Chapter 75: Kkachisan Conference (1) |
Preparations for the event were in full swing in the sleepy town of Kkachisan.
It was the 'Object Research Institute Regular Meeting' held at the Kkachisan Research Institute.
The black agent was going around the venue being prepared, helping with various checks.
The work that started early in the morning had continued until lunchtime. As the preparations reached a stable state during the lunch break, the black agent sighed while looking down the quiet Kkachisan.
The black agent was quite tired from the disbandment and re-formation of the association, and the numerous incidents that occurred in Seoul.
The open scenery seen from Kkachisan put the black agent's mind at ease, if only a little.
A landscape where small buildings that did not block the view were lined up like matchboxes.
On the roads tangled like ribbons, cars like ladybugs were sparsely moving.
The sounds of car horns and engines heard from up here were appropriately reduced, and those noises were rather familiar noises that gave him comfort.
Along with the sound of small footsteps running up the stairs, a blonde girl greeted the black agent cheerfully.
The blonde girl's cheeks were flushed red from running up the considerable number of stairs, and in her hand was a leaflet for this meeting.
"Look at this!"
The blonde girl thrust the leaflet in front of the black agent's eyes.
The leaflet had the schedule of presentations divided into Part 1 and Part 2 for each day, along with their topics.
<Kkachisan Object Conference.>
<Location: Kkachisan Object Research Institute.>
<Organizer: Kkachisan Object Research Institute, Object Management Association.>
<Part 1 Presentation.>
<Research on enhancing the financial soundness of the Research Institute.>
<Study on the increasing trend of Object and its countermeasures.>
<Introduction to the impact of Object on humans.>
<Domestication plan for Object defense system.>
.
.
.
The blonde girl was very excited as she pointed to one of the presentation topics.
"Cases have been found where people become superhumans due to the indirect effects of Objects. Superhumans! Have you ever seen one, uncle?"
"I haven't seen one yet. But there are also research results showing that manifestation cases are increasing, and the government is actively searching for them, so I'll be able to see one soon."
As he answered the girl, the image of a friend came to the black agent's mind.
The yellow detective.
He didn't seem to be the type whose physical abilities explosively increased, which was likely to be covered in this conference's presentations.
But the intuition he showed was almost bordering on the realm of precognition, enough to call him a superhuman.
"Who will be the first superhuman discovered in Korea? What if it's me?"
The blonde girl lowered her head and giggled.
In fact, the black agent had already received instructions from the association regarding superhumans.
<If a superhuman is discovered, immediately inform the association.>
<Do not attempt to restrain them, but rather establish a friendly relationship.>
<Seize the opportunity to attempt neutralization and isolation with sufficient data and resources.>
The black agent thought there was no need to tell the blonde girl such a grim story.
"In fact, there will be more cases that are not as strikingly noticeable as the superhumans covered in the presentations. Look, it's mentioned here."
<In sports competitions like the Olympics, there is a noticeable increase in record improvements>
<They exhibit changes at a level that is difficult to explain solely by advancements in technology and training methods>
<When we observe that the improvement in records amplifies as the occurrence of Objects increases, it can be attributed to the influence of Objects.>
"Wow, so does that mean all humans will eventually become superhumans?"
"If this trend continues, that will be the case. But it's hard to know how long this will happen for."
The blonde girl looked through the leaflet here and there, but seeming to lose interest, she handed it to the secretary standing behind her.
"Oh, that's right. Uncle!"
"?"
"Do you know? Today is a Blood Moon. They say a red moon will rise."
The girl, looking forward to seeing the moon tonight, went down the stairs again.
***
Reaper (MC) POV:
---
Squawk.
Squawk.
The cry of a large bird resounded in the peaceful isolation room.
It was the Polaroid photo that Yerin had given.
I had placed the photo on the table and was watching TV when a black penguin head slowly emerged from inside the photo.
It then stuck its head out and looked around observing the inside of the isolation room.
It seemed to think I couldn't see it since I had my back turned, so it was quite openly observing, but the thing is, I don't see with my eyes...
So when the penguin looked the other way, I rushed in and tightly grabbed its neck.
Squawk!
So in the end, what is this penguin?
Just by the feeling, it seems like a 'harmful bird' to humans.
So with my right hand grabbing its neck, I swung its head to smash it.
The penguin with its head missing waddled around, flapping its wings, but after some time passed, it dissolved into black mud.
It gave off an unpleasant petroleum smell and had a sticky, unpleasant texture.
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I shook off the mud with ghostification and observed the photo again.
The penguin that was always dancing around beyond the photo had disappeared.
What remained was a landscape painting depicting an unpleasant, bizarre scenery.
The photo had become worthless now.
I casually tossed the photo aside and exited the isolation room.
The cool air of this Research Institute corridor.
While the warm, cozy atmosphere of the isolation room was nice, I also liked the bright, cool vibe of the Research Institute corridor.
Tak tak~
As I walked down the empty research institute hallway, I started to hear voices.
I see Seo-ah and Sehee.
Why is Seo-ah out here?
***
Sehee POV:
---
After leaving the director's office with Seo-ah, we walk down the Research Institute corridor.
Since I haven't had a chance to really talk with Seo-ah since the Golden Reaper incident, I should chat with her a lot this time.
"The Golden Reaper that was placed in the lounge has gone missing this time. I wonder where it went?"
"..."
It was an icebreaker conversation, but Seo-ah doesn't respond.
Instead, she's sweating profusely. Is she not feeling well somewhere?
"Wow, look at all that sweat. If you're not feeling good, just don't participate in this conference. You weren't planning to attend anyway."
"No, it's better if I participate. The association also wants me to attend."
Seo-ah decided to participate in the 'Kkachisan Conference' being held this time.
Actually, I was supposed to go, but Seo-ah said she would go instead.
Because, well, I didn't really want to attend this conference.
I'm not really interested in the talks about financial soundness or whatever that they'll be presenting at this conference.
So I was going to not attend, but then Seo-ah said she would go, so I told her to go ahead.
Seo-ah said she would prepare alone, but Seo-ah barely has any experience going on business trips!
As someone who frequently goes on field trips, I should kindly let her know what to watch out for!
***
Seo-ah POV:
---
I was walking down the corridor with Lee Sehee, the Research Institute Director.
When she suddenly asked about the Golden Reaper in the middle of our walk, my heart almost dropped.
Fortunately, it didn't seem like she noticed that I had taken the Golden Reaper.
After that, she kept talking nonstop about things to watch out for on business trips.
At a glance, the stories seemed useful, but it seems Director Lee Sehee has forgotten.
Most of what she's saying now are things I had already told Director Lee Sehee before.
They were precautions I had informed her about since Object-related accidents occur frequently.
The problem is Director Lee Sehee barely followed any of the things I told him.
And each time, she gets caught up in kidnappings, lockdowns, gets captured by the association...
And then she tells me those same stories again!
Ah, the more I think about it, the more absurd it seems.
"If you just followed what I said, you wouldn't get caught up in things like kidnappings!"
Director Lee Sehee says with a bold expression.
With an absurd expression, she stared at me intently, as if she had realized something.
The Gray Reaper that had appeared out of nowhere was also staring at me with a similar expression.
"D...Don't look at me like that!"
"I just remembered. This is all information Seo-ah told me..."
"I've been kidnapped so many times, so I know some parts well too!"
Director Lee Sehee became gloomy and fell silent.
***
??? (Black Agent?) POV:
---
A few days before the Kkachisan Conference, a large, brightly shining Blood Moon rose.
And it rose again the next day.
Only in the Gangseo-gu area.
The lady seemed a little excited by the strange phenomenon, but no matter how I thought about it, it wasn't a good omen.
I wrote a report about the large red moon that wouldn't disappear.
I submitted the report to the association.
It would take quite some time to get a response.
We need to respond as quickly as possible, I hope it's not too late.
"Uncle! Is it a red moon again tonight?"
"My lady, wouldn't it be better to return to your home estate while the red moon is up?"
shake shake (no no)
The young lady refused with a bright, smiling face.