In Deep Blue, a low rumbling sound occasionally echoed. It was the noise generated 3 kilometers below the sea. The fish don't speak, but within the underwater base, the noise was constant. The frequent shaking and noise caused mental stress even just by breathing. And the feeling of being trapped. It was a considerable amount of stress, more than expected.
The tension of only being able to move within the base, and knowing that stepping outside the visible water would mean instant death, always pressed on some corner of my mind. Living in the underwater base is similar to living in a spaceship. Just like in space, you can't breathe outside, and you would freeze or explode to death.
At 3,000 meters, the pressure is 301 atmospheres. In theory, that means you're under about 300 times more pressure than on land. It's as if a 300-kilogram block of metal is pressing down on you. The air pressure and atmosphere inside the base are automatically maintained to be habitable for humans, but since I arrived, I've always felt like I'm on an airplane.
The environment is artificially created to ensure minimal survival, surrounded by steel walls. Like an airplane shaking in turbulence, the underwater base, installed like a forced piece of seaweed in a giant aquarium, swayed slightly even in the slightest current. Each time, I felt a faint dizziness. It was as if I had become a fish trapped in an enormous aquarium.
"Did you watch a movie?"
I focused on the patient in front of me, hearing the thin voice. There are about 10 Koreans, including me, in the underwater base, and one of them, Mr. Yoo Geumgi, is a marine biologist. He came down to the sea to conduct research for his master's and doctoral studies after completing his bachelor's degree on land. He is a patient with a cavity that worsened without him knowing. The bread was really delicious. While checking his teeth and gums, I answered.
"Fast and Furious."
"Is it fun?"
"Watching cars crash is always fun."
Seeing Yoo Geumgi's hands, which were clasped tightly due to tension, I reassured him that I would only do a quick scaling. Dental treatment in the underwater base is free. So, anyone with dental problems can visit the dentist without worrying about the cost. It's one of the better welfare benefits in the underwater base, but it's not a big benefit for me as a doctor.
"How is your research going?"
"I don't know how to write my paper."
To me, Mr. Yoo Geumgi is the most sociable person in the underwater base. Unlike me, who is introverted, he knows almost everyone's names in the Fourth Underwater Base. As his first patient at the dental clinic, I was grilled for a brief introduction, and I was grateful to mention that I like action movies.
Surprisingly, there is a movie theater in the central building of the Fourth Underwater Base. Moreover, with the electronic pad provided, you can watch most existing movies and dramas, which helps you fall asleep. It's nice to watch a few movies I haven't seen, but I still find the underwater base itself the most fascinating and interesting.
"Any interesting stories?"
"It's a small town here. There's nothing interesting."
I swallowed the comment that it's because you're writing a paper. The Fourth Underwater Base, with over 400 people living in the research center, is a vast world for me, who has only been here for four days. The base is so large that I haven't even visited many places outside of the White Tiger and Central buildings.
"Since I've only been here for a short time, everything is fascinating and interesting."
"What's the most fascinating thing?"
First, it's amazing that such a massive facility is built underwater, and it's fascinating that people from various countries work in 8-hour shifts. The numerous restrictions are also intriguing, and the name of the island is fascinating.
"The name of the artificial island on the 0th floor is Daehando."
"Ah, that's because a Korean named it."
Mr. Yoo Geumgi explained with a hint of pride. There was a lot of discussion about what to name the artificial island above the underwater base. Each country wanted to name it, causing a commotion. It was like a territorial dispute, as if naming an international common area like the moon or the North Pole. Names like Leviathan, Nautilus, Great Old Ones, Neverland, Atlantis, Promised Land, Greenland Shark, and many other strange names were proposed. At that time, people from various countries staying in the underwater base had to vote.
"There's a unique person in the Engineering Team A, Team Leader Shinhaeryang. I heard he named it."
"Were there many Koreans in the underwater base at that time?"
Mr. Yoo Geumgi chuckled.
"The Korean Engineering Team is only Team A, and there were probably fewer than 10 people, then and now. I heard that Team Leader Shin swept the votes from the Engineering and Mining Teams."
"Wow. He must be very capable."
Mr. Yoo Geumgi seemed happy to have someone to speak Korean with. He mentioned that there are the most Koreans in Engineering Team A, a total of 7. I nodded, remembering that Ms. Kang Soojung, whom I met on the first day, was also an engineer there. He also mentioned that there is a Ph.D. named Kim Gayoung in the research department.
The most people are Americans, Chinese, and Australians, and I know there are a few more Koreans working in the hospital on Daehando (the artificial island). There's an artificial beach on Daehando. Have you seen it?
"Is there an artificial beach?"
Priya Kumari suggested I should go there. She mentioned a few other places to visit.
"They've made it quite beautiful. Many people go there to bask in the sunlight. I often go too."
"I see."
I nodded. I've only been here for two days, but looking out the window of the underwater base is incredibly gloomy. It's pitch black, like ink. Every time I look out the window, I get confused whether I'm in an underwater base or a space station. Realizing I'm thousands of meters underwater every time I see the dark, starless outside.
The Second and Third Underwater Bases have large windows, but the Fourth Underwater Base has very few. According to the manual, making windows that can withstand the water pressure is not easy. They used to install many artificial sunlight lights but removed them all. If someone with claustrophobia lived here, they would go crazy within four days.
Even I, an introverted person, feel that way, so active people like Mr. Yoo Geumgi would feel the loss of sunlight even more. After chatting, he gave me a few chocolates from his pocket, half-heartedly listened to my advice to floss, and went back to the research building.
It's easy to become depressed in the deep sea. The deep ocean is pitch black, and fish are not good conversation partners. The emergency medical center is on the artificial island (Daehando), and the psychological counseling center is installed in the deep sea for a reason. In a state of continuous depression, the only thing that can simply satisfy a person's basic needs is food. Sweet foods like chocolate and snacks are almost free and abundant. This is because it's better for depressed people to relieve stress with a few chocolates and candies than to set fires or attack their colleagues in despair.
There's a reason why psychological counselors continuously request large quantities of carbonated drinks, chocolate, ice cream, and snacks. Sweetness makes people happy. After reducing depression with sugar, the dentist appears. No matter how well you brush, it's not as good as not eating at all. I've already told Elliott to get some sunlight and exercise, like a broken record. And Elliott, using psychological counseling as an excuse, offered to help me with any personal items I might need.
The idea of completely banning candy and chocolate almost came to my throat. But I don't want to lose my job, and people tend to desire something more when it's forbidden or lacking. I said I needed a stuffed animal smaller than an adult's upper body.
"Does it have to be a bear?"
"Used to be a bear, but any stuffed animal is fine. As long as I can hug it."
She brought a shark and a whale stuffed animal from the corner of her office. She said she bought them on impulse at a marine museum gift shop, but they just collected dust. Both were about 60 cm tall and had a good texture. The shark had a blue body with protruding teeth and white eyes. The whale, whether due to mutation or pollution, had a bright orange body.
I liked the orange whale more. Because it's a color that doesn't exist in reality. I played with the whale to check if it was the right size for an adult to hug, and Elliott smiled slightly. It must have been funny to see a grown man asking for a stuffed animal. After making the counselor laugh a little with my clowning, I felt better too.
"Does it have a name?"
Elliott said casually while writing on her pad.
"You can name it."
"How about 'Marine'?"
"Not 'Orange'?"
"The color is definitely orange."
I have no sense in naming, so I thought for a moment and said, looking at the orange body.
"How about 'Red Sky'? In Korean, it's pronounced 'Noeul'."
Elliott looked at the orange body of the whale and then back at her pad, hearing the pronunciation from the interpreter.
"Nor. It's good."
I was about to correct the pronunciation but gave up.
"Sometimes when you need sunlight, I can lend it to you."
Seeing her weak smile and farewell, I got up from the chair due to the appointment alarm. Before leaving, I poked my head out and asked.
"Is this the end?"
Since I mostly chatted with Elliott, I wasn't sure if I had a proper counseling session.
"You are the healthiest person in this underwater base. I'll contact you for your mandatory regular checkup in three months."
People who do psychological counseling always look tired. They get tired of people. Hearing Elliott's exhausted voice, I quickly pulled my head back, and the heavy door closed automatically.