Chapter 30

Episode 30. The Forgotten City (1)

***

Even if it’s Foundation work, work is work.

It’s no different from any other job.

Every morning, people who look like zombies or researchers wander around with coffee, and there are those who gather in the break room to badmouth their superiors.

Above all.

Time is too short, and there are too many problems to solve. Probably the struggle of every office worker.

I have no one to ask.

My three predecessors died, I don’t want to go to the Research Department Head, and Nanami only comments on what she knows.

In the end, I have to figure it out myself.

I can ask the mirror, the Crystal Clock, or even my laptop. Today, I chose the mirror. I sat in the lab, and the me beyond the mirror was staring back at me.

“Hey. I have something to ask.”

[No, Your Majesty. I’m sorry to say, but Snow White is the fairest of them all.]

“Wow.”

What the heck is this?

I wonder if others see the same thing when I look in the mirror. To me, Kim Bari is just an inexperienced and weak kid.

Do other employees really see in me the future Director, a leader? Or do they just see me as a stamping mascot?

The Kim Bari beyond the mirror adjusted her collar.

[So, what’s the matter this time?]

Anyway. I opened my mouth.

“Something big is going to happen, but I don’t know what yet. Can you help?”

[How can I help if you don’t even know what it is?]

“We need to respond before the incident happens.”

The me beyond the mirror shook her head.

[From my side, there are too many big incidents to count, so I’m not sure. Explain the situation.]

“Recently, there’s been a surge in Hostile Group activities in Korea. Some even boldly infiltrated Foundation facilities to rescue prisoners.”

The Dr. Kim beyond the mirror pondered.

[How much do you know about the Foundation’s history?]

“Not much.”

[The past was a world ruled by magic and anomalies. But for the past hundred years, the Foundation has relentlessly hunted down Hostile Groups. Bombing, deploying poison gas, shooting, altering terrain.]

That sounds about right.

[Finally, they rewrote history. The remaining Hostile Groups now, to some extent, cooperate with the Foundation. Your world is probably the same.]

[Even the most vicious of Hostile Groups. They adhere to the principle of maintaining the Veil and hiding from the public eye.]

I nodded. It wasn’t something I knew, but considering what the Foundation has done during my time, it makes sense.

[Anyway.]

[From the Hostile Groups’ perspective, the biggest event isn’t large-scale terrorism… it’s summoning a god. That’s the most important thing for a significant number of Hostile Groups in the anomalous world.]

I pondered for a moment.

Summoning a god is important to Hostile Groups. It’s the largest and most significant event they can perform behind the Veil.

“Are you saying Hostile Groups are trying to summon a god? Is that why there’s all this noise?”

[Just my speculation.]

Come to think of it, that makes sense. There’s also an eclipse coming up.

[Ah, is there an eclipse on your side soon?]

“Yeah.”

[If it’s an eclipse, the story changes a bit. No mage in their right mind would miss an eclipse. Mobilize your staff and prepare thoroughly.]

“Got it. Thanks for the info.”

At least I have a solution and a clue. There’s a possibility a god will be summoned on the day of the eclipse. Who and what god, I don’t know.

***

If it’s about predicting and responding to incidents before they happen, the Foundation does have a team of experts. Though they’re a bit hard to deal with.

Let’s call the Precognition Department.

The Precognition Department has a track record of successfully predicting incidents, like the one at the museum.

“This is Dr. Kim from the Director’s Office. Is this Dr. Kwon, Head of the Precognition Department?”

“Yes.”

“I called to ask what preparations you’re making for the eclipse and if you’ve found anything that might become a crisis. Any notable points?”

“Dr. Kim. It’s good that you’re working hard.”

“Huh?”

“But you can’t just call me whenever you have something to solve or are curious about.”

Sigh. I bit my lip for a moment.

“Why not? It’s the Director’s Office’s business.”

“This is the Precognition Department of the Support Division. Not your specialty, the Research Department. No matter how outstanding you are, Dr. Kim, you’re just a first-year researcher.”

I sighed and pulled the phone away from my mouth. What kind of person is this, just trying to ask something.

“Let’s talk later.”

I hung up.

The Precognition Department is full of lunatics, note to self.

Thud.

I put the phone down.

Power games between departments and individuals are inevitable in any organization. With so many lives at stake in the Foundation’s work, it’s natural for people to be a bit sensitive.

I wondered why they’re like this with me, but I kind of understand. They probably see me as young and inexperienced.

Despite having almost no experience working at the Foundation, I’m handling the Director’s duties. It’s understandable that some people find that annoying. It’s a bit upsetting, though.

***

There are quite a few people who would appreciate me even if I were just a mascot or a stamping machine. The Head of the Precognition Department just isn’t one of them.

Thinking about it, there are a few more issues.

Since I joined, the Director’s Office has started to function somewhat. But the Director’s position is still vacant, and it’s not fully normalized yet.

The fact that I, acting as the Director, sought advice from other means instead of the Precognition Department might be the cause of today’s incident.

In the end, the Head of the Precognition Department is frustrated because there’s no Director to seek advice and deliver prophecies. They think I’m not on the same wavelength.

Anyway. I can’t keep fighting with the Precognition Department.

In the end, I need to prove to the Precognition Department that I have the right to speak. Should I talk face-to-face or send a formal document? It might backfire.

I got up from my seat.

I need to lie down for a bit.

The Director’s Office is located on Basement Level 3 of the central building of Facility 82. The Director’s Office itself consists of seven offices.

Director, Senior Researcher, Junior Researcher, Aide, Assistant 1, Assistant 2, and Clerk. Seven offices for seven people.

Anyway.

Covering my face with a book and lying in the lounge, Nanami came in after a few minutes.

“Why the long face?”

“I just had a fight with the Precognition Department.”

I removed the book covering my face.

“The Precognition Department? It’s weird if you can even communicate with those psychos. Did you know the Precognition Department caught 60 goats this month alone?”

“60 goats?”

I’ve heard of it.

The ancient Romans used to kill chickens and use their blood to predict the future. I didn’t know the Foundation’s Precognition team was doing the same.

“Is that an office or a slaughterhouse? They spent 600 on goats this month, 600. I’d rather they embezzled it. It seems like they really slaughtered goats.”

“How do you know that, Nanami?”

“Just. Work I was handling before you came.”

“What do you think I should do, Nanami? I think I need to build a trust relationship with the Head of the Precognition Department to work smoothly.”

Nanami shook her head.

“Just play along, what else can you do?”

“……”

“Reports will come regularly from the Precognition Department, so if you need anything, use the Information Department or other channels. Since you’re inexperienced and they don’t like it… I and the assistants will handle it for now.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course, it’s only natural.”

Right. I need to ask about that too.

“The Mirror of Parallels said something. On the day of the eclipse, Hostile Groups might perform a ritual or cause some incident. Have you heard anything similar?”

This topic seems to pique her interest. Nanami sat on the desk.

“A ritual?”

“Yes.”

“What specifically?”

“Given the increased activity of Hostile Groups before the eclipse. Someone might be trying to summon their god into this world, they said.”

“That makes sense.”

“Even the day of the eclipse?”

“Rituals are usually performed on specific days. Full moon, new moon, solar or lunar eclipse. It depends on the symbolic power required… Honestly, I don’t know much either.”

“No, it was helpful.”

“Ask Bishop Oh. He’s the expert on this stuff.”

***

[Internal Club Application Rejected]

[Author: Personnel Department]

[The establishment of the internal club ‘Director Kim Fan Club’ has been rejected by the Personnel Department.]

[The Foundation is a military organization. I know it’s a joke, but operating such internal groups within the Foundation can lead to serious disciplinary action. I think you know the reasons without me having to explain.]

[It has been processed as a Coffee Club.]

[A new coffee machine will be placed in the Personnel Department lounge, so please take it when you have club activities and return it when you’re done.]