Ch.314IF Side Story: From the Beginning (82)

The situation was more or less resolved, but that doesn’t mean everything ended easily.

First of all, we had nothing to do with that explosion. It was obviously Noir Corporation’s problem, so there was no reason for us to get involved.

No reason, that is.

But we couldn’t just walk away from the situation. There were still people trapped under the debris, and with our magic, we had a good chance of saving them.

As a result, the number of missing persons decreased, but the death toll increased.

“…”

Even though I felt somewhat relieved at first, I couldn’t help but become serious again. Already, families of the workers had gathered outside, forming a vigil.

The number of Earth human casualties could be counted on one hand, but it was different for the alien victims. Noir Corporation employed all sorts of non-Earth people from everywhere.

This country’s government does have some pride. Regardless of how the future might unfold, they had policies to protect their citizens. Earth humans with Korean citizenship naturally had to receive “decent” wages at Noir Corporation. The wages of other aliens were somewhat adjusted accordingly, but following corporate logic, many were hired at cheaper rates than Earth humans.

The galaxy is vast. Each planet has its own situation. Earth may not have developed properly, but its living standards weren’t that far behind. At least the Federation had reasons to be mindful of Earth humans.

Among the people gathered outside, there weren’t many aliens. Those who died working here—their families might not even know about their fate.

Or perhaps they didn’t have families at all.

Maybe I empathize with the situation because I’m that kind of person too.

Just in case, I searched anxiously to see if Pang Pang might have been here, but she wasn’t on any list, nor did she appear after the debris was cleared.

Why did the explosion happen? Was it really a diversion? Would they blow up their own research complex, built with their own money, just for a “diversion”? Was it really not an accident?

Was protecting one generator worth risking people’s lives?

I didn’t want to think that way. I hoped this explosion wasn’t because I stole the generator.

…If it was, then I would be the cause of these deaths.

“Jieun!”

But my questions didn’t last long.

It was an incident with many deaths and injuries, but among the injured, there was one peculiar case.

Arms and legs bent in strange directions—discovered too late under the debris. With such injuries, a normal Earth human would have died from excessive bleeding long ago.

The reason this person wasn’t detected by the life-detection equipment while buried under the debris was because those broken limbs, that caved-in chest and abdomen, weren’t human.

“…It’s this person. That executive from before.”

“I see.”

Looking at the being sprawled out as if unconscious, or rather, broken, Hayun said.

“Cherry.”

“Yes.”

I carefully took Cherry, who was still on Jihye’s shoulder, and placed her near the head.

At least the head area was intact. It hadn’t burst open anywhere. Though in my mind, I thought if it did burst, more mechanical parts than blood and flesh would probably spill out.

Cherry went near the head and searched through the hair for something. Perhaps there was a button on the outside.

“Found it.”

Cherry muttered, then—

Click.

She pressed something hidden among the thick fake hair.

Well… watching the head of what appeared to be a meticulously crafted human-like doll open wasn’t a pleasant sight. The closed eyes twitched. Perhaps it was artificial skin moving in response to electrical signals.

Clank.

A louder sound followed, and the head split open.

There was no colored cooling fluid or blood that SF movies often use to make robots look more repulsive. That was somewhat better.

Inside was what looked like a cockpit straight out of a 90s alien movie.

Sitting there was a being with black fur, looking exactly like Cherry.

A Squeakean.

“…”

Cherry looked up at me.

Her expression seemed to ask what we should do.

This person who created a fake mother for me, who tried to steal my hope. I don’t know if that was really the case, but the effect was certainly real.

I couldn’t understand why such a person was here in this state.

“…Is this person in charge here?”

My voice sounded surprisingly steady and normal, which seemed to surprise the others a bit.

“We can’t know for sure. Even if they normally hold a high position, they might have different responsibilities. …But we know very little about the company’s internal affairs.”

“That’s true.”

I nodded and looked down at the black hamster again.

“Then, how about we do this? First, let’s confirm whether this person is in charge or not. If they’re responsible for what happened here, we’ll hand them over to the police.”

“And if not?”

Seo-hee asked.

“Then we’ll have to detain them ourselves.”

I’m not sure about the legal issues, but this person is involved in this incident.

At the very least, we can ask why such an explosion occurred here. And also about Pang Pang.

“Can we legally detain them?”

“…”

Cherry fell into thought for a moment.

“It might be a bit risky… but yes, it could be possible. This company is much closer to the Galactic Federation than to Earth by Federation standards. Even so, we’d eventually have to hand them over to this country’s government, but we could hold onto them while the Federation drags out negotiations.”

“I see.”

I nodded.

“Let’s do that for now.”

*

After everything was over.

Flying away immediately seemed too heartless, but I wasn’t sure I could maintain my composure in front of the bereaved families. So I sat in a spot away from people’s view to catch my breath.

Cherry, Seo-hee, and Yeon-woo had gone to the police with the executive. I was worried, to be honest. This country’s government was half-turning a blind eye to Noir Corporation’s activities.

…Well, they were half-turning a blind eye to our activities too.

While I was resting, a few passersby thanked me. That made my heart feel even heavier.

The circuit hadn’t stopped, but it had slowed down a bit. The transformation was still maintained since it doesn’t easily revert once activated, but if there were more battles here, I’d probably collapse mid-fight from mental exhaustion.

“Jieun.”

Hayun approached me.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah.”

Though mentally exhausted, I felt somewhat calm thinking that today’s tasks were over.

That’s probably why the circuit didn’t stop completely.

“…”

Hayun sat down beside me in silence.

“I think the conversation will go well.”

Hayun’s words made me feel a bit better.

“That’s good to hear.”

“…You’re going to ask about Pang Pang, right?”

“Yes.”

“If you find out where Pang Pang is, you’re going to rescue her, right?”

“Yes.”

No matter what anyone says.

I didn’t know exactly why Pang Pang was being held captive.

But whatever the reason, it’s clear that I’m involved. If a friend was captured because of me, it’s only natural that I go help.

“I’ll go with you. No, all of us will go together.”

“…Alright.”

Somehow, those words felt very natural. I’m not saying I’m not grateful. It’s just, how should I put it?

When we first met, we weren’t that close. Only Seo-hee showed any interest in me, and even that was only because I didn’t avoid her when she picked a fight.

We all became friends in the end, though.

Looking back now, it’s hard to understand why we were so awkward back then.

“It’s all done.”

Seo-hee approached us and said. Cherry was on Seo-hee’s shoulder.

“They said we can take this one with us. But we need to manage them properly.”

“…Permission came that easily?”

“They seemed to sense it the moment they heard the word ‘executive.’ They felt that if they got involved, things would get serious. Who knows? Maybe if we investigate and find that they have nothing to do with this incident, or if it was just an accident and they were the site manager, they might come back for them. But we’ve bought some time.”

Cherry said, holding the black Squeakean by the scruff of its neck with her fingertip.

That’s right.

Good. We don’t plan to keep them for long anyway.

In the shortest time possible, without wasting any time, we need to extract all the information we can.

Then, whether we raid Noir Corporation or find another way, we’ll bring back the captured Pang Pang.

Only then will I be able to sleep comfortably.