Ch.107Blood Capsule (6)

When they were about to leave the elevator and enter the corridor, Robin recalled a brief phrase. It was a serial number used within the Foundation to designate something.

‘What did that number refer to?’

Her enhanced memory forcibly retrieved information from the deepest recesses of her mind.

The current corridor resembling an abandoned hospital.

A long, extended hallway. Doors lining both sides. The distinctive speckled pattern repeating across the floor.

It was all too familiar.

So familiar it sent chills down her spine.

The “thing” that appeared from the opposite end of the corridor confirmed Robin’s suspicions.

A pungent smell.

A figure approaching with phlegmy, gurgling sounds.

It was coming from the far end of the dark corridor.

As the lights flickered, the figure would appear and then disappear back into the shadows.

A human-like body with an elongated torso was crawling toward them on the corridor floor.

The shape resembled a centipede, with something like a stick protruding from its back, dangling as it moved.

‘Terratoma.’

Also called a teratoma.

Cells that begin dividing incorrectly for some reason, producing organs in the wrong places.

Teeth growing in the stomach.

Eyes developing inside the brain.

What stood before her now was an extremely severe case.

SFFa-1.

A once-functional Foundation research facility had been shut down due to the release of some pathogen.

Robin remembered what had happened to the researchers infected by the pathogen.

Yes.

The figure drew closer.

What she had thought was the waist area was already covered in pinkish tumors.

Thick blood vessels pulsated visibly on the swollen tissue.

Above them, arms, legs, eyes, and various organs sprouted chaotically.

Swish.

Swish.

The terratoma moved by pressing its arms against the floor while keeping its body low.

It was identical to what she had seen at the Foundation’s research facility.

Did this mean that the situation from back then was being recreated?

Here in this unfamiliar apartment building, not even a Foundation facility?

Robin observed the figure carefully while trying not to attract its attention.

At the front of the approaching figure, a head was barely attached.

The bob-cut hair remained surprisingly intact.

Underneath, eyeballs constantly rolled around, changing their gaze. If normal, it would have probably been a playful expression.

The lower part of the face was covered in tumors, making it unrecognizable.

Based on her experience, Robin quickly assessed the situation.

“I don’t have good news.”

With that bob-cut hair, it must be Yoon Daju.

As feared, she seemed to have suffered side effects from the “Blood Capsule.”

In this state, it was already too late—the best option was to find the remaining person and return.

Just as Robin made this decision,

A voice that was almost a scream echoed through the corridor behind her.

“Daju! Yoon Daju!”

The terratoma reacted momentarily, confirming it really was Yoon Daju who had transformed.

It paused briefly, then shook its bob-cut head back and forth.

“I can never go back alone! Come back! Come back to normal!”

“…”

Robin let out a deep sigh.

So the survivor was Heo Yoon.

She didn’t particularly feel sorry for her.

The sigh was for a different reason.

The terratoma, which had momentarily paused, began charging forward at tremendous speed.

This gave Robin a clearer view of its horrific appearance.

The tumors covering Yoon Daju’s waist were still bubbling and creating new organs.

Robin started running down the corridor.

She could see Heo Yoon standing there with a dumbfounded expression.

“This way!”

“Huh? What?”

Robin didn’t give her time to be confused.

She grabbed her arm and pulled.

“Run!”

“Wait! Wait a minute. Daju… We need to take her with us!”

“You know it’s already too late.”

“Let go.”

Even while running alongside Robin, Heo Yoon continued to protest.

“How are you even here? Are you trying to interfere again? Let go!!!”

“Yet you’re still running with me. Think later, just run to the elevator now.”

“Let go!!!”

“We need to get somewhere safe first and then think of a plan.”

Robin answered calmly, trying to pacify her.

There was no way to save Yoon Daju anyway.

The only solution was to save Heo Yoon and return.

Gradually, the light grew closer.

The light leaking from the elevator couldn’t have felt more welcoming.

In front of the doors, Robin held onto Heo Yoon with all her strength and shouted:

“Press the button now!”

Behind them, the terratoma was closing in.

In her arms, Heo Yoon, who had finally grasped the situation, was struggling wildly.

They needed to get inside the elevator quickly and move to another floor.

If they pressed the button now, they could time it right to board the elevator.

But the button wasn’t pressed.

Inside the elevator with one door panel missing,

Robin could see the faces of the people inside.

They were all standing blankly.

Staring into space like mannequins in the background.

In front of them stood Lim Dabin.

“Stay right there.”

Though not particularly loud, her voice was clear.

What was she trying to do?

Whatever it was, it wouldn’t align with Robin’s instincts.

Those instincts had never failed her before.

Abandoning the hopeless Yoon Daju and escaping through the elevator.

If they did that, they would be closer to the right answer.

As many people as possible could survive.

There would be some losses, but they could learn from them and plan for the future.

But why?

Robin’s eyes filled with shock.

It wasn’t mind control or physical manipulation.

But she couldn’t move.

“Stay still.”

Lim Dabin repeated.

***

“What exactly are you planning to do?”

Hearing Robin’s voice, I walked toward the elevator.

Behind me, Dan was rummaging through his bag, sweating profusely.

“This doesn’t seem like a good idea. Are you sure this will work?”

“Yes. We don’t have any other options anyway.”

I replied calmly while continuing to assess the situation with my eyes.

The endless corridor. Robin and Heo Yoon standing not far from the elevator.

Behind them, Yoon Daju was approaching.

Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap!

Making sounds as her palms hit the floor.

Each arm sprouting from her back pushed against the floor to move forward.

“Daju…”

Though transformed into something grotesque, traces of Daju remained clearly visible.

So clear it made me nauseous.

“Wow, finally found it. Here you go!”

“Thank you.”

Taking what Dan handed me, I stepped out of the elevator.

Normally we shouldn’t leave, but going out just this far shouldn’t be a problem.

“What are you thinking?”

“Dabin, I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

Robin looked shocked while Heo Yoon wailed.

Everyone was busy saying their own things.

I walked past both of them toward the terratoma.

“Daju.”

When I called quietly, the monstrous form stopped moving.

All the rolling eyeballs fixed on one point.

On me.

“Yoon Daju. Remember this?”

“…”

I took out a maid headband from my pocket and showed it to her.

We already had a height difference, but this time I had to stand on my tiptoes.

“You’re really persistent, you crazy girl.”

It’s the same headband I wore last time.

She wouldn’t have been satisfied with forcing me to wear it just once.

Still unable to let go of her obsession, Yoon Daju had packed several of these outfits in her luggage.

I put the maid headband on my head and tilted it this way and that to show her.

“How is it? Does it suit me?”

Drip.

Tears flowed from Daju’s unfocused eyes.

Tears also dripped from the eyeballs sprouting all over her body.

Wearing the headband, I slowly approached Daju.

“You did well. Now come back.”

Carefully, I reached out and stroked Daju’s head.

“Wait! Be careful!”

Just as Robin’s voice rang out, a hand extending from Daju’s back grabbed at the air.

Thanks to ducking quickly, I avoided a terrible fate.

“Right. So that’s how it’s going to be?”

I didn’t expect her to return just like that.

That’s why I brought one more thing.

“Open your mouth, you idiot.”

I grabbed Yoon Daju’s head and forced her mouth open.

At the same time, numerous hands flew toward me, trying to grab my body.

Riiiiip-

Long fingernails began tearing through my clothes and digging into my flesh.

At this rate, my entire body might be torn to shreds.

But I didn’t let go of Daju’s face.

Despite her transformation, her face size hadn’t changed.

I had no choice but to stuff it in by hand.

Opening her mouth as wide as possible, I shoved in the potato I had brought.

“Oh.”

The reaction was immediate.

The many hands that had been grabbing me suddenly released.

Daju began rolling on the floor in agony.

“Keh! Kuhk!”

With each cough, pieces of potato scattered on the floor.

“Don’t let her spit it out!”

“What? What’s happening?”

Unlike Heo Yoon who still hadn’t regained her senses, Robin moved quickly.

She silently ran over, bent down, and sealed Yoon Daju’s mouth shut.

“Nnnnngh!”

“Is this actually working?”

“Yes. Please keep helping.”

I also held Yoon Daju’s neck firmly.

Even while struggling, Robin continued to think of better methods.

“I know how to make her swallow it.”

“No. Just keeping it in her mouth is more effective.”

“Alright then.”

Robin’s voice sounded half-doubtful, but the effects were gradually becoming apparent.

Yoon Daju was lying face down on the floor, trembling.

The fear she was experiencing from the potato was beyond imagination.

Fear.

That was the keyword.

First was what Seok Hyunmin had shown:

“We have to leave her behind. We need to survive!”

Next was Choi Serim:

“Press the button.”

Finally, everyone lost consciousness and stared blankly into space.

Heo Yoon was still moving somehow, but she was barely in her right mind.

It was the process of fear spreading from Yoon Daju to those connected to her. Dan and Robin, who had just met Yoon Daju, were fine.

“Cough, cough!”

Now the fear was flowing back.

Yoon Daju was coughing violently and twisting her body.

I could feel her body trembling through my hands.

The most dramatic change was that her waist was rapidly shortening.

As the hideous tumors fell off, the arms and legs attached to them dropped to the floor with thuds.

Her condition improved significantly, and focus returned to her eyes.

Still with her chin held, Daju looked up with pleading eyes.

“Let… let me spit it out.”

Though she could barely plead, I pressed down harder.

“Not yet.”

“Nnnngh! Nngh! Ueeeegh!”

The more fear Yoon Daju felt, the more comfortable everyone else became.

Color gradually returned to the faces of the people who had been standing like dolls.

Heo Yoon. Seok Hyunmin. Choi Serim. Yebin. Jung Haewon.

All people who had been worried about Yoon Daju.

“Just hold on a little longer.”

That day, Yoon Daju ate three raw potatoes.

Inside the elevator, everything had returned to normal.

“Ugh. Ueeeegh. Hueeeeeng.”

Yoon Daju was wailing like someone who had experienced something terrible.

Fortunately, she didn’t vomit.

Jung Haewon came over and patted Daju’s back.

“Do you hate potatoes that much, noona?”

“I really hate them. I’d rather die than eat them. Ah. I even hate hearing the name.”

“Potato.”

“Ueeeegh.”

“Po. Ta. To.”

Daju rose with surprising speed and grabbed Jung Haewon’s mouth tightly.

“Mmph! Mmmmph!”

With his mouth squeezed like a duck’s bill, Jung Haewon looked at me, signaling for help.

“Nah. I don’t want to.”

“Mmmmph!”

“I’m going to let Daju do whatever she wants for a while.”

I winked at Daju, who was grinning.

I was still wearing the maid headband.

As a man, it’s a bit embarrassing.

And I feel quite a bit of self-loathing…

Ah, whatever.

Consider it payment for saving her life.

Plus, Daju risked her own life trying to save me. She actually almost remained a “terratoma” monster forever.

This much… it’s really embarrassing and shameful and makes me want to hide somewhere… but this much is nothing.

“Ugh.”

There’s no way Yoon Daju won’t exploit this. Does that mean I’ll have to wear more weird, perverted outfits?

A chill ran through me, and I unconsciously crossed my arms.

At that moment,

Choi Serim quietly stood up.

“Excuse me, Robin, right?”

“Yes.”

“Over here.”

She pointed to where the researcher had been lying.

“…”

“This person. She just woke up.”

The female researcher who was covered in blood when we first saw her.

The woman who had remained unconscious even after taking the capsule had finally opened her eyes.