NOVEL NEXT WORLD Ding!
“Second Rule.
1. If a person goes missing within the facility, they are to be considered deceased.
2. The first person to confirm a missing individual must immediately report it to the facility manager. The manager is then responsible for informing all members about the individual’s disappearance.
3. The group from which the missing person originated must immediately return to the external post.
4. Others located on the same floor as the missing individual must also promptly return to the external post.
5. All communications originating from the missing person thereafter must be ignored.
6. Should the missing person be found again within the facility, they will be shot, regardless of rank or the number of individuals present.”
A voice echoed from a dark, gloomy place where not a single beam of light could penetrate.
“This is Echo-5. We have successfully infiltrated the facility.”
The speaker was one of the dispatched agents sent to investigate the communication blackout related to the 4891 abnormal phenomenon. It was Member-1 from the Special Task Force, Echo-5.
[Were there any peculiarities?]
“None. We searched the entire vicinity of the facility but found nothing unusual.”
[Any signs of survivors?]
“There were signs that someone had been living at the outer post not too long ago, but no people were found.”
[Understood. Continue proceeding.]
“Roger.”
After finishing the communication with headquarters, he set the communication device down and glanced around.
Eleven personnel stared back at him.
Upon confirming that the number of members was correct, he began to explain their mission.
“All members, listen carefully. Our mission is to descend to the 4th basement floor and control the systems in the Launch Control Room.”
Member-1 started his explanation.
Currently, all personnel assigned to this facility were in a state of communication blackout.
No one knew what had happened, but considering the nature of the 4891 phenomenon, it was reasonable to assume that they were all deceased.
To prevent the imminent nuclear launch, the Abnormal Phenomena Management Office dispatched Echo-5.
“From now on, we will split into three teams, and each will carry out their assigned tasks. Members must not separate, and solo actions are not permitted. Understood?”
“Understood.”
“Good. Let’s get started.”
Of course, navigating through the facility required ‘professional personnel.’
The 4891π-31 Security Procedures Manual was not so short that one could memorize it after a single read.
However, that was only if they were to explore the entire facility.
Practically, the rules pertaining to the ‘Safe Zone’ on the 1st floor and the Launch Control Room on the 4th basement had already been familiarized by them.
Member-1 reminded them to adhere to the rules within the facility and began assigning roles for their upcoming tasks.
“First, Members 9, 10, 11, and 12. You will stay here and maintain vigilance. Until new instructions come down, do not leave the designated area, and if an unidentified person approaches, engage with a warning shot.”
“Confirmed.”
“Members 5, 6, 7, and 8. You will also form a team from now on. Search the western corridor and regroup here if nothing suspicious is found. And Members 2, 3, and 4…”
With their assigned names called, the agents moved in unison.
Two groups of four naturally formed pairs, leaving the remaining four as well.
Member-1 gestured for them to come closer and said.
“From now on, we will head to the Launch Control Room on the 4th basement floor together.”
Following that, they walked towards the elevator located on the 1st floor.
Ding!
With a notification sound, the elevator doors opened.
What lay beyond was nothing but a vast expanse of darkness.
The four members in front held their breath and stepped forward, relying on the beam of their flashlights.
“….”
Tap tap
The sound of their footsteps echoed in the corridor.
In the silence of the space, this was the only sound that could be heard.
Before long, a voice suddenly erupted from someone’s communication device.
[This is Member-5. I’ve checked the western office and communications room but found nothing.]
“Member-1. Understood. Conduct a search in the remaining area, and if nothing is wrong, regroup with the security team.”
[Understood.]
Having completed a concise report, the communication device was turned off once more.
Soon, as footsteps filled the hallway in silence, someone walking behind Member-1 spoke up.
“…There aren’t even any corpses. Where could they all have gone?”
Member-2 asked, sounding curious.
One couldn’t blame him; there should have been nearly thirty personnel in the facility initially.
Yet, they had all vanished suddenly one day without leaving urgent communications or warning signals behind, and even now, while searching the 1st floor, no bodies were found, not even a single finger.
“I don’t know either. However, one thing is certain: they didn’t leave this facility alive.”
“It’s creepy. The entire facility’s personnel going missing all of a sudden feels like ghosts are involved.”
“In that case, let’s pray those ghosts get a taste of some bullets. We can’t just sit back and let them launch nuclear weapons.”
Responding to Member-2’s inquiry, Member-1 replied matter-of-factly.
Suddenly, Member-3, walking behind them, shouted out.
“Can we cut the ridiculous talk about ghosts already? Let’s at least try to look professional in front of the rookie!”
His tone was filled with annoyance.
Whether it was just frustration born from the eerie atmosphere or genuine displeasure at their conversation, he didn’t seem very happy at all.
“What, you scared or something?”
“Scared? No way! Just thinking the rookie’s enjoying the show watching the two seniors talk about ghosts. He’s probably gonna submit a request for a transfer any day now.”
Overhearing this, Member-2 teased Member-3 about calling out the rookie.
Member-4.
She was trailing behind them, referring to the rookie who had joined Echo-5 not long ago.
“What are you saying? I’m just trying to lighten the mood! Look at the rookie! He’s been too scared to say a word since earlier—”
However, Member-2 brushed off that remark.
With a playful tone, he shifted his gaze to the back where the rookie was supposed to stand.
“Eleanor?”
As he confirmed that no one was there, he instinctively uttered the rookie’s name in a daze.
“Damn it, what the hell? When did she disappear?!”
“Eleanor? Eleanor! If you can hear this, respond!”
Realizing that Member-2’s reaction was strange, the other members turned around and noticed that Member-4 had vanished without a trace.
One member missing without making a sound.
Panicking, they immediately backed up against one another and began watching their surroundings with tense faces.
Yet—
“Member-4! Here!”
After a short while, they noticed Member-4 appear from around a corner not too far away, looking completely drained and sheepishly gazing at them.
“Sorry! I lost sight of you during the observation!”
“No… you really have some talent at this. Seriously.”
“I-I’m so sorry!”
Member-2 looked at her with an incredulous expression.
Of course, he knew that she had a somewhat clueless personality, but even so, he never imagined she would lose track of someone right in front of her in such a terrifying atmosphere.
“…We’ll talk about this later. We need to focus on the mission for now. And, Member-4.”
“Yes, sir!”
“From this point on, we’ll change our formation. Member-4, switch places with Member-2 and stick close behind me. Got it?”
“Understood!”
Member-1, who usually had a calm demeanor, was momentarily taken aback by her actions.
However, it wasn’t the time for reprimands or warnings, and in light of the mission, he didn’t bring up the earlier incident.
Nonetheless, he couldn’t allow a repetition of such a situation, so he arranged for Member-4 to stay flanked between him and the other members.
They resumed their steps towards the Launch Control Room deep within the 4th basement.
[This is Member-9.]
As they walked for a while, a voice came through Member-1’s communication device.
Member-9.
One of the personnel assigned to maintain vigilance on the 1st floor.
[Captain, have you finished controlling the systems?]
Member-2 thought this was becoming intolerable.
He too shared the desire to escape this dreary place, but rushing those performing the most dangerous tasks seemed to be quite the impatient act.
It was truly unprofessional behavior.
“No, not yet. We haven’t even reached the Launch Control Room.”
[Eh? You’re still in the 4th basement?]
However, the voice coming through the communication device was devoid of any patience.
“That’s correct.”
[Could it be that there are scattered or lone members?]
“No, Members 2, 3, and 4 are all with me. What’s going on, Member-9? Is something wrong?”
After sensing something strange in his question, Member-1 turned the inquiry back to Member-9.
His voice seemed…
As if he were facing a frightening situation right before his eyes.
[I-is that so…?]
He stammered as he continued.
Amidst the tense atmosphere, he began questioning the scene unfolding before him.
[From the 4th basement, an elevator is coming up. Who is on that elevator?]
The sound of the elevator alert chime Ding! came through the communication device held by Member-1.