“Junior, what do you think this is?”
“…Well, it kind of looks like a person at first glance… but it doesn’t seem to actually be one, does it?”
The woman referred to as junior stared at the screen, twisting her hair. Though she hadn’t been able to wash it properly, and it was tangled, she seemed so engrossed in what was displayed on the screen that she didn’t care about such trivialities. She just kept twisting her tangled hair.
The woman, whose face was full of interest as she observed the photograph displayed on the screen, suddenly blanched. The man, noticing this, spoke cautiously.
“Hopefully, it’s just my mistake, but Junior, does it look to you like ‘that thing’ is holding something in its hand…?”
“…It looks like a human neck to me. I don’t want to believe it though.”
Though the woman clearly hoped it wasn’t so, the man, who didn’t spare such subtleties, nodded in agreement. Though perhaps nothing would change regardless.
“It’s too far to see clearly, but it looks like that.”
The woman gasped.
“What? Are you okay?”
“…Yes.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have pushed for an answer…?”
“…Even if I denied it, it wouldn’t change anything, would it? It’s just… my stomach doesn’t feel so good.”
“That’s fine… anyway, we should probably stop looking.”
Thus spoke the man, and he removed from the screen the photo, which showed a run-down, decrepit war tank, some indeterminate blue something slithering on the ground, and that indeterminate something holding what appeared to be a human neck aloft.
Though the woman somewhat regretted it, her queasiness was undeniable, so she acquiesced with a nod. The man, appearing unusually unaffected—
“—Is it really okay?”
The woman, who had been wiping the corner of her mouth, looked toward the man at the desk.
At a glance, he seemed unaffected, but upon closer inspection—not quite. The subtle crease between his brows spoke of discomfort, and his hand that wasn’t holding the mouse was clenched so tightly that the tendons showed.
“—He really said it was for the right to know…”
She thought. Maybe he wasn’t entirely lying. Perhaps he was even more shocked by the unexpected sight.
The reason the two of them went there was because they suspected the government of hiding something. But now, it seemed they’d witnessed evidence of human deaths—likely at the hands of some entity they believed the government was concealing.
Their original purpose for going there was justified, but it felt like things had escalated even further.
Sighing inwardly, the woman once again reflected on what she’d seen.
Uncertain why the tank was there—she wasn’t familiar with military equipment anyway—she pushed that question aside. However, the object next to it raised significant concern.
Something blue, wriggling as if trying to emerge from the ground. Though it was too far away to identify clearly, it was nonetheless holding what appeared to be a human neck high above, almost like a barbarian boasting of his spoils.
As the woman contemplated this, she felt her stomach churn again and shivered at the unpleasant odor that suddenly invaded her nostrils.
…Huh? Am I this weak? Feeling nauseous just from looking at a pale photograph… kink-kink… Ah.
As she sniffed, she realized that the foul smell seemed to be emanating from her own body. Perhaps her nausea was because of this odor.
‘…I really need to wash up.’
In any case.
Whatever the reason for her nausea, the evidence of what they’d witnessed was clear.
The government was undoubtedly hiding something—something terrifying enough to hold a human neck aloft and rejoice.
Surely, if something had surfaced in another country, they wouldn’t remain silent here, would they?
Shaking her head, the woman quietly made her way toward the restroom.
She felt it was best to clean herself up.
Perhaps “feeling disoriented” describes what happens in moments like this.
Ah, no, it’s not because of those miniatures fighting each other. It’s not because of Daesik or Sosik causing trouble, or because Jelly suddenly rebelled, or because Jung-sik sprayed jelly all over me.
Nor is it because Electric Scent joined drones in killing people.
What’s making my mind disoriented is what I see on the news when turning on the TV—just another normal morning.
If I had coffee in my hand, I might have spit it all out.
[Unidentified creature holding a human head—]
[The government must reveal the truth!]
[This is it, folks—]
…What the hell is going on here?
Every channel isn’t just this one; they all seem to be broadcasting this same news. The most surprising detail I’ve found so far? The stock price of ‘Blue Logistics’ just hit its upper limit.
So, what does this mean?
On the screen, there’s a photo that unmistakably shows some kind of tank, me, and something that appears to be Electric Scent.
The photo is blurry, shot from a distance, but I can clearly recall the scene. Even though parts of it are pixelated, I can’t avoid recognizing that those are me and Electric Scent.
How was this even captured? Setting that aside, the fact that the company ‘Blue Logistics’ is skyrocketing just by seeing that blue figure suggests the madness of the manager.
Though, isn’t it odd that no one’s questioning the fact that there’s a severed human head? Granted, it’s not actually a human head but some kind of Electric Scent… Still, isn’t that a bit strange?
Leaving that aside, things are otherwise… normal (kind of).
Who I am.
It’s also curious that nothing unusual is happening in other countries.
…Or is the reasoning behind calling it ‘blue’ and associating it with ‘that side’ even stranger?
Anyway.
I suspect that the whole country is buzzing about my story. Honestly, I don’t think anyone would recognize me. My face isn’t clear—it seems like there’s just some small, vague blue blob.
Still, it’s enough to classify it as an unusual entity.
What should I do?
It’s not really my fault, I think. I wasn’t responsible for controlling the situation, was I? Didn’t solving the underground tunnel issue cover my part, more or less?
Still, it feels kind of good that all the channels are talking about me. It’s oddly gratifying to see people in the upper levels lauding me, even if they don’t know exactly who I am.
[Whatever it is, we should fire cannons at it right away—]
[That will cause a war!]
…Not all the discussions are pleasant, but I understand their reactions.
Still, it feels like things got a bit out of hand because of Electric Scent… or am I imagining it?
Even if I’m not actually some monstrous figure joyfully parading a severed human head around, I feel like it’s getting out of control.
Hmph.
Now that I think about it, I do miss the Internet. Even in this era where everyone has opinions, TV is relatively censored. The Internet and talking to people outside can be better ways to gauge reality. You can’t trust everything on TV, no matter what.
But I can’t do that.
Hmm.
Are the people above any different?
Still, I hesitate to go up there. Most people likely don’t know I’m here, so it probably doesn’t matter, but if the word gets out, it could be a hassle.
Of course, the hassle isn’t for me but possibly for the others.
All I can really do is sit here and cheer while eating pudding.
So I’ve decided to lay low for a while. If they’re holding me up even without seeing me, there’s no reason for me to show myself.
Is this just hedonistic irresponsibility?
Still, hearing the same story over and over is getting dull. I hope something more interesting comes up.
Tired of it, I passed the remote to Daesik and left the hangar.
I didn’t have a precise destination in mind.
Still, it would be best to avoid the areas where Han Seori and her group are. Whoever can’t stop the situation from escalating, Han Seori probably has the worst headache now.
I think she isn’t at fault, but since she’s the one who brought me along, it doesn’t change much.
She might come looking for me soon, seeking to hug me. Lately, she’s been doing that when stressed. Might my body get squished if she squeezes too hard?
So… where should I go?
I’m restless, but…
I already ate pudding earlier, so… yeah, that place will do. I walked lightly, deciding to check up on the isolated Jellies on the way and look for leftover pudding, if any.
Eventually, I arrived at the Jelly power plant.
The place where Jellies, even before being quarantined, stayed to produce energy.
Let me clarify—I didn’t order the Jellies to do this; it was Electric Scent’s doing, so it’s not really my responsibility.
…Cough, cough.
Anyway, when I opened the door to the power plant, the sight of the old-style Jelly battalion diligently producing energy reminded me of some old cartoon. I’m not entirely sure how this system actually works, but with Electric Scent’s mysterious science, anything is possible.
Actually, I didn’t come here just to check on the power plant Jellies.
What I came to see is in the center of the power plant—
“Why have you come here?”
It was Electric Scent.
The very Electric Scent restoring her own body.
…Does she know about the uproar surrounding her neck?
Hmm.
I wonder how this will all turn out.
Maybe I should have gone to Han Seori first.
