Anomaly-12: First and Second Place
“Test results?”
“All readings are normal.”
“Trace the distribution path of that flowerpot!”
“Uh… it came from a facility managed by the Anomaly Management Agency… and their investigation found no contamination either.”
“Then how the hell…”
I'd reported to the Agency that the flower had gone crazy, and right away, heavily armed agents stormed in and hauled away the entire pot with the flower in it.
I got kicked out of my beloved containment cell too.
Since the anomaly had manifested in my cell, they said I had to vacate it until a thorough inspection was done.
Thanks to that, while they prepped a new cell for me, I got unlimited smartphone time in Han A-young's lab.
Of course, everything I watched was shared live with the Agency's central control room, so I steered clear of anything suspicious.
“Hehe… this is fun…”
I'd finally binged the entire backlog of that Minecraft lapis lazuli collection series—super satisfying.
'Maybe they could bring in Minecraft? It's not even online.'
I'd have to ask Han A-young about it.
“Argh… how the heck did this happen? All the readings are normal… Is it a plant-related anomaly?”
Of course, I wasn't asking right now.
She was in full fragile LV.999 boss mode, like in a game.
I knew full well that begging for favors in Sensitive Boss Han A-young Mode could backfire spectacularly.
'Eh, it happens.'
Her mad-scientist hair-messing and ravings were a little scary, but I decided to be the big-hearted angel and understand.
Even I could imagine the stress if this meant a massive hole in the Agency's distribution and quarantine systems.
“Ah… this is driving me nuts… plant… Greek… what the hell? Demeter…? Nah, doesn't fit the creepy vibe…”
I kept watching videos to her anguished screams as BGM.
> Alright, what happens if we detonate a million TNT blocks at once? Let's find out!
“Ooh…”
A million TNT? Sounds like hype.
How'd they even gather that many?
> To prep for this project, Yeru-nim and I grinded 10 hours a day for a whole month.
“Whoa, time-rich folks.”
> And finally, at 4:32 a.m. on day 21, we placed the millionth TNT.
The camera zoomed out, revealing TNT packed denser than sardines.
These guys actually did it—a full million.
> If you admire the effort, hit subscribe and like—and boom time!
My palms were sweating.
What now? Server's probably toast.
> Fizzle-crackle!
No sooner said than the character lit a lighter.
TNT went berserk all at once.
> BOOMBOOMBOOM!
Screen went pure white from the simultaneous blasts.
Then the blue screen of death.
> Noooo! Not my computer— these things are expensive!
“Haha…”
I giggled at the anguished cry.
Duh, that many at once? Computer's fried, idiots.
Pfft, still, I hit like and turned off the phone.
Maybe from the long binge, sleepiness hit hard.
And here, I could nap whenever.
“Got it! Daffodil with Greek! Plants mean…!”
Han A-young must've cracked the culprit—she yelled and hammered the keyboard.
Nice, things were looking up for her too.
Relieved, I drifted off.
Night night.
“Mmm… so warm…”
Woof woof!
A week back in my original cell.
I gently patted the back of my cuddly pup, settling into peaceful routine.
I'd bugged Han A-young about why that plant wrote those letters, but she just smiled apologetically and dodged.
Felt like she knew something awkward to share, so I let it go.
If plants started talking to me again like that, I'd freak, but nothing creepy since.
Agency handled it fine, I figured.
One more change in my routine.
“Mmm…”
No more soccer field visits.
Pup could still play with the ball, so no biggie for me.
But I missed healing on that green turf sometimes.
“Puppy, you sad too?”
Woof?
“Can't go to the soccer field with your big sis.”
Woof!
Pup just grinned innocently at my question.
This guy doesn't care if I'm there or not—as long as he has fun.
You little punk.
Awooo…!
I rubbed him all over in revenge.
Like his wolf cousins, he twisted with wolfish howls.
“Here… here…”
I knew all his weak spots now.
Going for the rest—
“To positions!” “To positions!”
Agents hustling busily outside.
'Training?'
I tilted my head—
Woof woof woof!
Pup, wrecked from my assault, started barking wildly.
“What, puppy, what's up?!”
I jolted up at his frantic yaps.
Whine… whiiiine…
His whole body signaling something.
I peered outside as he led.
“Whoa…”
Two classroom chairs trapped in transparent cubes, being moved.
Woof woof!
I saw just chairs, but pup's frenzy meant something hidden on them.
Han A-young's lab—totally comfy now.
Smartphone from her in hand, I lounged on the sofa watching Minecraft Skyblock Survival series.
“Hee…”
Amazed at their flashy survival hacks—
“Ahem… Angel?”
Han A-young sidled up sneaky-like.
That approach meant she wanted something.
I beat her to it.
“That Anomaly-12? What do I do when I meet it…?”
“Huh…? Oh, just chat with the spirit on the chair and gather intel.”
“It'll… answer me…?”
“Well… probably.”
Per her explanation, this newbie to Chungju Base was Anomaly-12.
Nickname: First Place and Second Place.
Agency spotted spirits around the chairs, assumed they were the main deal, tried talking multiple times.
All failed. Higher-ups clutching at straws, leaning on me.
“Won't listen to Agency, why me…?”
“No guarantees, but better odds with you than them, Angel.”
“Hmm…”
She fidgeted, embarrassed by the ask. I pondered slowly.
Happy with my setup, willing to help.
But ghosts? Scary as hell.
Other anomalies, sure—but spooks? Eek.
“What's its danger level…?”
“Level 1 for now. Safe if you don't sit.”
Lowest rank.
Powerful as any anomaly, but Agency could handle easy.
So, safety not a huge worry…
“Could you meet it just once? Pretty please?”
“…”
Her pleading eyes weighed on me a bit.
“Minecraft.”
“Huh?”
“Minecraft runs offline… install it on a computer for my cell…”
“…”
Never saw Minecraft coming—she panicked, then pondered seriously.
I gulped, watching her.
Minecraft.
If approved, my life's way more fun.
'P… please…'
I prayed my masterstroke would land.
“Hmm…”
She furrowed deep, agonizing—then:
“Okay. Deal accepted.”
Contract sealed.