Chapter 18

Episode 18. Museum (1)

***

The siren blared loudly through the corridors of the Director’s Office. It was a Code Red siren, signaling an emergency situation equivalent to war, something I had only seen in manuals.

I walked out of my office.

A Foundation soldier in military uniform was waiting in front of my office.

“Chief Researcher! It’s an emergency!”

“What is it?”

“The Precognition Department just foresaw a major incident. The intelligence team reached a similar conclusion. In six hours, a large-scale event will occur at a small museum in Gyeonggi Province.”

I wasn’t sure.

Do the Special Forces and Recovery Department usually act solely based on the Precognition Department’s prophecies? Is the Precognition Department’s report really that reliable?

Well, the experts must have their reasons.

“Alright. I’ll approve the operation.”

“Thank you.”

“And next time, it’d be better to consult Nanami or the Recovery Department Head for military matters.”

“Understood.”

If it’s a museum, it’s just as the notebook said. There might be a chance to obtain a supernatural phenomenon that allows foresight or communication with interdimensional beings.

I made a decision.

“May I join the operation?”

“Of course. We depart in two hours.”

***

I once asked Nanami.

Most supernatural phenomena don’t die or get incapacitated by bullets, so why do Foundation employees always carry guns?

Nanami answered at the time.

“Why do you think that? There’s no fool in the Foundation who can’t even shoot their own temple.”

That statement was half a joke, but…

Nanami explained the reasons.

First, quite a few supernatural phenomena are incapacitated by bullets. No matter how powerful a supernatural being is, it’s rare for them to have the ability to kill multiple people with just a flick of their finger from 500 meters away. The same goes for biological or object-type supernatural phenomena.

Second, it’s obvious, but guns help control civilians, hostile groups, or people at the scene.

Third, guns provide confidence. No matter how dire the situation, they can decide when they or their comrades will die.

What should I bring this time?

I’m not sure what’s needed yet. I started looking for equipment in the Director’s Office storage, and Nanami watched me packing my bag.

“You’re going too? You don’t have to.”

“The Mirror of Parallels is a supernatural phenomenon I asked to be found. People are risking their lives for it because of me. I can’t just sit back.”

“Alright. Stick with me until we enter the operation zone. What are you bringing?”

“An assault rifle, a supernatural space observation kit, and some recording equipment. I’m not sure what to expect.”

“There’s a new AI helmet in the Director’s Office storage. Use that.”

“Got it.”

“I won’t tell you not to go, but if things get dangerous, run. No one will blame you.”

***

Five helicopters were prepared.

Two assault helicopters from Recovery Team 1. One assault helicopter from the Special Forces. One science vessel from the Mechanical Division. And one support helicopter.

Before boarding the helicopter, Nanami stopped me.

“I know you’re busy, but listen to the briefing first. The overall operation command will be handled by the head of Recovery Team 1.”

“First, the Mechanical Division’s toys will enter the building, and the recovery team will follow in 20 minutes. We’ll take the helicopter and enter from the rooftop with the Special Forces. You said you’ve done fast-rope training, right?”

How many times do I have to say I haven’t?

But I can manage.

“The first objective is the recovery of all supernatural phenomena. The second objective is the neutralization of all hostile entities. The third objective is the protection of civilians in the area.”

“Is the museum really necessary? Can’t we just blow up the entire building from here?”

Nanami shook her head.

“I wish we could, but… we don’t know how many civilians are inside. Destroying supernatural phenomena outright isn’t the Foundation’s way. And you said we need the mirror, right?”

“That’s true.”

“Dr. Kim. I get what you’re thinking. Don’t worry. Recovering supernatural phenomena is our job, and we know the risks. That’s why we work for the Foundation.”

I nodded.

I feel sorry for their lives, but it seems they’re prepared to sacrifice themselves for the Foundation. It’d be strange for me to say more.

“By the way, bring a first aid kit. Everyone will appreciate it.”

A first aid kit?

***

The helicopter rotors roared.

The noise was deafening, but thankfully, there was a solution this time.

The tactical headset of the AI helmet had noise-canceling features and allowed communication with others via radio.

I regret not bringing it last time.

“Ah, ah. Can you hear me?”

[This is Nanami. I hear you.]

“What’s the operation order?”

[We’ll land at the forward command center. Once the Mechanical Division completes the first phase, we’ll take off and enter the operation zone.]

“Understood.”

[You’ll move with the Special Forces during the operation. Their science officer is absent due to injury. I’ll be moving separately.]

I nodded.

***

The helicopter landed a short distance from the museum. With Nanami by my side, I disembarked with the Special Forces.

According to plan, we’ll observe the Mechanical Division’s movements from the forward base before heading to the museum.

“The question is, what is the Mechanical Division doing?”

At that moment.

The operation-wide radio buzzed.

[Ah, ah, mic test. Hello!]

What kind of crazy talk is this? Listening in, a cheerful female voice came through the radio. This person seems a bit off.

[This is Kim, head of the Mechanical Division. The operation zone has been decided to be thoroughly reviewed remotely by the Mechanical Division before you enter.]

[We’re currently preparing to deploy drones into the operation zone. It’ll take about an hour, but if anything unusual is found, it might take longer.]

[Lastly, Director’s Office personnel, please come to the Mechanical Division’s science vessel. This concludes the operation-wide broadcast.]

Anyway, they’re calling me.

I headed to the Mechanical Division’s helicopter with Nanami.

***

The head of the Mechanical Division seemed a bit odd.

Kim, head of the Mechanical Division. In appearance and personality, she’s somewhat similar to the Research Department Head.

But unlike the Research Department Head, who pushes others to achieve goals, the Mechanical Division Head seems to genuinely enjoy her work.

She seems to find building and controlling robots fun. Even in this stressful situation, she was smiling warmly. Definitely a bit crazy.

“Hello! Thanks for coming. Do you know how the first phase of the operation will proceed?”

“No.”

“We’re starting now.”

“Here, you can see the footage from the robots and command the situation. But since we’re not soldiers… just observe from the back.”

“Understood. What machines are being sent to the field?”

“Nine Hyundai Rotem Steel Spiders and several Hanwha Aerospace reconnaissance drones will scout the facility. Just wait a moment.”

I’ve heard those names before.

“Wait, I need to focus.”

“Alright.”

The Mechanical Division Head turned her attention to the screens.

***

Kim, the head of the Mechanical Division, was frowning deeply. Other researchers from the Mechanical Division were also gathered at the scene.

“Steel Spiders advancing.”

“Reconnaissance drones advancing.”

“Steel Spiders beginning facility entry.”

“Reconnaissance drones beginning facility entry.”

“Steel Spiders have arrived inside the facility. We’ll begin searching floor by floor.”

“Reconnaissance drones—”

“Reconnaissance drones, entry failed.”

I scratched my head.

“Won’t hostile humans inside the building figure out what’s going on if we do it this way?”

Nanami shook her head.

“Not really. We don’t even know if there are hostile humans in that building… and if hostile humans encounter the Steel Spiders, it’s actually better.”

“Ah.”

“Don’t worry. I don’t think there are hostile humans in the building. Probably.”

“Huh?”

Kim, the head of the Mechanical Division, took off her glasses.

“Hostile entity spotted! Engaging!”

Gunfire echoed through the screen. It wasn’t clear what they were shooting at, but something was definitely being torn apart by bullets.

“Wait, Division Head. Shouldn’t we confirm what it is before shooting? There might be civilians.”

“Ah, sorry. It wasn’t a person.”

“I know that. Explain the situation, Division Head.”

The Division Head sighed.

“Sorry. Let me explain. The spotted entity is a non-human hostile. It’s recorded in the Foundation’s database. I can’t recall the number right now, but it’s a registered supernatural phenomenon. That’s why we engaged.”

“Alright. Proceed.”

“Right now, a significant portion of the museum interior is blocked by obstacles. Those monsters are there too. The exploration will take some time.”

“Understood.”

“Moving wooden dolls. I can’t recall the number right now, but they’re a supernatural phenomenon used by a specific hostile group. It’d be good to look into them before entering the facility.”

Nanami nodded.

I quickly opened my laptop.

“I’ll send a request to the intelligence team now. Can we communicate with the Foundation via encrypted channels on-site?”

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