Faced with this dilemma, Luoshu's first instinct was to use his persuasion ability to coax more information out of the other party.
"Hey, don't rush off! If you want to recruit me, at least show some sincerity—like telling me the truth. Who the hell are you, really?"
Under the influence of his persuasion, the stranger answered without hesitation:
"I am a Gamma-class Item Recovery Agent of the Chaos Insurgency, codename IR1901, stationed at Site-19."
So it really is someone from the Chaos Insurgency!
Good thing Luoshu had pressed for answers—otherwise, he'd have no idea how to explain this to Big Beard Jack tomorrow.
Since his persuasion was already active, Luoshu decided to dig deeper.
"You said the Chaos Insurgency isn't what I think it is. Then what is it really?"
"Before logic existed, we were imprisoned in a cage called 'ignorance.' We were exploited and conquered by those in power, just as medieval priests preached to the blind faithful—"
"Stop! Stop! Stop! I know your HAOS doctrine—no need to recite it!"
Luoshu cut him off. In his past life, the Chaos Insurgency's official page had a detailed breakdown of the HAOS doctrine—around five hundred words of their so-called "core ideology."
On the surface, it sounded profound. But when you really thought about it? Just pretentious nonsense.
For example:
"If we are to reclaim the future that is rightfully ours, to seize our rightful place and rights, we must make sacrifices for the greater good."
"This is our destiny! This is the future that only we can change! Only we can break this stagnant world!"
"We are the force that opposes the oppressors, the only force capable of action! And we are the core of this new army!"
At first glance, it sounded like a rebellion against oppression. But the more you read, the more it reeked of cult propaganda.
Luoshu wasn't buying it.
Seeing that HAOS wasn't working, the man outside switched tactics.
"Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has never ceased its slaughter, war, and vengeance—even when we were mere beasts. And yet, we dare call ourselves the pinnacle of reason and wisdom—"
"For all that is good in this world, to end this endless cycle—we are the Chaos Insurgency, and the war… has never ended!" Luoshu finished for him. "If that's all you've got, I could've said that!"
Same old drivel, just repackaged—from HAOS doctrine to Mission Statement. Empty words.
Most cult slogans sounded like this.
From the dawn of civilization to the "endless cycle," the Chaos Insurgency's Mission Statement was probably the most chuuni-sounding manifesto Luoshu had ever heard.
But then—something unexpected happened.
The moment Luoshu recited the final line of their creed, the man outside lost his composure completely.
"It's really you! It's really you! Not of Chaos, yet greater than Chaos! My superior told me—hold your post at Site-19, no matter what. Never leave. Never reveal yourself. The one who would unveil the truth will come!"
Luoshu almost laughed.
Dude, you're way too deep into this. You think I don't know your CI (Chaos Insurgency) schtick?
That ridiculously edgy manifesto? He'd memorized it after one read.
But then—the man mentioned "the truth."
That gave Luoshu pause.
Could the CI be connected to SCP-055?
Right—this guy had claimed earlier that he knew where Luoshu had been.
Maybe he wasn't lying.
"Who are you really? I mean—what's your cover identity at Site-19?"
Talking through a door was inconvenient. Luoshu wanted to confirm the man's identity so he could track him down later.
But just then—
"No time! I have to go!"
The stranger bolted.
"Hey! Don't just—
You can't drop a bombshell like that and run!
Are all CI agents this unreliable?!
But the man was already gone. Even with his persuasion ability, Luoshu couldn't just summon him back.
Just as frustration set in—footsteps echoed in the hallway again.
This time, it sounded like multiple people.
Doors to neighboring dormitories creaked open as more personnel flooded into the corridor.
A moment later—knocking.
"D-20915, did you hear the commotion outside?"
"I did. Sounded like shouting and running," Luoshu answered "truthfully."
"Did you catch what they were saying? The voice seemed to come from right outside your door!"
Shit.
Luoshu guessed the questioner had already checked with the Mobile Task Force Epsilon-11 ("Nine-Tailed Fox") agents in the adjacent rooms.
The situation was bad.
That IR1901 guy had been too loud at the end. The neighbors might've overheard.
How to explain this?
Thankfully, his persuasion ability was still active.
"How would I know? My door's locked—I can't even open it. No clue what's happening outside."
The Epsilon-11 agents outside—familiar with Luoshu's situation—tested the doorknob.
Still locked.
Only three people in the squad had access: Big Beard Jack, his deputy, and his assistant.
Someone muttered, "Maybe two people were talking out here."
"Problem is—aside from command staff, all our guys are accounted for. Who else would be wandering the halls at this hour?"
"Just pull the surveillance footage."
Surveillance.
Luoshu tensed.
Thanks to his anti-memetic properties, he didn't worry about cameras.
But IR1901 probably didn't have that advantage. If he got caught—and exposed Luoshu—what then?
Ugh. CI agents—always making a mess.
If it came to it… he might have to resort to extreme measures.
Like mental enslavement.
If that guy got exposed—enslave him. Then silence him.
So he raised his voice:
"Let me out! Maybe I can help. Ask Captain Jack—he'll approve it!"
Once again, persuasion worked.
The Epsilon-11 agents summoned the assistant, who unlocked the door.
By then—the surveillance team had their answer.
Silently, Luoshu opened the Anomalous Item Catalog, flipping to Page 15—SCP-049, "The Plague Doctor."