Chapter 16: Central Research Institute (7)

A senior in a yellow suit and a huge number of guards entered the edge of my vision.

The path to the director's office was full of an enormous number of guards as far as the eye could see.

I managed to reach the corridor leading to the director's office together with the senior, but I couldn't find a way to infiltrate the director's office from here.

I spoke softly and asked the senior, "Senior, is it really possible to get through this?"Fôllôw new stories at novelhall.com

The senior, who was always self-assured, was silent and deep in thought this time, as if it was difficult.

Personally, it was a miracle that we come this far.

If I had to come here alone without the senior, it would have been absolutely impossible.

The ability to sense the guards' positions without even seeing them was strange, and the tools coming out of the pockets were nothing ordinary.

The best among them was the lamp that the senior called 'Watson'.

Of course, it gave an ominously sinister impression, and it strangely smelled of blood, so I disliked this Object.

And for some reason, I had a feeling that Watson's shadow disliked me more.

But its capabilities were undeniably excellent.

In the short time, the 'invisibility' was truly a magical tool.

"Senior, why aren't you using Watson again? If you use the invisibility one more time, I think we can just barely get through."

"Watson can't be used anymore in this request."

"What?"

"Watson is kind, but there's a trap. If you exceed 3 times, you'll dry up and die like a mummy."

Senior tapped his monocle as he spoke. Looking at the senior's complexion now, he seemed a bit pale, as if he was lacking in blood. Was Watson sucking his blood?

Now that I think about it, the senior had asked Watson for a favor three times.

Once to cross over space. (T/N: Maybe like a teleport)

Once to tell the cause of blocking the spatial movement.

Once to use invisibility to pass the guard post.

If senior spoke like that, isn't Watson a quite dangerous Object?

"Then what do we do?"

"I'm still thinking about that. If we wait, won't an opportunity come up?"

Even in such an uncomfortable posture, senior's composure was quite remarkable.

By the way, where did the gray Reaper go? It seemed to have been following closely until just a while ago.

***

Feeling the weight of the heavy gas lamp in my hand, I looked at the vice director's office that was blocking the entrance to the director's office.

The opportunity will definitely come.

I had a feeling close to certainty.

However, just as they say that crisis is opportunity, the opportunity I was waiting for was also a crisis.

While hiding and continuously watching the vice director's office, I felt that the timing I had been waiting for had come.

Commotion began to spread from the vice director's office.

"Junior, get ready."

The opportunity I had been waiting for had come.

The chaotic people in the vice director's office all rushed out of there and started running towards some place.

"Run!"

We ran through the empty corridor leading to the director's office, passing the vice director's office.

"Senior? What's going on all of a sudden?"

The junior had a puzzled expression looking at the suddenly empty corridor.

I smiled and answered, "The last opportunity has come!"

***

The vice director of the Central Research Institute kept pondering.

How much longer should he wait?

It's said that the official director's position at the Central Research Institute has been vacant for 30 years, was this the reason?

[As long as there is a director, the Research Institute becomes indestructible.]

If the Research Institute is truly indestructible, it would be very advantageous for isolating Objects that are difficult to deal with.

In fact, for a Research Institute to be located in the heart of Seoul, if it were an ordinary private institute, there would have been a few Object leakage accidents and they would inevitably be driven out to the outskirts of Seoul.

However, if the Research Institute itself became an Object, they could continue operating in the heart of Seoul without any major incidents.

"I don't see any other Objects. Then that director must be the one obstructing our movement."

"But what do we do now? Should I take a swing at him with a sledgehammer?"

My junior was already holding a sledgehammer in both hands, grinning at me.

Wait, where did she get such a huge sledgehammer?

"You're here. You've finally come!"

Turning my head at the sudden voice, I saw the director raising his head and shouting.

"You must have come here for something you need, haven't you? If you give me what I need, I'll be happy to fulfill your request."

The Object called the Director smiled meaningfully at me.

His expression looked genuinely happy, which made it seem rather suspicious.

"Before that, who are you? I don't want to make a deal without knowing the other party's name."

"Ah, let me clarify something first. I'm not actually here. No matter how much you try to talk to me, I won't be able to hear you. This doll is simply replaying its programmed actions."

Our conversation wasn't aligning.

I'm not sure if he's intentionally acting that way or if I just can't read his expression.

"Our task is just to make a deal. If you put your cane in my right hand, I will help you escape from this Research Institute."

Then the Object in the Director's form stopped moving.

"Uh, what should we do?"

"I'm not sure. There are too few clues. I don't know if making a deal here is the right answer."

The heavy vibration echoing throughout the Research Institute was telling us that we didn't have much time.

The sound of the released Lophiomus rampaging and destroying the Research Institute could be heard.

"In times like these, just do what feels right."

Overthinking it will only make things worse.

***

Tut-tut-tut.

I walked quickly through the chaotic corridors of the Central Research Institute, having ghostified.

The interior of the Research Institute was flashing with emergency lights, and the panicked employees were running and screaming.

Following the screams, I soon encountered the cause.

The Object that had only been seen in old newspapers.

It was the one who had essentially made the existence of Objects public in Korea.

Even against such a famous Object, I felt quite confident.

Even though it was immune to physical damage, I could still perceive its weaknesses.

However, that confidence vanished as soon as I faced Lophiomus directly.

Objects with overwhelmingly powerful abilities often exude an oppressive presence.

The Lophiomus in front of me had a presence similar to or even greater than the Steel Tower.

Is this really an Object that can be killed?

What gave me the audacity to think I could easily deal with Lophiomus and take the lizard and cat?

Even if the conditions for killing it were easy, that condition itself had betrayed me.

[The stone created by the Origin Object]

Ah, this is an unkillable one.

Just what is the 'Origin Object'?