“All of the isolated singularities within the zone have reportedly been moved.”
“…Where’s 5077 – KR?”
In response to Yoo Gang-jik’s inquiry, the woman manipulated the panel and projected the surveillance camera feed onto a large screen. On the relatively clear screen, a Jelly Girl was seen fleeing in a fluster, while a large Jangseung pursued her, leaving marks on the ground with loud bangs!.
Seeing this, he pressed his temples hard.
“She’s still running around 7496 – KR.”
“…I see.”
“This is actually fortunate for us.”
At the woman’s murmur, Yoo Gang-jik looked at the Jelly Girl evading the Jangseung’s attacks.
Whether by chance or what, the fact remained that this was helping in the moment.
That Jelly Girl, or rather, 7496 – KR, had lured the Jangseung’s attention, buying them time to eliminate the dangerous element.
‘To say that it’s helping intentionally…’
She just seems to be running.
Because he hadn’t seen the moment the Jelly Girl began being pursued, Yoo Gang-jik perceived her actions as simply trying to escape for her own survival.
Regardless of the assistance rendered, he thought it wasn’t something to fret over.
Still.
‘The fact that this [something] is out probably means someone unlocked it… who, ah.’
It must have been Doctor Han.
Then he scanned the control room. Among the bustling people, there was no sign of Han Seori.
Could it be…
That she tried to relocate 7496 – KR and ended up in trouble herself?
“Hmm…”
Losing someone of Han Seori’s caliber would be a painful loss, so Yoo Gang-jik sighed and ruffled his hair. Strands of the precious little grass from his balding scalp fluttered away.
“This is troublesome.”
“Sir?”
“It’s nothing.”
Yoo Gang-jik stared at the screen while tapping his desk lightly.
There were many unsettling aspects to this incident.
First and foremost, there was the Jelly Girl luring the Jangseung, but the oddness began even before that, when the Jangseung started acting up suddenly.
Even though they had welcomed new recruits recently and been in disarray, the containment protocol for the Jangseung was so straightforward that it shouldn’t have been an issue.
Just don’t bring any singularities close to it.
If procedures were followed, there shouldn’t have been any problems.
Nevertheless, the protocols weren’t followed.
The door had been opened arbitrarily, and as soon as they went in, the Jangseung became active.
Now, it was possible that the staff tried to cover up their mistake by falsifying reports, but Yoo Gang-jik considered this unlikely.
It wasn’t because he fully trusted his subordinates but because the testimonies from the people who arrived from other branches were consistent with those from internal staff.
Given these similar accounts from two separate groups, it was unlikely they colluded without planning. This meant there was a possibility that someone deliberately caused this incident, which needed consideration.
About this matter, a discussion should have been held, but the director wasn’t present, and the acting director seemed to have over-focused on the singularity and eventually lost their life.
“…”
Next in authority after Doctor Han… who could that be?
No, could we even trust them?
With a serious expression, Yoo Gang-jik looked at the screen and opened his mouth.
The priority at this moment was to silence the Jangseung—so he intended to lower the containment wall to limit the Jelly Girl’s route.
If the Jangseung eliminated the Jelly Girl in a zone with no other singularities, it would presumably shut down its activity.
Even though it made him feel uncomfortable due to Han Seori’s attachment, Yoo Gang-jik considered it better than losing more personnel.
Unless Han Seori, presumed dead, appeared, this would be the only course of action.
“Containment wall—”
At that moment,
The closed door opened and Han Seori entered the control room, hobbling with someone’s support.
Yoo Gang-jik blinked in astonishment upon seeing her alive.
“Oh, thank you. Now go back to your work.”
Approaching Yoo Gang-jik, Han Seori dismissed the person helping her and raised an eyebrow.
“What’s that look all about? You’re staring at me like I’m a ghost.”
“Hmph.”
While he cleared his throat, Han Seori looked at the screen and spoke with a stiff voice.
“…She’s still luring 7496 – KR, as expected.”
“Luring? What exactly do you mean by that?”
When Yoo Gang-jik asked with confusion, Han Seori revealed everything she’d witnessed.
She told him how the Jelly Girl had bounced out of a glass container, spat some kind of mucus at the Jangseung, waved her hand, and then disappeared together with the creature.
“…Are you asking me to believe that?”
“It’s true, I swear! Let’s check—there was a CCTV nearby, so if you review it, you’ll find evidence.”
“Hmm… I’ll consider it for now.”
Given Han Seori’s claim, which leaned towards utilizing the Jelly Girl, he thought there could be some distortion, but if there was evidence, it was worth investigating.
However, her appearance had complicated matters, as she would undoubtedly oppose his previous plan.
Given her recent arguments, it was clear she would resist any move against the Jelly Girl.
But without an immediate clear solution, he said quietly:
To his surprise, instead of outright opposing him, Han Seori responded calmly.
“Hmm… It’s not a bad thought, but wouldn’t it be a shame if my observation is correct? There could be many uses for this one.”
“…Is that so?”
As he murmured, caught off guard, Han Seori chuckled awkwardly.
“…I won’t deny having affection for 7496 – KR. But I also believe people are more important.”
“I see.”
Nodding, Yoo Gang-jik looked at the screen with a peculiar sensation.
Fortunately, the Jelly Girl was heading toward a zone with no other singularities.
‘Even if she isn’t moving with intent, it’s fortunate.’
Moreover, after allowing one attack, the Jelly Girl had managed to dodge all of the Jangseung’s attacks.
She indeed seemed to have potential if she were inclined toward humanity in a friendly manner.
“So, how do you plan to deal with this?”
To preserve the Jelly Girl, the Jangseung had to be stopped.
Now observing, the standoff reminded him of watching a battle between a spear and a shield—it didn’t seem like a quick resolution.
Still, with the odd circumstances mounting, swift action was necessary.
There had to be a way.
After Yoo Gang-jik’s question, Han Seori gazed at the screen, seemingly lost in thought.
The Jelly Girl, by luck or not, wasn’t heading toward corridors leading to other areas but toward a dead-end space where a vehicle was parked.
The door to the ground floor was locked, meaning by default she was following what Yoo Gang-jik had planned.
If she had headed toward zones with other singularities before they reached a conclusion, he would have lowered the containment wall. However, Yoo Gang-jik chose to not mention it.
Meanwhile, the Jelly Girl had hidden behind a vehicle, and the Jangseung was smashing it with mad intensity.
Noticing its surface breaking bit by bit, Han Seori spoke up.
“Speaking of which, was it the Jangseung?”
“Yes.”
“Then, let’s try sending some personnel with axes and chainsaws. While 7496 – KR is distracted, we can attempt a ‘removal.’ If it doesn’t work, a quick retreat.”
“…Alright, let’s try that.”
Now, the question was whether the Jelly Girl would perish first or if the Jangseung would self-destruct or stop.
Since there was more time to act than before, Yoo Gang-jik didn’t object.
Deep down, he hoped the Jelly Girl would survive over the out-of-control Jangseung, but he made no outward indication.
Thus, the instruction went out, and personnel armed with axes and chainsaws approached the site of conflict.
Just as the vehicle crumbled, the Jelly Girl emerged and began actively attacking the Jangseung.
Watching her struggle heroically stirred something within him.
The Jelly Girl hung precariously from the Jangseung’s head.
The Jangseung, in turn, thrashed around wildly, seemingly trying to dislodge her.
At the moment the armed personnel arrived,
The Jangseung, with the Jelly Girl dangling from him, swung his body toward the damaged vehicle.
Seated Han Seori jolted upright, limping awkwardly.
“Ah!?”
“…”
Her face collided with a metallic edge, and the sound of a crash echoed.
The Jelly Girl’s severed head hit the ground and began to melt into a puddle of goo.
…Could severed heads be fatal?
“Her limbs were… fine before.”
Han Seori stared at the screen, her face pale. When the Jangseung’s head got stuck in the car, her survival became uncertain.
“Order the team to enter.”
In stark contrast to the brutal reality on screen, Yoo Gang-jik’s order was cold and detached.
At his command, the personnel who were prepared with axes and chainsaws charged toward the Jangseung.
Crack!
Cr-rrk!
Their weapons tore loudly into the Jangseung’s body. They seemed to have pent up much frustration, as their attacks were swift and unrelenting.
Since it wasn’t human, there was no hesitation.
Moreover,
Like opening a stubborn tin can with a can opener,
The Jangseung, despite its ferocious appearance, began to crack under the assault of the axes and chainsaws.
Though they had assumed it might be indestructible, seeing it slowly breaking stunned everyone watching.
Still, thinking of the lives lost because no one could handle it brought a bitter taste to their mouths.
Crack!
With the final strike of the axe, the Jangseung’s torso split apart.
The mutilated creature moved no more.
The rest of the Jangseung’s body fell into the crushed car.
The alarm that had been blaring finally silenced.
The situation came to an end.
