Chapter 6: Monologue of the Anemone
C60“Yes, I’ll be under your care.”a2Kl0M4
gquI moved my frozen knees and barely managed to straighten my posture as I spoke.Y9rWZ
FpeManager Batory observed me with interest for a moment, then smiled broadly, tearing her lips beneath the corners of her eyes.CkTQ
JKqkuHAlthough it still wasn’t clear whether that was a welcome or a greeting before eating.FRYcJ
yUajQ“Hehe… Your skin tone is quite clear. The faces of those who remain here for a long time usually become dull very quickly. I hope you preserve that initial brightness for a long time.”10f
Inh“Uh… thank you.”2a0bM03
B8OmI felt that I should answer something, so I opened my mouth, but in the end I couldn’t find the proper words.z20cL0
Z4EecBTSeeing me drag out the end of the sentence, Manager Batory covered her lips and smiled softly with her eyes.izx
Lv3NqIHer movements were so elegant that they seemed unnatural.GWJazlS
iJ6kYHHer neck, waist, shoulders, and even the tips of her fingers.XkAPN
rCzQShe looked like a brushstroke drawn in the air with movements lighter than the wind itself.WvD
U5zVvh“…Well then, Assistant Manager Son. Have you already shown him the other relatives?”fSORK
rcC“Director Mok will be returning from vacation soon, and he’ll probably see Supervisor Shik before leaving tonight.”Ku9
E5YkHer soft and cold voice slid into my ears.LsHVkMx
WaAIt was like refined ice gently brushing against skin until it finally cut it.3OGjlWb
8IsJwAfter hearing Assistant Manager Son’s reply, she took a sip of that unknown drink resting on the railing of the isolation chamber and then slowly nodded.arvuo
6gzNNBeneath her long eyelashes, those dark blood-colored eyes shone even more intensely.hKJPW1U
SBRi4J“Good, later we should sit down, have a cup of tea, and talk.”Dx8YVJq
Fr4kpShe slowly lifted the tablet she was holding to the height of her face.oDwR2f2
psf5AEven the slightest movement of her wrist was elegant.Bem
a0LR3If I hadn’t just seen her tearing apart her own skin while her body grotesquely deformed, she probably would have been the most beautiful creature I had ever seen in my life.3msBStk
uG14l“Then, I’m busy… you two continue.”hMoJ
XEXawSShe turned around.mCqnPY
nnuHjAs though her words, footsteps, and movements were lighter than air.zQQxNy
YThgxaBeyond the enormous isolation chamber, what she was observing was a grayish mass writhing like a heart.Uy3zmp
oKg9FhThat pulsating thing had a shape, but it was impossible to interpret.yNnhsA
KIWgkAWhile countless eyes, holes, emotions, or diseases impossible to identify writhed grotesquely, she gazed at it as though it were a work of art.LCaR6P
f9fftxVThe moment my gaze tried to follow hers and recognize that thing—Xz0xx
gp5h“Well then, Mr. Haeil.”gSG33si
FCfKAseBeside me, Assistant Manager Son slightly moved his fist-head while speaking.3uWTsNn
NYUW“Ah, yes, Assistant Manager Son.”6ww3H
h9s6“Let’s begin the first practice. Since the director also gave instructions, it’s better not to start with something too complicated. Let’s first try the tamest among the dimensional entities.”Llg
5bLw8riI slowly nodded.JU9EK2
P0eiE4Assistant Manager Son’s hand, no, the fist on his head, no, his head… I don’t even know anymore.GfSUNp
4A1In any case, that thing made a heavy Tap! as it snapped its fingers once.kCQrsjX
p1nS“Follow me.”3y1
M2ryjRSWe began walking down the extraction room corridor.zRFdig
ST5jvjThe hallway was even quieter than before, and the air was filled with machine oil, a faint smell of disinfectant, and something resembling flesh mixed with dust.WbJFD2K
jcYUeEzIt wasn’t a smell that struck directly at the nose, but one that crawled along the spine like a snake.vPUOR
U86P42RAs we walked down the hallway together, Assistant Manager Son took advantage of a brief moment of silence to make a comment.L1IPh
V9uVqLG“By the way, from how I saw things earlier, it seems Manager Batory became quite interested in you, Mr. Haeil.”oMj
rPxInstinctively, I showed an awkward smile.mS4oeC
VN68d“Really? It’s an honor.”UMxxBC
PY3yuEven though inwardly I felt like burying that “honor” underground.1IU6
KK9ZThe image of that woman’s beautiful face appeared in my mind.rCGN
A7FThe radiant skin, the elegant hands, the calm voice.cgm2
L0NVAlAnd then the face opening, the eyes peering out from inside, and that gigantic mouth tearing open.nQ5
Xwwfq‘…Interested in me? Is he serious? Isn’t it more like an appetizer before eating?’DnJHuHw
yxsLNa“The manager doesn’t usually speak to just anyone like that.”NniAAg
cGAyAssistant Manager Son slightly tilted his head as he continued.gAjE
S0sP1“When you get used to the way she talks and the atmosphere she creates, she’s actually a good superior. How should I put it she takes pretty good care of her team. Though sometimes she really does seem like a bloodsucking mosquito.”LZh
gRQz‘It’s not that she seems like one, she was literally drinking something that looked like blood…….’4BQ
GSYwxHcI tried hard to maintain my smile.Kw0Ilxq
aCGWRJ“That’s reassuring to hear. I’ll work even harder from now on.”kxQeUs2
ET5cNrThat’s what I said, but inside me the image of her face opening while that enormous mouth appeared and her red eyes seemed to devour me kept replaying.gQFu
4nfr5lI followed Assistant Manager Son while taking one step after another.NfHf
Rq8alMy stomach felt unsettled, but I didn’t let the faint smile disappear.RCNwmr
mocBeing kind and polite was indispensable for survival.8lnbWoI
jDx4iS“To start with, D-7 will be appropriate. D-7 is the dimensional entity’s code. Its name is Monologue of the Anemone.”UhD
93cAs soon as I heard it, the image of an anemone flower appeared in my mind, and it didn’t fit this grotesque place at all.LWOHN
uh7aC“Is that… alright?”3VdMW
71rhxS6“Yes. It’s docile, calm, and responds clearly. As long as you follow the procedure correctly, it’s very efficient.”aUW
vd6YJzCProcedure.prTU
hCQgThat was a word I had already heard many times.VzY6M2
TaH3FwThe fact that even in this incomprehensible place there were clearly established rules gave me back a little calm.bAfL
b3L“By the way, this dimensional entity reacts when you recite exactly a specific phrase recorded in the documents. It’s a kind of ritual. Well, think of it like going to recite a poem.”OwrcIq
P4hPhrases, poems, rituals.gLTfGD
ajqrdWords even less appropriate for this place.V63P
42l02JAWhen my mind locked up from confusion, Assistant Manager Son lightly waved that hand-head.IEM8F
B9B“Don’t worry. Just follow the manual. The manual.”dzAk
YlhGTaWe arrived in front of isolation chamber D-7.dsLuIVc
pnRThere was a thick glass window in the door, but the interior was covered in dense fog, so it was difficult to see anything.p71
ZXk1eEven so, I felt as though something behind that door was waiting for me.ATU3yi
nMKyiC6That sensation pricked at my skin.yHSqHI
CRfEZI slowly inhaled.DtnsPsy
utO6nBeyond that door awaited the first dimensional entity I would face.m42
KvvI“Ah, before going in, read this.”PC5
2Zm7eprAssistant Manager Son handed me a sheet that had been sitting on the desk in front of the isolation chamber.axo
p1FTUI tilted my head slightly and lowered my gaze to the paper.yI8MNd1
WFQ==========7SFgQ2K
ryx[Dimensional Entity Management Profile: D-7]IZs0tYL
VN0Dimensional Entity Name: Monologue of the AnemonetwD
L8VcdfDimensional Entity Code: D-7HTHNoWU
VoWrType: Composite (biological/conceptual)nR6S
5JgDanger Level: Class D (includes risk of cognitive contamination and unconscious mimicry)JAd
OyGcAo[Details]sXdI
9WCRitual-Based Interactiond4MLRUi
e5Y63W1This entity only manifests reactions when it enters a state of cognitive connection through a “ritual” in which specific phrases are repeatedly recited.iBUI11D
VxZGCognitive Parasitism1yVK
jg49tV8While in a state of cognitive connection, this entity transmits signals directly to the administrator’s cerebral cortex without using vocal organs.qzoch8N
wmmayDuring this process, it tends to synchronize the administrator’s thoughts with certain specific patterns, eventually culminating in complete parasitism.nH1
6jXiYh[Extraction Mechanism]T5O2UNF
DXkImmediately after forming a state of cognitive connection through the designated ritual fragment, the energy generated at the instant the entity’s signal resonates with the administrator’s brainwaves is absorbed and extracted.WMIij
abT9[Management and Extraction Manual]YLoJI
9AmxDuring management, minimize visual and physical contact with the entity.wP5
mnTBUThe isolation chamber must be constructed with reinforced glass at least 20 cm thick and maintain a one-way structure that allows observation of the interior only from the outside.ZzL
x4fHedxDuring extraction, any signal outside the “ritual” will be considered “environmental noise,” and any unconscious mimicry is prohibited.DKz3Q
96ELFwThe instant an attempt at cognitive contamination by the entity is detected, immediately suspend extraction and evacuate the isolation chamber.L8uE
dCUlTime spent inside the chamber must be strictly limited to 2 minutes.zmKrN
a7SzL[Special Recommendations]Lq5NC
oqHQ6HDuring extraction conducted by novice administrators, additionally assign a second administrator capable of maintaining linguistic coherence as a preventive measure against cognitive contamination.NXCWdy
gvoTloVIf signs of synchronization with the entity are observed (auditory hallucinations, mental confusion, etc.), immediately remove the individual from their duties and conduct a psychological evaluation.bDr
QvXs==========sZ6
3lADt2I swallowed hard in front of the door.8J3tR
PEmoGnAssistant Manager Son added an explanation.9kyl
YAJZX92“Did you already read the entire manual? This one is classified as the safest dimensional entity on our team. Though its reaction rules are a bit delicate. You have to recite the established phrases exactly.”PkYd1
ejtw“What are those phrases?”cOOTv
eCE“Here.”FADr
MmTIThe post-it he handed me had three simple lines written repeatedly.BmtWa4b
8Rj6bHMYou cannot see me.bVj6r
ju02I do not see you.gUIvml
kRd7nWe do not resemble one another.Skjw
MWjmy2Q“You just have to repeat that three times. The tone matters too, so try repeating it after me.”sSqnx
J5F7Assistant Manager Son tilted his head, or more precisely the hand acting as his head, and began reciting slowly in a monotone, mechanical voice.BZo2Y0h
xAEOnce again, I suppressed the doubt of how it was possible for him to produce sound without vocal organs, cleared my throat, and repeated his phrases.nqfOh
s5F2TF1However, the way Manager Batory spoke, like a whisper breathing beside my ears, still trembled faintly in my voice.iF6JzOV
ZMlSShortly afterward, the isolation chamber door slowly opened.xGgYX
FM0GSF“Go in. Don’t stay inside for more than two minutes. The moment I open the door, you come out immediately.”4gjG
aL2I could only nod, tense from the fact that I was truly about to perform an extraction.A1GhIxC
p5QwThe instant I stood before the door, I felt cold sweat sliding down the back of my neck.fgcu2
YYen4MAnd I became certain that something was waiting for me inside.nzs
6vxVQAs though it had been waiting for the arrival of anyone except me.osvY
dzI0When I entered, my vision distorted for an instant.GlQl9I
x37gSLThe isolation chamber resembled the inside of a glass sphere where the light had been warped.Ed01uPf
W61adEvery surface was hazy and undefined.Azy7z5n
lrnDZy8The ceiling, the walls, the floor, even my own shadow seemed to float.L1cy
KdGqxUAnd then, in front of me, there was a head.0kYhM45
0ZQA severed human head rested atop a metal stand.l7LVu
Y81UBut what sprouted from it was not pain or screams.d8aQKp
8PxThey were flowers.xJ0T
ztDFrom the eye sockets and from the mouth grew three enormous flowers resembling anemones.4Zoa
y2LRNThey had the shape of anemones, but the petals were thinner and longer, and each one was speckled with blood-colored stains.4yyw
gyvhNtAlthough there was no wind inside the sealed chamber, the flowers swayed.n10eW
rtK49NThe moment the door closed behind me, all the petals turned toward me simultaneously.4v7
qnaI tightly gripped the tablet Assistant Manager Son had handed me and began reciting the phrases as calmly as possible.bewXoKi
zycml8J“You cannot see me.”uRtK
FY5“I do not see you.”HCjALEu
5y0KEC“We do not resemble one another.”YX9tyj
fYjTP1XMy voice nearly broke, but I managed to repeat the three lines three times.SiSeh
7x9uAjWhen I finished the third repetition, a faint “click” echoed from one of the chamber walls.FOrQZK
ab4Vd“Fuuu….”p6Epe
zF3wI sighed in relief and looked toward the door.120Mq
zmoeNBut the isolation door did not open.Mpko9
ehnBYHSince the chamber glass only allowed the interior to be seen from outside, I couldn’t know what reaction Assistant Manager Son was having.LvOD9mQ
65leXLThen, suddenly, the air inside the chamber changed.TMOF
IFW⋯⋯⋯⋯.7AroJX
GmSyBRLThere was no sound.s1jhp1p
Kh1FNo, there was no voice.APnBOg
Ipx7Js7But the three anemones atop the head began twisting simultaneously.snZDa
kBcOThe petals trembled violently, and that face without lips or vocal cords whispered something.GSj2PSX
1tSmThey were not words.HC7n2
F9UdCdSIt was a vibration.pDmmCvP
5kHIt was not thought.hHqPg
bVWRsKIt was sensation.gAH
pVl6zAs though something were slowly piercing up from the deepest part of my subconscious.2tKV
SPo9There was a phrase.mZHMrD
YNm4QYou are seeing me.9tkG9
yJUMOsIt was a familiar phrase.uOhPVJ
o03I definitely knew it too.xuFD
UouyI am seeing you.QKlY
FctjbWe resemble one another.K6X8O
9j1That was part of the ritual.KFwpm
3cfBut my instincts sealed my mouth shut.RTpa
QYb9It was definitely trying to “implant” the repetition of those phrases into me.RqivE
D079Dx1“Unconscious mimicry is prohibited.”DrBHH
QO3cThat warning struck my mind like a hammer.9Fe
hlnI became certain that I must not repeat it.KdVVQIR
s4OvI consciously raised a mental wall against the whisper of that flower.8Kijnzx
yoK7“No… you cannot…… see me.”iJLMxO
mjBL6iI gritted my teeth and mechanically forced out the phrases.F5dSYhw
DICQofL“I…… do not see you.”ufqaPhk
WyRw4rI am seeing you.1o8k8F
1aTAoy“……We do not resemble one another.”q0yw5Y
dk4WjI could no longer be sure that the words coming from my mouth were truly mine.v95
BEa1EYIt felt as though they came from something far deeper.lrN
sCMaNot from my brain, but from my organs.v9cvk
Buj0vEAnd then, the anemones stopped.Wuz6da
YhB4JThe clustered stamens inside the blossoms stopped writhing like tongues.NVB7
Zj1The blood-colored stains on the petals watched me like eyes before slowly closing.GKkBHT
XFiPCI could feel the atmosphere inside the chamber gradually calming down again.5HRkY0
8Aui1Inside the countless tubes connected to the walls, the reddish liquids began glowing intensely with a blue light.vKit1
i8OwzcdThe entire tubes trembled as though a heart had just contracted violently, and the liquid began flowing much faster, filling the inside of the glass tubes with a dazzling glow.sY6PJjy
q1RAt2A mechanical hum echoed throughout the chamber.JoizYR
sLTnMuKAnd then an artificial voice came from the ceiling speakers.Lb1
etNzILu[Energy extraction completed. Isolation status maintained.]MR54Ruk
Z520KxBWith the sound of air pressure releasing, the door burst open and I immediately ran out.gVVj5
vznmI felt the back of my neck burning, but I didn’t look behind me.a80Pwc
xGJYbXAs soon as the door opened, Assistant Manager Son’s fist-head opened wide while speaking.jaFOa
EBo4F“Oh, for your first time, you did very well.”EfC
9Qank3LI remained outside breathing heavily.WUM
Q8gzMOwThe tips of my fingers trembled and my stomach churned.5MnS7i
8efCHe lightly opened and closed the fist of his head while nodding.O1Z
NfIHMjThen he let out a chuckle and added.buAW
ggYIOVB“Sometimes that little buddy tends to get troublesome.”Lnj8x
Yjvfk“……Huh?”IzYB
9PfSdv0I was still gasping for breath.5NHNRKM
Iq9TU“In the summary manual I made, it only appears in simplified form, but in the original version there are notes and examples explaining what it means when it alters phrases or distorts the administrator’s linguistic patterns.”KO3Vs
Tr0FSo the A4 sheet he showed me wasn’t the original manual?X4WZ6FG
8raHHe made it himself?IhU
0kUAVl“They’re attempts to induce unconscious mimicry. Let’s call it a little prank.”x2YzT4u
3DFAssistant Manager Son raised the thumb of his fist-head while speaking.56Ea
ePsWithin that absurd gesture of praise seemed to mix a strange satisfaction.GUXhqui
B4gMore precisely, he seemed amused that even in a situation like that I had followed the manual to the very end.RijJ0l4
4P2M“Good job, Mr. Haeil.”g4c2Fh6
mG5Assistant Manager Son slowly approached and patted me on the shoulder.Cbk
DxIaIjWith his right hand.sL8N
E7SnlNot with the hand-head.Q7CDhDz
rk4yAJ“Lately rookies have quite a bit of common sense and usually manage on their own. So I figured there was no need to give you the complete, heavy manual. I knew I could trust you!”LUKjs1k
H5lThe fist-head once again lightly opened and closed the fist while speaking.KZP2Zk
0W2Behind that absurd praise was unmistakable malice.OxTR
EsRfGtWhat would have happened if I failed?aA95
8ZJT‘…This son of a bitch.’wIDikX
N4llI was starting to wonder whether inside that fist-head there was also a skull and a brain.TAedr
xTVI suppose that meant I was gradually beginning to adapt to this environment of madness.UXu
wL21jOOThe fear toward that irrationality was now beginning to mix with anger.01d
0LWw6f“You handled it very well. You seem like a veteran.”niBdLb
Bkx“Ah, yes, thank you.”hlPZs
QXdAuKc“Congratulations. Truthfully, it was only a small test, but with this everyone will recognize you immediately.”XQU1
0JJ8ZpcMy head was burning and cold sweat ran down my back while beside me a monstrous superior praised my mental fortitude.30Pa
ww6A boss whose head was literally a hand.oZwjjd
bma9FpI closed my dry lips and lowered my head.rBXO
cBoAG“Thank you for your words, Assistant Manager Son.”kfx
DCnAnd I muttered inwardly.UVVFOJC
OxlQuit.sJS
aQbrI want to quit.1JSQu
kBQOBut I also don’t want to see that Human Resources baby monster again.MdE9B0w
Njc8I tried hard to maintain a smile and nodded.foj
n7V“It’s thanks to you, Assistant Manager Son. I’ll work even harder.”h25SBq
h0OeAh.YfB36
hyBrv0Miss Lee Jihyun… are you happy wherever you are?IZi
S9x9XBecause honestly, there doesn’t seem to be much happiness here.xur74HN
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