The Anomaly That Refused to Be Ranked
The Borderline Anomalies Response & Investigation Seoul Branch had assembled a committee specifically for the ranking assessment of BAR-322.
Determining the rank of an anomaly ranked among the organization’s most critical duties.
The number of committee members involved was nothing short of overwhelming; the very sound of it seemed to echo through the halls.
BAR-322 was, without question, the most peculiar entity that had ever appeared on this narrow strip of land.
It possessed a human-like identity.
It wielded abilities no previous anomaly had ever displayed.
And it maintained a suspiciously cooperative attitude toward the bureau itself.
Gathering several dozen personnel for the ranking of BAR-322 was hardly unusual.
Yet among the entire committee, three individuals held an inordinate amount of influence.
The first was **Observer Z**, dispatched from headquarters.
The second was the A-Alpha Team Vice Captain, who had confronted BAR-322 directly and had arrested it on two previous occasions.
The third was **Kim Miryeo**, the Seoul Branch Director who had engaged BAR-322 in dialogue protocol three times, temporarily isolating it within the branch’s containment facilities.
The opinions of these three carried the decisive weight, while the remaining members would simply cast their votes in support or opposition.
In the end, the final say rested entirely with **Observer Z**.
Just before the meeting began, Kim Miryeo stood in her office, carefully reviewing the files on BAR-322—on Ara—and organizing her thoughts.
Above all else, from the Seoul Branch’s perspective, the entity was exceptionally useful.
It claimed to be a specialist in the extermination of anomalies.
This was no exaggeration. Kim Miryeo herself had witnessed it firsthand.
But usefulness alone did not grant unlimited access.
If BAR-322 were ultimately classified at Rank 3 or higher, even the Branch Director would find it difficult to interact freely with the anomaly.
To initiate dialogue protocol, for instance, one would first compile a detailed report, submit it to headquarters for review, obtain approval, coordinate schedules, stabilize the entity, and then proceed under the bureau’s stringent oversight.
Each step could easily consume three months.
If, however, it received Rank 1 status, the Seoul Branch could simply designate a vacant room as its isolation cell.
In that case, assistance from the anomaly would be available at any time an anomaly appeared, and the chronic staffing shortages that plagued the branch would ease considerably.
Kim Miryeo had already made her decision.
She would argue without hesitation for Rank 1—the highest safety designation possible.
This was not simply because she had grown fond of the entity.
It was a perfectly reasonable stance grounded in her own calculations.
The ranking assessment for BAR-322 began.
* * *
“…That concludes the briefing on BAR-322 prepared by the Seoul Branch.”
Once Director Miryeo finished her explanation of the entity’s characteristics, the executives voiced their thoughts one after another.
“A 3.5-rank anomaly exterminated without a single casualty…”
“We should classify it under the special weapon category reserved for major anomalies.”
“What nonsense! It’s an extremely dangerous entity that should be neutralized immediately!”
“The Seoul Branch lacks the capacity to contain it, so please allow us to manage it here.”
At first glance, these remarks appeared to be the casual ramblings of the incompetent, yet upon closer examination, every single one was undeniably correct.
BAR-322 was indeed dangerous enough to require extermination.
It was also a highly useful anomaly that the bureau could exploit.
And the Seoul Branch truly did not possess the ability to contain it.
It was a statement that required no correction.
At that precise moment, while the meeting had been silent until now, **Observer Z** tapped the table with two fingers.
The lively atmosphere immediately fell silent.
He surveyed the executives with a glance, then turned his gaze alternately between Director Miryeo and the A-Alpha Team Vice Captain before speaking.
“I wish to hear the thoughts of the Branch Director and Vice Captain who have personally encountered this entity.”
This was the moment.
Kim Miryeo, who had been sizing up the Vice Captain, opened her mouth first, signaling her intent to speak.
“We must highlight the entity’s uniqueness.”
“This entity regards itself as human…”
“…There is no room for doubt on that point.”
Kim Miryeo had reached that conviction after three dialogue sessions with the anomaly.
Though it was indeed an anomaly, unlike other anomalies, it required treatment as a human being.
The world was filled with anomalies, each possessing unique characteristics.
Dialogue protocols, precautionary measures, and isolation methods differed from entity to entity.
Some anomalies demanded one must enter the isolation cell completely naked before containment.
Others insisted that one must never close their eyes during dialogue protocol.
BAR-322 was no exception.
From Kim Miryeo’s perspective, the proper handling of BAR-322 required one to treat it as a human being.
In other words.
To manage BAR-322 properly, genuine human interaction was necessary.
Therefore, as the Seoul Branch Director.
“I believe it is advisable to classify BAR-322’s rank as Rank 1.”
“Hmm.”
“So the Director wishes to maximize the entity’s utility?”
“Correct.”
“If we can make full use of this entity, anomaly management at the Seoul Branch will become far more manageable.”
“Controllability?”
“100 percent.”
“The entity’s biological composition is 99.9 percent identical to human DNA.”
“Therefore, implanting a micro-bomb inside the entity…”
“Would allow immediate neutralization without causing significant collateral damage.”
“Who will initiate that human interaction?”
“I will.”
“Even if it means holding the leash myself.”
“Hmm.”
Kim Miryeo felt a twinge of guilt for treating the anomaly as mere tools, yet she was also surprised by how unsettled that realization made her.
If headquarters learned of her conscience, she could lose her position as Branch Director on the spot, and in the worst case, be reduced to a death-row prisoner.
Observer Z closed his eyes for a moment in contemplation of her words, then opened them and shifted his gaze to the Vice Captain.
“What are your thoughts, A-Alpha Team Vice Captain?”
Shhhshh.
Puhuu.
The Vice Captain reclined in his chair, smoking the stimulant herb with deep, slow puffs, and flicked the ash from his fingers.
One of the executives sitting nearby had the ash land in his eye.
He displayed absolutely no regard for the meeting’s authority, yet no one dared rebuke him.
The Vice Captain spoke.
“I fully agree with the Branch Director’s opinion.”
Kim Miryeo was taken aback.
…What had this man eaten?
He had challenged her only moments ago; she had never expected him to support her.
Tap.
Tap.
Observer Z tapped the table again.
He raised his head as if issuing a decision and announced.
“As of this moment, BAR-322 is designated.”
“Rank 0.”
“A special management entity.”
“Meeting adjourned.”
Rank 0.
A special management entity.
The meeting room erupted once more in chaos, and Kim Miryeo felt a surge of disbelief at Observer Z’s judgment.
Amid the shouting and confusion, she could still hear his low murmur.
“A shaman.”
Observer Z was smiling.
* * *
Anomaly classified as Rank 0, a special management entity, was extremely rare even by global standards.
By definition, special management entities required entirely different handling methods from conventional anomalies.
Even the Seoul Branch Director, Kim Miryeo, had never encountered a special management entity in her lifetime, nor conducted research on one.
She was therefore overwhelmed with shock.
…She had never imagined that the so-called special methods would turn out like this.
Kim Miryeo let out a long sigh that seemed to empty the room.
*
B.A.R.I. (Borderline Anomalies Response & Investigation)
**Classified Document – Grade 2**
**Anomaly Response Manual**
[Serial Number: BAR-322]
[Rank: 0 / Special Management Entity]
[Supervising Branch: B.A.R.I. Seoul Branch]
[Authorizing Authority: Seoul Branch Director Kim Miryeo]
1. Basic Entity Information
Designated Number: BAR-322
Alias: “Ara” / “Mudang” (as claimed by the entity itself)
Risk Assessment: Unmeasurable (possesses extermination capabilities against major anomalies / maintains favorable attitude toward the bureau)
Containment Status: Special residential isolation room within the Seoul Branch
2. Entity Characteristics and Abilities
[Continuous information updates requested from Seoul Branch Director Kim Miryeo]
3. Special Management Protocol (Director’s Special Instructions)
[Continuous information updates requested from Seoul Branch Director Kim Miryeo]
4. Core Precautions
[Continuous information updates requested from Seoul Branch Director Kim Miryeo]
*
“Ah…”
Indeed.
Kim Miryeo had finally received the proper time slot to draft the manual.
Throughout the meeting, she had vigorously advocated for the anomaly’s position, yet she had never anticipated requesting this degree of autonomy.
Of course, there were positive aspects.
With this designation, the Seoul Branch could exercise complete judgment over the anomaly under the Branch Director’s sole authority, without seeking approval from headquarters.
If utilized effectively, the chronic manpower shortage at the Seoul Branch could be resolved in a single stroke.
Yet there were also negative aspects.
Should an unforeseen incident occur involving the anomaly.
“…That would also be entirely my responsibility.”
Kim Miryeo felt her head beginning to ache as she wondered what thoughts had driven headquarters to grant her full control over the anomaly.