Chapter 5

Episode 5. The Talking Crystal Clock

***

“I’ve met quite a few scientists so far. They all said they wanted to join the Foundation without much thought or concern. Do you know why?”

Nanami asked.

I had to struggle quite a bit to keep up with Nanami’s pace. She didn’t seem to be in a hurry, but her steps were just naturally fast.

“I can think of a few reasons.”

“Yeah? I don’t get it.”

The white walls and white fluorescent lights. The corridor to the Director’s Office was quite tiring on the eyes.

“Curiosity, I guess. When faced with something that negates everything you thought you knew, when faced with a new world.”

“Uh-huh.”

“If they could control their curiosity in that situation, they wouldn’t have become scientists. It’s natural to be curious to the point of death. That’s all. I was the same.”

Nanami nodded.

“We’re here. This is the meeting room in the Director’s Office.”

The door creaked open.

Currently, there are five people working in the Director’s Office of the Foundation’s Seoul Branch. Of course, excluding the Director who is currently vacant.

The Aide, Nanami.

The Chief Researcher, me.

And three Advisors.

Originally, the Director in charge of the facility should handle commanding the Special Forces assigned to the facility, directing facility security, and approving various matters within the facility……

But now that the Director is vacant, all these matters must be handled by the five people in the Director’s Office through consensus. At least, that’s how I understand it.

And.

This is the meeting room in the Director’s Office.

It wasn’t a large space. The Director’s seat remained vacant, and there were seats for six people, three on each side.

If I’m the fifth, where did the sixth go?

“Hello, everyone.”

I awkwardly smiled. Nanami seemed a bit uncomfortable but stood next to me. After a moment, Nanami spoke.

“This is the new Chief Researcher I brought. Now, everyone, please greet Dr. Kim.”

The meeting room stirred.

“I’m Advisor An Jin-tae.”

“I’m Advisor Cha Ji-su.”

“I’m Administrator Lee Ji-hye.”

Easy to remember. Advisor An, Advisor Cha, and Administrator Lee. The Advisors looked like ordinary middle-aged men.

Administrator Lee Ji-hye… her age was hard to guess. She didn’t seem old. These people aren’t researchers. Black ties and black suits, unmistakably Men in Black.

After a moment, Administrator Lee Ji-hye smiled brightly.

“Nice to meet you. Just don’t commit suicide, Dr. Kim. We don’t expect much from you.”

Chilling.

But it’s not an unreasonable request. I could only nod. The welcome party in the Director’s Office was more uncomfortable than I thought.

The gazes are uncomfortable. To others, I probably just look like a kid. Some might find it intriguing.

There’s a significant gap between my original age, this body’s age, and these people. Plus, I don’t know much about this space.

“If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

What can I do? I’ll just have to prepare well.

***

I quietly returned to my office.

My job responsibilities are as follows.

First. Managing the supernatural phenomena directly managed by the Director’s Office. It’s not particularly dangerous or complicated. As seen with the Crystal Clock, the Director’s Office warehouse only contains safe supernatural phenomena. Regular reports are required, though.

Second. Translating daily approval requests from the Research Department. The problem is, I’m the only scientist in the Director’s Office.

I have to go and verify things myself. Even if it’s not my field of expertise.

This is a bit scary. I have to function as a one-person audit team, which might mean arguing with experts outside my field.

Third. I might participate in the Foundation’s research, but there’s no research facility within the Director’s Office. I have to collaborate with the Research Department… well.

First, let’s ask the Crystal Clock.

“Dr. Lee, are you there? I need to start work from Monday, but I’m not sure how to proceed or what to do.”

The clock didn’t answer immediately, but the buzzing sound suggested it was preparing a response.

I think the consciousness inside the crystal isn’t always awake. It seems to spend most of its time in sleep or a similar unconscious state. Otherwise, it would have gone mad.

“I’d appreciate some help.”

[Research is the key.]

The Crystal Clock ticked.

“Why?”

[No one except the Personnel Department knows who you are, or even what you are. Put on a brave face, hold your head high, and push through. This is a place where that’s acceptable. You’re the Chief Researcher of the Director’s Office.]

Easier said than done.

It’s different when you’re the one who has to fight. I opened the Crystal Clock and placed it on the desk. The clock kept ticking.

“It’s not easy.”

[What do you have to do this week?]

“Hold on. Attend the monthly meeting for department heads. Attend the conference at the Supernatural Biology Facility. Attend the monthly meeting for the Research Department section chiefs. Regular records of the supernatural phenomena managed by the Director’s Office.”

[And?]

“There are some agenda items. Increase the budget for the supernatural phenomenon ‘Antichrist.’ Approve the full-scale extermination of the supernatural phenomenon ‘Eyeball Candy.’ Transfer the supernatural phenomenon ‘Ordinary Laptop’ to the Precognition Team.”

These are the items that came to me.

They must have been sent to me because they’re related to research, but I have no idea what they’re about. I’ll have to read the attached reports and visit the sites to make a judgment.

[We’ll have to handle them one by one. Read the contents first, we don’t know what they want. The principle is that it’s best to visit the site and judge.]

I nodded. That’s obvious.

Wait, if I’m logged into the Foundation’s database, can’t I search for information on supernatural phenomena? I quickly searched the database.

Of course, there were many things I was curious about since joining the Foundation, but right now, I was most curious about something else.

Found it, as expected.

“I’ll call you again if needed. Thank you.”

[Okay, what is it?]

I put the Crystal Clock in a box and placed it far from my desk. Let’s see what secrets it’s hiding.

Supernatural Phenomenon O-2370, records about the Crystal Clock.

***

[Supernatural Phenomenon O-2370]

[Crystal Clock]

[Risk Level: Safe]

[Classification: Object-Type Supernatural Phenomenon]

[Supernatural Phenomenon O-2370 is a small crystal. It is not dangerous but can exert supernatural influence on humans and living beings.]

[The microstructure inside Supernatural Phenomenon O-2370 constantly changes, but it is impossible to observe with the naked eye. However, it can be observed under ultraviolet fluorescent light or with a wavelength analyzer.]

[Supernatural Phenomenon O-2370 was discovered during the cleanup after an occult group was exterminated. At the time, it was thought to be junk and stored in a warehouse, but research began on the recommendation of the Psychometry Team present at the scene.]

[While measuring the crystal’s vibration frequency under voltage to check if it contained information, Dr. Lee, who was conducting the experiment, lost consciousness.]

[Dr. Lee immediately fell into a brain-dead state and, despite the Foundation’s efforts, did not wake up. It is believed that Dr. Lee’s consciousness is trapped inside this crystal, and further experiments are prohibited by the Ethics Committee due to ethical concerns.]

[Currently. Additional testing or research on Supernatural Phenomenon O-2370 is prohibited. The responsible researcher must record the status of this phenomenon once a month.]

[No observable changes in the artifact.]

[Same as the last 60 times.]

[P.S. Transferred to the Director’s Office.]

[P.S. A device has been created to allow Supernatural Phenomenon O-2370 to communicate with the outside world. Experimental approval is pending.]

***

[Supernatural Phenomenon O-714]

[Ordinary Laptop]

[Risk Level: Safe]

[Classification: Object-Type Supernatural Phenomenon]

[An ordinary laptop found in the Foundation’s warehouse. It’s a model from 1999.]

[According to the Psychometry Team, it might have the ability to communicate with the future. No anomalies were found in the tachyon reaction results.]

***

[Information Request on Researcher Kim Bari]

[Author: Safe Artifact Management Department]

[To Aide Nanami.]

[Hello. I know that personnel matters in the Personnel Department and the Director’s Office are not our jurisdiction, but I heard that the Director’s Office recently requested to take over the management of Supernatural Phenomenon O-2370.]

[I apologize for the rudeness, but I have a question.]

[Has the experiment on the Crystal Clock resumed?]

[Is it true that Supernatural Phenomenon O-2370 was transferred to Supernatural Phenomenon H-1124? Is it the Director’s Office’s policy to fuse multiple dangerous supernatural phenomena to create human weapons?]

[I don’t understand why the Director’s Office thinks it’s okay to do things that are prohibited for other Foundation researchers.]

[I would appreciate a convincing explanation regarding the usage principles of these two supernatural phenomena.]

***

[Information Request on Researcher Kim Bari. Reply.]

[Author: Nanami]

[I apologize for the concern.]

[Personnel matters in the Director’s Office are confidential Foundation matters. They have been verified by the Personnel Department and the Medical Department, so there’s no need to worry.]

[I told the Research Department several times that the Chief Researcher position in the Director’s Office was vacant, but no one volunteered. It’s a job everyone tries to avoid, even if it means committing suicide.]

[The supernatural phenomena directly managed by the Director’s Office are extremely few and all are safe. If you’re worried, you’re welcome to come and check.]

[Supernatural Phenomenon H-1124, Dr. Kim is a competent and diligent Foundation employee. As the Chief Researcher of the Director’s Office, you’ll see him often.]

***

[Information Request on Researcher Kim Bari. Reply. Reply.]

[Author: Safe Artifact Management Department]

[You seem to trust H-1124 quite a bit. I understand your thoughts, Aide. Let’s talk again later.]