NOVEL WEB Chapter 11
[Registration Number] IF-098
[Object Name] Tsuchinoko
[Object Level] Lowest
[Risk Level] Neutral
[Imagination] Tsuchinoko (ツチノコ) is a cryptid known to inhabit Japan. It resembles a snake but has a unique appearance with a thick, short body that bulges in the middle. Legends say it can roll down slopes to move quickly or jump up to the height of an adult male. There was even a Tsuchinoko hunting craze in the 1970s, though there’s no scientific evidence of its existence.
[Reality] IF-098 appears to be a type of snake from the suborder Serpentes and the order Squamata. It has a flat cylindrical body approximately 40cm long, 20cm wide, and 15cm tall, with a vestigial tail at the end. IF-098 has a triangular head about half the size of its body, equipped with venom fangs and muscle-targeting venom with an LD₅₀ of 8mg/kg, making it a typical venomous snake.
IF-098 possesses at least three additional joints and skeletal muscles on each rib, allowing it to freely inflate or bend its body. While its normal speed is only around 2km/h, it can accelerate to up to 20km/h when streamlined. Additionally, when threatened, it compresses its body then “launches” itself, reaching speeds of 76km/h and jumping up to 2 meters high.
IF-098 has extremely sensitive senses, detecting even the faintest sounds instantly. When sensing humans or predators, it flattens itself slightly to mimic a regular snake. Why IF-098 evolved to imitate other snakes despite having similar ecological status remains unknown, but this behavior makes species identification quite challenging.
The physical strength of IF-098 is within the average range for creatures of its weight. Despite numerous IF-098 individuals being killed or captured by FPL and hostile forces, no catastrophic body transformation abilities like those observed in its presumed relative IF-257 ‘Ringed Snake’ have been noted.
[Containment] IF-098 is housed in a 3m x 3m acrylic terrarium. The enclosure maintains a temperature of 26±2°C and humidity of 65±5%, with at least 3m of clearance above. Feeding consists of 200g of crickets, superworms, and rats once a week.
Following the lid damage incident on ■■■■ year ■ month ■■ day due to the “compression-launch,” all IF-098 facilities increased ceiling height from 2m to 3m.
[Experiment Record] 098-A-14
Author: J Researcher, FPL Lab 4
Experiment Overview: IF-098 typically exhibited “compression-launch” behavior 3.2 times per day, but after ■ month ■■ day, this frequency drastically decreased to none. To identify the cause of reduced activity, experiments were conducted despite all metrics – weight, diet, environment – being within normal ranges.
Item: Temperature Change
Raising enclosure temperature to 32°C: Subject flattened its body. No other changes.
Lowering enclosure temperature to 20°C: Subject inflated into a perfect cylindrical shape. No other changes.
Item: Feeding Method Change
Feeding live prey with tweezers: Subject consumed prey normally.
Fixing prey to the wall: Subject showed clear feeding response but did not approach for unknown reasons. Dropping fixed prey near subject’s mouth resulted in normal consumption.
(Skipped content)
Experiment Results: Even after standard cryptid ecological verification tests, the cause of reduced activity remained unclear.
Notes: Simultaneously with decreased activity, stress levels also significantly dropped. Previously recorded monthly average of 5.7 attack attempts reduced to just 2 cases after ■ month ■■ day. Such physiological responses are typically seen during interactions with friendly peers, though no additional IF-098 specimens are currently housed at Lab 4.
—
IF-017 dedicated mobile strike team, commonly known as the ‘Moonmuwang’ Battalion.
One of the mobile strike team members stationed there was waiting in front of the entrance to IF-017’s containment chamber, rechecking the issued equipment. He couldn’t help but find the whole situation absurd.
What exactly is a mobile strike team?
Isn’t it supposed to be FPL’s elite force prepared for sudden situations requiring rapid response to unknown phenomena?
His proper equipment should be heavy machine guns or flamethrowers, not these cleaning tools.
While waiting at the entrance to the containment chamber of the unknown phenomenon, he complained about checking cleaning tools instead of firearms.
He had plenty of grievances against the security officer issuing such orders, and even more so against the director of Lab 4.
It wasn’t an incomprehensible order, in fact, it was almost perfectly reasonable.
“IF-017 keeps scratching the floor of the containment chamber… if too much stone powder accumulates, it might be recognized as an ‘object’ and break spatial specialness. Big trouble, we desperately need your help, right? Open the entrance… no, clean up the stone powder.”
This was followed by an urgent demand to mobilize immediately without further ado, claiming there’s no more pressing emergency than this.
Recalling these instructions…
Why does it have to be him doing this?
Despite rumors that the ‘Moonmuwang’ Battalion stationed at Lab 4 has been the most privileged among mobile strike teams… even so, this felt psychologically taxing.
For a Beta Rank elite personnel, risking life and limb for cleaning seems a bit excessive.
Shouldn’t this be Gamma Rank work?
Annoyed, he kept adjusting his black bulletproof vest.
“Beta Rank personnel Daniel Johnson requesting permission to enter IF-017’s containment chamber.”
– Permission granted.
Finally…
– Beep.
The containment chamber entrance slowly opened, revealing IF-017 in the process of damaging the floor beyond.
Lying down, it seemed to lift its head slightly towards the entrance upon hearing the warning light.
The previously restless tail stopped moving, feathers standing stiffly upright.
Tensely stepping forward…
‘This is the one revered as god and parent… don’t let your guard down.’
Despite appearing as a young girl, he knew it was undoubtedly a disguise to lower vigilance.
So far it’s been quiet because it’s been sleeping, but once awake, it would surely reveal its ferocious nature like any other monster.
He firmly believed this.
Though armed with nothing but a pistol carried daily, he kept it ready to draw at any moment.
Then…
IF-017 stood up.
‘…!’
As he swallowed nervously, IF-017 approached him with light steps.
Just as his hand moved towards the gun, an unexpected voice rang out.
“Gyah…!”
Making eye contact, IF-017 smiled brightly.
– Huh!
Through the communicator, a gasp from researcher H who was observing could be heard, but he had no time to pay attention.
He was flustered.
The expression IF-17 made reminded him of a mother realizing her children weren’t completely ruined after all, despite causing headaches.
Even though IF-017 only reached his chest.
Why did seeing this small IF-017 evoke such thoughts?
Lost in confusion, as IF-017 fluttered its wings close by.
Flap flap.
Each small jump left tiny handprints of stone powder on his black bulletproof vest.
Bending down, he found IF-017 tugging at his clothes with shining eyes.
‘What’s it trying to say?’
IF-017 continued attempting to make eye contact while wagging its tail.
However, he had no idea what it meant.
– Uh, huh, oh… wow.
Researcher H on the communicator seemed equally clueless about the gestures.
Recalling the instructions…
‘Clean up the stone powder on the floor and exit. End.’
Despite IF-017’s actions evoking an irresistible urge to pat its head, he resolved not to react unnecessarily.
After all, it might suddenly transform into a monstrous face and tear him apart.
He’d seen such cases before joining the ‘Moonmuwang’ Battalion.
While IF-017 kept pointing somewhere and flapping its wings enthusiastically, he took out the cleaning tools and began sweeping up the stone powder without responding.
Noticing his lack of reaction, IF-017 stopped its actions.
Then tilted its head.
Seemingly understanding, IF-017 placed its hand on his head.
Worried it might turn hostile for being ignored…
Tensely awaiting…
IF-017 patted his head twice then tapped his back with its tail before walking away.
As if encouraging him to keep working.
Relieved by this reaction, his tension eased.
Why was he so tense about what such a creature might do?
Completely at ease, he vacuumed up the stone powder.
‘Remember. It patted my back then walked behind me. Where did it go?’
Suddenly curious, he turned around.
And froze in shock.
IF-017 was cheerfully walking towards the fully open containment chamber entrance.
‘Crazy. Why isn’t it closing?’
A normal containment chamber would have an automatic system to seal the entrance immediately upon detecting an adversarial unknown phenomenon attempting escape.
Had this been a normal chamber, that would’ve happened.
But IF-017’s chamber was different.
Designed like a safe to absolutely protect whatever inside.
No need for quick-closing entrances. As long as it’s durable enough, slow is fine.
Since whatever inside would just sleep through a bomb exploding nearby anyway.
The entrance only started slowly closing after all warning lights sounded.
Incredibly sluggish.
Naturally, there’s no function to prevent the contents of a safe from walking away.
He could only dumbfoundedly watch IF-017 casually stroll out through the entrance.