Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Test Subject
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A purple cube was glowing faintly.
Katrin tilted her head, a worried expression on her face as she looked down at the cube.
“Is… is this a test subject, too?”
Shin-ju silently recited a spell from the Old Book.
A giant hand made of glowing yellow particles emerged from the Old Book.
The hand gently touched the box.
Shin-ju waited for a reaction.
The palm of the yellow hand touching the cube slowly began to glow blue.
“What is it? Is it okay?”
Shin-ju looked down at the cube.
“The box itself isn't a living creature. And it's not a particularly harmful substance. Of course, I didn't think Lady Furen would leave something harmful behind, but...”
He looked back at the others.
“I'm detecting a life form.”
Katrin's expression turned serious.
“Then, as I thought...”
“I don't know. There's only one way to find out—we have to open it.”
Shin-ju knelt on one knee and began to examine the cube closely.
It was a perfectly clean, seamless cube.
He stood up, opened the Old Book again, and recited another spell.
The yellow hand vanished, and this time, white smoke began to drift gently from the Old Book.
It was the same white smoke that had opened the locked door earlier.
The smoke flew cautiously, splitting like tree roots and circling the cube.
“This might take a while.”
Soon, the smoke enveloped the cube in a spiderweb-like pattern, searching for an opening.
Finally, a tendril of white smoke succeeded in penetrating the cube's interior.
A ripple-like wave spread across one of the cube's faces.
Then, the cube slowly began to open.
Inside, the silhouette of what appeared to be a body part of some living creature was gradually revealed.
Inside the cube sat a severed hand, positioned upright.
A bizarrely shaped key was looped around its finger, and at the bottom of the box, a capsule was attached to a black sphere.
Shin-ju carefully lifted the hand.
A cobra tattoo, the symbol of the American Bio Vanguard, was inked on the severed wrist.
“It seems Lady Furen took care of a Bio Vanguard associate...”
Shin-ju fiddled with the capsule.
He felt a small, slightly protruding button with his fingertip.
He pressed the button firmly with his thumb.
A hologram shot out of the capsule and began to shimmer in the air.
An image resembling a complex maze slowly rotated before them.
“This is... a map.”
“Just as I thought.”
Sharin looked up at the map and nodded.
Katrin, who was nearby, asked.
“Then that key...?”
“It seems Lady Furen is in a place related to this key.”
Jekovic, standing beside them, also looked at the key.
“Why would she leave a key...?”
“She must have anticipated being trapped somewhere.”
Sharin answered Jekovic's question.
“And it seems Lady Furen was hoping that whoever found this would open that door for her.”
Shin-ju closed his eyes, lost in thought for a moment.
Trapped.
He turned to the group, holding the capsule forward.
“Alright. Let's follow this map immediately.”
Various alien species poured into the main conference room of the U.C.I.D. LA headquarters.
From insect-like aliens to ones reminiscent of demons, a dizzying number of species began to gather in one place.
In a corner, Silverfire, Enri, Speeder, and Jason Lee could also be seen.
“The Chief is entering.”
Along with someone's voice announcing her entrance, Gawagos, wearing a uniform that looked ready to burst, entered the conference room.
Gawagos stood before the podium.
Murmurs rippled through the room, as if her appearance was unexpected.
“You've all worked hard to handle the LA situation!!”
Gawagos raised her voice charismatically.
“Fortunately, the recent Dragonkin attack has been recognized as self-defense on our part!!”
Sighs and murmurs of relief flowed from all around.
“The Frontline armor suit that Alexian used is officially a government-sanctioned weapon!!”
Silverfire's eyes twitched.
Gawagos continued her briefing.
“I don't know how that armor suit ended up in Bio Vanguard's hands, but the military and government are trying to keep it quiet!!
Even if it's a government-sanctioned weapon, if the user wields it recklessly, it's not something to be taken lightly!!”
She took a breath, then shouted with a bold, confident voice filled with spirit.
“That's why, regardless of government sanctions, I intend to thoroughly investigate the collusive relationship between the Dragonkin and Bio Vanguard. Understood?!”
The thunderous reply of those listening attentively to Gawagos's words echoed through the room.
Suddenly, her expression turned grim.
A shadow fell over her charismatic face.
“And the same goes for the weapons you all use!! If it's self-defense, I'll have your back, but if it's not, I'll cut you loose without mercy!! Do you hear me?!”
Hearing her colleagues' energetic response, Gawagos nodded and glanced over the documents on the podium.
“Alright, next item on the agenda!!”
She projected a hologram beside her.
The faces of Park Shin-ju, Jekovic, and Sharin Tankobichi appeared on the hologram.
Next to them, an image of the Bio Vanguard headquarters and profile pictures of several executives also appeared.
Gawagos looked up at the hologram.
“It's been a day since Negoti-alien Park Shin-ju and Investigator Jekovic from Korea, along with the hero of Bluerobic, Sharin Tankobichi, infiltrated the Bio Vanguard headquarters, and we've been unable to make any contact!!”
Jason Lee was watching the hologram with his arms crossed.
“According to Inspector Jason Lee's report, a young child from Bluerobic who had been subjected to biological experiments was discovered inside the infiltrated building!!”
The room buzzed with murmurs.
The mention of 'biological experiments' sent a stir through the crowd.
“If you see one cockroach in a building, it means there are dozens, hundreds more hiding out of sight!! I've determined there's a high probability that numerous other biological experiments have been conducted besides the one child we found!!
Therefore, I'm forming a special investigation team to launch a full-scale investigation into illegal kidnapping and violations of bioethics laws!!”
Gawagos pointed at the hologram.
“And at the same time, we'll be carrying out a rescue operation to save these three!!”
Groans emanated from the crowd at the sudden development.
They all looked at each other with troubled expressions.
Just then, someone raised their hand.
“Yes, Investigator Enri! Do you have something to say?”
Enri stood up from her seat and assumed a position of 'at ease'.
“Given the specific skills of each investigator, it may be difficult to conduct a pressure investigation on Bio Vanguard and a rescue operation simultaneously.”
Gawagos and the other officers listened intently to Enri's words.
“Sharin Tankobichi is my sister, and I know her well. I'm certain she's serving as a reliable ally to Mr. Park Shin-ju and Mr. Jekovic.”
Gawagos's eyes narrowed.
“So... you're saying we should trust Sharin Tankobichi to handle things on that end?”
“Yes! That's right. I believe the rescue team can be organized with a small number of personnel!”
Enri met Gawagos's gaze.
Gawagos recognized the subtle signal she was sending.
Gawagos gave a slight nod.
Enri deliberately didn't mention Shin-ju's Old Book.
The existence of the Old Book would only encourage complacency among her colleagues.
“Alright!! Then I'll trust you and form a small rescue team!!”
Gawagos looked at Enri and Jason.
“Then... will Investigators Enri and Jason join the rescue team?”
“Yes, we will!”
The two answered in unison.
Soon after, someone else raised their hand.
“Hm?”
Silverfire and Speeder could be seen raising their hands near the front of the podium.
“Are Silverfire and Traffic Officer Speeder also volunteering for the rescue team?”
“Yes!”
*Tweet-*
Silverfire's answer and the sound of Speeder's whistle rang out at the same time.
Gawagos nodded.
“Excellent!! The rescue team will consist of four members: Enri Tankobichi, Jason Lee, Silverfire, and Speeder!!”
Gawagos's eyes scanned the room as she looked forward.
“Now, we'll form the investigation team. Any volunteers?”
At Gawagos's question, everyone just exchanged glances and murmured amongst themselves.
“No volunteers?!”
As Gawagos shouted, an insectoid alien sitting in the front row raised its hand.
“Oh, yes!! Jakal!! You'll participate?”
“If it's biological experiments... it's highly likely the three of them are on that planet.”
“That planet...?”
“Taumiel b1. It's an artificial planet created for biological experiments.”
Gawagos stared at him intently.
“...How do you know that?”
The insectoid alien called Jakal remained silent for a moment at her question.
“I will explain that to you privately later. In any case, I... will cooperate with the investigation team.”
Gawagos thought for a moment, then answered without pressing further.
“Hmm... very well!! Anyone else?”
With Jakal taking the lead, aliens from all over began to raise their hands.
Gawagos called out their names and compiled a list.
“Good!! That concludes the formation of the investigation team!!”
Profile pictures of the team members appeared on the hologram.
“Everyone will hold their respective meetings today, and be prepared to report your progress directly to me tomorrow!! Understood?!”
“Yes, ma'am!”
“Alright then, dismissed!!”
The conference room emptied out as if water draining from a bathtub.
“Ugh.”
Enri stretched her arms out wide.
Her abs were clearly defined beneath her raised shirt.
“So, what now?”
Jason asked, staring off into the distance with his arms crossed.
“...We'll have to go back into that building.”
*Thump, thump.*
Soon, Silverfire walked up to the two of them.
Enri looked up at Silverfire with a worried expression.
“Silver! Are you alright? I heard it was an intense fight. Are you sure you're okay to get right back to work...?”
“No problem.”
Silverfire replied as if it were nothing.
Then, he extended a hand to Jason for a handshake.
“Hello. I'm 'Silverfire' from the Counter-Terrorism Unit. It's a pleasure to work with you.”
Jason, who had been standing with his arms crossed, quickly unfolded them and took Silverfire's heavy hand.
“Ah, yes, yes! A pleasure. I've heard a lot about you. I look forward to working with you.”
Silverfire released his hand and looked back and forth between Enri and Jason.
“Now then, for the operational meeting...”
“Ah, excuse me...!”
Suddenly, someone cautiously approached the three of them.
When they turned, they saw 'Jakal', the one who had mentioned the biological experiment planet.
“Ah... yes! Mr. Jakal.”
Enri was the first to react.
Jakal moved his antennae as he spoke.
“Before you proceed with your operation, I have something to tell you. Do you have a moment?”
Enri glanced at the others.
Silverfire and Jason gave a slight nod.
“Of course. It would be best if we can help each other.”
Enri replied with a smile.
“Yes, thank you. There is something I must tell you all.”
Jakal furrowed his brow for a moment before finally speaking.
“I was a test subject in those biological experiments.”