That night, Do-hyeon couldn't sleep.
While catching my breath and looking at the dark ceiling,
The man's face kept coming to mind.
speech.
twinkle.
smile.
A self that is not oneself.
A face that coexists with a sense of strangeness and awkwardness.
“It’s useful.”
“You can’t stand that face.”
As morning dawned, he opened his desk drawer.
A bundle of documents I brought with me when I retired from the National Forensic Service a few years ago.
Disorganized papers, notebooks, and notes.
It was a dummy that I usually didn't even pay attention to.
But now,
I was sure there was something in it.
‘A-01’
‘D.H’
The two words the replicator had said lingered in my mind.
While I was going through a pile of documents,
Dohyun found a thin gray file.
Internal transfer records of the National Forensic Service
[Confidential] Notation, including numerous handwritten notes
It was the first time I had seen this document.
He unfolded the file.
The first chapter read:
[Subject A-01]
Name: None
Genetic information: Based on standard samples / Subject to appearance synchronization test
Status: Under observation (psychological synchronization in progress)
Note: Record your initial behavioral reactions – ‘suspicion’, ‘denial’, ‘avoidance’
Observer: D.H
“D.H…?”
Dohyun frowned.
These initials were not unfamiliar.
Rather, it was too familiar.
He turned the next page.
Observation Record (3rd)
“The subject claims to be a ‘real human being.’”
“Most of the memories are fixed, and the criteria for autonomous judgment are secured.”
“Problem: Although they appear completely human, they lack a distinct sense of identity.”
“However, the experiment will continue according to Do-Hyeon’s (D.H.) judgment.”
"…what."
It was a breathtaking feeling.
“The experiment will continue according to Do-Hyeon’s judgment.”
That sentence implied that Do-Hyeon himself was the object of someone's observation.
Or—
He himself was an observer.
“I’m an observer… and the subject’s name is D.H…?”
He just stood there, unable to cover the file.
This was no mere coincidence.
The problem wasn't that someone with that face existed.
The possibility that he was part of the experiment
Now, it was written on the file.
Cell phone vibrate.
It was Hayoon.
“Do-hyun. I just hacked into the police network.
“A researcher went missing a few months ago… There was someone with the same name as you.”
“…Dohyun?”
“Uh, to be exact, ‘Lee Do-hyun.’
At the time of disappearance, facial photos were not made public.
But do you know what it is?
“…What is it?”
“There is no registration number at all.”