In human society, the existence of abnormal phenomena has long been controlled and secretly concealed, but these entities have coexisted with humanity for ages, passed down through folklore and tales, and now even through horror stories.
Thus, aside from the Management Office, there were certainly those who were aware of the existence of these abnormal phenomena, and it was not solely the Management Office that aimed to manage and control them.
“I can’t believe it’s been so long since we last met. Was it after the Lincoln Center? Your leadership skills back then were truly impressive,” the monk said, treating Oliver like an old friend.
However, despite the monk’s casual demeanor, Oliver couldn’t shake the cold sweat from his body. It wasn’t just because the man in front of him had burst into his room with a firearm. He had faced and overcome similar crises countless times in his line of work.
But this situation was different. The group to which the man belonged was among the most heinous and dangerous organizations opposing the Management Office.
‘How did these insane cultists find their way here…?’ Oliver cursed silently, glaring at the monk before him.
Not all organizations investigating abnormal phenomena had the worst relationships with each other. Sometimes they shared common goals, or cooperated based on mutual interests. Different purposes and philosophies drove them, but ultimately, their common goal was the management, control, and retrieval of abnormal phenomena.
But the man in front of him was different. Their goal was to kill people.
Massacres, indiscriminate murders, various acts of destruction regardless of race or nation. Those who used abnormal phenomena to extinguish lives were treated as lunatics even by other organizations, and they had remained secretive about their objectives, reasons, and names since their first appearance, focusing solely on killing people.
“Oh, you don’t have to glare at me like that. We’re not here to harm you, after all,” the monk acknowledged Oliver’s scrutinizing gaze.
It was only natural, as the suspect organization had invaded his base, paralyzing him and speaking right before his eyes—if a starving lion were there instead of the monk, his heart wouldn’t race any faster.
“Of course, we didn’t come here just to talk. There are a few other reasons, but I still wanted to extend this invitation to you,” the monk said, continuing in a calm voice, unbothered by Oliver’s distrust. “Researcher Oliver, would you join us?”
At last, he revealed the true reason for his visit, inviting Oliver into his organization.
—Twitch
Oliver’s paralyzed facial muscles twitched slightly. What the man had said was so absurd it incited that reaction.
To Oliver, who had dedicated his life to managing abnormal phenomena for humanity, an invitation from terrorists who cared nothing for lives or societal chaos felt like an unbearable insult.
“I understand you’re quite upset right now. After all, we’ve had many confrontations with the Management Office over the years, haven’t we?” The monk appeared to anticipate that Oliver would take his previous statement poorly and immediately started to clarify with what sounded like excuses.
However, Oliver had no intention of listening to the madman’s words. He was simply waiting for the paralysis effect to wear off. Whatever the man outside babbled, the moment he could move his body, he would hit the button under the desk without hesitation.
“But aren’t you curious?” the monk continued.
Yet, Oliver remained unable to move a single finger, let alone block his ears. He had no choice but to listen to the monk’s words, which began to spark a flicker of curiosity within him.
“No matter how many times you capture them, you can’t keep them forever, and new entities pop up from who knows where. It’s the same monotonous cycle of catching, discovering, catching again… hasn’t that been your experience?”
Feeling cornered, the monk’s words began to imprint themselves in Oliver’s mind like itch relief after scratching an unreachable spot.
He could no longer grasp it, and just when he was frustrated over not being able to pinpoint where the itch was, someone appeared and precisely scratched that spot.
“It must seem strange to you. You’ve always made rational and logical decisions, but unidentified entities keep appearing, and the death toll remains unchanged.”
He, too, had once vowed alongside others. Just as humanity conquers the cosmos, they’d fully analyze and control these unknown entities for humanity’s rightful use.
However, as time went on, all he had learned was that these entities rejected understanding and logic.
After facing terrible things for ages, he was left alone, the last remaining soul from those earlier vows. He had, therefore, become one who took measures to absolutely contain abnormal phenomena, grateful each day that the world hadn’t yet met its end.
“We can tell you,” the monk declared after a pause.
This statement caused Oliver’s face to twitch once more.
“We can explain where the abnormal phenomena you refer to come from, why they exist, and why they’re designed to be so hostile towards humanity.”
It was the answer to the questions he had shouted silently for so long.
Despite his research, isolation, and control efforts, he had completely failed to understand what they were, why they existed, and why they harbored malice towards humanity.
After exhausting himself in search of those answers, he had reluctantly given up.
But if someone could answer those questions, if someone existed who could explain why countless lives had to perish, even if it were a demon providing the answers, he felt he could sell his soul willingly.
“Of course, you can decline. We are simply here to offer this opportunity. Whatever choice you make, I assure you it will not harm you,” the monk said, attempting to ease Oliver’s tension.
Regardless of his choice, given the paralysis, it was clear he wouldn’t be able to respond immediately.
The monk had merely come to extend an invitation, as it stood.
“But if you truly wish to know what you’re curious about, then at that time—”
The monk whispered into his ear like a seducing serpent, despite his formal attire.
For the immobilized Oliver, the monk seemed to sense that the flicker of interest in his eyes indicated a direction to be taken, then suddenly…
“Ugh…”
He started to move his lips and attempt to speak, catching the monk’s attention with a look of surprise.
“G-gah… b-bull…!”
Normally, this would be impossible; the effect of the paralysis was absolute. One couldn’t even close their mouth if a flapping bug flew into their throat.
Yet here was Oliver, who not only moved his lips but was making an earnest effort to speak up.
After some time attempting to project his voice, he finally grasped the knack and, with all his might, moved his lips one last time—
“Y-you’re just barking nonsense, you damn cultist…!”
—Click
He spat curses at the man before him and desperately succeeded in pressing the button beneath the desk with a single finger.
——BEEP BEEP BEEP
An emergency siren blared throughout Base 17, signaling the crisis.
The emergency switch assigned to the Responsible Researcher, which declared a state of emergency upon pressing, also indicated that severe threats loomed over the pressing person.
Soon, armed personnel would rush to this location.
“Hah.”
Hearing the siren blaring, the monk seemed momentarily speechless.
His short utterance carried a sentiment of amazement beyond mere surprise.
“Remarkable. I never imagined you could lift the effect of the bell yourself,” he stated, genuinely astonished.
The monk knew well the effect of the bell from past experiences.
Regardless of how extensively trained one was to deal with reality-changing scenarios, without special measures or equipment, moving even one eye would be challenging, let alone overcoming it with just bare hands.
Indeed, it was a skill befitting someone he had long sought to bring into his fold.
——
Of course, Oliver couldn’t respond to him.
Having spent all his energy trying to speak just to hold the monk there, he was left with no strength to move, merely awaiting the end of the paralysis effect.
—Thud, Thud, Thud
From beyond the blocked door, there began to be sounds of numerous footsteps approaching.
The heavy, armed feet of humans were unmistakable.
Those footsteps reached just outside this office door, and soon they began banging on it, shouting for the Responsible Researcher within.
“Researcher Oliver! Are you okay?! If there’s no reply, we’ll break in!”
—Bang!
When they heard nothing from inside, the armed personnel outside began to pound insistently on the blocked entrance.
Bang! The sound of something heavy hitting the door echoed loudly.
Each thud against the barricade grew louder, each resounding crash indicating they were close to breaching their entry.
“…By the way, I mentioned earlier that there were a few different reasons for my visit,” the monk said, still maintaining his calm voice.
As if unfazed by the forces about to storm in, he began to elaborate further.
“That is indeed true. Of course, meeting with you was important, but I thought it might be time to return something we borrowed from you.”
What could he possibly mean? Oliver thought, for the situation felt utterly unnatural to him.
There were clearly just the two of them in this room, and it was obvious he would soon be subdued by the approaching team.
Yet, the monk continued speaking as if nothing were amiss, with a look indicating a deeper scheme.
—Bang!
The battering ram struck the door once more with a thunderous sound.
This time, the door visibly flexed, but the monk remained utterly relaxed.
“It was an item we borrowed a while ago, and I believe you call it…”
Yet he was in no position to make guesses, nor was he capable of warning the personnel outside, even if he had figured something out.
“Clearly, it was the 744th entity.”
At last, the monk’s one-word revelation made Oliver realize everything was fundamentally wrong with the situation.
The 744th entity.
In Oliver’s memory, the risk classification of this abnormal phenomenon undeniably fell into the highest category, Level V.
—Creeeak
Simultaneously, he heard an ominous sound echoing from beyond the door.
