Splish splash.
A plain room with a dull coating of dust.
At first glance, it seemed ordinary, but something alien existed within.
Splish splash.
A blob-like figure, shaking its jelly-like body, came into view. Though hidden in the shadows, it resembled the silhouette of a small girl.
It lay sprawled on the floor, trembling slightly for a while before moving. It then rose suddenly and began walking with a sticky, squelching sound.
Circular footprints were left on the dust-covered floor. The prints looked more animal-like than human, almost cute in their peculiar shape.
The creator of these prints seemed to shake the part resembling its face as if tasting dust entering through the “feet.” The jelly-like tendrils, resembling hair, spread out like an umbrella.
A sound akin to “ugh” seemed ready to emerge if it could produce a voice.
After a moment of pause and a shake of its head, it resumed walking with a definite and resolute movement.
It arrived in front of a refrigerator and opened it without hesitation. Its gooey, sticky hand revealed whatever the fridge contained.
But upon inspection, it touched its “forehead” with something akin to desolation.
Inside the fridge were nothing but multipacks of discounted beer bought at convenience stores.
Was it worried about getting drunk?
It extended its jelly-like hand toward the beers but ultimately closed the fridge door.
It seemed somewhat satisfied that the power was still on and moved on.
The next stop was the sink.
Apparently, its target was the cupboard above the sink.
It stretched its hand toward the unreachable cupboard, intending to climb onto the sink.
Splash.
Its pale, bluish hand touched the silvery sink. Trembling at the coldness, it jumped onto the sink like one leaping over a hurdle.
Or it had intended to.
Splash!
But it wasn’t that easy.
Its sticky body clung awkwardly to the edge of the sink, holding on.
Undeterred, it kept trying to climb, repeatedly attempting its ascension.
However… it failed.
Squelch! Wobble! Splash! Clatter!
Frustrated, it started punching the cabinet with its small, squishy fists.
At the small sounds, it seemed startled and paused, appearing to sigh, crossing its arms as if deep in thought.
Just as its split limbs seemed to merge back together,
it dashed off suddenly, as if solving the problem. It brought the carton it had used to arrive and flipped it upside down, sticking it to the sink.
With a squelching sound, it used it as a step to mount the sink and attempt another jump.
Finally, it succeeded in climbing onto the sink.
Thud, thud.
Excited, it wiggled its pseudo-feet on the surface.
The somewhat loud noise quickly ceased, giving the impression it was thrilled by its success.
After much effort, its hand finally reached the cupboard. With a creaking sound, it opened it.
Inside, unlike the fridge, were stacks of retort pouches and cup noodles.
It nodded approvingly and reached inside, pulling out as much food as it could, stacking them neatly on the sink.
At this point,
its body, sticky earlier, now became soft and powdery. It itself seemed unaware, distracted by the excitement of the food.
Clack, clack.
Having thrown all the cup noodles and retort pouches on the floor, it looked very satisfied.
It then jumped from the sink.
Slop!
The impact momentarily made it shrink, but it quickly rebounded.
Seated before the cup noodles, it flicked its gaze between them and the sink, possibly wondering if it should boil water.
After some fidgeting, it tore the cup noodle packaging with a crinkling sound.
The torn plastic seemed to enter its body, bubbling and slowly melting away.
Boil!
Having removed the lid, it poured the powder over the noodles with care, though some of it splattered everywhere.
The pale yellow noodles were soon tinted maroon.
Pleased with the sight of the noodles, it dipped some into its body.
Shiver!
Its squishy frame trembled, as a blush temporarily colored its pale frame red, likely from the spiciness.
Glub, glub.
Inside its body, the noodles floated slowly, dissolving much like ants consuming candy.
Contentedly prodding the vanishing noodles, it opened a new cup noodle to munch on.
Continuing to consume the contents similarly, it gazed upon the aftermath of its meal.
Noticing a stray plastic bag of unknown origin, it hesitated for a moment then pressed the cup noodle container into its body, watching as it slowly melted.
Realizing this wasn’t the right approach, it spat it out with a “tsoo” sound.
Having filled itself, it looked around and approached the fridge once more.
It withdrew a beer this time.
Holding a large can in each hand, it walked to the small (but to its size, massive) bed and squeezed under.
Rrip!
Using the plastic bag to pry open the can, it hesitated a moment then poured the beer into a small opening.
Golden liquid poured in continuously.
Its pale figure soon shimmered with gold, as if gold was embedded within.
Finishing one can and moving to the next, it gathered the remains of its meal and shoved them under the bed.
It pulled a thin blanket down from the bed and snuggled under, entering the dusty confines beneath.
Dust floated within it much more thickly than outside. The beer cans and noodle cups it had pushed inside floated gently in its semi-liquid frame.
Appearing somewhat dizzy, as if drunk, the pale figure wrapped itself tightly in the blanket, curling up as if to sleep.
Glub… glub.
Various sounds of bubbling and boiling emanated from within its body.
Whether it slumbered or thought was known only to it, nestled beneath the bed where it should’ve been resting above it.
<Identity Document>
[Classified]
Name: Han Hosu (Censored)
Age: 2[Redacted]
Occupation: Office clerk Investigation revealed no record of employment with any affiliated companies.
Residence: Apartment, studio located in [Redacted] district.
Family Relations: None. No spouse or lover confirmed.
According to investigation data captured on nearby CCTV prior to the incident, it is presumed to have fused with [Redacted] – KR, making it a prime candidate.
Not reported to have shown up to work after the incident. The company attempted communication but received no reply.
Had an average reputation but no close friends due to occasional bizarre behavior.
Plans to monitor its residence after closing down [Redacted] – KR named Sewers were temporarily on hold. [Censored] How can you talk about wasting manpower when the situation isn’t even fully understood yet!
Highly probable fusion with [Redacted] – KR into [Redacted] – KR -1.
[Censored] Uncertain whether self-consciousness remains, but due to intelligent behavior, further verification is needed. (Deleted)
Appears to have inherited intelligence; thorough investigation after retrieval is recommended.
Reclassified separately as [Redacted] – KR. Risk assessment pending until retrieval.
Nicknames under consideration include “Lime,” “Little,” “Blue Slime,” “Liquid Monster,” “Crocodile’s Snot,” “Sticky Something,” “Wriggly Shadow,” etc., to be decided post-capture.
—
<Operation Report for Retrieval of [Redacted] - KR>
After five sweeps of the sewers since enclosure, we’ve concluded that ‘Damn Mucus’ escaped the sewers.
Referring to Research Report No. 9 on [Redacted] – KR, efforts to track its movements through emitters failed due to power silence, making the task unlikely.
During the operation, [Redacted] – KR-B (Crocodile) was disposed of five times to observe any changes in anomalies, with no significant changes noted.
We recommend expanding the search radius and dispatching personnel to the suspected fusion subject, Han [Redacted]’s residence.
In case of discovery, please expedite the issuance of handling protocols. (Deleted)
Request to review the possibility of human consciousness remaining. (Deleted)
Report submitted.
Suppression Team Leader Hwang [Redacted], [Redacted] Branch
—
<Retrieval Directive of [Redacted] - KR>
1. The operation must prioritize capture at all costs.
2. Methods are left to personal discretion, though minor collateral damage is acceptable.
3. Captured material must be placed in an isolated detention cell upon acquisition.
4. Post-capture contact is restricted to authorized personnel only.
Issued by the Manager of [Redacted] Branch.
End of report.
Manager Park [Redacted], [Redacted] Branch
