“It’s smaller than I thought.”
– It feels smaller than when we first secured it.
“…You didn’t tamper with it, did you?”
– What do you take me for?
“…Is the owner not good enough for a dog?”
– …
“No, I was just joking, right? Anyway… Try doing something.”
The woman, after making a tasteless joke, scratched her cheek awkwardly.
I guess my unintended thoughts just slipped out.
Clearing her throat, she cast her eyes toward the scene beyond the window and urged on the person through the communicator.
“The man isn’t offended by this, is he? I’ll buy you a meal after we’re done, so cheer up.”
– …Uh, the place we went to last time wasn’t bad…
“Let’s save the personal talk for later.”
It seemed the conversation might drag on, so Han Seori, the woman, cut it cleanly and refocused her attention on the view beyond the glass.
Beyond the glass was utter whiteness.
The room, almost oppressively immaculate, housed two beings… no, one person and one singularity.
One was the singularity nicknamed ‘Damn Mucus,’ brought in by the man, Kim Cheon-soo.
Kim Cheon-soo, after initially placing the singularity in the room, returned in his bulky hazmat suit.
The other one was the singularity itself, unofficially referred to as ‘Damn Mucus,’ which would soon be classified officially. This nickname originated from those who suffered arduously in the sewers to retrieve it.
Someone had joked that it dangled perfectly from a crocodile’s nostril, but in truth, it was likely payback for the days of filth endured by those tracking it down in the sewer system.
Since the name would likely change upon official classification, no one questioned it. After all, it was indeed the ‘mucus’ that caused the Containment Unit much trouble.
Han Seori glanced at the singularity, ‘Damn Mucus,’ that had given everyone such a hard time and couldn’t help but murmur:
“…Cute.”
She felt apologetic to the containment team but admitted her first impression was that. Its soft, translucent blue body, while slightly alien, still exuded a silhouette akin to that of a young girl, making it somewhat endearing.
Still, questions formed in her mind:
‘According to the briefing, it fused with a man named Han Ho-soo.’
…Did this person really look like this?
Han Seori recalled the dossier she had read and discarded, reimagining the photo appended to it. Comparing that image with the trembling jelly being in the isolation room, she thought:
“…They don’t look alike at all.”
Furthermore, as she watched it tremble at the approach of the hazmat-suited Kim Cheon-soo, it was difficult to imagine the robust man from the photo.
This girl-like jelly evoked a strong protective instinct—an instinct so strong that even Kim Cheon-soo seemed flustered by her actions.
It almost felt like watching someone commit a perversion.
As she observed, Han Seori extracted a notepad and pen from her pocket to jot down her thoughts—a method she often used to organize them.
[Is it certain that the fusion was with Han Ho-soo?]
Perhaps it was all just a coincidence.
‘But it was captured at his house.’
If it was indeed fused…
[Could it have only absorbed his intelligence and knowledge but not his consciousness?]
Han Seori tapped the thought with her pen, pondering deeply.
Though it seemed insignificant, the question was crucial. The issue lay in whether Han Ho-soo’s consciousness remained, allowing the ‘Damn Mucus’ to display intelligent behavior—or if the singularity merely mimicked such behavior after absorbing his intelligence.
The small, girl-like form might simply be to evoke protection.
If Han Ho-soo’s consciousness remained, it would naturally adopt a similar appearance.
‘It’s too early to jump to conclusions.’
Regardless, it’s clear that it possesses some form of consciousness.
If Han Ho-soo’s consciousness does remain, the situation may become complicated—but cooperation might make the process smoother.
This would normally be confirmed procedurally in the lab where she was an assistant director. However, the recent behavior of the director—looking suspicious upon return—was problematic.
Add to that, the unpleasant rumors about him. Rumors that he illicitly removed ‘easy’ singularities for personal gain.
Though he vehemently denied the claims, one wonders:
‘Does smoke rise without fire?’
After organizing her thoughts, Han Seori looked back through the glass. Kim Cheon-soo was cautiously approaching the ‘Damn Mucus,’ who appeared tiny and scared beneath his towering silhouette.
‘…Not to criticize my own decision, but…’
Something about the scene felt… creepy.
Her internal evaluation of Kim Cheon-soo was not faring well.
Thus, Han Seori felt fortunate to have brought ‘Damn Mucus’ here. Even though they hadn’t fully understood it yet, based on observation, it fit the description of an ‘easy singularity.’
Han Seori believed that whether the singularity held Han Ho-soo’s consciousness or not, it needed proper ‘isolation.’
To handle the situation correctly, she needed to at least determine its nature.
At that moment,
– Uh… hello?
An awkward, friendly voice reached through from beyond the glass.
Han Seori observed with peculiar curiosity.
It was like watching a suspicious stranger approach a girl playing at the playground. Worse than that, perhaps.
Though Kim Cheon-soo was suited up for his safety, the imposing figure seemed overly threatening.
Meanwhile, the small girl-like figure appeared increasingly terrified, trembling uncontrollably.
‘Perhaps it has only absorbed the intelligence after all?’
“Stop approaching and try talking instead. Maybe mention the civilian it fused with. Do you remember the name?”
Unable to bear it, Han Seori made this suggestion to Kim Cheon-soo, who paused and cautiously asked:
“Are you Han Ho-soo?”
The trembling suddenly halted. The jelly, which had quivered moments earlier, now stood unusually calm.
Upon seeing this, Han Seori swallowed hard.
Could the least likely scenario somehow be true?
She anxiously stared at the blue, soft-looking girl.
Then, the girl’s mouth opened.
And then—
PLOOORP!
A torrent of slime erupted from the girl’s mouth, engulfing Kim Cheon-soo in a wide, net-like spray.
“YAAAH!?”
Clad in his hazmat suit, Kim Cheon-soo, caught off guard, screamed in panic.
Han Seori, watching Kim Cheon-soo covered in slime writhing and squirming, hesitantly picked up the communicator.
“Please retrieve Kim Officer from there.”
Though the attack appeared non-lethal at a glance, she rubbed her chin in thought.
Why did it attack?
…Perhaps it’s not Han Ho-soo after all?
Han Seori watched the girl-like singularity through the glass, feeling bewildered.
*
Something much larger than me was approaching, and I unconsciously leaned back.
Back in the sewer, meeting others lacked any sense of reality.
After all, a giant crocodile loomed directly ahead.
But now it was different.
What was approaching me now was enormous, and its intent seemed far from friendly. Shouldn’t anyone feel afraid in this situation?
Especially when I know my soft, jelly-like fists can offer no retaliation?
It was natural to tremble and step back.
Approaching me, whatever their intention, was powerless… and terrifying.
Something bubbled up inside me.
Just then,
Someone, whose face I couldn’t see, asked:
“Are you Han Ho-soo?”
Huh?
What????
A feeling akin to a non-existent heart racing overwhelmed me.
Could these people know I am Han Ho-soo? Could they have pulled me out to help?
Thus, even this stark white room I was confined in seemed less ominous, and the bulky figure looming before me began to appear friendly.
Of course, it’s normal to be cautious when I’m in this altered state!
I was overjoyed.
These people who recognized me would surely restore me to my original form and return me to a normal life.
Still, it was too early to give up.
Immersed in this rosy dream, I looked up at the looming figure.
He was wearing a helmet with non-transparent glass, which naturally reflected my own image.
I felt my contracted form expanding again.
This was important. I needed to tell them I was Han Ho-soo, human.
Speaking was the easiest method for me, of course.
However, I overlooked one crucial fact:
I couldn’t speak. While I remembered how to speak, I couldn’t produce sound.
But, caught in the situation, I forgot about that and tried to speak anyway.
Hoping fervently that my words would convey the truth about me being Han Ho-soo, human.
PLOOOORP!
“WAHHH!?”
Eh?
The slime that erupted from within me covered the looming figure.
The bulky figure rolled wildly on the floor, slime dripping everywhere.
I stood there, dumbfounded, watching the scene.
Soon, others entered the room through a door that had slammed open, dragging the figure away.
I couldn’t feel my blood rushing, but it felt like it had all dried up.
This didn’t look good.
