The phenonon of awakening can be found in most living creatures.
However, when it manifests in non-human beings, they are generally called monsters.
That was the content of the presentation.
“This too is a type of science. The reason we call it magic is simply because we haven’t yet identified its underlying principles,” said the presenter, opening his mouth again.
About fifteen people were watching from the front.
“Actually, even modern science, when delved into deeply enough, inevitably reaches a point where we hit unknowns. There’s a world out there that we simply don’t understand.”
Why am I here?
I feel like it’s been a long ti.
My mind kept slipping in and out of consciousness.
My bangs slightly covered my eyes.
I hadn’t cut my hair carelessly enough for it to get this long, but it was now long enough to poke at my eyes.
Ti must have passed along with my growing hair.
“Anyway, several opinions have erged on how we should view this awakening phenonon.”
A presentation about awakenings?
I don’t understand why I’m here.
I wasn’t sitting on a chair. I was standing.
I didn’t feel like I was part of this gathering.
I wasn’t sitting like the others, just standing, as if I were waiting for my turn to present.
What turn?
What was I waiting for?
“The appearance of gates and dungeons often affects nearby creatures, producing so-called monsters or awakened creatures. There are even those presud to have co from another dinsion,” the presenter continued.
So they say.
“Then, what exactly are human Awakened? Should they still be regarded as ordinary humanity?”
Of course Awakened are human.
What else would they be?
“Should we simply understand this as a case of unlocking latent human potential, or should we consider Awakened to be fundantally different from ordinary humans?”
Different from regular humans, they say.
It’s true; they are different.
“Seeing that only so individuals awaken even in the sa environnt, it’s been concluded that this awakening phenonon only happens to a select few.”
That’s obvious.
If it were the environnt alone, Seo-Ah would’ve beco an Awakened like Si-Hoo.
“The rate of aningful awakenings is incredibly low. Clearly, Awakened are distinctly different from the rest of humanity…”
They keep talking about humanity.
“The conclusion is that ordinary human rights do not apply to them…”
No human rights?
Did I hear that right?
“To preserve and promote humanity’s survival, Awakened beings will be treated on the sa level as other monsters. However, considering they were once human, certain guidelines have been established…”
It sounds like they’re saying sothing terrifying.
“First, they lack human reasoning and judgnt.”
I can feel the stares directed at .
“Second, if they cannot live independently and must rely on others.”
I tried to speak, but I couldn’t.
“They will be understood in the sa way as regular monsters.”
Move.
Do sothing.
But my body refuses.
“The state fully permits the breeding and experintation of humanoid monsters for the sake of public safety, and grants full authority over these experints to…”
The sound of applause.
It seed the presentation had concluded.
“That’s all. Then…”
What cos next?
“Before we move on to the next item,” said the person seated in the center.
The lights were all focused on the podium, blinding .
I couldn’t make out who it was.
“What is that thing standing next to us?”
He was pointing at .
Why am I here?
I don’t know.
“That is an Awakened being.”
“Was it bred for this purpose?”
“No, it was brought here for the next demonstration.”
I’m not used to all this attention.
But I show no reaction.
No change in expression.
I remain still.
Waiting.
“Very well, let’s proceed to the next item.”
“The next item is about controlling Awakened beings. When we use the [Command Words] system we’ve developed, we can fully control any Awakened being that understands human speech.”
“Don’t Command Words require pre-treatnt with drugs?”
“It is troubleso when they don’t understand what’s being said.”
Ah, commands.
If I’m given an order under the influence of the drug, I must obey.
So that’s what they call Command Words.
“Physical devices like shock collars have shown so effectiveness, but ultimately, devices that directly interfere with the nervous system proved to be the most efficient.”
They’re saying so terrifying things.
Are they discussing this so casually?
“How did you test this?”
“Well, we collected brainwave data, and any ti the subject showed signs of aggression, we inflicted pain to deter them…”
“No, I an where did you release the test subjects?”
“Monsters, you an. We released them near the academy, partly to assess the students’ abilities.”
The academy.
Oh, the place where students fight.
Yes.
I rember now.
“You released them near my property? If you’re going to do that, at least consult with first.”
“Well… the governnt authorized it, so…”
“Are you going to keep babbling nonsense?”
“Ah, anyway. The result is that the control devices work as intended. If you look here…”
The white screen showing the projector’s presentation rolled up, revealing sothing hidden behind it.
Gasping sounds could be heard throughout the room.
“A wolf?”
Behind the screen stood a wolf-like monster.
It did nothing, just sitting still without baring its teeth.
“A wolf? That’s unusual, seeing one so docile.”
It wasn’t dead.
It was breathing.
But it didn’t attack.
“Yes, like this. I can control it with this remote. Let demonstrate.”
-Grrrr.
The wolf bared its teeth.
“Attack.”
The wolf charged.
At whom?
At .
Why ?
There are so many others.
It lunged, sinking its fangs into my shoulder.
Thud.
The weight of the wolf brought crashing to the ground.
Crunch.
Snap.
Crack.
The sounds were ominous.
“Stop.”
The wolf stopped instantly and backed away.
“As you can see, we can control them without the use of Command Words.”
It didn’t hurt.
Luckily, it didn’t hurt.
I think I’m bleeding, but it doesn’t hurt.
Is that fortunate?
“The safety is guaranteed. The issue is that it doesn’t work on beings with no brain-like structures, those that are too large or small, or monsters immune to pain.”
“And?”
“We’ll let you know once it’s ready for military supply. We’re not yet at mass production, and the procedures are complex.”
“When it cos to control, the key is ensuring the monster’s original abilities remain intact. Can we say that this wolf still has its natural strength while following commands?”
The wolf’s strength was undeniable.
I know because I experienced it.
But I think I’m bleeding a lot.
Can soone stop the bleeding?
I feel as heavy as if I have a boulder in my body.
I can’t move.
“Well, since we suppress their natural aggression, their strength might be slightly reduced. There’s still room for improvent.”
“It sounds like it’s broken. Beating it into submission isn’t much different. Even the one behind behaves after I gave it a few beatings.”
From my position on the floor, I could see the large figure behind the speaker.
I hadn’t noticed it while standing.
Is that a monster too?
It’s hard to see against the light.
“The day we perfect this technology isn’t far off. With the involvent of major corporations, advancing magical technology would be impossible without the governnt’s cooperation.”
“Let’s move on to the next item.”
I wish soone would pay attention to .
“Yes, the next item is the disposal of the captured dragon.”
A dragon?
There are dragons in this world?
Oh, right.
I’ve seen it on the news.
The Awakened killed a dragon.
“We captured it, harvested all the items, but keeping it imprisoned has beco complicated. It continues to grow stronger just by existing…”
A dragon grows even when it’s still?
That’s an absurd ability.
“If you release it near the academy again, I’ll drop the property prices there. I’m warning you.”
“That won’t happen. We’ve found a special use for the dragon.”
The person seated in front spoke.
“Explain.”
“Look at this Awakened being, lying on the floor.”
They’re looking at again.
Are they going to help ?
Treatnt?
No, their stares are not compassionate.
“Ah, you can’t see clearly. Well then, [Stand].”
The Command Word.
I stagger as I try to get up.
But I can’t stand.
Blood drips from my clothes.
Why am I here?
For what purpose?
I can’t stand.
I feel my hair has grown longer.
My hair, which used to be short, now reaches past my shoulders.
Blood has stained it as well.
“As expected, it can’t stand. But even in such ergencies, we now have a solution.”
Thud.
A needle pierced the back of my neck.
It’s a familiar sensation.
“If sothing like this happens, nearby healers can use their skills to help. But such people are rare, and that’s the issue.”
The speaker continued.
“That’s why even when we manage Awakened beings, there are always limitations.”
Hot liquid flowed through my veins.
“Of course, a good recovery potion could heal wounds of this severity. However, it’s very expensive and in short supply.”
I can feel the bleeding stopping.
Even the bones that seed broken are nding.
“The recovery seems complete. Now, [Stand].”
I followed the order to stand.
I didn’t want to, but I had no choice.
I got up and returned to the waiting position.
Standing there with no change in expression.
“While this drug is expensive, the amount we obtain from killing a single dragon is enough to supply the academy for a while.”
“You’ll supply the academy first?”
“Yes. Since the military operates collectively, we prioritized the academy where individual survival is crucial.”
“The syringe seems inconvenient.”
“This version is for imdiate effect. We can also produce pill or potion forms for general use.”
The academy.
So they’re planning to supply this drug to the academy.
It seems useful.
But did they really have to demonstrate it this way?
Logically, no one would ever do such a thing.
Did they really need to set up soone in front just to attack?
Oh.
Maybe I’m not soone.
I don’t know anymore.
The wolf, its mouth stained with blood, stood still.
I too was covered in blood.
It didn’t matter either way.
We both had no choice but to stand there.
I had to follow the commands.
I felt a strange kinship with the wolf.
My heart pounded.
Was it because of the drug?
Dizziness set in.
A piercing ringing in my ears.
I couldn’t make out what anyone was saying.
[405 hours 22 minutes]
Ti.
What did that ti an?
Did it just increase?
I think it did.
“…Heh.”
I chuckled softly.
I felt pretty good.
Not scared at all.
I guess it’s thanks to the drug.
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