" Well, you see, my friend. I had a complicated issue and they had postponed my departure for the next experiment."
The Plague doctor replied, knowing Arthur was somewhat surprised to see him here. He believed this was another infection. Thus ready to assist Arthur with his all might since he was the only person whom he could rely on to find the answer that he was seeking for eons.
He saw the potential in Arthur and he believed Arthur was a genius that could be equal to him on some grounds.
Arthur nodded, handing the map to him without hesitation on his face. He presumed 049 was an ally in this situation because he was yet to lose his sanity to his dark side. Therefore, it was quite feasible to work with him, and adding his strength to this team was surely a go way for the team.
" That is the map of the facility. We need to go to that room and turn on the lights while trying to survive until the reinforcement comes here."
Arthur said, pointing to the hall where it began to expand into large sections. 049 slightly narrowed his eyes, knowing the large sections were the most dangerous areas of this facility and even he could become prey to others, but compared to his benefit, it was worth taking a shot since there were two anomalies here.
" Then that is it, my friend. I will take the lead, you will take the back."
The Plague doctor spoke with calmness and complied with Arthur's request. With a single movement of his hand, a group of corpses ran out from the corner with blankness on their faces. There were countless stitches on their bodies and their clothes were tattered into pieces.
" Go children, we will proceed to this path."
He commanded, briefly looking at Arthur to see his expression. Fortunately, he wasn't disgusted like scientists.
Arthur nodded at the other members, gesturing them to follow behind them since they were already dead and they could potentially become their shields in dangerous situations.
For 20 minutes, they had been walking in these total pitch-black halls and sections. There were no survivors or corpses on their way except for the trail of blood that was told something was going on there. They couldn't hear any screaming or crying from the rooms and somehow that was getting on their nerves because that meant they were the only survivors and hunting for the remaining anomalies.
Johnheart was walking beside Arthur while closely observing the pitch-black areas with anxiety since there was one thing that could kill them all instantly. If he met that thing here, things won't end up good for them due to their shortage of tools on their hands.
Each passing step made his heart thump more wildly, spreading fear inside his body even though he had faced it countless times.
Drip*
Suddenly, he felt something was near them and it was ready to pounce on them. Johnheart hurriedly opened his mouth.
" Point in that direction and don't close your eyes. "
He shouted, covered in a cold sweat. The soldiers immediately lighted up the direction while taking a position with the corpses shielding them. 049 and Arthur guessed the identity of the unknown perpetrator in the dark. A gloomy-looking sculpture with horrible graphics on its face. It is body was entirely made of steel bars and cement.
" It is 173. Everyone don't close their eyes. Go according to the drills."
Captain gave his commands while aiming at the entity with indifference. As one of the elite troopers on the site, he had faced this monster for years. It was like his nemesis to him and he saw it was directly looking at him with that mockery on its face. It was like saying " Hello, my friend!" to him which he found unpleasant.
" We have 6 men here. 4 of you will remain here to watch him. Otherwise, it will kill all of us despite 049 and Doctor Arthur's power."
He said dryly with helplessness in his tone. The six men looked at each other and the 4 oldest of them decided to be there. They preferred to hand over their lives instead of the young remaining 2 men to this monster. Besides, they were experienced and confident about their abilities.