Chapter 40 - Conducting experiments [10]

(POV - Emily Parker)

(What I witnessed that day... it wasn't a dream!)

Emily was referring to the moment when she was nearly captured by [Shadow]. After the small anomaly eliminated her, Emily, already quite exhausted, watched as the little anomaly "sank" into the ground while holding what she discovered to be the main body of [Shadow]. At that moment, however, she dismissed the vision as a mere hallucination.

Even Laura, who was also present at the time, claimed she didn't see anything because she was lying down and relieved to have escaped with her life from that situation. Personally, she didn't blame her for that—after all, she had acted the same way back then.

Now, however, things were different. Emily was witnessing firsthand the anomaly using a new power—or rather, the same power it had used after defeating [Shadow] on a previous occasion. Yet, Emily couldn't understand how or why that happened.

The power was, in some ways, similar to [Shadow]'s—or maybe it was even the same power. But what exactly did that mean? The only conclusion Emily could reach was that the little anomaly could learn new anomalous abilities. But if that were really true, how was it doing that?

"This is new. I don't remember seeing this ability mentioned in the report you sent, and by your reaction, it seems like it's the first time you've seen it use it too"

Emily didn't know if she should feel lucky that Graham mistook her expression of disbelief for surprise. Either way, how exactly was she supposed to respond to that question? While it was true that it was the first time it had used that ability, it wasn't like Emily had never seen it before. At that moment, though, she thought she was going through some kind of post-traumatic hallucination—she was sure of it.

"Yes, up until now, we didn't have any reports or recordings of it using that ability"

Emily completely ignored Graham's looks as she responded, focusing all her attention on her clipboard, where she was recording the new discoveries about the little anomaly.

"… classify its risk as Obscurium"

Emily's hands stopped writing as soon as her ears caught Graham's words. Slowly, she turned her gaze to him, thinking she must have heard wrong. However, what she saw was Graham's firm expression, a clear indication that he wouldn't repeat his words.

From the organization's point of view, Obscurium was classified as medium risk—neither extremely dangerous nor completely harmless. However, for Emily, there weren't enough reasons to categorize the anomaly that way.

"Director Graham, are you sure that classification is the most appropriate? So far, the anomaly hasn't shown any aggressive behavior towards humans. Wouldn't it be more appropriate to classify it as Luminis, at least for now?"

As she awaited Graham's response, Emily squeezed the clipboard tightly. When his eyes turned to her, an inexplicable discomfort washed over her. To make matters worse, Graham's lips moved strangely, as if he were trying to suppress a smile. While she already found his behavior peculiar, at that moment, it seemed even more out of the ordinary.

"Chief Researcher Emily Parker, do you really believe that, even after witnessing the anomaly killing the [Skull Wolf] with your own eyes? You know it had the same danger classification we're assigning to this new anomaly, right? Considering its anomalous abilities and its unpredictable nature—since we don't know when it might turn against us—the most appropriate classification would be Aetheris. However, I don't think that's necessary… at least not for now"

For a moment, Emily recalled the classifications assigned to anomalies after being studied and cataloged. These categories ranged from the most peaceful, which often didn't even need to be contained, to the most dangerous, with significant global risk. Although rare and almost extinct, some anomalies were cataloged as impossible to contain, thus receiving their own classifications.

1 - Luminis Classification: Anomalies considered harmless. They can be studied openly, and their containment is minimal, as they do not pose significant risks.

2 - Obscurium Classification: These are anomalies that require more resources to be completely contained or for which containment is not always feasible. Generally, it is because the anomaly is insufficiently understood or fundamentally unpredictable.

3 - Aetheris Classification: These are anomalies that are excessively difficult to contain consistently or reliably, with containment procedures often being extensive and complex. The organization often fails to contain these anomalies well due to not having a solid understanding of them, or due to a lack of technology to properly contain or combat them. An Aetheris anomaly does not mean that the anomaly is dangerous, only that it is very difficult to contain.

4 - Nihilum Classification: These are anomalies that cannot be contained, which must imminently violate containment or some other similar scenario. These anomalies are often associated with end-of-world threats.

5 - Special Classification: These are anomalies that the organization uses to contain or counteract other anomalies or anomalous phenomena. Even the existence of Special class objects is classified to the highest levels of the organization, and their locations, functions, and current statuses are known by few employees of the organization.

Emily couldn't find words to refute Graham's statements, as he was just following procedures. Even in light of the little anomaly's capabilities, she couldn't think of a more appropriate classification. In the end, Emily just nodded, returning to her usual professional expression.

"Understood, Director. From today on, we will classify it as Obscurium"

In the end, Emily considered this the lesser of two evils. After all, there were much harsher classifications that would impose far greater restrictions than what she faced now. At least concerning Obscurium, almost nothing would change in how the anomaly was currently treated.

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[Report on Anomalous Entity]

Date: September 8

Reported by: Chief Researcher, Emily Parker

During new tests with the entity, it demonstrated impressive physical strength and agility. Whenever the [Skull Wolf] approached to capture it, it would disappear and reappear about a meter in front of him. Additionally, a new anomalous power, similar to that of [Shadow], was confirmed. More tests are needed to determine the differences between their powers.

Risk level classification: Obscurium.

Additional requests: None.

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