May the Emperor Live a Thousand Years
To: Regional Director Komura Takaaki
From: Head Researcher Aiya Takahashi
Re: Information Request 024/20180516
Director Takaaki,
In accordance with your information query on May 16, I've been advised to approve your request and send you the materials. However, I was restricted from doing so by Harpocrates and was informed to redirect you through OIRS channels. With that said, I was provided a revised version of the materials, which will be included below.
If you need anything else, please do not hesitate to reply. I do apologize for any inconvenience.
Aiya Takahashi,
Department of Cryptozoological Studies
THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENT IS OUTDATED. SEE REVISION 024-3 FOR CURRENT ITERATION.
Registered Phenomena Code: 024
Object Class: Beta-Yellow
| Hazard Types:Additional Properties: |  Aggression |
 Ballistic |
 Climatological |
 Geological |
 Grouped |
 Invisibility |
 Psychotronic |
 Sapient |
 Sentient |
 Transmutation |
 Bio-Hazard |
 Contact |
 Corrosive |
 Electromagnetic Force |
 Explosive |
 Extreme Temperature |
 Radiation |
 Toxic |
 Destabilization |
 Extra-Dimensional |
 Gravitational |
 Teleportation |
 Temporal |
 Auditory |
 Emotional |
 Ideological |
 Info-Hazard |
 Memory Alteration |
 Mind-Control |
 Mind-Regression |
 Sensory |
 Visual |
 Animated |
 Aquatic |
 Digital |
 Ecological |
 Extra-Terrestrial |
 Immeasurable |
 Incorporeal |
 Mechanical |
 Microscopic |
 Organic |
 Regenerative |
 Titanic |
 Tychokinetic |
 Replicating |
 Newtonian |
 Ontological |
 Hallucinogen |
 High Velocity |
RPC-024
Containment Protocols: Due to concerns of public exposure, Mobile Specialized Team X-Ray-6 is to be on-site during visitation hours and survey individuals susceptible to anomalous manifestations. For security reasons, personnel assigned to this location are to be 25 years or older.
Signs advising individuals to pair with a partner or family due to criminal activity are to be displayed outside on all entrances of the national garden. The security operations center, the main surveillance room, is to be located outside the location, observing all individuals entering and exiting from the area.
When a person has been reported missing or is potentially exposed to the location's effects, personnel disguised as Imperial Guard security are to be dispatched to search for the person. If not found within the next ~15 minutes, they are to be reported as missing or covered up as an accident.
Description: RPC-024 is an unidentified phenomenon manifesting within the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, Japan. During the spring and autumn seasons, a number of persons will disappear in broad daylight, though the disappearances themselves occur at random. Many of the missing persons, designated as RPC-024-1, disappear when visual contact is lost, suggesting that the phenomenon selects those who aren't under constant observation. Furthermore, many of the recorded RPC-024-1 instances appear to be between 16 and 22 years of age. All recorded instances vary in age, but most appear to be under 22 years old.
When RPC-024-1 enters the national garden, they will begin to behave antisocially or express misery. While in this emotional state, RPC-024-1 will attempt to avoid security cameras and any person in their view. When not observed within the next 15 minutes, RPC-024-1 instances will disappear.
While many RPC-024-1 instances are captured by CCTV footage, the footage often becomes unreliable due to data corruption. In small portions of the recordings, the footage is often indecipherable due to bloodstains, large Japanese text, and the face of a male, resembling that of Emperor Meiji.1
On February 18, [REDACTED], a woman was found within the Imperial Palace, later identified as Ai Hagiwara. During the examination, numerous deep cuts were observed on their body, though the exact cause of these cuts is unknown. Further examination revealed that the deceased's blood is noted to be exsanguinated entirely, but explanations for this causation, potentially a byproduct of the location's effects, could not be confirmed.
Since discovery, only about 10 instances of RPC-024-1 have been recovered.
Addendum 024-1: History
RPC-024 was discovered in 1968, following the disappearances of a mother and her two-month-old baby. According to the Kyoto Prefecture Police Department, their disappearance was ruled out as an accident, but thorough investigations by the Japanese branch uncovered dozens of missing persons, many of whom were last seen in the Kyoto Imperial Palace. A two-month surveillance operation uncovered various instances of anomalous activity.
Historical records of the Imperial Palace suggest that the phenomena may have manifested earlier, between the mid-late 1910s. During the Taishō period2, the Imperial Palace was under renovation, though the extent of the work was unclear due to records sealed by the Japanese government. However, in 1916, two construction workers were reported missing by their colleagues. It was later determined that the workers had simply quit their jobs after complaining about supernatural activities within the palace grounds, but the validity of these claims has been disputed.
A month after this incident, the renovation was abandoned.
Addendum 024-2: Observation Logs
Observation Log 024-01
Date: April 27, 1968
Subject: Shigeo Haruyama (23)
Status: Missing; presumed to be deceased
Detailed Observation: Shigeo and his partner were observed by an on-location survey team entering through the Hirakawa Gate at 13:06 PM. Both individuals were noted to be happy, displaying no symptoms of any recorded emotional state. Shigeo, however, had separated from their partner after grabbing some cold beverages.
Approximately at 14:38 PM, an undercover agent was monitoring Shigeo on foot. However, contact was visually lost at 15:00 PM.
Observation Log 024-02
Date: October 7, 1975
Subject: Hirofumi Nakagawa (17)
Status: Missing; presumed to be deceased.
Detailed Observation: Hirofumi was seen entering from Kitahanebashi Gate at the early hours of Thursday, at 10:11 AM. He was accompanied by his family, who had visited the Fujimiyagura area. At 10:53 AM, he was reported missing by his family and declared missing shortly after. Two days later, Authority agents uncovered a secret passage. However, said passage had been blocked with no indication of anomalous activity.
"I'm sure the kid went missing somewhere here. That secret passage tells us that there might be another, but we don't know for sure if there is one around the area." - Agent Takigawa
Observation Log 024-03
Date: [REDACTED]
Subject: [REDACTED]
Status: [REDACTED]
Detailed Observation: Subject was last seen at the Ishimuro Cellar. CCTV footage was unrecoverable, but a partial frame was retrieved. Close inspection revealed blood marks on the screen with the Japanese text Shinitakunai, translated as I don't want to die.
We don't know why the Director-General for the PSIA3 was there that day. Something tells me that they were aware of something we don't. Further investigations are warranted. - Head Researcher Aiya Takahashi
THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENT IS OUTDATED. SEE REVISION 024-3 FOR CURRENT ITERATION.
Registered Phenomena Code: 024
Object Class: Gamma-Orange
Hazard Types: Pending Review
RPC-024
Revised Containment Protocols: All entrances within both the Kyoto and Sento Imperial Palaces are to be monitored. On-site personnel capacity has increased to cover the entire Kyoto Gyoen National Garden. To monitor every person entering each sector, security checkpoints are to issue a visitor identification badge with a tracking chip. Any suspected RPC-024-1 instance, whether unconfirmed, experiencing emotional distress symptoms, is to be detained and removed immediately from the premises.
Due to the severity of psychological trauma that RPC-024-1 instances experience, amnestics are authorized as a counteragent. Use of amnestics has been prohibited by order of the Office of Ethics and Review (EaR). Procedure, concerning missing persons reports, including personnel assignment requirements, is to be continued under this revision.
Due to the 10% recovery rate, an Authority recovery team is to be stationed at designated locations within the Imperial Palace grounds.
Revised Description: RPC-024 is an unidentified phenomenon manifesting in the Kyoto and Sento Imperial Palaces, mostly active in the adjacent national gardens. At any given time, a number of persons will disappear after entering any of the garden entrances or the Imperial Palace grounds. Many of the missing persons, designated as RPC-024-1, disappear when direct line of sight is broken. Out of all identified persons, all instances were documented to be at or below 22 years of age.
Sketch depiction of RPC-024-2
During manifestation, RPC-024-1 will observe a male, designated as RPC-024-2, from a distance. RPC-024-2 is described to have pale skin, covered in a mix of gelatinous mucus, and constantly stare with bloodshot eyes. Many RPC-024-1 instances report discomfort or emotional stress when directly viewed by RPC-024-2, but it's unclear if this is a byproduct effect or merely an emotional response to its appearance. Extended presence causes frequent appearance of RPC-024-2, which in turn will cause anxiety and, in most cases, a panic attack.
RPC-024-2 appears to be only visible to RPC-024-1, albeit whether RPC-024-2 is a hallucination is unclear. RPC-024-2 is only visible to RPC-024-1 and cannot be observed by unaffected persons. RPC-024-1 instances who experience a panic attack will see RPC-024-2's face everywhere in their peripheral vision, causing them to run away from crowded areas. When unobserved, RPC-024-1 will disappear through unknown means.
It's hypothesized that RPC-024-1 is transported somewhere within the Imperial Palace, though the exact location could not be determined. Before disappearing, most tracking devices provided pinpoint locations within the Imperial Palace grounds, but this has been disregarded as unreliable, given that most devices were later found outside the palace.
Sometime between 1998 and 2000, a renovation of the Kyoto Imperial Palace sector uncovered a hidden passage similar to the one found in 1975. As a result of this discovery, an exploration team was dispatched by the Authority. The team later uncovered that most of the passageways led to a hidden room, approximately 40 meters below the Emperor's throne room.4 A week after the hidden room's discovery, a second hidden area was discovered, leading to several passageways.5
Since discovery, only about ~14 instances of RPC-024-1 have been recovered.
The psychological trauma experienced by RPC-024-1 instances revealed that RPC-024-2's appearance continues to occur outside of RPC-024. However, it's to be noted that these cited appearances have been proven to be traumatic hallucinations rather than anomalous manifested cases.6 However, these common sightings of RPC-024-1 instances increased in the 1990s, a trend attributed to the use of Class A-2 amnestics.7
Following these cases, the use of amnestics on RPC-024-1 instances was prohibited by the Office of Ethics and Review.
Addendum 024-3: Psychiatric Interview
The following audio transcripts were conducted by Dr. Akasuki Ito. The interviewer was tasked with obtaining psychological data and insights on the mental state of RPC-024-1 instances and encounters with RPC-024-2.
All subjects underwent standard amnestic procedures post-interview.
Interviewer: Dr. Akasuki Ito, Psychology Department
Interviewee: Ryuji Otsuka
Notes: The following transcript was translated from Japanese to English.
[BEGIN LOG]
Ryuji Otsuka: Who are you?
Dr. Ito: I'm Dr. Ito, Akasuki Ito. I'm a psychiatrist to evaluate your behavior.
Ryuji Otsuka: I don't remember coming here.
Dr. Ito: We had to sedate you. We determined that you were, briefly, a danger to yourself.
Ryuji is visibly shaken. Their right hand was placed on their forehead; their expressions showed discomfort.
Ryuji Otsuka: Am I free to go? My head hurts.
Dr. Ito: After a few questions. We wanna understand what happened to you when you were on the palace grounds.
Ryuji Otsuka: (Pauses) Yeah, sure?
Dr. Ito: (Clicks pen) Who were you with?
Ryuji Otsuka: Friends, friends of mine. They wanted to check out the place, but I wasn't really fond of the idea to begin with.
Dr. Ito: And why is that? Were you physically sick?
Ryuji does not respond. Dr. Ito notes that they appeared to be disconnected. Dr. Ito snaps their fingers, causing Ryuji to react and focus on their hands waving in front of them.
Ryuji Otsuka: Sorry, sorry. I'm very tired. I was, I was- sick. That was all.
Dr. Ito: (Notes down) I see … Did you encounter anything unusual when you arrived at the palace? Anything that stands out?
Ryuji Otsuka: Not that I can recall, no? But I did notice that one of my friends was acting weird. He kept looking over their shoulder, looking tired and daydreaming when we tried to talk to them. Probably didn't sleep.
Dr. Ito: What was your friend's name?
Ryuji Otsuka: Satoshi. They're not usually this tired, always more energetic than us. Seeing him like that worried me.
Dr. Ito looks over a folder that contains a list of visitors on the grounds.
Dr. Ito: This friend of yours, Satoshi, what happened to him? We weren't able to find him.
Ryuji Otsuka: (Shrugs) We don't know. We were all sitting down, taking a moment. The next- he got up and ran away. We just thought he went home running because he had something planned, or because it was getting late in the day. His parents are very strict about him staying out late.
Dr. Ito: I see. I noticed your surname was Otsuka. I read this news article about a missing girl named Otsuka who disappeared at the palace years ago. Is there any relation to her?
Ryuji Otsuka: (Voice cracks, stutters) She- she is my sister, actually. Her disappearance is the reason why my dad and I don't go there anymore. Mom used to go there, especially after what happened, and … Is gone—
Ryuji pauses mid-sentence, their eyes noted to be visibly tearing afterward. Dr. Ito passes a box of tissue across the table, but Ryuji declines/
Dr. Ito: Gone? Can you care to explain more?
Ryuji Otsuka: (Hysterical, tears) She went looking for her in that place! She went with her!
Dr. Ito: Okay, let's take a breath and ease up. Let's focus on something else.
Interview was paused for 10 minutes, later resuming after a 2-6 minute break. Ryuji was visibly shaken when the interview resumed, but security noted indecipherable muttering during the break.
Dr. Ito: If it is alright, can we get back to that topic about your mother?
Ryuji Otsuka: (Shook, visibly angry) No. I'd rather not. I don't want to answer any more questions.
Dr. Ito: Okay, then. At least give us the time for one more question. Just one.
Ryuji was unresponsive, briefly hesitant, but nodded.
Dr. Ito: For the record, I am passing along a sketch of RPC-024-2 to the interviewee. (Passes a sketch to Ryuji) If you kindly look at the image, and tell me your thoughts. Have you—
Ryuji Otsuka: (Mutters) It's him—
Dr. Ito: Sorry?
Ryuji Otsuka: (Unintelligble) … Again! He was there, he was there!
Dr. Ito: You saw him? Why didn't you mention this, Ryuji?
Ryuji Otsuka: (No response)
Dr. Ito: Ryuji, what do you know about this person?
Ryuji was further unresponsive to Dr. Ito's questions. A minute later, Ryuyji was visibly becoming hostile towards Dr. Ito after throwing a chair across the room. Two security officers detained and sedated Ryuji.
[END LOG]
Note(s): An investigation into the Otsuka family confirmed they had a sibling, 22 years old, who disappeared somewhere in the Kitanomaru grounds of the Imperial Palace. We've also discovered that Ryuji's mother went missing at the same place as his daughter, years after the incident occurred. We're not sure if their disappearance was due to the location's manifestation or a natural phenomenon.
During the interview, Ryuji mentioned that he witnessed RPC-024-2 'again' during the interview. There's a good chance he had observed RPC-024-2 during his sister's disappearance, or on other unspecified occasions. I'll have to talk to [REDACTED], discuss the possibility of a proper interview with Ryuji.
- Dr. Akasuki Ito, OL-Site-880b Psychology Department
Update 21/07/████: Ryuji Otsuka was found dead at his home. The place appeared to be trashed as if a struggle had occurred, but investigators have ruled his death a suicide. A letter was found next to his body, stating that it was his fault for letting their sister and mother disappear, and 'should've done more to stop the bloodied man.'
An internal review is being conducted to determine whether Class A-2 amnestics contributed to the death of Ryuji Otsuka.
- Dr. Amanda Page, Regional-Presidium Office of Ethics and Review
Interviewer: Dr. Akasuki Ito, Psychology Department
Interviewee: Chiharu Okada
Notes: The following transcript was translated from Japanese to English.
[BEGIN LOG]
Dr. Ito: Can I ask for your name for the record?
Chiharu Okada: Okada, Chiharu Okada.
Dr. Ito: Do you attend high school?
Chiharu Okada: Yes, I attended the [DATA EXPUNGED].
Dr. Ito: Exams must be tough this year.
Chiharu Okada: They are. It's why we came here to hang out. Cool off from the stress, I guess.
Dr. Ito: Do you know why you were escorted by a medical team?
Chiharu Okada: (Pauses) I … I don't know, the doctors said I had a panic attack?
Dr. Ito: Have you ever previously experienced a panic attack?
Chiharu Okada: No, never. I've never really experienced it before.
Dr. Ito shows Chiharu an artist's depiction of RPC-024-2.
Dr. Ito: By any chance, have you seen this man while you were there?
Chiharu stares at Dr. Ito, slight tears coming out from her eyes.
Chiharu Okada: (Looks away, stutters) I don't know what you're talking about!
Dr. Ito: You've seen him, haven't you? (Points at the sketch) This man?
Chiharu breaks down in front of Dr. Ito.)
Dr. Ito: Chiharu, everything is going to be okay—
Chiharu Okada: No, it's not! He wouldn't stop staring at me, and I got scared. He was everywhere. It wouldn't stop!
Chiharu stands up and looks away from the sketch.)
Chiharu Okada: (Irritated) Can you please get that thing away from me? I wanna leave!
Dr. Ito: Chiharu, you need to stay calm.
Chiharu Okada: If you don't get me out, I will kill myself!
Two security officers entered the room after Dr. Ito called out for assistance. Chiharu was detained and administered sedation by a medical team.
[END LOG]
Note(s): Chiaru displayed symptoms typically observed in affected individuals of RPC-024. However, what concerns me are the bruises underneath her arms that look like an imprint of a human hand. I've never seen this in any other cases close-up with interviewees, but it seems RPC-024, or RPC-024-2 in this case, is becoming more aggressive.
I believe we need to look into RPC-024-2 further. It seems to be the main source of this manifestation, then we've been led to believe.
- Dr. Akasuki Ito, OL-Site-024b Psychology Department
Addendum 024-4: Exploration Log
Date: 07/09/████
Mission Codename: Tombstone
Team Involved: N/A (Automated Drone; Omikane)
[BEGIN LOG]
[10:15:03]: Omikane is inserted into the passageway. The drone operator utilizes both its thermal and infrared (IR) imagery. However, the drone faced technical issues with imagery delays.
[10:16:17]: Omikane moves forward through the narrow passageway. The interior, both the ceiling and walls, appears to be covered in various black residues. Samples could not be extracted due to further technical issues.
[10:18:04]: Omikane's camera begins to stutter and freeze up, delaying imagery to the operators approximately ~45 seconds. At times, the drone itself will stop functioning and move on its own.
[10:26:59]: Omikane's critical systems shut down after ~27 minutes into the exploration. Recovery efforts of Omikane were unfeasible due to environmental conditions.
[END LOG]
Update 07/09/████: 4 hours after Exploration 'Tombstone', Omikane was later discovered outside of the passageway's entrance after a security team was dispatched to investigate unusual noises. The drone was noted to be covered in a mixture of unidentified red and black residue, with a strong smell of iron. GPS data revealed that Omikane's position had been moved after shutdown; its locations pinpointed around the Imperial palace.
- [REDACTED]
Date: 08/09/████
Mission Codename: Firefly
Team Involved: Exploration Team "Firefly" (x5 members)
- Echo-1, Team Leader
- Echo-2, Combat Medic
- Echo-3, CBRN Specialist
- Echo-4, Field Researcher
- Echo-5, Comms. Specialist
Notes: The following transcript was translated from Japanese to English.
[BEGIN LOG]
Echo-One: Control, this is Firefly lead, you got visual on Echo-Five on my camera?
Echo-One's camera pans over to Echo-5 as he is the last team member to enter the passageway.
Control: That is an affirmative, Echo-One. You're cleared to proceed. Maintain radio contact every 10 minutes and report back any issues.
Echo-One: Solid, Echo-One out.
Echo-Four: It feels like we're wearing plastic bags in this hazmat suit. It's fucking noisy.
Echo-Three: Better than touching whatever goop we're standing on.
Echo-One: Right, five, take point.
Echo-Five: (Clicks tongue) Roger— You owe me some sake after this.
Echo-Two: (Snickers) Is someone afraid of the dark?
Echo-One: Come on, we're right behind you.
//Echo-Five takes point as the rest of the team follows behind. Echo-Five's camera pans around the passageway's interior, which is filled with unknown gelatinous black residue. Echo-Five drops glow sticks as they continued navigating. 2 minutes into the exploration, the Firefly team's cameras began experiencing technical issues./
Control: (Indecipherable) … Echo-One, copy?
Echo-One: Control, you cut off there for a second. Say again, over?
Control: Confirm that Echo-Four's camera is turned on?
Echo-One: Yeah, standby. (Looks at Echo-Four) Four, check your camera.
Echo-Four proceeds to inspect his camera on his helmet. Echo-Four gave a thumbs up to Echo-One.
Echo-One: Control, Echo-Four's camera is on. Are you having issues on your end, over?
Control: Disregard that— We just got imagery back from Echo-Four. Possibly an interference, stay alert.
Echo-One: Copy, continuing with the mission.
Echo-Three: Actually, One. Before we continue, I need to grab some samples for the lab.
Echo-One: Alright, we'll wait up on you.
Echo One instructs the rest of the team to set up a perimeter around Echo-Three. Echo-Three takes out his testing equipment, extracting the gelatinous samples from the walls and floor. A loud thud is heard. The Firefly team looks at the source and sees Echo-Four on the ground, now covered in black residue.
Echo-Two: (Irritated) Shit— You scared the hell out of us!
Echo-Four: I slipped, goddammit. This stuff is slippery, not to mention—
Echo-Four pauses, his camera shifting around the walls and ceiling. The rest of Firefly's camera can hear Echo-Four sniffing and breathing heavily from his respirator. Echo-Four's camera shows him fiddling with the black residue in his palm, slowly turning into a red liquid substance.
Echo-Two: (Approaches four, kneels) You good? Do you need medical?
Echo-Four: No, no. I'm good, but— Does anyone smell iron through their respirators?
Echo-Five and Echo-Three's cameras show their directions looking above them. Suddenly, they sway their weapons behind them as a small wind is heard gushing from the direction in which they came.
Echo-Three: What the fuck? I'm smelling iron too—
Echo-Four: Where's that wind coming from?—
Echo-One: Let's not get distracted, team! Three, speed up on getting your samples.
Echo-Two assists Echo-Four to get up from the ground. Echo-Three finishes up and packs up their equipment.
Echo-Four: Boss, I think this stuff is blood. The smell, the way it's turning into a red substance.
Echo-Five: I can't dispute that. There's a good chance we're standing on the bodies of the people who went missing.
The Firefly team is heard groaning, Echo-Four is heard cursing.
Echo-One: Let's not jump to conclusions. Three, you good to go?
Echo-Three: All good.
Echo-One: Alright, let's get going. I don't want to wait here any longer.
Echo-Four: What about the wind?
Echo-One: It came from the direction we came, wind probably got through or something.
4-6 minutes after continuing, Echo-Five halted and pointed at five additional passageways in front of him that looked identical. Note: Visual feeds from the Firefly team abruptly ceased functioning; audio was not affected.
Echo-Five: One, where do we go from here?
Echo-One: (Pauses) Mhm, well, this is gonna have to be our stop. I can't risk it.
Echo-Five: So, we're pulling out?
Echo-One: Yeah, we're going back. Let the next exploration team take care of this—
Suddenly, the Firefly team's flashlights turned off. The team is heard scrambling and breathing heavily to get glowsticks from their equipment. 2-3 seconds later, their lights turned back on.
Echo-Two: Shit, shit— I fucking hate that!
Echo-Five: Wait, where the hell is four?
The Firefly team is noted to be looking in their direction. Echo's One and Three is heard shouting Echo-Four's name.
Echo-One: Fuck, Exodus! Maintain security, we're pulling out.
[END LOG]
Mission Debrief: The samples taken from the Firefly exploration revealed various chemical compositions in the black gelatinous residue. It appears that these substances contained a high concentration of iron and red blood cells, containing a variety of blood groups, ranging from A to O.
One of the team members' statuses, Echo-Four, has yet to be concluded. His tracker, however, seems to indicate that he is still alive based on his movements being observed around the grounds.
- Head Researcher Aiya Takahashi
Update 21/09/████: Echo-4's status has been determined to be deceased. His tracker hasn't moved from a specific area for the last couple of weeks. We concluded that Echo-4 was killed by unknown means.
- Captain Iwaichi Yamashita, Authority Security Force
Update ██/█/████: [DATA EXPUNGED]8
Addendum 024-5: Recovery ██/08/████
4 weeks after Exploration Firefly concluded, a researcher reported hearing strange noises outside from the passageway's entrance. On-location security was sent to investigate and discovered the missing member of the exploration team. They were taken to a nearby medical facility, his equipment confiscated for decontamination and analysis, along with his camera that continued to function without issue.
The following is an audio transcript of the conversation between Dr. Akasuki Ito and Sergeant Keigo Ryong, Echo-Four.
Interviewer: Dr. Akasuki Ito, Psychology Department
Interviewee: Sergeant Keigo Ryong, Firefly Exploration Team (Echo-4)
Notes: The following transcript was translated from Japanese to English.
Dr. Ito: Tell me again, Sergeant. How long have you been down there?
Cpl. Ryong: As I said many times to the investigators, I've been there for two hours!
Dr. Ito: And yet here you are, from the day you were missing on July 7th to September 21st. Sergeant, you've been missing for two months.
Cpl. Ryong: (Pauses) What about the others? Did they make it out?
Dr. Ito: Yes, they made it out without you.
Dr. Ito slides a folder across the table to Sergeant Ito.
Dr. Ito: (Pages flicker) According to the team lead of the exploration, you went missing right as they encountered the other tunnels. Can you recount what happened after you separated from your team?
Cpl. Ryong: Well, see. As we were about to pull out, I found myself— there. Just there. Nobody else but me. Everyone was gone, and I was the only one in those corridors.
Dr. Ito: What happened then?
Cpl. Ryong: I tried to get out of there. Going back to where we originally entered, but it wasn't there?
Dr. Ito: What do you mean?
Cpl. Ryong: I was in a loop, as you would call it. I kept walking in a narrow direction back, and I noticed the same glow stick that Echo-Two dropped earlier. (Shows five fingers) In the exact same position— Five times. I was literally in a goddamn maze. As soon as I passed exactly that glowstick, I ended up back where the five tunnels were.
Dr. Ito: (Writes notation) So turning back was no longer an option for you?
Cpl. Ryong: No, it seemed like it didn't want me out of there. It was either doing this for another while or going through one of the hallways. Take your pick.
Dr. Ito: Could you describe these hallways?
Cpl. Ryong: They were all the same. There was one to the left, middle, and right. So, it was one of the three I had to go through.
Dr. Ito: Which way did you go?
Cpl. Ryong: (No response)
Dr. Ito: Sergeant?
Cpl. Ryong: (Stutters) It's … It's hard to say. I can't remember which one I went through, but I did end up outside. In the palace gardens. It was dark, not even moonlight. I recognized one of the teahouses, so I was over by, I believe, the north gardens.
Dr. Ito: Tell me more about this place. Was it exactly like the palace gardens?
Cpl. Ryong: Uh, it's hard to tell. The buildings around the place looked very old and dilapidated. Same ones you see in old period Japan. Well, while I did say the place was dark, there were candles that lit it up. It was very quiet, not even a cicada … Except the whispers.
Dr. Ito: Whispers? Did you see where they came from?
Sergeant Ryong was unresponsive, physically shaken.
Dr. Ito: Sergeant, who was whispering? Did you see anyone there?—
Cpl. Ryong: (Angry) Are we done? I do not want to answer questions anymore.
Dr. Ito: Okay, okay. But there's something I wanted to discuss about your camera. We saw—
Cpl. Ryong: (Indecipherable, gets up from their seat) … No one was there, no one!
[END LOG]
Note(s): Sergeant Keigo Ryong has been visibly shaken from his experience in the passageways. As Head of Psychology, I recommend temporary suspension from active duty and placed on medical leave. I would like to note that the Sergeant displayed immense discomfort when asked about the whispers.
We examined the camera and its footage. We know why Sergeant Ryong didn't want to digress further. Below is an attachment photo we've been able to extrapolate from the camera.
- Dr. Akasuki Ito, Psychology Department
RPC-024-2
Registered Phenomena Code: 024
Object Class: Gamma-Red
| Hazard Types:Additional Properties: | Aggression |
Ballistic |
Climatological |
Geological |
Grouped |
Invisibility |
Psychotronic |
Sapient |
Sentient |
Transmutation |
Bio-Hazard |
Contact |
Corrosive |
Electromagnetic Force |
Explosive |
Extreme Temperature |
Radiation |
Toxic |
Destabilization |
Extra-Dimensional |
Gravitational |
Teleportation |
Temporal |
Auditory |
Emotional |
Ideological |
Info-Hazard |
Memory Alteration |
Mind-Control |
Mind-Regression |
Sensory |
Visual |
Animated |
Aquatic |
Digital |
Ecological |
Extra-Terrestrial |
Immeasurable |
Incorporeal |
Mechanical |
Microscopic |
Organic |
Regenerative |
Titanic |
Tychokinetic |
Replicating |
Newtonian |
Ontological |
Hallucinogen |
High Velocity |
Revised Containment Protocols: Due to the subject's nature, the Kyoto Gyoen National Gardens are to be restricted from public access outside of visitation hours. The Kyoto and Sento palace buildings are to be strictly monitored. Entry to these areas must be approved by OL-Site-024b management.
Requirements for access must be approved on the following criteria:
- Pass a psychological evaluation with no past history of trauma or distress;
- Must be over the age of 25 years old.
On-site security is to be increased throughout the spring and autumn seasons. All visitors are to be given an identification badge tagged with a tracking chip. All personnel and visitors must be accompanied at all times.
Any individuals exhibiting symptoms of emotional distress are to be detained and physically removed.
Due to the incorporeal nature of RPC-024-B, access to the dimension must be approved by the OL-Site Director. Following an incident at OL-Site-024b, all access to RPC-024-B is no longer permitted.
In the event that the corrosive, gelatinous mucus (RPC-024-G) appears on site, it is to be reported to maintenance.
RPC-024
Revised Description: RPC-024 is a Class II incorporeal, extra-dimensional entity that has been hypothesized to be the former Emperor of Japan, Emperor Meiji. While it remains uncertain how the entity came to its current form, it is theorized that he, along with an unknown number of subjects, suffered various anomalous immolations during his reign as Emperor, culminating in his passing on July 30th, 1912.
The entity's appearance varies from eyewitness accounts, though common descriptions include being in their late 80s, with bloodshot eyes, pale skin, and covered in a mixture of red and black stains, hypothesized to be dried warm blood. Its appearance had never been authenticated until a recovered camera confirmed its existence. While the data show no discernible eyes, many RPC-024-1 instances still report seeing bloodshot eyes when observing RPC-024.
RPC-024’s gelatinous mucus, referred to as RPC-024-G, has been analyzed to possess corrosive properties only when in contact with the epithelial cells of the dermis. Once the mucus breaches the hypodermis, it binds with the subject's muscular fibers. The result is regional spasms that spread throughout the body and last from 2 to 3 minutes.
Further observed actions have been recorded:
- Skin discoloration occurs, conversion of the subject's skin to a brown-black pigmentation.
- The subject's body curls up in an impossible position, resulting in rigor mortis.9
- The subject’s internal anatomy is violently compressed deeper inward, causing compaction of all organ systems. As a result, arterial hypertension causes ruptured aneurysms throughout the body. Eventually, victims die from asphyxia caused by blood pooling in the lungs, throat, and nose.
When the blood exits from the subject's facial features, it inexplicably covers the body, dematerializing the victim within minutes. It is hypothesized that the subject’s body is transported to an unknown location somewhere within RPC-024-B.
During manifestation, RPC-024-1 will observe RPC-024 from a distance. Many RPC-024-1 instances report discomfort or emotional stress when directly viewed by RPC-024. Extended presence or direct line-of-sight causes frequent appearance of RPC-024, which will cause heightened anxiety, and in most cases, a panic attack. Affected instances, when outside the palace grounds, appear to display paranoia and trauma episodes caused by their encounter with RPC-024. Treatment has not been guaranteed, as most cases of those affected have a suicide fatality rate of ~80%.
For unknown reasons, members of the Imperial House are not targeted by RPC-024.10
RPC-024-B refers to a parallel dimension that resembles the national gardens. Based on previous encounters, the parallel dimension has been observed to exhibit hyperbolic geometry and to lie outside the physical plane. Unlike the physical plane, RPC-024-B appears to resemble structures from the Meiji period. The location exhibits various temporal properties, with time accelerating at different rates. Entry to this parallel dimension is only accessible within OL-Site-024b when RPC-024 isn't active.
When RPC-024 isn't active, the entrance to RPC-024-B is left open.
RPC-024 does not appear to be bound by the physical plane, as evidenced by witnesses who observed it phasing through walls and solid matter as an ethereal silhouette. It's theorized that RPC-024, when outside RPC-024-B, is non-tangible and manifests more as an apparition; however, in this state, it cannot cause physical harm.11
Addendum 024-6: Incident ██/04/████
Twenty-one months after OL-Site-024b was established, the facility's structural integrity was questioned by maintenance inspectorates following several complaints of foul odor and leakage of RPC-024-B within the facility. On-site maintenance recommended relocating operations to another area for the time being, but Head Researcher Aiya Takahashi rejected the recommendation and ordered maintenance to address the issues immediately.
In May ██, a security breach occurred after on-site personnel came into contact with the RPC-024-B, resulting in several casualties. A statement by Captain Himari Fukuada detailed an encounter with RPC-024 in the OL-Site. After an extensive search, RPC-024 could not be located post-incident.
OL-Site-024b was structurally damaged during the incident, and several personnel and property were lost due to contamination from RPC-024-B.
Addendum 024-7: Post-Incident Interview
Interviewer: Dr. Masaki Furusyo, Ethics Inspector
Interviewee: Capt. Himari Fukuda, Head of Security
Notes: The following transcript was translated from Japanese to English.
[BEGIN LOG]
Capt. Himari Fukuda: (Slams table) An internal investigation by Ethics?! Like the breach and forced amnestics weren't bad enough.
Dr. Masaki Furusyo: Circumstances have deviated, Captain. I'm simply here to determine who is at fault for this incident.
Capt. Himari Fukuda: The hell are you to judge my men and me? They deserve to be remembered as heroes! Not have their names dragged through the bureaucratic mud pit.
Dr. Masaki Furusyo: I understand the grievances, but a loss of this magnitude requires scrutiny. Even if it dishonors some of the fallen, learning from their mistakes prevents future ones.
Capt. Himari Fukuda: (Rubs nose) Fine.
Dr. Masaki Furusyo: (Sighs, shuffles paper) Captain, from the beginning. Your actions, please.
Capt. Himari Fukuda: (Rubs nose) Right. Before I met you and your—
Dr. Masaki Furusyo: Captain. You're being recorded. Now, please, only the facts.
Capt. Himari Fukuda: (Coughs) Coffee. I went to get coffee. This was right before the containment failure. I was in line at the vending machine, just behind Dr. Takanashi. He was about to order when Dr. Ishiba came out of nowhere, roaring about a discovery with a forest involved RPC-024.
Dr. Masaki Furusyo: Do you know the exact contents that were being discussed?
Capt. Himari Fukuda: No. It was public, so details were sparse. Takanashi left with him before ordering.
Dr. Masaki Furusyo: From the way you described it, the situations sounded serious. Is there a reason you didn't follow?
Capt. Himari Fukuda: (Scoffs, shrugs) Look, your researchers run around, papers in hand, yelling about wild new findings. That's beyond my concern. Dr. Ishiba's uproar was just your casual early morning background noise.
Dr. Masaki Furusyo: I see. What happened next?
Capt. Himari Fukuda: I headed back to my office once I got my coffee. That's when I wandered into a corridor, noticed a few signs, and saw people trying to clean up that disgusting black goop. As Captain, I instructed security not to touch that goop without proper PPE, as a precaution. I was mid-explanation about the importance of PPE when the lights began flickering. We all knew something wasn't right. I ordered the guards to escort researchers in the nearby labs to their containment bunker while I rushed to find Takanashi and Ishiba.
Dr. Masaki Furusyo: Did you encounter any casualties on your way?
Capt. Himari Fukuda: (Pauses) I, uh. Did. Several guards and a few researchers, including Dr. Ishiba, were convulsing on the floor. There was nothing I could do for them, and they knew it. We all knew it. Once it [RPC-024-B] gets onto you, there's no chance for recovery. Despite knowing that, they still begged me to save them.
Captain Fukuda was observed staring at his service pistol, which remained holstered on his hip. Dr. Furusyo documented this observation.
Capt. Himari Fukuda: I did help them one way. It was the only way available.
Dr. Masaki Furusyo: I'm sorry to hear that.
Capt. Himari Fukuda: (Heavy exhale, quivers) We— We lose people every day. It is what it is, unfortunately.
Dr. Masaki Furusyo: And what about Dr. Takanashi? What was her condition?
Capt. Himari Fukuda: The doctor- Takanashi. I ran through the corridors, jumping over that damn shit, my mind racing. I eventually found her at the feet of, well, him.
Dr. Masaki Furusyo: Him? Who?
Capt. Himari Fukuda: RPC-024. He- It stood in front of Takanashi. I drew my gun and shot, but the bullets didn't hit them. It looked like they phased right through him.
Dr. Masaki Furusyo: Phased through? Please elaborate.
Capt. Himari Fukuda: It's hard to put it into words, but he seemed to phase in and out of reality when I shot him, like his whole body was a flickering light. I was so tunnel-focused that a few of my rounds hit Takanashi. Her cries finally broke me. I just shut down and dropped my gun without even realizing it. RPC-024 was now looking at me, muttering some bullshit. The lights flickered again, and then he vanished. It felt like a bad omen was lifted. My senses shot back into my mind, and I leaped to Takanashi's aid to hopefully stop the bleeding.
Dr. Masaki Furusyo: Let's focus on RPC-024 a bit more, the muttering part. Were you able to tell what he was saying?
Capt. Himari Fukuda: (Stutters) No— No. I wasn't, but are we done? I need to check on Takanashi.
Dr. Masaki Furusyo: Uh, yeah. Actually, I think that's enough for today. Thank you for your time.
[END LOG]
Addendum 024-8: Recovered Journal Logs
Several journal entries were submitted to the Office of Information Records and Security (OIRS) by a representative from the Japanese Cabinet Office. Prior to submission, the Office of Diplomatic Relations requested government documents pertaining to the Imperial Family during the Meiji era.
However, these requests were delayed by Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone between 1982 and 1986. ODR's document request was ultimately approved by Emperor Hirohito by his decree, and several journals and documents were sent, albeit most of their contents were heavily compartmentalized by the Japanese Government.12
The following journal entries were written by Emperor Meiji and have been translated from Japanese to English
?? ?? 1873
My faith beyond this realm is dwindling every sundown. I felt pain in every corner of my body, every day that I felt it. The doctors say that my body will collapse, and I will cease to exist.
I wanted to continue my reign for my rising sun. I must do everything I can to stay with this body, even if it means I must sacrifice my own family.
1877
Forgive my sons and daughters, their blood that makes their bodies work must be taken. A story by a Hungarian woman, Elizabeth Báthory, killed many young women before her and used the blood to make herself in an eternal state. This was the key to my eternal body, a key to my reign.
I echoed my own words that many of my heir-born children have passed from sickness. I did not care. I did not want to face death. I must continue to do my reign at any amount of cost to ensure eternal.
18??
I have lost faith in my doctors. Fools, they have become.
I have met a scholar. He has vast knowledge in the esoteric. I lack understanding, but his skills and mastery, taught by Nivaldi, may prove beneficial to my health.
I sense a great hope in my longevity and rule.
1910
I feel lost. The ways I have been taught by that scholar were trickery. A scheme to take my throne.
When I asked for his capture, my people drew confusion as if he had never been real.
Who was I talking to? I am losing touch with myself.
I must expedite my search. I must shed more.
I do not want to die.
1912
Too much I've shed. The cries of echo drew near.
I sensed I'd done too much. The doubt has made itself known
The trees at the Kawajiri lied to me. The scholar lied to me.
I do not want to die..
I do not want to die..
I do not want to die..
Addendum 024-9: Video Log ██/██/████
Technicians from the Engineering Component recovered partial data from Omikane's old drive after re-examining the equipment, though it had previously been assumed the drive had been destroyed following the 'Tombstone' exploration mission.
The following is a video log of the Tombstone exploration.
[BEGIN LOG]
[XX:XX:XX] Omikane's camera is static and glitched, but the camera automatically switched to night vision mode.
[XX:XX:XX] Camera pans towards various walls covered in red and black residues, hypothesized to be dried and warm blood.
[XX:XX:XX] An unknown weeping noise and a water droplet are picked up by audio. Noise appears to originate from RPC-024.
[XX:XX:XX] Camera continues to be static, but unknown background noises loom in the audio feed.
[XX:XX:XX] Camera pans to RPC-024, facing towards the wall while standing still. The audio feed picks up various words from RPC-024; words such as 'Ikitai' and 'Shinitakunai' are repeated by the entity.
Note: Translation reads 'I want to live' and 'I don't want to die.'
[XX:XX:XX] Camera begins to glitch more frequently until the camera shuts off and turns back on from the passageway's entry.
[END LOG]