Creak, creak.
A somewhat incongruous noise echoed through the once raucous space.
The source of the noise turned out to be a glass container, inside which was 7496 – KR, an unidentifiable substance able to dissolve anything it touches—more specifically, a Jelly Girl. It was being carried by Han Seori, who had entered with a matter-of-fact expression on her face.
As the unexpected noise suddenly filled the space, all eyes fell upon Han Seori. It didn’t take long for the onlookers’ curiosity to shift into confusion.
Some were amazed that the singularity had been transported outside in a container, while others simply stared at her, wondering if she was at it again with her eccentric behavior.
“…What on earth are you doing? Perhaps we really should recommend a psychiatric evaluation?”
After a short moment, a man with a fussy expression approached Han Seori and stood before her with an expression of disapproval.
To Han Seori, however, this was quite welcome. If anything, she felt a bit disappointed at how late he had arrived.
Instead of being unsettled, she smiled faintly and opened her mouth to speak.
“Ah, Commissioner Yoo Gang-jik.”
“Dr. Han Seori. This doesn’t seem like an appropriate situation to exchange pleasantries…”
The man, with his stiff demeanor, adjusted his glasses as he gave her an intense stare.
He had not anticipated such bold and unorthodox behavior. Carrying an unclassified singularity around like this…
Had she been under his direct supervision, he would have immediately processed her termination. But regrettably, she was affiliated with the laboratory and possessed the authority of the interim director.
There was nothing he could do but turn her away for now, unless something major happened.
He supposed such peculiarities might be why she had advanced so quickly in her career at such a young age. Still, it was something he could not overlook once she had caught his attention.
With a faint sigh, Yoo Gang-jik looked at her.
“Do I really need to remind you?”
“Why don’t you take a brief look instead? It might assist in assessing the potential risks?”
“…”
Yoo Gang-jik felt a strange, disconcerting sensation. It was as if he were conversing with a wall—it was that difficult.
Engaging in dialogue with someone with whom nothing got through was proving to be less effective than simply appeasing her and giving her what she desired.
And anyway, he did not really have any other options.
But he still felt that Han Seori was being unnecessarily difficult.
‘All the necessary documents have been reviewed, haven’t they?’
For what additional reason was she asking him to take a look?
He gave the glass container a scrutinizing gaze. A vague image began to take form—revealing the Jelly Girl.
“…”
To his surprise, the Jelly Girl appeared nonchalant, examining her surroundings while tearing open a snack’s packaging.
There was a blonde doll nestled in her arms. As the Jelly Girl tore the packaging, crumbs dropped onto the doll’s head.
The girl nonchalantly ate the snack and inserted the wrapper into a blob of translucent material nearby. Then, she lowered her gaze and carefully brushed the crumbs off the doll onto the same substance.
It was almost as if she were treating the doll with a certain indifference, which strangely amused Yoo Gang-jik, despite himself.
Han Seori noticed this and couldn’t help but smirk internally.
‘I saw the small mascot on your desk.’
She recalled the cute little trinket on his desk that contrasted sharply with his rigid appearance.
Could someone who claimed to be so inflexible and serious really witness this and still hold the same view as earlier?
When Han Seori giggled slightly, Yoo Gang-jik, catching on, straightened up sharply and cleared his throat.
“Ahem… It appears there is a singularity here that hasn’t been properly reported… It might just be a… psych-related singularity…”
“What are you saying? That doesn’t make any sense?”
“Urghh…”
At her smug expression, Yoo Gang-jik clenched his jaw in frustration.
“…Alright, I admit it’s adorable. But as you well know, that has nothing to do with the risk assessment, right?”
“…Not working on you.”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing.”
Yoo Gang-jik’s defenses were tougher than Han Seori had anticipated. Unlike the others, who had been quickly impressed and delighted by her antics, he remained unfazed.
Perhaps that’s why he was given the title ‘Commissioner.’
Still, this wasn’t entirely a failure.
The crowd was now approaching with interest that matched the earlier astonished reactions and inquiries of “Is it you again?”
Surely, all this was thanks to Yoo Gang-jik’s persistent clearing of his throat.
While he hadn’t entirely let down his guard, his initial skepticism about the Jelly Girl was already fading. And that was enough for promotion purposes.
With that reassurance, Han Seori continued conversing with others, earnestly emphasizing the harmlessness and friendliness of the Jelly Girl to humanity, leaving her with a deeply satisfied smile.
Yoo Gang-jik merely shook his head as he directed everyone back to their posts, still watching her.
Han Seori smiled awkwardly and felt a hint of tension.
There was something predictable about the narrative that was about to come from his mouth.
“Well, Dr. Han, let’s assume you’re right, and she is friendly to humans. Still, we must assess the danger level…”
“Ah… Yes, we do.”
And so, the inevitable moment had arrived.
Han Seori, who had been feeling uneasy, glanced at the glass container, noticing the bubbly noises emanating from inside as the Jelly Girl enthusiastically consumed her snack.
In her momentary gaze, Yoo Gang-jik spoke.
“Then, may I take over the handle?”
“…No. Not unless I bring her back. Alright?”
“…?”
Yoo Gang-jik felt a sense of unease at her sudden change of tone. However, he reasoned it was protocol, so there was no reason to find it odd.
‘What is this discomfort?’
While wrestling with these feelings, Han Seori compliantly released the handle and stepped back.
“What are you doing?”
“…Ah, um, yes.”
Yoo Gang-jik quickly seized the handle with a firm grip, his hand radiating warmth.
As he looked down, he saw the top of the Jelly Girl’s head. Observing closely, faint, grass-like protrusions seemed to grow like tiny bumps.
The odd texture of these bumps resembling sprouting hair made him involuntarily twitch his lips.
Shaking off this peculiar thought, he resumed control and pushed the cart along.
Han Seori silently followed from behind, a somewhat apologetic expression on her face.
Though it was unclear whom this apology was intended for.
*
Suddenly, a fussy-looking person obstructed our path.
A face reminiscent of a certain boss that always scolded me came to mind.
If there hadn’t been the glass barrier, who knows—I might have unknowingly spat out some jelly!
Anyway.
Not wishing to prolong my encounter with that face, I hastily finished the remaining snacks when something bothersome caught my ear.
Risk assessment…
That word starkly reminded me I was no longer a human being.
Even now, it made me feel oddly bitter.
…Ah, must be the dark chocolate I consumed that’s making me feel this way.
As I absentmindedly passed trash to Daesik,
The cart carrying me began moving once more.
Until this point, I had been in what appeared to be… a command and control room.
Whether it really was a command center wasn’t quite clear, but the atmosphere certainly fit that impression.
There was a map filled with various undecipherable symbols, and nearby were combinations of numbers and letters I had noticed earlier in the other room.
Seeing ‘KR’ sometimes replaced with ‘JP,’ ‘EN,’ or ‘CN’ made me suspect this might be some kind of international organization.
This was just a guess, but it seemed plausible enough.
Even though my brain had melted away, it appeared I still had some remnants of intelligence.
Hmph.
While reflecting smugly, the cart came to a stop.
Looking behind, the pretty Han Seori was nowhere to be seen; instead, the man resembling that boss from earlier had taken control of the handle.
…What the?
Huh, Dr. Han Seori? Weren’t you taking care of me?
You handed me over to the boss-like person?
In the midst of shock and fear,
The doors opened, and someone in an astronaut-like suit lifted me out of the glass container.
As my field of view broadened, I could see more details.
First, I saw Han Seori standing behind the boss, and the balding spots beginning to sprout on the boss’s head came into view.
In the midst of an atmosphere filled with solemnity,
I found myself alone in a desolate-looking space.
Ellis and Daesik seemed to have stayed behind in the glass container.
The surroundings were marked with dark remnants and large claw marks on the walls.
…Surely, the risk assessment doesn’t involve…
Whatever I imagine couldn’t possibly be real, right?
In my momentary panic, the walls behind me began to lift.
Thud, thud.
As the wall rose, some footsteps emerged from within. I tensed immediately, watching anxiously as the wall opened up.
…Perhaps my automatic response was closer to instinct, influenced by the lingering memories of the sewers.
Slowly but surely,
A large silhouette revealed itself from the shadows.
First, I noticed its pointed horns.
Below the small but sharp horns was a wolf-like figure coming into focus.
As the steps approached, its true identity became clear.
It was…a horned wolf with a collar around its neck.
Wait… Is this really what the risk assessment entails? Testing my danger level with this?
Ah, no!
“Rrrrr…”
The creature saw me and started moving forward slowly, licking its lips.
Its gaze was like that of a predator closing in on its assured prey.
My jelly began to boil.
And strangely,
It made me irritated.
This was a sight that previously might have scared me, but now it seemed strangely off.
Recalling the giant crocodile I saw in the sewers made this seem rather insignificant in comparison.
As the wolf sluggishly approached, drool dripping,
Nowadays, pets aren’t getting neutered? It’s starting to look horrifying, if you ask me.
Is this because of the horn? Some sort of rare species protection thing?
I don’t know.
I waited calmly as the creature approached, revisiting the memory of hunting wild dogs in the sewers.
However,
As it came closer, it started to appear larger than before.
The fangs seemed bigger too…
…Eh, were they this big?
Maybe someone made a mistake bringing this creature in.
Suddenly, a stream of jelly dripped.
The moment it happened,
“Krrrr-rrg!”
The beast opened its large jaws wide and lunged towards me.
Its yellowed teeth were smeared with black decay, indicating that it hadn’t been practicing oral hygiene.
This unpleasant sight,
Recalling the man who had brought me here earlier,
It struck me:
Perhaps phrenology really is a science after all.
