A Dark Fantasy Spy

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“Is everything going well? I’m worried about the researchers lately; they’ve been working so hard that I hope they’re not overdoing it.”

“Thank you for your concern, but there’s no one here who’s so frail that they would collapse after a week of night shifts. Rest assured, the inspections are proceeding smoothly.”

The Senior Researcher answered quietly with a smile.

Though saying that, everyone looked pale with dark circles under their eyes, but since they claimed to be fine, I didn’t know what else to say.

I nodded and scanned Giada Bianchi up and down.

After a moment of contemplation, I opened my mouth with a clueless expression.

“Senior Researcher, may I have a meal with you after the inspection is over?”

“A meal, you say?”

“Yes. I have something to discuss.”

She responded with a lovely smile.

“Could you tell me why?”

“I have some questions and a bit of curiosity.”

Giada Bianchi paused briefly as if contemplating, then nodded with a positive answer.

“That sounds good.”

“Thank you!”

“Not at all.”

The Senior Researcher accepted my proposal and followed a researcher who was looking for her to the Inspection Room.

I watched her retreating figure, then turned my body in the opposite direction.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

The sound of military boots echoed in the waiting room.

After scanning the area, I set a timer and slipped out of the waiting room as naturally as I could.

“…Phew.”

I had just over an hour left.

I had to resolve everything within that time frame.

—

As soon as I stepped into the hallway, I shouted while running towards the stairs.

“Fifty minutes remaining until the inspection ends! Report your positions!”

The responses came swiftly.

– “This is Sergeant Samuel. I’m with Aaron in the suspect’s personal room at the living facility. Have you secured the access pass?”

“I haven’t gotten it yet.”

– “Then hurry and join us. We’ll start searching first.”

I quickened my pace. I dashed down the stairs and jumped onto the prepared tram.

Peering out the window with a restless heart, the tram sped forward without any wobble, moving at top speed regardless of my anxious feelings.

First Research Facility, Second Research Facility, Third Research Facility, Admin Building, Medical Center.

Without stopping, the tram covered hundreds of meters in the blink of an eye.

How much time had passed? After what felt like a long wait, the tram gradually slowed down and arrived at the platform. There was no announcement, but I instinctively knew that this was the living facility.

Clank. The sound of the iron door opening made me rush onto the platform.

I sprinted across the platform faster than ever and headed towards the stairs. I didn’t take the elevator; climbing the stairs was faster.

First Floor, Second Floor, Third Floor, Fourth Floor, Fifth Floor.

I flew through the five floors in an instant and threw open the iron door.

Bang! The sound of the iron door crashing echoed down the stairs as I gasped for breath, glancing around the corridor.

Just then, in the distance at the end of the hallway, a familiar face waved at me.

Captain Gordon waved his gloved hand.

“What happened?”

“The motion sensors and listening devices are installed. Now we just have to search.”

“Gloves, gloves.”

I snatched the gloves the Captain offered. They were white cotton gloves, the kind you see at the dollar store.

It didn’t matter if my fingerprints smeared them, but just in case, I needed to wear them. I shoved my soaking wet hands into the gloves and spoke to the Captain.

“Don’t stand watch; just come in and start searching.”

“Understood.”

“Since there might be random numbers, search the bookshelves and drawers thoroughly, check for personal accounts, radios, non-disclosure agreements or contracts, directives, and any research materials that shouldn’t be taken out.”

“Yes.”

“Any unusual findings yet?”

“There hasn’t been any word from above either.”

I clenched my gloved hands repeatedly and closed the door to the personal room.

The Sergeant was busy disassembling storage devices from various machinery, while the Captain started pulling out books from the shelf and flipping through them. I approached the drawer and checked my watch.

Approximately 45 minutes left.

I had to find something.