บท 245: The Untold Side of Story

Smith called Zhang Jue's phone around ten hours ago and delivered recent information from Europe. Strong earthquakes had struck the Balkan Peninsula, and vampire-like monsters had appeared in Romania and other locations.

After hearing this information, Zhang Jue had the hazy impression that he had read the pertinent documents, but due to time constraints, he had not given it much thought. He had completely forgotten the crucial details before this phone call.

He already had a clear understanding of the strange tentacle, lengthy tongue, and white-skinned creature Smith had encountered. These three items were all made in the SCP-2191 "Dracula Factory."

SCP-2191 is a temple-like structure located deep within Romania's Hoya Forest, housing a huge population of flesh and blood monsters. The Foundation named one of these humanoid bloodsucking creatures as SCP-2191-1, and it would attack the closest humans.

This white-skinned humanoid race kills the people it has captured and uses the long tongue Smith saw as a parasite to draw nourishment from their bodies as opposed to consuming them.

Another worm feed will then deliver the nutrients back to SCP-2191. SCP-2191-2 refers to the protruding "tongues," worms, and tentacles that attacked Smith.

But if you think SCP-2191 is just a structure that eats people, you're terribly mistaken. SCP-2191-3, a monstrous beast that humans can't even imagine, is actually concealed deep beneath it. The Balkan Peninsula is completely covered with tentacles that resemble roots, covering an area of about 660,000 square kilometers. The magnitude of SCP-2191-actual 3 is unknown.

SCP-2191-3 has intelligence and can use complicated pheromones to command SCP-2191-1 and SCP-2191-2. In reality, the SCP-2191-1 monster works as a forager of SCP-2191-3. SCP-2191-3 will utilize its enormous physique to cause earthquakes if it is hungry.

Following the earthquake, SCP-2191-1 would use the post-disaster chaos to obtain nourishment. The majority of earthquakes in the Balkans are allegedly caused by SCP-2191-3. So, if you still believe that SCP-2191-3 is just a huge man-eating monster, you are mistaken once more.

It actually has a surprising new identity. Lovataar, one of the Sarkic Cults' four saints. Lovataar is in charge of sex, love, disease, and reproduction as a Klavigar of the Sarkic Cults. She even goes by the adorable pseudonym Mother. But she doesn't at all fit these two adjectives in her present situation.

After reflecting on this, the identity of the one-eyed enormous beast that surfaced in Russia also yelled out from the other side. Orok is a powerful warlock and one of the Four Saints of Lust for Flesh who stands for strength, war, violence, and wildness.

They are both without a doubt the Sarkic Cults' most important forces.

...

What the hell are the Sarkic Cults, then, after introducing the two SCPs linked to them?

Yaldabaoth, also known as the God of Flesh and Blood or the Supreme Creator of Flesh and Chaos, is the supreme deity of the Sarkic Cults. He is violent by nature and antagonistic to the God of Machine, who stands for mechanics and order.

According to legend, the Broken God was murdered by Yaldabaoth after the two gods fought a war across the universe. However, the Broken God destroyed his own body and built a cage to confine Yaldabaoth outside of reality.

It may be stated that Yaldabaoth is the one who broke the Broken God, and Yaldabaoth has always hated the Broken God.

All of the aforementioned claims, however, cannot be independently verified. Who among mortals can know the outcome of the conflict between the two gods and goddesses? Perhaps that is something dishonest self-publishing made up.

One thing is certain, though: the Serpent's Hand and the GOC, who leave no room for error, are no match for the Church of the Broken God and the Sarkic Cults as a complete and lethal opponent.

Although there was a strong bond between the two cults, Zhang Jue first overlooked this fact. Because the Sarkic Cults have always maintained a very low profile in our world, in contrast to Church of the Broken God, for so many years.

They did nothing unusual despite having extraordinarily high combat capability comparable to the Four Saints of Sarkic Cults. They were more like decent kids in comparison to the Church of the Broken God, which was begging for the resurrection of the Broken God.

But it appears that these Sarkic Cult members are not truly "nice youngsters" after all. They have demonstrated one fact in practice: a biting dog does not bark.

The four saints have been so silent over the years, plotting something, not in peace, and now that two of them have been active, they must be nearing the end. Naturally, something is off, and the Church of the Broken God, a formidable adversary, senses it.

They claimed that time was running out because of this.

Zhang Jue eventually figured out the Church of the Broken God's original motive, but this did not explain why they were keeping it so quiet, indicating that there may be additional factors that he was unaware of.

So Zhang Jue stared into Maxwell's eyes and said, "Tell me what the Sarkic Cults are trying to do, and maybe I can help you."

Maxwell looked at Zhang Jue as if he was assessing his credibility. In the eyes of the Church of the Broken God, the SCP Foundation was equally untrustworthy.

Maxwell hesitated for a moment before finally shaking his head. "No, I don't have that authority."

"It's already this time, either tell us or not!" Zhang Jue stepped forward and grabbed the collar of Maxwell's coat.

The commandos behind Maxwell also aimed their guns at Zhang Jue once again, although they knew that it wouldn't do much good. Maxwell sighed and was about to speak. Suddenly, a loud bang came from above their heads, followed by a violent shaking of the entire cabin.

Maxwell immediately took out the intercom and asked, "What's going on?"

On the other side of the intercom, a panicked voice came out, "Lord Maxwell, the GOC submarine is catching up!"

The Church of Broken God had been planning to take over the SCP for some time, but it was obvious that they had overestimated the GOC's combat prowess. After converting the ship into a submarine, Maxwell had believed that the GOC's chase would end; nevertheless, he had not anticipated that they would continue to pursue.

Despite wanting to offer the command, Maxwell instead cast a quick glance at Zhang Jue. The ship was in Zhang Jue's ownership, while it was still in their hands. Before he gave the signal, no one could move.

The thoughts racing through Zhang Jue's head. There was no way I was going to stop. And even if the cold-blooded general knew he was in charge of the ship, he probably wouldn't mind sinking it with a single shot, exploiting Zhang Jue and the whole ship to further his military career.

"You should have a pick-up crew, right?" Zhang Jue asked Maxwell.

"Uh, yes." Maxwell nodded.

In fact, they had already planned their escape route before the operation.

"Then follow your original route of retreat and take the ship back to your Church."

Maxwell looked at Zhang Jue in horror, "You-"

Zhang Jue had a calm face, "What? I want to slip away to your headquarters, can't I?"

Zhang Jue's ideas were straightforward. We need to locate someone who could negotiate with him because Maxwell lacked the authority to do so. The person who would lead the Church of the Broken God was someone he had long longed to meet.

Bumaro, Robert.

That should be his name, if he remembered correctly. Maxwell still lacked the power to make a choice in this situation, though. He promptly sent word of Zhang Jue's request to the Church of the Broken God's main office.

Two minutes later, the headquarters made a call. It was actually Mr. Bumaro. He showed his relief rather than being irritated about Maxwell's action's failure.

"Since that Advisor Zhang is coming, bring him here. Don't forget your manners. It just so happens that I also have something extremely important that I want to talk to him about." he remarked to Maxwell at the conclusion.

...

A few hours later, Zhang Jue brought the ship to the City of Gears, the seat of the Church of the Broken God. Even Zhang Jue, who had always seen a lot, moaned in wonder as the spacecraft floated from the top to the surface and he first beheld the city formed by gears and technology.

Zhang Jue accompanied Maxwell to the city's tallest structure. Robert Bumaro, the Church of the Broken God's supreme leader, had his headquarters nearby.

The receptionists handled Zhang Jue with respect as per Bumaro's directions, and even Hansen, who was with him, was moved to a different lounge and treated nicely.

Zhang Jue was by himself in the living room, gazing out the window at the mechanically powered city outside while briefly going into a trance. He was unaware that Robert Bumaro frequently regarded the horizon in this manner.

Robert Bumaro entered without an escort shortly after the door opened. His eyes and the black outfit were still on him, making him look like any other cashier.

"It's a little different from the photo provided by the Foundation," Zhang Jue stated as she turned to face him.

"People change, they say." Robert Bumaro grinned. "Even if you snapped my picture right now, Advisor Zhang, I wouldn't look the same in a moment. "

It's a piece of dialectical thinking, similar to the well-known conundrum of individuals never being able to jump into the same river twice. Most likely those who partake in this religious activity. Zhang Jue was a gifted orator who would have had no trouble engaging the opposing side in conversation for three days and nights if he had truly desired to debate this matter.

However, he didn't want to because he hadn't come here to partake in such dull activities. In truth, Zhang Jue's ability to detect the unfathomable strength of the opposing party was one of the main reasons why he was able to identify this individual as Robert Bumaro.

The best fighters only need to glance at the other person and make a movement to gauge their level, and Zhang Jue can sense that the other party's strength isn't in any way inferior to his own.

In the actual fight, Bumaro was unable to kill him, but he was also powerless against Bumaro. Bumaro did not bring a follower because he can sense this as well.

"Advisor Zhang, I have dealt with the SCP Foundation for many years, but this is the first time I know that the Foundation has such a powerful person like you," Bumaro stated, pushing his glasses with his index finger.

Bumaro was telling the truth; he had no intention of endorsing Zhang Jue. After only a year of working for the Foundation, Zhang Jue emerged from nowhere and was given the title of Star of the Foundation after successfully resolving several significant situations.

Bumaro realized that the orientalist in front of him was, in reality, a highly terrifying being even though he was unaware of the specifics due to their earlier examination of Zhang Jue and his own assessment of Zhang Jue's strength.

Given that he was still in his early 20s, it was practically guaranteed that he would eventually hold a position of great importance within the Foundation.

Bumaro was treating Zhang Jue as a complete foundation man, but he did not know that in fact, Zhang Jue and the SCP Foundation were only using each other and could turn against each other at any time.

Bumaro was a very powerful person who could make all three branches of the Church of The Broken God obey his orders. It was not easy to get his compliments.

Zhang Jue, however, signaled that he was stopping. "Mr. Bumaro, I don't need your praise because I am already wonderful, so let's get to the point and ask, What are the Sarkic Cults up to, and what does the Church of the Broken God want?"

When Zhang Jue answered the door, Bumaro gently shook his head." Do you understand the primary distinction between the Church of the Broken God and the Sarkic Cults, Advisor Zhang?

Zhang Jue genuinely wanted to approach him and slap him twice after hearing him talk about anything else.

Zhang Jue had to control his temper and merely ask, "Isn't it because your views are different?"

"That's just one of them" He said. Bumaro moved a few steps closer to the floor-to-ceiling window and folded his hands while gazing into the distance.

"The Church of the Broken God's adherents have always taken it upon themselves to make the Broken God whole again, and they are ready to give their own lives in the process."

Zhang Jue recalled that people like Maxwell and the captured Miranda did seem to be what Bumaro had said. They had not turned their backs on their faith even when they were facing danger.

Zhang Jue asked, "From what you say, the people of the Sarkic Cults are not like that?"

"Yes and no." Bumaro said.

Zhang Jue covered his head, "Can you say something understandable? I have a headache."

Bumaro was not angered by Zhang Jue's rudeness, he patiently explained, "The biggest difference between the Sarkic Cults and the Church of the Broken God is that they don't believe in their own god at all."

"What?" Zhang Jue wrinkled his eyebrows, obviously he did not know about this matter before.

Although Zhang Jue had some knowledge about the Sarkic Cults and the Church of the Broken God, it was primarily vague and ad hoc. Because, in Zhang Jue's opinion, the conflict between these two forces had an overly straightforward explanation. It wasn't only that the two gods were at odds with one another, causing their devotees to look on with resentment.

Bumaro's assertion, however, contradicted what Zhang Jue had previously believed.

Does the God of Flesh and Blood not exist in the Sarkic Cults? What in the world? Why then are they given this name?

Only five words were written on Bumaro's face when Zhang Jue gave him a peculiar glance: are you fucking kidding me?

Bumaro seemed to have guessed Zhang Jue's thoughts and continued, "The leader of the Sarkic Cults is called Saarn, as Advisor Zhang should know, that she ran the Sarkic Cults. Although they use the power of the God of Flesh and Blood, Yaldabaoth, they don't believe and respect herf, they just consider themselves parasites of the God, that's all."

If the two sects just had different beliefs, there would have been no excuse, but the way that Klavigar Sarn had done was very offensive to him.

Zhang Jue sat on the couch, his eyes darting, trying hard to digest and absorb the information Bumaro had provided. On the one hand, he analyzed the movement of the Sarkic Cults, and on the other hand, he wanted to prevent Bumaro from swindling him.

He asked, "Legend has it that the Yaldabaoth were only sealed but did not die, if what you say is true, they did so without fear of attracting the backlash of the gods?"

Hearing Zhang Jue's question, Bumaro sighed again. He closed his eyes, "As Advisor Zhang said, Yahn knows very well that Yaldabaoth did not die, but she is not afraid because she.... is also about to have the power of a god."

Hearing this shocking news, Zhang Jue looked up instantly, "What did you say?"

Bumaro withdrew his gaze from the window and looked back at Zhang Jue.

"If my senses are correct, Klavigar Sarn, will soon complete the ritual of ascending to the gods, and she will soon replace Yaldabaoth and become the next god of flesh and blood. At that time, everything that the followers of the Broken God have done will be ruined, and reality will be completely distorted and degraded into the hell of flesh and blood before her!"