Welcome to Sunshine Orphanage!
“Welcome back to Sunshine Orphanage!!!”
Right after returning to the small, cozy containment cell.
I proudly introduced it to the two daughters I’d taken in.
Our brand-new orphanage.
Sunshine Orphanage!!
“Hngh.”
Finally being able to stay with my kids again… Maybe I’m getting close to menopause, because I feel like I’m about to cry.
“Whoa. This is the Management Bureau? It’s cleaner than I expected.”
“Waa, Director… hug me…”
The youngest was acting spoiled.
While I was lifting her tiny body and spinning her around, a sudden question popped into my head.
“By the way, Yulha. How did you know this place was a Management Bureau attraction?”
Yulha raised one eyebrow.
“Because it’s obvious. You’re the weird one, Director. Acting like you’re the only one who didn’t know anything.”
“Mm… When I grow up, I’m going to join the Management Bureau… or maybe some other company? Ugh.”
Arin chimed in, fidgeting.
Hmm.
Even the kids were over-immersed in the weird setting.
Logically speaking, it didn’t make sense that I was the only one who didn’t know the Management Bureau existed. Not even the sub-sub-subcontractor level?
Brain, full throttle!
But no clear answer came out.
‘I don’t get it, so I’ll just play with the kids.’
Just then, the containment cell door opened again. Seoa came running in, weaving past the armed staff.
“Oppa!! Thank goodness. I thought something happened to you and the kids… Hoo.”
She hugged me tightly.
Why the sudden hug?
She was incredibly soft, but the kids were watching, so I had to endure!
After patting her back a few times, Seoa slowly pulled away.
Whoa, look at those dark circles. Did she pull an all-nighter?
“Kids, are you okay? You must’ve been so scared!”
“Ah, Seoa unni. Hello.”
“Seoa unni… hug me too…”
“Okay! Come here! …Ehehe. So soft.”
Yu Seoa picked up the kids and started spinning them around.
A soft woman playing with soft little ones. My brain felt like it was melting.
“Ahem. SIN-998? We’ve received orders from above. The children can stay in the facility, but not in this containment cell.”
“What. Why?”
“Because of your anomalous properties… that’s the setting.”
Were the explanations getting lazier and lazier?
I decided to let it slide, thinking they were being considerate of my intelligence.
“Anyway, the children will be staying in the containment cell right next door. SIN-1000, Azazel. You remember her, right?”
“Our Azazel? Perfect. But did you get her agreement?”
“She threw a huge tantrum saying she didn’t want to, so I showed her a photo of SIN-998. Azazel? Come in.”
She shuffled in reluctantly.
The red-haired little brat (not really) appeared with her mouth tightly shut.
“Why are you giving my private containment cell to kids I don’t even know— Eek!”
She shot me a resentful glare, but when I glanced at her, she flinched and panicked.
“Azazel. Congratulations on becoming the youngest member of Sunshine Orphanage.”
“Wha-wha-whaaat!? Why me!!?”
“I’m Jang Arin…”
“Baek Yulha.”
Good, good. I’d taught them to ignore unnecessary reactions, and they were following it well. They really were my daughters.
Azazel’s brow suddenly furrowed as she pointed at Yulha.
“You, the slightly bigger kid. Why are you speaking informally?”
“On the streets, establishing hierarchy is a serious matter.”
“Haa? Right now, compared to this Azazel-sama…”
“It’s Azazel, right? Do you know what that means? Do you go to the bathroom a lot?”
“It’s not Azazel—!!!”
She was already hooked.
Grow up well.
In short, the neighboring SIN-1000 containment cell had become a playroom and bedroom. And my room had turned into the director’s office.
Very satisfying.
I casually asked Seoa.
“Now’s the time to receive the cooperation conditions.”
“Cooperation conditions? What were they again?”
“Curry.”
“Ah, right, right.”
She’d already forgotten. These shady attraction guys.
The kids were still growing!
Curry rations were a serious matter!
***
The Site 277 supervisor was monitoring the cafeteria situation.
‘He single-handedly eliminated a Gamma-class entity, and all he’s requesting is curry for the kids?’
Other anomalous entities would’ve made all sorts of demands.
Plus, was the current situation really just “the situation”?
The Management Bureau Council had shown considerable satisfaction upon hearing the report of SIN-538 Mujin City’s elimination.
This place was originally Wide-Area Containment Zone 82, Republic of Korea. Even among numerous wide-area zones, it was on the outskirts.
It was unprecedented for the Council to show direct interest.
And yet he was making such modest requests.
‘Is he simple, or just naive?’
If there were other requests, I should grant them.
The supervisor nodded while watching the cafeteria feed.
Meanwhile, a rare sight was unfolding in the cafeteria.
“…Mm.”
“Is this correct?”
The containment task force Lost Paradise.
After disarming, they were wearing aprons and making curry.
Even SIN-998 The Director was supervising from behind.
“Good. When it’s done, you’ll be eating it too, so put your soul into it.”
Lee Shin stood with his arms crossed, looking dignified.
If it looked really wrong, he planned to step in.
The cafeteria staff whispered among themselves at the rare scene. Tatiana focused on cutting carrots, pretending not to hear.
‘It’s peaceful.’
Honestly, she didn’t dislike it. In fact, she quite liked it.
She never expected to feel such a casual atmosphere in the usually cold and emotionless Management Bureau.
A few other team members looked puzzled.
“We’re a containment task force. Why are we here peeling onions together like some happy family?”
“Sig-9. This is part of the containment procedure. It’s an important mission.”
Even while speaking stiffly, Tatiana’s expression softened warmly.
“Sig-1. Your expression looks really nice. Do you like kids?”
“Sig-11. Stop chatting.”
“Understood.”
“…Well, I don’t dislike them. Kids.”
She tried to sound professional on the surface, but there was one problem.
Tatiana Karstein had zero cooking skills.
Yu Seoa, watching from behind, let out a sigh.
“S-Supervisor. The carrots are… a bit free-spirited in shape.”
“Mm.”
“You have to peel the potatoes…?”
“U-um.”
“No no, you can’t put the sprouts in!”
“Uuuuuum…”
Tatiana Karstein. Task force leader and chief researcher.
Her domestic skills were completely destroyed.
After being recruited by the Bureau at thirteen, she’d eaten nothing but cafeteria food for ten years. It was inevitable.
“If it’s not too much trouble, let me help.”
Unable to watch any longer, Yu Seoa tied her apron tightly.
Swish. Swish swish swish swish.
With godlike knife skills, the ingredients were perfectly prepped in no time.
“…You’re good at this. Assistant Researcher Yu Seoa.”
“Huh? Ah, thank you. Oppa… I mean, before SIN-998 was contained, he cooked quite a lot for me.”
“…I see.”
Squeeze.
Tatiana felt a strange tightness in her chest.
‘Is it because I pulled an all-nighter on the mission? What kind of symptom is this?’
Something.
Something felt off!
“Thank you. I’ll handle the rest.”
“Good luck, Supervisor…!”
Just as she was about to stir-fry the ingredients with a triumphant strike—
She felt Lee Shin’s gaze from behind.
“Huuup.”
“998? Am I doing something wrong?”
“Huuuup. That’s not how you do it.”
“…Is that so.”
Tatiana looked slightly dejected as she set the pot down.
At that moment, a very solid male body pressed against her back.
“Huh?”
“Watch. I’ll teach you. The key to curry is the wok. You need to give it that wok hei!”
“998. But why are you grabbing my arms from behind?”
“Just giving a newbie some tips. Now! Grab the wok handle!”
Back hug.
Essentially in a position like embracing her from behind, Lee Shin began stir-frying with Tatiana.
‘Do you normally use a wok for curry…?’
Any rational common sense vanished from her mind in an instant.
Tatiana couldn’t say a word and simply followed Lee Shin’s hands as she stir-fried the ingredients.
Something felt strange today.
Emotions she’d never felt before kept surfacing.
Her heart rate suddenly spiked for no reason.
‘Is this a side effect of the mission? Maybe I was affected by an anomaly when I entered Mujin City.’
…That would be the rational conclusion.
“There! It’s done! A Maillard-wok-hei curry that would make even Maillard’s mom shove her fist in her mouth and sob!!”
“Huh? Yeah. That’s great, mm. Smells good, mm-hmm.”
Gasp.
Tatiana covered her mouth.
She’d been so out of it that she’d accidentally used cute speech at the end of her sentences.
Adding “mm” at the end was her mother’s habit.
“Oh? Tatiana. You have a more human side than I thought.”
“………I see.”
Embarrassing.
It felt like something was seriously breaking.
Lee Shin casually scooped up a spoonful of curry.
“Seoa, try it.”
“Mmm. It’s good!! The kids will love it!”
“Tatiana. Want to try?”
Now it was Tatiana’s turn. Lee Shin’s spoon approached her mouth in an instant.
Poof.
For the first time in her life, Tatiana stammered incoherently.
“Eh? Ah, uuum. I-I…”
“If you don’t want it, just say so. But I have one more favor to ask.”
“A favor? Uh, yeah. What is it?”
The next words didn’t sit well with her.
“Can you bring a bowl of curry to Lael too?”
***
Beta-class containment zone.
SIN-077 Lael’s containment cell.
The fully armed containment task force aimed their guns, extremely tense.
Lael let out a sigh.
“When are you guys going to treat me normally?”
“SIN-077. Step back and sit at the table.”
“Huh? Is it already mealtime?”
[Time until next blood supply]
13 hours 38 minutes 43 seconds
Not yet.
Then what was the catch? They didn’t even like seeing her face.
When she obediently sat in the chair, the task force leader brought over a covered plate.
“Tatiana. Right.”
“……….”
“Can’t even introduce ourselves?”
Lael felt a flicker of irritation and lifted the lid.
“What’s this.”
Curry.
Why? Why curry all of a sudden?
Did they put poison or bugs in it?
While she was staring blankly, Tatiana explained through her gas mask.
“SIN-077. This curry was made by SIN-998 The Director together with the children.”
“Ah. That delicious-blooded, solid guy?”
Well, that changed things.
Lael scooped up a spoonful of curry and tasted it. Her eyes widened.
‘Mm? It’s good? Way better than I expected.’
Before she knew it, several more spoonfuls had gone into her mouth. She was so busy swallowing that she almost forgot to say thank you.
“Uum. It’s good. Tell him I enjoyed it.”
It had been a long time since she’d smiled with genuine joy.
After living for thousands of years, she’d never needed to consume anything other than blood, but this was a very satisfying meal.
After all, what mattered most in cooking was who made it.
***
And so the peaceful day came to an end.
For someone, it was the beginning of something new.
Deepest part of the facility, 102nd basement floor.
The Management Bureau Council logo appeared on the screen in the supervisor’s office.
“Reporting to the Council members.”
“Yes, has the investigation made any progress?”
The Council Chair’s gentle voice echoed softly.
The supervisor swallowed dryly.
“Yes. The ones who raided for blood last time, killed the staff sent to the orphanage, and impersonated the Management Bureau. We’ve identified them all as belonging to an organization under the Serpent Cult.”
“They’re probably just pawns of pawns. The Serpent Cult never shows its face.”
A brief silence fell.
The supervisor spoke with difficulty.
“SIN-998 has an additional request.”
“Oh? The Director? What kind of request?”
“He wants his phone back.”
Pfft.
The Chair burst out laughing.
The entire Council was paying attention, and all he wanted was a phone.
There was no reason not to return it.
“Give it back.”
After all, the entire human race already knew about the Management Bureau’s existence. Security processing was a piece of cake.
Even so, the Chair felt a small spark of curiosity.
“What did he say the purpose was?”
“He wants to contact his older brother and a friend.”
The laughter from the other side of the screen stopped.
“…That’s unfortunate.”
Lee Shin’s older brother.
Icarus, a fire sergeant who worked at Seoul Cheondo Fire Station.
He was no longer of this world.
He had fallen victim to the possession phenomenon that was spreading like a plague across the planet.
And the Serpent Cult was likely the cause of that possession phenomenon.