Director Kim appeared remarkably haggard.
Although I don’t clearly remember the last time I saw him, it seems like he’s aged about three years since then.
Surely, the three years couldn’t have just passed during my stay by the seaside.
This must mean something has happened here… no, not just here, but somewhere in this place.
As I clung to Han Seori and followed Director Kim, a familiar yet strangely unfamiliar scene unfolded before my eyes.
There were signs of recent renovations scattered around, and the people moving about nearby looked extremely busy.
Too busy to even notice that I was clinging to Han Seori.
Behind me, Kim Cheon-soo trailed along, pulling a glass container filled with carefree jellyfish—especially the whale one.
Though I suppose he was following Han Seori and the Director rather than me.
Anyway.
As we walked down the hallway that had somehow become somewhat unfamiliar, we eventually reached the corridor where my old room used to be.
Thinking about the end of what felt like a long journey, I was ready to head to bed—
—Only to find it wasn’t there.
I doubt asking would yield any different answer—it seems it simply isn’t.
It was as if some enormous, sharp hand had just swept my room away.
Feeling a bit disoriented as I stared at the spot, Han Seori comfortingly patted my back (or the jelly part) and murmured that everything would be fine.
Though, it wasn’t quite that bad.
I still had no idea what had happened.
Maybe there was an earthquake?
Could that be why we went to the seaside?
I don’t know.
Honestly, the room wasn’t something I had paid for, so I didn’t feel particularly attached to it. But the thought of all my belongings disappearing left me feeling a bit nostalgic, especially for the bed and TV.
Will they put those back… anew?
I’ve already lost everything once, but losing it twice would feel unbearable.
Still.
It seemed there was a new room prepared in place of the vanished one. The Director confidently strode down the hall, as smoothly as ever.
But we walked for quite some time.
Even to my uninformed mind, it felt like they were prioritizing security.
It’s kind of like those movies where they shake off someone tailing them by circling around, only to suddenly dart off in an unexpected direction.
Although I’ve never tried it myself, it feels similar to that.
Then, a small door appeared.
The Director manipulated a panel and opened it, revealing another small room.
There was yet another door inside, but sure enough, the Director manipulated another panel.
This process, which was exhausting to remember, continued until we reached what was presumably the final door. It left me feeling drained, despite not doing anything.
The Director, who had been fiddling with the panel, seemed tired but somehow still spirited as he spoke.
“We’ve prepared this to the best of our abilities. What do you think?”
However, Han Seori, who had silently followed behind him, replied with a somewhat reluctant tone.
“Is there any meaning to this?”
“Probably not. I just wanted to try it once.”
“Is this… made with the Singularity?”
“When else would you use it if not now?”
Doors that resembled something from an escape room.
Could it really be made with Singularity?
I thought it might make for an incredibly successful escape room cafe if they used something like that.
…Or is that wrong?
Themes matter too, so it’s not like just having that would make everything great.
While having these somewhat irrelevant thoughts, I entered my new sanctuary.
Directing me, Han Seori, and Kim Cheon-soo inside first, the Director had a somewhat wistful look on his face.
Could it be because Han Seori questioned its significance?
Perhaps the Director is a more straightforward person than I thought.
…Just his first impression was overly strict.
If I hadn’t become this, we might have been able to be decent friends.
The Director looked at me with complex emotions in his eyes.
Would it be difficult from now on?
As I entered, the space appeared wider than before.
The bed was naturally there, as was the TV.
Just the toys that used to roll around here and there were missing.
But I wasn’t too nostalgic for those.
After all, I rarely played with them anyway.
As I observed the new room, the jellyfish inside the glass containers were released.
Once the humans who had released the jellies left, their grim faces made me think there was some kind of big issue.
Well, since a whole room had vanished, something significant must have happened.
Hm.
It feels like I’ve forgotten something—just a feeling, perhaps?
I thought I saw a timer… or maybe I didn’t…
As I was mulling over this vague memory, Little Sosik approached my new bed.
No way.
Relying on my superior size and length, I plopped onto the bed first.
Feeling triumphant, I noticed Sosik curled up nearby, rhythmically moving the jelly.
…An uncomfortable feeling washed over me.
It seemed like I was the only one overreacting.
Sigh.
Apparently, since they’re not human, they don’t fully understand the importance of these things.
As I muttered this to myself, I noticed Daesik climbing onto the bed as well.
The whale seemed to dislike being confined to the glass container, as it floated freely in the air, relishing its newfound freedom.
Maybe because it didn’t hurt despite bumping against the glass before.
Or maybe it’s just his nature.
…I think I might have gotten a tiring new neighbor.
His name is still undecided.
There’s Sosik.
And Daesik.
Calling him “Joesik” might seem too lazy.
…Goesik?
We’ll decide later.
Since there’s no one but me to call him anything, it doesn’t really matter, but this time I decided to give some thought to it.
Besides, there were other things I wanted to confirm…
But I started to feel sleepy.
Maybe the tension loosened now that I’ve returned to what feels like home.
Thinking about it, it’s not really home…
More like a prison.
But since I think of it as home…
Who can say anything?
So, I momentarily postponed my tasks.
I wriggled into the blanket and…
Dropped off to sleep.
Even though I ate a lot of seafood, they say rest is the best medicine.
After isolating 7496 – KR in the new isolation chamber (if you could even call it that), Yoo Gang-jik and Han Seori sent Kim Cheon-soo away before heading to Han Seori’s personal space.
It was one of the most secure areas of this lab.
Upon entering and taking her usual seat, Yoo Gang-jik let out a deep sigh and slumped into another chair.
Noticing how Yoo Gang-jik had aged significantly in less than a month, Han Seori voiced an apologetic tone.
“Looks like you’ve eaten a lot of tteokguk while I was away.”
“I’m not here to joke around.”
“Ahaha… I thought you’d like something like that…”
Han Seori chuckled awkwardly, briefly averting her gaze before bowing her head.
“I’m sorry you had to go through all this for me. I mean… I didn’t think it would really come to this.”
“Didn’t you confirm before you went down there?”
“Sort of… Honestly, I was hoping it wouldn’t be true, but unfortunately, I was right.”
Upon hearing that their target was indeed 7496 – KR, Han Seori massaged her temples with an uneasy expression.
After exchanging brief pleasantries, the two fell silent for a moment.
Then, Han Seori eventually spoke with determination.
“While I was coming back up, I did some thinking.”
“Yes.”
“Anyway… I think we need to move the containment room.”
“Hmm? To somewhere even more secure than where it is now?”
“No. The current security is sufficient already. But that’s not really solving the root problem… You know? We managed to buy some time, but eventually, the information will leak again, and the same thing will happen.”
And next time, it probably won’t be so easy to evade.
Deep in thought, Yoo Gang-jik pondered what she was suggesting.
He also thought a more fundamental solution was needed.
But no good ideas were coming to him.
Understanding his thoughts with a faint smile, Han Seori outlined her plan.
Yoo Gang-jik, who had been quietly listening, scratched his head with a rather flabbergasted expression.
Of course… It seemed somewhat outdated but was both fundamental and discreet, an effective method for maintaining security.
But…
“Will they approve something like that?”
“…Honestly, I can’t be sure.”
“Hmm.”
Chin in hand, Yoo Gang-jik sighed inwardly about how he had come to entertain such a thought.
Yet his face carried a faint sense of joy as he spoke.
And upon hearing his proposal, Han Seori also looked at him in surprise.
Regardless, it appealed to her as well.
She decided to consider it positively.
If everything went well…
She thought it would be quite enjoyable.
