(Spoiler!) Abnormality Codex [ O-01-39 ]

Currently observed grade is IV.

 

*Spoiler Alert!*

 

 

 

Identification Code: O-01-39

 

Identification Name: Little Girl

 

Risk Level: ALEPH

 

Attack Type During Work: PALE

 

Damage During Work: 0

 

Escape Status: O

 

Qliphoth Counter: 2

 

Maximum E-BOX: 35

 

Abnormality Mood Range During Work:

 

Good - 25~35

 

Normal - 11~24

 

Bad - 0~11

 

-

 

Work Efficiency:

 

Instinct

 

I - High (70%)

II - High (70%)

III - Very High (80%)

IV - Very High (80%)

V - Very High (80%)

 

Insight

 

I - Normal (50%)

II - Normal (50%)

III - Normal (50%)

IV - Normal (50%)

V - Normal (50%)

 

Attachment

 

I - Normal (50%)

II - Normal (50%)

III - High (60%)

IV - High (60%)

V - High (60%)

 

Repression

 

I - Very Low (0%)

II - Very Low (0%)

III - Very Low (0%)

IV - Very Low (0%)

V - Very Low (0%)

 

Defense Type Upon Escape:

 

RED - ?

WHITE - ?

BLACK - ?

PALE - ?

 

E.G.O

 

- Please refer to the Little Girl/Bonus Round/E.G.O document. -

 

Management Methods for the Little Girl Abnormality:

 

Method 1: Unlike other Abnormalities, the Little Girl's Qliphoth Counter decreases at regular intervals. Frequently check the containment cell of this Abnormality and monitor its status during management.

Method 2: The Qliphoth Counter increased when the work result was good.

 

Method 3: Upon escape, employees and facilities were unable to detect this entity until work was initiated on the said Abnormality, and direct suppression orders could not be given.

 

Method 4: When employee Aman performed Repression work, employee Aman became ████, and the Qliphoth Counter of every Abnormality within the company became 0.

 

Method 5: Upon escape of this Abnormality, it continuously decreased the Qliphoth Counter of every containment cell it passed.

 

Method 6: If this Abnormality encountered even one of O-02-56, O-02-62, or O-02-40, the other two would escape their containment cells.

 

Method 7: Upon reaching Emergency Level 3, the Abnormality voluntarily left its containment cell to assist employees in suppression efforts. However...

 

Method 8: Upon escape, this Abnormality must not be allowed to encounter other Abnormalities. Absolutely not.

 

-

 

Abnormality Record of the Little Girl:

 

[ Identification Name O-01-39 ]

 

Observation Level None: An Abnormality with the appearance of a small, cute girl with pure white hair. Seems to have a slightly air-headed side.

 

Observation Level 1:

 

Max: O-01-39 is such a cute Abnormality. She follows you around like a little animal when you shake a snack.

 

James: Team Leader Max. Is it okay for the Abnormality to roam outside the containment cell like that?

 

Max: She hasn't caused any harm so far, so what does it matter? We need at least one mascot in this dreary company. Look, she's eating a chocolate bar with a happy face right now.

 

James: She is cute...

 

Max: Right?

 

Daniel: Get away from me, you...

 

Max: Oh, it's Daniel. Getting pushed around by O-02-56 again today?

 

Daniel: Lately, it pecks at me whenever it sees me. It hurts like hell.

 

Max: Why don't you go look at O-01-39 and get some healing? Oh, I remember, I have one grape-flavored candy left. Give it to her.

 

Daniel: I guess I should... Huh? Where did she go?

 

James: Team Leader, O-02-56's movements have been strange since a little while ago...

 

Max: Wait a minute, has the company always been this dark?

 

*After that, the refreshing sound of scales tipping is heard, and the audio file ends.*

 

 

 

Observation Level 2: To explain the pitiful prophetess who unintentionally brought about the end, we must first start with a story of an old forest. The beginning of a tragedy that was merely a 'mistake.'

 

< The Black Forest >

 

Once upon a time, in a warm, densely wooded forest, lived three happy birds.

 

The birds had no names, but the creatures of the forest called them Big Bird, Long Bird, and Small Bird, respectively.

 

In the forest where many creatures lived, everyone was free, no one fought, and everyone was happy.

 

The birds wished more than anyone that the forest would not be damaged or destroyed. And they hoped that many creatures would come to play in the forest.

 

And there was a person who wandered around the various parts of the world.

 

He was a traveler who moved wherever his feet took him, but at the same time, he was also a pioneer.

 

One day, as he was passing through a village, he heard a rumor.

 

[ Somewhere there is a forest where countless creatures live, a peaceful forest where everyone is free, no one fights, and everyone is happy. ]

That was the rumor.

 

Intrigued by the peaceful and beautiful 'forest,' he searched and succeeded in finding the entrance to the forest.

 

Even at the entrance of the forest, the warm and cozy sunlight leaking from within brought a smile to his face, and the chirping of birds and gentle sounds from inside soothed his heart.

 

However, his wish to enter the forest was blocked by the three birds living there.

 

He wore a black robe pulled down deep, obscuring his face, and his clothes were tattered from long travels.

 

He looked so disheveled that anyone would think he was a suspicious character.

 

But did he consider it an unfair treatment? Or was he despondent at the fact that he couldn't enter the paradise before his eyes?

 

He eventually left the forest, cursing and venting his anger at the birds.

 

"Soon, tragedy will befall this forest. The forest will be stained with wickedness and sin, and fighting will not cease. The day the tragedy stops will be the day a terrible monster appears and devours everything. The sun and moon will never again appear in this forest, and it will never return to its former state."

 

Upon hearing this prophecy, the birds fell into deep contemplation.

 

What if, as the man said, the fighting doesn't stop in the forest, and a monster appears to harm it?

 

So, on behalf of everyone, they decided to become the guardians of the forest.

 

They loved the forest more than anyone, so they wanted to protect the creatures in it and maintain its peace.

 

First, Big Bird, with its many eyes, decided to watch for intruders into the forest.

 

Big Bird's eyes could see far, and it could see things we cannot see, or fail to see.

 

Then someone said,

 

"But what if a monster appears in the pitch-black night when everyone is asleep?"

 

Hearing this, Big Bird, worried, burned all its feathers to create an eternally burning lamp.

 

Now, the creatures of the forest had to live under Big Bird's unending surveillance, day and night.

 

Long Bird weighed the sins of those who entered the forest for the sake of its peace.

 

Long Bird's scales were impartial and could measure the weight of all sins. Then someone said,

 

"But what if, someday, the scales don't tip to either side?"

 

Hearing this, Long Bird, worried, held scales that only tipped to one side 'so that the result of judgment would always be clear.'

 

Small Bird decided to punish creatures that committed wrongdoings using its beak.

 

Then someone said, "But your beak is so small that no one will feel any pain."

 

Small Bird, worried, ripped its mouth wide open so that it could swallow any creature in one bite.

 

How much time had passed since he left the 'Black Forest'?

 

As time passed and his anger subsided to some extent, he considered returning to the 'forest,' but perhaps because he was so angry at the time, he couldn't remember what he had said.

 

He pondered for a long time whether to go back and apologize, but he came to a conclusion.

 

He decided to continue his journey, considering the rumored 'forest' as a place he hadn't gone to.

 

Some might call it cowardly escape, but what could he do?

 

Even if he didn't remember, it was just a verbal curse from a mere traveler. What could possibly happen?

 

He buried this matter in his heart and continued his journey, seeing various places.

 

In one village, seeing children dying weakly from an epidemic, he wished the village well as he left, saying, 'I hope the children will no longer suffer and become healthy.'

 

In a wandering troupe, he shared drinks with the audience next to him and admired a dancer's movements.

 

He said he wanted to be like the dancer because she looked freer than him, who traveled freely.

 

Though it was something he said in a drunken state, he meant it sincerely.

 

 

The pleasant conversation at the wandering troupe ended, and she continued her journey as usual.

 

As she continued her journey, the memory of the 'forest' gradually faded.

 

One day, in a village she visited, a strange rumor was circulating.

 

'All creatures that enter the forest suffer terrible things.'

'Big Bird constantly watches the creatures in the forest, so they can never be free, not even for a moment.'

'Long Bird's scales are not fair at all.'

'Small Bird's punishment is terrifying.'

 

Shee immediately recognized what this rumor was about.

 

It was the rumor about [The Beautiful Forest and the Three Birds].

 

Who could have predicted that such a strange rumor would come from that forest, which until recently had been called a peaceful and beautiful place?

 

It felt too ominous to dismiss it as mere gossip.

 

She decided to return the way she had come to check on the rumored 'forest.'

 

The birds, having heard the rumors spreading outside the forest, were angry.

 

We work so hard to protect this forest, why doesn't anyone appreciate our efforts?

 

The number of visitors to the forest gradually decreased, more and more creatures complained, fights broke out in the forest every day, and the birds who wanted to make the forest peaceful worked even harder, but...

 

'No, this place is so vast that our power alone is not enough to protect the forest.'

 

'But there are no other creatures that can protect the forest except us.'

 

'If we combine our powers, we can become stronger.'

 

One day, Big Bird's eyes, which could see a hundred miles away, Long Bird's scales, which could judge anyone's sins, and Small Bird's mouth, which could swallow anything whole, became one.

 

Darkness fell upon the forest.

 

The creatures who saw the bird's form screamed in terror and horror, and the forest soon became a scene of pandemonium.

 

She arrived at the 'forest' and nervously entered the entrance.

 

The three birds who had guarded the entrance when she first visited were nowhere to be seen.

 

Clearing the pieces of wood, which could hardly be called an entrance anymore, she stepped into the 'forest,' and ear-splitting screams began to reach her ears.

 

The gentle chirping of the birds had turned into screams filled with fear and dread.

 

The chatter of the happy creatures was no longer heard.

 

The forest, once a paradise, had become a scene of chaos.

 

'What on earth happened to make it like this?' She was concerned about where the three guardian birds of the forest had gone, but the evacuation of these poor creatures was her priority.

 

Then, she saw countless lights moving in the depths of the darkened forest.

 

"Wh... What is that...?"

 

No, it wasn't lights.

 

What she had mistaken for lights were the eyes of a monstrous creature.

 

The sight of so many eyes moving independently was truly terrifying. Looking closer, she could see the creature's massive legs and a mouth filled with countless teeth.

 

She decided to shout a warning for the other creatures still remaining in the forest.

 

"There's a monster over there! In the dark, black forest lives a large, terrifying monster!"

 

After that, only the darkest night continued. A rumor spread that a "terrifying monster" lived in the uninhabited "Black Forest."

 

...

 

...

 

Thus, no one remained in the 'forest.'

 

No creatures, no sun, no moon, no monster.

 

All that remained was a single bird and a forest that had lost its light.

 

Ironically, in the deepest part of the darkened 'Black Forest,' only a girl with snow-white hair shed tears.

 

She wanted to undo all of this, but it was impossible with her mere 'words' of apology.

 

She could have gone to find the birds and apologized directly. But the girl didn't.

 

She was afraid.

 

...

 

...

3

 

 

 

Observation Level 3:

 

Once upon a time, there was a nation ravaged by war, suffering from famine, and on the verge of collapse due to the greed of the nobles.

 

While everyone was losing hope, a girl visited the nation.

 

The girl looked around every corner of the nation.

 

She saw the land rendered unusable by war and the children starved to death due to famine.

 

Finally, when she saw the king in the nation's castle, too obese to even move, the girl opened her mouth.

 

...

 

Oh dear? What story was I telling? Haha. I'm sorry. I tend to forget things often due to my age.

 

Let me tell you again.

 

Once upon a time, there was a nation that was peaceful because there was no war, where no one starved to death because there was always a bountiful harvest, and where the leaders lived frugal lives due to their integrity.

 

While everyone lived hopeful lives, a girl visited the nation.

 

The girl looked around every corner of the nation.

 

Watching the children happily playing and the leaders practicing noblesse oblige, the girl opened her mouth.

 

"Everyone seems happy." The girl, who looked somewhat melancholic, left the nation after leaving only those words.

 

The children brought ripe fruits and placed them in the girl's hands. Then they asked,

 

"Are you a traveler, sister?"

 

To the children's innocent question, the girl quietly replied,

 

'She was a traveler, a pioneer, and a prophet, but at the same time, she was also nothing.'

 

Leaving the puzzled children behind, the girl added one more sentence as she departed.

 

"Words once spoken cannot be taken back."

 

...

 

"This story is intriguing. It would be excellent to use in our company's product advertisements."

"Hmm... is that so? Then, should we write the promotional copy like this?"

"No, it's too long. Hmm... write it roughly like this and post it. [Have you hit rock bottom and can't see a way out?]"

 

*The audio recording ends with the conversation between two men who appear to be company employees.*

 

--

 

 

 

Observation Level 4:

 

Visiting the nation again, the same child greeted me.

 

Just like back then, she placed fresh fruit in my hands.

 

"Come to think of it, what's your name, traveler sister?"

"I am... nothing..."

"You're doing it again. Do you, perhaps, not have a name?"

 

- Nod Nod.

 

"Then, I'll give you one! Hmm... Your name is ■■■■!"

"■■■■... What does it mean? It doesn't sound like a common name."

"It means little angel! I gave you that name because your white hair looks like angel wings."

 

I think I know what the 'little' part means without her explaining.

 

Right now, I'm about the same height as this little child...

 

"Oh... That's a nice name."

"And~ I have this too!"

 

The child took a small brooch out of her pocket and placed it in my hand.

 

A small brooch with a blue gem in the center.

 

"My dad said that lapis lazuli is a celestial stone. So, wouldn't it be good for an angel to have it?"

"...Thank you."

 

So this shimmering gem is called lapis lazuli. I didn't expect to hear a familiar name here.

 

"How is it? You're not 'nothing' anymore, right?"

 

So, since I received gifts and a name, I'm no longer 'nothing.'

 

What a bold child.

 

But this isn't bad either.

 

"Hmm, what should I do now that I've received so many gifts? I have nothing to give..."

"Well... if you really feel that way, think of this brooch as me and take it on your travels!"

"...Are you sure that's okay?"

"Yes... I'm a bit weak. I get out of breath even after running a little. I'm not suited for long journeys..."

 

The child didn't finish her sentence, but I could roughly guess what she meant.

 

The child, who had been looking at me, a traveler, with unusually bright eyes.

 

...

 

I awoke from my thoughts while sitting on a rock.

 

I had such memories too.

 

It would be good to go to that nation again for my next destination. It's been a while.

 

"Heave-ho."

 

I shouldered my travel backpack, which now felt like a part of me.

 

Lately, the events of the 'Black Forest' keep resurfacing.

 

Having nightmares has become a daily occurrence, and the screams of the creatures echo in my ears.

 

...I should go to that 'nation' and heal myself for a while.

 

This will be my third visit.

 

I wonder if that little child is doing well. She'll probably be happy to hear my travel stories.

 

The nation I visited again...

 

"Wh...What? Why isn't there any sound...?"

 

The entrance to the nation, which had been filled with the laughter of merchants and children, was completely silent.

 

The storehouses, once full of grain, were empty.

 

The central plaza, which used to be packed with people every day, showed no trace of human presence.

 

"Wha... What is this?"

 

Is there really not a single person left?

 

As I desperately looked around the plaza, I saw a familiar figure in the distance.

 

That little child.

 

The child who gave me fruit, a name, and a brooch.

 

"Oh, it's you, sister! Hello!"

 

The child smiled brightly as always.

 

"Do you happen to know... where all the adults went?"

"Hmm, the adults? Come to think of it, they haven't been around for a while."

 

They haven't been around for a while?

 

What?

 

"Do you know where even one of them might be? Any small piece of information would be helpful..."

"Ah, I did hear the last remaining man mumbling something."

"...What was he mumbling?"

"The meaning of life...? He said there wasn't any..."

 

...For a moment, I doubted my ears.

 

No meaning of life?

 

I clearly said I hoped all the 'misfortunes' of this nation would disappear...

 

"Um... I don't know much because I'm young, but doesn't the absence of misfortune mean there's no... sense of accomplishment?"

"...What are you talking about?"

"Well, think about it. People farm to eat. But if they could live without eating, would there be any meaning in farming?"

"..."

"People cherish every moment and live diligently because they will eventually die. But if they were to live forever..."

 

Where there is light, there must also be shadow.

 

Does happiness exist in a world without misfortune?

 

"Sister, I'll say two phrases, and please choose the one you like."

"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"

"...Break the cycle and face the fear."

"..."

"Accept the past and create the future."

 

Something is strange.

 

Is this little child really this intelligent?

 

A young child who hasn't left this small nation...?

 

"Who... who are you...?"

"Words once spoken cannot be taken back."

"..."

"Words always carry great responsibility."

"Who are you?"

 

As I glared at her fiercely, the child's expression changed.

 

From expressionless, to a face with a faint smile.

 

"Hmm, who I am. If you're asking what I'm called, there are quite a few."

"..."

"Traveler. Pioneer. Prophet... Ah, this one suits me best."

"...Don't tell me."

"One who is nothing."

 

...

 

Then I realized.

 

The little child never existed.

 

To be precise, there hadn't been anyone left in this nation since my third visit.

 

I see.

 

That's how it was.

 

"...I need to go back."

 

To the 'Black Forest.'

 

To the source of the hundreds of good deeds I performed,

 

and the very first evil I committed.

 

To break the cycle.

 

I took the teardrop-shaped lapis lazuli brooch out of my pocket.

 

I reread the inscription written on the back in crooked letters.

 

Hoping to see you again, little angel [Angelina]