for information offered by the enemy. If all she’s offering is information, just tell them to kill her.”

“Won’t you see her yourself?”

If nothing’s wrong, I won’t meet Dr. Chloe in person. What good would come from meeting a traitor? I don’t really want to see her.

“Handle it yourself, and call me if needed. My opinion is that there’s no need to listen to Dr. Chloe’s information.”

“Then. Should we let the Research Department Head continue handling this? Or should someone else…?”

Good question.

“Tell them to handle it.”

****

Contrary to Paper’s expectations, the Research Department Head handed over the interrogation to someone else. The Research Department Head isn’t particularly skilled in conversation, and there are experts for that.

The interrogation was taken over by Bishop Oh from the Humanoid Research Department.

Bishop Oh sat in front of the isolation room’s glass window.

“Dr. Chloe, is it?”

“Yes. Nice to meet you.”

“Let’s start right away. I heard you have information to share about the Blue Rose.”

“I want to deliver it to the Director.”

Tap tap. Chloe tapped on the bulletproof glass.

The chromatic aberration is different from other glass. Acrylic, glass, bulletproof film, fiber layer, wire mesh… It might be as strong as a concrete wall.

Escaping this way might be difficult.

“The Director said he doesn’t need to listen to you and ordered to kill you. The Director won’t listen to Dr. Chloe. Just… tell me.”

“Did Dr. Kim say that?”

“Yes.”

Chloe pondered for a moment.

“I want to survive. In exchange for providing information, can I stay alive?”

“The Director refused. That aside… Didn’t the Foundation Headquarters retrieve you? I heard many researchers from the Jeju Island Branch were relocated through the Foundation Headquarters.”

“How would I know the whims of the Foundation Headquarters?”

Surprisingly, it was a convincing explanation.

“As a clergyman, I promise. If you tell us everything you know, I’ll do my best to ensure Dr. Chloe can survive. I’ll try to persuade the Director too.”

Chloe looked at Bishop Oh.

“Do you believe in God? Still? There’s no way a benevolent God created this kind of world. You must have seen things while working.”

“I don’t know. It might be a trial given to humans, or it might be the devil, or part of a greater plan. I won’t easily judge His work.”

“That’s a bit funny.”

Bishop Oh ignored Chloe’s words.

“Now, tell us the information.”

“Well, the Blue Rose we created consists of twelve entities. Made from the monster hunted by the navies of 40 countries in the Gulf of Aden.”

“What… kind of monster required 40 countries’ navies to hunt it?”

“Ask God. How would I know?”

“Just keep talking.”

“Currently surviving are…

Blue Rose-1. Contrabass.

Blue Rose-7. Black.

Blue Rose-9. Spring.

Blue Rose-11. Spade.

These four entities are still alive.”

Bishop Oh nodded at this.

“Do they have any characteristics?”

“Blue Rose-1, Contrabass. The appearance of a large adult male. Made from supernatural phenomena stolen or purchased from the Colorless Orchestra.”

“Okay.”

“Blue Rose-7. Black. Made from supernatural phenomena taken from the Followers of the King of Darkness. Pale skin like a corpse, black hair, and a greatsword, probably a supernatural phenomenon.”

“Next?”

“Blue Rose-9. Spring. A masked man. Made from supernatural phenomena taken from the Machine Cult. Part of his body is mechanical, so he wears a mask.”

Bishop Oh paused for a moment.

“The last one… isn’t left.”

“Right. Spade doesn’t exist. Blue Rose-11 doesn’t exist either.”

Chloe stopped talking and pondered for a moment. She looked like she had forgotten something.

“Hmm. Bring the scientists, and I’ll tell you more. There’s a lot left.”

She didn’t seem willing to say more. Bishop Oh slowly got up. Persuading the Director shouldn’t be too hard.