Thank You,
Knight Teir: "Fire_Fox2590"
For Becoming A Member On My Pa'treon. The Emperor Protect.
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The Tickle Monster wanted to lead them forward, and this instantly left the group stunned. One of their greatest obstacles in beating the game had always been the overwhelmingly large map. They barely understood any of its layout, which forced them to spend enormous time wandering, discovering clues, pushing through one danger after another, and hoping, eventually, to clear the final challenge.
But just as the three prepared to leave with the Tickle Monster, something completely unexpected occurred. From a barely noticeable speaker tucked into the corner of the ceiling, a crackling, staticky voice abruptly echoed: "Attention all personnel! Mobile Task Force Nine-Tailed Fox is about to enter the facility."
The announcement came out of nowhere, distorted, filled with noise, as if the signal itself was fighting to break through.
The group froze mid-step, immediately lifting their heads toward the source of the sound as shock washed across their faces.
"Mobile Task Force? Nine-Tailed Fox? What… is that?" Kiwo was the first to voice the question.
Brit and Vale exchanged confused looks and shook their heads. This was their first time hearing such an announcement. How could they possibly know what a Nine-Tailed Fox unit was supposed to be? Still, though Brit was uncertain, a bold speculation surfaced in his mind.
"Maybe… this Nine-Tailed Fox is one of the Foundation's special units?" he said, frowning as he glanced toward Kiwo and Vale.
Kiwo and Vale thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Yeah… that actually sounds possible."
"Is it some kind of elite force?" Kiwo added.
Brit shook his head, expression tightening, "I don't know whether they're elite or not. What matters more is whether they'll see us as enemies…"
Vale and Kiwo stiffened at his words, a chill creeping into their hearts.
"That's right! Our identities in this game are D-Class personnel, aren't they?" Kiwo said bitterly. "At the Foundation, D-Class are basically… guinea pigs."
Her worries were justified. In the Foundation, D-Class personnel were little more than disposable test subjects. Their lives held no weight, unless their deaths happened to produce valuable data.
Vale grimaced. "Great… so what, these Nine-Tailed Fox guys might shoot us on sight?!"
His frustration wasn't unreasonable. D-Class individuals rarely survived encounters with task forces. If Nine-Tailed Fox members spotted D-Class wandering freely inside a secure facility, attacking first wasn't out of the question.
Brit exhaled deeply. "There's nothing we can do. Even if they attack, we have no choice. All we can hope is that our paths don't cross…"
Kiwo and Vale could only sigh in agreement.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Brit steadied himself, voice firm. "Let's go. Whatever happens, we'll do our best."
The others nodded. The Tickle Monster waited patiently ahead, seemingly having understood the broadcast as well. Yet unlike the three humans, tense and uncertain, the creature didn't appear worried at all.
"Tickle, you're going to take us to the electrical center, right?" Kiwo asked, stepping closer and curiously poking the creature's soft, slippery body.
The instant her finger pressed in, joy surged through her chest, and she couldn't help but laugh. The Tickle Monster raised its tentacles joyfully, waving them with excitement as it let out continuous clack-clack sounds.
Though it couldn't speak, its enthusiasm made the meaning clear: "Yes! I'll definitely take you there!"
"All right! Let's move," Brit said, determination burning stronger in his eyes.
The three quickly checked their equipment and items one more time. Then Brit, Kiwo, Vale, and the orange slug-like creature stepped out into a brightly lit hallway lined with doors, none of which could be opened.
The Tickle Monster led the way, Brit following close behind. Despite their attempts to stay composed, tension coiled in their hearts. The map was still almost entirely unfamiliar. Every step could lead to danger, or salvation. All they could do was hope they found the electrical center quickly and pushed through the objective before running into anything worse.
Fortunately, their journey with the Tickle Monster didn't last long. Another metal door opened, revealing a large hall. At its far end stood an enormous steel gate, towering, sealed, and glowing faintly under the reddish lights. Under that eerie glow, the gate felt ominous, as though some terrible creature lurked behind it. But in reality, what hid beneath the metal was not a monster; it was the exit.
Right above the gate, bold letters marked its function: EXIT, the passage leading out of the office block and into the final zone of the game.
"Whoa! This is the exit?!" Kiwo exclaimed, sprinting across the hall in excitement. She pressed her hands against the steel, looking it over eagerly.
Brit and Vale followed quickly, their hearts swelling with relief. After everything they had endured… this door was the milestone they had been striving toward. Yet fate had other plans. They couldn't move on, not yet. Their remaining tasks held them back like an invisible chain.
"Why don't we at least try?" Brit suggested.
Receiving nods of agreement, he pulled out the keycard and slid it through the reader beside the gate.
Beep. The steel gate shifted, opening just a crack, then slammed shut again.