"Senior, what should we do?"
Even with its back turned to them—completely unable to see how this 'Doctor' was performing the surgery—Komini's voice still trembled immensely.
It was only because this 'Doctor' was completely unlike any she had imagined…
It was clearly performing a delicate 'surgical operation', yet there were no hemostatic measures taken for the 'patient' at all.
Bright red blood was allowed to flow freely from beneath its black long boots, spreading along the corridor floor… until the overwhelming stench of blood reached their noses.
"..."
Arthur said nothing, merely tightening his grip on the hilt of Decisive Heart, his vigilance rising once more.
It would be a lie to say he wasn't nervous. Even though he had felt a brief sense of relief upon confirming that there were no wings behind it, that relief vanished almost immediately.
Because no matter how he looked at it, the scene before him could not be reconciled with the twisted yet familiar Abnormalities of Lobotomy Corporation that he remembered.
Unknown… and known… which one was more terrifying?
Manipulating corpses? Surgery? What the hell is this?
At that moment, a powerful sense of unease and dissonance surged from the depths of Arthur's mind.
But no matter what—
One point overlapped perfectly with every other Abnormality.
This thing… was extremely dangerous.
Advance, or request support?
Even as his thoughts raced, even though they had been in this section of the corridor for less than a minute, even though Arthur believed they had not yet exposed themselves—
The soft humming in the air abruptly stopped.
The 'Doctor' did not turn around, yet it seemed to sense their presence as gentle words drifted from beneath the beak.
"Ah… another victim afflicted by the Plague."
"Please wait a moment… I will treat you immediately…"
The moment the words fell, time itself seemed to freeze.
The two Lobotomy Corporation employees did not move—not even blinking.
Because they simply could not believe what they had just heard.
This was fluent English.
Fluent, articulate English—something exceedingly rare in the City.
As employees recruited by Lobotomy Corporation, both Arthur and Komini possessed a certain level of education.
"Senior… why is this Anomaly speaking English?"
Perhaps realizing that this Anomaly was capable of communication, Komini's voice steadied slightly, and the trembling in her body eased.
"Plague? Treatment? It sounds… friendly. It's a doctor, right? Can we communicate with it?"
She whispered into her senior's ear, but several seconds passed without a response.
"Senior?"
Komini turned slightly to look at Arthur—
Only to see cold sweat trickling down his face.
He had found it.
Yes. At that moment, the source of the overwhelming sense of incongruity finally revealed itself.
Beak.
Doctor.
Ability to communicate.
Corpses that were dead, yet still capable of movement.
These previously ignored details finally linked together.
No way…
Arthur muttered internally.
This thing is definitely not from Lobotomy Corporation Headquarters…
There was only one possible origin.
That mysterious organization that had chosen absolute silence within the CN region.
['Cognition confirmed. Anomaly panel opened.']
['Anomaly Name: Plague Doctor'
Number: G-01-12 (Project Number: SCP-049)
Current Observation Level: 1
Containment Level: HE (Project Level: Euclid)
Qlipoth Counter Max Value: ?
(When this value reaches zero, the Anomaly will breach containment or generate an extremely dangerous anomaly.)
Maximum PE-BOX Production: 20
EGO Equipment: ?
EGO Ornament: ?
Damage Resistance: ??
Attack Method: ??']
That was it.
Watching the system prompt unfold before him, Arthur swallowed hard.
This was not the Plague Doctor from his memories of Lobotomy Corporation.
But it was the Plague Doctor from his memories.
What was G-01-12?
From the very beginning, his assumptions had been wrong.
From start to finish, this entity had only ever possessed one number.
SCP-049.
Once Arthur fully understood the situation, he extended a hand and placed it gently on Komini's shoulder, signaling her not to act rashly.
He returned Decisive Heart to its sheath and took a slow, steady breath.
"Doctor," Arthur said, "I am Doctor Arthur. May I come closer?"
Years of containment and isolation had blurred much of the Foundation's data in his memory, but within those fragmented recollections, one fact remained clear—
This 'Doctor' was an abnormal individual capable of communication.
"Hm?"
Hearing Arthur's voice, 049's surgical hand paused. It sounded genuinely surprised.
"Well… well… what's this? Another colleague? To think I failed to notice a kindred spirit so quickly…"
The words lingered in the air as the 'Doctor' carefully placed the scalpel back into the black square bag beside it.
The surgery was interrupted.
049 slowly stood up, lifted the bag, and began walking toward them step by step.
Only when it stood directly before her did Komini realize just how tall the Anomaly was—a towering figure nearly 1.9 meters in height, a full head taller than her senior.
Just as Komini hid behind Arthur, peeking cautiously from the corner of her eye—
049 was also staring intently at the two of them through the dark lenses beneath its beaked mask.
Perhaps the blood-stained white coat Arthur wore eased some of its displeasure, because the Anomaly spoke first.
"So, Doctor. How shall we proceed? Introductions?"
Its tone was far from gentle—there was clear irritation as it idly fiddled with the black, pointed cane in its left hand.
"My name is Arthur—"
Arthur began, following its suggestion, but was immediately interrupted.
"Enough. Spare me the pleasantries," 049 said flatly. "I consider myself quite patient. However—Doctor—explain this to me."
"My dormitory."
"…Dormitory?"
The abrupt change in topic made Arthur's thoughts stumble.
Dormitory? Since when is there a dormitory here?
Before Arthur could organize a response, 049 continued.
"Yes. Dormitory."
It paid no mind to Arthur's confusion, its tone growing increasingly hostile.
"I thought I had been abducted by common street thugs!"
"Do you… have any complaints about your dormitory?" Arthur asked carefully.
"Everything!"
The moment the words left Arthur's mouth, 049 erupted.
"Plague everywhere—here!" it roared, barely restraining itself.
"I see no professionalism whatsoever!"