The Human Spy in the Sewers

Sewer human spy. I led the team that had mercilessly butchered the anomalies into B-16 sector.

'Honestly, I still can't quite believe it.'

A 9th grade underling.

It was no different from marching based on the word of some fresh recruit who'd just entered basic training.

When I checked if this was really okay, the responses were as follows.

"We've got plenty of booze, so we're good. Want a sip?"

"If you do well, we complete the mission early. If not, we'll just have to shoot more. Either way works for me."

"You did great last time too, so it'll be fine this time, right?"

They all treated me like an old hand at navigation.

"Jeongchan saved a bunch of people in the sewers last time. Everyone saw the records from then, that's why they're trusting you."

Even as a mere 9th grade underling, I'd apparently built up some trust.

'Satisfying.'

Trust goes to reliable people, after all.

The words and actions of someone trusted carried more weight than those who weren't.

The same held true in the Anomaly Gallery.

*

"First time catching this many anomalies in a single day. Been ages since my hands got this gunpowder-stained. Feels damn good. You worked hard finding them."

Ha Taewon gazed at his soot-blackened hands and smiled quietly. A far cry from the maniacal laughter when he'd hunted anomalies.

Feeling ecstasy from gunning down anomalies—what a terrifying guy.

Before he wiped them all out, I needed to rescue the anomalies, including the mother specimen.

'Gotta contain them all.'

Seeing them slaughter innocent people, it seemed like the environment had twisted them.

In a shithole like this, even humans turn monstrous. Add resurrection, and they'd act without restraint, like delinquent kids who know they won't face consequences.

Better for them—and people—if I corrected their behavior in the containment cells I'd personally prepared, with proper management and affection.

'The ones already in my Management Division have settled down.'

Maybe cuz they're smart. The ones I'd taken in were already reforming. They could be rehabilitated in a good environment.

They expressed it roughly, but I knew they agreed with me. If not, tough.

'Time to move solo.'

Team ops left no chance to contain them intact—they pulverized without a trace.

Had to act while everyone rested.

Normally, going solo during team ops would stand out, so caution was needed, but timing was perfect now.

Jang Yoel had passed out sipping booze, Nahee was busy wrangling the hypnotized gang members.

Perfect for slipping away quietly.

Only Ha Taewon was still alert—

"Where you off to?"

"Hunting anomalies."

"...Mm. Tired, you sure you're good?"

"Yeah, nothing beats hunting anomalies ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for fun."

"Do whatever you want."

As long as he got to shoot, he didn't care what I did.

I checked the comments the anomalies had posted and headed to each location one by one, starting from spots the team hadn't hit.

With some experience under my belt, I navigated solo just fine. Got help from the gallery folks too.

There were faint damp footprints. Wonder how they spotted these.

Following Search Squad Member's guidance, I tracked anomaly traces like footprints and captured them one by one. Then I found an area where the prints converged.

Oddly, it was a dead-end blocked by a wall. I stared straight at the wall.

…….

What the hell is this bullshit.

As I approached to tap the wall with my sickle, I froze.

Prints led toward the wall but none came back. Even tossing a weighted chain yielded no hollow-wall echo.

Something was definitely inside. No idea what. No malice or goodwill aura, so probably not an anomaly….

How'd time fly? Had to rejoin the team.

I returned to the hideout where the gang members we'd raided were holed up. They looked beat but had catnapped.

"Been in these sewers too long? Head's starting to hurt. Losing my sense of direction?"

"Quit whining."

"Not everyone's as tough as you, senior. Hypnosis wears me out too."

"Tch, weakling. Learn from Jeongchan."

"What does that even…."

Nahee eyed me up and down with her puffy face, then her eyes widened.

"Oh my god… Jeongchan, where'd you go?"

"Hunted some anomalies."

"All night? We were teaming up, you should've said something…."

"I permitted it."

Nahee scowled.

"Senior. Even if Jeongchan's way above his rank, this is too much. Sewers aren't normal, and you let him go solo? What if something happened…."

"More capable than you, who's directionless and whimpering."

"…Just woke up, that's why."

"Sure it is."

Ha Taewon continued in a tone calm to the point of cold.

"Won't have time to call her junior. At this rate, he'll promote faster than you."

Nahee looked stunned, and Jang Yoel chuckled with his booze.

"Low ranks are always so gung-ho. You were hunting the mother, right?"

"Yeah."

"Any results?"

I turned from the gallery.

"No clear results."

"Ehehe. Just tough luck all night. Happens, don't sweat it. Drink?"

"But I think I found a hidden passage behind the wall. Couldn't break through solo to confirm."

Jang Yoel set down his booze.

"For sure? Nah, doesn't matter. Not booze time. Let's go now."

I guided the team to the wall.

"Everyone stay back, might be a trap."

Jang Yoel smashed the wall with brute force.

Bam—

The wall crumbled, revealing a passage inside.

"No sign it was hollow—how'd you find this?"

"Oh, spotted anomaly traces by chance. Footprints converged."

"……?"

Jang Yoel looked puzzled.

"You can see that? Anyway, move forward."

"Send the hypnotized ones first."

"Good. No telling what'll happen."

At Nahee's order, the hypnotized gang members entered ahead.

Beyond the passage was a cavern. The ones who'd gone through seemed fine.

"No traps apparent."

"…Don't let your guard down."

"Battle ready, everyone."

No sooner had Jang Yoel spoken than something dropped from above, crushing the gang members.

A massive anomaly in a bubbling, molten-wetsuit-like suit, body twisted every which way.

"That the mother?"

"Looks shootable."

Not the anomaly we wanted.

"No, that's not the mother."

"Yeah? Then we handle this. You find the mother."

Jang Yoel took a swig and said,

"I'll trust your eyes and senses so far."