Chapter 2: Korean Institute of Scholarly Studies

No one knows exactly when “concepts” first appeared in this world.

But it’s certain they existed long ago.

Even cave paintings from the Bronze Age or earlier show their strange forms.

Other countries have similar stories.

Spain’s legendary Armada sank completely after heading out to sea.

America’s conquest by the U.S. only reached halfway because a “concept” awakened.

The Anti-Dong Zhuo Coalition (from Chinese history) was completely wiped out by the appearance of a “concept” — now called the Black

Reaper, but once known as the Black Plague.

That “concept,” born from the Black Plague that killed a million in Europe, fed on that chaos like a feast.

It evolved, becoming something greater than just a concept — an idea.

From that, humanity realized for the first time that concepts could evolve.

Right now, the Black Reaper is said to be locked away on a specially treated deserted island.

No one knows where, because the Alliance has kept it secret.

Actually, even our own country has a similar history.

In the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, it’s written that during a drought, people held a ritual and rain fell.

A strange creature was seen swimming through the clouds.

Going back even further, the Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms) mentions relics from Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla related to such

beings.

Japan has a case too.

There’s something now called the [Melting and Flowing One].

When Japan was preparing to invade Joseon after the Warring States period ended, a fleet mysteriously vanished.

Afterward, Toyotomi lost all his military power and fell from power.

The Warring States period restarted, throwing Japan into darkness again.

Unfortunately, Joseon never found out the reason.

Maybe that was a blessing in disguise.

Since there are so many past cases and it takes expert knowledge to trace the origins of these phenomena,

professions like historians, archaeologists, and linguists have become essential.

That’s why the Korea Research Center was created.

To investigate and understand the appearance of concepts and ideas, and find their origins.

People with deep knowledge are needed to quickly identify and interpret these beings.

But especially valuable information is usually hidden even from experts — the public never finds out.

The more prestige and power you have, the heavier your responsibilities become.

Among all the respected research centers, the Seoul branch is the largest and most influential.

There, the youngest top scholar — someone highly skilled — once worked.

Until just now, that is.

Kim Sera looked at the crumpled paper from her pocket and sighed.

[Appointment Notice]

Transfer to local branch as Director.

Promoted two ranks — from Senior Scholar to Center Director.

Normally, this would be cause for celebration.

A double promotion!

A dry laugh escaped.

They say I got promoted.

But no matter how shiny the title is, being sent far from Seoul means one thing — exile.

Where there’s an organization, there’s always politics and power struggles.

It was great that history became popular and respected…

But with that came authority and power.

Different schools formed around different mentors.

They hoard knowledge and never share it.

Even if I spoke up, no one would listen.

I published a paper arguing whether concepts can be destroyed — and lost.

Utter humiliation.

The building in front of me was less than five stories — a tiny center.

I held in a sigh.

Still, they hung a welcome banner. I guess that’s something…

Even if it’s tacky and old-fashioned.

“Welcome! Youngest Center Director, Kim Sera!”

Seriously? My parents didn’t put this up?

“Welcome, Director Kim Sera,” said a neatly dressed woman in front of me.

Her face didn’t change at all — totally expressionless.

Though she said “welcome,” her face said otherwise.

Everyone stared, so I quickly spoke.

“Ah… thank you. I didn’t expect such a warm welcome.”

“Of course, Director Kim Sera.”

…Did my life go wrong somewhere?

“There’s an urgent case. We’ve been told by higher-ups that you’ll be handling it.”

I was forced to sit in a big office — just a desk and wooden chair.

Clutching my head.

They gave me a case right after I arrived.

Looks like they’re trying to discredit my expertise in origins, so I can never return to Seoul.

What do I do?

I can’t say no — refusing work the moment I arrive would label me incompetent.

And incompetence here can be fatal.

It won’t be forgotten.

Fine. Let’s do this.

From what I’ve heard, the “concept” that appeared here isn’t very physically strong.

It hides and doesn’t reveal itself unless necessary.

That makes it tricky.

The key here is the origin.

But we don’t have any info.

Is this naturally occurring?

Or was it created through language — through human ideas?

I took a deep breath and picked up the report.

Temporary Name: Doppelgänger (Confidence: 45%)

Type: Unknown

Origin: Unknown

Handling Method: Undecided

Info: Discovered by chance in civilian CCTV footage.

Analysis suggests it’s not physically strong, so containment should be possible.

However, the “theft of appearance” origin makes it dangerous — quick detection and removal needed.

Risk Level: Low

“…So this is what they’re doing.”

Confidence level 45%.

Shape-shifting concepts appear everywhere — myths, stories, history.

That they could determine this much before I even arrived means they’ve had plenty of time to investigate.

Sending this to me now… no room for excuses.

This might be my first and last assignment.

Enough despair. I pulled the chair in.

There’s no time to waste.

The future’s not even here yet.

The longer I wait, the more unpredictable it gets.

Screens popped up. I spread out doppelgänger-related books.

My specialty is archaeology.

Sadly, doppelgängers don’t match well with someone like me, who works by visual evidence.

Days passed.

Dark circles grew. Coffee cups piled up.

Still, there was progress.

Power outage.

And someone appeared, saying they lost their memory for several days.

Strangely connected.

Do doppelgängers just steal appearances, or do they possess people?

That’s the debate.

Dozens of possible cases in deeper records.

Thankfully, we solved some through interviews with the missing people.

Leaning more toward the doppelgänger theory.

No physical injuries. Only memory loss — confirmed in body scans.

So what’s its behavioral pattern?

It didn’t kill anyone, so risk level remains low.

Most concepts have a reason they were born — a root cause.

Even chaotic ones follow some rules.

Like the grotesque “Gelatin” concept that appeared days ago — now called [Civilization Destroyer].

From the moment it was born, it destroyed everything around it.

That showed its behavior pattern.

Origin: Ancient god believed to have destroyed the Mesopotamian civilization. First known civilization destroyer. (Confidence:

65%)

I made a similar judgment.

But sadly, a scholar from a rival school already spoke on public broadcast, making my theory meaningless.

His theory: the concept represented not death, but life — like the sun.

When exposed to artificial sunlight, the concept stopped moving.

So yes, it was tied to death.

His credibility rose. Our school lost influence.

That’s partly why I ended up here.

The doppelgänger was targeting adults.

But it hasn’t appeared for days.

No more missing adults either.

I drummed my fingers on the desk — and froze.

That means it’s not limited to adults anymore.

Could now mimic children or elders too.

Or even animals and plants.

But if we stretch our scope that far, we’ll use up too much manpower and funding.

It’s not realistic.

Until we get more budget, we have to stay focused on the keyword “human.”

“Excuse me, did you call for me?”

The woman who greeted me a few days ago walked in.

Team 1 field leader, I think.

She looks young. Impressive.

Bread crumbs by her mouth — she had breakfast.

I didn’t even eat…

Ah, no time for that.

“Get ready. I think I found the last sighting location for the doppelgänger.”

A little pride in that moment.

I want to go back to Seoul.

After reincarnating, I’m now 7 years old.

Something in my body disappeared, a small side effect — but I survived.

It was something I never used anyway.

Sadly, something totally useless from my past life still stuck with me.

Heart disease.

That could’ve stayed behind…

Sighing, I moved my hands again.

Origami time.

With an adult’s brain in a kid’s body, I tried showing off by folding an Eiffel Tower.

Then I heard a scream.

From the seat diagonal to mine — a bold kid with a bob haircut was crying.

She cut her finger on scissors — blood dripping, and kids panicking around her.

I stared for a moment, then placed my hand over my heart a couple of times.

Heartbeat didn’t change — not faster, not slower.

The kindergarten teacher wasn’t around.

I stood up and went to the crying kid.

“Don’t cry. Stay still.”

I looked at her finger. Still bleeding.

No time to waste or I’ll attract suspicion.

I took out a bandage from my pocket and wrapped her finger, then remembered—

I was just curious. That’s all.

But one thing’s for sure:

“Baby Mode” — also known as “All-Ages Mode.”

This world has no intention of revealing its mysteries easily.

Her finger started dropping star candies like a filter effect.

And that girl’s calm, smiling face — looked just like a jelly bear.