Chapter 8: Where did that go?

“…Heh… Heek…”

I stopped in place only after running to the point where I was out of breath.

Since I ran quite a bit, they probably won’t chase me anymore, right?

I turned around and looked, but there wasn’t a single ant, let alone the bald-headed man I saw earlier, in the empty hallway.

“Phew…”

I sighed in relief and sat down, taking a moment to catch my breath.

That uncle would still be looking for me…

The thought of that scary uncle coming to catch me sent chills down my spine.

I can’t see him now, but I might as well go back to my containment cell because he might come looking for me.

At least, they wouldn’t come and cut me up if I just stayed in my containment cell.

“Ugh.”

Because I became smaller, I was able to jump up from the spot without touching the floor.

I didn’t necessarily have to get up like this… but I wanted to.

Why, so what. This is awesome.

I got up and was about to go back to the containment cell, but a problem arose.

I don’t know where I am because I ran away like a madman.

Only an empty hallway can be seen even if I turn around.

Uh… Isn’t there a lost child broadcast?

[ Employee Lewis, please proceed with Insight work on Abnormality O-01-39. ]

” …Um, the work on ‘Spider Bud’ just finished, you know.”

Is this damn company not going to give a break time?

Lewis seriously contemplated whether he should transfer to another department and headed towards the containment cell of Abnormality O-01-39.

‘O-01-39, is that… the girl with the white hair?’

Still, that girl didn’t move much during the Insight work, so it should be okay.

Lewis opened the door to the containment cell with a relatively lighter step than when he visited for the first time.

“Starting the Insight work on Abnormality O-01-39…”

But Lewis, who was starting the work while operating the panel, had no choice but to freeze in place.

Because the girl who should have been in the containment cell had disappeared without a trace.

“Huh? Wait, where did she go? Manager, Manager!”

[ Employee Lewis, Insight work on Abnormality O-01-39… What, where did that go? ]

The manager, who was peacefully managing the company, was now in a state of panic.

Because the ALEPH-class Abnormality ‘Little Girl,’ who had been newly added a few days ago, had disappeared from her containment cell.

Usually, they wouldn’t be this flustered just because an Abnormality escaped. However, in the case of ‘Little Girl,’ it was very unusual.

This was because the company’s system, as well as the Sephirah within the department, didn’t know about the girl’s escape until they went in and checked the containment cell directly.

Furthermore, the anxiety was amplified because it was an ALEPH-class Abnormality, which could cause a massacre upon escape, and perhaps even one or two departments could be destroyed.

The manager grabbed the microphone and shouted urgently.

[ Emergency situation. Announcing Phase 2 Trumpet. Abnormality identification code O-01-39, commonly known as Little Girl, has escaped. ]

[ As the effects of this Abnormality’s escape have not been confirmed, we earnestly request that all staff members contact the Sephirah of the relevant department and subdue them immediately if a white-haired girl is seen nearby. ]

Without missing the chilling warning.

“Please… I hope nothing happens.”