Chapter 20: The Museum (３)

****

Visibility was severely reduced due to the benzodiazepine dust. Though the optical equipment did mark moving objects with red dots.

“Currently awaiting entry into Exhibition Hall 2—”

Again. The sound of something heavy moving. I ran forward to properly rejoin the task force—

And slammed into a wall.

A wall that hadn’t been there moments ago.

I backed off a few steps and opened fire, but whether it was thick concrete or not, I only managed to scratch the surface. Fear swept over me.

Was I isolated?

Was I going to die here? Could I get out? A wall had materialized out of thin air in front of me. What if there was one behind me too?

I moved behind a suitable pillar.

First, a deep breath…

The Geiger counter had flickered a bit, though.

Right now, there was no spatial distortion inside this building, and if the Mechanical Division’s observation results were to be believed, there was nothing grotesque like reality bending either.

This was a real wall.

It was simply a real wall that had moved.

Stay calm. It didn’t seem like communications were cut.

“This is Dr. Geum. I apologize for the unscheduled full-channel transmission. I am currently separated from the main task force and isolated. Is anyone there?”

No answer.

I needed to calmly think of a way to survive—

Suddenly, the Crystal Clock I’d put in my pocket began ticking loudly. I’d even forgotten I’d brought it along.

[Calm down first. Can you breathe?]

I could breathe.

Ironically, even in a state of panic driven by extreme terror, the gas mask prevented me from hyperventilating. Thanks to the gas mask, I could still breathe.

“Yes.”

[What’s the situation?]

The Crystal Clock asked.

“I’m near Exhibition Hall 2, basement level 1 of the museum. I’m isolated inside an anomalous space.”

[Describe the situation. As detailed as possible.]

“We’re currently fighting a hostile group. I was attacked by an anomalous instance inside the building, and with visibility reduced, a concrete wall appeared right in front of me, cutting me off from my colleagues.”

[I see. What are the anomalous space readings?]

Readings—what were the normal values for these? As I focused on the numbers on the observation equipment, the panic began to subside.

Observation equipment and numbers.

“The Geiger counter flickered briefly, but it’s returned to normal. No spacetime distortion, reality alteration, or other anomalous space characteristics are currently detected by the equipment.”

[Think calmly and scientifically for a moment. Right now, this space shows no anomalous characteristics detectable by equipment at all—so is it possible for a massive concrete wall to suddenly appear out of thin air?]

“That would be difficult.”

[Then what would it be?]

“An illusion.”

The anomalous space response manual.

“You’re right. The likelihood of it being an actual concrete wall is low. Thinking of the simplest possibility, if there were an obstacle that could suddenly appear in a building corridor…”

I looked at the thick smoke surrounding me. Public facility, smoke, smoke, fire…

“A fire shutter… I think I mistook it for a wall. Given that I misperceived it, there might be some kind of perception filter on the fire shutter.”

[Good. Keep your rifle pointed properly and take note of what’s around you. That wall in front of you—are you sure you really can’t break through it? Can you check again?]

I ran my hand over the newly appeared wall.

The Crystal Clock was right.

Once I saw through the illusion and touched the wall again, I could feel the outline of an emergency exit in the middle of what had looked like a concrete wall.

[Remember this. Most perception filters are like dreams. The moment you realize a perception filter exists, you wake up from the illusion.]

“Yes.”

The emergency exit didn’t open easily.

There was no time to hesitate. I raised my rifle again and drove bullets into the door, hearing the sound of metal tearing.

BOOM!

I kicked the emergency exit open, swapped in a fresh magazine, and climbed over the barrier. As long as I didn’t panic, it wasn’t that hard after all.

The Crystal Clock ticked a bit more.

[You weren’t left behind. The task force is advancing blind without a science officer.]

“That’s right.”

[Move quickly. We’re rescuing the task force.]

I moved. I had to rescue the task force.

****

Exhibition Hall 2.

The target is inside. The obstacles blocking entry to Exhibition Hall 2 are gone too. Now all I have to do is go in, rescue the task force, recover the mirror, and neutralize the hostile instance.

Simple, isn’t it.

I walked into the exhibition hall.

It’s good to have confidence, but I still wish there were more support here.

Beep.

My radio crackled again. I couldn’t hide my relief. I’d thought communications were completely cut off, but there was still a means of contact left.

[Dr. Geum! There you are.]

“Who is this?”

[This is Mechanical Section Chief Kim Iseo. Communications inside the building are a bit unstable right now, but we’re working to restore them quickly. You’ve survived.]

“Yes. Do you have any useful information?”

[Of course. Two walking robots are moving toward your position. Also, a support team has secured the building’s ventilation room. The anesthetic concentration on the basement level will rise shortly.]

I nodded.

[Please wait a moment.]

After a brief wait, two steel spiders walked up to me. They were far larger machines than I’d expected. Four legs each, with turrets and steel plating.

[Dr. Geum is in sight.]

“Then lead the way. There’s no risk of those robots turning around and firing on me, right?”

[None. We will escort you properly.]

Just a little longer. Communications with the task force would be restored soon too. Still, standing behind the steel spiders did make me feel somewhat safer.

I looked around. Honestly, it was what I’d expected, but the works displayed in the hall were strange. Possibly an anomaly.

****

The further I stepped forward, the redder the works on display became. At first they’d been ordinary Renaissance-style paintings.

The paintings were growing increasingly grotesque. As time passed, it became harder and harder to keep walking forward.

“There seems to be a cognitohazard.”

[The optical device you’re wearing has a perception filter, and you’ve also received the Foundation’s information-pathogen vaccination. I’d say you’re safe from most cognitohazards.]

Now—

I stopped in my tracks. This was the center of the exhibition hall, and its largest open area.

****

“Ahh, truly a pity.”

A grotesquely twisted voice reached my ears. I froze on the spot.

I threw a grenade forward and ducked behind a wall. The explosion bought me time to breathe, but I had no idea where the opponent was.

Stay calm.

“Department Head. I’ve encountered the hostile group. Can you have the steel spiders provide cover and deploy drones to the basement level?”

[Confirmed.]

Just wait a little.

The grotesque voice continued.

“Where should I begin, Director? Do you have a moment right now?”

I didn’t bother answering.

“Our original purpose was to show our studio’s works to as many people as possible. But since that’s not possible, I’ll make sure to show them thoroughly to the Foundation’s staff instead.”

I held my breath.

The radio rang.

[Dr. Geum, this is the Mechanical Section Chief. We’ll find the target soon. Stay calm. That voice — we’re hearing it too.]

****

Just wait. Help would come soon. The steel spiders busily swept the area with their sensors.

“I truly hate modern art. Those people overlook the most important thing about art. Ahh, the most important thing about art is the process of making it. They don’t understand that. Are you listening, Director?”

I was listening. But I couldn’t answer.

“Well, you’re probably listening. Art has to be difficult to make. Only when the artist’s effort is visible can it be called art, and the value of art comes from there. Do you understand?”

So that’s where you are.

“Now, please come out to the center of the hall. I’ll show you my work properly!”

A wave of dread began to wash over me.

I can’t see anything. I wanted to stay calm, but my hands were trembling again.

What am I supposed to do?

Why can’t I see my surroundings? Can my vision come back? Even if I can’t see, can I survive here? I kept blinking.

The Crystal Clock.

[I know you don’t want to hear this again… but stay calm, Dr. Geum. Your eyes aren’t actually blind. The optical device’s cognitohazard filter is overloaded from the cognitohazards, so it’s blocking the optical device’s view.]

Let’s calm down first. Difficult as it is.

Too many cognitohazards, so it blocked the view. That would explain it. The electronic night-vision screen simply turned off.

“Right.”

I forced myself to take a breath.

It meant I wasn’t blind — I just had to take off the night-vision goggles and I’d be able to see. Though no one knew what would happen if I took them off.

Depending on the type, cognitohazards could drive a person insane, or kill them.

[What do you want to do?]

I gritted my teeth. The grotesque voice of my opponent kept echoing through the exhibition hall.

“Now show yourself, Director. I want to properly show you my work!”

Disgusting. And extremely dangerous. I was being hunted right now. I needed to think of a solution fast.

Clack, clack. The sound of someone’s dress shoes striking the floor began.

“Ah, there you are, Director.”

I didn’t know what the monster was hiding. The anesthetic we’d sprayed didn’t seem to be working either, and I couldn’t tell where the task force was. But—

“I am a reality bender. I’m sure you understand without further explanation. Bullets the Foundation fires won’t have any effect on me.”

That’s a lie.

“What do you want to become, Director? What kind of work do you want to be? The Wooden Doll? A red portrait? I’ll make you whatever you wish.”

If that were true, he wouldn’t be hiding from me.

He wouldn’t be this cautious.

“Let’s see your face, Director. I was about to be disappointed with no audience, but with such a high-ranking person here, I couldn’t be more fortunate.”

A way to counter it. I’d thought of one.