Gimmick (1)
“Perfect……”
Beyond the special reinforced glass, inside the Level 2 security isolation chamber.
Someone who witnessed the anomaly born there muttered unconsciously.
Many researchers knew that anomalies weren't all that perfect.
Even so, those watching the scene now couldn't help but nod in agreement.
“Is [A-031]'s enzyme working properly right now?”
“Seems like it. This is unexpected. I never imagined it would manifest this perfectly.”
“What about [XX-04]? No other reactions?”
They glanced toward where [XX-04] was confined, hoping for another breakthrough—
“Hm… nothing special.”
Unfortunately, [XX-04] was just indifferently bound as usual.
If they had to pick one change in the confinement room, it was that [B-077] was fiddling with [XX-04]'s fingers.
“Bring it out.”
Thus, the next step was decided easily.
At the lead researcher's words—the de facto leader here—a soldier dragged out [B-077].
No special restraints were needed for this.
Strip away [B-077]'s monstrous regenerative ability, and the rest was identical to an adult woman's.
A special forces soldier's brute strength made it easy to haul out.
“Nooooo!!!!! I don't wannaaaaaaa…!”
The one thing grating on nerves was the piercing shriek, like it had lost its mind again.
But that was par for the course. The soldier gripped [B-077]'s wrist tightly and dragged it right up to the isolation chamber with the new anomaly.
And right there in front of it.
Crunch!
“Kieeeek…!”
The soldier tried to cleanly sever [B-077]'s finger with a dagger.
Of course, it wasn't that simple.
[B-077]'s thrashing was intense, and its unique regeneration resisted the cut fiercely.
In the end, they had to saw through bone and flesh like grinding meat.
Thud.
Finally, the index finger fell to the ground. The soldier tossed it into a tiny hole leading to the isolation chamber.
“Move.”
Then aimed his rifle barrel. At [B-077]'s abdomen. Aiming at the head wouldn't mean much.
A headshot just regenerated without pain.
“N-no…!”
So, the abdomen. Aim at the spot that hurt the most and threaten in a flat voice.
Normally, it took at least three shots before it obeyed…
But today was different.
“…Guh.”
[B-077] complied surprisingly quickly. The researchers watching recalled the bizarre interaction with [XX-04].
The female form that had been shrieking moments ago collapsed—
Crack…!
From the cross-section of the bloodied finger rolling on the cold floor beyond the steel door, nerve bundles and bones began extending with grotesque sounds.
In an instant, the tangled bloody mass birthed a new body for [B-077].
“Gaaaahhh…! Get me out, get me out right now!”
The new [B-077], sensing its fate, shrieked desperately, but the researchers paid no heed.
All eyes were already stolen by the new anomaly; they were busy exchanging theories.
“Probably gonna bite it, right?”
“Nah, those insect-like legs could slice it up.”
“I heard the last anomaly [XX-04] saw was [B-041]… Maybe those tendrils on its back were influenced by that.”
A fairly large anomaly, at least 2-3 meters. Judging solely by appearance was extremely dangerous, but in this securely contained setup, it was almost a game.
So everyone outside waited. For the anomaly to shred [B-077] already.
“Save… me…… please……”
But something was off.
Even as [B-077]'s shrieks weakened, nothing special happened.
“…What the hell? How long's it been?”
“7 minutes 37 seconds since insertion.”
Yes, the new anomaly showed no aggression.
Just a weird grrr… breathing sound. Nothing more. At most, some eye-like thing twitching.
Then suddenly.
Thud—
Like kneeling, its ten legs folded in half, lowering its stance.
“What……”
Perplexed, the lead researcher tapped the mic to relay a command inside.
“Go check it out.”
[B-077], huddled in the corner, hesitated but stood and obeyed.
It knew what happened if it didn't—after leaving. A learned fear now controlled its body.
Tap.
[B-077] tremblingly poked the anomaly's leg repeatedly.
Then.
Thud—!
The body fully collapsed, power gone. From its awkward kneel, it toppled completely.
“…Hit it harder.”
New order. [B-077] punched the anomaly's head.
Punches rained down, but no reaction.
“What, is it dead?”
“For now… no vital signs.”
“Give it an electric shock.”
At those words, [B-077] inside freaked out.
“W-wait…! It's dead! Dead, so… not that…!” But the researcher wouldn't hear it. Click. Button pressed coldly.
Zzzzt! Intense electricity surged through the floor. Voltage lethal to humans or weak anomalies. Even tough ones would react.
“……No signal.”
Yet the anomaly didn't move. Only [B-077] beside it convulsed wildly.
“How long did it last?”
“10 minutes 21 seconds.”
“…A shame.”
Anomalies from [A-031], aka 'The Dreamer', lasted at least a day.
Just 10 minutes? Disappointing.
Abilities not fully developed? Or [XX-04]'s unique resistance rejected the drug?
Either way, more to research was good. At least, that's how the researchers here felt.
“Collect it. Dissection should yield something.”
Lead's order. Three soldiers prepped entry.
Exactly per manual: wait 30 more minutes, three more shocks at 10-minute intervals, then card key to steel door.
Hiss…!
Air escaped as the narrow door—barely one-person wide—opened. Designed to prevent escape, discomfort accepted.
Step. Step.
Three boots echoed loudly inside.
One with rifle, one with special saw for cutting anomalies, one with syringe of enzyme to temporarily disable normal ones.
They approached slowly. Dead, no twitch. Even as enzyme injected, no issue.
Until.
-Kieeeek…!
That instant, the anomaly opened its eyes. Rose with merciless speed.
Too late to react.
Crunch.
“………!”
Front soldier bisected vertically. Clean end, no death cry.
Squelch.
Long leg pierced next soldier's gut.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Rear soldier fired wildly, but anomaly ignored pain, no hesitation.
“U, uwaaaaaah!”
Realizing it couldn't be killed, he turned to flee…
Slam…!
Door shut first. He stared blankly outside.
Realizing.
“Save…… me…… please……”
No one would let him out. That was the manual.
“Gaaaahhh…!”
All three dead in under a minute.
Mission complete, the anomaly…
Boom! Exploded. Shredded to nothing, just foul liquid splattered everywhere.
“Playing dead, huh?”
“Maybe postmortem reaction. Enzyme was injected, after all. Similar to [B-019]'s pattern.”
“Or inherited [XX-04]'s resistance fully. Raise enzyme concentration next time.”
Researchers commented indifferently, logging everything.
Happened every six months or so. Upset or pity? Unfit for anomaly research.
“Didn't expect it to explode like that.”
No dissection material was a shame, but saved work. Soldiers' corpses mostly gone too.
[B-077] barely clung to life. Explosion damage visible, parts unrepaired.
“[XX-04]'s status?”
“Same as before. Just sitting quietly. Vitals unchanged.”
Not directly controlled?
Theoretically likely. [A-031] had no control over its creations.
Early tests, nearly killed by its own often.
“Back to confinement. Request reinforcements from above.”
Three losses hurt, especially with main forces moved to new Jeju underground lab.
Mercenaries from abroad? Above's problem.
**
Screech… slam!
I returned to my original confinement about three hours later.
Only then restraints off, light visible again.
Suffocating, but not bad. Expected longer experiment.
Just one injection? And not without gains. Quite satisfying, even.
“You're back…! You're okay, right? They didn't do anything too bad?”
Eyes open, the woman—[XX-02]—hugged me gently, like waiting.
Were we that close? Or was she naturally affectionate?
Couldn't tell.
But her hug revealed.
“……”
She was sweating faintly. Subtle dampness.
Enhanced hearing caught her heart pounding hard.
Strange.
Room humid, but cool. No reason to sweat.
Did she exercise? In this barren cell?
“How was it…? You're really okay?”
I nodded casually to her question. Not a lie. Body felt perfectly fine.
Even better than before, maybe drug effect.
“Good… that's a relief.”
She patted my back three-four times, then pulled away.
Her hands trembled oddly. Wanted to ask more, but lips moved silently. Didn't open.
Finally, rest time.
Not tired, but lay on cold floor for calm—
Slam!
Impatient intruder visited again.
Not for me, though.
“[XX-02]. Come here!”
Fully armed soldier aimed rifle at the woman.
Her turn for experiments? Check her arm scars later.
“I'll… be back.”
She gave me a sad look, then staggered weakly as dragged away.
Slam! Now alone. Huge luck for me—a faint smile crept unbidden.
**
Step… step.
“That's enough already. Put the gun away? It's poking, uncomfortable.”