Chapter 51 (1/2)
Chapter 51 – Day 13, Upset
In fact, the gender of the statues wasn't clear. However, considering the neutral voice, their forms were closer to men than women.
“Is this what you look like?”
”Rather than that, I wanted to have this appearance.”
Isaiah lifted her hand and touched the air. “I don't have an ident.i.ty, but I like the human body the best as an avatar. It's something that I created with my restored power.”
”Congratulations.”
“You shouldn't be congratulating me. You put the people in my city so I can have these luxuries.”
The slender fingers fluttered through the air. Isaiah smiled like she enjoyed the pleasure of touching. It wasn't just a free smile. She looked like a child who had managed to touch her dream. “This child. Can you give it to me for a moment?”
“I don't think I will let it go.” Once again, I became angry as I thought about what the worm did to me.
“I understand that you're mad, but I think I can use that child in a better way for you. I would like to ask for mercy on behalf of that child.”
”… That isn't an apology.”
I turned over the worm and Isaiah clasped it with both hands. ”Originally, the sacred creatures existed as subordinates to the G.o.ds but…”
“Does that mean the sacred creatures have a type of divinity? They aren't aliens?”
”Aliens?”
I waved my hands.
”Well… This child was made to be dependent on humans. It's good, but the problem is that humans are nothing without their roots.”
Isaiah brought both hands to her mouth and whispered something. The vibration of the worm, that was shaking in Isaiah's hands, became silent. Once the top hand was removed, the worm rolled into a ball and didn't move.
“Here.” In the blink of an eye, Isaiah's hand was touching my chest. The worm disappeared into my chest.
”…Hey. What…?”
“That child is afraid of you. It won't oppose you again. Right now it is asleep, but you can try it out when it wakes up.”
”…”
I didn't know if that would be helpful or not. I touched my chest where it was placed but didn't receive an answer. Then I walked towards the generator. A piece of metal was embedded in the control panel.
The master key. Yoon Chan-hee had plugged it in. All the power that had been poured into maintaining the egg sh.e.l.l was recovered and the extra power was still full. I manipulated the levers. Soon, vibrations started to spread out from the generator. The ceiling and wall lighting devices were now working.
[The incubation room is activated.]
[Neutral Zone – Imperial Research Facility 042: Druid’s Workshop]
I didn't power up the entire facility. Perhaps… As soon as I fully powered up this facility, it might be cleared and 'integrated.' I left the generator for a while and moved outside of the incubation room. The corpses of Yoon Chan-hee's people were still there. However, I didn't see the ma.s.s of ice that was Chang Ga-ram. Only pieces of the melted ice were visible in his place.
I missed him. He probably wasn't on this floor anymore. The situation didn't seem that bad. Yoon Chan-hee's ability seemed to be one where he could train and operate a large number of people. Yet his people, except for Chang Ga-ram, had been annihilated. As this point, the number of explorers was shrinking, so it would be difficult to regain all those people.
Plus… Yoon Chan-hee had experienced the same thing I had with the sacred creature. Although there was no room for c.o.c.kiness, he might no longer be a risk.
After acquiring the fingerprints from the bodies and exploring every corner of the facility, I returned to the generator. As I powered up the rest of the facility, I told Isaiah. “I won't go to the city today.”
“Isn't everybody looking forward to it? They now have a king.”
“It isn't a location I have to return to.”
In addition, time there pa.s.sed like it did in reality. There was no time to act as a good-for-nothing leader. I had to check on reality.
”… Aha.” Isaiah smiled with understanding. “Indeed. I guess so.”
“How about you tell me what happened to them?” I asked.
”Unfortunately I can't. It isn't happening in my area.”
“You can’t break the rules.”
“I guess you understand.” I laughed bitterly.
“I’m sorry.” Isaiah said. It didn't matter. I hadn't expected a lot. I immediately manipulated the generator.
”See you next time.”
”Yes. I am looking forward to it.”
As power spread throughout the facility, words appeared.
[Talia's monarch has occupied the Neutral Zone- Imperial Research Facility 042.]
[Currently merging territory: 3rd area.]
[Monarch privilege – Merger rights: One-time acquisition.]
“You too.”
Just before my view s.h.i.+fted. She didn't make any sound but Isaiah mouthed the words. “You can expect something good.”
&
I picked up my phone as soon as I got up, then made two phone calls. It was to Yang Su-jin and Yoon Ji-hee. People spent different amounts of time in the dungeon, but they woke up at almost the same time.
[ … The customer can't receive the all at this time.]
The tone kept ringing but they didn't answer the phone. It was the same for both of them.
”…”
Should I wait a little longer? I was prepared to a certain extent. Even if they picked up the call, they could ask who I was. It was likely, very likely.
Whether or not the two people fell into the same s.p.a.ce, they might have died on the ninth floor. There were two of them. However, it depended on their luck and the type of trials they would face. Maybe they met an opponent they couldn't win against, but they could have also escaped safely down the stairs. That was what I ordered before entering the ninth floor.
[ … The customer can't receive the all at this time.]
”…Dammit.”
There were dozens of calls and the clock showed that it was past the normal waking time. I changed my clothes and immediately left home.