After SCP-049's outburst, the surveillance footage took a gruesome turn.
The Plague Doctor stepped behind the counter and began its "treatment" on the night-shift cashier—dissecting him alive.
Minutes later, the procedure was complete. The cashier reanimated as an SCP-049-2 instance—the same zombie Nine-Tailed Fox had just put down.
With its first "patient" converted, SCP-049 exited the store, vanishing from the camera's view.
Luo Shu knew the trail ended here. His attention shifted to the bitten woman.
The MTF medics had stabilized her with止血 (hemostatic) bandages, but her condition was deteriorating:
Pale, then grayish skin.
Dilated, clouded pupils.
Feverish body heat.
Necrotic patches spreading from the bite wounds.
Classic zombification symptoms.
But in the SCP universe, zombie viruses had their own designation—SCP-008. Theoretically unrelated to SCP-049.
Luo Shu frowned, scanning the store shelves until he found what he needed: a disposable syringe.
"What are you doing?" a medic asked.
"Drawing blood for analysis. She won't last until Site-19."
As the medic extracted 50ml of blood, the Anomalous Project Encyclopedia updated:
[Page: 38]
[Item #: SCP-008]
[Designation: Zombie Virus]
[Object Class: Euclid]
[Image: …]
[Description: …]
[Containment Procedures: …]
[Abilities: A world-ending pathogen. What else did you expect? When the Plague Doctor meets the Possessive Mask, SCP-008 is their 'love child.' Shipping them yet? I do.]
[Status: Active Outbreak]
[Interaction Log: ▶ Play] [X]
Confirmed: SCP-008.
Luo Shu's expression darkened. "Sir, it's worse than we thought. She's turning. Have you seen this before?"
He couldn't outright name SCP-008—he wasn't sure if Site-19 personnel knew of it.
According to Foundation archives, SCP-008 first appeared in 1959 Soviet territories and was contained at Site-G2. Only SCP-500 ("Panacea") could cure it.
Then, Bearded Jack's radio crackled:
"Abort the search! Return NOW! SCP-008 is spreading citywide!"
Outside, screams and gunfire erupted.
Hordes of zombies poured from buildings, attacking pedestrians and swarming vehicles.
The Possessive Mask's doing—it had made them lie in wait until critical mass was reached.
Bearded Jack stared in disbelief. "How is SCP-008 linked to 049?! Its number's lower!"
Luo Shu cut in: "SCP numbers aren't chronological."
The Foundation had likely misclassified SCP-008 after its first outbreak, unaware it was a byproduct of SCP-049 + SCP-035.
The Director's voice tightened: "O5 Council confirms—satellite shows SCP-008 propagation. Researchers believe it's a hybrid of 049 and 035!"
But Luo Shu fixated on the Director's first order: "Recall all units."
Why?
Are they… giving up?
Or—
"A 'Raccoon City' solution?"
He rushed to the storefront window.
No fighter jets. No choppers. Just waves of zombies overrunning the streets.
Gunfire echoed as civilians and MTF operatives fought back.
Nine-Tailed Fox's dispersed teams were now isolated and overwhelmed.
Their vehicles were ambushed—drivers either mauled at the wheel or making last stands on rooftops.
Luo Shu's group was down to four:
Bearded Jack
1 medic
2 combat operatives
Against the rising tide, holding the store was already a losing battle.