"There have indeed been quite a few incidents…."
The special envoy did not deny it. He himself had been dispatched here because of Project SCP-CN-5981, and now that anomaly had disappeared….
Although the Foundation had encountered "self-nullifying" anomalies before, such cases were exceedingly rare.
And after this incident, there were already more than enough reports waiting to be written, submitted, and archived.
"You didn't come here just to complain, did you?" Supervisor Liu Ming sighed, though he still maintained a polite smile. "Will headquarters be sending more personnel?"
"Yes…" The special envoy nodded. "Putting SCP-CN-5981 aside for now, due to the disappearance of SCP-049… you may be demoted…."
The unprovoked disappearance of a previously contained dangerous Anomaly—
At present, a carpet search covering a 300-kilometer radius around this site was underway. And when something like this happened, someone had to bear responsibility.
"….."
Inside the site office, the two Foundation members fell silent.
Several seconds passed before the Supervisor, having steadied his emotions, finally looked up.
"What about Zeta-9?" Though somewhat dispirited, Supervisor Liu Ming forced himself to focus. "Only one of them returned, and that kid is still dragging others back into that damned cave to search for some so-called spatial rift…."
"They have been officially confirmed as missing in action," the special envoy replied with a nod. "They will all be posthumously awarded the Foundation Star. However, the subsequent investigation into Project SCP-CN-5981 may be temporarily suspended..."
The Foundation did not deny Zeta-9's fate. But with the anomaly already gone—and no trace of it found—even the Foundation was at a loss.
"Supervisor Liu Ming, these matters are no longer your concern…"
The special envoy stepped closer.
"The notice will be issued shortly. You should begin packing your belongings…."
"..."
Supervisor Liu Ming glanced at the unfinished performance review on his desk and let out a helpless smile.
Looks like I won't be needing to finish this anymore….
These problems would soon belong to the newly appointed Supervisor.
He rose from his seat—but the computer on his desk suddenly began to hum.
"Supervisor Liu Ming, your computer's still on?" the special envoy asked, surprised.
"Mm…" Liu Ming nodded, intending to complete one final task—saving the unfinished documents before shutting the system down.
But before he could act—
A voice that stunned everyone rang out from the speakers.
"What… what the hell is all this?!"
Hm?
Supervisor Liu Ming was the first to react. As a Level 4 Supervisor, he was well acquainted with every MTF commander stationed at the site….
And that voice unmistakably belonged to Z9-1—the Zeta-9 commander who had already been declared missing in action….
He stared at the screen, especially the video now playing.
He could swear on his life that ten seconds ago, this video had not existed.
And yet now, the footage clearly showed Zeta-9 Squad advancing through an unknown area.
"Supervisor Liu Ming?" Noticing the sudden change in his expression, the special envoy stepped forward. "We don't have much time—"
But when he reached Liu Ming's side and saw the video himself, his words came to an abrupt halt.
...…
1 hour and 13 minutes.
That was the total length of the video—and also the duration of the two men's silence.
As the final frame froze on the screen, several seconds passed before Supervisor Liu Ming finally spoke, his voice grave.
"Sir, I believe we can now conclude that Project SCP-CN-5981 is far from over… No—rather, it may be more accurate to say that all of this has only just begun…."
He was not exaggerating.
The footage depicted piles of human corpses, supernatural "vampires," reanimated dead, vast human sewage systems… and, above all, a video file that had appeared out of nowhere.
If even half of it was real, then this anomaly—already classified as neutralized—had far exceeded the Foundation's initial expectations.
The special envoy silently agreed.
"These video materials, Supervisor Liu Ming—please classify them as Project SCP-CN-5981 documents and upload them to headquarters. We will verify their authenticity. Until further notice, please remain at your post…."
For the first time, his expression turned solemn. He made no further mention of Liu Ming's dismissal.
The special envoy turned and headed for the door, fully aware that yet another report would need to be filed today.
And before he left, Supervisor Liu Ming asked only one question.
"Sir… what do you think the next classification for this project will be?"
The special envoy paused at the doorway and turned back.
After a moment of silence, he answered with a single sentence.
"If necessary, we will submit it to the O5 Council…."
Three Days Later
Lobotomy Corporation W-0001 Branch
Arthur was unaware of everything that had transpired between the two worlds.
Today was no different from any other—the work at Lobotomy Corporation continued as usual.
If there was anything worth noting, it was that the frequency of Anomaly breaches had dropped significantly. Though Arthur paid close attention to Angela's management of the Branch, he still couldn't discern what she was planning.
Angela, nominally the head of the Training Department, behaved much like the Supervisor and Hod. She rarely interfered directly with Anomaly work and did not assign Arthur to suicidal tasks….
That's a good thing… right?
In reality, Arthur sighed and pressed the switch for the second door of Containment Chamber G-01-05 once more.
After all, work still had to be done.
Looking at the Guide seated before him with a gentle smile, Arthur knew exactly what needed to happen next.
Because he was holding an eyeball in his hand….
A Terraria item.
[Item Name: Suspicious Looking Eye
Grade: ALEPH
Effect: Consumable. Summons Cthulhu's Eye in the current world upon use.
Description: Are you ready?]
This item had been discovered by Komini the previous day while mining. She had found an underground treasure chest and rummaged through it, emerging with this damp eyeball in hand, her face twisted in disgust as she brought it to him….
Now, Arthur stood holding the item, facing the Guide.
"Are you ready?"
In truth, the item's description was also the Guide's question.
The Anomaly smiled faintly and glanced toward Komini standing behind Arthur….
Inside the oak house, Arthur did not answer immediately. He understood the Guide's meaning.
Three days of mining had allowed them to traverse nearly the entire upper cavern layer of Terraria. Their health was maxed, and their equipment was nearly complete….
But numbers and real combat were two very different things. Remembering his last encounter with Cthulhu's Eye, Arthur still recalled the overwhelming pressure it exerted….
And Komini—would she truly be able to face an entity of that level without breaking down?
That was precisely why Arthur had brought this item here.
"There's something I need to ask of you," Arthur said. "I plan to challenge it—but I need some additional preparation…."
He placed the item on the oak table and continued.
"Can you fix Terraria's time to a specific period? If it's you, that should be possible…."
"..."
The Guide did not respond verbally. He only smiled and nodded.
"Alright. Then lock the time at dusk."
Arthur stood, took Komini by the hand, and led her toward the door.
"Senior, what were you talking about with G-01-05? I didn't understand any of it…."
You don't need to understand, kid.
The Guide leaned back in his chair, smiling as he watched the two leave noisily, memories stirring within him….
Long ago, he too had sent countless adventurers out from houses like this….
He shook his head, suppressing the nostalgia.
The world's progression must begin….
This time, Arthur and Komini did not appear on the boundless plain.
Instead, they found themselves inside a crudely constructed house. Its walls were built from assorted soil, stone, and minerals.
The furnishings were sparse: a table, a few chairs, torches….
"Hello, Mr. Merchant…"
The moment she appeared, Komini bowed politely to the old man in a brown coat seated nearby.
Despite Arthur repeatedly emphasizing that these figures were merely manifestations of G-01-05's anomalies, Komini couldn't shake her habits. After all, appearing uninvited inside someone's home was awkward.
"Why don't you buy something?" the merchant leaned closer excitedly. "Look—doesn't that moon outside look just like a gold coin?"
Arthur ignored him entirely.
He pulled several pieces of EGO Equipment from his inventory.
[EGO Equipment: Platinum Armor (Full Set)
Grade: ZAYIN
Physical Resistance (0.5): High
Mental Resistance (1.0): Normal
Erosion Resistance (1.0): Normal
Soul Resistance (2.5): Extremely Low
Set Effect: +1 Defense
Defense (Terraria-Specific Value): 17]
This set had been crafted from every platinum bar they had collected so far—the best armor available before defeating Cthulhu's Eye.
"Put it on."
Arthur handed the armor to Komini without ceremony, deciding to make do with his silver set for now.
"O-Okay…"
Komini nodded, clearly astonished as she donned Terraria equipment for the first time.
Though it looked metallic, it felt weightless. She jumped, moved freely—she could probably dance in it if she wanted.
"Senior… is this EGO?" she asked excitedly, hopping in place.
"Yes," Arthur replied, opening her status panel.
[Name: Komini
Identity: Employee
Level: 2
Courage: 1 HP: 318
Prudence: 1 SP: 17
Discipline: 2
Justice: 2
Defense (Terraria-Specific Value): 18
EGO Accessories:
Hermes Boots (Legs): Movement Speed Increase
Spiked Shoes: Wall Cling
Shackles (Hands): +1 Defense
Cloud in a Bottle: Double Jump
Weapons: Terra Blade, Gold Bow (Flaming Arrows)
Armor: Platinum Armor]
…She shouldn't die instantly with this, right?
Satisfied, Arthur led Komini outside and climbed the rope.
They emerged onto an endless wooden platform suspended in midair—structures that defied physical law, floating unsupported, yet forming the most basic battlefield.
Arthur and the others had built it yesterday during downtime, torches placed at regular intervals….
"If you want to reach the next platform, use the cloud bottle while jumping…"
As night deepened, Arthur slowly retreated.
"Remember—keep your distance. I didn't bring you here to fight in melee. If you try that, you'll die."
"Don't fall. From this height, you'll lose half your life—and climbing back up is a pain."
"If you're injured or bleeding too much, drink what I gave you."
His voice grew fainter as he withdrew toward the Nurse's room in the distance.
Komini stood alone beneath torchlight and moonlight, surrounded by darkness and fear.
The psychological pressure was so strong that the wooden planks beneath her feet felt like they were trembling.
"Senior! Why are you backing away so far?!"
Unable to endure it any longer, she called out, her voice pleading.
The response was merciless.
"Don't be ridiculous. I'm not the one who needs special training."
Arthur clapped his hands, as he watched Komini stand alone in the dark.