I'm a Shaman, but Everyone Thinks I'm an Anomaly - 2
My main duty begins in earnest tomorrow.
Until today, it had been a period of rest.
I had assumed the Bureau's facility tour would be conducted by subordinate researchers, but that was not the case.
Amazingly, the Branch Director herself, Kim Miryeo, would personally guide me through the Bureau's facilities.
It struck me as odd that the leader of a group would act so casually, but upon hearing Kim Miryeo's words that she wanted to converse with me as well, I immediately understood.
Thus, I began the Bureau tour with Kim Miryeo.
From her, I could hear a general explanation about anomalies and the Bureau.
The Anomaly Management Bureau is a supranational organization founded by the governments of various countries around the world in alliance with each other.
Therefore, even just the personnel stationed at the Seoul Branch of the Bureau easily exceeds five thousand, and including non-resident personnel, the number surpasses ten thousand.
I swallowed hard and said, "... It's an astonishing number, considering."
"Of course there have to be a lot of people. Just managing a single isolated 2nd-grade anomaly requires over 50 personnel, and 3rd-grade anomalies require hundreds of management personnel. Of course, the Seoul Branch doesn't directly isolate anomalies, but here we oversee everything about anomalies."
Even the management personnel are said to specialize only in that one entity until they retire from the Bureau.
At this point, I couldn't hide my bewilderment and asked Kim Miryeo.
"If my misunderstanding is not the case, the Bureau, even if it is a formidable demon, is equipped with the ability to defeat it."
"That's right. Up to 4th-grade anomalies can be handled sufficiently with the Bureau's power."
"Then, why prioritize isolation over extermination?"
"Didn't you already understand? Because they have research value."
"I don't understand that part. What are they going to use the demons for after researching them?"
"It's impossible to list them one by one, but the biggest purpose is, of course, to isolate even stronger anomalies."
Kim Miryeo's explanation continued.
Not all anomalies are like that, but...
Like the Inmyeonchung, anomalies with very high research value can, if utilized well, mass-produce incredibly powerful weapons through research.
She said with a slight smile.
"Well, it's just that it's been rendered ineffective because of someone."
"You're quite the sly woman, tsk... But Dr. Kim Miryeo, let me interpret your words..."
I was lost in thought for a moment, then finally asked Kim Miryeo directly.
"It sounds like it means that anomalies of 5th grade and above cannot be defeated or isolated by human technology alone."
At the beginning, couldn't we just exterminate all anomalies? Why would the Bureau isolate and research anomalies?
Ironically, without the help of anomalies, we can't defeat other powerful anomalies.
Kim Miryeo thought for a moment and then said to me.
"I can't tell you the details about that."
"Hmm. Classified information, huh."
"Yes."
The short conversation between Kim Miryeo and me ended there.
To be honest...
I could roughly guess how special the 5th-grade anomaly was in terms of level.
Clearly, the Changuigwi was a 4th-grade anomaly.
In the Joseon I lived in, there were countless anomalies that were incomparably stronger than the Changuigwi.
It was only because there was at least one capable mudang in every village that such demon beasts couldn't wreak havoc like in modern times.
But among them, there were extremely special ones that even the capable mudang of the village couldn't defeat, so until I entered the palace, I had been traveling the entire country with my master, beating those demons.
Among them, there were a few demons that tormented me and my master particularly.
The Red Aura of the Night Sky.
Yeah, that level was probably around 5th-grade anomalies.
I had driven that one away and entered the palace...
... My master and I also couldn't defeat it.
We had only driven it away.
Even with the capabilities of the Joseon royal court, we couldn't resolve it internally, and it was so vicious that the king had personally sent out a search for a single mudang like me.
If I think about it, that terrifying demon beast, dropped into a modern era where religious people don't exist.
It's a veritable natural disaster.
If it were that one, it would still be wandering in this world.
If my luck is extremely bad, I might encounter it someday.
Tsk.
This is all because religious people like me were suppressed for some reason.
Originally, demon beasts are spiritual entities, so we should think of defeating them with spiritual power.
When we try to defeat them with technology, it only makes it harder, doesn't it?
Once again, I have a question.
Who, and for what reason, suppressed religious people so comprehensively?
Seeing me silent, Kim Miryeo asked.
"Ara. What are you thinking so intently?"
"... Hmm, nothing."
It would be bad if I mentioned this Red Aura of the Night Sky and things got worse.
Kim Miryeo.
Given that she doesn't waste a single word, this woman is definitely not one to be underestimated.
Now I have to think about protecting myself, so I can't just give away everything without any compensation.
Hide what needs to be hidden, share what can be shared.
Even after the short conversation, Kim Miryeo's introduction to the Bureau facilities continued.
There were countless personnel in the Bureau.
Perhaps because of my out-of-place appearance, all the passing staff were drawn to me.
Suddenly, Kim Miryeo said to me.
"Ara, are you thinking of wearing modern clothes..."
"No."
"Is there a specific reason?"
"A mudang must wear shaman attire by right."
"Is that so? Understood."
Actually, unless performing shaman rituals, one could wear everyday clothes, but...
I didn't particularly want to wear modern everyday clothes.
After all, modern women's clothing has the characteristic of overly emphasizing appearance.
Modern clothes that emphasize the figure?
I would rather die than wear them.
However, the shaman attire I was wearing was definitely eye-catching.
It was like showing off to people that I am a pseudo-human.
But since Kim Miryeo, the leader of this group, was sticking close to me, people weren't paying maximum attention to me.
If I were to wander around alone without Kim Miryeo, I couldn't even guess what kind of reaction I would get.
Would they try to oppose me?
Or would they find me strange?
Or would they not even give me any attention?
Well, anyway, it says this area is free for me to wander around alone, so I'll find out soon enough.
Even without Kim Miryeo's command, I thought it would be better to finish making the talisman as soon as possible.
After all, I need to gain the favor of the Bureau staff to make living in this place easier.
We had arrived at a place even wider than the training ground.
I said with admiration, "A street market! So there was such a place inside the Seoul Branch!"
Kim Miryeo said with a laugh.
"This is also a living space. This is the shopping district within the Seoul Branch. By the way, Ara can use the money earned here freely."
"R-really?"
"Yes. I rather actively encourage Ara to use the money. Additionally, I actively recommend conversing with other staff."
Stores where books can be purchased.
Various stores selling food.
A tavern where you can drink, facilities for entertainment, and so on.
This place was truly a paradise.
What I particularly noticed was the stores dealing in food.
Pizza, fried chicken, hamburgers, jajangmyeon... Yeah, such foods existed.
It doesn't immediately appeal to me right now, but if the opportunity arises, I intend to buy one with my own money.
Eventually, we headed to the garden outside the building.
This garden is the area where I can freely wander, and other areas are inaccessible.
Hmm, it's wider than I thought.
Kim Miryeo had some pride in this outer garden, so she said to me in a slightly raised voice.
"This is a garden I personally ordered to be built. Before I became Branch Director, it was a desolate area."
"Hmm."
"How do you feel?"
I swept my eyes around the garden once and said.
"It seems nice."
It was a lie.
I couldn't speak rudely in front of the Branch Director, so I just said something polite.
But Kim Miryeo was persistent and quick to notice.
"It seems nice? Hmm... Ara. When conversing with me, don't hold back and clearly state what you think."
"..."
"By the way, this is an order."
"Ah, I understand. I will speak honestly."
I let out a sigh and then opened my mouth again.
"Not really."
"What?"
"Ah, sorry. I was ordered to speak honestly. It's not 'not really,' it's the worst. It feels like a pile of garbage."
Kim Miryeo's expression crumpled.
But I performed Kim Miryeo's order to speak honestly very faithfully.
"After all, a garden must have the quality of naturally embracing nature without going against the laws of nature. How can we call a pile of stones with artificial smells and neatly trimmed grass patches a garden? Moreover, it lacks Korean characteristics, and all these structures are foreign."
"..."
"More than anything, the air is so stuffy that it's uncomfortable to breathe."
"... Today's air pollution level is very good."
"Tsk, calling this very good level. I realize once again how lightly modern humans regard nature. Also."
"... You can stop there, Ara."
"If I compare it to the rear garden of Changdeokgung Palace, I can say it's like the difference between heaven and earth. By the way, is the rear garden of Changdeokgung Palace still there in modern times? If Dr. Kim Miryeo sees the beauty of the rear garden with her own eyes, she would abandon this pitiful little garden..."
"Stop talking!"
"Eh... Ah, I understand."
No, I was ordered to speak honestly.
Why is she angry?
Dr. Kim Miryeo looked around the garden with a sigh and then said to me.
"Let's go back. Today's tour ends here."
"I still want to get some fresh air..."
"Just now you said the air wasn't good."
"..."
Here, I finally realized.
In front of Kim Miryeo, I should speak my emotions honestly but soften the words as much as possible.
This is like dealing with the king.