Five minutes later, in the command center …
"Sir!" It was the same agent who rushed to his superior's side and reported, "According to the image sent by B1 …"
"That's enough." The superior interrupted him. "I saw it …" He stared at the big screen in front of him, and his eyes were fixed on a black area. "He destroyed all the video and audio collection devices in SCP-738's containment system, right?"
"Are we going to detonate the cone bomb, sir?" The agent immediately replied.
"What's the point of that?" The superior asked without turning his head. "Since he knew to destroy all the surveillance devices, it means that he came prepared. Why would he move things to the area where the cone bomb was and operate it? "
"This …" The agent was speechless.
"This incident reminded us … that there is still a need to improve the containment system for SCP-738," the superior continued. "Installing a cone bomb in the middle of the room is not enough. We did not consider the possibility of 'when the facility encounters a major crisis, the room without the protection of the security personnel will be invaded'... Obviously, the intruder will not be wearing an explosive collar..." He paused. "Humph … Speaking of which, the actions of this D-grade personnel today have sounded the alarm for us on many levels. In the future, we should add a set of measures to all the SCPs that can be used as a last resort in case the base goes out of control. "
"Then … what should we do now, sir?" The agent asked again.
"Aren't the people who went to arrest him already on the way?" The superior continued. "We can only hope … that before they arrive, the D-grade personnel has not completed some kind of 'transaction' that threatens us."
"That should not be a problem, sir," the agent replied. "Generally speaking, the transactions that D-grade personnel will choose at most are things like 'freedom'."
"Hah …" The superior laughed. He adjusted his suit. "Steven, what do you think the IQ of this D-grade personnel is?"
So, this agent's name was Steven.
"Erm … I have already checked his information, sir," Steven said as he took out a form from his pocket. As Steven spoke, he took out a form from his pocket, lowered his head, and read aloud, "This D-class personnel's code is 00250. His original name is Rudy Austin, and he's twenty-five years old this year. After he dropped out of high school, his criminal record was almost uninterrupted until he was sentenced to life imprisonment for first-degree murder last year … According to the test, his IQ is 83, and he has slight violent tendencies."
“83？” The officer looked back at Steven and took the form. "Hmph …" He snorted. "This is not right."
"What's wrong? Steven asked.
"Do you think a person with a lower than average IQ (even by American standards) would think of using SCP-294 to deal with SCP-173?" "Before that..." He looked at the form again. "Where did he hear about the characteristics of SCP-294?"
"This …" Steven's expression turned even uglier. "Could he be …"
"That's right …" the officer replied in a low voice. "I suspect that he is a spy planted by the Cactus Insurgent through some means." He stuffed the form back into Steven's hands. "If that's the case, then this information is meaningless …"
The more Steven thought about it, the more he felt the officer's words made sense. "That's right … A normal D-grade personnel might not even understand the SCP they are operating, let alone other SCPs. But this person … the first time he used SCP-294, he caused the project to 'fail to generate input content'. This means that not only does he understand the characteristics of SCP-294 … but he has been testing its limits since the very beginning.
"In any case … the capture and elimination of this person must be carried out as soon as possible. The potential threat of allowing him to operate in the base is too great," the officer continued. "We have to capture or kill him before he comes into contact with more Keter-class projects. Otherwise, the consequences will be unimaginable …"
…
At the same time, inside SCP-738's containment facility.
Due to the current situation of the base, the security personnel who were originally responsible for guarding the place had long disappeared. They had either gone to the underground emergency shelter to seek refuge, or they had died somewhere else. In any case, Brother Jue did not encounter any obstacles along the way.
The containment facility's door was opened by the control panel of the external laboratory, so there was no need for a pass.
After arriving at the laboratory, Feng Bujue carefully destroyed all the surveillance cameras and audio equipment in the room and laboratory. Then, he started to move the furniture set. He knew very well that when moving the table and chair, he only needed to be careful to avoid the cone-shaped bomb in the middle of the room.
To make a long story short, after some work, Brother Jue finally sat down on SCP-738-2, the high-back chair. In front of him was the table labeled SCP-738-1, and the 'throne' SCP-738-3 was behind him.
"Haha … I didn't expect that we would meet in such a manner."
Not long after, a gentle and mysterious voice spoke from behind Brother Jue.
Feng Bujue turned around and saw a man with black hair.
He was a man with an outstanding temperament. He could show the youthful vigor of a twenty year old, and he could also show the maturity and humor of a forty year old. However, it was hard to tell how old he actually looked …
Secondly, he was also a very charming man, although objectively speaking, he wasn't considered a handsome man ….
"Based on your tone … you know me?" Feng Bujue replied without batting an eyelid.
"Yes, you're a famous person …" The man smiled and replied, "… Feng Bujue."
"I see …" Brother Jue smiled.
"Yes, that's right," the man replied.
"I haven't asked for your name yet." Feng Bujue asked.
"Vincent," Vincent replied calmly.
"Oh?" Feng Bujue's expression changed slightly, and he immediately looked the man up and down. "Haha … I've heard a lot about you …"
The two words of "I've heard a lot about you" didn't contain any sarcasm or hypocrisy. Brother Jue really had heard a lot about this man.
"Haha … Woody said a lot of bad things about me to you, didn't he?" Vincent rested his right elbow on the armrest of the throne and rested his chin on one hand. He looked at Brother Jue with a confident posture.
"If you're really Vincent, then there's no need to ask this question." Feng Bujue tapped his temple with his hand. "Why don't you go inside and find the answer yourself?"
"My dear friend …" Vincent revealed a charming smile. "You have to know that most of the time, the 'answer' isn't the most important thing." He paused for half a second and continued, "Whether it's the limit of mortal wisdom or a deified sage … they all stop at the level of the 'answer'. But what's the point? The former, when asked what one plus one equals, instantly got the answer 'two'; the latter, before someone asked what one plus one equals, already knew the question and knew that the final answer was' two '. "
At this point, he stared at Feng Bujue for a moment. "Haha … but you, I … why do we have to be so stupid?"
"You are indeed stupid." As Feng Bujue spoke, he grabbed the chair and turned it around so that he was sitting face to face with Vincent. "You said a bunch of specious nonsense. Not only did you not give me an 'answer,' but you also denied my 'question.'"
"Hahaha …" Vincent shook his head slightly and laughed heartily. "Your reaction is very 'smart,' Feng Bujue … The first thing you said to me was a test. When I called you by your real name, the test had a result. You entered another state … I'll call it 'Feng Bujue's Serious State.' In this state, the speed of your thinking, the way you think, and so on have significantly improved. You've reached a 'super-dimensional perspective.' "
He pursed his lips, and the way he looked at Brother Bujue became more complicated. "Using your own perspective to observe yourself, and at the same time, using the perspective of a bystander to observe yourself, and at the same time, using a personality as vast as the universe to observe this bystander … In this way, you can solve all the problems in time, space, subjective consciousness, and objective reality …"
As he spoke, Feng Bujue's expression changed. There was a rare, genuine seriousness on his face.
"There are only a handful of people in the human world who can reach this state …" Vincent smiled. "You are indeed the one 'chosen' by Woody. Haha … It seems that his deal with 'that person' was not a loss …"
"His deal with who? What deal? What does it have to do with me? "Feng Bujue asked three questions in a row.
"Don't worry …" Vincent raised his left hand and waved his fingers. "Some things, when the time comes … you will naturally find out, I promise."
"Can you answer my question with something other than nonsense?" Feng Bujue asked coldly.
"Yes." Vincent replied with two simple words and then went silent.
"Hey hey …" Brother Bujue was also silent for two seconds, and then he complained, "Don't tell me that this' yes' counts as a 'not nonsense' answer?"
"That's right." Vincent smiled. "This' not wrong 'counts as well."
Bang!
The next second, the gun went off.
"Why do you have to do this?" Vincent lowered his head to look at the bullet hole in his chest. Even though the bullet had drilled in, there was no blood at all. "I thought you and I have a similar sense of humor."
"Yes, I am using this sense of humor," Feng Bujue said as he raised the assault rifle and aimed at Vincent's crotch.
"Okay okay … Let's talk nicely." Vincent turned his body and crossed his legs. "Let's not do these unnecessary things."
"Then I will not beat around the bush with you." Feng Bujue knew that the demon before him was at the same level of intelligence as Woody. The conversation between smart people could be profound or direct. "Be more self-conscious and tell me everything you can."
"Don't be like this." At this moment, Vincent's tone suddenly changed. It was not that he was deliberately trying to be cute, but he did mean it. "You are now on SCP-738 … The Devil's Deal, as the name suggests … we are going to make a deal." He leaned against the back of the throne and spread his hands. "If you don't pay the corresponding price, you won't get anything substantial in return. Regarding this … there is nothing I can do."
"Is that so …" Feng Bujue said, "Then, are we going to put on a show of 'the devil luring the mortal into the trap'?"
"If you don't mind, I will start now." Vincent tilted his head slightly and looked at Brother Jue with a very sincere gaze.
"Okay, you do it." Feng Bujue replied weakly.
"Ah … Fame, power, wealth … Everything in this world … is with me …" Vincent recited passionately as if he was reciting a poem. "Mortal, what do you want? Say it!"
"Is this how you lure others into making deals?" Feng Bujue narrowed his eyes and responded to Vincent with a look of disdain. "I can't help but ask … How did you become Satan's confidant?"
"Haha …" Vincent laughed. "Okay, I will be serious." He cleared his throat. "How about I give you Li Ruo Yu?"
"What did you say?" When Feng Bujue heard those three words, his expression changed immediately. It became cold and intimidating.
"Look," Vincent replied smugly. "Someone is angry … Why is that? Because I have touched the most vulnerable part of his incomparably powerful heart. " As he spoke, an invisible shadow appeared to cover his face. "This is what it means to be a 'mortal'. Feng Bujue, you have to experience your own weakness … It is because of this that the human soul is so beautiful and radiant. On the other hand … those of us who have been 'deified' are nothing more than a bunch of ugly scoundrels, dogs, opportunists, and saboteurs … I hate myself, Feng Bujue, but at the same time, I don't care … Can you understand this contradiction? "
"Forgive me for not being able to," Feng Bujue replied coldly.
"Yes …" Vincent continued sadly. "I know you can't … But I just hope you can think about it."
"So what if I think about it? Will it be closer to your so-called deification? "Feng Bujue asked.
"Haha … Who knows?" Vincent avoided this sharp question. "Let's get back to the topic … You have seen it, I … know how to tempt you or threaten you … In this regard, I am no different from Woody." His tone changed slightly. "But don't misunderstand. You are not 'acting according to our will.' I am not saying this for your self-esteem … This is the truth, and you know it yourself. "
As he spoke, he shook his finger. Following his movement, a piece of parchment, a quill, and a bottle of ink flew out from the drawer next to the throne.
"I will ask again, how about I give you Ruo Yu?"
"What do you mean by 'give'?" Feng Bujue did not give an answer but asked further.
Since it was about the substance of the deal, Vincent had to tell the truth. "As long as you agree, she is yours, from her soul to her body, everything about her …"
"You mean … to control her thoughts?" Feng Bujue asked.
"Of course not," Vincent said. "With the strength of her soul, I can't control or change her consciousness."
"Then what are you going to do?" Brother Jue asked again.
"It is very simple …" Vincent said. "I just need to undo her 'seal.'"
Hearing this, Feng Bujue's expression changed. "You can undo the seal placed by Woody?"
"Who told you … that the 'seal' was placed by Woody?" Vincent asked.
At this moment, countless scenes flashed through Feng Bujue's mind. "So it was you …"
"Yes," Vincent said. "It was me." He paused for a second and continued. "Li Ruo Yu is also in this' gamble, 'and I am the one who placed the bet on her." He held the quill in his hand and dipped it in the ink. He said to the parchment floating in the air, "I can tell you clearly that once I undo the seal, she will realize that she has fallen in love with you. What do you think? This way, you won't be threatened by Woody anymore. Do you want to make a deal? "
"What are the terms?" Feng Bujue asked immediately.
"Haha … It's very simple," Vincent said. "Many years later, when your life ends …"
Boom!
A loud explosion interrupted Vincent's words.
The door that was closed by Feng Bujue was destroyed by the explosion from outside. In the smoke and dust, a group of people filed in. One of them yelled at Feng Bujue, whose ears were still ringing, "Don't move!"
Frequent footsteps and the sound of guns being loaded quickly surrounded Feng Bujue.
"Sigh … what a pity." Vincent sighed. "Perhaps this is the will of God …"
"Wait …" Feng Bujue said. "Even if we can't make a deal now, in reality …"
"That's impossible." Vincent knew what he was going to say, so he directly denied it. "Under other circumstances, I have no right to offer a deal of this level. Only when you are sitting on SCP-738 is an exception, and … this is the only chance. The next time you sit on this chair, the demon that appears may not be me. "
"Hmph …" Feng Bujue also snorted. "Fine … perhaps this is the will of God."
"Don't speak! Throw your weapons to the ground, stand up, and raise your hands! " The fully-armed security guards were yelling at Brother Bujue. They could not see or hear Vincent, but they could hear a distorted voice echoing around the throne.
"I'm sorry. Let's meet again if fate allows it," Vincent said as he disappeared from the throne. The parchment, quill, and ink that were floating in the air also flew back into the long drawer at lightning speed.
"Hurry up and do it! Or we'll shoot! "The security guards gave an ultimatum.
Feng Bujue had no choice but to put down the gun in his hand, raise his hands, and stand up. He knew … the people from the SCP Foundation were not police officers. This group of people did not mind 'executing' their targets. They would not even blink when they killed their own people, much less a D-grade personnel.
Three seconds later, a few brawny men swarmed forward, subdued Feng Bujue to the ground, and handcuffed his hands again.
The security guard who yelled earlier picked up the communicator and reported, "Sir, the target is under control, requesting further instructions …"
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