NOVEL NEXT Chapter 228
Chapter 228. The Peak of the Peak (2)
[Foundation U.S. Facility Staff Recruitment]
[Author: Support Department Head]
[To all Seoul Branch staff: One of the Foundation’s U.S. branches is conducting a large-scale recruitment for the first time in 20 years.]
[Thanks to Dr. Kim, the Seoul Branch plans to send as many candidates as possible. However, due to the high importance of the facility, details cannot be disclosed until after applying.]
[I can’t say much, but it’s reportedly one of the Foundation’s most critical facilities.]
[In return, Dr. Kim has promised generous financial rewards not only to those selected but also to those who apply.]
[Just applying will earn you 5 million won. There are no restrictions on positions, but it’s unclear how many people will be selected or for what roles.]
[P.S. Humanoid Supernatural Phenomena or those with special abilities cannot apply.]
—-
[Foundation U.S. Facility Staff Recruitment. Reply.]
[Author: Dr. Kang]
[This seems a bit odd. Does this mean Dr. Kim or the mages around Dr. Kim can’t participate?]
[Or are Humanoid Supernatural Phenomena being recruited through a different method?]
[What kind of facility is this?]
[It’s not just suspicious, it’s strange. I don’t understand why they’re recruiting this way. I’m considering applying, so I’m asking.]
—-
[※ Document restricted by order of the Support Department Head. Do not access if unrelated to the task. ※]
[Foundation U.S. Facility Staff Recruitment. Reply. Reply.]
[Author: Support Department Head]
[Dr. Kang, you’re sharp.]
[It seems they’re urgently recruiting for a special facility. I don’t know the details, but there must be a reason for the unusual conditions.]
About ten people gathered in the meeting room. Behind me stood Nanami and others, while behind Libertas stood the Royal Guard of the 2nd Administrator.
“The Chair’s opinion is the Chair’s opinion. I also have something I want to say.”
I looked at Libertas.
Given Libertas’ personality, they wouldn’t have come just to relay a superior’s opinion.
It’s also questionable whether the 2nd Administrator sees the Chair as a superior. I looked at Libertas.
“Go ahead.”
I remember the 2nd Administrator being quite pretty, but now a mask and helmet mostly obscured Libertas’ face.
“Congratulations on the victory. I didn’t expect Dr. Kim to succeed this much.”
“Do you regret your choice?”
Libertas shook their head.
“No, not really.”
“That’s good.”
The helmet and mask were set aside. While it’s understandable to bring weapons, there’s no need to wear a helmet and cover the face.
I also took off my helmet.
“That’s better.”
“I just saw the Chair… Their face was worth seeing. I thought the fight would end at a reasonable point.”
“That’s not the case. A war isn’t over until it’s over. No one hopes for a lukewarm conclusion in a life-or-death battle.”
Even Hitler, in a desperate situation, ordered to fight to the last moment and blow up buildings.
There’s no such thing as “reasonable.”
“My opinion is this. Dr. Kim is holding Iris at the Seoul Branch, right?”
“Yes.”
“How can someone all-knowing still lose, that fool… Then, Iris, you take the title of the 3rd Administrator.”
“I’ll consider it.”
The third most powerful human in the world.
This might be the lukewarm conclusion the Chair envisioned. I nodded for now. This seems to be the conclusion the Administrator Council had in mind.
Libertas continued speaking.
“I have a question.”
“What is it?”
Facility No. 1 was a massive labyrinth.
It was hard to believe it was built without supernatural phenomena. A military facility capable of hiding legions, a Tachyon Particle Accelerator that communicates with the past.
But its basement…
Facility No. 1’s basement held a great secret. It’s also why I gave up on attacking it from below.
The Foundation’s deepest secret prison.
“Tell me what the Zoo of the Gods is specifically. My people have occupied it, but what kind of place is it? What do you know?”
Libertas tilted their head.
“Dr. Kim must have seen hostile groups before.”
“Countless times.”
“They’re small organizations of a few dozen, conducting human sacrifices, seeking supernatural phenomena, praying to their twisted gods.”
“Yes.”
“Imagine what the Foundation is doing. Multiple supernatural phenomena that could easily destroy human civilization, armies of hundreds of thousands, Humanoid Supernatural Phenomena, protocols turning into rituals through incomprehension.”
That’s true.
“It’s the Foundation’s prison. A place to contain excessively powerful supernatural phenomena that defy the Foundation’s order, especially gods. You know, right? In Facility No. 1, supernatural powers can’t be used, so gods are imprisoned that way.”
I should go down there. Not for any grand reason, just out of curiosity.
“That’s fascinating.”
Librarians called the Foundation’s scientists jailers. What secrets could the Foundation have hidden in the deepest parts of the world?
“Dr. Kim must know. Things hidden there are hidden for a reason. Don’t play with fire. The world could really end.”
“I know. I’m just curious. Are there really that many gods and monsters in the world?”
Libertas shrugged at this.
“I don’t know. It’s accumulated over the past 100 years. Many or few, depending on how you see it.”
Again.
A cold blue gaze fixed on me.
“Then, let’s set the Administrator Council schedule. How about meeting in Geneva next month?”
“I’m available.”
“But bring Iris.”
“Bringing Iris is fine, but can we take her back when we leave?”
Libertas scratched their head.
“I don’t know about that.”
The all-seeing Administrator. Iris is still too useful to return to the Foundation Headquarters just for one meeting.
“Is she okay?”
“Yes. She’s happy and well.”
There’s no piece as useful as Administrator Iris. We’ll have to think about her next treatment.
Who knows, she might use her all-knowing ability to deceive the Security Team and escape. That’s as useful as it is dangerous, especially for Humanoid Supernatural Phenomena.
“Since we’ve said what we needed to say, how about some tea? Let’s dismiss the armed guards and change out of this uncomfortable gear.”
“Hmm… Alright.”
The reception room at the Las Vegas Branch.
I changed into a suit.
The Administrator had their hair loosely tied, wearing a hoodie bluer than their eyes and dolphin shorts. It was a somewhat absurd situation.
“What are you doing?”
Libertas was half-lying on the sofa in the reception room, idly playing a game.
“Ah, I died.”
I looked down at Libertas.
“Weren’t we supposed to have a serious discussion?”
“I hate working. Most office workers do, unless they’re crazy.”
“I see.”
“Ah.”
The Administrator threw the Nintendo Switch.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing. Stupid Zelda. Can’t even catch one stolen golem. I could fight better with a sword than Zelda…”
Well, these games weren’t made for beings like them. It must be frustrating.
“Hmm. That’s what you think.”
“I could win barehanded.”
What kind of talk is this?
“Can I leave?”
“No. I’m bored.”
Libertas stretched their legs while lying down, as if doing a stretch. It wasn’t a special move, but their flexibility was excessive, like a ballerina or gymnast.
“Sometimes it’s like this. I’ve been in this position for a hundred years. The people around me don’t see me as human.”
The Administrator flicked their finger, and the Nintendo Switch rolled back into their hand.
“That’s possible.”
“It’s like that. Have you heard about Michael Jackson? He once wanted to experience a normal grocery store, so he rented a store on a holiday and hired people to pretend not to know him.”
Thinking about it, I felt a bit sorry for Libertas. Not too much, just a little.
“Want to play multiplayer?”
I sighed.
This person acting like a child isn’t because they’re mentally immature.
It’s because their human mind, designed for a lifespan of about 70 years, has been stretched over a hundred. In a way, it’s a miracle they’re only slightly crazy.
“I’m busy.”
“I’m busier.”
What a boast, you lunatic.
I sighed and picked up a Nintendo Switch from the corner of the reception room. I wondered why there were so many game consoles here.
Turns out, it’s just their group’s doing.