Waste Liquid（EN） (Pixiv Fanbox)

A research facility owned by a certain pharmaceutical company.

In one of its deserted rooms, tucked away in a corner, a female researcher hid herself.

“Why did it have to come to this...”

The reason she was venting her frustration in such a place dated back a few hours.

She had been preparing an experiment for her own research when suddenly, the facility's alarm blared.

“What!?”

Ignoring her bewilderment, the speaker then broadcast the anguished voice of a security guard.

'Intruders! All personnel evacuate immediately!'

Unbelievably, the lab she was in was under attack by someone.

Listening closely, she could hear what sounded like gunfire continuing in the distance.

Staying here was dangerous.

Sensing the danger, she immediately fled to an old warehouse that no one ever visited.

Hiding behind objects there, she concentrated on the sounds reaching her.

Gunfire still echoed faintly.

She worried about her colleagues' safety, but going outside now was impossible for her.

As just one researcher, she had no way to stand against an opponent likely armed with guns.

Eventually, time passed, and the once chaotic lab fell into an eerie silence.

Just as she thought the attackers might have been subdued and tried to emerge from cover...

“Freeze.”

“!?”

A cold voice came from behind her.

Realizing what was pressed against her back, she froze instantly.

“So there was another researcher here.”

Footsteps approached slowly, and the voice's owner appeared before her.

A man clad entirely in black, heavily armed.

She instantly recognized him as the attacker.

“Hands up. Do as I say.”

Silently obeying the attacker's command, she raised both hands.

She had no idea when he might pull the trigger.

Her life was entirely at the attacker's mercy.

Thus, the attacker led her out of the warehouse and headed toward a specific location nearby.

When the heavy door opened, she saw several drums marked with symbols indicating hazardous chemicals. Further inside was a pool filled with a mysterious, yellow-green glowing liquid.

“This place... could it be... the waste disposal room...?”

It was the facility for processing waste generated during research.

She had been brought here wearing only her street clothes with a lab coat thrown over them—a dangerous area normally requiring protective gear.

Guiding her to the edge of the pool filled with the yellow-green liquid, the attacker pressed his gun against her and said,

“Step back. Keep going.”

His words filled her with terror.

Directly behind her lay the pool, likely filled with waste liquid—a toxic mixture of various chemicals.

“Step back” meant he was ordering her into the pool.

It was easy to imagine what would happen to her without protective gear if she entered such dangerous liquid.

“Or do you want me to shoot you?”

The assailant readjusted the gun in his hand.

As the muzzle's direction aligned perfectly with her line of sight, she glanced cautiously toward the pool.

The green waste liquid bubbled and fizzed, emitting an eerie glow.

Terrified by the sight, she realized no amount of struggle would change her situation. Slowly, she began to step backward, one foot after the other.

Sizzle...

“!!”

The moment her boots touched the waste liquid, green smoke rose and a foul sound echoed through the room.

The waste liquid was slightly viscous. As she submerged her foot deeper, it intensified its fizzing, sending droplets flying around.

Feeling the bottom of her foot touch the pool's floor, she submerged her other foot into the waste liquid.

Just as before, green smoke rose from her feet, and the bubbling, foaming liquid began to eat away at her legs.

“Gah...!”

The powerful corrosive properties of the liquid attacked both her feet.

The boots she was barely wearing protected her from the liquid's erosion, but it was only a matter of time.

What awaited beyond was a tragedy beyond imagination.

Terrified, her body began to tremble uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, the attacker watched her sink into the waste liquid, trembling with fear, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Please... help me...”

In a voice so faint it seemed to vanish, she begged for rescue.

Would she truly sink into the waste liquid like this...?

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Hello, it's Oimokokoa.

Long time no see.

I started accepting paid commissions around last month, but I received more requests than anticipated, so I've been focusing on those for a while.

I sincerely apologize to my supporters for the significant gap since my last post and for posting near the end of the month again.

I have three illustrations prepared for this month, including this one, so I plan to release them sequentially over the next three days until the end of the month. (I'd be grateful if you'd stick with me.)

Now, for this illustration: I tried drawing a different character, separate from my original character Laila.

The thing is, since Laila is an adventurer of a different species, she's well-suited for fantasy situations, but I felt she might not be quite right for depicting real-world or sci-fi-like scenarios. So this time, I wanted to create a character more suited for that kind of setting.

I haven't decided on a name yet, so for now, I'll call her ‘Researcher-chan’.

I'm not sure exactly what you'd call the situation, but it's the kind where you get submerged in some kind of acidic liquid.

It's somewhat like being swallowed whole and digested, but the feeling of being submerged in ‘some kind of dangerous liquid’ instead of digestive juices gives it that sci-fi vibe, which is pretty cool.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Researcher-chan enjoy this kind of thing. (evil grin)

Well, November is almost over, but I'll keep posting the remaining illustrations.

See you tomorrow.