Chapter 94

Episode 94. Re-exploration of Yulje-myeon (2)

****

This is still the Command Center.

Lee Se-ah and Recovery Team 1 members are attempting to explore Yulje-myeon. We are remotely directing the operation from headquarters.

To be honest, up until now, we’ve been scratching the Research Department Head’s back more than actually commanding or supporting. Anyway, Lee Se-ah’s team has entered the operation zone.

[We’ve entered. We’ll disembark soon.]

The fact that wireless communication is still connected suggests that the cognitive disaster fog in Yulje-myeon has weakened. This also means the risk of information leakage from the Yulje-myeon incident has increased.

“Try the wireless communication again.”

[It’s functioning normally.]

I briefly checked the documents in front of me. We need to conduct a quick cognitive disaster test.

“This is a cognitive disaster vaccination. Please repeat after me. Twinkle twinkle little star. Wolf, star, apple, red, tree, buckthorn, sky.”

[Twinkle twinkle little star. Wolf, star, apple, red, tree, beech, moon.]

“You got a few words wrong. It seems there’s a cognitive disaster, so proceed with caution.”

Getting one word wrong doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a cognitive disaster, but considering Lee Se-ah’s memory, it’s likely not a mistake.

[……]

“Please thoroughly inspect the site. If you determine there are too many hostile entities or the mission is too dangerous, you may retreat.”

[Thank you.]

Screech. Recovery Team 1’s infantry fighting vehicles came to a halt. The soldiers disembarked one by one. Lee Se-ah also gathered her equipment and got out of the vehicle.

Of course, just because people have disembarked doesn’t mean the infantry fighting vehicles are retreating. They’ll stay nearby to provide fire support in case of unexpected situations, ready to pick up and flee if necessary.

“Recovery Department staff, wait at a suitable location. This time, the Research Department Head will go in first, and if there are any dangers, we’ll let you know.”

[No, does that even make sense as an operation plan?]

“It’s an order.”

Lee Se-ah bowed her head.

[We’ve disembarked.]

One of the many screens in the operation room connected to Lee Se-ah’s helmet camera. A real-time first-person view, like watching a game.

[Entering the operation zone.]

****

Lee Se-ah checked her wristwatch.

[Reality levels normal. Tachyon reaction minimal. No probability distortion or information degradation observed in the random number generator. The reality inside Yulje-myeon appears to be similar to normal.]

“Got it. Please keep us updated.”

[Launching the drone.]

Lee Se-ah pulled something the size of a tennis ball from her bag and threw it high into the sky. The object spread its wings and flew off somewhere.

It seems to be a special drone, not your average one, but one that flies like a bird.

“……”

[No hostile entities observed in the vicinity. Only a few inactive humanoid entities. They don’t appear to be active.]

“Confirm it yourself.”

We checked Yulje-myeon again through Lee Se-ah’s perspective. The traces of the nuclear blast were still evident. Most buildings were crumbling.

But where did the drone go?

[Currently exploring. There are almost no buildings left, and the remaining ones are completely overrun by ivy and other plants.]

“Is this a natural phenomenon or a supernatural creature?”

Lee Se-ah pondered for a moment.

[Yes. I’ll collect plant samples. It might be a natural phenomenon, but considering the divine-class entities related to the garden that appeared during the incident, it’s more likely not.]

“Please proceed carefully.”

[There seems to be something. I’ll call the Recovery Department staff for now. Temporarily cutting communication.]

Lee Se-ah’s communication cut off.

****

Bang! Lee Se-ah fired a flare.

It wasn’t anything major. Zombies—or something like that—anyway, a few humanoid supernatural phenomena were wandering around.

Lee Se-ah aimed her Soviet-made laser gun at the enemy. There was no sound of gunfire, just the whirring of the mechanical device. A sharp ozone smell tickled her nose.

Oh right, I should wear the gas mask.

Lee Se-ah put on the gas mask and resumed combat. Zombies are no threat to armed people, especially not to someone like Lee Se-ah, who’s practically superhuman.

The zombies fell one by one. Is it because light-based magic is strong against undead? It definitely worked against the flying polyps.

“Team leader. It’s done.”

Lee Se-ah confirmed there were no more moving entities and walked forward. Several zombie corpses were scattered around.

“……”

Something’s off.

“Over there, there’s something at the epicenter.”

****

Two tactical nuclear warheads had detonated in Yulje-myeon. The aftermath likely killed many people and divine-class entities. What is that?

Lee Se-ah frowned.

There were no geographical features at the epicenter itself. Whether due to fallout or vitrification, not even weeds were growing.

But at the center of the epicenter, a giant black flower was growing. The reason is unknown, and whether it’s dangerous is also unknown. It’s probably dangerous, right?

Lee Se-ah picked up the radio.

“This is the Research Department Head. Command Center, are you seeing this? Do you know what this is?”

Dr. Kim’s voice came through.

[I don’t know. I’ll look into it.]

A black rose several times the size of a person. What it is, why it’s here, and whether it’s dangerous are all unknown. It’s probably dangerous, right?

“What should we do?”

[First, check if it’s safe to approach. If it turns people to stone, drives them insane, or kills them—]

“Ah, f*ck.”

Lee Se-ah started running.

[What’s wrong?]

“It’s singing. Whatever it is, it’s extremely dangerous.”

[……]

A black flower singing at the epicenter. It’s obviously dangerous. But what exactly is it? Is it related to the King of Darkness, or is it something else entirely?

****

I sighed. We’ve found something unusual at the Yulje-myeon site. According to the Research Department Head, it’s extremely dangerous.

“What will you do?”

Well.

From my perspective, there are two options. Send heavy equipment to uproot the flower and bring it to the Foundation facility, or build a facility around it.

“Research Department Head.”

[Yes.]

“For now, proceed with the operation while avoiding that. Set up one or two observation devices near the black flower. We’ll send experts to retrieve it.”

Lee Se-ah’s helmet camera feed moved. She’s probably nodding vigorously.

“Move out.”

Recovery Department staff gathered at the area where Lee Se-ah fired the flare. It’s something you should never do when dealing with people.

But this time, we’re not dealing with people.

****

[Yulje-myeon Re-exploration Plan]

[Author: Recovery Department Head]

[Due to unavoidable circumstances, we’re discussing the plan in the Director’s absence. Your understanding is appreciated.]

[Of course, considering the sacrifices made in Yulje-myeon, it’s not something we want to do, but there are sufficient reasons to re-explore Yulje-myeon in the near future.]

[First consideration. We need to check how strong the cognitive disaster fog surrounding Yulje-myeon is. If it’s weakened, people might start remembering Yulje-myeon again.]

[Second consideration. We need to check how many hostile supernatural phenomena remain inside, and if there are any, eliminate them.]

[Third consideration. We need to verify if there’s any contamination or ecosystem destruction caused by supernatural phenomena.]

****

[Documents Related to the King of Darkness]

[Author: Dr. Chae]

[Warning: This document carries a cognitive disaster risk. Do not open it if you cannot use a memory erasure agent within an hour.]

[The avatar of the King of Darkness is currently contained in the Foundation’s large-scale containment room. It’s a massive octopus-like monster, with its head floating in the air and dozens of eyes.]

[Temporarily named Niguras-1.]

[Analysis of Niguras-1 fragments. When tissue or fragments are separated from the main body, the parts made of magical energy disappear immediately.]

[Niguras-1 fragments are composed of organic matter, specifically polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.]

[Most of the macroscopic structures of Niguras-1 are not composed of cellular structures. They do not originate from cellular structures.]

[The exact mechanism is unknown. Whether it’s simply magic or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons achieving dynamic equilibrium to mimic life activities.]

[Chemistry researchers seem to think it’s the latter, but it’s not my field. Simply calling it magic isn’t an explanation, though.]

[Isn’t that a cowardly explanation? Even if it’s magic, we need to study what structures it has and how it manifests.]

[But more importantly, discussions about literature and artworks related to the King of Darkness.]

[The King of Darkness is the father of ideals and the child of ideals. The memory of a lost world, the memory of a world before civilization and order.]

[Bound by chains, the incarnation and avatar of humanity’s hatred for the world Newton dissected, even the rainbow.]

[The epitome of madness, the epitome of hatred and skepticism, the epitome of countless ideals.]