"Commencing the briefing. The location we are raiding today is the Ogak Museum. Specifically, the Vision Museum. Hereafter, it shall be referred to as the Art Gallery."
Beep.
The agent conducting the briefing handed a terminal to everyone. On the screen of the tablet-like device, an overall schematic of the Art Gallery appeared. Ian swatted away Gim Yul's hand, which kept clinging to him from the side, and focused on the briefing.
"The Art Gallery is divided into four floors total: Basement Level 2 and Basement Level 1, as well as Ground Level 1 and Ground Level 2."
"Hmm."
"Levels 1 and 2 are equipped with various amenities, as well as dormitories and shops used by the Art Gallery staff. However, that is only when compared to the basement. Essentially, there are almost no other facilities; you may simply regard them as being packed with paintings."
The agent pressed a remote. The screen changed, and a painting depicting a person being cut apart alive appeared.
"This is an example of a painting displayed in the Art Gallery. For the most part, cruel paintings such as these make up the majority. The painting styles vary, and the most commonly found are hyper-realistic. There are also a few that are slight alterations of existing paintings."
As the screen changed once more, a painting with a composition similar to *The Last Supper* appeared on the screen. It was indeed the very painting drawn by Leonardo da Vinci. However, what Jesus and his disciples were eating and drinking was not bread and wine, but human flesh and blood.
"As you can see, it is a fairly convincing imitation of a famous painting. It is a piece that may offend devout Christians, but I brought it thinking it best to show you regardless."
As Bureau employees who lived by practically laying their lives on the line, they held more religious faith than one might expect. The most prevalent among these was Christianity. Thus, it was inevitable that some would feel discomfort upon seeing a painting related to Jesus.
Of course, the mages were far removed from piety, so they were completely unfazed. Namgung Minhyeok let out a sharp whistle at the painting.
"It’s drawn quite well. It’s identical enough that one would believe Da Vinci painted it himself. Who drew this?"
"The identities of the Artists who painted them remain unknown. However, it is easy to surmise that they are not human."
"Well, they wouldn't be human. At a glance, these are paintings that possess something akin to hypnosis, after all."
"You are correct, Namgung Minhyeok. The paintings in the Art Gallery all possess the characteristic of making suggestions to the viewer. I believe most of you here have already felt it."
At the agent's words, everyone nodded slightly. Ian leaned back against the chair with a listless expression.
Hypnosis. Mental attacks. Mental confusion... They were all dangerous, but they had little to do with Ian. Even if he essentially ignored them, nothing major would go wrong. He had scoffed at and disregarded an Outer God's mental attacks; how would an art gallery be any different?
If one were to speak purely of rank, the Outer God was obviously higher. A power capable of destroying the Earth with a single mental attack was, no matter how you looked at it, no joke.
"If you felt even the slightest impulse upon seeing this painting—such as 'I want to become like this painting,' 'I want to become a part of this painting,' or 'I want to show this painting to others'—please raise your hand. If you hide it and are discovered on-site later, you will be disposed of immediately, so please answer honestly."
At the agent's words, several individuals raised their hands. None were from the mages' side; most were supplementary personnel prepared for on-site support. The agent in charge of the briefing nodded at them and produced a red, candy-like lump from inside their coat.
"Those personnel, please consume this before the operation begins. It will defend against most mental attacks. However, the moment you are attacked, a warning sound similar to the cry of a whale will continuously ring in your ears, so please be aware. Side effects include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and the like. After the effects wear off, you may experience temporary hallucinations, so please be informed in advance."
"I have a question."
Gim Yul smiled and subtly raised one hand. The agent turned to her.
"Please go ahead, Gim Yul."
"Last time, when resolving the Monkey's Paw incident, I ate something similar, but it wasn't much help then? Is this one different? If I trust it for nothing and get stabbed in the back, I think I'll hold a bit of a grudge against the Bureau."
"Hmm. You are likely referring to the Stage 1 pill. It is distributed as a basic supply to everyone, so its effects are not that extraordinary. But this is different. It can easily defend against the Art Gallery's mental attacks."
"Then wouldn't it be better to distribute it to the remaining personnel as well?"
"This drug forcibly reacts if three or more consumers gather within approximately 3 meters of one another, amplifying mental attack effects instead. If on-site personnel consume it indiscriminately, the situation will only worsen."
"Ah, really? Thanks for the answer."
Gim Yul waved her hand at the woman and spun around. Then, she placed her bare foot on the thigh of Ian, who was sitting next to her.
"Why don't the two of us just take the medicine and move as a pair, Ian? I'd like that better."
"...Sigh."
Instead of answering, Ian slapped the sole of her foot several times. Far from pulling away, Gim Yul smiled and wiggled her toes.
Leaving her be, the agent continued the explanation.
"The terminal will provide basic mental barrier effects in your stead. It is something of a dispersion device. However, there is a clear limit, so please be cautious. That concludes the preliminary briefing. Next will be the briefing from the on-site analyst."
As the agent bowed and stepped back, the woman who had been sticking by Gim Iseo's side rose. Before anyone knew it, she bore a name tag clearly engraved with the name "Bak Mina."
"The raid on the Art Gallery will be divided into five teams. Four teams will each take one floor to explore and search for the 'Artist,' the core of the raid."
"And the remaining team?"
"The remaining team will move as an independent squad consisting of the mages, myself, Agent Gim Iseo, and Agent Venus. Think of us as an independently mobile unit cycling through all floors."
"An independent squad..."
Ian muttered and pushed Gim Yul's foot away.
"What is our role?"
"Same as the other teams: searching for the Artist and subjugating them. Additionally, the destruction and securing of paintings, and supporting teams that require combat."
"We sure get all sorts of jobs."
"You could say that speaks to our importance. We are also the strongest card at our disposal."
As Bak Mina said this and tried to change the screen, one man subtly raised his hand and asked a question.
"I understand that a team including mages is strong. However, we do not know exactly what powers they wield. Rather than running the risk of getting caught up in something, I thought it better to hear an explanation in advance—"
"Ahaha, that's funny."
Mika cut off the man's words. The eyes of everyone except the mages fixed on her, and Gim Iseo and Bak Mina made expressions as if they had slipped up.
"Please wait, Ms. Mika. We will—"
"Shut up. This is also your fault for failing to educate them beforehand."
Mika spat out with a cold expression. She flicked the smartphone in her hand and glared at the man who had asked the question.
"Hey, mister. Do you think we're retarded sons of bitches who'd answer that?"
"...What?"
"Asking a mage to tell you what magic they use is no different from saying, 'Please reveal your weakness openly.' Did you think we'd happily tell you that? Huh?"
"...Ah. I'm sorry. I was out of line."
"If I were following my heart, I'd slit your throat and kill you right now, then mock you with, 'So getting your throat slit is your weakness!' But I'll hold back. There won't be a next time."
"Well said, brat."
Namgung Minhyeok smirked and tapped the Shanhaijing. Mika clicked her tongue and glared at him.
"Don't act like we're close."
"So I can't even offer praise as I please. You rotten bitch."
"Watch your mouth. I don't want to hear praise or insults from an ugly man like you; they sound the same either way. If you're going to say something, I wish that guy over there would do it."
Mika stared at Ian, her lips trembling. Ian let out a deep sigh and raised his middle finger at her. Mika lightly bit her lower lip and rubbed her thighs together.
Regardless, Namgung Minhyeok placed the Shanhaijing on the table and opened his mouth.
"We don't mind revealing our magic first. But having others ask is no different from declaring they want to fight us. Well, since it stems from ignorance, I shall overlook it just this once. And I shall reveal mine, too. The Shanhaijing is one of the most famous grimoires, after all."
He continued speaking with a smile.
"I can summon and tame the yokai recorded within the Shanhaijing. There are various conditions, restrictions, and benefits to this, but I would rather not speak of them."
"...Is it because they are your weakness?"
"Who knows. As I said, I do not wish to answer."
He said so and looked around at the other mages as well.
"Will you all remain silent? I don't particularly care either way."
"I won't say anything."
Mika answered immediately. Gim Yul propped her chin on her hand, swinging her legs back and forth.
"I use water. The end."
"...I can do this and that. I'm done, too."
At the ensuing answers from Gim Yul and Ian, the Bureau agents let out low murmurs. Just then, Bak Mina drew everyone's attention with a dry cough.
"Ahem. Thank you for your cooperation, mages. This has been very helpful."
Without elaborating on what exactly was helpful, Bak Mina turned off the screen and tilted her head.
"We will continue the next briefing while moving. The contents will cover the underground facility, information on the 'Artist,' the identities and weaknesses of the entities there, and the code of conduct. Vehicles have been prepared in the parking lot, so let us stand for now."
Bak Mina said so and rose from her seat first. Ian also took out a cigarette and placed it in his mouth as he stood up. Gim Yul stuck right by his side.
"...I've been feeling this for a while, but aren't you too close?"
"Is there a problem?"
"There ought to be..."
"But there isn't one?"
Gim Yul smiled broadly and stuck her tongue out. Saliva dripped from the tip of her tongue.
"Let's go. I'll protect you."
"...Sigh."
Ian let out a deep sigh and lit his cigarette.
A sweet lemon fragrance spread thickly, and Gim Yul sniffled before pouting her lips.
"Mmm... Your scent has faded. Don't smoke that."
"Bullshit."
Thwack.
Ian flicked Gim Yul on the forehead and left the meeting room. Gim Yul stuck close behind him and kept sniffing him.
"Hmmm... this isn't the smell..."
He ignored the voice coming from behind.