Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Welcome to Finland
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“Director Kwon Sae-ron. Are you in your right mind!”
Director Hwang Joo-seung bellowed in anger.
This man was always so full of rage that I worried he might one day collapse from a fit of fury.
“Director Hwang Joo-seung, shouting won't solve a thing.”
“A-Are you seriously saying that! You let the Black Princess out of the lab without permission. It's no different from an anomaly escaping the facility!”
There's a saying that it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.
But it seemed forgiveness wasn't easy for Director Hwang either.
“But she came back, didn't she? She even brought the first tool with her and walked right back into the lab on her own two feet. Isn't it just like her usual strolls?”
“That's pure hindsight. The princess's walking routes have long been designated as civilian exclusion zones. But this time, during the escape, the Black Princess slipped out into an area teeming with people.”
Director Hwang's anger showed no signs of fading.
Unlike the other directors, who all had their quirks, Director Hwang was known for his staunch conservatism.
Strict management and oversight of anomalies based on ironclad principles and rules.
That was the goal—and the guiding star—that Director Hwang pursued.
“What if the Black Princess had run into civilians and caused an incident!”
“The princess won't be found out. She's wearing the anomalous object known as the Spy's Sunglasses, which prevents anyone from suspecting her. And even if someone did figure it out, a little gag order would take care of it.”
“Don't you get it—that's not the point! Do you not care if civilians die at the hands of an anomaly?”
“Of course not. I'm not some heartless psychopath.”
I didn't think it was fine for the Black Princess to kill civilians either.
The lab's goal was always to benefit the Republic of Korea—and by extension, all of humanity.
I pursued that same goal.
The only difference was our approach.
“The prophecy of the Prayer Receiver. Director Hwang, you already know about it, don't you?”
Director Hwang clamped his mouth shut and fell silent.
As if he'd guessed what I was about to say, he sat quietly, letting his anger cool.
“The prophecy that the end times are coming. It said we need to gather three tools to avert it. But right now, only the Black Princess knows anything about those tools. If you're not letting the princess go out, then how exactly do you plan to collect them? Director Hwang?”
“T-That's...”
I bombarded him with questions, and Director Hwang was left speechless.
Poor man.
I genuinely felt sorry for Director Hwang.
He was someone who ceaselessly strove to be honest and upright.
‘But to fight monsters, you have to become a monster yourself.’
Righteousness was utterly useless against anomalies.
He was pitiful, but I couldn't keep arguing forever—it was time to wrap this up.
“Among all the Prayer Receiver's prophecies, the most recent one to come true did so within a year. The prophecy of the approaching end times will undoubtedly come to pass within a year as well. Director Hwang. Do you have a plan to stop the apocalypse within that time?”
“R-Right now, several countries have promised to cooperate in the search for the tools. If we just wait, we'll—”
“So you're saying we should sit on our hands, banking on slim odds until we somehow find them? If we just let the princess go out, she could bring back every single one.”
Director Hwang fell silent, unable to respond.
The chances of locating three tools with zero information in under a year were vanishingly small.
“Just trust the princess this once.”
I conveyed my will with unwavering resolve.
When it came to dealing with anomalies, I would use anything at my disposal.
Even if that something was an anomaly itself—I was ready to exploit it.
The office filled with taut tension, the atmosphere rigid.
With a soft smile, I added,
“You ate the princess's food last time too, remember? If you keep doubting her, she'll get sad, you know? Hehe.”
I trusted the princess.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A breeze from Finland whipped through the open window of the rental car.
I'd rented it with Se-hwa, and now we were off on our journey to retrieve the second tool.
“You should be thanking Se-hwa, you know? Thanks to her, I'm getting a trip I never even dreamed of.”
“Don't mention it. I'm only going because I want to, so Se-hwa doesn't need to thank me.”
“Yeah, Se-hwa's got such a big heart.”
We traded idle banter as we headed for our next stop.
We'd left the city behind ages ago.
Outside the window, along the two-lane road, thick clusters of trees stretched out.
Wildlife crossing signs dotted the roadside, drawing my eye.
“Not exactly a prime tourist spot. It's all trees. Feels no different from a trip back in Korea.”
Se-hwa muttered under her breath.
The characteristically gloomy Northern European weather had turned midday into a dim, overcast haze.
“The weather's awful too. I'd heard Northern Europe wasn't great, but I didn't expect it to be this bad. No sunlight even in broad daylight.”
“We're already here on this trip, so buck up. Complaining won't make it any better.”
“Mm, true. Whining won't change a thing. Let's power through and snag that tool quick!”
Se-hwa mustered some forced enthusiasm.
As the car pressed toward our destination, man-made structures faded from the scenery, giving way to pure nature.
The straight, pristine road grew twisty and rough, testing the drive.
After a long haul, the car finally slowed to a stop.
A rural village in northern Finland.
We'd arrived at the site where we'd find the second tool.
“Phew. Finally here!”
I stepped out the car door into a cool breeze.
We headed straight for the accommodation we'd booked.
Inside, a kindly elderly woman with deeply wrinkled features sat at the counter.
“Welcome. Are you the ones with the reservation?”
“Yes, that's us. Two people. Check-in, please.”
Se-hwa conversed fluently with the woman in a language far from her usual one.
I could follow along effortlessly thanks to the Anomalous Conversation Method—I knew it well, and it let me understand any tongue.
It was a handy trick used by countless anomalies.
We handed over our passports, got them back, and received the key to our assigned room.
“Welcome. First time in Finland?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Hoho. Whatever brought you to a backwater like this? Even locals hardly come here. Tourists making it all the way out is rare.”
The elderly woman beamed warmly, delighted by the unfamiliar foreigners in her rural village.
Se-hwa mirrored her with a gentle smile.
“I like traveling to remote spots with hardly anyone around.”
“Fair enough—this village is quiet and sparse, so the vibe's nice. Is this cute little lady in sunglasses your daughter?”
The woman glanced my way as she asked.
Se-hwa's face took on a resigned look before she replied.
“My little sister.”
“Oh my. Sorry for the blunder, dear. Forgive an old lady?”
“Haha, no worries. I've heard that one before.”
Se-hwa laughed it off, smoothing over the awkward moment.
The woman pulled a sheet of paper from under the counter and spread it out.
“Perfect timing—you've arrived right for the village festival in a few days.”
“Village festival?”
“Yes. The Kuusikaus Festival. Everyone gathers to eat and celebrate. If you're staying, you should come see it.”
“Is this the festival pamphlet?”
“It is. Take one and check it out in your room.”
Se-hwa took the pamphlet the woman offered.
The cover featured an old-fashioned illustration of people encircling a bonfire.
They all grinned with joy, dancing in a ring around the flames.
“The Kuusikaus Festival is this village's cherished tradition. It's got roots going way back.”
The elderly woman launched into an explanation of the festival.
It went on for a good twenty minutes, covering the event and the village.
“Thanks for the rundown. If we've got time, we'll swing by.”
We parted ways with her and headed to our room.
Se-hwa unpacked, then collapsed onto the bed.
“Se-hwa, I'm beat. Drove way too much.”
“We need to go find the second tool, so up you get.”
“Fine...”
She whined for a moment but rose after a nudge.
“Wah, Se-hwa's so mean. Won't even give me a second.”
“You're the one full of complaints. Come on, let's move.”
We stepped out of the accommodation together.
With the luggage stowed, Se-hwa's steps felt lighter.
“That grandma at the inn was super nice, huh? Gave us a full twenty-minute spiel on the village and festival.”
“Yeah.”
“Guess this is that warm rural hospitality. Coming here might've been a stroke of luck!”
Se-hwa spoke with vigorous satisfaction at the rural charm.