NOVEL NEXT Chapter 74: I Disagree
Shirley's eyes were clear and transparent, exactly the same as when Zhang Jue met her. But unfortunately, almost no one had seen it except Zhang Jue.
Out of the two people present, Zhang Jue and SCP-343 were immune to Shirley's cognitohazard. It wasn't strong enough to harm them. Shirley had slept for a long time, her little face flushed and blinking profusely. As if she hadn't recovered from her sleep.
"Brother Zhang Jue, is that you?" She rubbed her eyes, still unsure and afraid she was dreaming.
Zhang Jue sat on the edge of her bed and reached out to touch her face. Shirley was thrilled; only Zhang Jue would make such an intimate gesture toward her, just like her brother.
"Brother Zhang Jue!" Shirley jumped into Zhang Jue's arms at once.
Zhang Jue patted her back and was about to speak. Suddenly, he noticed Shirley's shoulders twitching, and tears soaked his lapel. Zhang Jue sighed and could only soothe the little girl down first.
After a while, Shirley stopped crying before he asked, "Shirley, tell me, what happened and why are you in a hurry to meet me?"
Shirley lowered her head and did not answer Zhang Jue's question positively. She asked, "Brother Zhang Jue, if Shirley was no longer Shirley, would you still treat me as your sister?"
Shirley was no longer Shirley? Zhang Jue was confused by her words.
The little girl added, "Brother Zhang Jue, don't worry, Shirley will definitely defeat it!" Shirley's words were innocent, making Zhang Jue a bit depressed. In fact, he didn't like this kind of conversation. It was confusing and preposterous.
But he couldn't say anything about it in front of Shirley. No matter how much he tried, Shirley wouldn't tell him the truth, and he could only trust her. It seemed that after seeing Zhang Jue, the little girl made up her mind somehow.
Shirley's character was characterized by a child's stubbornness, and Zhang Jue couldn't force her to say anything if she didn't want to. It was almost dawn, so Zhang Jue said goodbye to the little girl, made an appointment to come see her tomorrow through the regular schedule, and then went back to the roof with SCP-343.
"Old man, can you tell me what's wrong with Shirley?" Once back on the roof, Zhang Jue immediately launched a question on SCP-343. This kind of cheap talk does not cost money.
SCP-343 laughed and shook his head.
"Hey!" Zhang Jue knew that there was naturally a reason not to say anything for a man of this level, and even if he knelt down and worshiped him a few times, there was no chance for him to tell Zhang Jue about it.
He was thinking about how to bargain with him, then SCP-343 took the initiative to show him an answer.
"Although I can't tell you, if you really want to know what happened to that little girl, maybe there is someone who can help you."
"Who?" Zhang Jue was overjoyed.
SCP-343 said, "Cain."
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Item No: SCP-073 (Cain)
Object Class: Euclid
Description: SCP-073 appears to be a heavily-tanned male of Arabic or Middle Eastern descent in his early thirties, 185 cm (6'1") tall and 75 kg (165 lbs), with black hair and blue eyes. Arms, legs, spinal cord, and shoulder blades of the subject appear to have been replaced with artificial versions of an unknown metal, and there is a symbol engraved into the forehead of the subject, which appears to be of Sumerian origin.
It has highly detailed knowledge of ancient to recent events in history, and the most commonly spoken languages in the world, including ones that have since died out. Subject has professed to having a photographic memory, remembering word-for-word all text in an eight-hundred-page dictionary that was flicked through in a minute and a half.
SCP-073's presence is inimical to any and all life grown in soil, causing death to any such life within a twenty (20) meter radius. Any land SCP-073 has walked on (and any within the twenty [20] meter radius) becomes barren as all anaerobic bacteria dies, rendering the soil incapable of supporting life until new bacteria are introduced.
Anything that is derived from soil-grown life, such as wood and paper, immediately rots and disintegrates upon touch of SCP-073. Further affected derivatives include anything hydroponically grown.
Violence directed towards SCP-073 reflects any damage inflicted on SCP-073 directly back onto the attacker, although SCP-073 visibly remains unharmed. This applies to any damage directed at SCP-073. Attempts to get tissue and blood samples have proven failure.
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-073 is to be kept in a two (2) room cell furnished with all non-organic furniture and items and a bathroom. Subject is allowed to freely wander the facility and eat in the main canteen. A tracking device has been attached to SCP-073's person and is not to be removed. Subject is disallowed any contact with the surface, and is not allowed outside the facility. Subject is allowed no contact with plant-based SCPs under any circumstances. Violence is not to be used against SCP-073 under any circumstances.
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As an SCP enthusiast, it is impossible for Zhang Jue not to have heard of the name "Cain" and even be familiar with it. According to the Bible, Cain and Able were both sons of Adam and Eve, and Cain killed his brother because he was jealous that his tribute was more pleasing to God.
As the killer of his kind, Cain was the ancestor of all the wicked people in the world. He was cruel, greedy, and tried to deceive God. When God realized this, he sent him into exile and cursed him: "The earth will no longer serve you, and you will be displaced on the earth. God also marked his face to prevent people from wanting to kill him on sight.
Cain and his brother (suspected) Able (SCP-076-2) were also a contained anomaly of the SCP Foundation. Although, strangely enough, their personalities were the exact opposite of what is described in the Bible.
Cain was not cruel and greedy; on the contrary, he was eager to help others and enjoyed helping them with their daily tasks, whatever that tasks might be.
As for Able, he was not even close to being gentle and thrifty. His current character is really a story.
Simply put, it was an anomalous entity that was more Tian than Ao Tian Dragon.
Zhang Jue had also thought about why the reason for such a strong contrast in their personalities. Cain had been spurned by the world for millions of years, had witnessed the rise and fall of countless dynasties, and countless people had lived and died in front of him.
He was not the same person who killed his brother at the drop of a hat. He became gentle and helpful.
As for Able, his mind is still stuck on the moment he was killed - full of spite. He felt wronged and unjust about what had happened to him.
When Cain came in contact with the information about Able, he had told the Foundation that it was better not to let him and Able meet.
On the one hand, it was guilt, unable to face his brother. On the other hand, it was probably afraid that Able would do something malicious and destructive.
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SCP-343 suggested Zhang Jue seek Cain's help, and for Zhang Jue, this kind of problem was not difficult at all. In fact, he had a similar plan long ago.
The biggest reason he had promised Hael and risked coming to Site-17 in the first place, aside from worrying about Shirley's safety, was that many powerful humanoids were contained inside Site-17.
If he didn't make the right move and subconsciously mix their abilities one by one, he would be in trouble managing it.
Early in the next morning, Zhang Jue met Hael, telling him that Shirley had woken up and wanted to apply for a meeting with Cain to ask for his help. Hearing the news that Shirley had woken up, Hael froze and immediately called to confirm the situation with the relevant people.
After the call, he looked at Zhang Jue with an adoring look. Zhang Jue casually waved his hand, "Don't look at me with that kind of look. I'll be embarrassed. It's a well-known fact that I'm a very thin-skinned person. So, how about that Cain person?"
Hael's face was slightly embarrassed, "I wanted to let SCP-073 and you go together to see Shirley, but this kind of authorization is beyond my level. I heard that the Site Director returned in the early hours of this morning. You can find him and ask him about it."
After hearing Hael's words, a gruff voice rang out from behind them, "No need to bother yourselves, I don't agree."