Kindred (4)
Kindred (4)
The business at Seoul Headquarters ends here.
Although we found out some things, considering the trouble of coming here, there wasn't much gain.
I head down to the parking lot to prepare for the return, but there was someone seeing me off.
"Kang Tae-jun Team Leader. Got a moment?"
I call out to Kang Tae-jun, who looks busy.
There must be a reason he's calling him despite clearly being busy.
Kang Tae-jun excuses himself to those around him and approaches Go Jun-ho.
"It's a shame we brought that entity along for nothing."
"It's not for nothing, is it? Through this visit, we were able to gather information that anomalies are forming organizations."
Even if Go Jun-ho considers it trivial information, Kang Tae-jun treats it as a gain.
He's not the type to dwell on things not in his hands.
A man who calculates gains no matter how small if they fall into his grasp.
"Everyone must have imagined that much already. Didn't you handle that crazy doctor and the destruction of the anomaly hospital just a while ago?"
"That was a case of temporary cooperation. This time, it indicates a full organization. Or it could be a faction that has formed an alliance with anomalies, like us."
As if certain factions come to mind, both their eyes turned quite serious.
"What will you do from now on?"
"We'll return to normal operations, but the scope of our search will widen compared to last time. This is an issue the Management Bureau won't easily let slide."
Everyone knows the Management Bureau is a globally influential force.
However, since they operate hidden in the shadows of the world, there are limits to proactive action.
So they have to read the room before taking measures and only move when a clear decision is made.
But when it comes to forces threatening the Management Bureau, there is no passive action.
They track them down in an instant, leaving no trace, and erase them from records.
It's no empty talk since they're a global organization with that much military power.
Of course, there are a few forces capable of responding.
Representatively, the Peacekeeping Corps and Cerberus.
Other minor ones will taste the power and disappear on their own.
"Do you think those factions are involved?"
"I'm not sure yet. Their modus operandi seems a bit off."
"Cerberus is the most likely to cooperate, but those macho guys don't usually act slyly."
Since we don't know yet, speculation ends here.
Kang Tae-jun signals that he should be going.
Go Jun-ho smacks his lips regretfully, as if he's sorry to see his serious conversation partner leave.
"I've been keeping you too long. Alright, good work. I'll dig deeper into your interview content and extract some information."
"Thank you for your help, Doctor-nim."
"Yeah. Work hard."
They shook hands.
Just as Kang Tae-jun was about to leave, he looked at Go Jun-ho, who wasn't letting go, with a puzzled expression.
"Doctor-nim?"
"How about this instead?"
"What do you mean?"
"Blade Head. You guys take it."
Handing over an anomaly?
Since they're both under the Korean branch anyway, sharing or transferring anomalies depending on the situation is common.
Joint research.
Or anomaly transfer.
But it's rare for a single doctor to decide unilaterally like this.
"Is that okay? What about the Branch Director-nim's permission..."
"Aish, that Branch Director lady. Nothing to worry about. It's not like I'm transferring it because I don't want to manage it."
Letting go of his hand, Go Jun-ho thrust both hands into his lab coat pockets and then jerked his chin toward the container.
"That entity won't budge with us. It doesn't give us any angle to get information from. But when that Blue Flame came, it reacted dramatically."
"That is true, but..."
"Meaning there's more to gain from you guys having it than us. The Council will gladly approve too. You know? Those people will throw anyone under the bus if they can profit."
Kang Tae-jun understands, knowing how ruthless the Council is.
After thinking it over, it really does seem better to do as Go Jun-ho says.
Even the guy who was silent back at headquarters does at least respond when Blue Flame is in front of him.
"And besides... sigh... No, never mind."
"Please, go on."
"See if you can- coax it a bit. That Blue Flame guy cooperated with us too, right? Thanks to that, anomalies aren't just research subjects anymore."
Kang Tae-jun's eyes narrow.
He understands what he's getting at.
That's no different from a greedy man's delusion, hoping for too much because of one gem before him.
"Blue Flame is the most exceptional being among exceptional probabilities. Sorry, but that direction is a bit dangerous."
"Hmm, I was thinking too positively. But remember, one isn't enough to suppress or destroy anomalies."
Go Jun-ho laughed, casting a light glance toward the headquarters facility.
"Just because we have Captain Isami doesn't make everyone else Isami. Just because we have Blue Flame doesn't make other anomalies Blue Flame."
"That's true. Anyway, I'll take the Blade Head. When can we receive it?"
"We'll transport it to your facility. Thank you, Kang Tae-jun. Thanks to your efforts in cooperating with Blue Flame, the entire Management Bureau has gained greatly."
He seems in a good mood.
A smile appears at the corner of Kang Tae-jun's mouth.
He points at the container.
"Don't thank me, thank that friend over there. Ultimately, it's because of him that the Management Bureau's better direction was decided."
"Ha... I'm still not used to using the word 'friend'."
"How long will it take for the transfer procedures, documents, and command approval?"
"I'll take care of it. Hey, Kang Tae-jun Team Leader. Do you know something?"
Go Jun-ho taps the nameplate on his chest.
"A 1st-grade doctor, you see, has access privileges far beyond what you think. If I work hard for just one day, those complicated procedures will be approved in no time."
"Do 1st-graders really have that much authority?"
"A 1st-grade doctor's access privileges are second only to the Council. So if there are internal matters you can't understand, start suspecting a 1st-grade doctor. Manipulation or hiding information is easy work."
※※※
March 17th.
Deolkeong deolkeong.
A lightly shaking container.
We were in the same space, just staring at the wall.
We recognize each other as comrades, but we're not close enough to share daily life, so we had little to say.
Besides, my conversational style isn't exactly suited for chit-chat.
I'm not a talkative personality either.
"Hey, Blue Head."
Kang Tae-jun's call broke my thoughts.
I turned my body to show I was listening.
"I hesitated because I thought you wouldn't want to hear it, but I'll just ask. How are anomalies born?"
The birth of anomalies.
Frankly, I don't know.
If I knew the secret of their birth, I'd have some clue about my own existence.
Conversely, if I knew my own existence, I'd know about anomalies too.
Chijjik— I don't know——.
I answered through the container's internal speaker.
Kang Tae-jun stared at me for a moment, then looked away in disappointment.
"Yeah. I figured."
Chijjik— That's—— my goal—— to find out.
"Then either way, we're stuck in a structure where we have to keep cooperating."
That's right.
The more I learn about my existence, the more the Management Bureau learns about the secrets of anomalies.
A perfect symbiotic relationship.
The awkward, silent movement began again.
Can't even sleep. Quite uncomfortable.
'...Huh?'
Something is approaching quickly?
I need to expand my senses. The approaching energy is large and intense.
Fast, and big.
And a tenacious dark energy despite its appearance.
"Why are you acting like that?"
Kang Tae-jun picked up on my reaction quickly and asked.
Something is approaching.
I gestured that, and the quick-witted Kang Tae-jun immediately sent out a radio call.
"Aah, this is Team Leader. All units respond."
Responses came from all vehicles.
Confirming me, Kang Tae-jun gave the next order.
"According to Blue Flame's detection, something is currently approaching."
The radio falls silent.
They're also gripping their weapons and assessing the situation.
Meanwhile, the dark energy that approached stopped on the roadside.
This is certain.
An anomaly.
And it's targeting us.
"Nothing has been precisely identified yet. Whether it's an anomaly or another faction. I hope it's a mistake, but still, reinforce the perimeter——"
——Chijijijijik-
A piercing noise.
Pulling the radio away from his ear, Kang Tae-jun turned his gaze to me.
It can't be me.
This is the work of an anomaly that can interfere with radios, like me.
'Could it be an Object Head? Or another anomaly?'
I can't figure it out yet, but one thing is certain.
It's an entity with stronger interference abilities than me.
Kwaaang-
An explosion shakes the ground.
The leading vehicles park diagonally, and the members immediately take cover.
A defensive formation was quickly established.
Even faster than when they infiltrated to subdue me.
"To attack openly in the city center—only a complete lunatic would do that."
Kang Tae-jun, armed with a weapon, was about to go out when he suddenly looked at me.
He stared at me as if deliberating for a moment.
Then he extended a finger and warned.
"Stay put. We'll handle it."
You guys handle an anomaly?
Of course, they're excellent members, so they must have calculated everything.
But the opponent is an anomaly that 'attacked openly'.
Just because we've finished our engagement calculations doesn't mean the other side has no plan.
Meanwhile, the members who finished their preparations began engagement.
Deureureureureuk-
Rifles spray acrid gunpowder smoke everywhere.
At first, the anomaly seemed to be blocked from approaching, but it showed little damage.
"Teams 2 and 3. Establish a containment perimeter."
While shooting from the front, they move from the sides.
And they were holding equipment I hadn't seen before.
Shields.
Probably equipment added as a lesson learned from the engagement with me.
Deureureureureuk-
Front, both sides. The containment net of the approaching members seems to have surprised even the anomaly.
It falters heavily.
Non-stop bullets and the narrowing encirclement.
They're professionals.
"Team 2. Confirm anomaly neutralization impossible."
"Team 3. Requesting retreat."
"All units retreat. Do not engage in close combat."
Even though they have the upper hand now, it's still an anomaly.
If they recklessly approach an anomaly that can't be neutralized, they could fall to its monstrous strength.
Another lesson learned from the battle with me.
"A scent is emanating from the entity!"
"Retreat! I said retreat!"
"What is this? Wine?"
The atmosphere is reversing.
Some members stagger and break formation.
Some members' gun muzzles waver as if their aim keeps missing.
Whether kicked or something, members are sent flying along with their shields.
Deolkeong.
At that moment, the container door opens.
Seeing Kang Tae-jun fully armed with weapons and body armor, I stopped him.
Chijjik— I'm—— going out.
"Huh? No. Contact between entities..."
Chijjik— Are you—— going to let—— the members die?
Kang Tae-jun's eyes darken.
He glares at me fiercely with his mouth shut, but I didn't back down.
Chijjik— Annihilation—— or—— support me——. Choose—— which is smarter.
"...If you get hurt or cause trouble, we're fucking screwed."
Chijjik— Then—— support—— me.
"Tch. Acting like you're the team leader."
Despite his grumbling, Kang Tae-jun didn't go out and instead took out his phone.
As he dialed, he muttered audibly or not.
"Yeah, because I can't have another pointless death."
The call was quickly answered.
"Exchange."
"Kang Tae-jun Team Leader. Serial number KR107786. Requesting headquarters response."
He explains his serial number, following procedure.
A female operator's flat voice is heard.
"Identity confirmed. Kang Tae-jun Team Leader. State your request."
"Requesting combat deployment of G-HO-37286 effective immediately. Combat range designated as within 1km of current location. Combat time set at total 30 minutes."
I gesture as if asking why he has to report every little thing, and Kang Tae-jun makes an angry face to calm me down.
Since the Management Bureau is a mechanical organization run by procedure.
Even in emergencies, this must be a necessary process.
Silence follows without an answer, then an unexpected response comes.
"Not approved."
"What? Why not approved! I'm the Blue Flame's handler! Who disapproved?"
"The Council is concerned about Blue Flame's safety. They do not wish Blue Flame to intervene in this engagement."
"God damn it!"
Growing impatient, Kang Tae-jun glances outside once.
Biting his lip, he looks at me briefly and speaks in a low voice.
"I trust you're listening."
He's not talking to the operator.
Kang Tae-jun is speaking to someone else.
"Blue Flame has been registered as the Management Bureau's most important asset. You may fear it getting damaged, but you can't keep it caged forever just because you call yourselves honorable."
"..."
"Please consider. Whether you lose elite troops and assets waiting for headquarters' support, or take a gamble and accept Blue Flame's help."
"..."
Silence without even a breath.
Just as my patience is about to reach its limit.
A strange man's voice is heard.
"Permission granted."
※※※
kkeuheup... eueuk.
Park Do-hyun, sprawled on the ground, staggered to his feet.
He immediately spotted the rookie leaning against cover right in front of him, firing his gun.
"Hey... you, rookie."
"Senior! Get up! Pick up your gun!"
"I, I... what happened? My head's spinning."
"You're drunk. You were hit by that anomaly's ability!"
"Drunk...? I, I didn't drink..."
Kim A-ri fired again, then slapped Park Do-hyun's cheek, who still wasn't coming to his senses.
Jjaak!
"Ugh."
"It's wine. Because that Object Head's head is wine."
"Wine...?"
Still, the slap brought him to his senses.
He picked up his fallen gun and took cover beside Kim A-ri.
"I feel like I woke up after drinking all night. Give me a situation update."
"Team 1 is currently engaged. Teams 2 and 3, which approached earlier, partially joined Team 1, and the rest have been neutralized."
kkeueut.
Park Do-hyun poked his head out of cover and saw the Object Head striding triumphantly.
Despite all the gunfire, the woman in the red dress was unharmed.
Her voluptuous figure that could drive anyone into ecstasy was certainly the kind that stirred male hearts, but the rest wasn't.
First, her height, hard to believe she was human.
Most importantly, the non-existent head.
In place of her head was none other than a wine glass.
"Ha, she's elegant."
"Elegant? What's elegant about that?!"
"She... is elegant. Damn elegant?"
"That's a woman showing off in revealing clothes."
Indeed, the dress was deeply cut in the back with long side slits.
Beyond elegance, it was provocative enough to drag absurd words out of Park Do-hyun's mouth.
"Possible."
"...What did you say?"
"Ah, no. Ow, my head. What kind of anomaly is that?"
The wine glass floating above where her head should be was a luxurious crystal design.
The delicate craftsmanship was beautiful, and the red wine inside swirled viscously, giving off an strangely eerie feeling.
The stem of the wine glass was also missing, maintaining a perfect balance above the neck.
"You two! Fall back! We'll cover you!"
Team 1 spots them and orders a retreat.
Park Do-hyun grips his gun and says to Kim A-ri.
"Rookie. Go first."
"Understood."
Kim A-ri crouches low and retreats backward.
Seeing her move, Park Do-hyun prepares to follow.
Ttoreureuk.
The Wine Glass Woman tilts her head, letting a few drops of wine fall.
The droplets stop in midair before hitting the ground, moving like living creatures.
"Hey! Kim A-ri!"
Cover fire from Team 1.
But the bullets bounce off without even cracking that glass.
The wine droplets shoot out like a kind of projectile.
"Yaa!"
My body moved first.
My outstretched foot caught up to Kim A-ri, and my hand pushed her forward.
I couldn't keep my balance and fell forward, a silent breeze passing near my leg.
Piit.
My leg feels weak and empty.
I fall flat and can't muster the courage to look.
"Senior!"
I don't feel pain.
Maybe I'm too shocked and in too much pain.
Kim A-ri runs over to check, but her expression darkens.
"Ari... how's my leg?"
"Se, Senior...?"
"My leg's weird... It won't move."
Examining his leg, Kim A-ri bit her lower lip with a look like she was about to cry.
Even after training on how to deal with anomalies and carrying out many operations.
If even that great veteran fails at initial suppression, he becomes nothing but a pitiful human.
That's what anomalies are.
Supernatural beings that drive humans into such corners.
The Management Bureau has fought these monsters for a very long history and will continue to do so.
Ordinary humans can never endure it.
Ttokkak ttokkak.
The Wine Glass Woman approaches with the sound of high heels amidst the rain of bullets.
With an elegant gesture, she supports the bottom of the wine glass—if she were human, it would look like she's cupping her chin.
But the Wine Glass Woman turns her head.
That direction was toward the truck.
Chijijijijik——
Was there an electronics store nearby?
The city speakers, turned into a mess like a battlefield, ring out with noisy static.
Even the relaxed Wine Glass Woman seems tense now, lowering her hand.
Chijijik——
The gunfire stops, and the members scan the surroundings.
After the static slowly fades, a voice echoes with a processing effect.
"The—— price of—— the attack."
"The price."
"The price."
"You—— came prepared—— right?"
"Prepared?"
"Prepared?"
Blue Flame.
His head flame is burning larger than usual as he approaches.
Blue Flame stops beside Kim A-ri.
Another anomaly.
A cosmic horror that breaks your mind and sends chills just by looking at it.
But now, they have to rely on that cosmic horror.
Blue Flame gestures backward, and quick-witted members rush over to support Park Do-hyun.
Kkeuaaaak...
"Hang on. Luckily it's just a hole."
"Is that... lucky?"
After the wounded are moved back, Blue Flame approaches the Wine Glass Woman.
She waits, as if expecting something.
The color of the wine in the glass seems strangely redder.
Elegantly and seductively tilting the wine glass, she extends a hand as if looking at something.
And——
——Kaang!
A fist filled with emotion, and pieces of the wine glass fly up.