Chapter 3
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Are You Human?
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"Run!"
My shout echoed through the darkness, and Peanut leaped into the elevator shaft without hesitation.
The clamor of the statues roared from behind us. A brief moment of weightlessness. Then came the gut-wrenching sensation, like dropping on a rollercoaster, that made my legs go weak.
"Hyah!?"
So even though I'd given the order myself, I flinched in shock and grabbed onto its arm. Severed elevator cables and emergency lights whipped past my eyes. The sackcloth draped over me fluttered wildly.
That was the moment Peanut moved again.
Rumble—!
Its fist smashed through the outer wall of the elevator shaft. Scraaape—! A harsh metallic screech rang out, sparks flew, and our fall began to slow.
Thanks to that, there was no bone-jarring impact like I'd feared. The statue landed lightly on the floor, steadied my unbalanced body back onto its shoulder, and pulled its hand free from the wall.
"You...!"
Snap. Along with the sound of wires snapping, the fist it yanked out was a mangled mess. Blood oozed from the deeply gashed hand.
At that instant, starlight enveloped its hand.
It felt like something drained out of my body. Not as much as when I'd raised the statues from the atelier ruins earlier... but enough to leave a faint emptiness.
"Ah?"
Natural healing.
The mechanic where a summon heals its wounds using the summoner's power when bound to them.
Did that mean it counted as my summon? I hadn't summoned it myself, but it was bound to me, following my orders...
Whatever the case, it was a relief.
I was the type who got oddly attached even to trivial things, unable to let go easily.
"Phew, you had me worried...!"
Tap. I gave its shoulder a light pat and hopped down. Only then did the chaotic state of the hallway come into view.
Smashed statues and half-mutated agent corpses. Collapsed barricades, dented doors. And... at the end, a massive circular door like a bank vault.
"At least it hasn't been breached yet... I guess that's something?"
If they'd broken through there, all hope would be lost. Beyond that was the control room that managed every mutated entity.
I stepped up to the door, leaving Peanut behind.
My frail body wasn't suited for prying open such a massive door, but that didn't matter. Once I passed authentication, Peanut could handle it.
"Everything for the survival of humanity!"
I placed my hand on the door and shouted. The smooth steel surface rippled, letters gathering like waves.
[Are You Human?]
When that message appeared, I honestly tensed up a bit.
I wasn't even sure if I was human myself. What if they treated me as an anomalous entity just for being the 'Goddess of Art'?
The Management Bureau's final line of defense.
I'd seen plenty of people torn apart here for lying recklessly in emergencies, trying to protect the city from anomalies.
But I couldn't not answer. Forcing the door open meant certain death. This massive steel door was an anomalous entity too.
Gulp.
I swallowed once and answered firmly.
"Of course."
Thump. Thump. My heartbeat echoed steadily.
It took about 15 seconds for the next question. Each one felt like a minute.
[...]
[...]
[...Confirmed]
[Can you swear to use your abilities for humanity?]
"Phew..."
So when the next question appeared, I could relax.
I could answer this one confidently. My art, my creations—they were tools to bring joy to people, nothing more.
"Of course."
[Authentication Complete]
[We are humanity's last bastion]
[Always keep this in mind]
[The Anomaly Management Control Department bears no responsibility for what happens if you break your oath]
"Ugh, it gives me chills every time...?"
I muttered softly and stepped back. With a clunk, the locks disengaged, and the massive circular door shifted slightly.
"If you would."
Peanut, steadfastly guarding our rear, nodded. The wooden statue about 1.5 times my size casually swung the door open.
And we faced a situation I never saw coming.
"What the fuck!? Anomalous entity!"
A man's shout rang out, followed by grenades and a hail of bullets.
Sure enough, Peanut's thoughts didn't deviate from my expectations at all. Seeing it poised to charge in and wreak havoc, I quickly yanked its arm.
"Stop! They're not enemies! You guys stop too, please!"
As I pulled Peanut back and shouted, the shooting ceased. In the brief silence, a man's voice called out.
"Who's there?"
"Yes! Baek Eunha, Management Bureau collaborator!"
Public agencies often worked with civilians.
The Management Bureau was no different.
It frequently partnered with civilians who had 'anomalous' abilities.
People who didn't want to get too deep into the underworld's dangers but couldn't resist the Bureau's hefty rewards. Suspicious, sure... but the best cover I could claim right now.
"...If you're a real civilian collaborator, please step forward with your hands up."
"Ah, yes. Of course...!"
I pushed Peanut, who looked at me worriedly, behind me and crossed the threshold, raising both hands.
Was it my youthful appearance?
The agent's eyes wavered slightly from behind cover, gun trained on me.
"A kid...?"
"This door doesn't open if I'm not human or if I'm your enemy. I opened it myself, so that should be proof enough...!"
Only then did the soldier lower his weapon, nodding in agreement.
"Sorry. Given the situation, I overreacted."
The lead soldier lowered his gun and approached. Another behind him, who'd been pointing at something, asked while eyeing the statue.
"So, is that statue yours?"
"Ah, yes. It's like my bodyguard. It's safe, no need to worry."
Ruuuumble...
The heavy door sealed shut with a thud. The room plunged back into thick silence.
But something felt off inside.
Similar to the statues outside, yet different. A presence like human and statue fused together.
Pinning down the source wasn't hard. Against the wall, a woman groaned, clutching an arm turned to marble.
"..."
As I stared quietly, a soldier racked a round and approached.
"Sorry, but could you move elsewhere for now? The situation's already gone south, and before she mutates further..."
He trailed off, but the implication was clear.
Putting down team members lost to anomalies was routine for the Bureau.
"Hold on."
But this case was different.
If they'd fully turned to statues, I couldn't help. Reviving the dead defied the world's laws.
But if they were still alive, still resisting mutation... I had a chance to intervene.
"I might be able to cure her."
"Pardon?"
"Don't let appearances fool you—I'm an Anomalous Artist."
I approached confidently and reached out. Like at the atelier ruins, I gathered starlight in my palm and touched the hardening arm.
The statue's obsession flowed in.
Fixation on perfection. Hatred for asymmetry, arbitrary forms, inconsistent behaviors—life's chaos, especially humanity's inefficiency.
I overlaid it with her own emotions.
Just as I'd smothered the statues' hatred with my power.
"Han Yura, right?"
"How... do you...?"
"My ability."
The graying hair halted its change. The marble arm regained color, her ragged breaths easing.
"What do you think humans are?"
"Humans... are, ugh...!"
"It's okay. No need to overthink. Just one word, anything."
Han Yura clutched her head with her untainted hand. After a moment's struggle, she answered hoarsely.
"Humans... don't have to be perfect."
The information overwrote itself.
Her hair returned to its original color, marble flaking off from the wound.
What emerged was a tiny bug tinged with marble hues, wriggling in search of a new host. I hurled a sculpting knife at it.
Only then did Han Yura's expression improve.
Her arm regained its natural tone, and the blood from the wound flowed red once more.
"Phew..."
Finally, I could exhale. We'd cleared one hurdle.
"Alright. Now, down to business?"
As I spoke, the wary gazes softened noticeably.
Time to properly resolve the situation.