It was driving me absolutely insane.
I took the Sphere to the management room and lightly poked it, motioning for it to introduce itself to the two people. Though its understanding wasn’t exact, it had an air of comprehending my intent, making me think that perhaps it could serve as a medium for dialogue, even if unclear.
However,
my joy quickly fizzled out.
“Such inferior beings made of blood and flesh.”
It seemed the Sphere wasn’t particularly fond of humans. At the very least, this situation, where it wasn’t particularly friendly toward humanity, might be better than expected.
Initially startled by the Sphere’s words, I noticed Han Seori and Kim Cheon-soo reacted strangely.
“Hmm?”
“…?”
Their faces showed confusion.
They didn’t seem to feel anger or fear.
So, apparently,
the Sphere’s words weren’t being comprehended by them. It wasn’t just that the meaning was lost—its message didn’t register at all.
…Yeah, maybe it’s better that they don’t understand.
After all, ignorance is bliss.
“[Manager. I recommend eliminating these two inferior entities from the facility.]”
What the hell?
I felt the absurdity of that statement and waved my hand in disbelief. Clearly, something was malfunctioning, so I decided the Sphere needed a good beating to fix it, reasoning that it had worked the last time I did it.
Pang!
The Sphere, as if feeling wronged, dimmed the glowing parts on its surface downward, much like an unhappy expression.
Still, should I consider this submissiveness a blessing?
…But how does it figure out what I want to say?
Or, is it really reading my mind?
While I was pondering this, Han Seori, watching from a little distance, spoke up.
“Though I’m not quite sure what’s going on, it seems clear that this belongs under the control of 7496 – KR.”
“Something about this feels unsettling, doesn’t it?”
Both definitely seemed unable to understand the Sphere’s words.
My grand plan to use it as some kind of terminal… was impossible from the start.
…Well, it’s not as though it stopped working; it was never usable to begin with, and maybe that’s better overall.
Since I wouldn’t have to experience that disconcerting sensation of betrayal.
Suddenly, I remembered trust always seems to lead to betrayal.
…Still, isn’t it strange? This thing speaks to me directly, yet Seori and Cheon-soo can’t hear it.
So, in what language is it actually talking to me?
Thinking of it as some sort of Special Event in the Singularity, I decided to overlook it at first. But when I realized neither Seori nor Cheon-soo could communicate with it, I suddenly became curious.
Placing my hand back on the Sphere, I asked it.
The question was simple: why couldn’t the two understand its words?
A monotone voice responded,
“Beings made of flesh and blood can’t naturally comprehend my language, which is expected.”
No, that’s not what I meant.
I briefly withdrew my hand and gazed at the Jelly, realizing the Sphere reminded me of a robotic villain from a work of fiction.
Reflecting on it, it was ironic.
Why would this thing, which disliked humans, attack me first?
…Let’s leave that question for later.
The first order of business was to resolve the most pressing mystery.
If I could understand its intentions and it could understand mine…
I could figure out how to deal with Seori and Cheon-soo.
Placing my hand on it again, I asked if the two could be enabled to understand it.
“[That is impossible. I only communicate with the Manager.]”
Though it had initially seemed somewhat agreeable, its tone now felt firm and decisive.
…Alright, I guess that’s your thing.
What was I doing anyway, pretending to be some kind of researcher?
My sole goal with the Sphere was to get the facility repaired.
“Hmm… Are they having some sort of conversation?”
“It doesn’t quite seem like 7496 – KR is saying anything.”
That said, I did have one final question.
Could the Sphere understand the words of the two?
Placing my hand on it again, I inquired.
“[Their inefficient method of transmission holds no value for me to interpret.]”
Just pretend it doesn’t understand.
This whole thing was giving me a headache.
It seemed the only advantage this thing had over the Jelly was that it could understand me.
Meanwhile, Sosik, who had been clinging to Han Seori’s back, approached and climbed atop the Sphere, stretching out its body.
…Could it be due to sharing some quality with me?
Though the Sphere could have called Sosik a dirty primate or some such, it quietly floated gently, accommodating the little one.
Watching this interaction, it seemed the thing wasn’t all bad.
At this point,
I should probably show the two the reason I brought this thing here.
The details could be discussed later.
I tugged on Seori’s and Cheon-soo’s clothes, signaling for them to follow me out of the management room.
Confused as they were, they nodded without hesitation.
As we were leaving, Daesik, sitting on Cheon-soo’s shoulder, caught my eye.
The little guy seemed comfortable there, with no intention of getting down.
I felt an odd sensation for some reason.
What exactly was this feeling?
…I don’t know.
Maybe I was just tired and didn’t care to figure it out.
If it didn’t concern me, then it was alright.
As I gazed at Jung-sik idly floating beside the Sphere, I stepped out of the management room.
—
Han Seori and Kim Cheon-soo felt somewhat disconcerted.
7496 – KR had tugged on their clothes and gestured for them to leave the management room.
Had another anomaly made that gesture instead, they wouldn’t have followed.
They probably wouldn’t even have come to this secluded research facility in the first place.
But, having observed 7496 – KR’s behavior up until now, they silently followed the Jelly Girl without hesitation.
There was no clear understanding of what was happening, yet it seemed following the Jelly Girl would lead to some answers.
As they followed her, they saw the messy state of the research facility.
Despite the situation seeming to improve slightly, it wasn’t clear how long this place could last.
Resisting the urge to sigh, they paused, noticing the colossal steel mass that had caused all the commotion only moments before.
The Jelly Girl stopped and placed her hand on the small Sphere that she’d been riding in.
Observing this, Han Seori thought:
‘Is this how it communicates through contact?’
‘Could I communicate this way too if I touch it?’
That’s something to try later.
As she felt her hand itch, she closely watched the Jelly Girl’s actions.
Suddenly,
Grinding sounds started coming from the steel mass.
“Wha—?”
Han Seori was startled.
‘Why is it moving again?’
‘Could it be trying to cause more trouble…?’
‘No, that doesn’t seem right.’
She immediately dismissed the idea.
Was she really doubting 7496 – KR for stepping into the line of fire against that massive scrap of metal?
Shaking her head, Han Seori thought that no matter how anomalous 7496 – KR was, such a human-like suspicion was misplaced.
However, if her suspicions were correct,
On closer inspection, it wasn’t the steel mass that was moving but something attached to its surface, currently peeling off the steel and flying away.
“Should I go after that thing, or should we stay?”
“Uh… Yes.”
Feeling a note of unease in her voice, Kim Cheon-soo reluctantly agreed to pursue the similar-looking drone the Jelly Girl had faced earlier, while the red-clothed doll attached to his shoulder came along.
Watching his departure, Han Seori glanced between the Jelly Girl and the hovering Sphere.
The pursuing Kim Cheon-soo soon returned, breathing heavily but with a brighter expression.
“That drone is repairing the facility!”
“Huh?”
“The large block of scrap metal is repairing the facility!”
Han Seori, caught off guard, quickly regained her composure and brightened, turning her eyes to the Jelly Girl, who, in response, crossed her arms with a hint of pride, trying to look cool despite her adorable face.
In a moment of excitement,
Han Seori picked up the Jelly Girl and spun her around.
“I trusted you!”
She hugged the slightly flustered Jelly Girl.
As Han Seori hugged her, the doll on Kim Cheon-soo’s shoulder fidgeted against his cheek, prompting Cheon-soo to look down.
“Yes?”
The doll wiggled as if asking to be put down.
“Want me to put you down?”
With a small tilt of the head, Kim Cheon-soo set the doll down. The doll began jumping, attempting to grab Jelly Girl’s feet.
On one side, the Sphere hovered while a whale-shaped Jelly floated, with another small Jelly Girl asleep on top of the Sphere.
Smiling faintly at the sight, Kim Cheon-soo felt
…almost like he was watching a family.
Though the idea that peace could come from the union of anomalies and humans felt absurd, it nonetheless warmed his heart.
But,
if this was a family…
does that make me the dad?
He chuckled, scratching his head.
Regardless of his role though,
the once chaotic research facility seemed at last to have found peace.
