Black Badger

We soon arrived at the floor with the lounge.

As the elevator doors opened, a scene like a hotel lobby unfolded before us. The floor showed no sign of people. Under dim lighting, luxurious ivory sofas sat arranged in the space. Beyond the lobby, where soft breezes flowed, a long corridor stretched out.

Ami, who had gotten off first, turned to look at me.

"Give me the trash."

She extended her hand toward the hamburger bag I was still holding.

I waved my hand.

"No. I'll throw it away when I see a trash can."

"It's over there."

Ami pointed to a silver pillar.

Was that a trash can?

I threw the plastic bag I was holding into the trash can. Then I looked back at the small woman. Ami gazed at me with round eyes.

She wore the same clothes as when I first saw her.

Looking down at the person who didn't look a day over twenty-two, let alone seventy, I said what I wanted to say.

"The hamburger was really delicious. Thank you."

Ami's eyes widened even more.

She stared up at me blankly and then smiled brightly.

"Next time, I'll buy you something even tastier."

Good person.

Seeing my touched expression, Ami let out a cheerful laugh. Even her laughter sounded childlike. Despite the pistol and dagger hanging from her waist, the youthful feel didn't fade.

"The room is over there. It's a place for the High Command to catch some sleep when they're too busy to go home, but it's always kept spotless, so there shouldn't be any discomfort."

"Thank you so much."

It was probably because the HR Director had evaluated me positively that I could stay here. As I walked down the corridor, I recalled the man who said he went home and came back to work.

He had only exchanged a few words with me, so how had he judged so quickly?

Following the walking Ami, I cautiously broached the subject.

"By the way, the HR Director..."

"How did he make that judgment so quickly?"

Sharp.

I nodded, and Ami turned her head to explain.

"The HR Director has a natural talent for that. He has many flaws, but no one is as accurate at reading people. He has an uncanny sense of where to place whom, and he knows exactly what method will boost morale. That's why he keeps his position even though he leaves on time every day. Even though he often makes holes in paperwork... Even during the war, he was never single, like the legend says, dating regardless of age or gender, and even when problems arose from that... Of course, his combat skills are good too."

I felt like I had heard a bunch of amazing things.

I looked at her with wide eyes, but Ami didn't elaborate. Instead, she walked briskly and flung open the door at the end of the corridor.

Ami gestured for me to come in.

A huge bed dominated the space. Smooth glass windows replaced the walls. The night view reflected in the glass windows was dazzlingly beautiful. Under the dark blue sky, clusters of lights twinkled.

Come to think of it, since I regained consciousness, I hadn't looked outside the building.

I had never properly seen what this world looked like.

I closed the door and entered, staring blankly at the glass window.

Noticing my reaction, Ami made an "ah" sound.

"You want to see outside?"

"Yes. If possible."

"Of course! I'll open the window up there too. The weather is nice."

Ami walked to the central glass window. She pushed open the upper glass window. Feeling the cool night breeze rush to my face, I moved my feet.

I stood in front of the window.

Ami stepped back and said,

"I'll be here in the morning too. I'll be on the sofa in the lobby in front of the elevator, so wake up at your desired time and come out. If you suddenly feel ill at night or something urgent happens, press the emergency call button next to the bed."

I nodded and looked out the window. The smell of the night wind, which scratched at my cheeks, wafted in.

The smell and wind stimulated memories.

A night view appeared in my mind, where my white hair fluttered in the wind at some unknown time. An endless city spread out below my feet.

I was flustered by the memory that overlapped with the sight.

I stood on the rooftop. I stood at the edge of the rooftop, looking down at the city below and the black shoes I wore.

Beside me, someone in fluttering white clothes stood.

"How is it?"

He spoke.

"Isn't it beautiful?"

I slowly turned my head. Car lights disappeared from view, and the night sky took their place.

A soft voice, neutral and indistinguishable by gender, called my name...

"Hilde."

Ami's call brought me back to my senses.

"Yes, yes?"

"If you lean out like that, it's dangerous."

Ami approached me.

Her hand pulled my shirt. With surprising strength, she pulled my body, which was half out the window, back in.

I nodded hurriedly.

"Thank you."

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. Of course."

I carefully closed the window.

The night breeze stopped. The coolness faded, and the warmth of the room enveloped my face. I met eyes with Ami, who tilted her head as she observed me.

An unfamiliar room and unfamiliar people.

I was an unexpected variable to them, someone who had to sleep here obediently.

It ached that I couldn't recall exactly what memory it was. But since looking at the night view had brought back a memory, other memories would come back slowly too.

I comforted myself with the thought to stay calm.

I cleared my throat and smiled.

"Thank you for treating me so kindly in various ways."

Ami stared up at me and smiled.

She received the bag containing the clothes ordered by Joo outside the room, said good night, and disappeared.

*

I slept without dreams.

After waking, I stared at the ceiling for a long time. I closed and opened my eyes, hoping something would change. Unfortunately, the situation hadn't changed. Still, only my name and fragmented memory pieces remained.

In the fluffy blanket, I lay with eyes open for a while and realized I was hungry. I also remembered that Ami might be waiting in the lobby in front of the elevator.

I jumped up and checked the time.

9 AM.

Bright sunlight poured onto the bed. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"Ami."

Forgetting to even wash my face, I hurriedly opened the door and ran to the lobby.

"I'm sorry! I forgot you were waiting..."

"Ah, you're awake? Good morning!"

"Hilde~."

It wasn't just Ami who greeted me as I ran out in pajamas.

Ricardo waved his hand gently, his green eyes curving softly. I blinked at the man who lounged lazily on the sofa.

Didn't he have to go to work?

I didn't know what he did for a living.

My inner thoughts must have shown on my face. Ricardo chuckled, draping one arm over the sofa back.

"I'm at work, but I was ordered to stick by your side... I'm glad. Even if another order came, I planned to squeeze in time to see how you're doing~."

"Ah... So today, instead of Ami, I'm spending the day with you, Ricardo?"

"Drop the honorifics already."

"I'll tag along too."

While Ricardo replied seriously, Ami poked her head out and added.

I looked down at Ami, who sat next to Ricardo. She was dressed much more casually than yesterday. White sneakers, light blue jeans. Ivory hoodie.

"Is that okay?"

When Ami asked, I nodded.

"Of course. If anything, I'm in the position to ask. Sorry for waking up late. Did you wait long?"

"No! And don't use honorifics with me either. Call me by name comfortably. Due to our nature, we care about ranks on badges but not age."

"Hmm... If you both say so..."

Should I drop the polite speech too?

I pondered briefly but recalled that Ricardo had said to drop the honorifics, not the polite speech.

Since it was uncertain, I decided to approach conservatively. I would call names casually but speak politely.

"Ricardo... Ami. Please take care of me today."

"Yeah... Let's eat breakfast first~. Ye-hyeon can only make time in the afternoon..."

"Brunch! Brunch!"

Ami jumped up from the sofa.

Ricardo smiled beside the excited Ami.

"I need to change out of my pajamas first... They suit you well."

"Ah."

I had forgotten I was wearing the black silk pajamas bought by Joo.

Looking down at the pitch-black fabric, I replied innocently.

"Joo has excellent taste. Thanks to that, I slept comfortably."

Small smiles spread across the faces of the people on the sofa.

Determined not to make them wait any longer, I quickly added.

"I'll change and come right out. Please wait a moment."

"Take your time~."

"I'll buy you new clothes today too!"

Ami said in a clear voice.

I felt like I was accumulating a debt that would be harder to repay...

Returning to the room, I recalled what I had received from them. I didn't know when I could repay it, but true favors weren't forgotten.

Hamburger set. Pajamas and underwear. Comfortable sleeping place.

If the time came when I could repay them, I would.

Running down the corridor, I opened the door, and sunlight poured through the open window. Crossing the excessively spacious room for one person, I headed to the bathroom.

I turned on the shower and looked for the provided amenities. While I moved busily in the hot water, I found the shampoo set and a plastic bag next to it.

Hmm.

It seemed like something someone had left by mistake.

It was a medicine bag.

I picked up the bag and flipped it around. An incomprehensible medicine name was written on the outside. Inside the transparent bag, pills in green and white, red and white, rolled around in individual packs.

It looked like the person who had used this room had left it behind.

I decided to take it out and give it to Ami and Ricardo. They might know the owner.

I set the medicine bag aside in a visible place and focused on the shower.

*

I sensed something odd after I finished the shower, got dressed, and stuffed the medicine bag into my pocket.

Clunk!

A loud noise echoed in the room.

What?

I stopped rubbing my hair with a dry towel.

Blinking, I turned my head around.

Where had that sound come from? Had Ami or Ricardo come looking for me?

I scanned the spacious room, but nothing seemed special. The door was closed, and there was no presence in the room.

A huge bed big enough for two. A luxurious mahogany desk and wall mirror. Pajamas folded on the chair.

Nothing particularly unusual.

No sign of anything that could make noise.

Was there construction outside?

Casting glances around, I stepped out from beside the bed. I planned to go out like this. My hair wasn't dry, but I didn't want to make the two wait any longer.

It would dry in the sunlight outside. I hung the towel I had been using to dry my hair on the chair armrest.

I was about to go out.

Thud!

A loud noise stopped my steps.

What the hell.

Frowning, I turned around.

Where on earth was this sound coming from...

Oh.

I froze upon seeing the window.

Something was attached to it. Not like an insect. A shadow covered half the large window.

The sunlight that shone from behind it created backlighting. Its long shadow formed in the room.

I forgot to even make a sound.

What was that?

What... no, what was that? Was it alive?

A machine? Or had a new species appeared while my memories were gone?

But the form was too grotesque. Eight legs reminiscent of a spider stuck to the window like suction cups. The legs protruded from a body covered in wriggling fur, and the body had a horse-like head. On the horse head's forehead, multiple eyeballs were attached.

...Were they filming a horror movie?

The moment I tried to rationalize it realistically, the window shattered.

A leg pierced through the shattered glass.

The pitch-black suction cup approached at surprising speed, and flustered by the sudden situation, I shouted.

"What the hell is this!"

My body was wrapped by the monster's leg and pulled toward the window.

At the same time, the door burst open.

"Hilde!"

"Grab the window frame!"

Ami and Ricardo shouted urgently, but before I could respond, my body free-fell out the window.