World Politics Board #2
After that, I found myself holding Spandal's hand as we headed off for a mental evaluation. It felt like a little kid being dragged to the hospital by his mom—except this was a psychiatrist?
"This is my first time getting a mental evaluation."
"All agents have to undergo them regularly."
"If I skip it, I'll end up like those Sejeong-ge users, right?"
"Hmm. I wonder."
The Bureau's building was enormous, and there were still plenty of areas I hadn't explored. We rode the elevator until we reached the Bureau's psychiatric department.
"I'm not crazy...! I don't want to go to the hospital!"
"What, what?"
"Just kidding."
"You really...! Haah! Fine! Just get in there! I'll wait out here!"
Flustering Spandal was always entertaining.
I opened the door and stepped inside.
"Hello. Agent Grong, reporting in."
"Oh, hello. I'm Pantermero from the Bureau's psychiatric team."
A man with an extremely severe 5:5 part greeted me. I'd never seen such an extreme hairstyle before.
His hair was gray, and he wore a white coat. He looked every bit the psychiatrist—though, as expected, he was still an agent.
"Have a seat."
"Yes."
"We'll begin the evaluation now. Is there anything troubling you or making you anxious?"
There were more than enough things making me anxious.
But my greatest fears and anxieties were tied to my regression, and that was something I could never tell anyone.
"Having trouble putting it into words?"
"Hmm... Now that I'm trying to think about it, nothing really comes to mind."
"Then please fill this out."
Pantermero handed me a sheet of paper.
1. What makes you the most anxious?
I couldn't write "regression," so I put down "vampire attack."
I answered the rest of the questions in the same manner and submitted the form.
"Hmm... I sense a very strong fixation on vampires."
"Can't be helped. Becoming an agent in the first place was all because of vampires, after all."
"Understood. Please follow me."
There was more?
I followed him into another room.
The moment the door opened, I saw it.
"..."
A massive machine of unknown purpose and what looked like a surgical bed. Was he really going to stick those patch-like things from the machine onto my head for the evaluation?
This seemed way too suspicious.
"Please lie down here."
"Are you going to attach those things all over my body for the scan?"
"Yes."
"What exactly is this machine?"
"It's a device that reads an agent's mental state. Now, please lie down."
Ah, shit.
What the hell?
Why was I so uneasy?
What if something happened after this?
But I couldn't let that show. Refusing the evaluation here would look strange. Besides, what did I have to worry about in our own headquarters?
I lay down on the bed.
—Tap.
Dr. Pantermero attached a patch to my forehead. A dull sensation began to spread through me, accompanied by a sense of comfort. It was the same feeling of being pulled under that I sometimes experienced right before falling asleep. That sensation wrapped around my entire body.
"Clap. All done."
"Excuse me?"
The examination was over.
Already?
"Come along. Let's go hear the results."
"That ended pretty quickly, didn't it?"
"It wasn't that fast."
I followed him anyway.
"Well, Grong. After conducting the mental evaluation, your anxiety and fear levels aren't particularly high. On the contrary, the results show your mental fortitude is exceptionally strong."
"Oh, really?"
Graphs I couldn't understand appeared on the computer screen. When he pointed at them and declared my mental strength was powerful, I simply nodded.
"With this level of mental fortitude, you'd rank in the upper tier even among Bureau agents. That said, your fixation on vampires is quite strong, but it's still within acceptable limits."
"What happens if it exceeds the limit?"
"Treatment would be necessary, of course. An agent with an unstable mind couldn't perform their duties properly."
"I see."
"It seems your fixation on vampires also serves as a way for you to steady your mind. Am I right?"
"Yes. By preparing for and anticipating vampires, I can maintain a calm state."
"That's a positive thing. I'll send the results to Department Head Jaaldi."
"Thank you. I'll be going now."
It had felt a bit suspicious, but I'd managed to complete the mental evaluation without issue.
When I stepped out, Spandal was already gone. I contacted her by phone and was told to return to the office.
* * *
After that, a detailed investigation into the meat factory began. I described the exact layout and scenery of the place while recalling my memories, and I explained the monsters in great detail as well.
The Bureau had all sorts of equipment.
"Did it look like this...?"
When Dejure activated the hologram device, the image of the Butcher monster appeared.
"Oh! That's close! But the legs should feel more like an elephant's. The hide is more wrinkled, too."
"Ah, got it... I'll fix it... I-is the size right?"
"Could you bring up a human hologram as well? For size comparison."
"U-um..."
So Dejure handled this kind of work too.
After several adjustments, a perfect holographic model of the Butcher monster was created.
It looked so lifelike, as if it were moving!
"Wow! That's exactly it! It's identical! The color's really similar too! How did you make it so well?!"
It was like watching clay sculpting!
"Ehehe... M-making things like this is my specialty."
"It really does look like craftsmanship."
When I praised her sincerely, Dejure scratched the back of her head, looking very pleased.
Next, we created a hologram of the truck as well. We also recorded how far the monster had been sent flying after being hit by the truck. It was essentially a strength experiment.
"This is very important work... With this, we can determine the form and characteristics of the anomaly to some extent."
"It certainly is important."
"Next, we'll run a simulation of the meat factory. C-can you recall it?"
"No problem."
Dejure handed me a headgear connected by wires. I put it on as instructed and sat in the chair.
A hazy scene began to form before my eyes.
—Can you hear me...? Keep describing the scenery... I'll build a three-dimensional map from it.
"Understood. I'll begin. First, the bathroom. Please create what's inside."
The moment I spoke, the scenery began constructing itself at high speed.
I poured my full effort into this task.
Once a complete simulation space was created this way, training based on it would begin.
After the mock training ended, a full-scale operation plan would be established.
Jaaldi had said they were currently investigating my sudden disappearance and the anomalous reaction that occurred when I returned from the meat factory. Once that investigation was complete, they might discover the conditions for entering the meat factory.
Since we didn't know when that would happen, I had to work hard to enable training as quickly as possible. That way, we could deploy faster, right?
That was how my busy days passed.
There was still no contact from Kim Seong-jin.
* * *
"Grong. We've narrowed down the Kim Seong-jin candidates. Come check it out."
"Yes!"
I immediately went to Jaaldi's desk and sat down.
"Whoa, every Kim Seong-jin in the country is showing up."
The screen displayed photos and personal details of all sorts of Kim Seong-jins. I scrolled down, comparing faces.
"We extracted candidates based on what you described. Take a look. Hopefully Kim Seong-jin wasn't an alias."
"It's his real name. I'm certain."
"I hope you're right."
"It's not just hope—it's definitely true. You just didn't see the desperate friendship that formed between me and Kim Seong-jin back then, Team Leader. At the time, Kim Seong-jin and I were truly soul partners."
I couldn't forget how he'd saved me.
"You told him to run, but he came back in reverse and saved you."
"Exactly! That's the part! I felt true friendship right there!"
"Grong. I've already heard that story over forty times. I think it's time to stop."
"Good stories are worth hearing again and again. Have you ever experienced such an extraordinary friendship yourself, Team Leader Jaaldi?"
"Who knows..."
"Anyway, I want to save Kim Seong-jin."
"Then find him quickly..."
"My finger hurts from all this scrolling. Anyway, that guy's incredible. Surviving was already a miracle, but he even rammed the monsters with the truck. And the fact that I was willing to sacrifice my life there was pretty remarkable too, don't you think?"
"It was certainly remarkable, but I'd rather not hear about it anymore..."
Good stories are worth hearing again and again... Ah!
"Found him!"
There he was!
Kim Seong-jin!
"Is it this guy?"
"Yes! He's changed a bit, but this is definitely him!"
"Are you sure?"
"Ah! I'm telling you, it's certain! Kim Seong-jin and I shared true friendship! There's no way I'm wrong!"
"For now... you mentioned his family relationship wasn't great. We'll investigate that part, and if it seems appropriate, we'll approach him. If this is the real Kim Seong-jin, we'll check whether he's currently in reality or not."
"But can you really tell just by investigating that?"
"It's the Bureau's technological capability. Here, take this."
Jaaldi printed out a sheet with Kim Seong-jin's personal information. It listed where he'd lived, the date he went missing, his family's residence, transaction records, moving history—everything was documented.
"Wait, the Bureau knows all this too?"
"Did you think the Bureau was called that for nothing? Move quickly. Go to his family and confirm that it's the real Kim Seong-jin."
"Yes."
Kim Seong-jin had told his family about the things he'd seen on Sejeong-ge and had been treated like a lunatic, nearly being cut off from them.
From the looks of it, his family hadn't made much effort to find him after he went missing.
Well, I'd find out more once I went and talked to them.
"Jamtree. Bring Grong the agent-grade investigation equipment."
"Yes, yes."
Soon, Jamtree handed me something that looked like a ballpoint pen.
"What's this?"
"See the button on the pen? Press it and a mild perception interference will activate. They'll answer your questions, and afterward, they'll remember it as you coming to check the gas or water purifier."
"Whoa! This thing's amazing! I'll put it to good use!"
They had stuff like this too!
"Will you be okay going alone? Want big sis to come with you?"
"Jamtree. No slacking off."
"Aigoo. Then have a safe trip, Grong."
"Yes."
Still, if I had to go with someone, I'd rather go with Spandal. I wanted to combine the mission with a drive.
Anyway, I got in the car and headed to the address.
* * *
I arrived in front of Kim Seong-jin's parents' house.
—Ding-dong.
When I rang the doorbell, I sensed movement inside.
The door soon opened, and a middle-aged woman peeked out.
"What brings you here?"
Was this Kim Seong-jin's mother?
I pressed the button on the pen in my pocket and spoke.
"I'm here regarding your son."
"Excuse me? Don't tell me Seong-jin..."
"I'd like to discuss him with you."
"Come in."
The effect was impressive.
As expected of the Bureau.
I naturally stepped inside and looked around the living room.
It seemed only the mother was home right now.
"Has Kim Seong-jin returned recently?"
"No... Don't tell me you've found him?"
"We've confirmed his whereabouts."
"Ah."
She didn't look particularly happy.
"I'd like to hear about Kim Seong-jin. I was told he showed symptoms of mental illness."
"Haah... Don't even get me started. The kid suddenly became obsessed with conspiracy theories..."
Kim Seong-jin's mother began complaining to me.
She went on and on about how he'd been smart before but had suddenly gone crazy.
From what I heard, it was definitely the Kim Seong-jin I knew.
"He kept sending links to weird forums!"
"You mean the World Politics Board?"
"Yes!"
Confirmed.
After that, it was nothing but complaints about Kim Seong-jin. Since I couldn't join in on badmouthing my true friend Kim Seong-jin, I cut the conversation short.
"Understood. I'll be on my way now."
"Yes."
The pen's effect was incredible.
I'd gathered the information without any issues and made a clean exit.
Once outside, I made a call.
"Team Leader Jaaldi. It's confirmed. It's Kim Seong-jin."
—Understood. Return to base.
This meant we'd soon know whether Kim Seong-jin was in reality or not.
* * *
"I've returned."
"We were just running the equipment. The results should be out soon."
"Oh, where's the equipment?"
"It's in another location. We're only receiving the results here."
A tense moment.
This was the time when we'd learn whether Kim Seong-jin had returned or remained in the anomalous space.
"It's out."
"Please...!"
I clenched my fists tightly as Jaaldi spoke.
"Ho. It says he's in reality. Kim Seong-jin succeeded in escaping. He's currently on Earth. Congratulations, Grong. Your true friend has returned alive."
"Waaah!"
That bastard!
He really did escape!
"Then why hasn't he contacted me, that jerk!"
