Chapter 387
Chapter 387
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 387. Sewage
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It's not a difficult task.
In the quiet stairwell landing, I slowly open the manual and speak.
"Records always need a format, right?"
The manual opens immediately at my words. As if it was waiting for me to say that.
Was it waiting for me to say this?
[Office Manual]
[WR - How to Enter into the Manual.]
1. With the exception of an extremely small number of cases, the manual always follows the Management Bureau's standard manual recording format.
2. This consists of consecutive numbers that must start from 0 or 1 (in the order 1,2,3,4,5), followed by a period to complete the item notation.
3. The Management Bureau's manual is protected by its own embedded confidentiality agreements and restrictions, so non-Management Bureau personnel cannot read the manual. Therefore, even if you see text written in the manual's format somewhere, if that sentence is written outside the manual, you must verify it.
4. The manual is entered in the manner described above, and even if the user fails to adhere to the above clauses due to a mistake, the manual will confirm and correct it afterward.
That's what it was.
I check the phrases written on the wall once more.
The handwriting is all different, but...
There was a difference.
...
Phrases without periods, and phrases with periods.
How much time do you think I've spent looking at manuals?
I clear my throat with a hum and continue the explanation.
It wouldn't matter if I just went down, but if other people are trapped, the only thing they can rely on is the manual.
"...So, you have to be careful."
After I read the last sentence and look at the manual, it begins to close slowly.
-Shwaaak!
With a crisp sound, the manual closes, and I start moving my steps.
There's no time. I need to hurry, update the manual, and find some way out of here.
I'll head to the first floor.
After descending one flight of stairs,
-Whoooosh...
What greets me is an unfinished staircase.
And there, a new sign that looks like it was just put up is attached.
[The stairs are currently under construction. It might seem like you could jump down to the first floor from a distance, but you absolutely cannot arrive that way, so please refrain from jumping.]
[No one who jumped thinking it was dangerous has returned alive yet.]
If that's the case, shouldn't they build the stairs first?
With that thought, I step out toward the hallway area,
...
A hallway still in the midst of being painted welcomes me.
White paint covers about half of it, and the floor, yet to be designed, greets me.
However, since the framework seems mostly complete, the positions of the offices haven't changed.
-Shwaaak!
The manual opens,
[Office Manual]
[Gangseo Branch Construction Site]
[3rd Floor]
1. The 3rd floor is mostly construction-complete, so no major anomalies occur.
2. However, after that incident, many events are happening around the riverside, so don't let your guard down too much. You must not forget the fundamental reason why the Gangseo Branch is being built in the first place.
3. What interferes most with the 3rd floor construction is the sewage.
4. After the Myeongil Apartment incident, black water began rising in various parts of the country, and those who came into contact with or ingested it all exhibited mental derangement, evil physical mutations, and cognitive changes.
5. If black water occasionally drips from the ceiling, absolutely do not go near that spot.
6. If the black water touches bare skin, wash it off quickly, but never wipe it off with your hands.
7. In preparation for times when an overwhelming amount of water falls, the Management Bureau has provided eaves. Go under the eaves to avoid the water.
Not too difficult this time.
With that thought, I start walking,
-Rustle!
Along with the sensation of stepping on something, I look down to see countless pieces of clothing scattered around.
As if someone had hastily stripped off their clothes.
...
I check the clothes.
They seem to have been removed in a hurry, with sleeves and pant legs flipped every which way, and especially the upper part is completely stained black, so it doesn't look good to touch with hands.
I nudge the clothes with my foot,
"...What the hell is this."
The sight before my eyes is so ridiculous that I mutter to myself without realizing it.
Attached to the clothes is something like flesh.
And it's like someone shed it as if molting their skin.
It said that contact with sewage leads to loss of humanity, or worse.
At the same time, with a loud noise, the manual opens again.
[Office Manual]
[Gangseo Branch Construction Site]
[3rd Floor]
8. The Management Bureau conducts periodic disposal of eroded employees, but if the Management Bureau's cleanup hasn't been done yet and you sense something lurking around here, prepare the firearm issued by the Management Bureau and move as quickly as possible.
9. If you get caught, resist with the gun as much as you can. But remember that your goal is not to kill the monster, but solely to escape from it.
10. In case it's too late and you're caught, leave one bullet behind.
I get the general idea.
I quickly draw my gun and check the magazine count.
This should be manageable.
With that thought, I proceed slowly, staying vigilant in all four directions.
No Critical, and the situation isn't great.
Come to think of it, lately it feels like Criticals are coming a bit stingily.
Has the threshold for easily granting Criticals after I've figured it out gone up?
Who knows.
Or maybe it's preparing something big?
It's my eye, but I still don't know much about it.
If I had to say, I know that my little sister somehow passed this eye to me...
The problem is I really don't know anything else.
It's my body, but I don't know it—it's absurd. Really.
Anyway, lost in such random thoughts as I walk,
-Rustle.
As expected, I hear something dragging from somewhere.
The only weapon I have right now is one pistol.
With no HR Team members around, the odds of me properly taking it down are practically zero.
I quicken my pace.
Getting caught now would be a real pain.
With that thought, as I'm moving,
-Slither...
The dragging sound grows louder, and I swallow a sigh as I turn around.
Someone is crawling toward me from the ceiling, hanging upside down.
The facts that they're naked and drooling from the mouth are a bit problematic.
They seem related to the crawling things I've seen earlier.
A translucent window appears.
[Name: Immerser]
[Age: Created 3 days ago]
[Talents: None]
[Specialties: None]
[Background: He felt curiosity. Why must humans wear clothes? Why must humans wear skin? If we all just become our true selves as we are, wouldn't everyone be happy and enjoy life together?]
[Weakness: Possible with strong impact.]
And naturally, without a second thought, I turn and start running away from it.
Fight that thing? No way in hell.
-Bang!
And I don't forget to shoot at its head to slow it down.
"It's human!"
The thing hit by my shot screams that and charges toward me.
"Come on in! You have to show yourself somehow here or you're in big trouble!"
It can speak just fine.
"I've realized it too! To survive in this harsh, scary world, I need to shed everything that's not me!"
-Bang! Bang!
"So join me! I want you to know my sense of relief too!"
What the hell is it saying.
-Bang!
"Don't hate it too much! I think you'll understand me!"
I run forward, occasionally shooting behind me, but its calling voice seems to be getting closer.
This isn't good.
With that thought, I put more strength into my legs and run faster.
Let's see.
The hallway does have an end, so if I just run well, it'll be fine.
I turn my body backward to shoot,
"Got you."
My eyes meet those of the person reaching out right in front of me.
"Damn...!"
Before its hand touches my bare skin, I hurriedly raise both arms to block with my clothes, and we both tumble to the floor.
-Thud crash!
Impact slams into my back, and before I can catch my breath, I roll to dodge the onslaught of hands and grit my teeth.
Bad position.
Of all places, that guy's standing by the exit.
To get past, I have no choice but to go through him.
Fortunately, I didn't drop the gun.
...
A damp sensation at the end of my arm.
Sewage has touched my arm.
A stinging headache hits, but I grit my teeth, ignore it, and get into position.
Not only that, a burning pain spreads from my arm, but I don't have time to worry about it now.
"Do you agree?"
"I'm starting the record on the containment object now."
Ignoring its words to me, I open my mouth, and the manual unfolds.
-Shwaaak!
[Office Manual]
[Containment Object - Immerser - Record by HR Team's Kim Jaeheon]
"I'll observe carefully and record slowly for now."
1. Observe carefully and record slowly first
As if it thought I'd write right away, a strikethrough hurriedly appears on the manual, then the text erases like with an eraser.
-Click!
I raise my hand and swap the magazine.
It's not like I've only handled guns for a day or two; I didn't think I'd lose.