Peaceful Coexistence

That night, as Achilles' Heel combed the streets of Beijing in their vehicle, Luo Shu embarked on another nocturnal expedition. Compared to last night's perilous encounters, tonight proceeded much more smoothly.

The first anomaly he encountered was already neutralized.

[Page 58]

[Item #: SCP-CN-1481]

[Designation: Huang Chao's Human Pulping Mill]

[Object Class: Neutralized]

[Anomalous Property: Inactive. "Uncles are uncles, tables are wood." Following the joint Foundation-Church of the Broken God operation "City of Golden Armor," this anomaly has been neutralized. What remains are merely a few wooden fragments of the original construct.]

Neutralized or not, Luo Shu wasn't particularly interested. His sole focus was filling the Anomalous Item Compendium to 100 pages.

The second item he acquired posed no threat to him but was highly dangerous to pregnant women.

[Page 59]

[Item #: SCP-CN-955]

[Designation: Flowers Are Flowers]

[Object Class: Safe]

[Anomalous Property: "Floral Birth." This anomaly transforms one's spouse and children into flowering vines. It is unclear which whimsical upper-narrative entity conceived such a grotesque creation. "Only in parting does one perceive this world—flowers as flowers, people as people." —Hosokawa Gracia.]

Luo Shu shared the Compendium's sentiment—this ability was pure sadism. No matter how potent, he would never use something so inhumane.

In contrast, the third anomaly proved far more practical. Luo Shu even utilized SCP-105-B's photographic ability to document its containment unit for future reactivation.

[Page 60]

[Item #: SCP-CN-982]

[Designation: The Right Thing]

[Object Class: Safe]

[Anomalous Property: "24-Hour Guide." Follow the instructions provided on these pages to maximize personal fulfillment. Whether it guides you toward benevolence or malice depends entirely on your nature. The anomaly accepts no responsibility for outcomes.]

Though initially perplexing, Luo Shu quickly grasped its function after testing. SCP-CN-982 appeared as a stack of ordinary A4 paper. When he retrieved a sheet, text and diagrams materialized, presenting a schedule:

"Proceed to SCP-CN-910 next."

"Depart the hotel before 8:00 AM."

"Arrive at Beijing Capital Airport Hangar 13 by 10:00 AM."

"Return to the hotel after 6:00 PM."

"Do not approach SCP-CN-1451 under any circumstances."

Essentially, it served as a prophetic itinerary, dictating optimal actions for the next 24 hours.

Luo Shu didn't fully understand why SCP-CN-982 insisted he leave the hotel before 8:00 AM. What would happen if he stayed longer?

Uncertain, he continued his nightly exploration at his own pace. Unlike Area-13, Site-CN-02 didn't label its containment units conspicuously, so he had no way of knowing what awaited him next.

It wasn't until he logged his fourth anomaly that he grasped SCP-CN-982's true value.

[Page 61]

[Item #: SCP-CN-910]

[Designation: OB's Headset Training Device]

[Object Class: Safe]

[Anomalous Property: "Life as a Game." Wearing this headset while listening to game soundtracks allows the user to manifest in-game abilities. However, one's existence thereafter becomes governed by game mechanics. Bid farewell to ordinary life beforehand.]

Regardless of its utility, SCP-CN-982 had accurately predicted this encounter.

With Site-CN-02's Safe-class anomalies fully logged, Luo Shu surveyed the remaining empty units—whether decommissioned or temporarily relocated, his Anomaly Spotter Milestone detected nothing.

Checking the time, he realized descending to the Euclid Zone (B3) would leave him with barely enough time to document one more anomaly before needing to retreat. Any unexpected delays could jeopardize his return.

Though SCP-CN-982's guide permitted further exploration, Luo Shu chose defiance—he wanted to test the consequences of disregarding its advice.

He returned to his room to rest, ensuring an early start the next day.

Another Near-Miss

At 7:00 AM, his alarm roused him. After freshening up and breakfast, he exited the hotel just before 8:00 AM, following SCP-CN-982's directive via the G4501 expressway toward Shunyi District's Beijing Capital International Airport.

The moment he stepped out, the Achilles' Heel transport bus pulled in from the opposite direction.

Yet again, their paths crossed without notice—under the same roof, yet peacefully oblivious.

Using Teleportation, Luo Shu infiltrated the airport tarmac. Upon reaching Hangar 13, however, he found it completely empty.

With a shrug, he departed at 9:55 AM.

Five minutes later, Achilles' Heel's Gulfstream G700 taxied into the hangar. By 10:05 AM, maintenance crews swarmed the aircraft.

Luo Shu, already elsewhere, spent the day idly before returning at dusk—just as Achilles' Heel departed for their nightly patrol.

The day passed without incident. Luo Shu found it odd—SCP-CN-982's 24-hour guide seemed to have accomplished nothing.

But in his world, "nothing happening" was a blessing.

He didn't expect lottery numbers or stock tips from the guide. Even as the world's richest man, he'd remain a renegade D-class in the Foundation's eyes.

Survival came first.