At the time when our Lime was spinning around and putting on a fashion show…
Han Seori was smiling warmly as she looked at the screen. In her eyes, the slow-spinning figure of Lime came into view.
That was right.
She wasn’t watching with her own eyes but was using the cameras installed all around the laboratory to keep an eye on Lime, Yang Ha-na, and Electric Scent.
Of course, it would be better to see with her own eyes… but for some reason, it felt a bit embarrassing.
After all, she was technically the highest-ranking person in charge of the laboratory, at least for the time being.
…And it felt a bit awkward to just barge in among them.
The person she felt cautious around naturally was Hwang Bo-yul. After all, apart from Hwang Bo-yul and Kim Cheon-soo, there wasn’t anyone else left, so it naturally had to be her.
Not that Han Seori would be cautious of Kim Cheon-soo.
There was such a thing as face, and though Jin seemed to have been swayed on the surface, considering her true purpose for staying here… it seemed like a good idea to be a bit cautious.
While Yang Ha-na, who was close to being at the bottom of the hierarchy, doing this might seem trivial, it would look strange for Han Seori, officially the highest-ranking person, to do the same.
After all, one couldn’t tell what lay beneath that seemingly swayed exterior.
…Perhaps it was already too late to worry about that, and maybe it was just a formality.
But in fact, seeing the cooperation and occasional outspokenness, it seemed unlikely that Jin would stab them in the back from behind.
But could one really be sure?
Although Han Seori came up with various excuses, the truth was simple – it felt embarrassing to show such a side of herself to Hwang Bo-yul, someone she had only known for such a short time.
Han Seori’s world was narrow, very narrow.
“…Tch.”
Slightly disappointed at not being able to observe directly, Han Seori pretended to “monitor” the videos of Lime, Electric Scent, and Yang Ha-na on one side while rummaging through documents related to the recent incident on the main screen.
However, she didn’t find anything very substantial.
After all, this was about a relatively large and independent research institute, and it was also about an audit and investigation. The possibility of detailed information being immediately shared was low.
Despite knowing this fact, Han Seori couldn’t help but feel concerned because it was related to Lime.
If she had to describe it, it felt like ordering an item and then constantly checking the tracking status from the moment the receipt was issued, even though you know it’s still at the logistics hub.
Fortunately, Han Seori was relatively strong-willed compared to others in this dopamine-filled modern society.
Unending research.
Research without results.
Countless encounters with answers that didn’t exist while studying the Singularity.
Thanks to that, Han Seori had developed an impressive ability to exercise patience, not excessively chasing after immediate results or rewards.
…So perhaps it was natural that this situation made her feel somewhat irritated.
Letting out a small yawn, Han Seori stretched unknowingly muttering a spell.
Hmm.
It’s so boring.
Since the investigation’s results weren’t out yet and sending Lime had been temporarily put on hold, Han Seori felt even more idle.
Oh, if it was going to turn out this way, she might as well have just jumped in and observed directly.
…If she was worried about Hwang Bo-yul, why didn’t she just include her as well?
If someone was caught stealing, they’d become both a criminal and a witness. But if they stole together, wouldn’t they just become accomplices?
It was like the saying, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” If one got entirely immersed in Lime’s cuteness and humanity, it would be impossible to resist joining in, wouldn’t it?
…What am I even talking about?
After calming down the bizarre thoughts that floated in her mind, Han Seori pretended to be busy while sneakily glancing at Lime.
Ah, that dress is pretty.
I wish I could try it on.
As she thought that, a voice that interrupted her concentration came into her ears.
“Doctor?”
“Ah, um, um, ahhh…. Oh, why?”
“…Why are you like that?”
“For a moment, I was focusing on…”
Han Seori’s pathetic excuse was met with a stifled laugh from Kim Cheon-soo who knew everything already.
“…Sorry to bother you in the middle of your busy time, but can you look at this for a moment?”
“Ah, of course… What is it?”
What is it?
How long has it been since I said I was bored and now there’s something to do.
Could this also be one of the phenomena caused by the Singularity?
Otherwise…
While complaining internally, Han Seori glanced at Kim Cheon-soo as he manipulated the panel, and soon a scenery that had become familiar began to appear.
Seeing the outside screen, Han Seori felt a sense of unease.
So far, everything that had anything to do with the external screen had been nothing but troublesome and dangerous.
Had she noticed this faintly?
Hwang Bo-yul, who had been a bit far away, approached them with a perplexed expression.
“What is it?”
“Oh, please watch with us.”
Regardless of Han Seori mentally complaining, Kim Cheon-soo manipulated the panel with an expression suggesting he was doing his job, and soon an unfamiliar figure appeared in the familiar scenery near the laboratory.
Seeing the uninvited visitor near the laboratory, Han Seori narrowed her eyes and muttered.
“Didn’t we increase the number of agents around here?”
“Well, no matter how many we add, it’s not possible to block all the routes. They must have been certain we were here.”
“…Sigh.”
The two people already had an idea of who the uninvited visitor might be.
After all, some had already come and died, so not being confident about their purpose would be quite strange.
Putting aside personal feelings, it was certain they would come again. Han Seori had requested that the perimeter be secured, and it was accepted surprisingly easily.
Although the brief pause in acknowledgment made her feel good, it was irritating that such things from the Call of Twilight were so bothersome as they intruded into their territory.
What are they trying to achieve this time?
While Han Seori’s mood worsened, the footage continued to play.
Yet… Something seemed off.
“…What is it?”
“Well, if I knew, would I have called you two?”
“…That would be true.”
The shadow, presumably a henchman from the Call of Twilight, looked around and, seemingly certain that this was the right place, set the thing they had been carrying over their shoulder down on the ground.
The questionable figure, who had set down a fairly large box, disappeared hastily into a place where the camera couldn’t reach, as if that had been the sole purpose of their visit.
A quiet silence flowed through the control room.
After some time, the three people who had been staring at the box left alone suddenly opened their mouths one after another.
“Perhaps it’s best to leave it alone.”
“I think ignoring it would be best.”
“Indeed, it seems the right course.”
And thus, the unwanted third strike met its fate: being abandoned outside.
But it had managed to get their attention.
The previous contact made in secret with Han Seori had been about leaving, so it could have been dismissed casually.
…But now it felt impossible to ignore when it was dropped off right at the doorstep.
Even if you don’t know what kind of malice might be lurking inside.
After all, who doesn’t check the receipt of a package left at their doorstep?
And if the receipt were for something of yours?
Even if you didn’t ask to have it opened, wouldn’t you check anyway?
The team had decided not to care, but the image of the box lingered in their minds.
There was no going back to the state of ignorance.
Even if they wanted to pretend they hadn’t seen it, everyone had already.
The team returned to their seats as if nothing had happened, but their minds were filled with thoughts about the box abandoned outside.
The atmosphere in the control room grew increasingly grim.
“…Cheon-soo, why did you have to look at that…?”
“I-I couldn’t help it. What was I supposed to do when it was there…?”
“I know, I do. I’m just complaining, not blaming you.”
Even though they had decided to ignore it, the situation kept pushing into their consciousness.
What could those who had been prepared to k*ll people have placed in there?
A bomb?
A location tracker?
A Singularity driven mad with bloodlust?
Or was this a plot to make them suffer like this? Should they check it to not fall for it?
…Or could this be a trap designed to play on that psychology?
Think about what happened to Ha-na.
If you open the box, perhaps a man dressed as a clown will jump out and swing a dagger.
This is insane.
Why are they doing this?
It can’t just be for fun, can it?
Just as the team’s mood continued to darken, a voice broke through:
“…Ah, why are you all so serious?”
Entering the control room, Yang Ha-na, slightly out of breath as if she had run, Lime with a somewhat hesitant demeanor, and Electric Scent’s expressionless face all turned their gaze to her.
They all looked at Electric Scent.
It seemed she could safely check what was inside that.
…Lime could probably do it too, but it didn’t really make sense for Lime to be the one to do it, so options seemed limited.
As they couldn’t confirm what was inside, Han Seori felt she wouldn’t be able to sleep properly.
Springing up from her seat, Han Seori approached Lime and Electric Scent to explain the current situation.
When Han Seori finished her explanation, Electric Scent quietly looked at Lime.
There was a firm declaration that without Lime’s consent, she would not go out.
Han Seori mentally sighed.
No wonder Yang Ha-na went outside with them.
Han Seori looked at Yang Ha-na with fresh eyes, and Yang Ha-na, who suddenly received the gaze, blinked and fell into thought, wondering if she had done something wrong.
The one who cut through these thoughts was Lime.
Upon hearing Han Seori’s explanation, Lime became overjoyed that something interesting had happened.
…Of course, it was regrettable what Yang Ha-na had gone through.
But ignoring a suspicious delivery at the doorstep was an extremely difficult task for Lime.
Dopamine was surging uncontrollably.
