Plundering the Anomalies (5)
The gallery's reaction exploded, as expected. It was only natural. Entering a horror without a procedure manual and ripping one off an anomaly wasn't something that happened every day.
"Hehe…."
Han Yujin grinned dumbly at the gallery responses, then held out her hand to Kruru, who was floating question marks beside her.
"?"
Kruru tilted her head, then carefully placed a single tentacle on it. Han Yujin smirked and instructed her.
"When it's like this, you clap your palms together with a smack!"
— Smack!
Kruru flinched and curled up in surprise. Han Yujin stifled a laugh at the adorable sight.
"You've still got a long way to go if you wanna pass as human."
"This body is human nyang!"
"Sure, sure."
She stroked Kruru's pouting face, sneaking a glance to check her exploration rate.
The exploration rate had shot up over 10% in one go! In the distance, a worker anomaly dashed desperately toward the elevator.
"Kukuku…."
This is it. This rush! The thrill of risking it all, exploiting rule loopholes, and snagging impossible loot. Getting the procedure manual meant she'd crested 90% of this hellish clear.
"Good job, Kruru. You've got real talent."
"Hmph! This is nothing for this body! More importantly, let's do that hand thing again."
"Huh?"
— Smack!
Kruru clapped her palms loudly. She'd taken a liking to the high-five.
"Is this something you do with just anyone?"
She kept clapping: smack, smack.
"Nah. Doesn't feel good with just anyone."
"Then?"
"Hmm. Who knows."
Han Yujin pondered briefly before answering.
"Probably 'cause we're buddies?"
"B-buddies…!?"
Kruru's bright yellow eyes shook violently.
"Why, it sounds kinda cool."
Perfect. She's totally tamed. Han Yujin beamed as she picked up the procedure manual.
1. This facility on Basement Level 13 is for sorting and processing Waste and Recycling boxes.
2. At the hourly chime signaling the start of work, all workers must proceed to their zones via elevator.
3. Workers monitor the conveyor belt and immediately dispose of any non-standard boxes.
4. If contaminants (unpackaged lifeforms) are found during work, remove them immediately.
5. At the end-of-work chime, all workers must stop immediately and return via elevator. (Note: Elevator departs after 30 seconds; non-boarders are deemed "residual waste.")
6. …….
"As expected."
The early rules matched what she'd figured. Especially the part where end-of-shift took priority over contaminant removal—a gamble that paid off perfectly.
In other words:
'Nail the timing, and I can farm these anomalies all day.'
Her eyes scanned the manual.
"Hmm."
Han Yujin slowly scrolled the comments. Yep. At this point, the suspicious ones stood out.
"Manual makes it look hopeless."
At best, it screamed "Oh, you escape? Straight to the waste processor~" But she could already see the clear path.
Good. Decision made.
Huh. Why no comments? Glitched?
Han Yujin tilted her head and posted.
That sparked it—the gallery blew up worse than before.
"Ah."
Too much? She'd accidentally driven one survivor to temp-logout. Apologizing inwardly, she called Kruru.
"Kruru."
"Why call this body?"
"One more run."
"Wh-what…!? That again!?"
"Yeah. Gotta steal clothes this time, so it'll be tougher."
"Why me!"
Han Yujin pouted at Kruru's protest.
"Thought we were buddies."
"…!"
"Guess it's just me, then. No more high-fives."
"…!!"
Kruru fidgeted, eyes spinning, as Han Yujin's shoulders slumped. Han Yujin peeked at her, then shot up.
"No choice. I'll go solo. You rest here. I'll strip the anomaly clothes myself."
"……."
"If I die, post something on the gallery for me."
As Han Yujin turned sadly, Kruru grabbed her pant leg desperately.
"I'll go too! Not 'cause I'm worried about you, but I want that uniform!"
"Okay. Act good like before."
Han Yujin's lips curved into a grin. Farming time.
♬ Today's work has begun.
The work-start bell rang, and worker anomalies rode the elevator down. They just repeated procedures blindly. So it wasn't their fault they missed the tiny things hiding nearby.
They'd just followed protocol.
And so, near end-of-shift…
♬ Today's work has ended.
The cheerful bell chimed. As every anomaly turned mechanically toward the elevator—
"Now, Kruru! Go!"
"F-fear me! Weak humans… no, anomalies!"
Two small figures burst from a box. The tiny black-haired girl especially flailed her arms, drawing eyes.
[Contaminant detected. Remove immediately.]
One worker anomaly chased her, entranced. But it hesitated too.
Shouldn't I board the elevator? If I miss this, I'll get disposed.
As its movements slowed—
"Watch the blind spot!"
— Thud!
A dull shockwave rocked its skull. Through blurry vision: white hair, smirking lips, wildly swung briefcase.
Contaminant. Must remove.
But elevator first.
Body stiffens. The anomaly staggered groggily.
Meanwhile, the white-haired girl started stripping it.
"Run!"
"Nyang!"
By the time the anomaly snapped out of it, the elevator was leaving. It just barely clung on.
♬ Today's work has ended.
Work ended. A new post hit the gallery.
♬ Today's work has begun.
Inside the box. Han Yujin smirked at the work-start chime.
"Our work time too, Kruru."
"…You took the top yesterday and we're doing it again nyang."
"Gotta match the full set."
"……."
"And not just mine—yours too. Few more rounds."
Kruru pouted briefly.
"Let's go!"
Han Yujin flung open the box lid. Of course, Kruru went first to aggro. Then Han Yujin struck from hiding.
— Splat!
Watermelon-burst sound. One down.
"Nice, got one!"
But this time was different. Another nearby spotted her. Its grinder whirred like an electric saw.
"Shit!"
No dodging. Han Yujin reflexively blocked with the briefcase.
Kagang!
"Guhk!"
Massive impact. Briefcase held, but her arm felt shattered—breath caught.
This is anomaly strength…!
It raised the grinder again.
…End of the line?
As she gripped the briefcase—
♬ Today's work has ended.
"……."
The anomaly's motion froze mid-air. It glitched like a broken machine, then lowered the tool and shuffled creakily to the elevator.
"…Lived."
Han Yujin collapsed, panting raggedly. Kruru held out a hand, waving the worker pants.
"Stole it nyang."
— Smack!
High-five with Kruru.
♬ Today's work has ended.
"Kruru, now!"
Han Yujin dashed behind an anomaly heading to the elevator. Bound by rules, it didn't look back.
"Nyang!"
Kruru pounced, yanking its pants. Han Yujin grabbed the jacket over its shoulder.
"Why won't this come off!"
Tough. Elevator arrived; it tried boarding. Han Yujin clung to its back, pulling.
As doors closed—
"Hya!"
— Rip!
The top tore halfway into her hands. The anomaly, half-naked, vanished inside.
Set two secured. The nightmare didn't end.
♬ Today's work has begun.
"Fear me!"
Crunch!
♬ Today's work has ended.
"Kruru!"
"Nyang!"
"Gimme those pants!"
— Riiiip!
♬ Today's work has begun.
"Fear… before that! There!"
Crunch! Crunch!
♬ Today's work has ended.
This repeated several times. Soon, Han Yujin's box brimmed with uniforms. She grinned at the pile.
"Alright. Time to get outta here?"