STL

Chapter 28: Anomaly Catching Anomaly

Added 2025-06-10 16:23:01 +0000 UTC

How to Kill What Doesn't Die (2)

In human society, information about the beings known as Anomalies has been controlled and secretly concealed.

However, they have existed alongside humanity for a long time, passed down through folklore, legends, and, in modern times, urban legends.

Therefore, there were definitely individuals who were aware of the existence of Anomalies, even outside of the Management Bureau.

And the Management Bureau was not the only organization that sought to manage and control Anomalies.

"I don't know how long it's been since I last saw you. Was it after the Lincoln Center incident? Your command skills at the scene were truly impressive."

It was a comfortable tone, as if addressing a friend he hadn't seen in a long time.

But despite the monk's attitude, Oliver couldn't stop the cold sweat that involuntarily broke out all over his body.

It wasn't just because the man in front of him had broken into his room armed with a gun.

He had faced and overcome countless similar crises in his line of work.

But this situation was different.

Because the organization the man in front of him belonged to was the most malicious and dangerous among those opposing the Management Bureau.

'Those crazy cultists, how did they get here…?'

Oliver cursed inwardly, his lips unable to move, as he glared at the monk before him.

Not all organizations that investigate Anomalies have the worst relationships with each other.

In some cases, their goals partially aligned, and they occasionally cooperated based on mutual interests.

Although they had different purposes and founding ideologies, their ultimate goal was the management, control, and retrieval of Anomalies.

But the man in front of him was different.

Their purpose was to kill people.

Massacres, indiscriminate killings, and various acts of destruction, regardless of race or nation.

They used Anomalies to take people's lives, and were considered lunatics by other organizations.

From the moment they first appeared until now, they had never revealed their purpose, reason, or name,

They were simply focused on killing people.

"Oh, you don't have to glare at me like that. We're not here today to harm you."

The monk noticed that Oliver's gaze was not friendly.

It was only natural. A notorious organization suddenly invading the Site, paralyzing him, and speaking to him right in front of his face...

Even if a hungry lion were standing in front of him instead of the monk, his heart wouldn't be beating any faster.

"Of course, we didn't just come here to talk. There are a few other reasons, but I definitely wanted to make you this offer."

However, the monk continued speaking in a calm voice, unfazed by Oliver's distrustful gaze.

"Researcher Oliver, won't you join us?"

Finally, he revealed the real reason he was here,

Inviting the man before him to join his organization.

—Twitch

Oliver's facial muscles, which had been completely paralyzed, twitched subtly for a moment.

The words the man in front of him had spoken were so absurd.

For him, who had dedicated his life to managing and supervising Anomalies for the sake of humanity,

The invitation from terrorists who didn't care about human lives or social chaos was nothing short of an intolerable insult.

"I know. You must be very displeased right now. After all, we and the Management Bureau have clashed countless times, haven't we?"

The monk, as if anticipating that his words wouldn't be well-received, immediately began to offer an excuse.

But Oliver had no intention of listening to the words of a crazy terrorist.

He was simply waiting for the paralysis to wear off.

No matter what the man in front of him was babbling about, the moment his body moved, he would press the button under the desk without hesitation.

"But, aren't you curious?"

However, he was still unable to move a single finger.

And since he couldn't even cover his ears, Oliver had no choice but to listen to the monk's rambling.

Soon, curiosity began to rear its head within him.

"No matter how many times you capture them, you can't imprison them forever, and new beings, of unknown origin, are discovered every time.

And you capture them, discover new ones again, capture them, discover them... Haven't the same things been repeating like a treadmill every time?"

Inevitably, his words began to be etched into Oliver's mind.

It was like someone scratching an itch.

The moment you're frustrated because your hand can't reach it, and you can't even explain where it is.

It was like someone unknown appearing and placing their fingernail precisely on the itchy spot.

"You must find it strange. You've certainly made only rational and reasonable choices, but things of unknown origin and reason keep appearing, and the number of people dying remains the same."

He, too, had once made a vow with others.

Just as humanity would conquer the universe, they would completely analyze and control these unknown beings so that they could be used correctly for humanity.

But as time went on, all they could learn was that they were beings that rejected understanding and reason.

After facing terrible things for a long time, and with only himself left of those who had made the vow,

He, too, had become someone who took unconditional isolation measures against Anomalies and was grateful every day that the world didn't end.

"――We can tell you."

The monk's statement came after a brief pause.

Oliver's face twitched once more upon hearing it.

"We can explain everything to you about where the things you call Anomalies come from, why they exist, and why they are designed to be so malicious to humanity."

It was the answer to the question he had been shouting alone for a long time.

No matter how much he researched, isolated, and controlled Anomalies,

In the end, there was no way to know what they were, why they existed, or why they were malicious to humanity.

He had grown tired of searching for the answer for so long that he had given up.

But, if there was someone who could answer that question,

If there was someone who could tell him why so many lives had to be taken,

Even if it was the devil who gave him the answer, he felt like he could sell his soul to it.

"Of course, you can refuse. We're just here to make an offer. We promise not to harm you, no matter what choice you make."

The monk said, trying not to make Oliver feel pressured.

After all, no matter what choice he made, he wouldn't be able to answer anything right away, given the effects of the orb.

The monk was only here today to make him an offer, as he said.

"But if you ever want to know what you're really curious about, then――"

Unlike his attire, the monk whispered in his ear like a tempting snake.

For him, who couldn't move, the monk was about to tell him where he should go if his heart was moved, when

"Th…"

Seeing him begin to move his lips and make a sound,

He stopped what he was about to say and looked at him in astonishment.

"Th… Th-The… Si-"

It was generally impossible.

The effect of the orb was absolute, and during its duration, one couldn't even close their mouth if a gnat flew into their throat, let alone make a sound.

But now, this man was not only moving his lips but also trying to speak on his own.

It was still unknown whether it was his mental strength or his desperation to obtain the answer that had brought it about.

After trying to make a sound for several seconds,

Finally, having grasped the knack to some extent, he moved his lips with all his might―――

"Bull…shit, you… damn, cultist bastards…!"

—Click

At the same time as he spat out curses at the man before him,

He managed to press the button under the desk with one desperately moved finger.

―――BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP

The siren announcing an emergency situation began to blare throughout Site 17.

The emergency switch in the head researcher's office, which could declare an emergency throughout the entire Site with a single press.

This also meant that the person who pressed the switch was in serious danger,

And that numerous armed personnel would soon arrive here to protect him.

"Huh."

Listening to the loud emergency alarm, the monk murmured as if at a loss for words.

The short sound seemed to contain not only surprise but also admiration.

"Impressive. I never imagined you could break free from the bell's effect on your own."

The monk spoke with genuine amazement. It wasn't sarcasm or mockery, but pure admiration.

He knew the bell's effects better than anyone, having used it so often himself.

No matter how much training one received in countering reality alteration or manipulation,

without special measures or equipment, even moving one's eyeballs would be difficult. Yet, he had managed to overcome it with nothing but his bare hands.

Indeed, he possessed the abilities worthy of a talent he had long sought to recruit.

"―――――"

Of course, Oliver couldn't respond.

He had used up all his energy trying to move his fingers and desperately attempting to speak to keep the monk occupied.

Now, he had no strength left to move his body.

He could only wait for the bell's effect to wear off.

--Clunk, clunk, clunk.

Beyond the blocked door, from the hallway, the sound of numerous footsteps approached.

The heavy footsteps of humans, clearly armed.

And those footsteps stopped right outside the door of this office,

soon followed by shouts, inquiring about the well-being of the lead researcher inside, as they pounded on the door blocked by the emergency switch.

"Researcher Oliver, are you alright?! If we don't get a response, we're breaking in!"

--Thump!

Hearing no response from the researcher who was clearly supposed to be inside, the armed personnel gathered outside began to violently strike the blocked entrance.

Thump! The sound of something heavy hitting the door with force.

It was slamming against the barricade erected on the door, creating an increasingly loud shattering sound with each impact.

"...Come to think of it, I mentioned earlier that I had a few other reasons for coming here."

However, the monk continued in his calm voice.

As if unconcerned about the Site 17 forces that would soon storm into the room, he continued to speak.

"That's true. Of course, meeting you was important, but I realized there was something I thought I should return to you."

'What is he trying to say?' Oliver thought.

Because the current situation seemed so unnatural to him.

Clearly, it was just him and the monk in this room, and he was certain to be neutralized by the approaching team.

Yet, the monk's nonchalant demeanor made it clear that he had something up his sleeve.

--Thump!

The sound of the battering ram hitting the door again echoed loudly.