57 – Episode 57. The Mine and Red Ginseng Candy and Thousand Devil Hitler (2)
The secret laboratory located deep in the AIOZI mine.
“Dr. Joseph Manglobe.”
A young woman called out to the old man lost in thought.
Her name was Irina Penhof. She was a level 4 employee of the Red Whale Matap and the lover of Byung Geom Gyeong.
“Oh, snap out of it.”
Joseph Manglobe (mentioned in Episode 43, with dentures) chuckled and stroked his beard.
Wearing a monocle and a white gown, Joseph looked like a distinguished scientist.
But Irina knew better. She knew how terrible and terrifying his experiments were.
“Now, let’s see, where did we leave off?”
Even though Irina had said she was in a hurry just a moment ago, Joseph’s attitude was nothing but leisurely.
Normally, Irina would have poured out her anger, but her opponent was none other than a level 2 employee of the same Matap.
She couldn’t treat him lightly.
“It was about the disposal of the soul of the observer contained in the artifact.”
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“Ah, I see.”
Joseph raised an object. The round object had talisman-like papers sticking to it.
“Weren’t there two artifacts found?”
Irina expressed her doubts, but Joseph just chuckled.
“That’s right. One is for the Matap, and one is for the alliance.”
“…Byung Geom Gyeong wanted to confirm both.”
“That’s not possible.”
Byung Geom Gyeong, the strongest warrior with the largest faction within the Geomseong Society.
Joseph remained unfazed even as Irina tried to provoke him.
“They were both powerful beings. We need further confirmation.”
“But didn’t you say the confirmation was complete?”
“I meant the safety checks. The research is still ongoing. There are too many uncertainties.”
Joseph smiled softly and shifted his gaze.
“That’s why we need ‘them’.”
The children trapped behind the iron bars trembled under Joseph’s gaze.
The employees of the Red Whale Matop had kidnapped these children from the slums.
They were useless beings, but that’s why they would be useful for the experiment.
“Take one with you. I’ll continue the research.”
Irina left the lab with a somewhat discontented expression after receiving the artifact.
Joseph quietly watched her leave and took something out of his pocket.
A small stone that shimmered in red.
It appeared to be just a pretty pebble, but it was the finest creation Joseph had made.
An elixir made by combining the remains of the watchers obtained from the mine.
With this, he might be able to create an artificial watcher.
“hehehe…”
Joseph revealed his true colors and laughed ominously.
In truth, the souls of the watchers were not particularly important research materials to him.
Pretending that it was an experiment desired by the Matop Clan was just a facade. His true purpose was to create puppet watchers who would obey only his commands, using the items and sacrifices obtained through this research.
After building a mental barrier around his weak body and feeding it the elixir, Joseph believed that the soul of the imprisoned observer would surely be reborn within him.
“If this elixir proves effective, even a being beyond human, a Matapju, will kneel before me.”
“Hello, my pretties. You need to eat this.”
Joseph approached the children, holding the elixir he had created after months of secret research.
Crack! Boom!
With the sound of something crumbling and an earthquake, disaster struck.
“What on earth is happening?”
“Someone, someone set off a magic bomb!”
“They attacked…? Summon the Twelve Disciples.”
Fortunately, the current Ayoji Mine was guarded by elite warriors trained by Byungumgyeong in preparation for an attack by the Artifact, primarily the Observers.
“Understood!”
The researcher hastily replied to Joseph’s question and ran out.
“What is this at such an important moment…?”
Joseph bit his tongue and looked up at the damaged ceiling of the ruined laboratory.
***
“Drop everything you’re holding!”
The fake ninja posing as a runaway ninja raised his sharpened sword.
Though he wore tattered clothes instead of a ninja suit due to lack of money, with a mask and a hood, he somewhat resembled me at a glance. The well-built muscles also seemed fitting for a combat profession.
…
As I and the others dropped our pickaxes, twenty fake ninjas silently surrounded us. At first glance, the attire and height of the fake ninjas seemed similar to mine, but there was a subtle difference in their body shapes.
There were a few women with slightly protruding chests, each with different facial features; they were definitely not clones or replicas.
“Why is a runaway ninja here…?”
“Ugh….”
I seemed to be the only one who noticed that they were fakes.
The 45th caretaker, an old man, had a stiffer expression than a ten-year-old bun. Seeing yellow liquid dripping on the floor, it seemed that he had probably peed.
The saying that you can’t control yourself when you get old seems to be true. I should be careful too.
“You said you would protect innocent people…. It was all a lie.”
The curly-haired male team member trembled as he said that.
As annoying as it was, it would be too obvious if I got angry and attacked the runaway ninja shield at this timing, so I decided to quietly let it pass.
21 uninvited guests imitating me thoroughly in their own way. What kind of bastards are they?
“Everyone, sit down.”
At the fake ninja’s command, about 100 mine workers and caretakers kneeled one by one. It seemed that they didn’t even consider resisting, perhaps because of my reputation.
Why did they only surround this area and not the entire mine? Because of the smaller number of people? Because this is the most important area?
“Hmm….”
The fake ninja approached and slowly scanned our faces. Could it be that they’re looking for me?
I’m perfectly disguised right now, so there’s no problem. After lightly touching the dot next to my nose, I shivered as if I was scared.
“Heoeng…”
To make the illusion feel real, you have to add appropriate mannerisms. That’s how first-class ninjas perfectly imitate the fear that high school girls feel.
“You, over there, stand up.”
The fake ninja pointed to a man. It was a caretaker with a badge that read ’43’.
“Yes, you? Me?”
“The deserting ninja only speaks once.”
The 43rd caretaker stood up with a sullen expression. He resembled a chubby raccoon. He must have worked in the mine for a long time, but he still hadn’t lost weight. He was undoubtedly a lazy bastard.
“Jim Blake, right?”
“…Yes.”
The fake ninja licked his lips and approached Jim Blake, the caretaker who was called by that name. He seemed to deliberately walk with a threatening air.
“You worthless piece of trash who sells children.”
The fake ninja grabbed Jim by the neck and shook him. Jim shook uncontrollably like a scarecrow in a windy field.
“Do you think you can get away with being among people who know nothing? You shameless excuse for a human.”
“I… I don’t understand why you’re saying this.”
“Stop lying! I know everything!”
“Ow!”
Thunk!
Jim screamed in pain as the fake ninja struck him.
The fake ninja grabbed Jim by the neck again and lifted him up. Is he trying to replicate my interrogation methods? Everyone who has seen that would be dead.
In this otherworldly place, I can’t dismiss the possibility of the undead. I cautiously observed him and slowly killed the bastard.
After being beaten up a few times, Jim sobbed and clasped his hands, begging. The fake ninja, who had been silently watching, exchanged glances with his minions pretending to be clones.
“Miners, I have not come here to judge you. I have come to condemn the wicked villains. As soon as this is over, I will disappear like the wind. So don’t worry.”
After saying something vaguely impressive, the fake ninja retreated.
“Mr. 43rd caretaker, I’ve always found you strange.”
“That person is a parachute.”
The workers, who had gained hope of survival, began to whisper quietly. Even though the murmuring grew louder, the counterfeit ninjas did not show any signs of trying to stop them. In their eyes, there was even a hint of sympathy for the workers.
Isn’t that a Yakuzana samurai? But that doesn’t make the crime of impersonating me disappear.
Once this situation is over, I’ll have to chase after those guys. That’s what I thought in that moment.
Rumble-
Suddenly, the mine shook.
“Everyone, wake up and get up! The cave is collapsing!”
After jumping up, I shouted. In moments like this, it’s okay to take the lead. It’s to save innocent people.
“Stop! Wait quietly-“
Rumble-
Before the counterfeit ninjas could finish their words, the mine shook again. The faces of the people turned pale from the intense vibration.
“What, what is happening? Why is it collapsing all of a sudden!”
“Run, starting with the ones in front!”
“Why are you panicking like that!”
Pushing aside the counterfeit ninjas and their desperate attempts to control the situation, the people ran out. The threats of armed robbers were powerless in the face of overwhelming natural disaster.
Thump!
A giant rock in the shape of an icicle hanging from the cave fell.
“Take cover!”
As the fragments scattered in all directions, one of the pillars supporting the cave was struck. The pillar cracked and seemed like it would collapse soon. If we didn’t leave this place within 5 minutes, it would undoubtedly flatten us.
“Hurry, move!”
I grabbed the shoulder of my curly-haired male teammate and gently pushed him forward. He’s just spacing out without a care, not even thinking about moving quickly.
But where did the blond tanning girl go? She was nearby just a moment ago.
But that’s not important right now, let’s move on.
Swoosh!
Since my 45th class is at the very back, I could watch until the people in front of me all rushed out.
After confirming the 45th class manager who was playing with his legs at the back, I slowly moved forward. I could see the fake ninjas and lackeys in front of me.
“The bomb seems to have been more effective than I thought!”
“I didn’t trust those transparent lizard bastards!”
“…We need to get out first.”
“Time to make a decision!”
The dumbfounded cosplay lackeys surrounded the fake ninja. There was even one guy bleeding from his head, probably hit by a falling rock. They said normal attacks won’t work, and it seems like that was true after all.
“…We’re getting out too.”
The decisive fake ninja took the lead. Judging by their composed posture and breathing, it was clear they had received military training. Are they from another ninja village? Or a secret organization? It’s time to find out their true identity.
Luckily, I wore the ninja suit underneath my clothes, so there was no issue with disguise.
Swoosh-
Using the shadow technique, I concealed myself and followed behind them. Judging by the fact that they were taking a different path than the people, they seem to know a secret route.
What do these guys know? I’m starting to get curious.
“Phew.”
The guys who safely escaped from the cave dusted off the dirt. As they stretched their bodies here and there, their flexible muscles expanded. It’s slightly tempting.
Should I confiscate one?
“It has been delayed for quite some time. The Order Maintenance Army should have arrived by now.”
“I will buy us some time.”
The first person to speak in response to the fake ninja leader was a tomboyish woman.
Her voice… sounded somewhat familiar?
“Comrade!”
“I planned this. I have to take responsibility.”
The woman drew her sword from the sheath.
“…I ask for good fortune.”
With those words, the tomboys scattered.
The woman who had been watching let out a deep breath, as if she was about to scream.
“-It’s me!!”
Thud!
“Huh?!”
After restraining her with two swift blows, they laid her down next to a boulder. There was no way this brat, who would be knocked out after just two hits, could buy any time.
“Who are you?”
They removed the tomboy’s mask. Who could it be, pretending to be me and speaking with a familiar voice?
Black skin, golden hair, fierce eyebrows raised upwards.
“What is this….”
The person’s identity was quite unexpected.
“Princess Geumtaeyang?!”