Diver Hunt and Gallery Chaos
"Alright. Let's start with A Sector. It's close by, so it'd be good to sweep through there first."
I followed Team Leader Nahee, who was taking the lead, while scanning our surroundings. The sewer walls had large zone markings: B-31. I matched it against the map we'd been given beforehand to confirm our position.
"That map wasn't made by us. It's something the anomaly called the Diver was carrying around."
Nahee gave a brief rundown on the Diver.
"It's an anomaly in a metal diving suit. Carries a harpoon or a hook line. Kinda similar to the weapon you've got there, Jeongchan. Just the opposite look."
Nahee flashed a playful grin.
"It looks pretty alien, so it might be scary. Don't scream in surprise, okay?"
"Got it. I'll be careful."
I'd turned on the live stream feature in case there was any advice to glean, but the gallery folks were already chiming in with their jabs.
"Of course, I believe you'll do great. You escaped two anomalous phenomena already, after all. But people new to sewers tend to freak out the first time they see a Diver."
Who wouldn't be stunned by the sight of that glossy, water-slicked diving suit? Like a wet swimsuit or drenched hair, the mere fact of it being soaked amplified its allure.
"Panic or fear makes mental pollution worse. You lose your sense of direction, can't read the map properly—it's fatal. That's why I'm warning you ahead of time. Your mental resistance isn't that strong yet, so speak up if anything feels off."
Nahee was being pretty considerate toward me. What a beautiful soul. I love this kind of beauty.
"Thanks for looking out for me."
"It's only natural. Gotta brief you properly so you perform well. I've got promotion ambitions, so if you shine, we both win. Especially you—I've got high hopes."
"Mind if I make a suggestion?"
"What is it?"
"I have a feeling I know where the anomalies that took people are. Can I take point?"
Nahee looked puzzled.
"I didn't see anything, but do you have some scouting ability?"
Wonder if it's okay to mention I can check the Anomaly Gallery.
Better safe than sorry.
"My eyes are a bit special. I can spot anomaly traces better than most."
"Dark down here, but your pupils look unusual. Related to that ability?"
"Yeah, exactly."
"Cool. Lead on."
I kept an eye on the Anomaly Gallery posts.
"Found it."
Up ahead, a Diver waddling along, dragging a hooked-line-bound person.
Grrr, can't hold back.
I wanted to touch that rough-looking diving suit right then. I kicked off the slippery floor hard and surged forward, swinging the sickle left and right.
"Gurgle... glurk..."
The Diver collapsed with a burst of bubbles from my ambush.
Contained anomaly 'Diver'.
Pretty clean strike, if I say so myself. The Containment Gallery crew must've thought so too.
True to form as has-beens existing only as ghosts, they tore into my sickle work relentlessly.
On the flip side, the gallery's few voices of conscience popped up now and then, debating growth paths.
Grateful, but regretting the live stream purchase. Every catch, and they nitpick.
Tempted to cleanse with a Mary pic, but since bans are a thing, better warn first.
Doll collection? Kinda curious, honestly.
Nahee let out a hollow laugh watching Jeongchan fight while leaving the missing person to her. She could see why the team leader with Ha Taewon always smiled kindly.
Fast.
That speed alone was threatening, and his movements were optimizing in real time.
Like someone battle-hardened puppeteering him live. No way you'd absorb lessons that quick even with coaching.
She felt silly for thinking his last move cocky.
'Team Leader, sorry, but can you handle the missing folks? I'll fetch more solo.'
'Possible, but dangerous?'
'Gotta risk it.'
'Go wild then.'
He really went solo and plucked them out one by one. Already four. Most searches all day yield zilch; half-day haul like this was insane.
Oblivious to his prowess, Jeongchan sourly eyed the missing people.
Drooling blankly.
Overly aggressive, had to KO repeatedly.
Kept diving into channels, so trussed tight.
The one he'd barely knocked out to drag back.
"Send some out midway? Harder to manage as numbers grow."
"Nah. I'll hypnotize 'em and bring along."
"Huh? Hypnosis?"
Nahee snapped her fingers; the missing stood at attention.
"This power gets me called out for incidents. Rescue gig too. I'll send 'em off at exits. Wanna scout more?"
"Think we've hit all A Sector. Next zone?"
"...Sure."
Nahee chuckled dryly at Jeongchan navigating sewers flawlessly.
How's he pinpointing missing people?
Ban lifted via Mary's Broadcast!