E.G.O
We're screwed.
We're really screwed.
Having an Abnormality around wasn't that big a deal. The problem was that the Abnormality was Big Bird.
"...Bright... light..."
"Dokja! Snap out of it!"
"Uh... huh? What was I..."
Damn. So the lamp's hypnosis can't even be blocked by the Fourth Wall?
"Dokja. Listen carefully to what I'm about to say."
"Uh, huh? What are you talking about?"
"Run. Right now. Above ground — anywhere."
"What do you mean..."
"You felt a little off just now, right? That thing hypnotizes people and swallows them whole in one go."
"What... did you say?"
"No matter how strong you are, no matter how tough — it doesn't mean a thing. If you're hypnotized, it swallows you in a single bite."
Big Bird.
An Abnormality that hypnotizes employees with the light of its lamp and devours them. Fail to break the hypnosis in time, and even an employee equipped with any E.G.O gear gets swallowed whole in one gulp.
"Fall back behind me for now. Looks like I'm not affected by that hypnosis."
"A-alright."
I send Dokja behind me and face off against Big Bird.
Come at me. Without the hypnosis...
"Krruk?"
It stares at me with its countless yellow eyes. The sensation of those enormous eyes all locking onto me at once is even more unsettling than I'd expected.
And then it moves.
What's it going to do? Hypnosis? Or just chomp down? Whatever comes...!
"Krruk!"
But every single one of my predictions misses the mark.
Big Bird charges at me like it's reuniting with an old friend and starts rubbing its body against mine.
"Oof...?! Wai—!"
When something that massive comes barreling in to nuzzle you, the force is considerable. I can't withstand its show of affection and end up flat on the floor. But it doesn't stop — it keeps rubbing against me.
...What the hell is this?
Trait, 'Lobotomy Corporation', has been activated!
Due to the activation of Trait 'Lobotomy Corporation', exclusive skills 'Containment' and 'Extraction' have been added!
...Containment? Extraction? What the hell is...
"...A Fable? This counts as a Fable?"
Unbelievable. Just accepting that Big Bird is showing me affection is hard enough — and now even the Star Stream is sending me confusing messages.
Eventually Big Bird stops rubbing against me and sits quietly in front of me.
"...What are you?"
"Krruk?"
"Haa... like talking would work."
"Um... Hayeon? I think it wants something."
It wants something?
When I look at it again, it's staring right at me with glittering eyes. But I have a guess...
...No way.
"Don't tell me... you want me to contain you?"
"Krruk!"
It nods as if I've hit the nail on the head.
How the hell does this thing know about my skill?
First, I open my status window and tap the newly appeared skills.
Contains discovered Abnormalities in a subspace.
...Subspace?
Wait, then Extraction is...
Extracts Enkephalin and E.G.O equipment from contained Abnormalities.
When extracting Enkephalin or E.G.O equipment, there is a chance to obtain an E.G.O Gift.
...You've got to be kidding me.
Extracting E.G.O. That isn't just some ordinary word. E.G.O holds tremendous potential — from gear that supports allies, to E.G.O specialized for fighting multiple enemies. There are even E.G.O so powerful they're called monstrous.
And I can extract that kind of E.G.O?
"...This is a total game-breaker..."
Of course there won't be no cost. Even so, this is a broken ability, no question. Then that means that too...
"Hayeon?"
"Uh, yeah? What's up?"
"That thing. It doesn't seem hostile. Do we still need to run?"
Right — he was still here.
"...Let me try something first."
"You? Try what?"
"I just got a new skill. Watch."
I approach Big Bird, still sitting in front of me, and place my hand on its head.
But... how do I actually contain it?
"Do I just say 'Containment'?"
The moment the words leave my mouth, golden chains erupt from the floor and bind Big Bird. But it doesn't seem to mind at all — it actually surrenders itself to the chains. Then it's dragged down into the floor where the chains emerged, and vanishes completely.
The Constellation, 'One Who Oxidized into Light', welcomes a long-unseen presence.
...What?
Why are you happy about this?
Wait — the place Big Bird went... don't tell me?
The Constellation, 'One Who Oxidized into Light', begins work for the first time in a long while.
Holy shit. So I was right.
Looks like Big Bird went to where Ayin is. Then Ayin must be the one handling the Extraction of E.G.O and Enkephalin too.
"Um... is it over?"
"Yeah. Seems so."
"Then I'm gonna step out for a bit."
"Step out? Right now?"
"Yeah. There's something I need to grab."
"...Alright. But come back quick."
Dokja gives a light wave and heads up the stairs to the surface. And I sit down, leaning against the wall.
Extraction. E.G.O. Massive concepts just flooded into my head all at once. And Big Bird being here means other Abnormalities could be here too. Which means that 'grain of rice' bastard could be here as well.
"...We're screwed."
If that thing really did cross over into this world, it'll probably show up as one of the scenarios. They wouldn't just let something like that loose in the city, after all.
I slowly close my eyes, trying to sort through the mess in my head. Even if ALEPH-class ones really did come over — there's nothing I can do about it right now.
"Haa... I'm so tired..."
Everything that's happened so far, and the thoughts churning through my head right now, bring a wave of exhaustion crashing over me all at once. Before long, my consciousness sinks back into the darkness, and I gradually drift off to sleep.
The Constellation, 'Courage That Protects', smiles at a long-unseen old foe.
The Constellation, 'Discerning Reason', furrows its brow at the presence it faces once more.
The Constellation, 'Librarian of the Library', assists 'One Who Oxidized into Light' for the first time in a long while.
The Constellation, 'Black Grade 9 Fixer', gazes at a familiar presence.
The Constellation, 'Black Tea Enthusiast', smiles.