Chapter 15
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 15Bureau of Management
March 10th, early morning. I am running on an empty highway. The quiet highway, relying only on street lamps, gave the feeling as if I was the only one existing in the world.
However, helicopters not allowing such silence. AH-64. Attack helicopters called Apaches are chasing me at a perilously low altitude.
'It's not a normal organization.'
Deploying an army and mobilizing helicopters just to catch me. Having their own military, they are an organization with considerable military and financial power.
The helicopter's autocannon moves. But instead of a muzzle, a thick barrel like a cannon was attached there. It probably won't be a bombing. It must be something like a suppression net tool to capture me.
Vroooom-
A military Humvee speeding and approaching at a perilous speed. The aiming helicopters suddenly soar high and distance themselves.
"This is really going to fuck us over later!"
Because of the sound of the wind splitting, the occupant's voice is faint. Only an anomaly with detection abilities like me could hear the occupant's voice. A young-sounding voice is heard terrified from the driver's seat.
"Dr. Seo Young-eun is a Level 2 Doctor! Do you think this will end with just disciplinary action if headquarters finds out about this independent action right now?" "I am a Level 2 Agent too."
An indifferent middle-aged voice answering. The young voice shouted, getting angrier.
"You do know that the power difference between an Agent and a Doctor is different even if they are the same level, right? A Doctor can rise up to Level 1, but an Agent's limit is Level 2!" "I know! That's why I was pushed down to Deputy Team Leader! I have to clean up the shit that bitch took, so be quiet!"
The door of the Humvee opens. The middle-aged man perilously hanging onto the seat and the door. He is wearing a black military uniform, but there's something different from the soldiers I saw at the hospital earlier.
Especially the medal shining on his epaulet. He lifted a megaphone and shook it lightly as if giving a signal.
"Object Head."
A middle-aged voice that feels fatigued echoes through the megaphone.
"Our first meeting was a bit shitty, wasn't it?"
I didn't answer. Because there is no value in talking with these Bureau of Management bastards.
"The composition of this capture team is a bit of a bitch, you see. There's a crazy psycho named Dr. Seo Young-eun! The culprit bitch who set up this board!" "C-Commander! Swearing at the Team Leader is troublesome!"
The figure in the driver's seat freaks out. Looking at the profile briefly visible, it was a young woman wearing a suit, not a soldier.
"If you need an apology for attacking first, I'll apologize as a representative! But honestly, I was against warmly having a conversation while shaking hands with an anomaly! From our side, the conditions to trust you are still lacking." '…….' "Honestly, you know you've been taking shits here and there, right? A guy who suddenly appeared even spread our existence. Do you even know how much cost and manpower is wasted cleaning that up?"
What is it that he wants to say to be acting like that. When I continued not answering, the middle-aged soldier got a sullen expression as if he found it unamusing. Only a little later did he continue speaking.
"We came after grasping what the inside of the hospital the anomaly set up was like! You of all people saved the survivors! Even our operatives only suppressed them and didn't kill them?" "Zzzz- I have no── business── talking."
I cut him off firmly. It was an attitude clearly revealing my distrust of the Bureau of Management. Perhaps surprised for a moment, the middle-aged soldier's expression stiffened.
"Zzzz- To me── you guys── are no different from── anomalies."
Attacking was an issue too, but I disliked the Bureau of Management's actions the most.
The existence of the hospital. Did they know, or did they not know? It's a problem even if they knew, and if they didn't know, their sluggish response method deserves criticism.
The missing persons from this incident amount to dozens. Neglecting the anomaly phenomenon where people go missing, and only now they hastily try to suppress it? In the midst of that, I haven't seen proper equipment for raiding a hospital among the weapons they brought.
"Bzzzzz- Explain── the purpose of your── Bureau of Management's── existence."
If it were a Bureau of Management for humanity, they wouldn't be able to explain neglecting the hospital. If they knew the anomaly was kidnapping people and committing those terrible acts, that corresponds to clear negligence. If this Bureau of Management is not a Bureau of Management for humanity…….
"A global Bureau of Management to protect humanity from anomalies."
Negotiations broken down. Having a conversation with them was a stupid thing in itself. Around the time I was about to slowly slip away from here and search for an area to hide my body.
"Is the old purpose. It's been a long time since it became corrupted."
The middle-aged soldier with a stiff face glares with heavy eyes.
"Right now, the purpose of the Bureau of Surreal Management's existence lies in usurping the abilities of anomalies." '…….' "All anomalies have the power to collapse natural logic and cause surreal phenomena. Representative ones are things like manipulating humanity's memories and interfering with perception. These are technologies we have already secured."
It was an image completely different from the Bureau of Management that appears in fictional works. The Bureau of Management described on the internet is an organization that protects humanity, and isolates and destroys anomalies for the protection of humanity. However, the Bureau of Management in reality was fundamentally different from that.
"Zzzz- What does that── have to do with── neglecting the hospital?" "Does it look like we can just easily destroy anomalies? Do you think we can easily find where anomalies are like you do? Do you really not know why we isolate anomalies and research them for our whole lives with elite doctors to eliminate them for hundreds of years?"
The middle-aged soldier's pupils blaze brightly. Anger on his face, and pent-up resentment loaded in his voice.
"Even if we exert our influence globally, even if we dominate all the sky, land, and sea, we are ultimately human." "…Zzzz." "You anomalies brainwash us to kill our comrades just by making eye contact, and break the bones of our entire bodies just by flicking a hand. Even if we just take a wrong path, we fall into traps you bastards set up, suffer delirium, and later commit suicide alone."
He raises his finger. The middle-aged soldier's finger pointed at the helicopter watching from the sky.
"If you hadn't gone on a rampage right now in that hospital, dozens of operatives would have been completely eaten and killed." "Zzzz- You guys── took no action── while civilians─ were dying." "Took no action?"
The middle-aged soldier, clicking his tongue in disbelief, abruptly shouted as if reciting something.
"Identification number MP-03886! Designation Mad Doctor. Urgent elimination target of the Black threat class. The main body is a parasitic microorganism, so the hosts it transferred to like Lee Dong-hwa number over 76. It also has the ability to command multiple creatures that look exactly the same."
The explanation of the anomaly I consumed. Perhaps because it's an anomaly that wasn't greatly strong but not easy to eliminate, he describes it like a dangerous entity.
"SH-04100! Designation Anomaly Hospital! First discovered in Germany 100 years ago, then Italy, France, Ireland, China, and now South Korea! It's a building-type anomaly that continuously regenerates even if destroyed. It's famous for trapping humans and eating them. Likewise, a Black threat class." '⋯⋯.' "Our Bureau of Management was in the process of carrying out a mission to eliminate the two entities starting decades ago. But do you know that our decades were enough for a single night to someone?"
Perhaps putting strength into his arm, the Humvee's door rattles and tilts. Whether he knew that or not, the middle-aged soldier leaned further forward and shouted.
"But that doesn't mean your words are wrong! We couldn't do anything while people died! Because we never thought you of all people would find the hospital like visiting a neighbor's house!"
Perhaps he felt wronged, it's a desperate cry.
"The manpower, time, and cost to invade an anomaly world are immense. We also found out that the two anomalies were allied and hiding thanks to you. In the first place, our team wasn't a team aiming for the hospital, but a team chasing you."
His finger extends. The middle-aged soldier who pointed at me had eyes full of resolve.
"And we also just found out that you are an entity that eats anomalies."
This is the core. A definite power is loaded in his remark just now.
"I told you, right? The current Bureau of Management's move is aiming to steal anomalies' abilities. Even if we handle state-of-the-art weapons and futuristic technology, we can't beat anomalies that tear humans apart in surrealism." "Zzzz- So──?" "Unless we fire a nuclear bomb or something, in front of anomalies, we are no different from Neolithic people being ripped apart by autocannons."
Suddenly, a rough scolding was heard from his radio. It was a woman's voice, and perhaps she was extraordinarily angry, it was hard to understand the meaning of the words. The middle-aged soldier nonchalantly turned off the radio's power.
"That's why we used a trick. A method of destroying anomalies with anomalies."
Filling humanity's limits with anomalies. Since they have possible technological prowess, it is a wise method that works as the best for them. Of course, the sacrifice of the employees consumed in that process would be beyond imagination, though.
"It would be nice if anomalies just listened well, but that's very difficult. So we steal anomalies' abilities. That is the very best method to stop operatives from dying anymore, and it's also effective."
The speed gradually slows down. Following me, the Humvee's speed also slowed down.
"It's funny to say this to an anomaly. But… an anomaly doesn't kill people and instead saves them from anomalies? Are you perhaps human?"
The words asking if I'm human. They are words that resonate in my chest and stop my ankles.
I stopped my running feet and waited for the middle-aged soldier. The Humvee that stopped after going 10 meters further than me. The middle-aged soldier let out a sigh of relief and then got out of the car.
"Right now, the entities the Bureau of Management isolates globally number over 30,000 alone. But putting all those bastards together, none are like you." '…….' "Even if we save someone, we can't save someone else. So we save the larger side of humanity. Don't expect hero-like justice from us. Because we are fighting shitting blood to save as much as we can save."
The middle-aged soldier approaches. He is quite tall too, but facing me, his head was still about two spans shorter. He approaches, hesitates, but still bravely holds out his hand.
"I'm also pretending to be crazy and throwing a gamble. The authorities desperately need your help. Lend us that power. We will negotiate an appropriate reward separately."
A strange resonance. It is almost the same resonance as when humans shout at me to help them.
"I'm sorry for making our first meeting shitty. It's shameless of me, but let's forget that and plan anew again. I am Kang Tae-jun, Commander of Mobile Task Force 5 of the Bureau of Surreal Management."
I didn't take his hand. Kang Tae-jun also seems to know that it's strange for him to be shaking hands with an anomaly. Perhaps feeling awkward, he waves his hand in the air and pulls it back.
"Damn it, the original plan is ruined. We weren't originally planning to do this. Because a mess suddenly occurred, I urgently deployed. The plan was to persuade you later after you were captured." '…….' "But it's true that it's our fault this situation happened in the end. We buttoned the first button that way, so who would like it? This is my misjudgment." "Commander."
The woman in the driver's seat calls out without even being able to poke her head out the window. Instead, she took the radio outside and shook it.
"Um… she's extremely angry." "Haa, wait a minute."
Kang Tae-jun, who stepped away, turns the radio back on. After a slight gap, Kang Tae-jun talked with the counterpart on the radio as if fighting.
"Yes, Dr. Seo Young-eun. Haa, let's be honest and put it out there. If I hadn't stepped forward, honestly someone would have died. You know it, don't you? No, fuck! Are you the only one who knows how to swear? I know how to do it too! Why are you giving orders when you're the same level!"
Seeing them fight viciously as soon as they started talking, I can guess how deep the rift in their relationship is. Both have strong spirits and considerable stubbornness, they don't seem to have any intention of backing down an inch.
"The team members you lead are my operatives! Don't think of them as consumables to use up like your research team! …Disciplinary action? Ha, shit. Understood. Let's return. Ah, right. We captured it. No, should I call this a capture?"
Kang Tae-jun, who glanced back, glared with those strong pupils. He carefully looked at my flame head and answered the radio.
"Cooperation… is possible. Yes, I did it. Yes, yes. That's why didn't I tell you to follow my words in the field? Office work and fieldwork are different. Yes, yes. Let's just go back."
Kang Tae-jun, who cut off the radio, immediately spouted curses.
"Even when I wipe your ass you throw a fit, fucking bitch!" "Are we returning?" "Yeah. Ah, send a radio message and tell them not to bring the container. Because there's no need to capture it anymore. Let's go quickly. The Bureau of Management won't be able to cover up any more commotion."
Kang Tae-jun gets into the Humvee. Suddenly, he examined me carefully and asked.
"Can you ride?" "Y-yes?! It's going to ride with us?" "It's strange to tell it to walk too, isn't it."
I blankly examined the vehicle and held up three fingers towards Kang Tae-jun. At my unexpected action, Kang Tae-jun reflexively placed his hand on his pistol.
"What? What do you want." "Zzzz- Conditions── three──." "Hah⋯? Right, let's see what anomalies want." "Zzzz- One── suit──." "Your clothes are indeed filthy. It's not a difficult task, so I'll prepare it. What else?" "Zzzz- Two── sofa──." "Sofa? Ah, do you need a place to stay? I'll try suggesting it to the branch. What else?" "Zzzz- Three── television─ a big one──." "⋯⋯."
Kang Tae-jun, having heard the demands, let out a subtle sigh and rubbed his face. He turned his eyes out the window and clicked his tongue.
"Fucking modest."
12 screens. Within the screens spread wide in a semicircle, 12 personnel who had intentionally covered their features were seated.
A solemn and stern atmosphere naturally makes the mood heavy. Down below where they looked down, Dr. Seo Young-eun and Commander Kang Tae-jun were waiting in a parade rest position. The figure straight ahead in the 12 screens raised one hand and spoke.
"Did you say cooperation with an anomaly?"
They spoke in English, but perhaps there is an automatic translation function, it is heard in Korean. Dr. Seo Young-eun shouted with a tense expression.
"Yes! After our efforts, a cooperative relationship with the entity in question has been formed."
Kang Tae-jun's brow twitched subtly. It is a situation achieved purely through the efforts of Kang Tae-jun himself and his operatives, not her efforts. He wanted to point that part out right away, but right now he must not cut in no matter what happens.
That would be so. Because the figures in front of his eyes right now are none other than people from 'The Council' families.
Global tycoons who supported massive influence and capital in the establishment of the Bureau of Surreal Management in the distant past. Granted an exceptional rank of Level 0 within the Bureau of Management. They are existences who can wield absolute power within the Bureau of Management, truly revered beyond kings, like gods.
He knows that the personnel, starting with 6 people in the early days, increased to 10 people. It became 20 people, and sometimes reduced back to 6 people; a lot of power struggles occurred inside The Council as well. Currently, it remains at 12 people, having a period of stability.
If water stays still for a long time, it pools, and if it pools, it rots. Thanks to that, Kang Tae-jun tends to dislike The Council very much. Of course, if he reveals that, no one knows what retaliation will come.
"You said it consumed two entities in the area in question?"
Kang Tae-jun answered this part.
"B-MP-03886, B-SH-04100. The destruction of the two entities has been confirmed. Among the kidnapped personnel, the surviving figures are scheduled to return to society after undergoing mental pollution diagnosis and memory manipulation processing." "What about handling the dead people?"
Kang Tae-jun let out a small sigh and then answered.
"There are bereaved families who want the bodies returned, but in the current situation where the risk of exposure has increased anyway, the state of the bodies could only cause chaos. We plan to sell out Korean-Chinese human traffickers we are monitoring to disguise it as human trafficking, and then send the bodies."
He didn't stop there and continued speaking.
"There are press and police authorities who witnessed or suspect the situation last night. They are currently being processed using memory manipulation technology, and to prepare for any possible internet leaks, our employees are conducting 24-hour surveillance of communities and YouTube." "Thorough." "There are many talents in the small country of South Korea."
Unlike their majesty, The Council tends to give praise quite frequently. Because they know how to inspire motivation and drive in their employees by giving praise. Although from the perspective of Kang Tae-jun, who extremely hates The Council, it felt close to pure hypocrisy.
"Commander Kang Tae-jun is actually a veteran with considerable work abilities."
An elegant woman's voice cuts in from The Council seats. Pure Korean without the translation function being used. Kang Tae-jun knows who she is.
"As far as I know. He demonstrates abilities that satisfy everyone, such as having a thorough sense of responsibility for given missions and excellently accomplishing the management of entities he is in charge of."
Belonging to The Council and the South Korean Branch Director. A person like the queen of current South Korea. Cha Soo-hyun. She is the woman with the most dangerous snake's tongue in South Korea.
"If we only consider work ability, he is a talent capable of being transferred to the Seoul Headquarters. Is the South Korean Branch Director not interested?" "Oh my, you should know. Kang Tae-jun is a coveted talent too, but the Seoul Headquarters already has an irreplaceable figure, doesn't it." "Ah, is it that person Lee Sa-mi? Then it can't be helped." "Commander Lee Sa-mi……. It's a pity. No matter how good your abilities are, if Lee Sa-mi is at headquarters, there are no transfer opportunities."
Their own conversation ended, and a location was projected through the center hologram.
A room structure similar to the shape of a studio apartment. A large television model filling the wall of the room. A sofa placed closely in front of it. Unlike before, the Object Head with blue flame hair, wearing a much better-fitting and suitable suit, is watching a TV program.
"Is there a possibility of it turning hostile later?" "It has not been confirmed yet." "Cooperating with an anomaly is something that has never happened before. It is an extremely perilous plan. Can you take responsibility?" "Yes. Of course."
Kang Tae-jun answered with certainty. All The Council figures nod their heads. As if making a ruling, the oldest member of The Council shouted.
"We will assign an identification number to the current entity. R-HO-37286. Designation Blue Flame. However, citing the point that it has no hostile intentions and communication and cooperation are possible, we adjust the threat class level of the entity in question from RED to GREEN." "G-HO-37286. The entity in question has the ability to consume other anomalies. If utilized well, we will be able to eliminate the Black threat class anomalies we haven't been able to eliminate until now. Furthermore, we will pin our hopes on the WHITE class as well." "We issue a special directive that Level 2 Dr. Seo Young-eun and Commander Kang Tae-jun of Mobile Task Force 5 will take charge as the managers of 37286." "We inform you that The Council will continue to monitor the missions the entity in question will be deployed to in the future." "The authorities shall express infinite glory to your sacrifices."