"Is this… EGO Equipment?"
Although Komini had already seen Frost Splinter earlier in the Control Department, the moment she truly caught the heavy stench of blood clinging to the white coat her senior was wearing, her fingers began trembling uncontrollably.
"Yes," Arthur nodded.
For the first time, he slightly unsheathed the pure black katana in his hand to inspect the blade.
Even that tiny reveal was enough—the cold gleam reflected from the flawless edge sent chills racing down Komini's spine.
This sword was called Decisive Heart.
[EGO Weapon: Decisive Heart (Katana)
Grade: HE
Equipment Requirement: Justice II
Attribute: Soul
Attack: 8
Attack Speed: Fast
Attack Range: Normal]
As a Soul-damage weapon of noble grade, this katana had been personally extracted by Arthur from the shattered armor of a T-Class containment object in the Information Department.
And the coat he wore now—
—had come from the latest supply batch sent down from Headquarters.
[EGO Equipment: Grinder MK4 (Coat)
Grade: HE
Equipment Requirement: Prudence II
Physical Resistance (0.6): High
Mental Resistance (1.3): Low
Erosion Resistance (0.9): High
Soul Resistance (1.5): Low]
Though its attributes were far from ideal, it was still leagues better than an ordinary suit.
"The target is currently moving within Corridor P3. Senior, you may take Elevator 3 down…"
Instructions continued to flow through Arthur's collar communicator. As an employee of Lobotomy Corporation, refusal was not an option.
The elevator descended smoothly. Only the steadily decreasing floor numbers confirmed they were drawing closer to the breached Anomaly.
Komini's gun-holding hand shook violently now—and this time, it had nothing to do with the bloodstained coat beside her.
Will I die? Will I die? Will I die?!
Fear clung to her thoughts.
For the first time, she truly regretted joining a Wing of the World.
Who could have imagined that a company so glamorous on the outside would fill its training videos with scenes of former employees' flesh and blood scattered everywhere?
I don't want to be torn into pieces…
"Ding."
The elevator chime startled her badly.
Arthur noticed everything.
This is a burden.
Minister Hod, I don't mean to complain, but pairing veterans with newcomers is a nightmare in situations like this.
Even so, he didn't scold her.
"We've arrived," he said calmly.
"M… Mm," Komini nodded, staring at the open elevator doors.
As Arthur passed her, he added indifferently:
"If things go south—run."
Corridor P3 was silent.
Too silent.
No one was in sight, though Arthur knew security personnel should already be deployed nearby.
A faint scent of gunpowder lingered in the air.
Though the Head forbade heavy firearms and limited bullet lethality, Lobotomy Corporation-issued weapons should still have been capable of inflicting damage.
Yet—
Only their footsteps echoed.
One step.
Two steps.
Arthur's focus sharpened.
Then—another set of footsteps joined theirs.
"Stop."
Decisive Heart slid free of its sheath.
Arthur quietly signaled Komini to halt as well.
They pressed themselves against a door along the corridor wall, ready to flee into nearby offices if necessary.
With all other noise gone, the lone set of footsteps approached slowly… steadily.
Under the orange-yellow lighting, an employee in a suit staggered into view.
"Senior Nicks?" Komini whispered.
She recognized him immediately—his face was completely intact.
Yet as he drew closer, her pistol rose higher.
Anyone could tell something was wrong.
His suit was shredded, and crude sutures ran across his chest.
He showed vital signs—but no humanity.
Every movement was driven by animal instinct. He had clearly noticed Arthur and Komini, yet did not attack immediately.
If you won't move—then I will.
To Komini's shock, Arthur lowered his stance, sword angled forward, and charged.
His speed was terrifying.
Decisive Heart pierced the creature's flesh instantly—but Arthur felt resistance far beyond expectation.
A Strength II vertical slash failed to sever the arm in one strike.
Fortunately, Decisive Heart did not rely on physical trauma.
Blue light burst from the wound.
Arthur kicked the creature back, wrenching the blade free, then followed with rapid strikes—chest, neck, right arm—
Only when the blue glow faded did he sheath the weapon.
"Is it… dead?" Komini asked cautiously.
The entire fight had ended in under a minute. She hadn't even fired a shot.
Arthur drew his pistol and fired several rounds into the creature's head.
Only after the skull was completely shattered did he nod.
"Move on."
Strange.
High physical strength usually comes with agility…
Is it unadapted?
Or… guarding something?
Thoughts raced as they advanced toward the corridor's end.
Then—
A soft, nursery-rhyme-like hum echoed through the air.
At the far end, corpses lay scattered across the floor.
A slender figure squatted beside one of them, back turned, hands busy.
Surgical tools spilled from a black square bag nearby.
It was performing an operation.
There—
The Doctor.