No matter how many times I experience it, I still feel shocked and find it incredible."
Number One said, still a little unsettled.
"Yes, when supernatural power is placed before us, if not for Wizard, would we choose to believe or not to believe?"
Number Three sighed.
"Since we have embarked on this path, there is no turning back. Our mission is now completely different. We must complete three trials; that is our biggest goal right now."
Number Five patted Number One's shoulder.
The five of them looked at Wang Ya; it was now Wizard's turn to explain why he had brought them here.
However, Wang Ya seemed to have thought of something and unhurriedly took out his phone to make a call.
"Hello! Is this Mr. Landon Fury? There's a small matter here that I need to trouble you to come over for... Specifically, it's like this..."
Wang Ya began to wait silently, and so did the others, as patience was one of the necessary conditions for the Special Reserve Team.
Soon, Landon Fury was transported to the underground base via the teleportation pool, under Wang Ya's control, rather than to other dead zones.
Before Landon Fury could even recover, Zhang Qing said in a low voice.
"Everyone is here. Now, witness with me the occurrence of a containment event."
"Containment?"
"Yes, that's right, containment. I imagine Mr. Landon Fury, you're also very curious about why our SCP Foundation exists, and why I want to establish the SCP Foundation. I will give you all the answers one by one."
Wang Ya walked deeper into the underground base as he spoke. After nearly a month and a half of construction, the scale of the underground base had initially taken shape, at least with specific passages, rooms, and even automatic sensor doors for entry and exit, giving it the atmosphere of a mysterious organization.
But there was still a long way to go, and Wang Ya naturally knew this.
This underground base was divided into three areas, for now, only this could be achieved. Of course, ventilation and water circulation were all done very well.
In Wang Ya's vision, Area 1 was responsible for the daily life and living of SCP Foundation members. Of course, this did not mean that when expanding and building, top-secret armories, weapon testing grounds, and large-scale weapon storage would not be included.
Food reserves, air conditioning systems, dining, and medical facilities must always be available.
Area 2 was the living quarters and research institute for scientists and researchers, storing various high-tech equipment. The subsequent plan was to expand and include a computer center, large-scale servers, gene laboratories, cloning factories, mind control research, and so on…
Area 3 was the deepest part, also where the containment objects were held. There were specialized countermeasures. According to the characteristics of each containment object, each containment facility could fully contain it to ensure that the containment object would not escape or containment would not fail.
For this, Wang Ya's conception included three lines of defense; just the part of Area 3 alone had to have three lines of defense.
But constrained by materials, time, and relevant professional personnel, this underground base could only be considered a semi-finished product, though it was already capable of initial operation.
What was currently lacking were the staff to make the underground base active. Wang Ya planned to complete the underground base and also supplement the personnel within the next three months. Of course, the premise was that they must pass the assessment.
Wang Ya would absolutely strictly control this and would not allow it to be taken lightly.
Everyone passed through multiple areas and arrived at Area 3, finally stopping in front of a huge, sealed containment facility door.
The door number was 3-1, with a total of two sealed doors. The outer one could be opened with an ID card, leading into an inner buffer zone. This buffer zone had a considerable space and could be considered a simple observation room, where the situation inside could be viewed via monitors.
Currently, the entire base had three types of ID cards, with various levels of authorization. Wang Ya's was naturally the card with the highest authorization, followed by the ID cards of the supervisors of each base area, currently three areas: containment area, research area, and armed personnel area. Finally, there were personnel cards that only allowed temporary entry and exit.
Wang Ya suddenly remembered that one facility had not yet been built, which was the area for D-class personnel. In the future, when the base became operational, it would definitely require some D-class personnel, but the source of personnel became a troublesome matter.
Wang Ya thought about it; perhaps he could start with Gotham City's prisons in the future. No, there were so many villains in Gotham City, almost all of whom could be considered D-class personnel.
For some reason, Wang Ya suddenly thought of an interesting scene: what would happen if Mr. Joker of Gotham City met SCP-173, that little cutie?
Currently, only Wang Ya and Landon Fury possessed ID cards in the base.
After swiping the ID card to open the main door, as the automatic high-pressure electric door opened, everyone entered the inner intervening passage. To the left was the entrance to this specially constructed containment facility, and to the right was the dedicated observation room.
It was specially built for SCP-173, due to its characteristics; it could not be looked at directly but could be observed through monitors and the like.
Once inside, the monitoring room and the door to enter the containment facility not only required an ID card but also fingerprints or iris scans. Of course, the outer door could also be entered using these, while the inner door simultaneously required all three to open.
The underground base was not just this; after all, it was only a semi-finished product. Besides being divided into areas, it was also divided into levels. This was merely the ordinary first level; subsequently, it would gradually be built deeper, and even a special mine would be built underground for the development of underground mineral resources.
The personnel who built this underground base were trusted core members of the Landon Group. After all, their entire families lived in the Landon living area, enjoying a comfortable life. Landon Fury, to complete Wizard's task, was dedicated and responsible, considering every possible aspect.
The construction workers who built the base would all undergo trials one by one in the future. If they passed, they would join the SCP Foundation, becoming the most ordinary personnel in the living area, responsible for the base's repairs, underground minerals, and mine development. This was their professional and essential work in the first place.
Currently, they were still unable to leave and were living and working in this underground base, repairing the base. Of course, they were all in other areas and on the second level, as this underground base was very large, and their arrival was not announced to them.
The Finger River above the base also had Landon Group's water conservancy projects under construction, as a cover.
Wang Ya naturally also considered safety issues, including potential hidden dangers within the Landon Group…
…
[There were originally two hundred more words, saving them for the next chapter. Around 2,080 words is fine, as there will be three to four updates today! Cough cough…]
Wang Ya naturally also considered safety issues, including potential hidden dangers within the Landon Group. Regarding this, he only needed to maintain his necessary mystery and untraceable completeness, the unknown of all his powers, and then everything would be fine. This was the greatest guarantee.
Because Landon Fury and those core executives would be more proactive and merciless than Wang Ya in eliminating any unstable or hidden factors, thereby achieving the most perfect state of secrecy.
The base also had security personnel, but only a small portion. Wang Ya planned to train the Special Reserve Team into a specialized force for dealing with space-time distorters, so his demands on them were very high.
"I'm sure you're all wondering why I brought you here, right? Mr. Landon Fury, you must also be curious why I would build such a unique room!"
Wang Ya went to the monitoring room and personally operated the surveillance system, including checking if every blind spot and corner could be seen clearly. He had to be extra careful with SCP containment objects.
"The world is far from as simple as you imagine; it possesses many unknown things, legendary magicians, Wizards…"
At this point, Wang Ya specifically glanced at them, then said with a hint of seriousness, "Not only that, but even legendary gods, monsters created by genetic experiments, undead creatures from storybooks, high-level beings from outer space—there are too many, too many dangers. We humans are simply unable to contend with such existences…"
Speaking of this, Wang Ya also said with extreme sincerity, "I am first and foremost a human, and only then am I a Wizard. I established this SCP Foundation precisely to deal with such existences. When the existences I just mentioned descend upon the human world, humans will have no way to resist."
At this point, Wang Ya's voice became deep: "So we need to become stronger, and to protect humanity, to protect humanity from the arbitrary dominance of those existences, to ensure that we humans have autonomous rights, we must contain them, defeat them, contain them, and contain and control all supernatural existences that could potentially affect humanity's future or even destroy the world."
"This is the meaning of our SCP Foundation's existence: to use absolute rationality to restrain ourselves, to face them, to calmly judge, to contain and control them, to protect!!"
Wang Ya was so carried away by his own words that he even infected himself. His hands spread open as if he was striving for this great cause, and he truly believed it. The meaning of the SCP Foundation's existence should indeed be just that.
But before that, there had to be a prerequisite, and that was protection, specifically self-protection. If one couldn't even protect oneself, how could one protect others?
Furthermore, there was another philosophy within the SCP Foundation created by Wang Ya: to be a holy sword of Damocles, a suspended sword above all powers on Earth. No matter who or what force, if they ever intended to harm humanity or the Earth, the SCP Foundation had the necessity and responsibility to stop them.
(Wang Ya: Why do I feel like we're meddling busybodies? This must be my illusion. Everything is for humanity, for the stability and peace of the world.)
Overwhelming shock, this was the thought in the minds of the six people present. They had not imagined that the world harbored so many crises and dangers, and that Wizard had such grand ambitions and lofty ideals, and was willing to undertake such a great cause for humanity.
They did not believe that Wang Ya was deceiving them, because Wang Ya's own existence had already proven the truthfulness of his words.
They were incredibly excited, moved by Wang Ya's words. Of course, this was only a part of it; more so, they were excited and shocked by the vast, unseen world they had just been introduced to.
Perhaps the members of the Special Reserve Team were more deeply moved by Wang Ya's words, but Landon Fury, that old fox, was immensely worried, even fearful, about the existences mentioned in Wang Ya's speech. If those existences truly descended upon Earth, what should they do? How would his Landon Group, his Landon Family, continue to exist?
A deep sense of crisis stimulated Landon Fury's mind. He had to firmly bind Wizard and the Landon Family together. He himself also had to join the SCP Foundation; only then would there be more ways to ensure his family's survival when those existences arrived.
This thought was the only one in Landon Fury's mind at that moment.
The more one knows, the more one fears the unknown. Sometimes, ignorance is often the best way to forget worries.
"Wizard, we swear that we will fight against those dangerous superhuman entities for the SCP Foundation, containing and controlling them in the most rational way. We will never betray, and we will never deviate from the principles of the SCP Foundation."
The five members of the Special Reserve Team swore in unison. They were deeply moved by Wang Ya's words and genuinely and wholeheartedly embraced the philosophy of the SCP Foundation, dedicating themselves to protecting humanity's future!
Landon Fury took a deep breath and solemnly said, "For humanity, for the SCP Foundation, we must bear the heavy burden and move forward. There are too many dangerous existences in the world. I have deeply understood Wizard's painstaking efforts. Please forgive my overstepping, Wizard."
"I want to completely merge the Landon Group into SCP Technology Co., Ltd., focusing entirely on SCP Technology Co., Ltd., and investing in the SCP Technology Foundation to fully develop technology for humanity. Even the pharmaceutical industry of the Landon Group will conduct research and development, to be integrated under SCP Technology Co., Ltd. My company's core executives, including shareholders, have unanimously agreed to my operation."
Wang Ya was momentarily stunned. He was somewhat surprised. Why was this over-fifty-year-old gentleman suddenly so impulsive, directly putting all the Landon Group and Landon Family's assets on the line? It felt like he cared more about the development of the SCP Foundation than Wang Ya himself, almost wanting to push SCP Technology Co., Ltd. into the global top 500, surpassing Stark Industries in market value.
"Mr. Landon Fury, I think you can calm down first. There's no need to rush this matter, after all…"
However, Wang Ya was interrupted by Landon Fury before he could finish.
"Wizard, I am very calm, extremely calm. I know what I'm doing, and my core members and all my shareholders are also clear. We have already decided!"
(Landon Fury: Here, all members of the Landon Group and Landon Family salute the SCP Foundation and Wizard Wang Ya!)
After a brief, incredibly exciting interlude with Mr. Landon Fury, Wang Ya returned to the main reason he had brought them here.
It was about the containment facility, and specifically, the containment of SCP-173—The Original.
A thousand words couldn't compare to letting them truly witness the terrifying existence they would face in the future.
[SCP-173 – The Sculpture – The Original
Description: Constructed from concrete and rebar, with traces of Krylon brand spray paint. SCP-173 is animate and extremely hostile, though it cannot move when in direct line of sight. Line of sight with SCP-173 must not be broken at any time. Personnel within the containment chamber must provide instructions to each other before blinking, otherwise SCP-173 will snap their neck at the base of the skull, or strangle personnel within the containment chamber.]
[Note: Some readers have expressed that they don't fully understand when the specific details of SCPs are written out. This popular science explanation is long overdue. For the previous SCP anomalies, I'll kindly ask helpful readers to provide explanations in the chapter comments. For all future SCP anomalies, I will provide an explanation.]
"Regarding the issue of anomalous entities, I brought you here specifically for this matter."
Wang Ya said solemnly to the group in the monitoring room, "I have subdued and controlled an anomalous entity and stored it within my spatial magic, but this cannot be sustained indefinitely. That's why I had Mr. Landon Fury work overtime to construct a containment facility, which is where we are now and the room you see on the monitor."
Landon Fury suddenly understood, though there was still a hint of nervousness and even more curiosity in his eyes. He also wanted to truly see what kind of legendary supernatural object the Wizard had contained.
Given that the containment facility required pure titanium alloy and had two large doors, an inner and an outer, Landon Fury reasoned that even if the inner door failed to hold, there was still the outer door to contain it.
Wang Ya looked at the curiosity in everyone's eyes and said to them sternly, "Supernatural objects are extremely dangerous, a fatal threat to humans. And the supernatural object I have contained harbors an extremely strong malice and aggression towards humans. A slight misstep could lead to death!"
Wang Ya then added, "It should be said that the moment you see it, you are already on its kill list. The slightest blink will result in a snap, and you will die from a broken neck and spine."
Hearing Wang Ya's serious words, any curiosity in their hearts vanished, replaced by a chilling sensation as if plunging into an icy valley.
The Wizard speaking so solemnly and seriously meant that the danger was very real, making them, who had never seen a true supernatural object, extremely nervous, even afraid of its unknown nature.
Wang Ya saw it all; this was normal. Not being afraid would be abnormal.
If Wang Ya hadn't known SCP-173's characteristics, he would have been incredibly terrified and afraid when he first saw it snap a person's spine in an instant, as if teleporting, just because they blinked. The fear of the unknown is an instinctive reaction shared by all conscious life.
When the unknown is no longer unknown, then the so-called fear will disappear, replaced by a calm acceptance, or even a desire to utilize, study, and master it.
This is the most terrifying aspect of humanity!
Wang Ya deeply understood this, so he would always maintain his unknown uniqueness.
"Come with me, you will all have to face it eventually!"
Wang Ya walked calmly towards the left passage, where the entrance to the containment facility was. It required fingerprint, retinal, and ID card verification simultaneously to enter.
"Oh, Mr. Landon Fury, that thing I asked you about on the phone earlier…"
Wang Ya suddenly remembered something and inquired.
Landon Fury nodded and said, "I certainly remember your instructions, Wizard. The prisoners you requested have already been brought. I will have someone send them over now."
Two minutes later, a team of guards escorted four prisoners, wearing prison uniforms and shackled at their feet and hands, to the outer door and pressed the intercom.
Wang Ya and the others inside heard it, and Wang Ya gestured for Number One to press the switch.
As the outer door opened, Number One was surprised to find that his brothers, who had once competed in the selection process with him, had become guards here.
The facility guard also saw Number One and immediately offered a friendly smile, but with superiors present, it was no place for casual chatter, so his expression instantly turned serious.
"Report, prisoners have been brought."
Landon Fury said to Wang Ya, "Wizard, these are prisoners from Blackgate Penitentiary, who have committed crimes warranting centuries of imprisonment. If judged by the standards of that Eastern country, these people would be executed a dozen times over."
Wang Ya nodded and said, "Four, huh? Just enough. From now on, our SCP Foundation personnel will be divided into four grades: A, B, C, and D. These death row inmates will be considered D-class personnel. We'll build a special confinement area for D-class personnel, maintaining a constant number of ten people, ten for now."
Wang Ya added, "Ensure they are well-fed, plenty of meat. Also, promise them freedom after working for the SCP Foundation for three years."
"Bring them in, to the inner door, and have them go inside."
As the inner door opened, the facility guards herded the four prisoners inside. They wore shackles on their feet, and small, specially developed bombs were embedded in their ear canals. The bombs weren't very powerful, but they could easily blow open a head.
These prisoners had no chance of escape, but Wang Ya had promised them freedom after three years, effectively commuting their centuries of imprisonment, a different kind of death sentence.
What wasn't good about this? Centuries turned into three years, and the leader of that mysterious organization said they would have good food every meal, only needing to work for them.
The work the four prisoners imagined was entirely building houses, cleaning, moving equipment…
And they thought, 'What's so hard about that? Can't you do it with just your hands!'
"What are you doing going in? Everyone, come out. Only those four prisoners need to go in."
Wang Ya looked at Landon Fury and the others with surprise. Why were these guys heading straight into the containment facility? Were they that brave? Did they want to personally witness the supernatural entity and have a heart-to-heart with SCP-173, the little peanut…
Hearing Wang Ya's words, the four members of the Special Reserve Team and Landon Fury were stunned. So they didn't have to go in? Weren't they supposed to witness the supernatural entity?
Under Wang Ya's command, the four prisoners entered the containment facility, still curiously looking around inside. Where were the boss's goods? Weren't they supposed to work? Why was there nothing to move?
Wang Ya decisively pressed the inner door's closing button. As it closed to a point where only one person could pass, Wang Ya's mind moved, claiming the reward and depositing it into the containment facility. With Wang Ya's wave, the figure of SCP-173 appeared inside the containment facility, and the inner door instantly closed.
Wang Ya's face was calm, but his heart was pounding rapidly. Finally, it was inside! Secure, secure!
Now, to watch the guys inside perform… the lovely D-class personnel…
The lovely D-class personnel…
As the door closed, the D-class personnel inside noticed the situation and panic appeared on their faces, but in an instant, they found a strange object in front of them.
The reason it was called strange was because the object was nearly two meters tall, and the word 'object' was used because it wasn't a person, but a hard, cement-like thing.
"Look at that thing, it's staring at me."
A D-class personnel said, pointing at SCP-173.
"This is truly strange. How did this thing get in? And why did the boss lock us in here? Didn't he say we were going to work?"
This D-class personnel said naively, seemingly not yet understanding what had happened.
Wang Ya and his group had already arrived at the monitoring room, observing the situation inside the containment facility.
"Is this the terrifying supernatural entity?"
Landon Fury looked at the screen in amazement, but there didn't seem to be anything extraordinary about it; it was just a structure made of rebar and cement, standing perfectly still as if dead, with no possibility of life or activity.
The five members of the Special Reserve Team also stared wide-eyed, not taking their gaze off SCP-173 for a moment. Was this the supernatural entity they would have to face in the future? It certainly looked unremarkable!
Wang Ya didn't speak, just silently watched the monitor. Everything that was about to happen would probably shock them, because anyone unfamiliar with SCP-173, upon witnessing its first kill, would experience immense fear and incomprehension.
"It's starting!"
Wang Ya muttered to himself.
The scene on the monitor changed. The four D-class personnel, unaware of what was happening, saw this 'thing' appear in the containment facility and curiously gathered around it, examining it closely, seemingly trying to find some clue.
"Hey, D-1, did you notice when this thing appeared in here?"
D-2 said to a D-class personnel dressed like him.
But just by speaking, the two of them averted their gaze from SCP-173, and the other two also looked away.
And it was this glance away that heralded the true danger. When all eyes were not on SCP-173, the greatest terror descended upon the containment facility.
This immediately caused incomprehension, horror, and even lingering fear among the many personnel in the monitoring room.
SCP-173, which had been in the center of the containment facility, suddenly disappeared. *Crack!* With that crisp sound, in the blink of an eye, it had snapped D-2's cervical spine!
*Thud!*
The lifeless body collapsed.
"What's going on? How could this happen… What happened?"
A D-class personnel said in horror, and then he saw SCP-173, appearing in the position where the deceased D-2 had been, seemingly having killed him.
SCP-173 stared blankly at D-3 with its wide eyes, its hands open as if to give him a warm hug, though this was a hug no one would want to receive.
"My god, damn it, it's this monster!"
D-1 said in terror, his legs giving out, causing him to collapse to the ground: "This monster killed D-2, he killed D-2…"
However, in their panic, another person took their eyes off SCP-173. He himself did not meet SCP-173's gaze, because he sensed danger and began to run.
This run immediately triggered a chain reaction; the remaining two D-class personnel also tried to run, heading towards the door.
However, this renewed run was met with another crisp *crack* sound. *Thud!* Another lifeless body fell.
SCP-173 appeared at the location of a D-class personnel, twisting his neck with its 'cute little hands.'
This situation immediately made the other two remaining people realize what was happening, their terrified eyes fixed on SCP-173.
"This is a monster, we can't escape at all, he will kill all of us…"
D-1 said in fear, his lips trembling. He was completely unable to continue running. SCP-173's bizarre killing method had utterly destroyed his psyche.
"D-2 is dead, D-3 is dead, we'll die too!!"
D-1 even covered his eyes out of fear, burying his head in his hands.
But fortunately, the other D-class personnel was facing SCP-173 directly. D-4 had fierceness and ruthlessness in his eyes. If this monster wanted to kill them, he would make it pay the price.
Before his imprisonment, he was Ace the Executioner, who killed without batting an eye. Every time he was excited and wanted to kill, he wouldn't blink, just like now.
Unlike the other prisoners, who were rapists and child abusers, he possessed powerful combat skills. Even unarmed, he could easily smash a human head with his fists, killing in one blow.
He stared wide-eyed, fixed on SCP-173, his pupils even showing red streaks from excitement.
"Come on, monster, let Ace the Executioner be your opponent!"
D-4 confidently walked towards SCP-173, believing his incredibly powerful iron fist, capable of crushing any human skull, would strike SCP-173's head directly and heavily.
In the monitoring room, Wang Ya was also stunned by this scene. What was this person doing? Was he serious? He actually wanted to actively attack SCP-173 and try to defeat the containment object. Did this guy really think everyone was a god of war?
This action left Wang Ya dumbfounded and speechless. He truly hadn't expected that these four guys, instead of thinking carefully, would have the first person get 'lunch' and then the second person get 'lunch' by running away directly.
Now there were two people left, and it seemed there was still something to watch, because they had lasted two minutes. Wang Ya's consideration was that if they could last five minutes, he would let the survivors out.
But the premise was to last five minutes, because two people had already died within two minutes.
Of the remaining two guys, one was as timid as a mouse, still burying his head, not looking directly at SCP-173. The other was like a newborn calf not fearing a tiger, incredibly bold, actually fighting SCP-173. He was truly stubborn.
These two guys were complete opposites.
Could such two individuals last three minutes?
This was a big unknown, but Wang Ya mostly thought it was unlikely.
... ...
[None left... None left... I'll make it up tomorrow! Feeling a bit unwell... I've been to the bathroom several times!]
Inside the monitoring room, Landon Fury looked at everything on the screen in disbelief. He couldn't understand how the guy made of concrete suddenly moved behind that prisoner, or by what means.
Was it teleportation?
The five members of the Special Reserve Team stared with wide eyes, carefully observing every move of SCP-173, including its recent actions of killing two prisoners. They watched it all and pondered why SCP-173 suddenly attacked those prisoners.
What kind of attack method did it use, what kind of movement, and what were its actions before and after the attack?
Gradually, Number One seemed to have figured some things out, but he was still a bit uncertain, as SCP-173 was a creature they had never encountered before.
Wang Ya said to them, "If you have any thoughts, you can speak them. The main purpose of this experiment is to let you understand what kind of entities you will face in the future. So this is like a small test to see if you can, through calm judgment, discern the various peculiarities of this SCP-173."
"As for SCP-173, that's the number I've given it for differentiation."
Number One hesitated for a moment and said, "Then, Wizard, I'll speak my mind. In my careful observation, I noticed that this concrete creature seemed not to have moved from the beginning. But then he suddenly moved and killed a prisoner. There's a variable involved."
Number One furrowed his brow, thinking, and said, "I think this variable might be related to the prisoners and SCP-173. It's because of this variable that SCP-173 attacked, but I haven't quite figured out what this variable is."
"There's only one hypothetical possibility: perhaps their escape led to SCP-173's attack. If they hadn't tried to escape, would they have been spared?"
Wang Ya nodded and said, "Your observation direction and thinking method are very close to the true secret of SCP-173, but you haven't observed its true characteristic. That variable actually exists between the prisoners and SCP-173."
"Eyes!"
Number Three silently uttered two words.
"From the moment that concrete monster, which is SCP-173, appeared in the center of the containment facility, it was clearly visible that it could move, but it moved very slowly, as if discerning a direction. Later, when the four prisoners' gazes fell upon SCP-173, SCP-173 stopped moving, and its gaze remained fixed on the four prisoners, mutually staring."
Number Three took a deep breath and said, "When those prisoners talked, their gazes left SCP-173's body, meaning they weren't making eye contact with SCP-173. This led to SCP-173's sudden disappearance, then its reappearance behind one of the prisoners, killing him by brutally breaking his spine."
"SCP-173's subsequent movements and actions all prove this point, including when the prisoners, in panic and tension, all tried to escape, someone else was killed, and SCP-173 reappeared at the location of the person who was killed."
Clap, clap, clap!
Applause erupted in the monitoring room. It was Wang Ya's applause for him.
"Among the five, Number Three answered very correctly. Your meticulousness and rationality are the strongest among the five, including your observational skills. Regarding the selection of the Special Reserve Team leader, I think that position will fall to you."
Wang Ya looked at Number Three with great appreciation, and the latter was also very excited.
"Thank you, Wizard, for your trust and support. I will definitely not let this trust down and will continuously bear the responsibility for the mission and ideals of the SCP Foundation!"
Number Three perhaps hadn't expected this pleasant surprise. The selection of the five-person reserve team was indeed to choose a leader. Previously, Number One might have served as the temporary leader, but now Wang Ya had, through the SCP-173 judgment test, chosen the true leader candidate.
Landon Fury looked at the five members of the Special Reserve Team with envy. These guys had gained the Wizard's favor so easily. He recalled how he had to go through countless hardships to achieve his current status. Originally, they were just his subordinates, and he never thought they would one day reach the same position.
However, he hid these complex thoughts very well, watching everything on the surveillance screen with a grave expression. Now, there were new developments.
Inside the containment facility, the guy who called himself Ace the Executioner had, under the disbelieving gazes of everyone, thrown what he called his iron fist, punching SCP-173 in the head.
However, something unexpected happened to Ace. He had thought that this punch, while not directly blowing up SCP-173, should at least push it back a few steps. But the other party was completely unharmed, and instead, his own iron fist suffered a strong rebound, causing intense and unbearable pain.
"What kind of monster are you, anyway!"
Ace the Executioner was still unwilling to give up, wanting to tackle SCP-173 down and then deliver a barrage of punches.
In the monitoring room, Wang Ya watched this indescribable scene in shock. He was truly too brave; this person actually wanted to ride on SCP-173 and then punch SCP-173 to death.
But a question arose in Wang Ya's mind: a minute and a half had already passed, so why hadn't SCP-173 acted yet to kill this audacious Ace the Executioner?
Every human blinks, and these prisoners, completely unaware of SCP-173's characteristics, should have blinked long ago. But as soon as they blink, SCP-173 will begin its slaughter. This situation is a bit strange.
Wang Ya zoomed in on the monitoring screen, carefully watching the confrontation between the guy calling himself Ace the Executioner and SCP-173. As Ace the Executioner continuously attacked SCP-173, Wang Ya finally noticed the point of difference: that guy hadn't blinked at all, his eyes bloodshot as if he had fallen into an excited state.
Is this this person's special characteristic?
If so, then it seems it might be possible to last five minutes. Perhaps the first warrior capable of facing SCP-173 is about to emerge.
For some reason, Wang Ya even felt a strange sense of anticipation!
However, another person, by virtue of D-4's actions, had a chance to survive this experiment. To maintain bloodshot eyelids without blinking during excitement, such a coincidental probability is even more impossible than finding a needle in a haystack, yet it happened in this experiment.
Wang Ya added to everyone, "Regarding SCP-173's movement method, it's not teleportation, but an extraordinary high-speed movement. When your eyes are not looking at it, or even if you blink, it will use that precious moment to kill you."
"If you face SCP-173 in the future, I think you should understand how to act specifically, right?"
Everyone nodded, indicating they understood. If they knew so many characteristics and still couldn't react correctly when facing SCP-173, then they shouldn't be members of the Special Reserve Team; they should just go home and farm!
One minute left!
Wang Ya watched the monitor. Inside the containment facility, D-4 was incredibly brave, his old fists only striking SCP-173's face and chin, as he believed this was the most convenient and damaging area to attack. Yet, even as his hands trembled and bled, the monster in front of him showed no reaction.
It still stared at him blankly, meeting his gaze, standing perfectly still and enduring his attacks.
This made him feel incredibly uncomfortable and despairing. Although he didn't know why this monster wasn't attacking him—perhaps his lack of escape was also a reason—the damage wasn't effective, and if this monster were to attack, he would be dead!
Thirty seconds left!
Wang Ya silently counted in his heart, wondering if he could hold out until then!
D-4's excited state couldn't last much longer. He was already starting to come down from his pumped-up state, and his eyelids were gradually loosening, seemingly wanting to close and blink.
Once he closed his eyes, he would immediately be killed by SCP-173. This was an unstoppable act; everything depended on him.
Perhaps it really was up to fate!
So, would D-4 survive, or would he be killed by SCP-173…
Fifteen seconds left!!
Ace the Executioner's fists were already covered in blood. He had thrown countless punches, but they had no effect whatsoever, as if the monster in front of him was the hardest thing in the world. Even real rebar and concrete should show cracks and break under such repeated blows; he was the most heinous criminal in Blackgate Penitentiary.
The world before his eyes gradually blurred, everything became a double image, and his excited state was truly about to disappear. His eyelids were half-open and half-drooping, and he could only vaguely see SCP-173 and maintain eye contact.
The other prisoner trembled and hid in the corner, watching Ace's battle with SCP-173.
Finally, he could no longer hold on. His excited state vanished instantly, and his eyelids could no longer resist, closing completely as he fainted, his powerless body collapsing to the ground.
Before he fainted, while his consciousness still lingered and he could still see SCP-173's face, he seemed to hear the sound of a door opening, and then he lost consciousness completely!
...
When D-4 woke up again, he found himself in a special cell. To be precise, it was a detention room, but it had a decent amount of space for activity and some entertainment items, such as newspapers and books.
What exactly was going on? Had that monster not killed him?
He had fallen unconscious then and had no idea what happened afterward. He had assumed he would be killed by that monster.
Speaking of that monster, he had never seen such a terrifying creature. Without any warning, without any conditions, it appeared behind a prisoner with just a blink and killed him. Even trying to escape meant death, instantly killing another prisoner.
It seemed facing that monster directly was the correct approach. That monster seemed like a punching bag; as long as you kept attacking it, it wouldn't attack you.
He seemed to have figured out SCP-173's characteristics and declared that even if he faced SCP-173 again, he could defeat it or protect himself!
In the corridor outside the room, there was a speaker. A person's voice was coming from it; he clearly remembered it was the voice of the leader of this mysterious organization.
Wang Ya used the intercom system in the cell block to speak to the two surviving D-class personnel.
One survived by his own skill, the other purely by luck. However, luck could also be considered a skill, after all, they both survived, didn't they?
"Congratulations, you two lucky scumbags. You successfully survived this experiment. That's right, this is your job. I think you should have figured it out by now. You only need three years. After three years, you can go home freely."
Wang Ya had a strange expression on his face, but he was stating a fact: as long as they completed three years of work and were still alive, he would immediately send them out of the base and grant them freedom once the three years were up.
Of course, the most important point was to still be alive!
That possibility should still exist, right!!
"Additionally, you will also have opportunities for lookout duty during normal times. The specific times will be communicated to you by the facility guards…"
Wang Ya finished everything he wanted to say, then immediately closed the microphone.
Ace the Executioner's heart was very complex, but filled with more resentment and despair. How could anyone possibly complete three years of such work?
If they had to face that monster constantly, no one could survive three years.
But such feelings couldn't affect anyone. Compared to a punishment of lifelong imprisonment until death, wasn't it much better to work for the SCP Foundation and have a chance at freedom?
At least the SCP Foundation was willing to give them a chance. If they could truly make it three years, they would be free after just three years.
(Ace: Three years have passed, today is my day of freedom. However, as I walk out of the base gate, what greets me is…)
...
The base's affairs were temporarily concluded. Overall, this simple experiment was quite perfect; at least for Wang Ya, his goals had all been achieved.
So, the next step was to prepare for the containment of the space-time distorter, Pennywise the Dancing Clown.
Of course, there were also some effects of the Clown. Wang Ya had received news from Landon Fury that the Dancing Clown might have some inexplicable connection with the Clown of Gotham City.
If he couldn't find any trace of the Dancing Clown, he might be able to start there. In Wang Ya's opinion, Mr. Clown of Gotham City seemed a bit easier to deal with than Pennywise.
(Strengthen the Clown. What abilities does he have? I only have a rough understanding. Does any expert know? Manga information is also fine!)
The reward for containing the space-time distorter was to randomly select two Mobile Task Force members to train the Special Reserve Team to contain Pennywise. This was a trial, and it also represented the SCP Foundation training a truly exceptional team capable of completing containment missions. These two randomly selected Mobile Task Force members would then train and lead this team, further enhancing the SCP Foundation's strength in another aspect.
A colossal aerospace carrier slowly traversed the sky, a behemoth that served as the operational command center for the world-class security organization, the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. It was a pinnacle of technological ingenuity, combining transport, rescue, attack, defense, and research.
Its facilities included an aerodynamically controlled tower, an anti-gravity room, a combat command center, a bridge, a prison, a microcomputer room, a flight deck, an observation deck, a medical bay, a nuclear control room, and a World Observation Research Institute…
(Wang Ya: To be honest, I just want this thing as one of the SCP Foundation's bases!)
Our king of agents, the one-eyed bald man, Director Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D., was in his office, reviewing documents.
It must be said that being a director was an exhausting job, causing his hair to fall out so quickly that the few remaining strands all fell out when he woke up yesterday.
Director Nick Fury couldn't help but wonder if someone had put something in his food. While hair loss in middle age was inevitable, it shouldn't all be gone. His reflection in the mirror still looked spirited and energetic, but his scalp was completely bald, even shiny.
"Ahem! Come in!"
A knock sounded from outside the door, and Director Nick Fury motioned for the person to enter.
It was Miss Maria Hill, carrying files. She was also a seasoned agent, but she seemed to sense a hint of awkwardness in the atmosphere and looked at her top boss strangely.
"Is there something, Agent Hill!"
Nick Fury said nonchalantly without lifting his head, his hands still busy writing, as if telling Agent Hill that her top boss was very busy and to quickly state her business.
Alright! Maria Hill was already accustomed to such an atmosphere; there were always a few days like this each month…
"Regarding Gotham City, there have been some minor issues. I thought you might want to know, Director."
Maria Hill placed the files on Nick Fury's desk.
"Gotham City, you say? What exactly is the situation that has Agent Hill so serious? I imagine it must be quite severe!"
Nick Fury made a rare joke, but it was a cold one that only made the atmosphere more awkward. So, he had no choice but to put on a stern, expressionless face, take the files, and begin reading.
(Nick Fury: This is the demeanor of a director!!)
Miss Maria Hill still had a strange look on her face. Why was there a peculiar smell in the air, like that kind of smell…
This caused her expression to subtly change, looking at Nick Fury in shock, then quickly masking it, only observing him with her peripheral vision.
She seemed to have discovered the Director's biggest secret!
It made sense now; it finally explained why the Director had always been single, enduring so many years of solitude, yet maintaining such a rigorous attitude, capable and astute, even showing no change in his gaze when seeing female agents coming and going in the office… So, this was how he did it…
Miss Maria Hill recalled the past; almost every week there would be a day like this, when she would catch this scent. Although faint, one should not underestimate a woman; they are very perceptive in this regard!
(Hill: I seem to have uncovered a shocking secret about the Director's private life. What a dedicated and hardworking Director he is.)
Nick Fury finished reading the information Maria Hill brought. His expression was not good, but there were no other changes in his demeanor.
"I never imagined Gotham City had become this chaotic. Recently, there have been increasing signs of scheming conspirators, two Jokers!! Who is this new Joker? Is it still the Joker causing trouble?!"
Nick Fury thought for a moment and decided not to act rashly for now. Gotham City was troublesome, and he didn't want to get involved there unless absolutely necessary. The vicinity of New York City alone was enough to keep him busy. Recently, for some unknown reason, there had been a sudden increase in strange incidents and superpowered criminals.
There were even outlandish reports of devils from hell, flaming skeletons riding flaming motorcycles, and wielding flaming chains!
Our Director was already getting a headache. Perhaps he finally understood why his predecessor was so eager for him to take office, because being a director was certainly not an easy job.
"Let's put this matter aside for now. We won't intervene in Gotham City for the time being. The situation there is not like New York City!"
Nick Fury's gaze was very profound, as if he was thinking of something.
Maria Hill said nothing; since it was the Director's decision, she could only comply.
…
Gotham City
Burnley District, near Gotham Zoo!
It was already midnight, and Gotham was eerily silent and desolate at night.
This was a beauty salon near Gotham Zoo!
But the beauty salon's employees had been completely transformed, bound and tied to chairs.
Members of the Strange Circus wore various masks, holding firearms or various sharp weapons. Without a doubt, they had occupied this beauty salon. It was all because the Strange Circus was about to perform a new act, but they needed materials!
These materials were, naturally, humans transformed!
Thump thump thump!
It seemed a colossal figure was approaching; with each step, the ground vibrated noticeably.
A tall, large figure walked in. The two-meter-high doorway seemed particularly cramped in front of him. He wore a pig-face mask and a chef's apron, stained with blood, as if he had just done something.
As soon as the man entered, the members of the Strange Circus inside immediately lowered their heads, not daring to look him directly in the eye, for this man was their leader, Professor Pig Face.
Professor Pig Face saw the four bound beauty salon employees and nodded in satisfaction. Now his materials were sufficient, and he could perfectly begin the next performance.
He would use his specially designed potions and chemical agents to combine these humans with the limbs of other animals or plants, creating unusual, bizarre patchwork creatures. Such monsters were the Strange Circus's greatest act.
Unfortunately, this technology was not yet mature. Each time such monsters were created, they would die shortly after. Afterwards, Professor Pig Face would lead his henchmen to continue searching for new materials.
Pig-Face Dr. was very satisfied with these materials, and he even cast an extra glance at his subordinates.
Perhaps he could reward them by letting them try his latest transformation potion.
It was a new achievement he had developed after a long time.
With these four materials, he could proceed with further experiments...
His subordinates were extremely nervous under Professor Pig Face's gaze, even trembling a little.
The leader was no ordinary person; whether you did well or poorly, he would occasionally bestow his inexplicable rewards upon you.
However, these rewards were something none of them wanted.
Because it was very likely that it wasn't death, but rather turning into a monster.
Currently, in their main camp, the Strange Circus's encampment, there were still many monsters imprisoned as part of the Strange Circus's performances; some of them were once their companions.
However, at this moment, they felt that their boss's gaze was off.
Is the boss's reward going to begin again?!
Professor Pig Face's deep, hoarse voice echoed throughout the room: "Now, take these people back to the camp and begin our transformation experiments."
"Yes, Boss!"
All the members of the Strange Circus shouted loudly, so that their boss wouldn't reward them with a transformation potion for speaking too softly, which would turn them into something neither human nor ghost, at which point suicide would be the best option.
Humans composed of eagle wings, lion legs, and frog skin – to be precise, it was the combination of these animal tissues with corresponding human tissues, making them neither human nor ghost; their boss called them Hundred-fold Twins.
Professor Pig Face's ultimate ideal was to combine the characteristics of 100 different organisms into one creature, and his final experiment was to transform himself into that monster, at which point he would become the most perfect creature in the world, and also the creature with the most powerful strength.
But the preparations and laboratories required were far too many; as of now, the rejection of various biological organ tissues still couldn't be resolved, and countless experiments had been conducted. If one were to count carefully, it would probably be about a quarter of the people in a hospital.
But Professor Pig Face was still making progress, at least advancing from combinations of five different organisms to combinations of ten organisms, and the most crucial point among them was also the type of organism Professor Pig Face found most suitable for grafting: humans, this absolutely perfect material. Once the rejection in humans is solved and they become suitable for grafting any biological tissue or organ, the Hundred-fold Twins will no longer be an unattainable dream.
At this time of night, there were few people left; the streets were empty and desolate. In the deadly silence, only Professor Pig Face's Strange Circus procession, carrying the four acquired spoils of war, which were also experimental materials, was preparing to return to his main camp.
The cold night wind blew, rustling the dry branches and leaves on the road.
Suddenly, Professor Pig Face stopped, his stern gaze directed towards a certain direction; there was something there, and it gave him a strange feeling.
"What's wrong, Boss?"
Some subordinates asked, puzzled, and then one was honorably sent by Professor Pig Face to check that place.
It was the grass in Grant Park; one could enter there, pass through a large green belt, and then enter Grant Park.
This subordinate obediently followed his boss's arrangement. He didn't want to drink any transformation potion. He held a gun in his hand and walked over cautiously, his dark gun barrel aimed at the spot, ready to fire at any moment.
"Is there anything strange there? What's wrong with the boss? He's starting to be suspicious too."
This subordinate said with some reluctance, though he spoke very softly, only audible to himself.
However, someone did hear him. To be precise, it wasn't a person, but a Clown Doll hanging on a tree, about half a person tall, made entirely of sponge and cotton, dyed with various paints, with large eyes, staring blankly at the approaching subordinate, a strange smile splitting its mouth.
Creak, creak!
What was that sound? The subordinate looked around strangely. This creaking sound appearing late at night was somewhat unsettling for him.
"Do you want to play with the Clown?"
The Clown Doll hanging on the tree opened and closed its mouth and actually spoke.
"Who... who's talking? Who's there?"
With panic in his eyes, Taishan looked over. The boss had called him to check for movement, and he already felt something was off. Now he saw the Clown Doll hanging on the tree at a glance.
It could actually talk, and its mouth could open and close. This Clown Doll was actually alive.
He stepped back a few paces in horror, swallowing his saliva. What the hell was this?
Bang!
He raised his pistol and fired directly. Such a talking monster was too terrifying; it reminded him of the evil witches his parents had told him about when he was a child, and the voodoo dolls they created, which could imprison people's souls and subject them to endless torment.
The bullet directly pierced the Clown Doll's forehead, and a large amount of fluff scattered out.
"Ah, I'm dead, I'm so in pain..."
Accompanying the Clown Doll's scream, its body fell straight down, landing in the grass.
Taishan's eyes were still filled with uncertainty. Was that ghostly thing dead? A talking doll.
He had some doubts, wondering if this was someone's prank, deliberately installing a speaker in the doll and designing a switch to make its mouth open and close, to scare passersby. Perhaps the boss had been deceived by this doll.
The more he thought about it, the more he felt it was possible. How could a doll talk? This was a scientific society, and there wouldn't be any monsters like voodoo dolls created by witches.
However, a leaping figure sprang out from the grass again, with brightly colored clothes and a distinct clown appearance. The Clown Doll had actually come back to life, not killed by his shot.
"Oh shit, damn it, what kind of monster is this?"
Taishan finally panicked. This was clearly too abnormal. How could a doll made of sponge and fluff move on its own, and even be as agile as a human, bouncing and jumping towards him?
The Clown Doll said angrily, "I'm going to let you taste the Clown's might."
Soon, the Clown Doll pulled out a huge iron hammer from its chest pocket, completely disproportionate to its size, looked at Taishan eerily, and swung the hammer towards him.
Ah… a monster… ah…"
Tarzan screamed, raising his pistol and firing frantically at the Clown Doll.
Bang bang bang!
Shot after shot hit the Clown Doll, but it was useless. It only created more holes in the Clown Doll's body, and large amounts of cotton flew out.
"You've completely angered the Clown!"
The expression on the Q-version Clown Doll's face turned to anger. Its half-human-tall body seemed to possess extraordinary strength, as it swung a giant hammer several times its size.
Tarzan's pupils continuously constricted, reflecting the ever-enlarging giant hammer.
Thud!
It landed heavily, creating a deep pit in the ground. Inside was Tarzan, already a puddle of flesh, almost completely embedded in the ground, with blood splattering and slowly flowing out.
"This is how amazing the Clown is. You want to play with the Clown, hehehe…!"
The Clown Doll grinned widely and laughed.
Tap tap!
Multiple footsteps approached. Professor Pig Face arrived with his subordinates, and they witnessed this scene.
"Oh my god, what's this… a moving doll. God, this must be crazy."
One of Professor Pig Face's subordinates said in fright.
Indeed, a clearly living, moving Clown Doll reminded these gang members of old evil wizard stories their grandmothers used to tell.
"What are you?!"
Looking at the Clown Doll that had already killed one of his subordinates, Professor Pig Face spoke in a deep, hoarse voice.
No one knew his expression, hidden beneath the pig-face mask, but undoubtedly, Professor Pig Face was an extremely terrifying person.
"I am the Clown, oh. Do you want to play with the Clown?"
The Clown Doll smiled menacingly, the giant hammer in its hand still dripping with blood, drip-drop, a truly shocking sight.
Professor Pig Face suddenly covered his face, seemingly enduring something!
"The Clown, which Clown! Is it *that* Clown?!"
Professor Pig Face laughed, his laughter carrying an interesting meaning: "I seem to have heard that another Clown has recently arrived in Gotham City, making it two Clowns!"
"One controls the day, one controls the night. It's said they want to plunge Gotham City into true madness and fear. So, you must be the Clown that appears at night."
Professor Pig Face's tone grew increasingly excited, and even madness appeared in his eyes.
"Interesting, truly very interesting. So what are you? Why can you speak? I am genuinely very, very curious!"
"The other Clown, has he mastered some technology I don't know about? I seem to see the greatest potential for my Hundred-fold Twins to be realized."
Professor Pig Face gasped for air, his body even trembling. This was due to extreme excitement and thrill.
"To be able to achieve speech and movement, and even use weapons to kill, without relying on human beings as grafting material, simply with a doll—I am very curious, truly very, very curious!!!"
"This is definitely a technological method that surpasses my shapeshifting potion!"
Professor Pig Face's eyes held madness and greed: "Capture you, and then capture the other Clown! I must force out the principles and formulas of this magical technology!"
"The Clown is scared, the Clown wants to run. So, let's play hide-and-seek with the Clown!"
The Clown Doll split its mouth into a grotesque smile, then took off running towards Grant Park behind it.
"What are you waiting for? Catch that guy!"
Professor Pig Face laughed maniacally, pulling out several potions from his embrace. He couldn't wait to use his latest research results.
As long as he caught that Clown Doll, everything would be fine. These partial results, once used, were used. He also just wanted to see what the results of his potions would be like.
As his other subordinates rushed into Grant Park to capture the Clown, Professor Pig Face turned his gaze to the four bound, excellent materials.
"You will taste the effects of my shapeshifting potion. That is the perfect form you've always dreamed of!"
Professor Pig Face, holding four potions, slowly walked towards the four people. Amidst their four terrified gazes, he poured the potions down their throats one by one.
The effects were soon apparent. The four screamed, in pain, and their bodies underwent abnormal changes. It seemed as if something extra was trying to grow out of their bodies.
"For these four potions, I used the genes of a lion, a cheetah, an eagle, and a spider, respectively. Once you drink them, you will become one with them, becoming a new, perfect species, a new human just like me!"
Professor Pig Face laughed wildly, tearing off his pig-face mask with one hand. Beneath the mask, his original human face had acquired many other features, such as wild boar tusks…
One person's body mutated. He grew fur and sharp claws like a lion, a strong physique, and his face also resembled a lion, but overall, the human part still dominated.
This person was the first to drink the potion and mutated the fastest. After becoming half-human, half-lion, he had lost his humanity, his eyes filled with madness and bestiality, staring at Professor Pig Face. The next moment, he pounced on him.
"I knew there would be such a flaw, so I prepared for you early, obedient things!"
Professor Pig Face showed no fear. He grabbed the man's throat with one hand, choked him, pressed him to the ground, and then forced another potion down his throat.
This potion was one he had created while studying psychology and how to control people's minds, specifically to deal with these out-of-control but valuable Hundred-fold Twins.
"Become my obedient Hundred-fold Twins!"
Soon, after drinking this potion, the beastiality in the half-human, half-beast's eyes gradually receded, replaced by a trace of numb subjugation, and the object of his subjugation was none other than Professor Pig Face.
"From now on, your name is Lion King. Go, my Lion King, go catch that Clown!"
Soon, the figure of the Lion King, truly as agile as a lion, rushed into Grant Park and disappeared without a trace.
As for the other three, they also gradually mutated, becoming half-human, half-animal.
Professor Pig Face processed the remaining three half-human, half-beasts using the same method, turning them into his enslaved beasts.
"Your name is Leopard Head!"
"Your name is Eagle Zuo!"
"As for you, you shall be called Spider Demon!"
Professor Pig Face commanded these three to rush into Grant Park to capture the Clown Doll.
These half-human, half-beast creatures would only obey Professor Pig Face's orders.
As for accidental injuries and the like, in his eyes, the lives of his subordinates could not compare to these four new humans. If these four new humans were killed or eaten, it didn't matter.
[ Main Mission Four: Integration ]
[ As your subordinate has purchased the Slums, surrounding gangs will no longer be an obstacle. Gangs affiliated with Penguin's forces will withdraw from the Slums, granting you a rare window of opportunity. However, at this time, too much territory and influence will be vacated in the Slums, and many gangs will come to seize it. Defeat those gangs attempting to invade the territory and fully incorporate the surrounding areas into the SCP Foundation's domain.]
[ Mission Reward: One random SCP Containment Object manifestation opportunity, SCP-096 Fragment × 1: Head (Note: Six fragments can be integrated into a complete entity; there are also left hand, right hand, left foot, right foot, body…) ]
Wang Ya stood by the floor-to-ceiling window in the SCP Building, seemingly admiring the scenery of the Bru District, but in reality, he was observing the strings of small characters floating in the void before him.
Sure enough, when Landon Fury decided to fully develop SCP Technology Co., Ltd., he also tacitly approved of him purchasing the Slums and temporarily reaching a truce with Penguin. The original main mission also suddenly changed, indicating that he was not a mere tool, but constantly adapting.
Wang Ya let out a sigh of relief, temporarily stable!
Although the Slums were controlled by Penguin, after Landon Fury purchased the Slums, this area became the sphere of influence for SCP Technology Co., Ltd., and by extension, the SCP Foundation.
However, Penguin himself was not particularly concerned about the Slums, because this godforsaken place, which brought him no value, had been renovated several times to no effect, so he couldn't be bothered with it anymore.
He merely intervened casually, installing a few gangs as his feelers to monitor the situation in the Slums for any riots or the like. As for collecting protection fees, it was purely better than nothing, as maintaining the development of the Slums also required funds, so it was better to let them be self-sufficient.
Moreover, the money spent on several past renovations of the Slums had not even been recouped yet.
The stingy Penguin declared that when it came to money, there could be absolutely no concessions!
As for why the Landon Group decided to purchase the Slums, he couldn't be bothered to figure it out. It was a welcome development; he had finally gotten rid of this mess.
When the Gotham City Development Bureau inquired, they would only bother the Landon Group, instead of pestering him every year. Those troublesome fellows were utterly annoying.
Truly killing them to stop their annoyance would also be a loss, after all, Mr. Penguin had always prioritized peace and been a law-abiding philanthropist!
Mr. Penguin's approach to the Slums meant that, except for a few areas under his control, the remaining areas were entirely self-managed as long as a small fee was paid on time.
The Slums were still very large, as Gotham City only had five districts in total, and the Slums was one of them. Within the Slums, many smaller communities were divided, each managed by its own gang.
"So, the next step is to guard our territory, repel those restless fellows, and slowly establish ourselves and develop, then settle accounts later!"
Wang Ya silently contemplated in his mind. Eventually, these gangs would certainly not be needed in the Slums, and the Slums would undergo a major transformation, becoming a research base for SCP Technology Co., Ltd. Its environment and geography would surely become an industrial park-like dependent area, and even some secret facilities would be built.
This new main mission, however, surprisingly had two rewards.
In addition to the usual random SCP Containment Object manifestation opportunity, there was surprisingly another reward.
A fragment of SCP-096, specifically the head portion. Six fragments were needed to synthesize a complete SCP-096.
Wang Ya had a sense of déjà vu, like he was playing Yu-Gi-Oh!, as if he was about to duel the Dark Magician, and after the duel, go all-in!
This situation was a bit dark. If the fragments assembled into a high-level reality bender, similar to SCP-343 (God), or a silly roe deer (Du Lu), or a child god (the one who believes whatever is said), that would be more fitting. Wang Ya felt that dueling would still bring some sense of accomplishment and anticipation.
But this SCP-096—the Shy Guy—it wasn't that Wang Ya looked down on him, but there was truly no anticipation in dueling him. It required six fragments to synthesize a complete SCP-096, and who knew how long that would take.
However, Wang Ya didn't dwell on this point too much. The current primary goal was still the space-time distorter, followed by the development of the SCP Foundation.
Regarding Pennywise the Dancing Clown, Wang Ya already had a rough plan and countermeasures, but the containment plan could not be so simple and rough; it had to be carefully considered in detail.
Through several days of investigation, he had roughly determined Pennywise the Dancing Clown's location.
That was Grant Park, because several cases of missing children had already occurred. Normally, perhaps not many people would care, simply assuming some black market gang had abducted the children, but there was a survivor. The child named Anna recounted that it was a clown-dressed fellow named Pennywise, who had also killed her childhood friend, and the location was Grant Park.
Of course, this information cost 200 US dollars, which wasn't too expensive. As long as the Clown's location was confirmed, it was more than worth it.
After receiving this news, Wang Ya had Landon Fury continue to send people to closely investigate the situation in Grant Park, as well as the living conditions of the surrounding residents, to determine who had gone missing. Indeed, most were children, and the adults surprisingly had no memory, as if they had forgotten their own children.
This situation perfectly matched the characteristics of that alien monster from another space-time, Pennywise the Dancing Clown: loving to eat children, spreading fear, and having the ability to make adults forget memories.
However, there was another piece of information Landon Fury had collected: Pennywise seemed to have a secret connection with the Joker of Gotham City. The two Clowns surprisingly collaborated tacitly in the dark underbelly of Gotham City, even boasting that Gotham City would eventually be controlled by the Clowns, and that madness would be brought to every corner of Gotham City, with madness being the only theme.
One Clown by day, one Clown by night!!
"I need madness, he takes away fear; this is a perfectly balanced distribution."
"Perhaps the Joker of Gotham City will become an obstacle!"
Wang Ya's eyes were incredibly deep, as if he was contemplating something, and a decision was silently made in his heart.
That was, it was time to build a prison for D-class personnel, and special D-class personnel at that... an SCP prison primarily for supercriminals as D-class personnel.
The eerie, shadowed thickets and an indescribable oppressive atmosphere—this was the current state of Grant Park.
Members of the Strange Circus were searching throughout Grant Park, attempting to find that hateful Clown, and then give him a good beating before taking him to Professor Pig Face to report back.
But ever since entering Grant Park, the Clown had vanished as if he had disappeared, his tracks nowhere to be found, which made the members of the Strange Circus anxious.
If they couldn't find that Clown Doll, it meant they couldn't report back, and Professor Pig Face's anger was terrifying; no one wanted to experience it.
Becoming a half-animal, half-human monster was what everyone feared.
"Wait, did you hear something??"
A gang member said, his ears having been more sensitive than others since childhood, allowing him to hear more sounds. At this moment, he heard a faint sound of footsteps, moving through the grass and greenery, approaching them step by step.
No, this was very wrong; that gang member felt a surge of dread and panic.
"What's wrong? You're so jumpy. Did you find the traces of that annoying Clown?" his accompanying gang member asked.
However, he received no reply, because the gang member who sensed the abnormality had already fled in one direction like a madman.
He couldn't be mistaken, he couldn't be mistaken; this sound, this panting, was exactly the same as the sounds he had heard many times before in the Strange Circus's camp.
Professor Pig Face had released the Hundred-fold Twins. Grant Park would become a hunting ground for those monsters, not just for the Clown Doll, but they themselves were also prey for the Hundred-fold Twins.
That gang member was very smart; if he wasn't smart, he wouldn't have survived until now, so he decisively fled.
This might be an opportunity!
He had long known that Professor Pig Face was a madman, a person with mental issues, seemingly having two personalities, from an initial human personality to his current Pig Face personality.
From being normal to his current madness, his disregard for humans, was not something only he had discovered. Others had discovered it but dared not speak out, much less escape. Once separated from the Strange Circus, the consequence was being caught by Professor Pig Face, then brutally tortured into a Hundred-fold Twin, and the instantaneous kind at that.
Who knows how many brothers had already died!!
Professor Pig Face had changed too much…
The reason he fled without telling others was for this opportunity. Since those Hundred-fold Twins were treating Grant Park as a hunting ground, it meant they wanted to kill everyone in Grant Park, and no matter how fast they killed people, it would still take a little time. This time was what he wanted, what he could buy.
Escaping from another direction, away from this area, away from Professor Pig Face, away from the Strange Circus, even joining the Clown's gang would be better than staying with the Strange Circus.
However, the place he wanted to go even more was the Slums, because only there might he be able to completely escape the Strange Circus, as that was Penguin's territory.
Natz ran wildly, even though his body couldn't keep up, his physical strength was depleting rapidly, and his chest heaved with violent gasps, but it couldn't stop his desire for survival. Faster, run out of this park even faster. Running out of here meant hope for life.
Chasing that Clown Doll was a thing of the past; now his only thought was to survive, to escape from here!
During his escape, he could even hear one scream after another, agonizing cries caused by being bitten through the throat and having flesh torn apart.
It was the Hundred-fold Twins; they had started, killing one by one the people searching for the Clown Doll in Grant Park.
These sounds were like a death knell for Natz, urging him to run desperately. Finally, ahead was the exit, where he could escape from Grant Park.
Click, click, click!
Like the sound of a puppet walking, its wooden joints twisting, a figure gradually appeared at the exit of Grant Park, blocking Natz's path.
It was the Clown Doll, but not the original Clown Doll; it was another Clown Doll made entirely of wood!
It had blood-red eyes, a long nose tipped with a red ball, and a mouth with screws that allowed the upper and lower jaws to move. It wore the same type of cotton jacket as the Clown, and it looked not only not terrifying but also had a unique comedic feel.
"Where are you going? Why don't you play with the Clown?"
A sound like wood rubbing together rang out, and the Wooden Clown's gaze fixed on Natz.
The latter took a deep breath, knowing he couldn't stop now, and resolutely charged towards the Clown Doll.
It was just a broken doll, what if it could talk!!
He, Natz, could kick it away with one foot.
...
A large amount of blood filled Grant Park. Blood droplets splattered onto tree trunks and leaves, and many red balloons suddenly drifted in from nowhere, adding a touch of childlike beauty to this cruel scene. The smiling faces drawn on them, it was hard to say whether they were mocking or joyful.
"Do you want to play with the Clown?"
With many holes in its body, marks of bullets, the Clown Doll held a giant iron hammer, smiling as it looked at the four Hundred-fold Twins surrounding it.
His path was blocked, and he seemed to be in an extremely dire state.
To the Clown Doll's question, the four Hundred-fold Twins did not answer. Their eyes were filled with bestiality; only slaughter could release the pleasure in their hearts.
"Oh, what a sad decision, your answer makes the Clown incredibly sad!!"
The Clown Doll actually started crying, tears falling one by one. This was an incredibly bizarre scene, because its mouth was still split into a brilliant smile, laughing loudly.
The four Hundred-fold Twins did not wait; they rushed forward directly, intending to tear the Clown Doll to shreds.
...
Furry bits flew everywhere, the Clown Doll's body was torn into pieces, one after another. The four Hundred-fold Twins, like pet dogs, obediently prostrated themselves to the side, seemingly waiting for someone to arrive.
Thump, thump, thump!
Heavy footsteps slowly approached. Professor Pig Face's massive body walked over, and he spoke in a low voice to the Clown Doll.
"You are mine after all. I will thoroughly investigate the secrets within you!"
However, the Clown Doll, with only half of its upper body remaining, curved its lips and said with a smile: "Do you want to play with the Clown?"
However, what greeted the Clown Doll was Professor Pig Face's merciless stomping foot.
...
[OK, the villain of the first volume is temporarily fully introduced. I'll try to finish it within eighty chapters and start the second volume as soon as possible!]
Inside the SCP Technology Co., Ltd. building.
The conference room on the seventh floor!
The long conference table was already filled with people, led, of course, by Mr. Wang Ya, the CEO of SCP Technology Co., Ltd. and the youngest CEO in Gotham City.
Sitting next to him was Mr. Landon Fury, the General Manager of SCP Technology Co., Ltd.
Further down were the high-level executives of SCP Technology Co., Ltd., such as department managers, heads, and directors.
The articles of association for SCP Technology Co., Ltd. had been steadily improved, as the power and capital of the Landon Group were fully integrated into it. Naturally, this part was under absolute control and relatively safe, belonging to the Landon Family.
The remaining parts of the Landon Group, which involved various forms of financing or potentially had other forces' hands inserted, were not touched for now. Overall, the majority of the Landon Group was still operating as before.
After all, pharmaceuticals are highly profitable, and their production requires factories and staff, creating many jobs, so operations cannot stop for even a moment.
However, the R&D department was gradually moving towards SCP Technology Co., Ltd., relocating. Some capable staff, researchers, professors, and doctors were also temporarily based at SCP Technology Co., Ltd. for technology and pharmaceutical R&D.
...
The projection screen displayed various contents, including recent cases in Gotham City, major events, and the distribution of forces and gang territories throughout Gotham City.
It seemed Wang Ya and his team had just discussed a very important matter concerning the fundraising for SCP Technology Co., Ltd. and the SCP Technology Foundation.
"Our development can proceed this way. For the SCP Technology Foundation's fundraising, we can invite owners of large industries or some tech magnates from Gotham City, or even other cities, to join. Wouldn't that make it easy to collect funds? At least some very famous figures could make them believe."
A middle-aged white man, whose hair was almost completely gone, stood up and spoke. Everyone's gaze was fixed on him.
Wang Ya subtly glanced at Landon Fury, who, as if sensing it, immediately motioned for the man to sit down.
"I think I still have some points I haven't clarified to everyone regarding the fundraising for the SCP Technology Foundation. My opinion here is not to solicit anyone or invite them to join. The SCP Technology Foundation can only operate with our own funds, investing in needed projects across various sectors. What we need is reputation, not profit like others. I hope everyone can keep this in mind!"
Landon Fury said sternly and solemnly.
Wang Ya silently agreed in his heart. His reason for establishing the SCP Technology Foundation was to extend an olive branch to potential technological talents worldwide who could be brought in.
For example, a certain scientist, who was originally full of ambition but suffered a blow due to funding issues, and whose affiliated company or capital could not provide financial support—that's when the SCP Technology Foundation steps in.
By providing them with funds and extending an olive branch, they would join his ranks. Once they joined, it wouldn't be so easy to leave.
Before that, the SCP Technology Foundation needed a reputation. By building its reputation, more people would believe. As for recruiting people from other capital sources, wouldn't that just be inviting wolves into the house, allowing other capital to poach the talents he could recruit?
Wang Ya's mind flashed with the images of one technological talent after another, such as Dr. Connors, who lost an arm at Osborn Industries, and later Dr. Octopus, who became a villain. If they were recruited into SCP Technology Co., Ltd., and after passing a series of assessments, joined the SCP Foundation, what a massive increase in soft power that would be!
Therefore, the people within the SCP Technology Foundation could only be their own people; absolutely no other capital forces could be integrated.
(Wang Ya: The bait I cast, the wolf cubs I lured in, how could I let others snatch them away? Don't even think about it!)
Also, the personnel within Wang Ya's SCP Technology Co., Ltd. were still too numerous and too diverse, so complete security could not be fully guaranteed.
Who could be sure that the people from the Landon Group, or even the Landon Family, didn't have moles?
This was not only known by Wang Ya himself, but Landon Fury was also well aware of it.
However, for now, there was no proper solution. To rapidly develop SCP Technology Co., Ltd., the SCP Technology Foundation, and the SCP Foundation, they had to endure such risks.
The meeting lasted a long time; the entire morning passed this way. There were certainly gains for everyone, at least a clear affirmation of the development goals for SCP Technology Co., Ltd.
There was still no new progress in pharmaceutical R&D. After all, pharmaceuticals are a money-burning endeavor, often even more so than general scientific research R&D.
Of course, pharmaceuticals are also highly profitable!!
The Landon Family's ability to become an upper-class family in such a short time is inextricably linked to the immense profits in pharmaceuticals.
In scientific research, a goal had also been set. This goal was also determined by Wang Ya: to develop exoskeleton armor.
Of course, it wasn't Iron Man-style armor, but rather a more advanced type of prosthetic limb.
For civilian use, it would bring blessings to disabled individuals; for official use, it would be an auxiliary weapon providing enhanced strength and defense.
To gain greater influence, more power, and a larger sphere of influence, it was necessary to advance simultaneously in both civilian and military aspects.
The official side of the United States was certainly unavoidable!
For the future development of SCP Technology Co., Ltd., Wang Ya had carefully researched some famous figures in technology. He hadn't expected that the characters from G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra... also existed in this world.
Exoskeleton mechs... nanobots... some very skilled ninjas...
Wang Ya expressed that this world was truly becoming more and more interesting!
As the meeting neared its end, Wang Ya's thoughts were entirely elsewhere, and he opened his task list.
There were a total of two tasks: one main quest and one triggered quest.
The main quest was to control the surrounding areas and repel gang threats from more distant regions.
The Penguin's departure did not mean peaceful development would follow; more conflicts would arise, and Wang Ya's job was to resolve them one by one.
The Slums did not need gangs, nor did they need the hands or eyes of other forces. This place needed to belong entirely to SCP Technology Co., Ltd.
The triggered quest was to improve the human environment in the Bru District, which was over 90% complete and expected to be fully finished tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.
A day later!
Still in Wang Ya's room, the system's notification sound had already come.
[Trigger Task - Hope]
[Because you feel the environment and humanity in Bru District are too bad, you decide to change them, determined to make Bru District brand new!]
[Reward: One random draw for an SCP Containment Object]
[Progress: 100%]
[Status: Completed!]
So, which SCP Containment Object will be materialized in this random draw?
Random naturally means unpredictable, and Wang Ya felt that he still needed to rely on metaphysics for the random draw.
He first found three incense sticks and, facing the portrait of Taishang Laojun that he had specifically found and pasted on the wall, he reverently offered three sticks of incense.
"Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, Taishang Laojun, quickly manifest!"
After offering the incense, Wang Ya took out a cross, sprinkled a bowl of holy water from the refrigerator, and, dipping the cross in the holy water, he silently prayed.
"Oh, Almighty Lord, I am a lamb on earth, please send down a lucky angel to bestow upon me the light of fortune!"
After sprinkling all the holy water, Wang Ya put down the cross, and then took out a wooden fish and began to tap it.
This wooden fish was truly blessed by a master, accumulating incense year-round in a temple. He had specifically asked Landon Fury to bring it from the East, spending a large sum of money.
"Namo Amitabha... Namo Amitabha..."
After this series of actions, Wang Ya's expression was a bit strange. He felt as if he was making last-minute efforts. If this were a supernatural world with various demons and ghosts, and he had picked up money from a vengeful spirit for his life, he would do the same.
If there were ten thousand yuan of vengeful spirit money for his life, he would definitely put one bill into the Buddha's merit box to help repair the Buddha's golden body, another bill into the Laojun Temple to add some incense money for Laojun, and finally, another bill into the church to help the Almighty Lord repair his dwelling on earth.
One must spread the blessings evenly; if trouble arises, we all face it together, and if there's money, we all earn it together.
Even if this world is not a supernatural world where demons exist, his luck, although it can be displayed without worry, for metaphysics, having a psychological effect is also good.
After doing everything, Wang Ya took a deep breath. Success and failure turn into emptiness, but his Wang Ya's wave would definitely succeed. He hoped for an SCP Containment Object that could quickly enhance the SCP Foundation at this stage.
[Draw completed, obtained SCP-222 - Clone Coffin]
Wang Ya's eyes changed. This was...
He didn't expect it to be this item. From another perspective, it was indeed a containment object that could most quickly enhance the SCP Foundation's strength.
At least in terms of reliable personnel, he wouldn't have to fear a shortage for now, and he could also rely on SCP-222 to build his own team.
So, the gang members in the Slums and some death row inmates would have greater use, not just becoming D-class personnel, but making a greater contribution.
Item Level: SCP-222 - Clone Coffin
Description: SCP-222 is a tunnel in a certain location filled with carved sarcophagi. One of the coffins, including a part of the tunnel, possesses anomalous properties. The carvings within the tunnel appear to be very ancient and well-crafted, and SCP-222 is the only coffin with anomalous properties and a part of the tunnel with anomalous properties.
Effect: If a living person is placed into the coffin and the lid is closed, the following events will occur.
Within 15 minutes, the person will fall asleep, under any circumstances, except for individuals with claustrophobia, those who have consumed large amounts of caffeine, or an overdose of amphetamines.
The sleep duration reaches 1-2 hours, during which opening the coffin usually results in the death of the sleeping test subject.
Within 24 hours, a replica, or clone, of the test subject will be found within the tunnel, an alternative cloning technology.
The clone and its original are physically identical, although it is dressed in tattered clothes of unknown origin.
Artificial items cannot be replicated, meaning whatever the person lying inside is wearing cannot be replicated or cloned.
The clone's age and physical condition appear to be completely consistent with the original.
The most anomalous property of the clone is its mind. The clone appears to suffer from severe retrograde amnesia, but language ability and most physical skills are retained.
Although the clone cannot remember any people or events, it still seems to retain its moral values and loyalty.
Usually, only a short period of training is required to immediately become qualified SCP Foundation personnel. Security protocol information needs retraining, but combat and weapon skills seem to be retained. Some clones also retain computer operation skills and interrogation skills.
Note: SCP-222, an SCP Containment Object that supplements SCP Foundation personnel. In just 24 hours, a good helper is born.
(Wang Ya: I am very satisfied. The gang members from the Slums and some death row inmates have a new destination, which is waste recycling. My makeshift team can be assembled.)
However, Wang Ya still thought of a problem: only moral values and loyalty are retained. Would cloning those D-class personnel and death row inmates mean they would have moral values and loyalty?
Wang Ya thought of the Joker in Gotham City; this was absolutely a terrible idea.
One Joker was already enough to handle; it was better not to clone more Jokers.
As for cloning death row inmates or D-class personnel, Wang Ya had considered it, but he tried to avoid cloning these groups. Perhaps when there was a shortage of people (D-class personnel), he could temporarily clone them for some essential experiments.
Or, some rare, uncommon D-class personnel with special properties could be cloned for certain special experiments.
These were all long-term considerations for Wang Ya. The prototype of the SCP Foundation had already been conceived in his mind countless times.
As for brainwashing and training, cloning personnel who were originally loyal to the SCP Foundation was a better choice.
Or, to put it another way, personnel with normal moral values and loyalty.
For example, some scientific researchers and special talents could be cloned very well, and subsequent training would also be relatively easy.
Currently, the only candidates are the five members of the Special Reserve Team and the facility guards.
The technical personnel working on the underground SCP base construction could also be considered. To reduce certain variables, it would be necessary to first experiment with a D-class personnel to see if brainwashing could be successful.
Wang Ya's mind thought of that warrior who called himself Ace the Executioner, D-4.
Now, the two of them are responsible for cleaning the SCP-173 - The Sculpture containment facility, almost having to visit "Little Peanut" every now and then.