Chapter 48

Episode 48. Precognition Department Conference

***

This is the conference room of the Precognition Department.

The atmosphere around was very gloomy and chaotic.

Many Precognition Department agents had died or been injured in this incident, and there had been quite a few personnel changes and departmental restructuring. Of course, many people had been promoted as well.

“Good day…… I am the Head of the Precognition Department, Dr. Kwon. I will now provide a comprehensive report on the preparations, responses, and follow-up measures regarding the Forgotten City.”

Although a few Precognition Department staff are present, this is essentially a one-on-one meeting.

“Yes. Please proceed.”

*Ahem.* Director Kwon began speaking.

“First, the precognition regarding the incident. The cognitive disaster surrounding the city appears to have initiated information distortion in advance.”

Advance information distortion.

This means that events from the future are influencing the present or the past. Since the cognitive disaster occurred in the future, it couldn’t be detected in the past.

“This, combined with the inherent uncertainty of precognition, ultimately led to a failure in predicting the dangerous situation. I deeply regret this.”

I let out a small sigh.

“The Information Department eventually found the Forgotten City. It seems that with proper cooperation from other departments, we could have discovered it earlier.”

“I apologize.”

The time to dwell on this has already passed.

“Please continue.”

“Yes. Regarding the response to the incident. The event, which resulted in tens of thousands of casualties due to a supernatural phenomenon, could have severely damaged the Veil of Ignorance.”

I nodded.

“The fog’s cognitive interference properties, the isolated location, and the low population mobility helped prevent the majority from becoming aware of it.”

“How dangerous was the situation?”

“While the fog did help conceal it, if the fog’s cognitive interference properties hadn’t been present, we could have detected and prevented it in advance. It was a manageable issue.”

The Head of the Precognition Department explained.

If precognition had succeeded, this problem wouldn’t have occurred. Ultimately, if that cognitive disaster hadn’t existed, we wouldn’t have been able to proceed with the operation.

In the end, regardless of the scale of this incident, the Veil of Ignorance wouldn’t have been damaged. A somewhat strange form of time paradox.

Incidents that could damage the Veil of Ignorance are predicted and blocked, making it nearly impossible to damage the Veil.

“I see. Please continue.”

“I will now explain the efforts made to maintain secrecy. The Foundation has taken the following steps to protect the Veil of Ignorance.”

I nodded again.

“First. To minimize the aftermath of this incident, we generated as much noise as possible on mass media and social networks. We also spread breaking news of a wildfire in the area.”

“Second. For the residents of Yulje-myeon who disappeared in this incident, we processed a large number of death reports, missing person reports, and funerals.”

“Third. We manipulated the memories of the victims’ families to make them believe there was nothing suspicious about the circumstances of the disappearances. Additionally, we are in the process of erasing records of Yulje-myeon by changing the administrative district names.”

“Fourth. We are temporarily distributing information replicas to reduce suspicion among the general public, focusing on major cities.”

“Fifth—”

I cut off Director Kwon. There’s no need to listen to this kind of enumeration.

“I understand. So, these measures are being carried out according to protocol, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s move on to follow-up measures and management.”

Dr. Kwon nodded.

“Understood. Research is currently being conducted on various supernatural phenomena recovered from the site.”

I pondered for a moment.

“Dr. Kwon. Do you think a similar incident could happen again? What are your thoughts?”

“Hmm. The prevailing view is that the total amount of magic in the world is somewhat limited. It would be difficult for such an incident to occur again anytime soon.”

I noted this in my notebook. I have no way of knowing if this is true, but it’s a convincing argument.

“What problems could arise now?”

Dr. Kwon thought again.

“Since many people have disappeared, if someone becomes suspicious, the Veil of Ignorance could be damaged. Also, since not all the monsters have been eliminated, something could escape from there.”

“I see. Thank you for your input.”

“Yes.”

“Do you have any particular knowledge about the supernatural phenomena secured from the site?”

“The Director would know more about that.”

There’s no need for a briefing on this.

I’ve been directly involved in a significant portion of the research on the secured supernatural phenomena. I nodded again.

“Dr. Kwon. Although there were some…… disagreements before this incident, I truly appreciate your hard work in the response and follow-up measures.”

The Head of the Precognition Department didn’t respond immediately. In the end, I was right, and the Head of the Precognition Department was wrong. But I had no intention of bringing up past issues to start another argument.

“……”

“Ah, and I will ensure that the Precognition Department is adequately replenished with new personnel. You’ve worked hard through this incident.”

In the end, this is the conclusion. I’m glad I can send many of the people I’ve chosen to the Precognition Department, and the Precognition Department is happy to expand its workforce.

Of course, if the leadership of the Precognition Department doesn’t change, it’s unclear whether anything will change…… but for now, I decided to trust them. That’s my methodology.

“Thank you.”

Dr. Kwon bowed his head.

That’s all I have to say to the Precognition Department. From here on out…… it’s the realm of the gods. I slowly gathered my things and left the conference room.

Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Nanami all day. Is she busy with something?

***

Nanami frowned at the incomprehensible scene. A simple fortress made of concrete and barbed wire, located in the middle of a mountain.

However, most of the barbed wire is on the inside of the walls. The iron watchtower also faces the center of the fortress.

This defensive line isn’t meant to fend off external enemies. It’s meant to deal with something that might emerge from within the fortress.

Near the entrance of the fortress. A Foundation Headquarters employee was waiting for Nanami.

“Ah, you’ve arrived already. Hello, are you Nanami from the Director’s Office of Facility 82?”

“Yes.”

“We’ve been waiting for you.”

This place was isolated from the outside due to the observation of strange vegetation. I heard that control of the area was later transferred to the Foundation Headquarters.

“What’s your name?”

“Me? I’m Dr. Matsuda from the Spatial Management Department of the Foundation Headquarters. As you know…… this facility was established to manage the supernatural phenomenon ‘Garden.'”

Dr. Matsuda smiled, but Nanami’s expression remained unchanged.

“Ah, yes. Dr. Matsuda. Was there a reason you contacted me specifically? You could have contacted Acting Director Dr. Kim, right?”

“Hmm, this is a military matter. Nanami, you are also a child of the Foundation. Of course, you can report this to Dr. Kim when you return.”

“I will.”

Nanami’s position is a bit complicated.

Nanami is a creation of the Foundation.

The Foundation Headquarters trusts Nanami, and Nanami does sit in the Director’s Office of Facility 82. But ultimately, the staff of Facility 82 never recognized Nanami as their leader.

It’s not strange that Headquarters contacted Nanami. Especially if they didn’t want the news to spread among unspecified employees.

Of course, it would have been better if Dr. Kim had sent Nanami. But for the Foundation Headquarters, the past, present, and future aren’t so clearly distinguished.

Anyway.

Dr. Matsuda turned his head.

“Please come this way.”

At the center of the facility, there was a structure surrounded by ominous iron fences and iron gates.

The area around the iron fence was flattened with red soil and under surveillance. Inside the fence, there was a strange sphere glowing with rainbow colors and an eerie altar.

“Is that the path to the Garden?”

“You already know.”

“Are we going in?”

Dr. Matsuda shook his head.

“Hmm, the Garden is still dangerous. Areas are still being cleaned up and organized. I think Facility 82 will likely collaborate to explore the relevant areas of the Garden.”

***

[Regarding Project Blue Rose]

[Author: Research Department Head Lee Se-ah]

[This is completely insane.]

[Are we not properly understanding and conducting research? We’re just monkeys scratching our backs with machine guns.]

[I hope we can stop these horrific experiments of smashing together incomprehensible, grotesque supernatural phenomena whose nature and characteristics we can’t even grasp.]

[Also.]

***

[Regarding Project Blue Rose. Reply.]

[Author: Foundation Headquarters. The content of the call was recorded manually per the Foundation Headquarters’ request.]

[Thank you for your valuable opinion, Dr. Lee.]

[Project Blue Rose, due to repeated failures and safety incidents, is currently not conducting any experiments beyond managing secured Foundation assets.]

[As always, we will proceed with utmost caution regarding the dangers of supernatural phenomena.]