Chapter 62

The pudding slime was still sitting in front of the tablet.

Even though I was still half-asleep, the sounds reaching my ears were incredibly loud.

Boom! Ratatatatat—!

The noise was coming from the tablet.

On the screen, an explosion went off, and a man riddled with bullets collapsed to the ground.

The pudding slime, seriously watching the bloody scene, approached me and greeted me.

“Good morning, Roasted Chestnut.”

I hurriedly got up, grabbed the tablet, and checked the video rating first.

‘Not suitable for viewers under nineteen, with tags for sexuality, violence, horror, drugs, and imitation risk…?’

The imitation risk warning especially made me feel uneasy.

Not knowing how I felt, Dominic calmly explained.

“I discovered that I could receive additional materials through the electromagnetic waves here. Thanks to that, I was able to view many things.”

He mentioned a few works that he found enjoyable, but I had never heard of any of the movies.

When I checked the tablet, sure enough, it was connected to the internet.

I had no idea how he had done it, but I searched the movie titles anyway.

I learned that Dominic had extremely refined, cinephile-like tastes.

He seemed to have watched many art films and classic films, but they were all movies I had never seen.

There were even black-and-white films and silent films.

My first plan of trying to reform him through visual materials had failed.

I gave up on the plan cleanly and returned the tablet so Dominic could continue watching movies.

Dominic also did not forget to gently comfort me so I would not feel disappointed.

“The action film I watched with Roasted Chestnut last night was enjoyable as well, but I believe this side suits my preferences a little more. I have also gained a better understanding of the planet called Earth.”

I wondered what kind of Earth Dominic had come to understand.

Maybe later I should search for movie summary shorts on MTube.

Either way, thanks to Dominic, I was definitely awake now.

With my sleepiness completely gone, I ate the breakfast that had been delivered on a tray.

After washing up, I put on my uniform and stood in front of the mirror.

Today was the day I would meet Je Hyun-oh and the captains again after a long time.

In the afternoon, we would conduct the briefing for Sla2Plate, then immediately enter at the location where Sla2Plate was incubating with the special mission team.

The entire special mission team was currently out on missions.

So it was decided that everyone except me would travel to the Sla2Plate incubation site while conducting a video meeting.

The additional Adaptee from the TRA who was scheduled to enter with us was also currently carrying out a mission, so Samra would conduct the briefing separately from the special mission team.

‘Lieutenant Colonel Je today said he would come out of the trial this afternoon, right? The captains said they would return around then too.’

The captains had traveled a considerable distance to capture an Adaptee who had committed a serious crime.

Because Adaptees could use items obtained from trials even outside them, they occasionally abused them for criminal purposes.

In such cases, TRA arrested and punished the Adaptee.

According to TRA’s military law, captured Adaptees usually worked for the country like slaves instead of receiving fines or prison sentences.

However, in cases where the crime was especially severe, immediate execution was the rule.

Because there was no telling what kind of dangerous acts they might commit.

There had even been a case in the past where an Adaptee stored explosive items in their inventory and attempted a terrorist attack against TRA, making punishments even stricter.

Considering that South Korea technically had a death penalty but did not practically carry out executions, it was surprising.

However, since TRA, Adaptees, and trials were all strictly classified information, the outside world had no way of knowing.

If it became public knowledge, there would probably have been controversy.

In many ways, Adaptees had very few human rights.

Thinking that my current situation might not be much different from a serious criminal’s, I placed Dominic on my shoulder.

A slight weight settled on one side.

I clenched my fist tightly against the urge that kept creeping up.

‘I really want to squish him just once.’

Unaware of my thoughts, Dominic wobbled his body and asked,

“Roasted Chestnut. Is the <Slay to Plate> you are entering today a place like Morneveil?”

“It’s similar, but it is also a completely different space.”

I briefly explained trials and Adaptees to him.

Then a thought suddenly occurred to me.

Would Dominic know anything about the creator?

Even if he had lost his memories and did not know specifics, maybe he could provide some kind of hint.

“Um, Dominic-ssi. What would you think if there was an existence that predicted all of this?”

The answer that came back was clear.

“It would be a god.”

“Would it be an existence similar to you, Dominic-ssi?”

A low laugh followed.

“Who knows.”

I could understand the meaning contained in that short answer.

He was saying I should not compare him with such things.

‘Even though you lost your memories.’

I could only wonder how he knew he was extraordinary.

Perhaps it was something he instinctively felt.

I wanted to ask more, but Samra arrived, so I closed my mouth.

“Han Goyo-ssi.”

I was supposed to hear about the current state of trials in South Korea and notable trials in other countries from Samra that morning, but…

I froze mid-greeting when I saw the woman who had appeared with him.

“Hello…!”

It was Ham Jiwol, the head of the Research Analysis Division.

She looked extremely excited and was hugging a large bag.

A bag that looked like it contained various horrifying tools.

I immediately looked at Samra.

‘Please save me.’

Receiving my desperate plea for help, Samra let out a sigh like a human.

“Due to Director Jang Seokyun’s orders, Director Ham Jiwol will be checking Han Goyo-ssi’s current physical condition. We agreed to finish as quickly as possible, so I ask for your cooperation.”

A health examination?

The justification was so perfect that even Samra apparently could not stop this one.

I looked at Ham Jiwol approaching with wide eyes.

When our eyes met, she smiled brightly.

Adjusting her large glasses, Ham Jiwol giggled and came closer.

“Goyo-ssi…. I’m happy you came back safely! Last time, I didn’t get to properly introduce myself…. Today, I want to spend a little more time with you, Goyo-ssi….”

It was a terrifying thing to hear.

It was even scarier because I had no idea what she planned to do.

Just when I was desperately hoping that, with Samra present, it would only end with something like drawing a little blood—

“Director Ham Jiwol.”

Samra stopped her.

Ham Jiwol quickly turned around and answered.

“Yes…!”

“Lieutenant Colonel Je Hyun-oh is still paying attention to Director Ham Jiwol.”

The Ham Jiwol who had been full of thoughts about chewing, tearing apart, and savoring my body immediately became flustered.

“B-but…. This is different from before…. This, this time, the Director allowed it….”

“I am only conveying the facts. The decision belongs to Director Ham Jiwol.”

Ham Jiwol’s momentum instantly collapsed.

Regardless, Samra stood upright and waited quietly for her choice.

Holding her bag tightly, Ham Jiwol made a troubled expression.

Looking dejected, she slowly approached me.

“Then… just a little blood from Goyo-ssi….”

“You are entering a trial today, so I cannot permit actions that may affect your condition.”

“Ah, ahh…. But last time Goyo-ssi needed a transfusion….”

“Director Ham Jiwol.”

Ham Jiwol looked as if the world had collapsed.

Then suddenly, her expression became determined.

“T-then!”

As if this was the one thing she absolutely could not give up, she shouted.

“I’ll collect more fingernails that I couldn’t get last time…. And epithelial cells from inside your mouth…!”

Samra looked at me and asked,

“Han Goyo-ssi, would you be okay with that?”

I did have some willingness to cooperate with that much.

Though I had no idea what she had used the previous samples for.

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“Th-thank you!”

Ham Jiwol looked up at me with moved eyes.

Since she was shorter than me, I sat down on a chair so she could match my height.

Ham Jiwol sat me down and quickly took out a small pair of scissors.

I held out my right hand.

She grabbed my hand and began cutting my fingernails with a quiet snip, snip.

“Goyo-ssi…. Your fingers are pretty….”

It was the scariest compliment I had ever received.

Fortunately, Ham Jiwol didn’t suddenly pull out a hacksaw to saw off my finger.

After neatly trimming my fingernail, Ham Jiwol toyed with my hand, her eyes filled with lingering regret.

As she lingered over my hand—seemingly examining the veins and bone structure—Dominic slithered down from my shoulder, moving along my forearm.

Just as I began to worry about what Dominic might be up to, Samra intervened.

“Director Ham Jiwol.”

“A-alright…”

Grumbling, Ham Jiwol quickly tucked the sample tube containing the fingernail clipping into her coat.

Then, she pulled something else out of her bag. I watched tensely, wondering what strange object she was retrieving, only to see two long cotton swabs.

“Now, Goyo-ssi. Say ‘ah’…”

When I opened my mouth, she gently swabbed the inside.

The sensation of the swab brushing against the inside of my cheek tickled.

The collection was over in an instant. Ham Jiwol held the swabs with great care and gazed at me with a look of deep emotion.

“Goyo-ssi, you really are… so well-behaved. If only the other compatible subjects were as well-behaved as you… that would be wonderful… but everyone hates me…”

It seemed she lacked the self-awareness to realize why they disliked her.

Just then, Samra threw me a lifeline.

“Han Goyo-ssi. Lieutenant Colonel Je Hyun-oh has emerged from the Trial. We will be moving to the briefing for <Slay to Plate>.”

‘Lieutenant Colonel Je!’

I couldn’t have been more relieved to hear that.

He had said he wouldn’t be out until the afternoon, but it seemed he had cleared it early.

I sprang to my feet, marveling at just how amazing Je Hyun-oh was.

Ham Jiwol let me leave without a fuss, as she was busy drying the swab used to collect epithelial cells.

“See you next time…!”

I simply gave a quick nod in response to her farewell and hurriedly made my escape with Samra.

Samra offered me a comforting pat.

“You worked hard.”

“Not at all… Thank you for saving me.”

Dominic, who had been quiet until then, spoke up from my shoulder.

“She is quite an assertive lady. If necessary, I could eliminate her interest in you. Just say the word, Roasted Chestnut.”

I didn’t know what method he had in mind, but I had a feeling it wouldn’t align with Earth standards, so I wanted to decline.

After mentally turning down the offer, I chatted with Samra as we arrived at the Special Mission Team office.

I was glad to see the office again after a while, but then came a polite request.

“Roasted Chestnut, would you mind setting me down on the table?”

Samra had gone to the break room to get some coffee.

I gently placed Dominic onto the table.

Dominic wandered freely across the tabletop, looking at various things.

He showed interest in a mound of snacks but merely observed them closely without touching or handling them.

It seemed he wasn’t particularly curious beyond that initial glance.

While I stole a glance at ‘The Slime’s Adventure’, Samra returned carrying a tray with two cups of coffee.

“Thank you. Next time, I’ll get them myself.”

“There’s no need for that. This, too, is part of a supporter’s duties.”

It certainly seemed like he only ever made coffee for me, though…

Recalling how surprised the captains had been by Samra’s coffee, I accepted the cup. After confirming I had taken a sip, Samra projected three screens into the air.

However, the first screen displayed nothing but black.

I realized a moment later that it was the black of a pair of goggles.

His ‘Crow Goggles’ had been snapped in half during the Clean3 mission, so it seemed he had scavenged a new pair in the meantime.

Je Hyun-oh, who had been leaning in close, slowly pulled his face back.

I greeted him warmly.

“Lieutenant Colonel Je. Congratulations on the clear.”

Je Hyun-oh said nothing.

Wondering if he couldn’t hear me, I called out to him again.

“Lieutenant Colonel Je?”

— Goyo.

“Yes!”

— So, you’re not dead yet.

“…Yes.”

As I hesitated between apologizing and expressing gratitude, faces appeared on the other two screens as well.

— Trainee!

Mo Haein barked the word but then bit her lip.

Kwak Hanmuk also stared at me with wide eyes.

However, perhaps mindful of Samra’s presence, neither of them said a word.

It seemed I would need to find a time to speak with them privately later.

‘I should probably bow my head and apologize…’

They must have handled the aftermath of my sudden disappearance during the Clean3 mission.

Thanks to them smoothing things over, I had been able to enter the next Trial without being confined to a quarantine facility.

I looked at Je Hyun-oh and the captains, my eyes filled with genuine apology.

“We will begin the briefing.”

Samra announced the start of the briefing.

“The Trial rating for <Slay to Plate> is five stars; this is Lieutenant Colonel Je Hyun-oh’s first time entering it. Captain Mo Haein and Captain Kwak Hanmuk have extensive experience clearing this Trial as a team.”

Until now, the special mission team had only ever entered four-star rated zones. This was their first time entering a five-star zone.

After stating the standard disclaimer that there was neither a vaccine nor a cure for the BT-STP virus, Samra explained the concept of Sla2Plate.

I was listening intently to the briefing.

“…Huh?”

I heard the sound of Dominic laughing.

When I looked his way, Dominic made his way across the table toward me.

I placed my hand on the table to help him climb up.

As he scrambled up my forearm, Dominic spoke.

“Roasted Chestnut. There is someone here who can see me.”

The moment I wondered who it might be…

I locked eyes with Kwak Hanmuk.