After a series of frantic maneuvers, the group finally reached the checkpoint leading into the office area. But at that very moment, Vale was struck by a violent, stabbing surge of pain that tore through his internal organs. There was no doubt, his body had already pushed beyond its limits. The side effects caused by ultra-fine processing were finally on the verge of a catastrophic, irreversible breakdown.
Even if everything went perfectly from this point on, no further dangers encountered, Vale knew he wouldn't survive until the very end.
Just as despair threatened to consume them, Brit was hit with another devastating blow. The bad news was clear: they had encountered the Foundation's Mobile Task Force, Nine-Tailed Fox.
Not long ago, SCP-079 had issued a warning. From that, they'd drawn a grim conclusion: if the Nine-Tailed Fox decided they were D-class personnel, their fate was sealed, immediate execution.
From that moment, one certainty settled in their minds: in the next stage of this deadly game, they would face a new enemy. This wasn't an ordinary threat; it was a highly trained, elite force, intelligent, flawlessly coordinated, with overwhelming firepower.
With anxiety pressing down on their chests, they reached the checkpoint once more. Though danger had stalked them at every turn, they had yet to encounter the Nine-Tailed Fox squad.
This fleeting hope flickered within Brit. Could they possibly avoid the Nine-Tailed Fox until the very end? Maybe… just maybe.
Clinging to this fragile illusion, they prepared to move forward before Vale's body gave out completely. But just as they took a step, the metal gate ahead suddenly swung open on its own. The jarring movement startled everyone. Behind the door stood something even more terrifying: five heavily armed soldiers standing silently in perfect formation.
Compared to the site security personnel they'd faced earlier, these soldiers radiated a far more advanced, lethal aura. Their gear was state-of-the-art, their stance cold and precise. The oppressive atmosphere they emanated was suffocating, so intense it felt as if the air itself had frozen, stealing every breath.
"Nine-Tailed Fox… Mobile Task Force…" Brit forced out, voice trembling.
Though the squad hadn't yet identified themselves, Brit's instincts told him, this was them. His fears were quickly confirmed when the front soldier spoke coldly, "Report. Three D-class personnel were discovered. Request instructions for next action."
His tone was as emotionless as the cold muzzle of his rifle.
A bone-chilling cold shot up Brit's spine, from his feet to his skull. Their minds raced frantically, desperately searching for any chance of survival. But, exhausted all options, they faced the brutal truth: their odds of survival against five elite soldiers were terrifyingly slim, virtually nonexistent.
Yet, even with that knowledge, they dared not turn to run. Doing so would only invite instant death by gunfire. Even Vale, the superhuman among them, lacked confidence in outrunning or withstanding such a hail of bullets.
Of course, Vale's processed body meant that even if hit, he wouldn't fall easily, yet the real threat wasn't a single bullet, but the sheer volume. No matter how formidable a warrior, unless bullets couldn't pierce him at all, he would eventually be shredded alive. At best, he might resist for a few seconds, maybe even take some enemies down with him.
Seconds stretched endlessly beneath the cold barrels of guns, each feeling like an eternity.
Finally, the front soldier spoke again: "Confirmed. Execute immediately."
His voice was utterly detached, like a machine delivering a preprogrammed command.
The moment those words left his mouth, the entire group and viewers watching the stream, stunned in terror.
Kiwo's face drained of all color. Panic nearly shattered her sanity.
Brit's head buzzed violently, as if his thoughts might explode. He was certain he'd be torn apart in the next instant.
And then, Vale let out a furious roar: "RUN!"
His voice thundered like heavy artillery at point-blank range, reverberating in their ears.
The two froze in shock. Before they could react, Vale lunged forward, his massive frame shielding Brit and Kiwo entirely. Almost simultaneously, gunfire erupted, an instant storm of bullets pouring from the muzzles, nearly all slamming into Vale's body.
The impact was immense, forcing him backward. Yet, thanks to his ultra-fine processing and monstrous strength, he held his ground, unyielding.
"Ugh… ah!" Vale's low, agonized growl echoed in Brit and Kiwo's ears. The metallic roar of gunfire sliced through their senses like a wake-up call, jolting them out of paralysis.
Without hesitation, Brit yelled: "RUN!"
He grabbed Kiwo, still dazed, and sprinted with every ounce of strength they had.
Vale remained rooted. Though he didn't turn to look, his sharpened senses caught the sound of their retreat.
A twisted smile spread across his bloodstained face. Blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, his internal organs feeling as if they were being violently scraped by iron. He understood, at this moment, he had truly reached his absolute limit.
"COME ON!" Vale roared furiously. Gathering every shred of remaining power, he charged straight at the stunned Nine-Tailed Fox squad.
"Brit… you must clear the game…"