“Nothing happened? Seriously, who in this day and age would believe that?”
“Still, isn’t this a bit…?”
“…For the people’s right to know─”
“Right to know? I think this is an overly elaborate excuse just to satisfy your personal curiosity, don’t you think?”
The man, previously addressed as “senior,” scratched his head after speaking, then roared, clearly feeling belatedly aggrieved.
“Excuse? Did you see what appeared in China and Japan?”
“I saw it… But is it really true?”
“Or what? Are you saying the government spread fake images to bury uncomfortable issues?”
“It could be…? This country is always─”
“Hey! Is that even comparable? Anyway, the fact that there’s no news of such things appearing only here… isn’t that strange?”
The woman, who had been arguing with the man referred to as “senior,” still looked skeptical but nodded in agreement with his argument.
Indeed, considering the broader scope, the phenomena occurring in the three East Asian countries were not isolated incidents. To varying degrees, similar phenomena were happening globally. It was merely that the people of this country were overly fixated on neighboring countries and hadn’t paid proper attention.
Given that knowledge would inevitably spread, the idea that such entities wouldn’t appear in this country was illogical. Though questions remained about their authenticity, with sightings reported worldwide, disbelief would seem foolish.
The situation at hand triggered something in him (specifically, her senior). He suddenly felt certain of something being present here.
Given the government’s usual tactics, they should have been in an uproar about containing any spread of information. Their silence could suggest they know something significant.
Yes, that’s why she followed him.
“…Ugh.”
She sighed while watching her childish senior, who had returned to scanning “that place” with renewed confidence, as if she were right all along. Could he really see anything from so far away? Granted, these days, cameras have capabilities beyond belief, but still…
There was, in fact, another reason she had been grumbling at her senior’s words.
Is this guy really such a prick? Or does he not see her as a woman? She’s followed him all the way here, so shouldn’t he at least feel awkward or somewhat sheepish?
It was frustrating. She didn’t expect him to make the first move based on his personality, but shouldn’t he at least act a little uneasy?
“…Tch.”
She resolved that if he didn’t catch on soon—no matter how dense he was—she’d have to take the initiative.
After making up her mind, she looked at the tent she had pitched in a relatively flat area and at her senior, then approached him and said,
“…Move aside, please. Let me have a look.”
“Hmph, so you also think there’s something here?”
“…Yes, please move aside.”
“Alright. I’ll check the tent. Call me if you see anything strange?”
“Understood.”
Since she followed him here for a similar purpose, when she took the equipment from him, her face showed a hint of excitement. He looked at her fondly before heading towards the tent.
They seemed fully prepared with plenty of supplies in a reasonably large tent, indicating they didn’t plan to leave until they made a discovery.
*
Walking through tunnels entirely composed of dirt made it feel as though they had entered an ant colony. Upon reflection, it wasn’t much different except that these “ants” were unusually large.
Additionally, much like an ant colony, there were many tunnels. Most led to dead ends, a fact that was incredibly frustrating.
Blocked paths aside, there was nothing particularly unusual, just growing irritation. What on earth was inside here to warrant such extensive tunneling?
Physically, they weren’t particularly weary, but mentally, she felt somewhat drained. She leaned against a dirt wall and collapsed onto the ground. Once she settled, Gi Hyang followed suit, sitting down and beginning to inspect her own body.
Watching this, it made her somewhat… uncomfortable. To someone unaware that Gi Hyang’s body was, in fact, mechanical, it might appear that a grown woman was examining her own body while it made creaking sounds.
I know the truth, so I understand that she is merely inspecting her body. Still… thankfully, no one is watching, right?
Also, Gi Hyang’s condition seemed worse than she had anticipated. Sending someone in this state here seemed cruel.
Thinking back, the idea of bringing Gi Hyang seemed logical. “Since a tank appeared underground, wouldn’t it be helpful if she came along too?” Han Seori would’ve thought the same if she were in charge.
But wouldn’t Gi Hyang have had the option to decline, citing her physical condition? Unless, she only holds back in Yang Ha-na’s presence.
Kim Cheon-soo had also complained about the poor quality of the barbed wire earlier.
Hmm…
…Could she have followed thinking this was just a vacation?
Hmm.
If that’s true, perhaps Gi Hyang’s working conditions need improvement. Technically, isn’t she the senior even among the jelly managers who came from the Jelly Corps?
Since Gi Hyang usually knew what to do and handled things independently, seeing her silently bear everything on her own made her heart ache.
Practically, it would only be known by asking her… Given that this is the same person who came up with the idea of using Jellies as power sources, it was possible she lacked awareness of her own overwork.
If that’s the case, would this be considered as an evil boss being reprimanded by an even more evil one?
Ugh… it’s complicated.
Despite resting due to mental fatigue, her headache seemed to worsen. Though she lacked a physical brain, that was how it felt.
Amid her musings about working conditions, Gi Hyang halted her self-inspection. Apparently finished, Gi Hyang also rose, as did the protagonist, sending the jellies wobbling around.
The brief rest seemingly helped, and her creaky movements improved. Feeling slightly more positive, they continued down the ant-like tunnels.
At some point, even the tracks on the ground disappeared, leaving them rather disoriented.
It was becoming less of a joke and more of a possibility that they would cross into the north. If these tunnels connect to the north… this could be serious.
Given the distance they had covered, they’d likely already crossed the border. Being a non-Korean citizen, it might not affect her, but whether “they” would receive her was another matter entirely. What if she’s compelled to stain her blue body red?
While entertaining these absurd thoughts and mindlessly walking,
Suddenly, a loud BOOM was heard. Startled, she shrank her jelly form, and Gi Hyang froze, sensing something unusual.
Perhaps stopping was a mistake.
Something flew from the direction of the BOOM towards Gi Hyang, who tried to move but her malfunctioning body couldn’t respond in time.
In an instant, Gi Hyang was struck and shattered by the impact. The hologram hiding her mechanical structure cut out, revealing her stark, metallic body.
Gi Hyang’s body parts scattered like pins struck by a bowling ball. Oddly, her face hologram did not deactivate, creating a bizarre scene.
Staring at Gi Hyang’s bizarre state, it took her a while to regain her senses.
‘What the…?’
Only then did the jelly understand that Gi Hyang had been shattered by the impact. Just as Gi Hyang’s creaky body failed her, it took her longer to process the situation due to mental exhaustion.
Regaining her senses, her tentacles quickly stretched out to catch Gi Hyang’s face as it spun in the air. Fortunately, she managed to grab it before it hit the ground.
Even the joking thought of “Why only the neck?” didn’t come to mind.
“Hmm… I let my guard down.”
Why did Gi Hyang seem calm when she was still just a head? With only the head remaining─
Another sound came from the direction where the projectile had originated. It sounded like the heavy movement of a tank. If so, then the projectile had likely been a tank shell…
It was probably drawn by the laser-like beams from Gi Hyang’s eyes.
She silently commanded the light to turn off. Gi Hyang must have agreed, as the light from her eyes also went out. The sight was rather eerie, reminiscent of Gi Hyang’s “death.”
…This is odd too.
Suppressing another sigh, she quickly sought shelter further into the ant colony from the heavy sound approaching.
Nonetheless,
It seemed they had indeed found what they were looking for.
