Seoul Object Story

The dense jungle loomed around the research institute, almost as if it was going to swallow it whole with its overwhelming presence.

The massive concrete building looked like a lonely island floating in a green sea.

The road that stretched from the building was abruptly cut off, as though sliced by a sharp blade, and from that jagged edge, the jungle seemed to rise unnaturally, almost grotesquely.

As the late afternoon sunlight filtered through the leaves, the heavy iron gate of the research institute opened.

And through that gate, two staff members appeared, dressed in large object protection suits.

Their faces, visible through the thick suits, appeared weary, but there was an odd sense of anticipation in their expressions.

"It feels like we’ve only been waiting for this time lately."

The junior staff member smiled brightly through the transparent helmet.

The senior nodded and paused for a moment.

His gaze was directed at the research institute building.

Staring at the enormous concrete mass, which seemed to grow darker by the day, he let out a deep sigh.

"It’s been a while since I’ve seen the director or any of the researchers."

The junior spoke cautiously.

The researchers, who would normally be bustling around here and there with lively energy, had been absent for days now.

The senior glanced around briefly before lowering his voice to a whisper.

"I think they’ve locked themselves away underground, working on something. The few times I’ve run into them, their expressions have been serious. I wonder if something’s wrong..."

He trailed off, then added, "Well, it’s not really something we, the security team, need to worry about."

After hearing the senior's words, the junior nodded in understanding.

"Ah, that makes sense. It’s easier to work without the researchers around, but it also feels a bit unsettling. Glad to hear there’s nothing serious going on."

The junior’s voice carried relief, but there was an unmistakable sense of unease lingering in it.

The senior gave a wry smile and shook his head.

"Well, in this age, it’s stranger if nothing goes wrong."

Absentmindedly, the senior reached out and tapped a leaf hanging above him.

The leaf, now slightly redder than yesterday, felt oddly foreboding through the thick gloves of the protection suit.