Childhood and Dodo Birds

"Such a damn hassle."

With a creak, the warehouse door was pushed open. Two men in white lab coats walked in, followed by four cold, mechanical guards.

The researcher in front irritably scratched his hair and complained to his companion behind him, "It's just signal interference caused by the usual sandstorms, yet they insist on making us come inspect the place in the middle of the night. At this rate, if there are three or four storms in one night, are we supposed to run ourselves ragged going back and forth?"

As he grumbled, he casually swept his gaze over the warehouse packed with tarpaulin-covered items. Once he confirmed there was nothing unusual, the impatience on his face became even more apparent.

"Just as I thought, nothing fucking happened." He spat. "I became a researcher, not a security guard. That bastard upstairs throws us around just because he outranks us." Lowering his voice, he gritted his teeth. "Just wait. Once I get results, I'll make him kneel down and lick my shoes."

The man behind him said nothing, merely chuckling softly. In a company environment as full of scheming and infighting as this, the fact that they could openly badmouth their superior without fearing a report clearly meant their relationship was unusual—either they had been partners for years, or they were close friends in private.

The mechanical guards silently spread out, their red-point scanners blinking rhythmically in the darkness. Meanwhile, the footsteps of the two researchers rang especially clearly through the empty warehouse.

"Even if there's no way around it, we still have to come."

The mechanical guards had already dispersed, silently scanning every corner of the warehouse. The researcher walking behind—Semir—finally spoke, his tone carrying a hint of helpless resignation. "After all, he's our direct superior now. If you