The Monster’s Room - Chapter 18 - Case ⑥: The Iron Horse Knight

00:23:21

Talking for an extended period turned out to be more exhausting than expected. Either that, or it had been so long since she spoke so much that it was tiring. Marie rubbed her neck and checked the time.

It was hard to believe that only a little over 30 minutes had passed. If the conversation with Kevin hadn’t been so insightful, it would have been even more difficult.

“There are various levels of SCP danger ratings beyond Safe, Euclid, and Keter. One notable example is the Null class, which refers to entities that are no longer anomalous, or that have been destroyed or neutralized.”

Such as this.

Of course, Marie wasn’t just passively listening. Since only one side was speaking, the cafe wouldn’t count as ‘conversation’ otherwise.

“So, will the SCPs I manage ever become Null class?”

“It’s rare for them to naturally become Null class. It’s possible if they’re destroyed, though.”

“……”

“Do you think it would be difficult?”

Perhaps for the fluffy cotton doll, but the rest of the SCPs didn’t seem likely to be destroyed easily. Honestly, Marie was curious about how the Foundation managed to secure and contain them.

Kevin answered this easily.

“Securing them requires a considerable number of agents.”

“Not the subjects, but the agents?”

“Officially employed Foundation agents. Among ourselves, there’s a joke that we’ve transcended legal jurisdiction to avoid paying out death benefits.”

“It’s hard to stop thinking of this place as a place where people die a lot, even though it’s supposed to be set up to protect people…”

“I agree.”

So.

A deep smile appeared at the corners of Kevin’s mouth.

“The Foundation has conducted projects where anomalous entities were used to counter other anomalous entities.”

“SCPs used against SCPs?”

“Yes. Isn’t it fascinating?”

“Can that actually work?”

“Well, even if it doesn’t work, there are always people willing to try.”

That was true. Scientists obsessed with experiments or results were indeed the type who would go that far.

“And if it turns out to be really effective, they’ll press on with it.”

“That sounds dreadful.”

“What do you think, Marie?”

“Hmm.”

After contemplating for less than a minute, Marie reached a conclusion.

“I don’t think it will work.”

“Why is that?”

“Sorry?”

“I’m curious why you think so.”

Kevin looked at Marie with genuine curiosity. His tone had subtly risen, indicating that her answer was quite unexpected to him.

“Uh, it’s just… you know?”

Surprised by Kevin’s unusual reaction, Marie stumbled over her words.

“Anomalous entities can’t be defined by a single category, which is why they’re considered anomalous.”

“Yes.”

“Do you think such entities will act according to human convenience?”

“……”

“I don’t think so.”

There was no need to look far.

Even the SCPs Marie managed didn’t follow orders. The transparent jelly eraser, which had an almost invincible ability to erase anything, merely melted her clothes and had s-x, while the marionette troupe leader, who controlled dozens of marionettes, performed only once a week.

How could such incomprehensible entities be controlled or managed?

Unless one was a monster themselves.

Marie nodded, concluding her response.

“If they moved as humans wished, they wouldn’t need to be contained in the first place.”

That was her opinion on the matter.

“……”

For the first time, Kevin fell into silence for almost a minute.

* * *

00:02:58

The hour was nearly over. Marie absently rolled the empty glass in her hand. She felt a sense of regret.

Maybe it was because she had engaged in meaningful conversation for the first time in a while, despite the sore throat. Her desire to continue the conversation clashed with her need to rest.

“It was an enjoyable time.”

“Likewise.”

“Conversations here are not recorded. If you ever need to have a confidential conversation, I recommend using this place.”

He continued to offer advice until the end. Marie thanked him, and Kevin, with a complex expression, left a peculiar remark as the final minute ticked away.

“In fact, there have been quite a few projects where SCPs were used against other SCPs. Successful cases are extremely rare, and when they fail, the damage is catastrophic, so it has become a taboo now…”