Chapter 20

Episode 20. Museum (3)

***

Due to the Benzodiazepine Dust, visibility has significantly decreased. Of course, the optical device marks moving objects with red dots, but…

“Currently waiting to enter Exhibition Hall 2—”

Again. The sound of something heavy moving echoed. I ran forward to properly join the Special Forces, and—

Thud.

I collided with a wall. A wall that wasn’t there just moments ago.

I stepped back and fired a few shots, but it only left scratches on the thick concrete wall.

A sense of dread washed over me.

Am I isolated? Am I going to die here? Can I get out? A wall appeared out of thin air in front of me. What if there’s a wall behind me too?

I moved behind a nearby pillar.

First, take a deep breath.

The Geiger Counter flickered a bit, but…

Currently, there’s no spatial distortion inside this building, and according to the Mechanical Division’s observations, there’s no bizarre reality adjustment or anything like that.

This is a real wall. It’s just that a real wall moved.

Stay calm. It doesn’t seem like communication is completely cut off.

“This is Dr. Kim. Apologies for the unavoidable broadcast. Currently, I’m isolated and separated from the main Special Forces team. Is anyone there?”

No response.

First, I need to calmly think of a way to survive—

Suddenly, the crystal clock I had in my pocket started ticking loudly. I had even forgotten I brought it.

[First, stay calm. Can you breathe?]

I can breathe.

Paradoxically, even in a state of extreme panic, I couldn’t hyperventilate because of the gas mask. Thanks to the gas mask, I can still breathe.

“Yes.”

[What’s the situation?]

The crystal clock asked.

“Basement Level 1 of the museum, near Exhibition Hall 2. I’m isolated inside a supernatural space.”

[Explain the situation. As detailed as possible.]

“Right now, we’re fighting against a hostile group called ‘Supernatural Reality.’ We’ve been attacked by supernatural entities, and with visibility reduced, a concrete wall appeared in front of me, isolating me from my comrades.”

[Got it. What are the supernatural space readings?]

The readings… what’s the normal value? As I focused on the numbers from the observation equipment, the panic gradually subsided.

“The Geiger Counter flickered for a moment, but it’s back to normal now. Currently, no spatial distortion, reality adjustment, or other characteristics of a supernatural space are being observed by the equipment.”

[Think calmly and scientifically for a moment. Right now, in this space, there’s no sign of any supernatural space characteristics on the equipment. Is it possible for a massive concrete wall to suddenly appear out of thin air?]

“Unlikely.”

[Then what is it?]

“An illusion.”

The supernatural space response manual.

“That’s right. The possibility of it being a real concrete wall is low. Thinking of the simplest method, if there’s an obstacle that could suddenly appear in the building’s corridor…”

I looked at the thick smoke around me. Smoke, smoke, fire…

“I think I mistook a fire shutter for a wall. The fact that I mistook it suggests there might be some kind of perception hindrance on the fire shutter.”

[Good job. Hold your gun steady and assess your surroundings. The wall in front of you, can you really not break through it? Can you check again?]

I felt the newly appeared wall with my hand.

The crystal clock was right.

After piercing through the illusion and touching the wall again, I felt the outline of an emergency exit in the middle of what looked like a concrete wall.

[Remember this. Most perception hindrances are like dreams. The moment you realize there’s a perception hindrance, you break free from the illusion.]

“Yes.”

The emergency exit didn’t open easily.

There’s no time to waste. I picked up my rifle and fired bullets into the door, and the sound of metal tearing echoed.

Bang!

I kicked the emergency exit open, reloaded my rifle, and climbed over the barrier. If you don’t panic, it’s not as bad as you think.

The crystal clock ticked a bit more.

[You’re not the one who’s fallen behind. The Special Forces are advancing blindly without a Science Officer.]

“That’s right.”

[Move quickly. Rescue the Special Forces.]

I’m moving. I need to rescue the Special Forces.

***

Exhibition Hall 2.

The target is inside here. The obstacles blocking access to Exhibition Hall 2 have disappeared. Now, all I need to do is go inside, rescue the Special Forces, retrieve the mirror, and eliminate the hostile entity.

Simple, huh?

I walked into the exhibition hall.

It’s good to be confident, but I wish I had a bit more support.

Beep.

My radio crackled again. I couldn’t hide my joy. I thought it was completely cut off, but there’s still a means of communication.

[Dr. Kim! You’re there!]

“Who is this?”

[This is Head of the Mechanical Division, Kim. The building’s internal communication is a bit unstable, but we’re working hard to restore it quickly. You’re alive.]

“Yes. Any useful information?”

[Of course. Currently, two Steel Spiders are moving toward your location. Also, the support team has secured the building’s ventilation room. The concentration of anesthetic agents in Basement Level 1 will soon increase significantly.]

I nodded.

[Wait a moment.]

After waiting for a bit, two Steel Spiders walked up to me. They were much larger machines than I expected. Four legs, turrets, and steel plates.

[Have you encountered them? I see Dr. Kim.]

“Then, take the lead. There’s no risk of those robots turning around and shooting at me, right?”

[None. We’ll escort you properly.]

Just wait a bit longer. Communication with the Special Forces should be restored soon. Still, standing behind the Steel Spiders is a bit reassuring.

I looked around. Honestly, it’s what I expected, but the exhibits in the exhibition hall were strange. It might be a supernatural phenomenon.

***

As I moved forward, the exhibits in the exhibition hall gradually turned red. At first, they were ordinary Renaissance-style paintings.

But the paintings were becoming more grotesque. The further I walked, the harder it became to keep moving forward.

“There seems to be a cognitive disaster.”

[Sharp. But the optical device you’re wearing has a cognitive disaster filter, and you’ve been vaccinated against information pathogens by the Foundation. You should be safe from most cognitive disasters.]

“Understood.”

Now—

I stopped walking. This is the center of the exhibition hall, and the largest area in the hall.

***

“Ah, how unfortunate.”

A grotesquely twisted voice echoed. I froze immediately.

I threw a grenade forward and hid behind a wall. The explosion bought me some time, but I don’t know where the enemy is.

Stay calm.

“Head of the Mechanical Division. I’ve encountered the hostile group. Can you deploy drones to Basement Level 1 while the Steel Spiders provide cover?”

[Confirmed.]

Wait a bit longer.

The grotesque voice continued.

“Where should I start explaining, Director? Do you have a moment?”

I didn’t bother answering.

“Truly unfortunate. Our original goal was to show as many people as possible the works from our studio. But that won’t happen, will it? Still, as a consolation, I’ll make sure to show the Foundation staff properly.”

I held my breath.

The radio buzzed.

[Dr. Kim, this is the Head of the Mechanical Division. We’ll find the target soon. Stay calm. We’re also hearing that voice right now.]

***

Wait a bit longer. Help will come soon. The Steel Spiders busily scanned the surroundings with their sensors.

“I really hate modern art. They overlook the most important aspect of art. Ah, the most important aspect of art is the process of creating it. They don’t understand that.”

“Are you listening, Director?”

I’m listening. But I can’t respond.

“Art must be difficult to create. The artist’s effort must be visible for it to be called art, and the value of art comes from there. Do you understand?”

There it is.

“Now, come out to the center of the exhibition hall. I’ll show you my work properly!”

A sense of dread began to creep in.

Fuck.

I can’t see.

I wanted to stay calm, but my hands were trembling.

What should I do? Why can’t I see anything around me? Can my vision return? Can I survive here without vision? I kept blinking.

The crystal clock.

[You probably don’t want to hear this, but… stay calm. Your eyes aren’t blind. The cognitive disaster filter on your optical device is overloading due to the cognitive disaster, blocking the device’s vision.]

Stay calm. It’s hard, but…

The cognitive disaster is too much, so it blocked the vision. That makes sense. The night vision goggles’ screen turned off.

“Yes.”

I struggled to catch my breath.

I’m not blind; if I just take off the night vision goggles, I should be able to see. Of course, no one knows what will happen if I take them off.

Cognitive disasters can drive people insane or even kill them, depending on the type.

[What do you want to do?]

I gritted my teeth. The grotesque voice of my opponent continued to echo through the exhibition hall.

“Now, show yourself, Director. I want to show you my work properly!”

Disgusting. And very dangerous. I’m being hunted right now. I need to think of a solution quickly.

Tap, tap. The sound of someone’s shoes hitting the floor started.

“Ah, you’re over there, Director.”

I don’t know what that monster is hiding. The anesthetic agents sprayed in the air don’t seem to be effective, and I don’t know the Special Forces’ location. But—

“I am a Reality Adjuster. You should understand without me saying more. The Foundation’s bullets will have no effect on me.”

That’s a lie.

“Director, what do you want to become? What kind of artwork do you want to be? A wooden doll? A red supernatural painting? I’ll make you whatever you want.”

If that were true, you wouldn’t be hiding from me.

“Let’s see your face, Director. I almost despaired without an audience, but with such a high-ranking person here, I can’t help but feel fortunate.”

A countermeasure came to mind.

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