This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 615

In terms of numbers, it’s about 50 years.

In terms of centuries, it’s about half a century.

It’s the time humanity has been fighting against the Another.

What’s strange is that despite fighting for survival all this time, humanity still knows very little about the Another.

Among those unknown aspects, particularly concerning their reproduction… because of that, the question of how the Another increases in numbers has become a sort of mission for scholars specializing in the Another.

If we were to quantify it mathematically, it feels a bit like one of the seven great problems.

Some might get angry upon hearing that, questioning how such a trivial matter could be compared to the seven great problems, but from the scholars’ perspective, that was indeed the case.

This is because the Another doesn’t have any organs for reproduction at all.

Since the formal confrontation between humanity and the Another began, numerous scholars have challenged themselves to uncover this secret, but sadly, the results have been quite lackluster.

Even with thorough investigations into ordinary specimens and even the Bruiser-class corpses, which were somewhat rare at the time, nothing significant was found.

Thus, the dominant hypothesis became that the Another reproduces asexually.

To put it simply, the hypothesis suggests that the Another maintains its population through self-division…

Despite being presented over twenty years ago, that hypothesis still holds the position of “the most credible hypothesis.”

One might wonder what professors and doctors have been doing for the past twenty years, but in reality, it’s somewhat understandable from their perspective.

From their viewpoint, it was indeed unavoidable since delving deeper into this field yielded no fruitful results.

To put it more bluntly, it could be said that this field was not worth the time invested in research.

Additionally, due to various incidents arising during the process of “researching” the Another, investments and support for the field of Another Studies, which once seemed promising, dwindled significantly, leading academia to adopt a stance of avoiding research unless absolutely necessary.

However, that’s all internal affairs known only to industry professionals. Most ordinary people, unaware of such industry circumstances, had no choice but to rely on the bits of information they had picked up.

Thus, most people perceived the Another as a creature that couldn’t reproduce on its own but somehow managed to maintain its numbers—truly an oddity.

But now, at this moment, Yoonseo is suggesting a possibility that is completely opposite to that notion.

So, everyone could only sit in silence.

“A unique specimen that looks like a shrunken version of the Queen…”

“From what I hear, it almost feels like those two specimens might be parent and child.”

“Parent and child? Surely not?”

“I agree. Everyone should already know that the Another doesn’t have reproductive organs.”

“Well, that’s the issue.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean, to be honest, it’s true. The very name of the specimen is the Queen… how could that possibly be comparable to the ordinary specimens that are so common they could be found underfoot?”

“Ha… what are you saying… the name ‘Queen’ that was given to that humanoid specimen was assigned by the Association itself, wasn’t it? And you’re using that as a basis for judgment…”

It seems they tried to phrase it as diplomatically as possible, but nonetheless, everyone in the room knew it was a blatant slight.

Maybe that’s why, just moments earlier, the heated speaker’s neck had a slight vein pop up.

“Hmm, if you’re going to argue that way, it doesn’t make sense to categorize that humanoid specimen the same as ordinary specimens. Just the fact that it has a human form already demonstrates a distinct difference.”

“T-That’s…”

Could they not have predicted that such an immediate counterattack would come?

As the opponent fell into confusion, the one who initially made such a claim smoothly continued.

“In any case, this is what I think. That humanoid specimen has learned about humans based on its unique learning abilities, and among those things it has learned is our method of reproduction.”

Thanks to the additional context, their argument became more specific.

Was it perhaps because of this assertion? The atmosphere in the meeting room became heavier than before.

It was inevitable.

Everyone could hardly react any differently because, upon hearing that claim, they instinctively realized that the operation, which they had felt optimistic about, might not go as easily as they initially thought.

“I really don’t want to imagine the worst-case scenario.”

“Still, it might be wise to keep it in mind.”

“A reproducing Another…”

“Though, I don’t think it would reproduce as prolifically as everyone fears.”

“What’s your basis for that?”

“Isn’t it obvious? If they could increase their numbers almost infinitely like the ordinary specimens, then the world would have already belonged to the Another.”

“Well, up to now, it seems there have only been two humanoid specimens observed…”

“There must be some constraints of some sort. What they are, however, remains unknown.”

“The important thing is that we now have to consider the possibility that time may not be on our side.”

“That said, rushing forward in such a situation where we haven’t even finished assessing the surroundings around this base would be a bit…”

“Oh, are you perhaps scared?”

“…Huh?”

Even though a little incident occurred mid-discussion, in any case, everyone in attendance reached an agreement.

They decided to move quickly to avoid giving the enemy time.

Thanks to this agreement within the expedition team, the friction regarding the exploration team faded away naturally.

With an arduous journey ahead and countless tasks to complete, was there any reason to waste mental energy on such trivial matters?

It was just as the hastily convened meeting was approaching its conclusion.

Clap!

A sound akin to a high-five echoed through the meeting room when suddenly—

“Then it’s decided. Let’s lightly scout the area around us today and call it a day, shall we?”

Miss Almighty, having turned all attention and focus towards herself with that one declaration, smiled and announced.

“It seems we have guests who have come to welcome us as well…”

Then, she added something that was completely enigmatic.

Guests?

It’s not like this is reality; who would come here…?

‘…Could it be?’

A hypothesis flashed through my mind.

As that conjecture stiffened my expression reflexively—

Boom—!

Rumble rumble rumble—!

The commotion, which I thought had finally calmed down, began to envelop the Forward Base again.

.

.

.

At that moment, the expedition team, who had only just succeeded in entering the Forward Base set up in the Heogye, began to undergo a fiery initiation rite.

Amidst witnessing the hordes of Another rushing in from all directions, there was someone else whose expression was as stiff as the expedition members—a person named Dogun.

‘This is strange…’

Why is my heart racing like this?

It feels as if I’ve taken something wrong.

It churned in my chest with such force.

Thus, I couldn’t help but express my confusion.

Why do I feel this way all of a sudden?

Is it because of what happened earlier this morning?

But that was merely my own illusion, which had long been disproven…

I wondered if giving my chest a good thump would help ease this feeling and began to pound my chest until it made a thump-thump sound, but it was all in vain.

Doing that only amplified the size of the frustration I felt.

If only I knew the reason for this feeling, I could have tried something appropriate.

Since I didn’t know, all I felt was frustration.

So, unknowingly, I had stiffened my expression when—

“Uh, Dogun…”

Chae-rim, poking her head in through the door, saw my expression and flinched.

She looked as if she might have a reason to be concerned about me.