Chapter 173
“I’ll begin the briefing. Today’s target is the Museum of the Five Senses. Specifically, the Visual Museum. From here on, I’ll refer to it as the art museum.”
Beep.
The agent in charge of the briefing handed everyone a terminal. On the screen of the tablet-like device, a general map of the art museum appeared. Ian focused on the briefing while brushing away Kim Yul’s hand, which kept bothering him from the side.
“The art museum is divided into a total of four floors. Basement 2 and Basement 1, plus the first and second floors above ground.”
“Mm.”
“The first and second floors are where various convenience facilities, dorms, and shops used by the museum staff are located. Though that’s only in comparison with the basements. Basically, there’s almost nothing else there—you could say it’s just packed with paintings.”
The agent pressed the remote. The screen changed, revealing a painting that looked as if it were slicing a person apart while they were still alive.
“This is an example of a painting exhibited in the museum. Most of them are brutal works like this. The styles vary, and the most commonly found are realistic. There are also a few that slightly alter actual existing paintings.”
When the screen changed again, a painting with a composition similar to 'The Last Supper' appeared on the screen. It was indeed Leonardo da Vinci’s painting. Only, Jesus and his disciples were eating and drinking human flesh and blood instead of bread and wine.
“As you can see, it’s a replica of a fairly famous painting. It would be rude to devout Christians, but I thought it would be better to show it anyway, so I brought it along.”
Since Bureau employees practically put their lives on the line, many of them were more religious than you’d expect. Christianity was the most common by far. So there were bound to be people who would feel uncomfortable seeing a painting related to Jesus.
Of course, the mages were far from devout, so they didn’t care at all. Namgung Minhyuk gave a low whistle at the painting.
“It’s pretty well done. It’s so similar I’d believe you if you told me Da Vinci painted it. Who painted this?”
“We haven’t identified the painters yet. However, it’s easy enough to infer that they aren’t human.”
“Well, of course they aren’t human. At a glance, it’s obviously a painting with some kind of hypnotic ability.”
“What Mr. Namgung Minhyuk said is correct. All the paintings in the museum have the property of placing suggestions on the viewer. I think most of you here have already felt it.”
At the agent’s words, everyone nodded slightly. Ian leaned back against the seat with a disinterested expression.
Hypnosis. Mental attacks. Delirium... all dangerous things, but they had little to do with Ian. In practice, leaving them out wouldn’t cause any real problems. He’d even scoffed at the Outer God’s mental attacks and ignored them—would the art museum be any different?
In terms of rank alone, the Outer God side was naturally far higher. A power that could destroy Earth with mental attacks alone wasn’t some joke, no matter how you looked at it.
“If, after looking at the painting, you felt even a little urge to think, ‘I want to become like this painting,’ ‘I want to become part of this painting,’ or ‘I want to show this painting to someone else,’ please raise your hand. If you hide it and are later caught on site, you will be disposed of immediately, so please answer honestly.”
At the agent’s words, a few people raised their hands. None were among the mage faction; most were reserve personnel prepared as on-site backup. The operative in charge of the briefing nodded at them and took a red lump that looked like candy from his pocket.
“Those personnel should please take this before the operation begins. It will defend against most mental attacks. However, the moment you’re attacked, a warning sound like a whale’s cry will keep ringing in your ears, so be careful. Side effects include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. After the effect wears off, you may also experience temporary hallucinations, so please be aware of that in advance.”
“I’ve got a question.”
Kim Yul grinned and casually raised a hand. The agent turned to her.
“Go ahead, Kim Yul.”
“I ate something similar when we dealt with the Monkey’s Hand incident last time, but it didn’t help much then, right? Is this different? If I trust it and get stabbed in the back for nothing, I feel like I might end up holding a bit of a grudge against the Bureau.”
“Hmm. What you’re probably talking about is the Level 1 pill. It’s issued to everyone as a basic supply item, so the effect isn’t all that impressive. But this is different. It can easily defend against something like the art museum’s mental attacks.”
“Then wouldn’t it be better to hand it out to the rest of the personnel too?”
“If three or more people who have taken the same pill gather within about three meters of the person who took it, the pill will forcibly backfire and make the mental-attack effect even stronger. If on-site personnel take it indiscriminately, the situation will only get worse.”
“Oh, really? Thanks for the explanation.”
Kim Yul waved a hand at the woman and spun around. Then she casually plopped her bare foot onto Ian’s thigh.
“Why don’t we just take the pill and move as a pair, Ian? I think I’d like that better.”
“……Haa.”
Instead of answering, Ian smacked the sole of her foot. Kim Yul didn’t even pull it away; she just grinned and wriggled her toes.
Leaving her alone, the agent continued with the explanation.
“The terminal will handle the basic mental barrier effect. It’s essentially a kind of distributed setup. However, there are definite limits, so please be careful. That concludes the preliminary briefing. Next comes a briefing from the on-site analyst.”
As the agent bowed and stepped back, the woman who had been sticking close to Kim I-seo stood up. By then, her name tag clearly read 'Park Min-a'.
“The assault on the art museum will be carried out by five teams in total. Four of the teams will each take one floor to investigate and search for the 'painter,' which is the key to this operation.”
“And the remaining team?”
“It will move as a sort of special detachment made up of the mages, me, Agent Kim I-seo, and Agent Venus. You can think of it as a unit that moves independently and circulates through all the floors.”
“A special detachment...”
Ian muttered as he pushed Kim Yul’s foot away.
“Our role?”
“Just like the other teams: search for and subjugate the painter. In addition, you’ll destroy and secure paintings, and support any team that needs combat assistance.”
“You’re in charge of everything, huh.”
“That just means your importance is that high. You’re also our strongest trump card.”
As Park Min-a said that and was about to move to the next slide, one man timidly raised his hand to ask a question.
“I understand that the team including the mages is strong. However, we don’t know exactly what kind of abilities they use. Rather than risk getting caught up in something by accident, it would be better to hear an explanation in advance—”
“Ahaha, that’s funny.”
Mika cut him off. Everyone except the mages turned their gazes on her, and Kim I-seo and Park Min-a both looked as if they’d made a mistake.
“Wait, Mika. We’ll explain—”
“Shut up. It’s also your fault for not briefing us in advance.”
Mika said with a cold expression. Twirling the smartphone in her hand, she stared at the man who had asked the question.
“Hey, mister? Do you think our mages are some idiots who’ll answer like a goddamn dog if someone asks, ‘What magic do you use?’”
“……?”
“Asking a mage to tell you what magic they use is no different from saying, ‘Please reveal your weakness out in the open.’ Do you think we’d happily tell you that? Hm?”
“……Ah. I’m sorry. That was my mistake.”
“If it were up to me, I’d cut your throat right now, kill you, and then mock you like, ‘So getting your throat cut is your weakness!’ But I’ll hold back. There won’t be a next time.”
“Well said, you little brat.”
Namgung Minhyuk gave a snort and waved the Shan Hai Jing. Mika clicked her tongue and glared at him.
“Don’t act like we’re close.”
“You won’t even let me compliment you if I want to. Bitch.”
“Watch your mouth. I don’t want compliments or insults from an ugly man like you to sound any different. If you’re going to say something, I’d rather the guy over there say it.”
Mika’s lips trembled as she stared at Ian. Ian let out a long sigh and flipped her off. Mika bit her lower lip slightly and rubbed her thighs together.
Be that as it may, Namgung Minhyuk put the Shan Hai Jing on the table and spoke.
“There’s no problem with revealing our magic first. But when someone else asks, it only sounds to us like they’re asking us to fight. Still, that was a remark born of ignorance, so I’ll let it slide this once. And I’ll tell you, too. The Shan Hai Jing is one of the famous grimoires, after all.”
He smiled and went on.
“I can summon and tame the monsters recorded in the Shan Hai Jing. There are various conditions, restrictions, and benefits involved, but I’d rather not say more about that.”
“……Because that’s a weakness?”
“Who knows. Like I said, I don’t want to answer.”
As he said that, he looked over at the other mages as well.
“Are you going to stay silent too? I don’t mind either way.”
“I’m not going to say.”
Mika replied immediately. Kim Yul swung her legs back and forth, resting her chin on her hand.
“I use water. That’s it.”
“……I can do a bit of everything. That’s all for me too.”
At Kim Yul and Ian’s replies, the Bureau agents let out low groans. Then Park Min-a coughed lightly to draw everyone’s attention.
“Ahem. Thank you for your cooperation, mages. You were a great help.”
Without saying how it had been helpful, Park Min-a closed the screen and tilted her head.
“The next briefing will continue while we’re on the move. The contents will cover the underground facilities, information on the 'painter,' the identities and weaknesses of the anomalies there, and the rules of engagement. Vehicles have been prepared in the parking lot, so let’s get moving.”
Park Min-a stood up first as she said that. Ian also took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and got to his feet. Kim Yul immediately moved in right beside him.
“……I’ve been feeling this for a while, but aren’t you a little too close?”
“Got a problem with that?”
“I’m sure there should be something wrong with that……”
“There isn’t.”
Kim Yul smiled sweetly and stuck out her tongue. A few drops of saliva fell from the tip.
“Let’s go. I’ll protect you.”
“……Haa.”
Ian let out a deep sigh and lit his cigarette.
A sweet lemon scent spread thickly through the air, and Kim Yul sniffed at it before pouting.
“Mmm... your scent’s gotten faint. Don’t smoke that.”
“Bullshit.”
Thwack.
Ian flicked Kim Yul on the forehead and left the conference room. Kim Yul stayed glued to his back and kept sniffing him.
“Hnnng... not that smell...”
He ignored the voice coming from behind him.