Chapter 26: Weren’t you raising me?

Chapter 26: Weren’t you raising me?

*Rattle, rattle.*

A sound that felt a bit out of place in the noisy space echoed through the room.

The source of the noise was a glass cylinder containing 7496-KR, the All-Melting Slime. In other words, it was Han Seori who came in with a stern face, carrying the slime girl inside the cylinder.

The sudden noise drew the attention of those inside, and it didn’t take long for their expressions to change to puzzlement.

Some were surprised that the Anomaly had come out of the facility in a glass container, while others looked at Han Seori as if she was doing something strange.

“...What are you doing? Don’t you think you really need to get a mental evaluation?”

Eventually, a man with a stern-looking face stepped in front of Han Seori with a disapproving expression.

But for Han Seori, this was exactly what she had hoped for. She was almost disappointed at how long it took him to come.

Instead, she smiled faintly and opened her mouth.

“Ah, Committee Member Yoo Kangjik.”

“Dr. Han Seori. I don’t think this is a situation for greetings...”

The man pushed up his rigid-looking glasses and glared at Han Seori.

He had not expected her to be so reckless.

Carrying around an Anomaly that hadn’t even gone through a danger classification yet in this manner.

If she had been under his direct supervision, he would have immediately processed her “resignation,” but unfortunately, she belonged to the research centre. Moreover, she held the authority of the deputy head of the research centre.

So, for now, since nothing had blown up yet, all he could do was tell her to take it back.

He wondered if she had reached such a position at a young age because of these antics, but since she had caught his eye, he couldn’t just let it go.

Yoo Kangjik sighed lightly and looked at Han Seori.

“Do I really need to spell it out for you?”

“Why don’t you take a look instead? It might help with the danger assessment, you know.”

“...”

Yoo Kangjik felt a dizzying sensation. This must be what they mean when they say talking to a wall.

Rather than conversing with someone who made no sense, it seemed better to give in to what she wanted and coax her.

...Though it’s not like he had any other choice anyway.

But even so, Yoo Kangjik thought she was making a fuss.

‘I think I’ve already reviewed all the necessary documents.’

What more did she want him to see?

He looked at the glass cylinder with meticulous eyes. Then, the vague image of the slime girl came into clear view.

“...”

There, ignoring Yoo Kangjik, the slime girl was looking around and tearing open the packaging of the snack in her hand.

In the slime girl’s arms was a blonde doll, and as she tore the packaging, crumbs fell on top of the doll’s head with a *pitter-patter*.

The girl took out the contents, put them into her own body, and then lowered her gaze as she put the packaging into the wriggling blob of slime next to her.

She then brushed the crumbs off the doll’s head and into the blob of slime.

Somehow, it looked like she was giving a treat, and Yoo Kangjik unknowingly curled the corners of his mouth.

Seeing this, Han Seori grinned wickedly to herself.

‘I saw it on his desk.’

She recalled the small mascot that had been on Yoo Kangjik’s desk.

A person who looks stern but unexpectedly likes cute things.

Could he still say the same things as before after seeing this girl right in front of his eyes?

As Han Seori chuckled, Yoo Kangjik, who had noticed, cleared his throat.

“*Ahem*... It seems there is an... unreported... Anomaly... I think it might be... a mental type... Anomaly...”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Ugh...”

Faced with her triumphant expression, Yoo Kangjik gritted his teeth.

“...I admit it’s cute. But you know better than anyone that it has nothing to do with the danger level, don’t you, Doctor?”

“...It’s not working.”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

Yoo Kangjik’s guard was stronger than expected, unlike the people who had been cautious of them just a moment ago and were now looking pleased, forgetting about it.

Well, that’s probably why he holds the title of “Committee Member.”

Still, it didn’t seem like a complete failure.

<!-- slime -->

As my viewpoint rose higher, I could see various things.

First, I saw Han Seori standing behind the manager guy, and I noticed the balding spot starting to appear on the manager’s head.

Somehow, I felt a sense of solemnity.

I was left alone in a space that felt somewhat desolate.

Alice and Daesik seemed to have been left inside the glass cylinder.

The surroundings had faint dark marks, and there were huge claw marks on the wall.

...Could it be the danger assessment?

It isn’t what I think it is, right?

As I was panicking, the closed wall rose up.

*Thump, thump.*

As the wall opened, the sound of something’s footsteps came from inside. I focused on the open wall with my slime highly tensed.

...It might be closer to my body reacting automatically.

Perhaps because the memory of the sewers was still vivid.

Eventually.

A rather large silhouette, by my standards, began to emerge from the darkness.

The first thing I saw was a pointed horn gleaming menacingly in the dim light.

Below the small but sharp horn, the figure of what was presumed to be a wolf slowly revealed itself, its fur a dark and matted grey.

With each echoing footstep, its identity became clearer.

It was a... horned wolf wearing a dog collar around its neck, the metal tags clinking with each movement.

No, wait, is this really what I think it is? They assess the danger level in this way?

Ah, no!

*Growl!*

The creature looked at me, its eyes glinting with hunger as it licked its lips and slowly began to approach, its muscles rippling beneath its fur.

Its gaze was like that of a predator eyeing its captured prey, ready to pounce at any moment.

My slime boiled and bubbled, quivering with tension.

Seeing that, for some reason.

I felt annoyed.

In the past, I might have been scared by such an appearance, but it felt strangely different now.

Then, I remembered the giant crocodile I had seen in the sewers, its scales glistening in the murky water.

...Come to think of it, compared to that monstrous beast, this doesn’t seem like a big deal.

The creature approached leisurely, its claws clicking against the hard floor.

How lightly did it see me that it was approaching while drooling profusely, the saliva dripping from its jaws?

Do pets really go without being neutered these days? I could’ve sworn I saw something unsightly dangling between its legs.

Geez... you’d think they’d do that for the sake of the creatures’ lifespans.

Seeing that it has horns, maybe they can’t help it? Because it’s a rare species?

I don’t know.

I calmly waited for the creature approaching with its guard down, recalling the memory of hunting stray dogs in the sewers, their whimpers echoing off the damp walls.

But... as it got closer, it seemed to look a bit bigger than I initially thought.

Its teeth also looked a bit large, with yellowed fangs protruding from its gums.

...Uh, was it this big?

Didn’t they bring in the wrong one?

Suddenly, my slime dripped down, splattering on the floor.

At that moment.

*Woof!*

The creature opened its huge maw wide, revealing rows of sharp teeth, and thrust its snout towards me, its hot breath washing over my gelatinous form.

Its teeth were yellowish, a testament to its lack of dental hygiene. Chunks of blackened flesh were stuck between its fangs, the stench of decay filling the air.

Unpleasantly.

As I watched the creature thrusting its maw as if it would tear me apart and send shreds of slime flying in all directions.

I thought of the manager who had brought me here a little while ago, his stern face flashing through my mind.

Indeed.

Physiognomy might be a science, after all.