Chapter 57

Episode 57. Abandoned Base (3)

***

The facility management AI, Ganymede.

This is the second time I’ve met it. Seems like they made several similar models. Thinking about it, a facility management AI isn’t exactly cutting-edge technology.

But the Foundation doesn’t use AIs for most tasks, let alone facility management.

It’s not because they lack the technology. They have plenty. AIs are vulnerable to information contamination, unreliable, and so on, or so they say.

Today, I’m seeing the reason firsthand. They’ve tried it before.

The bunker’s facility management AI went insane, and this one doesn’t look too great either. Not sure if it’s hostile yet.

[Do the Foundation Scientists truly have no capacity to learn? If you play with fire every day, your house will burn down. If you keep poking beehives, you’ll get stung eventually. How many times do I have to say it before you understand?]

It’s infuriating because it’s not entirely wrong.

“We’re proceeding with the experiment, Ganymede. Cooperate.”

[No can do. My apologies, Director Kim. Do you know what fate befell your predecessors who attempted similar things?]

“Ganymede. Wasn’t it quite successful, considering the Owner of the Garden is now bound in chains? Tell me what you know.”

[…]

[…]

[…]

Even the AI couldn’t refute that.

[Very well. Gather your equipment and head to the lowest level of the facility. But I’ll only allow interaction with it for 10 minutes.]

Ganymede fell silent.

***

The Metaphysics Team arrived fairly quickly.

[Dr. Kim. Shall we begin the ritual immediately?]

“Proceed.”

[Alright, let’s give it a try.]

The Metaphysics Team began the ritual. A magic circle was drawn on the floor, a wooden altar was set up, and Dr. Chae stood holding a staff.

Dr. Chae stood at the center of the circular magic circle.

Dr. Chae was still wearing a helmet. The Metaphysics Team placed a Bluetooth speaker next to the altar for the incantation.

[Ah, ah. We’ll begin the incantation shortly.]

Dr. Chae’s voice echoed.

The ancient deity coiled at the center of the Foundation showed no reaction to our activities.

It rose and fell periodically, as if breathing. The heavy chains binding the Owner of the Garden twitched.

[Step back.]

“Begin the incantation, Dr. Chae.”

Instead of answering, Dr. Chae struck the staff on the ground. The sound echoed through the facility, and the nameless ancient deity exhaled.

“Zamai, Puid, Sedon, El, Yod, Hae, Bau.”

“Lords of Chaos, rulers of providence, great beings. While I, a humble servant of chaos, make this desperate plea, protect and support me.”

“I earnestly beseech the Star of Chaos.”

I checked the observation equipment. It was a bit iffy, but this incantation was definitely manifesting some supernatural effect. The Geiger Counter started blinking, and the surrounding temperature dropped.

“I am a devotee of Chaos.”

“Nothing from the east shall threaten me.”

“Nothing from the west shall threaten me.”

“Nothing from the north shall threaten me.”

“Nothing from the south shall threaten me.”

“Nothing from zenith shall threaten me.”

“Nothing from nadir shall threaten me.”

On the altar, a comatose individual lay. Dr. Chae, holding the staff in his left hand, raised a pistol with his right and shot the person in the head.

Blood and brain matter soaked the altar.

“I offer this tribute.”

“Owner of the Garden, though I am but a humble being, bestow upon me the grace of the Garden.”

“Please, upon these insignificant ants—”

Screeeeeech!

Bang, bang, bang.

The heavy chains rattled like thunder. Everyone except Dr. Chae scrambled for cover. Dr. Chae held his ground.

Boom!

The Owner of the Garden swung its arm? Tentacle? The chains binding it swung along.

<“Insects.”>

<“You defile the Garden, bind providence, imprison gods, and now dare to mock me by feasting on the liver of a captive.”>

Crack, sizzle. Sparks flew as the chains were dragged. The screeching of the chains filled the space like machine gun fire.

“Dr. Chae! Retreat!”

“Please, look kindly upon us, mere ants, and grant us the power to build civilization. We are grateful for your grace.”

“Retreat, you lunatic!”

After that.

The Owner of the Garden extended countless arms, writhed countless tentacles, and opened countless mouths.

[Dr. Kim! Get inside the magic circle!]

Run over there?

I wanted to think about it, but debris was flying everywhere, leaving no time. I ran toward Dr. Chae’s magic circle.

<“Die.”>

The Owner of the Garden opened a single eye.

***

The magic circle was about the size of a car. The metallic mist exhaled by the Owner of the Garden filled the central space of the facility.

[Uh, what happened to the others?]

“They retreated. The chains seem to be limiting the Owner’s power.”

[Ah. For now, we’re safe inside the magic circle.]

“Yeah.”

Well, that ancient deity’s eye is still staring right at us.

[If we go outside… I’m not sure what will happen. I’m not even sure if the retreating team made it out safely. The Guardians of the Garden are probably converging here.]

The Owner of the Garden approached. I reflexively raised my gun. Honestly, I’m not sure if even God-Killing Bullets will work.

This monster is just too big.

“Any ideas?”

[Well, attempting to form a contract or establish a sorcerous relationship with the Owner failed. But since the reality concentration here is thin, I’m thinking of summoning something else using that person as a medium. Something that can fight the Owner.]

“……”

Doesn’t sound like a great idea.

“Are you really going to do that?”

[The chances of success are slim.]

“You said the reality concentration here is thin. Can’t you just shoot fireballs with the staff or something?”

[I don’t know. You have a gun, don’t you?]

True. Even if Dr. Chae could shoot fireballs, the effect would be minimal.

“Let’s try talking first.”

***

I looked at the giant eye staring at me. I didn’t want to, but there was no other choice.

“Great Owner of the Garden, ruler of this entire building, pillar of providence. What gift would please you? Do you not desire human sacrifice?”

Shudder. The ancient deity exhaled deeply, and the entire building shook. I held my breath.

<“Freedom. All of it. Release me from this cursed prison you’ve created. Then, I might consider the grace you seek.”>

I bowed my head to the monster.

“I am Director Kim of the Foundation. I promise you. I will prepare as quickly as possible to destroy these chains.”

No response. We waited for a while.

<“Why should I trust you?”>

Good question. I pondered. What should I offer?

“As of now, we have no way to break these chains. My apologies. Until we find a way, we will periodically return to offer human sacrifices.”

<“Your hands... reek of golden blood. How many have you killed...?”>

“Nothing special. I’ve simply protected what’s dear to me and fulfilled my duties.”

I bowed again to the monster.

<“......”>

<“......”>

<“Fine.”>

“Then, I will return to the Foundation facility to gather the equipment needed to break the chains. Thank you.”

The monster lost interest in us.

The colossal monster folded its countless wings, tentacles, and arms, covering its giant eye. The building’s tremors gradually subsided.

We fled the area as quickly as possible.

***

Outside the corridor, out of the monster’s sight.

I wish we could rest for a bit. My legs gave out, and I sat on the floor. Dr. Chae leaned against the wall, holding his staff.

“Ah. Everyone’s gone.”

[Well, those who can survive will survive.]

True. I didn’t order them not to run, and dying together wouldn’t help. I quickly checked my equipment.

[Dr. Kim. By the way, are you really going to offer periodic human sacrifices to that monster?]

I shook my head.

“We’ll try it for now. See if we can receive its grace. If we can’t, then we’ll have to reconsider.”

Dr. Chae nodded.

[Let’s move. The Owner of the Garden has fallen asleep again, but the Guardians might still be converging on our location. Let’s be careful.]

I got up. Dr. Chae had set aside his staff and was now holding a gun.

“Let’s escape this facility first.”