Anomaly

Author: Rowen

Chapter 103 – Storm [19]

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A few days after the incident with the book-shaped anomaly in the city, I spent the rest of the time quietly in my room, accompanied by Nekra. Keeping the promise I made last time, every time we had ice cream, I shared much more with her than before.
I won’t lie, seeing my ice cream disappear quickly makes me feel strangely melancholic, as if something is slipping away from me. Each spoonful she takes, I feel this curious sense of emptiness, as if I’m giving up something precious.
Of course, I try not to show this in front of Nekra. I feel that, even for myself, it would be incredibly childish to be sad just because I’m eating less ice cream than before.
Sometimes, I catch myself feeling like my mind works like that of a child, overreacting to small things. But deep down, I prefer to believe that this is just an impression of mine.
Anyway, something interesting happened: apparently, the success of the mission, especially because I was involved, made the higher-ups start to see real potential in the special classes.
I found out, by the way, that Rupert had a lot of influence in the decision, since he was the human leader — or something like that — present during the mission. Plus, the other team members seemed to have a favorable opinion of me, which undoubtedly helped solidify my position.
Speaking of which, since the mission, I haven’t seen Rupert or any other member of the team from that day. Well, I guess they’re on standby for new missions or something like that. Besides, it’s not like anomalies receive visitors often, and, honestly, I can’t think of any reason that would make them do something like that.
Of course, I don’t exactly know what this means or what impact this could have on my future, but I guess from now on, it should make them reconsider the use of special anomalies in missions or something like that.
Anyway, that’s everything that happened until recently... and by the way, for some time now, I’ve been feeling a strange weight on my head, like something is pressing on me.
(... Nekra, what are you doing?) I whispered mentally to Nekra, who, for some reason, seemed completely fascinated by my ram’s horns.
(You and I... we’re so alike...) Nekra replied mentally, her voice filled with a strange admiration, as if she were discovering something deeply significant in this.
In the end, I could only let out an exasperated sigh and let Nekra continue whatever it was she was doing with my horns. By the way, I never really stopped to question this, but... why did I get horns when I absorbed Nekra’s powers — or rather, part of them? There was no clear explanation, and the only answer I got from Nekra was a confused look and a simple "it’s always been like that" But what exactly has always been like that? I really don’t get it.
By the way, this doesn’t exactly relate to the situation we’re in right now, but there’s something I’ve noticed about Nekra recently. And, honestly, I don’t know why I didn’t notice it before. I mean, it was so clear, so obvious, but for some reason – maybe because I didn’t really want to admit it or face it – I just didn’t see it.
Even though she has organs, something I don’t have, for some reason Nekra’s organs don’t function. The biggest proof of this is right in front of me, at this very moment. With my head resting on Nekra’s chest, where her heart should be, I don’t hear anything. No sound, no beating.
It’s as if, inside, she’s completely hollow. However, the truth is that Nekra does have a heart, just like any other organ. The only difference is that, in her chest, Nekra’s heart simply doesn’t beat.
Nekra didn’t seem to notice much difference, but recently she noticed something peculiar: just like her, humans — like Laura and Emily, for example — also have hearts that beat incessantly. At first, this seemed strange to her, something that made her stop for a moment and reflect.
However, that was it. No doubts, no persistent curiosity. She didn’t give it much thought, and as a result, I decided not to delve into it either. Anyway, I can’t help but wonder what else the future holds for us, what other unexpected situations may arise.
I’ve been thinking a lot about conceptual virtues, but to be honest, it’s been less than a month and a half since Nekra arrived. It would be absurd for another virtue to appear so suddenly... right? Still, no matter how much I try to convince myself of this, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m just postponing the inevitable.
"So, why exactly did you want to see me?" Laura asked, fixing her gaze on the man in front of her. Arthur Hensley observed her for a moment, his expression unreadable, before any response escaped his lips.
"Hmm... I don’t think you need to be so cautious with me" Arthur remarked in a casual tone, a faint smile on his lips: "You know I’m not someone you need to distrust"
"You can’t blame me. The first time we met, the world almost ended. I can’t say I had a good first impression of you, you know?" Laura replied, keeping her gaze fixed and suspicious on Arthur. He, in turn, just shrugged, indifferent.
Currently, the two were in Laura’s office when, suddenly, she received an email. This time, there was an identified sender, but even if there hadn’t been, Laura was sure she could guess it was Arthur.
However, as the exchange of messages progressed, the conversation took a more personal turn than she would’ve liked. After all, it involved her precious little anomaly.
"Let’s get straight to the point. What exactly do you want with the
?" Laura asked, her voice firm and devoid of any hesitation, as if there was no room for deviation or evasive answers.
Instead of showing any nervousness, Arthur calmly brought the cup of tea to his lips, savoring the hot liquid with ease. His deliberate and carefree gesture only fueled Laura's impatience, who observed each of his movements with increasing frustration. Noticing her unease, Arthur let a subtle smile escape, as though he found the situation amusing.
"Let’s calm down first. In a conversation, the one who lets impatience take over is usually the one who loses the argument. But don’t worry" Arthur said, flashing a small smile: "I have a good reason for being here today, and I bet both you and your boss will want to hear what I have to say"
Laura raised an eyebrow at Arthur’s words. To her, the news he was about to share didn’t seem important enough to really make her stop and think, especially since it directly involved the
.
However, for some inexplicable reason, a strange feeling began to grow within her—a subtle unease, as if she was being led, step by step, exactly where Arthur wanted her to go.
"Alright, let’s hear it. What do you have for me?" Laura asked, letting out a tired sigh, as if already anticipating a complicated answer.
At that moment, a tense, deep silence took over the room, as if time itself had slowed down. Laura lifted her gaze, locking eyes with Arthur across from her. The only thing she could focus on was the strange calm in his expression, a serenity that bordered on absolute confidence.
It was as though he knew, with unsettling certainty, that he would achieve his goals. Reluctantly, Laura didn’t want to admit it, but the truth was beginning to sneak into her mind: perhaps, indeed, there was a legitimate reason for him to need the
.
As she got lost in her own thoughts, Arthur’s voice sliced through the silence, causing Laura to flinch slightly at his words. He spoke with a mix of enthusiasm and seriousness: "I’ve been diving deep into conceptual virtues lately, and with the arrival of Death, I’ve finally located another virtue, more or less"
Laura couldn’t hide her surprise. Although she had been prepared for any type of conversation, she had to admit this was one she hadn’t expected. In truth, it wasn’t like the organization hadn’t been investigating virtues since the discovery of death.
However, so far, their research hadn’t yielded anything concrete—just vague, almost mythological stories that could be classified as local legends or something of the sort, without any real basis.
"Are you serious?" Laura asked, her eyes wide with surprise: "Or rather, how exactly did you manage that?" She couldn’t believe what she was hearing, her voice mixed with disbelief and curiosity.
"Of course, I wouldn’t lie about this. Well, as for the method... let’s just say that similar energies have a curious way of attracting each other" Arthur replied, flashing an enigmatic smile, as if he was holding a secret only he understood.
Laura had to admit: this news was undoubtedly something that Emily... no, something the entire organization should know. Since the moment death was discovered, it had been classified as a Nihilum-class anomaly.
In other words, it was an anomaly with enough power to annihilate human life. For this reason, it was of utmost importance for the organization to gather all possible information that could lead to the location of other virtues, so they could be contained properly and safely.
"So, you know where the portal to this new virtue is?" Laura asked, her gaze fixed on Arthur, seeking answers: "I assume the method to summon it is the same as with Death, right? Through the
, like last time?" She added, her expression curious but filled with doubt.
The moment she asked, Laura felt Arthur’s gaze on her for a brief second, as if he was assessing something in her expression. In the next moment, he placed his cup down on the table with a soft clink and let out a subtle sigh—almost imperceptible, but enough to leave Laura intrigued and confused.
Arthur looked directly at Laura and, with a sigh, commented: "As you mentioned, I was able to locate the portal. However, when I arrived, it was already open. Judging by the complete destruction I found there, it seems this happened quite some time ago"
Hearing Arthur’s words, Laura felt a sudden shiver run down her body, as if her strength was being drained by an invisible weight. She understood what he was saying, but her mind refused to accept it. For a moment, she thought she was hearing things because, if what he was saying was really true, it could only mean one thing.
"So... you’re trying to tell me..." Laura began, but was cut off by Arthur, who, with an urgent tone, interrupted her before she could finish the sentence.
"She's out there, probably been there longer than I’d like to imagine, much longer than my mind can process. But the truth is, I have no idea where she could be now. That’s why I’ll need the
’s help. You mentioned she felt Death’s presence before, right? I have some clues that might guide us to the new virtue, but honestly, I don’t think I can find it without her intervention" Arthur said, his voice dragging as if the weight of his words was heavier than he could bear, as he slumped in his chair with a heavy sigh.
In the end, after hearing Arthur’s words, one single thought took over Laura’s mind, like a weight too impossible to ignore: (We’re screwed)
Of course, while the fact that nothing had really happened yet was a relief, Anomalies were unpredictable. In an instant, what seemed like a friendly anomaly could turn hostile, and the opposite was just as possible.
To be honest, this sudden change happened more often than Laura liked to remember. The instability of these entities made any moment of calm an illusion, a breath before the storm.
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Chapter List

Chapter 1 – First Contact [1]
Chapter 2 – First Contact [2]
Chapter 3 – First Contact [3]
Announcement!
Chapter 4 – First Contact [4]
Chapter 5 – First Contact [5]
Chapter 6 – First Contact [6]
Chapter 7 – Outbreak [1]
Chapter 8 – Outbreak [2]
Chapter 9 – Outbreak [3]
Chapter 10 – Outbreak [4]
Chapter 11 – Outbreak [5]
Chapter 12 – Outbreak [6]
Chapter 13 – Adaptation period [1]
Chapter 14 – Adaptation period [2]
Chapter 15 – Adaptation period [3]
Chapter 16 – Adaptation period [4]
Chapter 17 – Adaptation period [5]
Chapter 18 – Threat from the shadows [1]
Chapter 19 – Threat from the shadows [2]
Chapter 20 – Threat from the shadows [3]
Chapter 21 – Threat from the shadows [4]
Chapter 22 – Threat from the shadows [5]
Chapter 23 – Threat from the shadows [6]
Chapter 24 – Threat from the shadows [7]
Chapter 25 – The director’s visit [1]
Chapter 26 – The director’s visit [2]
Chapter 27 – The director’s visit [3]
Chapter 28 – The director’s visit [4]
Chapter 29 – The director’s visit [5]
Chapter 30 – The director’s visit [6]
Chapter 31 – Conducting experiments [1]
Chapter 32 – Conducting experiments [2]
Chapter 33 – Conducting experiments [3]
Chapter 34 – Conducting experiments [4]
Chapter 35 – Conducting experiments [5]
Story recommendation: the new chapter of Anomaly will normally be released at 7pm.
Chapter 36 – Conducting experiments [6]
Chapter 37 – Conducting experiments [7]
Story recommendation: I’m reposting because, last time, the author’s story hadn’t been approved yet.
Chapter 38 – Conducting experiments [8]
Chapter 39 – Conducting experiments [9]
Chapter 40 – Conducting experiments [10]
Chapter 41 – Black Lake [1]
Chapter 42 – Black Lake [2]
Chapter 43 – Black Lake [3]
Chapter 44 – Black Lake [4]
Chapter 45 – Black Lake [5]
Chapter 46 – Black Lake [6]
Chapter 47 – Black Lake [7]
Chapter 48 – Black Lake [8]
Chapter 49 – Black Lake [9]
Chapter 50 – Black Lake [10]
Chapter 51 – Black Lake [11]
Creation of the Discord server
Chapter 52 – Black Lake [12]
Chapter 53 – Black Lake [13]
Chapter 54 – Black Lake [14]
Chapter 55 – Black Lake [15]
Chapter 56 – Black Lake [16]
Chapter 57 – Black Lake [17]
Chapter 58 – Black Lake [18]
Chapter 59 – The call [1]
Chapter 60 – The call [2]
Chapter 61 – The call [3]
Chapter 62 – The call [4]
Chapter 63 – The call [5]
Chapter 64 – The call [6]
Chapter 65 – The call [7]
Chapter 66 – The call [8]
Chapter 67 – The call [9]
Chapter 68 – The call [10]
Chapter 69 – The call [11]
Chapter 70 – The call [12]
Quick update
Chapter 71 – The call [13]
Chapter 72 – The call [14]
Chapter 73 – The call [15]
Chapter 74 – The call [16]
Chapter 75 – The call [17]
Chapter 76 – The call [18]
Chapter 77 – The call [19]
Chapter 78 – The call [20]
Chapter 79 – The call [21]
Chapter 80 – The call [22]
Chapter 81 – The call [23]
Chapter 82 – The call [24]
Chapter 83 – The call [25]
Chapter 84 – The call [26]
Chapter 85 – Storm [1]
Chapter 86 – Storm [2]
Chapter 87 – Storm [3]
Chapter 88 – Storm [4]
Chapter 89 – Storm [5]
Chapter 90 – Storm [6]
Chapter 91 – Storm [7]
Chapter 92 – Storm [8]
Chapter 93 – Storm [9]
Chapter 94 – Storm [10]
Chapter 95 – Storm [11]
Chapter 96 – Storm [12]
Chapter 97 – Storm [13]
Chapter 98 – Storm [14]
Chapter 99 – Storm [15]
Chapter 100 – Storm [16]
Chapter 101 – Storm [17]
Chapter 102 – Storm [18]
Chapter 103 – Storm [19]
Chapter 104 – Interludio – A little chat
Chapter 105 – Something called Life [1]
Chapter 106 – Something called Life [2]
Chapter 107 – Something called Life [3]
Chapter 108 – Something called Life [4]
Chapter 109 – Something called Life [5]
Chapter 110 – Something called Life [6]
Chapter 111 – Something called Life [7]
Chapter 112 – Something called Life [8]
Chapter 113 – Something called Life [9]
Chapter 114 – Something called Life [10]
Chapter 115 – Something called Life [11]
Chapter 116 – Something called Life [12]
Chapter 117 – Something called Life [13]
Chapter 118 – Something called Life [14]
Anomaly
Chapter 119 – Something called Life [15]
Chapter 120 – Something called Life [16]
Chapter 121 – Something called Life [17]
Chapter 122 – Something called Life [18]
Chapter 123 – Something called Life [19]
Chapter 124 – Something called Life [20]
Chapter 125 – Something called Life [21]
Chapter 126 – Something called Life [22]
Chapter 127 – Something called Life [23]
Chapter 128 – Something called Life [24]
Chapter 129 – Something called Life [25]
Chapter 130 – Something called Life [26]
Chapter 131 – Something called Life [27]
Chapter 132 – Something called Life [28]
Chapter 133 – Something called Life [29]
Chapter 134 – Something called Life [30]
Chapter 135 – interlude – Hidden intentions
Chapter 136 – Inside the mist [1]
Chapter 137 – Inside the mist [2]
Chapter 138 – Inside the mist [3]
Chapter 139 – Inside the mist [4]
Chapter 140 – Inside the mist [5]
Chapter 141 – Inside the mist [6]
Chapter 142 – Inside the mist [7]
Chapter 143 – Inside the mist [8]
Chapter 144 – Inside the mist [9]
Chapter 145 – Inside the mist [10]
Chapter 146 – Inside the mist [11]
Chapter 147 – Inside the mist [12]
Chapter 148 – Inside the mist [13]
SPECIAL PROMOTION ON PATREON!
Chapter 149 – Inside the mist [14]
Chapter 150 – Inside the mist [15]
Chapter 151 – Inside the mist [16]
Chapter 152 – Inside the mist [17]
Chapter 153 – Inside the mist [18]
Chapter 154 – Inside the mist [19]
Chapter 155 – Inside the mist [20]
Chapter 156 – Inside the mist [21]
Chapter 157 – Inside the mist [22]
Chapter 158 – Inside the mist [23]
Chapter 159 – Inside the mist [24]
Chapter 160 – When logic escapes [1]
Chapter 161 – When logic escapes [2]
Chapter 162 – When logic escapes [3]
Chapter 163 – When logic escapes [4]
Chapter 164 – When logic escapes [5]
Chapter 165 – When logic escapes [6]
Chapter 166 – When logic escapes [7]
Chapter 167 – When logic escapes [8]
Chapter 168 – When logic escapes [9]
Chapter 169 – When logic escapes [10]
Chapter 170 – When logic escapes [11]
Chapter 171 – When logic escapes [12]
Chapter 172 – When logic escapes [13]
Chapter 173 – When logic escapes [14]
Chapter 174 – When logic escapes [15]
Chapter 175 – When logic escapes [16]
Chapter 176 – When logic escapes [17]
Chapter 177 – When logic escapes [18]
Chapter 178 – When logic escapes [19]
Chapter 179 – When logic escapes [20]
Chapter 180 – When logic escapes [21]
Chapter 181 – The Burden of Remembering [1]
Chapter 182 – The Burden of Remembering [2]
Chapter 183 – The Burden of Remembering [3]
Chapter 184 – The Burden of Remembering [4]
Chapter 185 – The Burden of Remembering [5]
Chapter 186 – The Burden of Remembering [6]
Chapter 187 – The Burden of Remembering [7]
Chapter 188 – The Burden of Remembering [8]
Chapter 189 – The Burden of Remembering [9]
Chapter 190 – The Burden of Remembering [10]
Chapter 191 – The Burden of Remembering [11]
Chapter 192 – The Burden of Remembering [12]
Chapter 193 – The Burden of Remembering [13]
Chapter 194 – The Burden of Remembering [14]
Chapter 195 – The Burden of Remembering [15]
Chapter 196 – The Burden of Remembering [16]
Chapter 197 – The Burden of Remembering [17]
Chapter 198 – The Burden of Remembering [18]
Chapter 199 – The Burden of Remembering [19]
Chapter 200 – The Burden of Remembering [20]
Chapter 201 – The Burden of Remembering [21]
Chapter 202 – The Burden of Remembering [22]
Chapter 203 – The Burden of Remembering [23]
Chapter 204 – The Burden of Remembering [24]
Chapter 205 – The Burden of Remembering [25]
Chapter 206 – The Burden of Remembering [26]
Chapter 207 – The Burden of Remembering [27]
Chapter 208 – The Burden of Remembering [28]
Chapter 209 – The Burden of Remembering [29]
Chapter 210 – The Burden of Remembering [30]
Chapter 211 – The Burden of Remembering [31]
Chapter 212 – The Burden of Remembering [32]
Chapter 213 – The Burden of Remembering [33]
Chapter 214 – The Burden of Remembering [34]
Chapter 215 – The Burden of Remembering [35]
Chapter 216 – The Burden of Remembering [36]
Chapter 217 – The Burden of Remembering [37]
Chapter 218 – The Burden of Remembering [38]
Chapter 219 – The entity of pride [1]
Chapter 220 – The entity of pride [2]
Chapter 221 – The entity of pride [3]
Chapter 222 – The entity of pride [4]
Chapter 223 – The entity of pride [5]
Chapter 224 – The entity of pride [6]
Chapter 225 – The entity of pride [7]
Chapter 226 – The entity of pride [8]
Chapter 227 – The entity of pride [9]
Chapter 228 – The entity of pride [10]
Chapter 229 – The entity of pride [11]
Chapter 230 – The entity of pride [12]
Chapter 231 – The entity of pride [13]
Chapter 232 – The entity of pride [14]
Chapter 233 – The entity of pride [15]
Chapter 234 – The entity of pride [16]
Chapter 235 – The entity of pride [17]
Chapter 236 – The entity of pride [18]
Chapter 237 – The entity of pride [19]
Chapter 238 – The entity of pride [20]
Chapter 239 – The entity of pride [21]
Chapter 240 – The entity of pride [22]
Chapter 241 – The entity of pride [23]
Chapter 242 – The entity of pride [24]
Chapter 243 – The entity of pride [25]
Chapter 244 – Timeless State [1]
Chapter 245 – Timeless State [2]
Chapter 246 – Timeless State [3]
Chapter 247 – Timeless State [4]
Chapter 248 – Timeless State [5]
Chapter 249 – Timeless State [6]
Chapter 250 – Timeless State [7]
Chapter 251 – Timeless State [8]
Chapter 252 – Timeless State [9]
Chapter 253 – Timeless State [10]
Chapter 254 – Timeless State [11]
Chapter 255 – Timeless State [12]
Chapter 256 – Timeless State [13]
Chapter 257 – Timeless State [14]
Chapter 258 – Timeless State [15]
Chapter 259 – Timeless State [16]
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