Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Would You Like Some?
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Yeon-woo and Ji-hoon arrived in front of the Swelling Flesh Mass's containment cell. They spoke with the researcher who was preparing the experiment.
"This experiment targets the AS-L-211 entity, nicknamed Swelling Flesh Mass. Allow me to explain the overview and objectives."
The researcher in the white lab coat cleared his throat briefly before continuing.
"This experiment involves administering a new drug to the Swelling Flesh Mass and observing the results. It's similar to dosing lab rats. Think of it as a lab anomaly."
"What do we need to do?"
"The containment cell for the flesh mass is double-layered. Enter the primary cell, pour the drug into the designated slot, and that's it. It will automatically fill a syringe and inject the mass. Then observe it for about ten minutes before exiting and reporting back to me."
"Surprisingly straightforward. Let's get started."
Ji-hoon took the drug from the researcher, opened the containment cell door, and stepped inside.
A metal cube, each side one meter long, sat inside the containment cell.
Microphone static crackled, followed by the researcher's voice.
"That cube is the secondary containment holding the flesh mass. You can view it through the glass window on the front."
A glass panel was visible in the middle of the iron cube. Beyond the glass, flesh like a tumor with visible veins writhed ceaselessly. It filled the cube completely, squirming as if about to burst.
"Urk."
Yeon-woo fought back nausea at the sight of the flesh mass.
"Disgusting."
Ji-hoon expressed his revulsion curtly.
"Pour the drug into the small groove on top of the cube, then monitor changes through the glass. Please begin the experiment."
"Understood. Experiment starting."
Ji-hoon carefully poured the drug into the shallow groove on the top of the iron cube. The blue liquid flowed through a small needle protruding inside the cube, injecting into the Swelling Flesh Mass.
The flesh mass's movements slowed.
"Drug administered. The flesh mass has clearly slowed down."
"Got it. Please continue observing for the next ten minutes."
The ceaselessly pulsating flesh mass slowed further. Soon, it began to contract. The mass, which had filled the cube, shrank noticeably with each pulse.
"The flesh mass is getting smaller. Is this okay?"
"Ah, I've checked too. Hmm... That's strange. I was told this was a hair growth drug test. It shouldn't contract."
"Ha, imagine hair growing on this hideous lump. That'd be a sight."
Ji-hoon tossed out a lame joke to ease the tension.
The flesh mass continued shrinking until it was fist-sized.
"Something's off. I'm halting the experiment. We'll rapid-freeze the flesh mass, so please exit the cell."
As the researcher finished speaking, white liquid sprayed into the cube containing the flesh mass. But the flesh mass didn't stop—it kept shrinking.
"Huh? Why isn't the cooling working? This can't be happening!"
The researcher's panicked voice came through the mic.
"...Battle stations for now."
"Yes, sir!"
Sensing trouble, Ji-hoon drew his automatic pistol. Yeon-woo quickly followed, drawing hers and taking a defensive stance.
The moment the flesh mass shrank to thumbnail size.
A thin tentacle suddenly extended.
"It's trying to escape!"
"Th-the coolant isn't working! This never happened in hundreds of tests!"
The flesh mass extended a thin tentacle through the hole where the drug had entered. Soon, the tentacle slipped out of the cube along the hole.
"Damn it! Shoot that tentacle now!"
Ji-hoon and Yeon-woo aimed their pistols at the emerging tentacle and fired. Gunshots echoed through the containment cell.
The tentacle burst and severed with each hit. But for every one that exploded, new ones endlessly sprouted from the hole.
"We can't suppress it with guns!"
"Escape alert activated! Get out of the cell first!"
Weee-ooo-weee-ooo—.
Sirens blared throughout the research institute, red lights flashing. Visual and auditory alarms for anomaly escapes, inaudible to sound-insensitive entities, had triggered.
Ji-hoon and Yeon-woo swiftly evacuated the cell and sealed the door.
"Whew. Guess we wait for the response team."
The cube holding the flesh mass was still inside the cell. Even if it escaped the cube, the outer cell provided double containment. A mass that only swelled had no chance of breaking out of the cell.
Or so it seemed.
Szzzzzzt—.
Something burning sounded.
"S-Senior, what's that noise?"
"...The sound of us being screwed."
A small hole formed in the containment cell door as a single tentacle emerged. Scorching heat carried through the air.
The tentacle melted the door with extreme heat and slipped out.
A researcher who had rushed into the hallway gasped in shock.
"Th-the flesh mass didn't have that ability! It could only swell like a dumb lump!"
Ji-hoon and Yeon-woo fired at the tentacle. But it was useless against the infinitely regenerating tentacles.
"Damn it. Empty our magazines and hold until the response team arrives!"
"Got it!"
Gunfire continuously rang through the research institute hallway.
The single tentacle from the flesh mass multiplied: two, three, a bundle of tentacles poking through holes in the door.
Screeech. Boom.
The door, riddled with holes, lost balance and crashed down with a thunderous roar.
Gurgle. Gurrrrgle.
The flesh mass, free from the cube, emerged into the outer cell. Upon entering the hallway, it expanded uncontrollably, swallowing the passage in seconds.
"Reacquisition Mobile Team, on site. Commencing suppression immediately!"
The response team arrived right on cue and formed up.
An agent with a flamethrower stepped forward and aimed at the flesh mass.
"Everyone fall back! Firing flamethrower!"
Whoosh.
Flames roared out fiercely, incinerating the Swelling Flesh Mass. The acrid, nauseating smell of burning protein and fat filled the hallway.
"S-Something's wrong! It's not stopping!"
The flamethrower agent shouted in panic. The flesh mass kept swelling even as it burned.
Suppressing the Swelling Flesh Mass was simple. Spray coolant in the secondary cell to flash-freeze it, or burn the main body during escape to halt expansion. But neither method worked now.
"At this rate, we'll have to blow the whole building."
Park Cheol-woong, leader of the Reacquisition Mobile Team, whispered gravely. If flames wouldn't stop it, exploding the mass was the surest way. The building would suffer damage, but there was no choice.
As Cheol-woong steeled himself to give the order.
"Waaah, looks delicious!"
A bizarre voice echoed.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
I was heading back to my room with bags of hotteok and snacks in both hands.
Weee-ooo-weee-ooo—.
The sirens blared, and the entire research institute bathed in red light.
"Hmm? What's going on?"
Red lights flashed periodically, just like when I first went for a walk. At the same time, vibrations from countless people running shook the floor.
Curiosity piqued, I headed toward the source.
A delicious smell wafted over.
Grrrrowl.
It was lunchtime, and my stomach growled. One hotteok barely whetted my appetite.
I followed the aroma to a massive door blocking the way.
"Hmm..."
Se-hwa told me not to cause trouble. But I wanted to pass this door.
I pondered briefly.
"I can say I tripped and bumped into it!"
If it was an accident, it should be fine, right?
I'm a genius.
I body-slammed the huge door, crumpling it.
Boom—.
The door toppled to the ground with a loud crash.
"Oops. The door was flimsy. They'll believe it was an accident now, right? Hehe."
Leaving the fallen door behind, I followed the smell.
Numerous people armed with all sorts of guns surrounded something.
I pushed through the burning crowd and moved forward.
"Waaah, looks delicious!"
I saw the anomaly, roasted to a golden crisp. It was evenly cooked, emitting an appetite-stimulating aroma.
"Thanks for the meal."
It looked like they'd roasted it for eating, so no need to hold back. I don't refuse what's offered, after all.
Nom nom.
I approached the anomaly and tore off a chunk with my hand. It might lack elegance, but it was fun to eat. Like grabbing ribs and ripping into them—not so weird.
The well-roasted anomaly was incredibly tasty.
"Uhehehe, delicious!"
The crispy browned surface gave way to juicy, moist insides. Among all the anomalies I'd eaten, this ranked top-tier.
"Phew. Thanks for the meal!"
Lost in the feast, I devoured it mindlessly.
Satisfied with lunch, I looked around.
Dozens of people stared at me with half-enlightened expressions.
"Uh, umm..."
It felt a bit awkward. It was so tasty I ignored everyone and ate it all myself. Were they roasting it to share? Hogging it all seemed selfish, even to me.
"Guweeeek."
I regurgitated some of the anomaly onto the floor. Not yet digested, it was in the same state as before.
"Would you like some of this?"
I asked the people with their bizarre expressions.