What is he talking about?
Raimund thought it was a joke and waited for Yona to at least smile,
but just like from the beginning, he was staring at Raimund with a serious face.
In the end, it was Raimund who spoke up first.
"You're joking, right?"
"Not at all."
"What kind of anomaly could possibly lead to the destruction of a planet?"
"It's impossible to define the cause. Anomalies occur spontaneously, so monitoring them in advance or investigating before and after their appearance is practically impossible. However, the Foundation has documented a few signs that may precede the emergence of an anomaly."
"Signs?"
"Yes. For instance, when rumors are excessively amplified and concentrated in one place, or there are subtle changes that can only be noticed with careful observation. Sudden disappearances or mutations of objects or people, distortions in constellations—these are all typical signs."
What the hell is he saying?
Raimund squeezed his eyes shut. Yona continued his explanation in front of him.
"To be frank, many aspects of anomalies still remain a considerable mystery. There's suspicion that the Hyresis cult is using anomalies for their own purposes, but... we still don't have a clear understanding of how exactly anomalies manifest or where the energy sustaining them originates from. Research is ongoing, but it's not at a level where the data can be formally recorded."
"Then how does the Foundation Federation respond to anomalies?"
"It's similar to how we detect their signs. We've discovered a few rules about anomalies."
Rules?
Yona held up three fingers in front of Raimund. His thumb was folded down.
"First rule: Every anomaly is built around a core called an image."
"An image?"
"It's the source of the anomaly. An image can be an object or a living being. What's important is that all images are fragments that condense everything occurring within the anomaly."
That’s a vague explanation.
Raimund squinted, trying to imagine what this “image” might look like.
Was it triangular, or square? Did it breathe? Did it bleed? Or was it more like a cup or a piece of paper?
"Blocking the energy of the image within an anomaly to put it into a temporarily inactive state is called capture. Once captured, the image is recovered and assessed for risk level by the Foundation Federation’s research teams and partner organizations. After the entire process is complete and the image is safely processed and stored in an isolation facility, it’s called a secured image."
"Aha."
"The Foundation measures the risk level when retrieving an image. Among them, the safe grade—meaning images that don’t endanger civilians even upon contact—can sometimes be used to suppress other anomalies."
"I’ve heard that the safe grade includes Grade 5, right?"
"If you're referring to the Lupe grade, that’s correct. The secured images authorized for external use are: Ungraded safe, Grade 5 Lupe, Grade 4 Pesa, and Grade 3 Hubris."
"The higher the grade, the more powerful the weapon?"
"The more dangerous it is, the more destructive it tends to be."
Then wouldn’t it be easier to resolve anomalies if everyone were armed with Grade 3, Hubris-grade images?
But as if he had read Raimund’s mind, Yona gave a faint smile.
"Actually, even starting from Grade 4, they're difficult to handle. They're technically authorized, but we still don’t fully know what kind of effects they might have on users."
"I see. Then what’s the second rule?"
Yona folded down his middle finger.
"The second rule is that anomalies that can be observed and interfered with can be suppressed."
"That sounds kind of strange. Are there anomalies that can’t be observed?"
"As I mentioned earlier, anomalies are considered to unfold within specific domains. These domains have clearer boundaries than you’d expect, and people outside the domain can’t observe the anomaly. You have to enter it to physically feel it. In other words, only then does observation and interference become possible."
"Ah, I see."
"Of course, there are secured images that can help determine the presence of an anomaly from the outside, but ultimately, you have to enter. There’s no such thing as an anomaly that allows only observation or only interference."
By now, Raimund was starting to think that anomalies, for something so chaotic, were oddly systematic.
He listened carefully to Yona’s words and asked,
"What’s the last one?"
"The final rule is that all humans who step into an anomaly, without exception, will eventually be corroded."
"Within the anomaly?"
"Correct. At first, it might feel fine, but over time, the first sign will be disorientation of the senses."
Disorientation of the senses?
Does it really have such serious effects?
"And as that progresses, it becomes difficult to distinguish between reality and the anomaly. After roughly a full day, rational thought begins to collapse, and physical changes start to appear. Once that stage is reached, the person becomes a part of the anomaly, governed by its logic rather than the logic of reality."
"Then the interference window must be kept as short as possible."
"That’s exactly right. That’s why the Foundation Federation equips its operatives with powerful weapons and recommends suppressing anomalies in the shortest time possible."
"Then how do you know if someone’s been corroded?"
"The Foundation Federation uses an official unit called the corrosion rate. You’ll be issued a device today as well, Mr. Geppert. It allows you to monitor your corrosion level. It measures and calculates the corrosion rate by tracking basic vitals like pulse and breathing in relation to the time spent inside the anomaly."
"That's pretty thorough."
"Do you have any other questions?"
Is there anything else?
But no matter how well Yona explained it, there would still be things that couldn’t be understood through words alone.
In the end, this was something he’d only truly understand through experience.
Raimund shook his head.
"Nothing for now. Then what are the items I’ll be receiving?"
"I’ll explain each one."
Yona began pulling out well-packaged items from his messenger bag.
Once he untied the string securing the wrappings, what emerged looked surprisingly ordinary.
Frameless glasses and a case, a complicated silver wire puffed into a round ornament, a MacGyver knife, and then…
"A gun?"
"It’s not a real gun. It’s a secured image shaped like a gun. Before introducing each item, I should note that what I’m showing you are replicas of secured images that the Foundation Federation either currently owns or once owned."
"A-a secured image can be… replicated? You can manufacture replicas?"
"Perhaps not in the way you’re imagining, but yes. Just know that a replica image retains about 20% of the original’s effect. It might seem inefficient, since replicating one image can take several years, but in the long term, it's not so unreasonable."
Yona picked up the glasses first.
"No.56. ‘El Draco’s Telescope’. It’s an image that lets you observe an anomaly without actually entering it. We recently redesigned it to match modern standards. Is there anything uncomfortable about it?"
"No, it’s cool."
"It lets you observe from the outside without entering the anomaly. Especially useful for measuring the scale while keeping a safe distance. And this—"
The MacGyver knife.
At a glance, it was just a plain small blade that popped out.
"No.80. ‘Vorpal Blade’. You know Lewis Carroll’s fairy tale, right? Of course, it’s a replica, so its power is diminished, but it’s still useful for cutting or stabbing anything."
Raimund nodded, though in truth he didn’t really understand what a vorpal blade was.
He didn’t even know who Lewis Carroll was.
From the way Yona spoke, he figured he must be a famous writer.
Next was a weapon with a black barrel.
"No.32. ‘Justitia’. It doesn’t function in the real world, but it operates inside anomalies. It’s usable under certain conditions. Also, this one can no longer be replicated, so please handle it with care."
"What conditions?"
"Justitia can only be used once the user’s corrosion rate reaches a certain level."
"Excuse me?"
Didn’t he just explain that getting corroded is extremely dangerous?
And now he’s handing over a weapon that requires corrosion to activate?
Raimund stared at him in disbelief, and Yona hurriedly added an explanation.
"The original version is unknown, but the replica Justitia is said to become usable once the corrosion rate reaches around 4% to 8%. At that level, it’s not significantly harmful to the body. Though of course, there are exceptions."
"Got it. Then what’s that silver ornament?"
"That’s a security device. It’s not a secured image, but something developed by the Foundation Federation. Keep it at home to guard the surroundings."
After receiving the corrosion-monitoring and communication device, simple clothing, and a small prepaid allowance, Raimund rubbed his aching head.
Yona stood up and casually slung his now-lighter messenger bag over his shoulder.
"It might be difficult at first, but there are reports that the upper management strongly pushed for your recruitment, Mr. Geppert. So I trust you’ll be fine."
"Upper management? It wasn’t Mr. Yochanan or Ms. Cozet who backed me?"
"They are important members of the Foundation Federation, but they don’t have the authority to speak freely on external hires."
"But why me? I don’t know if you’re aware, but I have a criminal record. I blew up an economic district."
"I’m aware. You’re already quite famous."
Yona gave a small smile as he said that.
It was the first smile he’d shown since entering this house.
"It means the upper management sees potential in you, Mr. Geppert. They see value. The Foundation Federation never makes a bad investment."
Seems like they’re seriously mistaken about something.
Raimund didn’t know why, but he was just a desperate unemployed guy.
He rubbed his face and muttered,
"Telling you that you’ve got the wrong idea probably won’t change anything, huh?"
"You’re quite right."
"I just keep thinking that someday you’ll be disappointed. Are you leaving already?"
"We’re short on manpower and busy. I hope you’ll understand."
Raimund walked Yona to the door and saw him off with a "Have some tea next time you visit."
Watching Yona exit Number 36 like a regular office worker, Raimund eventually went back inside and examined the “supplies” he had received.
He put on and took off the glasses, touched the silver ornament, tried to understand the gun’s structure.
Holding Justitia in his hand, Raimund lowered his gaze and touched the smooth, cold surface, lost in thought.
What does it feel like to be corroded?
Could someone like him—someone who used to live in an entirely different reality—even comprehend such a thing?
He had heard the explanation about anomalies and images, but everything still felt vague, like shadows in a fog.
The Foundation Federation seemed dedicated to suppressing anomalies, but what kind of antagonistic relationship did that occult group—the Red Witch—have with the Foundation, to the point that they were brutally murdering Foundation agents?
The question lingered in his mind, one he couldn’t easily ask anyone.
But in truth, that wasn’t the most urgent issue for Raimund right now.
The most pressing thing was settling the 30 million credit debt and getting back to Sector 5 as soon as possible.
Just as Raimund firmed his resolve and fastened the communicator device to his wrist,
a faint vibration buzzed and a small display lit up with a notification popup.