Became a Dragon kidnapped by Humans

[Incident Record] 017-B-2

Writer: Researcher E, affiliated with FPL 017-1 Branch Facility

Incident Overview: On ■■■■ Year ■ Month ■ Day, IF-017 inexplicably entered the ‘Ascension’ state. Approximately 17 minutes later, IF-017 embraced Researcher H who was conducting a Standard Specimen Recognition Test inside its containment chamber and did not let go for about ■■ hours ■■ minutes.

Details: Below is the interview record between Researcher H, the incident subject, and Researcher E responsible for documenting the event.

Researcher E enters the temporary containment room and faces Researcher H across a barrier. Researcher H gives an awkward smile.

Researcher H’s Beta Rank lab coat appears unnaturally bulgy as if something has been stuffed into it.

H: Ah, hello there.

E: Nice to meet ya! I’m Emily Harper, specialist in cryptid behavioral analysis. Call me Em. We’ll be seeing each other often!

H: Yes, Senior Emily…! This is my first time meeting someone from the IF-017 department aside from Senior Giselle.

E: Everyone’s at the 017-1 branch facility. Guess they thought 017 would sleep forever.

H: Yeah…? I kinda felt the same way and was secretly bummed out. But then I got to see IF-017 awake, and now work feels more exciting! Even though it’s only been a few days since IF-017 woke up, it’s already made eye contact with me several times. Every time, its pupils shine like jewels—it’s so dang cute!

E: Haha. Thanks to you, this is the first real role I’ve played at Lab 4. Alright, let’s get started with the interview.

The beam projector displays CCTV footage of IF-017’s containment chamber from ■■ day.

E glances at the footage and sighs. H looks away nervously.

E: I heard about the situation from the 017-1 branch, but seeing it in person… well, things seem quite different than what I was told.

H: (gulp) Y-yes, Senior Emily!

E pulls out a notepad and alternates between checking the CCTV footage and writing notes.

E: First off—what’s this non-standard experimental tool? Is that a cat toy? Cat toys aren’t part of the standard recognition test procedure, right?

H: Um… the security supervisor kindly lent it to me… uh. Though unconventional, I figured it wouldn’t violate any regulations and might help… Honestly, I didn’t think it’d actually be approved…

E: Got it.

H: Yes.

E: Next we have the mirror test… otherwise everything else followed the standard protocol. No reaction from IF-190-1…

For about 20 seconds, only the sound of pen scratching on paper and steady breathing can be heard.

E: IF-017 entered Ascension here. Why did you attempt physical contact when IF-017 ascended? Typically, IF-017-1 uses Ascension in a highly hostile manner during such events.

H: Uh… Well… It just felt different from the 017-1 Ascensions I’ve seen on video.

E: (scribbling) Instincts are important. The Ascensions of 017-1 usually look overtly creepy and aggressive. Didn’t IF-017’s Ascension feel negative or unsettling when you saw it up close?

H: No, not really. The horns, wings, and tail that grew during IF-017’s Ascension—they didn’t feel threatening at all. They looked soft and fluffy…

E: Definitely cute, huh?

H: Hehe, exactly!

E: So?

H: Hmm?

E: Did you consider the possibility of mental contamination? If things had gone wrong, you’d just die, but reckless actions like these could severely impact the long-term interaction between FPL and the specimen. That was careless.

H: I messed up…

E briefly bows her head in apology. H waves his hand dismissively.

E: Moving on… According to the footage, IF-017 embraced you and responded positively even while in Ascension… (scribbling)… Then someone came in…

E lets out a heavy sigh. ‘Why was Giselle demoted again? The director’s losing it. Here we go again.’

E: The CCTV footage ends here. Since I haven’t heard any reports of IF-017 letting go after that… it must still be holding onto you. Can you show me?

H: Yes… just a moment.

H slowly unbuttons his lab coat, revealing IF-017 clinging tightly to him.

IF-017 is clearly in its ‘Ascension’ state with fully grown horns, wings, and tail. Aside from the overwhelming presence, size, and texture of its body parts, its overall form isn’t much different from that of IF-017-1 instances.

IF-017 appears to be asleep. Apart from faint breathing, there’s no significant reaction. However, around 6 seconds later, its breathing becomes irregular. IF-017 shivers slightly and begins wrapping its loosely draped tail tighter around H’s waist, seemingly trying to cling closer.

H: Hmmph…

E: Are you alright?

H: Yes, yes. Just… it’s kind of fascinating. Never realized hugs could feel like this… should’ve tried one before.

E: (scribbling) Could you gently hold IF-017 with both hands for a moment? Like cradling its head softly.

Without hesitation, H pulls IF-017 closer.

IF-017’s breathing quickly stabilizes. Its tail relaxes and loosens. It seems visibly calmer under H’s gentle touch.

E covers her mouth in surprise.

H: Before I realized I could just button up my coat, it kept doing this. Hehe…

E: (scribbling) Was there anything noteworthy during your time in Lab 4?

H: Hmm… Oh yeah! There was some sort of ultra-dangerous anomaly detection thing going off while I was in the containment room.

E: The lockdown and neutralization device?

H: Yes, that one. Apparently Senior Giselle came to fetch me because of that.

E: What caused it? Another IF-684 incident?

H: Not sure, since I was stuck here, but it doesn’t seem related to IF-684. They’re still investigating…

E checks the CCTV footage against the timeline, muttering under her breath.

E: Ascension began at ■:■… accounting for the detection delay… does this match?

E continues reviewing the footage and cross-referencing times.

E: Right. I need to head back to the 017-1 branch office and review this further. That concludes our interview.

H: Ah, okay. Goodbye, Senior Emily.

E: Thank you for your cooperation. Much appreciated.

End of Record.

IF-017’s behavior was far from expectations.

Unlike previous observations of IF-017-1 instances, IF-017’s Ascension state showed no signs of bodily collapse. Its heart rate didn’t skyrocket above 300 beats per minute, it displayed no indiscriminate aggression, [CLASSIFIED LEVEL 2 REQUIRED], and seemed perfectly natural as if it had always been in that form.

Additionally, once IF-017’s gown was removed, it immediately exhibited signs of distress. Even while asleep, it avoided external stimuli such as lighting and sounds within the temporary containment room. When H gently hugged it, IF-017 appeared to find psychological comfort through physical contact.

Such behavior aligns closely with defensive mechanisms typically observed in highly intelligent beings experiencing prolonged fear and threat.

In summary, IF-017 likely experienced extreme fear. Its immediate attachment to H, the only available source of contact in an isolated environment, supports this theory.

(Excerpt…)

Considering these biological indicators, IF-017 may require increased emotional engagement.

By comparing the timing of IF-017’s Ascension with the detection of the ultra-dangerous anomaly, it’s presumed IF-017 entered Ascension due to exposure to an ‘unknown cause’ detected by the containment system on ■■ day.

Result: Around 17 hours after the interview concluded at ■:■, H was released. A detailed examination revealed no signs of mental contamination or other anomalous effects. Despite consideration for demotion to Gamma Rank due to unauthorized erratic behavior, the proposal was rejected given the unique circumstances and staffing shortages within the IF-017 department. ‘And yet they demoted “her” Giselle for no good reason, then put some newbie in charge and coddle them like royalty. Must be some high-ranking official’s kid. Since when did handling anomalies become child’s play? Especially ones like IF-017-1, worshipped as gods among anomalies? Director’s lost it. Sticking someone like ■■■■■ in charge is pure chaos.

IF-017’s vital signs have become significantly more active post-recontainment, necessitating improved environmental conditions and meticulous observation.

Damage Assessment: No quantifiable material damage occurred. Compared to the astronomical destruction caused by typical IF-017-1 Ascensions, this is astonishing.

Remarks: The phenomenon named ‘Ascension,’ where IF-017-1 transforms its body, was previously interpreted as a combat stance enhancing overall capabilities. Contrary to expectations, IF-017 entered Ascension in a non-hostile scenario and displayed zero aggression throughout.

Aside from its appearance, the only similarity between IF-017’s Ascension and IF-017-1’s Ascension is a spike in stress levels.

This suggests further research is needed, as IF-017-1’s Ascension may serve purposes beyond mere combat enhancement.

Question: Is it possible IF-017’s Ascension itself triggered the ultra-dangerous anomaly detection on ■■ day? Considering the compatibility of ‘Iron Stake,’ the detection system would only react if IF-017 in Ascension possessed anti-entropy values at least 110,000 times greater than IF-684. Such figures are absurdly unrealistic, and such an entity wouldn’t willingly submit to containment while stressed. Thus, this possibility holds little merit.

Footnote: Looking at the volume of analysis data, you must’ve worked hard. How busy were you to leave marked sections unchecked during review before sending me this report? Even though I’m ■■■■■, I’m still a researcher like you all. I think and act based on rational reasons.

Therefore, when the newbie’s disciplinary proposal comes up, I will reject every single one.—Director E