Chapter 57: System New Update

Chapter 57: System New Update

Lina's head turned ever so slowly toward Ares and Cain, the movement almost too deliberate, like she was savoring the moment. Her glowing eyes locked with Ares', and in that instant, he felt the world drop out from beneath him. The pressure that followed was suffocating, pressing down on his chest, squeezing the breath from his lungs. It was as if an invisible force had wrapped itself around him, tightening with every passing second. His knees buckled slightly, trembling under the weight of her gaze.

Cain, beside him, stood still, but Ares could see the flicker of tension in his features. His jaw clenched, and his eyes narrowed as he stared back at Lina. He wasn't showing fear, but Ares knew Cain well enough to recognize the subtle signs of unease. The dark energy rolling off Lina in waves was unmistakable—it was the presence of something far beyond human, far beyond even the nightmares they had faced. 

Lina's lips twisted into a grin, a smile so cold, so utterly devoid of sanity that it chilled Ares to his core. There was no warmth, no humanity left in her eyes—only madness, only hunger. Her hand began to rise, slowly at first, then faster, her fingers curling into claws. She looked ready to strike, her gaze never leaving Ares, as if he were the next morsel in her sights.

Ares wanted to move, to shout, to do something, but he was paralyzed, every instinct in his body screaming at him to flee, to get as far away from her as possible. But his legs refused to obey. Cain shifted slightly, his hand moving toward his weapon, but even he hesitated. They had faced countless enemies before, but this… this was different.

Then, suddenly, Lina's body convulsed. The change was instant—her entire form trembled violently, and she staggered, dropping to her knees as though struck by an unseen force. Her hands flew to her head, clutching it as if trying to keep it from splitting apart. She gasped, the sound raw and guttural, her face twisted in agony. 

Her right side flickered, as if an unseen light had been switched on. The grotesque, monstrous form that had taken over her was receding, replaced by her human appearance. Her skin, which had been pale and lifeless, regained its color. Her hair, once flowing like molten fire, softened back to its natural dark hue. But the transformation was incomplete—her left side remained twisted, corrupted. It was a grotesque contrast, as if two versions of Lina were battling for control over the same body.

Tears streamed down her face, but even those were divided—on the right, they were normal, salty, human. But on the left, they were thick, dark streaks of blood. Her eyes, too, reflected the split—on the right, her gaze was one of pain and fear, while the left gleamed with a sinister red glow, malevolent and hungry.

Two voices came from her throat, overlapping, blending in a cacophony of sound. One was hers—panicked, desperate, struggling to break free. The other was darker, deeper, filled with malice. They spoke over one another, the words tangled and indistinguishable, until suddenly, Lina's voice rang out clear:

"Get out of my head!" she screamed, her voice raw with emotion. "You won't touch them! You won't!"

Her body convulsed again, and the monstrous side seemed to push back, her left arm twitching violently as it tried to reassert itself. But Lina fought it, her will battling against the darkness within. Her right hand clenched into a fist, nails digging into her palm, drawing blood, as she forced herself upright.

Cain and Ares watched in horror and awe as the struggle played out before them. It wasn't a battle of physical strength, but a war waged within Lina's very soul. The tension built, and for a moment, it seemed as though the monstrous side might win. But then, with a guttural cry, Lina threw her head back, her right side glowing brighter, forcing the darkness back inch by inch.

Her skin rippled, the dark tendrils of corruption retreating, vanishing into nothingness. Her breath came in ragged gasps, and her entire body shook with the effort. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the darkness was gone. Lina's body returned fully to its human form, though she was visibly exhausted. She slumped forward, her hands bracing against the ground, her shoulders rising and falling with each labored breath.

Ares took a hesitant step forward, but stopped as Lina lifted her head, looking up at them with a tired, yet triumphant smile. There was warmth in her gaze now, the madness gone, replaced by the familiar kindness they had always known. But that smile—however soft—was short-lived. The toll of the battle, both internal and external, had drained her entirely.

Her eyes fluttered closed, and with one final, shuddering breath, she collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Cain stepped forward immediately, his expression hard as he knelt beside her. Ares followed, still shaken but determined not to let fear consume him. He knelt as well, placing a hand gently on Lina's shoulder.

"She's alive," Cain muttered, checking her pulse. "But she's out cold."

Ares let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He glanced down at her peaceful face, so different from the twisted, nightmarish form she had taken on just moments before. How long had she been fighting this? How much longer could she hold it back?

Cain rose to his feet, his expression grim. "We need to move. If whatever that was comes back…"

Ares nodded, though the unease in his chest hadn't left. There was no telling how much longer they had before Lina's darker side returned. But for now, she was herself again—and that was enough.

Together, they lifted her gently, careful not to disturb her too much, and began the slow, tense journey back. The battle was over, for now—but Ares knew deep down that this was far from the end. Whatever had taken hold of Lina, it was still there, lurking, waiting for another moment of weakness.

And next time, they might not be so lucky.

Ares and Cain, after making sure the area was secure, communicated the successful mission through their radios. Ares, catching his breath, reported calmly, "Omega-7-1, this is Ares. The area has been cleared, and the LSA (Large Scale Agressor) has been neutralized by SCP-8888-1. Over."

There was a pause, followed by the colonel's voice over the static-filled transmission, clearly relieved. "Understood. Good work, both of you. We're sending in backup. Hold your position."

As the radio went silent, the distant sound of helicopter blades chopping through the air grew louder. A squadron of military helicopters appeared over the horizon, their dark, imposing figures rapidly closing the distance. Within moments, they began descending, the thumping rotors stirring up clouds of dust and debris as they touched down on the battlefield. Combat-ready troops spilled out of the helicopters, securing the perimeter of the area with precision and efficiency. Cain and Ares watched silently as the reinforcements deployed, the burden of battle slowly lifting off their shoulders.

"Looks like our job's done here," Cain muttered, his tone a mixture of exhaustion and satisfaction. Ares nodded, watching as the last of the combat forces spread out across the site, ensuring no further threats remained.

The weight of the recent battle still hung in the air, but with the reinforcements securing the area, there was a small sense of peace. Lina, unconscious nearby after her fierce battle, was being carefully attended to by the medical teams. Cain took a deep breath, his body still tense from the events that had unfolded, but a part of him finally allowed himself to relax.

Meanwhile, far away in a control room, Leonard sat before a massive screen, bathed in the cold light of a digital interface. He leaned back in his chair, watching as a notification blinked on his screen, accompanied by a soft, artificial ding.

[Ding! Congratulations for successfully neutralizing the Esoteric Order of the White Worm.]

Leonard's eyes scanned the message, a small smile creeping onto his face. He had orchestrated the downfall of one of the most dangerous and mysterious factions the Foundation had ever faced. The Esoteric Order of the White Worm, a long-standing threat, had finally been eradicated, its influence reduced to ashes. This was no small feat, and Leonard knew it. He leaned forward, typing a quick acknowledgment before closing the notification. There was still work to be done, but for now, the victory felt good.

The battle had taken its toll on many, and while the threat of the LSA had been contained, the fight against the anomalies was far from over.

As Leonard sat back, still reflecting on the success of the mission, another notification appeared on the screen in the same familiar format.

[Ding! The current update cycle has concluded. All new features and adjustments are now live.]

The brief message brought a sense of finality, signaling that the system, with all its upgrades and recalibrations, was fully operational once again.

Another notification blinked onto Leonard's screen, summarizing the benefits of the recent system update:

[Ding! New Update Enhancements:

- Improved Special Unit Classification System: Optimized sorting and customization features for special units.

- Addition of Paratechnologies in the Shop: A wide array of newly available anomalous technologies to enhance MTF performance and mission success.

- Daily Login Rewards: Enjoy exclusive bonuses and resources with daily logins, increasing with streaks.

- MTF Bundle Purchases: Buy entire Mobile Task Force units with all associated equipment in one streamlined purchase, unlocking greater synergy and power.

- Global System Chat Access: Communicate with all other system holders who are allied with humanity, share strategies, and coordinate efforts in real-time.

- Tribulations Announcement: Every 10 levels, a high-threat SCP (Red or Black-class) will appear, requiring the Foundation's immediate response and containment efforts.]

Leonard scrolled through the updates, feeling a renewed sense of purpose as he explored the new possibilities these enhancements could unlock for the Foundation.

A new notification flashed on Leonard's screen, breaking his focus:

[Ding! Would you like to sign in for today's Daily Login Reward?]

Without hesitation, Leonard tapped "Accept." The system chimed again:

[Congratulations! You've received a Random Canonization Card! This special card allows you to canonize one special unit or anomaly into random canon events, granting them access to powers and abilities from those specific timelines.]

Leonard inspected the card with growing excitement, realizing the strategic advantage this could give him. 

Excited, Leonard immediately accessed the system's resource management screen. Without hesitation, he selected the option to use the Random Canonization Card. A new interface popped up, presenting him with two choices:

1. SCP-073 "Cain" (No Canons)

2. O5-4 (No Canons)

After deliberating for a moment, Leonard decided to canonize O5-4. As soon as he confirmed his choice, the system smoothly transitioned to a new screen, displaying the updated information.

The title next to O5-4 evolved, revealing the new moniker: O5-4 "The Gangster".

The text read:

[Male. European descent. American origin. Appearance unknown.]

[O5-4 "The Gangster" played a critical role in manipulating world governments and economic systems on behalf of the Foundation. Known for his extensive ties to organized crime and domestic terrorism, O5-4 maintained these relationships even after his ascension to the O5 Council. His criminal connections proved to be invaluable during the Foundation's early expansion, allowing the organization to conduct numerous 'disappearances' and assassinations under his direction.]

[Before defecting, O5-4 helped design the first iteration of the Chaos Insurgency as a black ops division of the Foundation. After the Foundation Civil War, he joined the newly-formed Insurgency and took with him a vast network of criminal connections, significantly contributing to their post-schism success.]

[After his defection, the Foundation moved swiftly to erase his influence, dismantling his operations and terminating or reassigning his personnel. This action, while beneficial for the Foundation long-term, had destabilizing effects on the global economy at the time.]

The final details listed his new talents:

- +2 Factotum Agents (Bodyguards and Assistants of the O5 Councillors).

- +2000 Black Ops Agents (Unofficial agents who conduct the Foundation's covert and morally dubious operations).

- +90% success rate when negotiating with criminals and terrorists.

- +70% success rate when negotiating with governments and private corporations.

The card was now canonized, and Leonard realized he had just unlocked immense strategic potential for future operations.

Leonard stared at the screen in disbelief as the notification displaying the details of O5-4's canonization slowly faded in. The weight of the new talents he had just unlocked sunk in, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. He had effectively unlocked access to a dangerous network of covert agents and vast influence over governments and criminal organizations alike.

"Whoa..." Leonard muttered under his breath, his eyes wide. "Two factotum agents… 2000 black ops operatives…" He trailed off, imagining the possibilities.

The increased success rate in negotiations with criminals and government officials added an even bigger edge. With O5-4's influence, he could broker deals with underworld bosses, terrorists, and global leaders alike, all while remaining one step ahead of the Foundation's enemies.

He smirked, shaking his head in amazement. "This is huge... I'm basically untouchable now. The Foundation's dirty work is mine to control."

The power boost was substantial, and Leonard could already envision how he'd exploit these new advantages. Every shady deal, every clandestine mission, and every major decision involving the criminal underworld or national leaders—it was all in his hands now.

"Let's see what O5-4's connections can do for me," he said, already planning his next strategic move. This was more than just an upgrade; it was the start of something much bigger.

Then another notification pulled up:

[Ding! You have earned several undistributed rewards from the recent update. Would you like to receive them?]

Leonard selected Yes without a second thought.

[Ding! Congratulations! You have unlocked the special unit SCP-105 "Iris Thompson" (Pre-Omega-7).]

Immediately, a file displayed across the screen:

[SCP-105  

Object Class: Safe  

Name: Iris Thompson

---

The full description of SCP-105 flashed up:

- SCP-105 is a female teen who possesses the ability to manipulate and interact with photographic images.

- She can reach into a photo and interact with objects within the image as though they were physically present.]

Leonard's eyes lit up as he saw the notification about SCP-105. The information about Iris Thompson's photographic manipulation abilities piqued his interest immediately. He quickly accessed the system's resource management panel, seeing that she was currently stationed at Site-Mayim.

"Hmm, not the most ideal place for what I have in mind," he muttered, a calculated look crossing his face. 

With a few swift commands, he ordered SCP-105 to be transferred to Site-17, where he planned to integrate her into Omega-7. The thought of her unique abilities potentially augmenting their firepower in a controlled environment intrigued him, and he felt she could be a powerful asset moving forward. 

"Welcome to Omega-7, Iris," Leonard whispered with a smirk, already anticipating the next step in his plan.

[Ding! You have received the following reward: Site-DE24.]

[Site-DE24 is a High Intensity Paraphysical Site located between Cloppenburg and Vechta in Niedersachsen. The Site specializes in the containment of paraphysical or parascientific anomalies that are extremely dangerous, difficult to contain, or fundamentally contradict the laws of nature. It is one of only two Sites capable of producing its own Scranton Reality Anchors. Additionally, Site-DE24 is designed to simulate any type of atmosphere or physical state.]

---

[Ding! You have received the following reward: MTF DE24-𝔉 ("Funke").]

[Mobile Task Force DE24-𝔉 ("Funke") specializes in handling electrical phenomena and includes highly skilled electricians and electrical engineers. Their tools range from insulating protective equipment and Faraday cages to mobile lightning rods, enabling them to safely interact with or neutralize electrical anomalies.

- Site: DE24

- Size: 10 Electricians, 15 Electrical Engineers]

---

[Ding! You have received the following reward: MTF DE24-𝔑 ("Naturgesetzeshüter").]

[Mobile Task Force DE24-𝔑 ("Naturgesetzeshüter") specializes in physical and paraphysical anomalies. They employ advanced paratechnology, such as Scranton Reality Anchors, to study and counteract anomalous phenomena. This unit consists of scouts and experts in applied physics, and their expertise is used to develop safe containment measures for the most complex anomalies.

- Site: DE24

- Size: 35 Operatives]

Leonard stared at the notifications with a mix of surprise and satisfaction. The addition of Site-DE24 and its specialized task forces seemed like a significant advantage, particularly when dealing with reality-bending anomalies. 

"Finally, i can finally deal with these goddamn reality benders he thought, immediately beginning to strategize on how best to integrate the new forces into his operations.

He paused, then added with a sly grin, "This is going to be fun."