Han Seori stood with her silver-gray hair tied back, gazing at the lump placed on the chalet table.
A lump suspected to be part of the body of the one provisionally named “Damn Mucus” accompanied by a tray could be seen.
Upon seeing it, she felt her mind becoming slightly complicated.
It wasn’t about worrying over the soft, jelly-like lump; what troubled her was “Damn Mucus” itself.
‘Hamburger…’
The sight of it eating the entire burger casing and all, and even making an attempt to swallow the tray along with it.
No matter how she thought about it, it was hard to believe that this little Jelly Girl had only moments before been an adult man.
To test, she offered some other foods, but the S Corporation’s sandwich was eaten packaging and all. At least this time, it didn’t swallow the tray.
It also swallowed the paper bowl containing the ice cream in one bite. Even the spoon. She had hoped for some kind of reaction to the mint chocolate chip but saw none; its expression remained tranquil with no sign of “brain freeze.”
Even the paper straw stuck into the beverage was swallowed whole, with the soggy straw due to being pre-soaked quickly eaten along.
Plastic container food was also swallowed whole.
Yet, after having the tray taken away once, it never attempted to touch it again.
It certainly appeared to have some basic learning ability.
‘…If it still holds the consciousness of the adult male.’
It seemed a bit far-fetched.
After all, what Han Seori had hoped to see was some effort to remove the packaging and consume the food like a “human.”
But the sight of it piercing the stomach and eating from the get-go undermined the idea that anything resembling an adult male remained inside this jelly girl.
Still, it was clear that it possessed some form of intelligence.
The fact that it didn’t re-swallow the tray seemed definitive proof.
Seeing its aversion to the salted squid purchased from the convenience store proved that it indeed had preferences.
As Han Seori learned more about “it,” she couldn’t shake the thought that this creature was the perfect prey, fitting the tastes of the “Warden.”
Its offensive capabilities were weak, and it seemed relatively easy to control.
From the start, “Damn Mucus,” which had trembled and secreted viscous fluid out of what seemed to be nervousness, had begun to explore its surroundings, having seemingly already adapted.
When the door opened, it would still flinch, but upon seeing the food on the tray, it would dart over and take it away.
Judging by that, it seemed like controlling and taming it by managing the food was possible.
Its level of intelligence was still unknown, but…
More so…
Han Seori stared at the photograph of “Damn Mucus” captured up close.
‘Clearly cute…’
Looking at it, the skin—no, it was hard to call that strange, jelly-like surface “skin”—was unmistakably different.
It appeared so soft, almost like jelly itself.
And being transparent, showing the contents within—it was far from what could be classified as skin.
It almost seemed like the entire entity was a single mass.
What’s more, with no visible organs, not even a brain, the fact that it moved at all was baffling.
“But it’s a singularity.”
Understanding the principle behind it seemed unlikely.
Nevertheless, inspecting its outer appearance was genuinely impressive.
Its small, compact figure was at a height that made it easy to pet, and the face made of what appeared to be coagulated jelly was neatly proportioned.
Though it was hard to read emotions from its wobbling features, there was an undeniably cute impression.
It seemed to have adopted a form that evoked a protective instinct in humans.
Ironically though, was this figure of a girl aware that it endangered its own fate?
In any case.
Since it had begun to leave the corner and move more freely…
‘It seems like it’s fully adapted to this place by now.’
It was time to begin more rigorous testing.
In order to prevent it from being taken to the wrong place, they would have to discover aspects useful enough to place it under ‘special care.’
Initially, the assumption had been made that it retained the consciousness of Han Hosu, the man, but considering how low the chances of that were, they would need to find some other value.
If only there hadn’t been rumors about the Warden’s corruption, this kind of trouble could’ve been avoided.
Han Seori sighed, then looked at the wobbling jelly fragment on the table.
‘Could I use this as bait to uncover the Warden’s misconduct?’
But she shook her head.
That way, she would be no different from the Warden.
Besides, that hypothesis was far from concrete.
She tapped the jelly fragment on the table lightly with her gloved hand, then left.
Since it had proven not to be dangerous, she planned to personally enter the isolation room.
It wasn’t because she was bewitched by its cuteness.
At least… that’s what she told herself.
*
Chrk.
Even without a throat, I found myself wanting to burp after the recent influx of diverse foods entering my body.
Every time I consumed everything to prove my worth, the taste of the packaging was somewhat uncomfortable, but…
Doesn’t their continuous provision of food indicate that my worth is being recognized?
Especially this incredible ability to dispose of even plastic containers.
…Frankly, I’m curious where all this food goes since I obviously don’t excrete anything.
Even with my limited knowledge, I’m well-aware that this entire process is highly implausible.
Still, the realization of my humanity’s undoing hits home with fresh intensity.
In any case.
Other than occasionally providing food, they mostly left me alone.
It felt good to have escaped the sewers.
Like this, living without any particular duties while being well-fed—this could be the life everyone dreams about.
Of course, it’s a little boring with nothing to do.
There’s absolutely nothing to occupy my time, let alone any sort of play.
Even when I tried counting the stains on the ceiling, none could be found in this obsessively clean space.
It would’ve been perfect if they put a smartphone in here… but that’s probably never going to happen.
Isn’t it true that humans are creatures of adaptation?
I never thought I would have thoughts like these the first time I arrived here.
While sitting idly staring at the white ceiling,
I heard the sound of the door opening.
Dinner time already?
I wasn’t sure how much time had passed since my last meal, but since this body could keep eating without end, there’s no need to refuse.
…As long as they don’t bring fermented cuttlefish again.
Contrary to my expectation of seeing a tray coming through the door,
a rather intelligent-looking woman walked in.
Recognizing her immediately from her silver hair and the friendly smile she offered, I watched as she maintained a respectful distance and gazed at me.
Unlike the bulky figures who had entered this room before, this woman was carrying nothing.
As soon as I noticed that, a wave of excitement bubbled within me.
It seemed like I was being acknowledged as not dangerous, which made me feel good.
Our eyes met for a while before she waved and said,
“Hello?”
Almost instinctively, I tried speaking (or rather oozing mucous), but quickly clamped my mouth shut, remembering that it would spray everywhere.
I recalled the scene where an uproar ensued despite wearing some sort of gear; imagine what would happen if I sprayed goo all over her bare skin.
I managed to escape the “Jelly Slaver” once and won’t risk going back.
Repressing the gurgling in my body, I merely stared at her blankly. The woman who had been fiddling with her chin approached me.
She squatted down as if trying to match my eye level.
Up close, she looked even prettier than I had imagined.
What does she want now?
While I watched her tensely,
She reached out, slipped her hand under my armpit, and lifted me up.
It felt like ages since I had felt the warmth of human skin near my armpits.
Thanks to my body being tense, her hand did not sink into me.
Unlike when I had hung off a crocodile, I did not stretch and droop.
In that moment, I felt like a cat.
It was embarrassing, but I was glad it didn’t show on my outer surface.
Then,
the woman started talking to herself.
“It’s safe, don’t worry. What? That’s right.”
She suddenly turned serious as if conversing with someone elsewhere.
“Prepare the containment device for me. I’ll bring it out. Let’s meet at the D-sector entrance.”
Somehow, I had a bad feeling about this.
The woman who held me sighed and whispered,
“We still need more time…”
She let out a sigh before cuddling me close.
Then, she ran somewhere, opening the door.
With every step she made, my body wobbled back and forth.
Worried I might slip out, I clung tightly together when her voice, filled with concern from above, reached me.
“…Is it possible that you understand what’s about to happen?”
That was ominous.
What exactly am I supposed to endure?
Just as I was beginning to remember the fears I’d forgotten during this comfortable life, a sign indicating the Restricted Zone came into view.
When she arrived there, the woman began tapping her foot anxiously while biting her nails.
“Why isn’t he here yet?”
In sync with that, the sound of several footsteps approached from the corridor beyond. Her expression immediately soured.
Looking around while frowning, she sighed and addressed me,
“If you understand, please don’t make a move to leave?”
After saying that, she opened the door to the Restricted Zone and set me down.
The door immediately slammed shut, and all external sounds were lost.
It’s not entirely clear what’s happening, but I sense that something unpleasant might be about to happen.
The footsteps’ owner… perhaps…
Terrifying thoughts began bubbling back in my mind.
I realized I needed to find a hiding spot before the door opened again.
Trusting that this one here might open anytime feels far too dangerous.
…Certainly, the woman told me not to leave,
but she didn’t say I couldn’t enter.
Did she mean to suggest I should hide within?
Thinking that, I began my slow, squelchy advance, ignoring the creeping fear that rose.
I told myself it was an adventure.
