Chapter 92

Episode 92. Ice Cream

****

Back in the convertible. Nanami rested one arm on the window and turned her head toward me.

“It doesn’t feel like a typhoon came. The sun is shining so brightly overnight.”

“……”

“Dr. Kim. Right?”

“That’s right.”

I looked up at the sky.

Yesterday, I killed dozens of people. My mind should be in chaos, but all I could think was that I was right.

I only killed those who tried to kill me.

“There should be a beach cafe nearby.”

“Really?”

“Let’s get some ice cream.”

I should feel depressed or uncomfortable. But under the clear sky, my mood was just as bright. I wish every day could be like today.

“You look like you’re not thinking about anything.”

“Well, I’m not really thinking about anything.”

“Anyway, hardly any employees would have died from gunshots. Considering the performance of the bulletproof vests the Foundation uses, getting shot doesn’t mean you’ll die.”

“Right.”

“The greatsword is a different story, though.”

People who were cut into pieces won’t come back.

“I have a question. Can a single phone call really cause a typhoon like that?”

I thought for a moment.

“I didn’t think so, but……”

When the 8th Administrator, Yustitia, appeared, the typhoon stopped. It just literally stopped. I saw the evidence right before my eyes.

“Strange. How does that even work?”

“I don’t know either.”

My guess is that it’s related to Blue Rose-0, which was recovered and reassembled in the Aden Gulf. The Far East Fleet and Blue Rose-0 must be controlling the weather in the area.

There could be scientific means involved, like cloud-moving missiles, artificial suns that manipulate sea temperatures, or particles that condense steam.

“Anyway. Ice cream.”

“I hope it’s white.”

I should return to work by tomorrow.

****

Meanwhile, at Facility 82.

Dr. An. A female scientist with a background in psychiatry, she is in charge of managing humanoid supernatural phenomena. And she is very popular.

Whether it’s due to the Stockholm Syndrome of the humanoid supernatural phenomena or because she is such a kind and capable doctor is unclear.

“Hello. Are you Hasti?”

“Yes.”

“Nice to meet you, Hasti. I’m Dr. An. I’m a psychiatrist in charge of your mental health. I’m here for our weekly session.”

“Ah. A doctor?”

“Yes.”

“When can I leave?”

Dr. An checked her notes.

“I heard the Dimensional Exploration Machine is being repaired. If there’s no progress by this week, the Foundation will move heaven and earth to come up with a solution.”

“……”

Hasti uncrossed her arms.

“Alright. Got it.”

“I prescribed you antidepressants last time. Are you feeling better, or is it the same?”

“I think I’m better. Maybe because my bones have healed……”

“That’s good.”

“Why are you being nice now?”

“Each employee might have a different stance. My job is to help you and keep you healthy.”

“……Really?”

“Yes.”

Still skeptical. But Hasti had no choice but to accept it.

“Where’s Director Kim?”

“Ah, sorry. He’s returning tomorrow.”

Dr. Kim is still on Jeju Island.

“I want to talk to your leader again. I wonder if what they said about sending me next week is true.”

“Yes. I’ll relay that.”

Dr. An busily wrote something down.

****

[Dimensional Exploration Machine Repair]

[Author: Dr. Choi]

[The repair of the Dimensional Exploration Machine is progressing smoothly.]

[However, the damage to the supernatural phenomena used in the machine from the fire has significantly delayed the work. We are researching countermeasures.]

[The current plan is to create a Tachyon Core to replace the functions of the affected supernatural phenomena. But we don’t know if this will work. We are currently borrowing a particle accelerator from a nearby university’s physics department for experiments.]

[I apologize once again for the incident that caused the Dimensional Exploration Machine to break. We will definitely bring you a satisfactory result.]

****

[Dimensional Exploration Machine Repair. Reply.]

[Author: Dr. Kim]

[Director Choi, I don’t think you understand what “progressing smoothly” means. When irreplaceable parts are damaged and there’s no way to repair the machine, can you really call that “progressing smoothly”?]

[I’m giving you one week.]

[If you don’t come up with a plan by then, I will refer your case to the disciplinary committee. Including the destruction of the machine and the containment failure.]

[And starting next week, we will actively utilize humanoid supernatural phenomena related to the research.]

[Yes. I know what you’re thinking.]

[It’s dangerous. But wasn’t it wrong to release Hasti into this world in the first place, more so than the machine’s malfunction?]

[Be prepared if this continues next week.]

****

[New Humanoid Supernatural Phenomenon]

[Author: Dr. Kang, Humanoid Research Department]

[As promised, Pluto Limited Company has delivered one humanoid supernatural phenomenon.]

****

[On the Sacrificial Offering]

[Author: Dr. Chae, Metaphysics Department]

[Background explanation. A few years ago, the Metaphysics Department created a facility called the Magic Power Plant. It is a facility for efficiently slaughtering large quantities of sacrificial offerings and dedicating them to divine beings.]

[We haven’t had a use for it until now, but this time we had to operate it at maximum output.]

[I leave this record. First, I thank those who participated in the research.]

[Operation time was 3 hours and 30 minutes. During this time, 1,524 pigs, 603 goats, 20,404 chickens, and 140,333 fertilized eggs were consumed.]

[A massive temperature drop was detected around the Magic Power Plant, and the reality concentration around the plant dropped sharply.]

[Feynman field concentration also rose sharply. Small amounts of Tachyon reactions were also observed. In summary, a very powerful reality distortion was detected around the Magic Power Plant.]

[Similar effects were likely around Dr. Kim, who was the target of the magic. However, it was difficult to confirm due to the combat situation.]

****

[On the Sacrificial Offering. Reply.]

[Author: Dr. Kwon, Precognition Department]

[Thank you for sharing the research results.]

[The rituals, incantations, and sacrificial offerings conducted at the Magic Power Plant. It seems we can coordinate them for maximum efficiency. Experiments will be necessary.]

[We will proceed with the experimental design soon, and I hope Dr. Chae will also participate.]

****

[Document with Restricted Access]

[Author: Restricted Access]

[※ Warning ※]

[This document may be protected by harmful memetic agents. Unauthorized access may result in loss of life, and the Foundation will not be responsible in such cases.]

[On the Combat Records of Jeju Island]

[Author: Former Director of Facility 82]

[Thank you, Administrator Yustitia.]

[I have reviewed the combat records you sent. It seems that except for one, the entire Blue Rose series was a failure. The outdated experimental subject Pygmalion-5 took out Blue Rose-12 in one strike, didn’t it?]

[The Pygmalion series also mostly failed, except for a few. I don’t know what the problem is. Why is creating humanoid supernatural phenomena so difficult, and why does mass production always fail?]

[Can’t we just tweak some genes to create superhumans? But according to the reports from eugenics researchers, that doesn’t seem to be the case.]

[By the way, both Blue Rose and Pygmalion, the successful experimental subjects, are all female or have female forms. Is there a reason for that?]

****

[Document with Restricted Access]

[Author: Restricted Access]

[※ Warning ※]

[This document may be protected by harmful memetic agents. Unauthorized access may result in loss of life, and the Foundation will not be responsible in such cases.]

[On the Combat Records of Jeju Island. Reply.]

[Author: Yustitia]

[I’m glad you saw it.]

[There is a legend among Eastern European Gypsies that only women can cast curses. Originally, magic, especially black magic, was considered the exclusive domain of women, which is the mainstream opinion in the magic community.]

[That’s one of the reasons why there are so many female scientists and female supernatural phenomena in the Foundation.]

[Anyway. Blue Rose-13 has shown abilities beyond expectations in every aspect. The issue of leadership absence at the Seoul Branch will likely not be raised again after today.]

[That aside. Regardless of Blue Rose-13’s abilities, it’s a bit regrettable that the Director hasn’t returned to work.]

[With Dr. Kim’s recent incident, the Director position at Facility 82 has been firmly filled. How about taking this opportunity to come to the Foundation Headquarters?]

[We guarantee good treatment.]